With All My Soul (Soul Screamers, #7)

by Rachel Vincent

KAYLEE CAVANAUGH's Taking her final STAND! After spending the last year undead, Kaylee has had enough of the paranormal creatures who have plagued her ever since she came into her banshee powers. Now she's ready to take her school back from the evil hellions, once and forever.

To protect her friends, Kaylee will need to find a way to turn the living incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another. Yet when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realises she can't save everyone she loves without making some powerful sacrifices… ‘Vincent is a welcome addition to the genre' Kelley Armstrong SOUL SCREAMERS The last thing you hear before you die

• ISBN13: 9781848451827
• Publish Date: 5 April 2013 (first published 1 January 2013)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Imprint: Mira Ink
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 384
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I cannot lie, I have a severe book hang-over right now. I am still sniffling as I write this review. I could hardly read the last three chapters through my tears, and finishing this book meant that I was also finishing this series. ---sigh---

This book was filled with a lot of drama, sadness, passion and every other emotion you can name. We find Kaylee continuing to make huge sacrifices in order to save her "family". We see the bonds between all familial parties (blood and otherwise) growing stronger and stronger.

So I say, thank you. Thank you Rachel Vincent for a great journey and maybe we can look forward to a spinoff?

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I absolutely loved this book. I am a big fan of this series and this was a great way to end it. If you haven't read these books you definitely should.

I'm finding it difficult to write this review without giving too much of the story away. It was great to see how the characters had evolved from the first book and how their relationships has strengthened.

There were some tough times in this book but also some good laughs. Rachel really kept the mystery going until the very end. I loved the way it all unravelled.  I think the last few sentences were absolutely perfect.

[Angie]

With All My Soul is the heart-stopping finale to what has been a fantastic series. In the beginning I was nervous that it wasn’t going to deliver the epic ending I was hoping for, but holy crap! It met my expectations and exceeded them. I was in tears by the last page. I was crying because I was happy, and I was crying because I was sad. My emotions were all over the place upon finishing this book! Those super intense last few chapters more than made up for the slow and repetitive start!

The hellions of the Netherworld have taken enough from Kaylee and her friends. Now it’s time for them to form the ultimate plan to exact justice. Or is it actually revenge? We’ve already learned over the course of the series that Kaylee will do anything to protect her friends and family. The situation in With All My Soul is no different. She’s been permanently changed, and there’s a war raging inside her. While Kaylee tries to include everyone in the plan to get back their missing loved ones and take back their school, there’s just some things she must do alone. I had no idea how far Kaylee would go to save everyone, including herself. Her decision at the end was shocking and heartbreaking. Did it work? Of course, but the price was extremely high.

Probably my favorite aspect of With All My Soul was the interactions and relationships between all of the characters. Everyone is present throughout the entire book as they band together to bring down Avari. However, they do fight, and there are some emotional scenes between them. Of course there’s plenty of Kaylee and Tod, and we learn some very interesting information about the extent of their relationship. I also started to like Nash again. He’s still upset with Kaylee and Tod, but he’s trying. His relationship with Sabine is growing and it was nice to seem him focusing on her when she needed him. Even Sophie shows some growth and is no longer the super vicious, mean cousin that Kaylee grew up with. She tries to help as much as she can, but even she knows the limits of her abilities. Emma is dealing with the events of the previous book, and at times it puts a strain on her friendship with Kaylee. I just wish we had gotten to know Luca a bit better. At times it felt like it was just hanging out and snuggling Sophie without providing much. Oddly though, my favorite relationship was between Kaylee and Ira, the hellion of wrath. I can’t say anything really without spoiling, but he’s an interesting character and every important to the outcome of the story.

I absolutely loved With All My Soul. We may have gotten off to a rocky start, but by the end my jaw was on the floor. The stakes are so much higher than they’ve ever been. Those last chapters were intense and full of emotion. Kaylee is one smart cookie, and while I hate what she did, I’m glad she had the courage to do it. The very ending is a happy one, and I didn’t notice any loose ends. Things are definitely not the same for everyone, but I think they’ll all be okay. I’m just sad this series is over. I want more!

