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Soul Screamers, Volume Four: With All My SoulFearlessNiederwaldLast Request
Volume Four contains:˙ With All My Soul (Soul Screamers #7) - full-length novel
+3 novellas:
˙ Fearless (a prequel novella from Sabine's POV) - previously published in the Kiss Me Deadly anthology, but with a new ending
˙ Niederwald (a novella from Sabine's POV, set between My Soul To Steal and If I Die)- previously published in the Enthralled anthology
˙ Last Request - A BRAND-NEW NOVELLA from Nash's and Tod's POV, set NOT AFTER THE 7th book but it's rather a part of book 7 just from a different POV
__________________________________________
Let me start with a question:
Have you read the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent?
If yes:
If not:
If you haven't read this series yet, you're seriously missing out! I've read many paranormal books, I've read many Young Adult paranormal books, but let me tell you: NONE OF THEM WERE AS AMAZING AS THIS SERIES!
The Soul Screamers books are really unique, intriguing but here are a few warings before reading them.
Be careful because these books will:
- make you obsessed
- make you laugh
- make you cry
- grab you from line one and won't let you go until you read the last page
I've read all the seven books already, so I mostly picked up Volume Four for its brand-new novella, Last Request. I was surprised to see that I haven't read Fearless either, so I was happy to read that one as well. I also read the third novella even if I've read that one before.
All three of them were amazing, but I'm gonna write longer about Last Request.
LAST REQUEST:
I missed Tod and Nash terribly! I was so happy to read this novella from their POV I almost burst into tears. It was like seeing my friends after a long time.
Oh, TOD...Be still, my beating heart!
I missed his sarcasm! I missed his humor. I missed everything about him. In this short novella he managed to make me laugh and cry like a baby. I loved it!
Before I started reading I thought this novella would take place after the last book and I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't. But I loved it anyway (of course!).
After finishing all the novellas I needed to read the ending of With All My Soul one more time and it was just as perfect as when I read it a year ago.
Thank you for this experience, Rachel Vincent!
***** 5 HUGE stars for this Volume and the whole series *****
The Wedding
3.5 starsThe Wedding was great but The Bride was (a lot) better.
I can't help but compare this book to the first one. I love that the author creates such amazing, strong heroines!
Brenna was not as lovable as Jamie had been in The Bride. Brenna was strong and independent, too but her actions were less funny and more annoying. I still had a few chuckles but the best moments were when Alec and Jamie appeared on the pages.
I found Connor a bit childish for a Higlander. Sometimes it felt like he wasn't even present in the book. I couldn't really connect with him or Brenna. It was really frustrating.
I liked the book but I did not love it.
The Bride
I haven't read many historical romances but Julie Gadwood made me fell in love with this genre.
The Bride was simply BRILLIANT! It was funny, it was witty, it was romantic, it had all the qualities a good romance novel needs to have. I was sucked into the story right from the beginning and it felt like I was living inside the book.
Jamie, the heroine was amazing. I think she is in my top three favorite heroines of all times! She was strong with a gentle and loving heart. Her sense of humor and her innocence were just icing on the cake. Because of her innocence and free spirit she often created - even if unwittingly - funny situations that always made me chuckle.
“She still hadn't caught on. Alec sighed. "Change your gown, Jamie, if that's your inclination. I prefer white. Now go and do my bidding. The hour grows late and we must be on our way."
He'd deliberately lengthened his speech, giving her time to react to his announcement. He thought he was being most considerate.
She thought he was demented.
Jamie was, at first, too stunned to do more than stare in horror at the warlord. When she finally gained her voice, she shouted, "It will be a frigid day in heaven before I marry you, milord, a frigid day indeed."
"You've just described the Highlands in winter, lass. And you will marry me."
"Never."
Exactly one hour later, Lady Jamison was wed to Alec Kincaid.”
I'm always amazed when an author can create scary-looking, stubborn heros that you can't help but fall in love with.
Alec Kincaid was no exception. He was a fierce looking Highland warrior with a constant frown and questionable attitude, who often seems to value his horses more than women.
