Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent

Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6)

by Rachel Vincent

I died on a Thursday--killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.
The good news? He didn't get it.
The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

Reviewed by littleread1 on

4 of 5 stars

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**NOTE** The following review will contain spoilers for the series, but not for this particular book.

I am still amazed with each of these books that Vincent manages to keep me enthralled and interested, and still surprises me with the risks she is willing to take with her characters. Nash's behavior in this story is much more understandable and relate-able. With everything that happened at the end of If I Die, and his history with Kaylee, I was hurting page after page for him. I truly hope he is able to find some peace, if not happiness, before the end of the series, though with Vincent's track record I am not holding my breath for an HEA for everyone. Or anyone actually.

It was nice for Kaylee and Tod to be together. Even if there were some awkward moments because of the group dynamic. They are perfect for each other and even though I was kicking and screaming the whole way, I finally have to admit Tod is way better for Kaylee than Nash ever was. They have some terribly sweet moments that make him even more loveable than before.

As much as I connected with Kaylee in the earlier books, I had a hard time in this one. Probably because she is, you know, dead. And as far as I know I am not, nor have I ever been. She is dealing with so much more than I ever have, yet still is trying to be a regular teenager and go to school. I think home based classes would have been a better bet for her. But, life, or after-life as the case is, must go on.

This story didn't have me riding the emotional roller coaster the last few books did until the very end, and then a huge WTF moment along with a decent cliffhanger left me stunned. It most certainly left me excited for the next, and final, book. At this point I honestly have NO CLUE how Vincent will wrap things up.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 12 July, 2013: Finished reading
  • 12 July, 2013: Reviewed