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Berls]

For more reviews from Berls go to: Fantasy is More Fun

My Initial Reaction...
At the end of Before I Wake I was in tears and shocked beyond belief. That was not the way I expected this series to go and needless to say it was mere minutes before I started listening to this book (thank goodness I was reading it after the series was finished)! With All My Soul did not disappoint. I was laughing and crying from the start, shocked numerous times and only regretted that this great series is over.

The Narration...
As with every book in this series, Amanda Ronconi is incredible. The depth of emotion that she manages to convincingly portray and with such individualized characterizations took this book to the next level. When I reread this series (which I most certainly will) it will definitely be with the audiobooks.

The Characters...
So much happens to the characters in this concluding book of the series. What I love about this book is the way all their complicated relationship dynamics are finally starting to work themselves out and they're starting to realize that they all love each other, even when they're so angry they think they hate each other.

Kaylee has grown so much over the course of this series; she's seen so much death and experienced so much pain and overcome so many challenges that she could have easily lost herself. Instead that quality that I loved so much about her from book one still holds strong: Kaylee has a gigantic heart and is fiercely determined to do what she feels is right to protect those she loves, regardless of the cost to herself. That strength of character was really tested in this book, where she has gone from being devastated by all that's happened to being pissed. Her rage holds her together and propels her forward as she makes some of the most difficult decisions of her life (and afterlife).

All the characters have grown though, not just Kaylee. Tod, who was struggling to hold on to life while working as a Reaper has come alive and the love between him and Kaylee is incredible. I tend to be a little sarcastic when it comes to teenage love stories - if it feels over the top for their age I usually find myself rolling my eyes. But Kaylee and Todd are unique teenagers, being dead with eternity ahead of them, and that experience has made them grow up into an incredible couple. There's some really heart-warming and heart-wrenching developments on that front in this book. Nash and Sabine, no longer so distracted by Kaylee, are starting to get comfortable as a couple and it's really great to see. Nash is stepping up and having a will of his own, now that he's not following Kaylee around and Sabine is no longer such an outsider. In fact, she's living with Sophie since the death of her foster parent and is in the first real family she's probably ever had.

Even Emma and Sophie, two characters that have been sidelined quite a lot in the series because of not having supernatural abilities, really step it up. Emma (now Emily) is in a brand new body and she's really struggling to cope. Not only has she had to leave her family, who know thinks she is dead, but she's having to be the new girl at school. And without her previous advantage of being one of the most attractive girls in school. She has to figure out how to be herself in her new body; she grows, not without some major difficulties, in incredible ways. In the last book Sophie was finally clued in to what's been going on around her and she's coping amazingly well. She's still Sophie, but she's growing and starting to take some responsibility for helping when disaster strikes. She's not part of the gang exactly, but she's not entirely outside it either.

The Story...
Kaylee and the gang start this book still reeling from the disastrous events of Before I Wake, which concluded with Kaylee's desperate attempt to save Emma by putting her into Lydia's body. It worked, but not without consequences. As far as everyone outside their circle is concerned, including Emma's family, she died that day and we pick up with the story with her really uncomfortable funeral.

Needless to say they are all hurting and tired of being demon's play things. Kaylee is consumed with rage at what Avari has taken from her and her loved ones. She's ready to stop playing defense and go on the offensive, with the gang following her lead - but as usual things don't go as planned. Avari's already working on a plan of his own and he's not resting until he gets Kaylee's soul or destroys everyone she knows. His final move is the one that makes her snap, determined to do whatever it takes to bring him down and keep her family safe.

Concluding Sentiments...
This is the longest book of the series and not a second of it was a waste. It's perfectly paced, action-packed, shocking, and well-written. A very satisfying, if bittersweet conclusion to a great series!

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

I was so excited to read this book when it arrived. The final book in the series! I was eager to see how Rachel Vincent would finish the story, how she would wrap everything up, but she completely blew my mind with exactly how she did it! Something I wasn't expecting at all!

Kaylee has had enough. Her best friend's soul is in another body - because of hellions. Her friend Alec is dead - because of hellions. Various other people are dead, and her friends and family are in constant danger - because of hellions. More specifically, because of Avari's obsession with her. This time, Kaylee's taking the fight to the hellions rather than waiting for them to hurt someone she loves, and she is raging. She wants hellion blood, and she wants it to pour.  Kaylee will do whatever it takes to keep the her loved ones safe. But the stakes are raised when Avari abducts her father. The only question is, what price is she willing to pay?