Both Jamie and Alec are forced into a marriage that neither of them wants. Alec thinks that his matrimony with Jamie is nothing more than an inconvenience to him that he has to endure to please his king. He is unaware (yet) of Jamie's ability to melt the coldest heart into butter.
The chemisty between them was sizzling hot. Their interactions were entertaining and THE ROMANCE - OH BOY!
If you haven't read any Julie Garwood book before, here is the perfect book to start with! I promise, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to read every single novel from this author.
***** 5 Highlander stars *****
Beauty and the Mustache
I did something I've never done before. I skipped book 2 and 3 (I read the first one) before starting Beauty and the Mustache. I've read so many riveting reviews for this one that I couldn't wait. The book can be read as a standalone so it didn't bother me much. :)This book was deeper and more emotional than how I remember the first book. I actually liked this one better.
Beauty and the Mustache had the perfect balance of humor and serious moments and as always, the writing was engaging.
The characters and witty dialogues were amazing, but the story was predictable and they were not any surprises for me while reading it.
I smiled but did not laugh, I was sad but did not cry, I liked it but did not fall in love.
The heroine, Ashley was a great narrator. I'm glad the story wasn't told from Drew's pov - after reading the epilogue from his pov, I found being in his head too heavy. :)
Drew was amazing, even if he didn't talk much through the whole novel.
**** 4 Viking stars ****
Duncan's Bride
I couldn't wait to start reading this book! I love Linda Howard's writing style and I love reading books with arranged marriages/Mail Order Brides. So Duncan's Bride was a win-win.
"Wanted: a wife for able-bodied rancher."
Reese Duncan has a ranch, he works sixteen hours a day and has no time to search for a wife. So he puts and ad in the local newspaper. That's how everything starts.
Reese is arrogant, stubborn, sexy and honest.
But he is not looking for love. He just wants a wife who helps him around the house and children.
His honesty was refreshing! I loved his character even if sometimes I wanted to kick him for being so stubborn.
Madelyn (Maddie) is exactly what Reese needs - even if he doesn't know this at first. She is extremely strong and she is not scared away by Reese's temper. She is full of love and slowly she manages to change Reese's trust issues.
I loved how always Maddie stood up to Reese and was not afraid to speak her mind. She is one of my favorite heroines!
“I'll tell you what's wrong!" he roared, "I'm trying to quit smoking!" Then he strode angrily to the truck, leaving her standing there.
She blinked her eyes, and slowly a smile stretched her lips. She strolled to the truck and got in. "So, are you homicidal or merely as irritable as a wounded buffalo?"
"About halfway in between," he said through clenched teeth.
"Anything I can do to help?"
His eyes were narrow and intense. "It isn't just the cigarettes. Take off your panties and lock your legs around me, and I'll show you.”
This book was everything I could ask for in a romance novel. There was no unnecessary drama, the book made me laugh, cry and swoon. I could read about these characters forever. I didn't want it to end! It was perfect!
I recommend this book to every romance lover!
***** 5 stars *****
Black Lies
I'm not really sure how to review this book to do it justice! It was far from what I expected and that's exactly why it was so amazing!
“True love makes a person reckless, makes them take risks and make sacrifices. True love tests the boundaries of our person, makes us yearn to be better and fight for the ground we stand on. I will fight for this love. Lie for it. Steal for it. It’s worthy of that.”
Some random facts about me:
* I hate cheating and I avoid books containing cheating as much as I can.
* I'm a sucker for books with a lot of fangirling reviews and they make me want to read it anyway. *shrugs*
I went into reading Black Lies being sure what will happen. I read the blurb: two men, one cheating girl, bla-bla-bla. I did not expect any surprises. I had been sure I would dislike the heroine but I went into reading the story anyway. I was curious.
Well, let me tell you, this book was the perfect example where my expectations kicked me in the butt and proved me wrong!
I did not realize this ...up until the last third of the book.
The book started out just how I thought it would. I couldn't sympatize with the heroine and her actions and - this I didn't expect - I did not like either of the guys. So I was already planning how I would write this review and how I would feel guilty for my low rating.
Around 20-25% I thought I had even figured out the twist in the story. (I was wrong!) So at that point I really thought nothing could surprise me anymore. (Wrong again!)
A quote from more than halfway through the book stuck with me. When the heroine, Layana says:
"And once you find out [why she cheated], you will understand. You would have done the same thing."
I was like:
And a few chapters later the book laughed in my face.
I should have taken seriously this from the blurb:
"You have no idea what my love entails.
If you think you’ve heard this story before, trust me – you haven’t."
To say that I was flabbergasted is an understatement!
MY JAW HIT THE FLOOR! Everything I believed to be true shattered with a loud crash! I was like:
It was a twist I never would have expected. I WANTED TO START THE WHOLE BOOK OVER AGAIN FROM THE BEGINNING! I was shocked. And I FELL IN LOVE.
I fell in love with Brant, I fell in love with Lee and I respected the hell out of Layana and her strength! (*whispers* I even cried.)
I'm not gonna say more, you have to read the book to understand it. Believe me, it's worth it! This story is truly unique.
I can't wait to read the author's other works.
If not for the slow and for me less interesting first half of the story, I would give this book five stars.
**** 4 stars ****
Stay With Me
This was my second novel by this author and I truly think Sharla Lovelace has became my go-to author if I want to read a romance with feelings!
I had a funny "relationship" with Stay With Me. It really sucked me into the story from page one, but as I saw the storyline unfold I thought it will be nothing original .
It seems the author loves the second chance love stories where the hero comes back into the heroine's life after years - in this case ten years. (This was a bit similar to Don't Let Go).
I have to confess: I'm TIRED of those books where the hero saunters back into the heroine's life like nothing happened and he expects her to fall in his arms, declaring her undying love and having sex with him in ten seconds! And the heroine is most of the time still so in love with him AFTER THAT MANY YEARS (kind of unbelievable!) that they - of course - end up living happily ever after.
Well, if you dislike this as much as I do, then I'm happy to announce that Stay With Me will be the story for you (even if it doesn't seem any different at first).
I like reading Sharla Lovelace books because they always make me feel!
This book wasn't different. I felt every emotion, every heartache and it felt amazing!
I so want to hug the author for having the balls to end the book how it ended! It was really brave and not many authors can pull this off.
Beside the good things, they were a few things that bothered me (that's why I give the book "only" four stars):
From reading the blurb, you can already guess there is a love triangle in the book. This didn't bother me. The thing that bothered me was that I did not love either Ian or Duncan. Shocking, I know. Both of them were panty-dropping hot, but Ian was too immature for his age and I can't put my finger on it why, but something was off with Duncan. Maybe because I thought that he was such a sweet guy (which he was at first) but later he acted like a completely different person.
It was great to read the book from Savanna's pov but sometimes her actions didn't make sense and frustrated me to no end. I didn't like how she let Ian back into her life, but I LOVED how she didn't hide that he hurt him. I admired her honesty.
If you like well-written romances, you should give a try to this book!
**** 4 almost perfect stars ****
Isla and the Happily Ever After
So... Isla and the Happily Ever After *sigh*How do I review a book where some parts were perfect but other parts made me want to throw away the book in frustration?
The good:
1. The writing! It was so beautiful I wanted to weep! Stephanie Perkins has a great talent for writing romantic stories. Her books always make me feel like I'm being part of the book and I'm living the scenes along with the characters.
2. The Setting: Paris! Enough said!
3. There were a lot of scenes that were so beautiful that they made me grin silly (ever tear up a few times).
“Josh grins. "Just give me your hand."
"W-what?"
"Your hand," he repeats. "Give it to me."
I extend my shaking right hand. And-in a moment that is a hundred dreams come true-Joshua Wasserstein laces his fingers through mine. A staggering shock of energy shoots straight into my veins. Straight into my heart.
"There," he says. "I've been waiting a long time to do that."
Not nearly as long as I've been waiting.”
4. The Anna&Étienne and Lola&Cricket moments!!! I missed them like crazy (especially Étienne). Seeing them again, it was the best part of the book for me.
5. Isla and the Happily Ever After has one of the best opening scenes I've ever read in YA novels.
“It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy - that guy right over there - that’s him.
The him.”