Oh my god, I don't even know where to start! Kaylee is driven by pure rage throughout this novel, and we have have never seen her so angry! The Kaylee we have come to love is a girl who puts everyone else's safety before her own, will do all she can to save those who need rescuing, and put her life on the line in order to do it. She's still the same girl, but this time, she doesn't want to wait until somebody else gets hurt, she wants to take action before danger strikes. Unfortunately, Avari makes a move before Kaylee's plan can really be put into action, and danger creeps ever closer.

This book is really hard to review, because it's all so important, and I don't want to spoil anything for you. We are introduced to a new hellion, Ira, the hellion of wrath, and I'd say he is possibly even more creepier than Avari. Oh my god, the things he does and suggests are so bloody disturbing. It's visceral and graphic, and god, it made my stomach turn. I am not his biggest fan. No, I do not like him at all.

Kaylee is at her most strongest in this book. I know she's a character of fiction, and the world she lives in is a complete fantasy, but my god, Kaylee has to be the most admirable character I have ever read - especially in With All My Soul. She has so much love for those around her, and she makes the hardest decisions for them. This girl has so much courage and strength, both of which are fueled by the love she feels for her friends and family, and the love she receives from them. It's because of this she is able to make the decisions she does, but  I was still completely gobsmacked. I swear, no matter what you think will happen in this book, it's not going to be what you expect! As well as being so loving, strong and courageous, Kaylee is also incredibly smart! Seriously smart. I don't know whether I admire her more for her courage or her intelligence. I truly feel all girls should read this series, not just because it's awesome, but also so they can get to this book and be as awe-inspired by Kaylee's heroism, just like I am. Despite being fictional, Kaylee is such an inspiration, and I would love to be as strong, courageous and smart as she is in my own world; in my own life.

I am not going to say either way whether With All My Soul ends happily or sadly. All I'm going to say is that Vincent really knows how to put her characters through hell, and as anyone has read her Shifters series will know, she doesn't wave a magic wand for her characters to make everything turn out wonderful and sparkly. However, it is the most incredible ending, the best ending for this series, and it had me in tears. And despite the fact that this series has ended, and I will never get to read a new book about them again, I don't feel my usual sadness, simply because there is no room for sadness as I am so filled with awe. I just want to give Vincent the biggest hug in thanks for this series; for Kaylee; and for blowing me away.

People, this is not a series to be missed. If you've yet to start, pick up book one now and read. If you started and gave up, start again. I myself wasn't the biggest fan of the first two books in the series, but I am so, so glad I continued, because the Soul Screamers is one of the most incredible YA urban fantasy/paranormal series I have ever read! Rachel Vincent, thank you.

Thank you to Mira Ink for the review copy.

[Kelly]

3.5 Stars (first Half)
4.5 Stars (last Half)
5 Stars for the ending
http://divainpyjamas.blogspot.com.au/

I've enjoyed the Soul Screamers series. It's unique storyline of banshees that sing to release the souls from the deceased. I've never cared for Kaylee's character, she always seems to make her own rules and decisions, but berates others for doing the same. The other main characters such as Tod, Nash and Emma are likeable and keep the series interesting.

The final in the Soul Screamers series feels longer than the former titles in the series, and the first half feels practically uneventful and painfully slow, it isn't until two characters find themselves in trouble that the action finally begins.

But there is a definite ending for fans who have followed Kaylee and her friends since the beginning, one that the majority of readers will more than thrilled with. Thanks to Rachel Vincent for bringing the banshee to life on our pages.

[Amber]

I can't believe this series is over! I still remember the moment I decided to pick it up. I had been a fan of Vincent's first series - Shifters - and shortly after I started book blogging, I discovered that she had a YA series coming out in the UK. I just HAD to read it. And now, two years later, I've been recommending this series to everybody I come into contact with. I didn't want it to be over *sobs*

As always, this review isn't really going to be a review. It's a ramble. A stream of thoughts. I proved to myself that I can't review this series seriously before, and so I'm not going to even try this time.

Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/04/with-all-my-soul-by-rachel-vincent.html