“I catch a glimpse of his abdomen. Yummy. "Yummy tummy."
He startles. "What?"
"Hmm?”
The bad:
1. The insta-relationship between Isla and Josh.
The whole romance was so rushed that I couldn't really feel honest emotions from either of them. I did not feel Isla's crush changing into true love and I didn't understand why exactly Josh loved Isla. It was like they didn't even know each other.
2. Drama that wasn't even drama.
This was the most frustrating part! As I said the whole relationship between the main characters happened way too quickly. Because of this, after they became a couple, the story lost focus for me and I felt confused where the whole plot was going from there.
The "drama" was eye-rollingly aggravating! It was unnecessary and couldn't decide which one of the two was stupider, Isla or Josh. They could have sold everything with a conversation, but I guess it would have been too easy. Maybe this wouldn't have bothered me a year ago, but reading more and more books I am more and more picky. *shugs*
Another perfect moment in the book beside the beginning was the final two chapters! Especially on Josh's part. Oh, and I loved that he was an artist!
*** 3 ( I wish I could give it more!) stars ***
Unmasked: Volume 3
Such and unsatisfying ending! Volume Three did not measure up to Volume Two at all. It was like I was reading a completely different book.
The other books always kept me on edge and I could never guess what will happen, but in this book: nothing.
I feel like a lot of questions were still not answered.
Also... Daimon became too soft for my taste.
BUT I STILL LOVE HIM! (He is the reason I'm giving this book 3 stars instead of one or two.) Some of the scenes were seriously hot!
Neurotica
After reading and loving Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon, it was no question that I had to read Neurotica as soon as possible. It seems my expectations were too high though. This book could have been so much better if not for the romance and if the book was not filled with the same old elements I've read in almost every romance novel. The good:
The opening scene was hilarious! It made me excited to continue reading. I loved Jayne and her funny way she sees the world.
The bad:
LUKE! He is one of those characters whose name I forget the second I close the book. I just couldn't feel his passion or the chemistry between him and Jayne.
Other than that, he was the biggest hypocrite and the "drama" in the book was not at all necessary. It ruined the book for me.
The other thing is, it was unrealistic how Jayne's issues magically disappeared when she was with Luke and I hated how she found something "gross" in all the other male characters.
I'm so sad because I really like Eliza Gordon's writing style and this story had so much potential!
** 2 stars **
Soulless
I wasn't really sure what to expect before picking up this book. I'm not a huge fan of steampunk but I wanted to try something different so that's how I got my hand on this novel.Even though the writing was great and kind of "old school", it took me some time to get into it.
The first half of the book was for me quite - okay I'm gonna say it - uninteresting. I know, I know, stop throwing tomatoes on me. :) I just had a feeling nothing much was happening through the first half. I was bored and I thought everything was described in too much detail and it had too little focus on the main storyline.
But after that the story did really pick up and I enjoyed reading the characters' quirky remarks, witty dialogues and it made me even smile a few times, which is a plus.
For me what saved this book was Lord Maccon the ROMANCE! I loved the interactions and chemistry between Alexia and Lord Maccon, who was one sexy beast (no pun intended)!
I'm not sure if I will continue reading this series, maybe later sometimes (I guess I'll miss Lord Maccon at one point).
*** 3 stars ***
Waiting For Prince Harry
DNF at 23%.I couldn't take all the insta-love anymore.
I think the more and more book I read the more picky I become. Maybe if I read this book last year I would have finished it, but now it seemed nothing unique after reading so many books with characters falling in love with each other the moment they meet.
How to Handle a Heartbreaker
After reading the first book and loving it I couldn't wait to get my hands on How to Handle a Heartbreaker. The first chapters actually lived up to my expectations, but after that the story did not engage me anymore. I loved Abby and Brody but they were often aloof and I couldn't feel the connection between them.
I hated Brody's tantrums and most of the time I couldn't take seriously what the two characters were saying, it was just too cliché for my taste.
I will definitely read the rest of the series because I'm curious about Cam's and Mike's story, but I wish this book would have been better because it really had the potential!
I still love the McCauley brothers though!
The Sweet Gum Tree
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my feelings about this book.
The writing was amazing and the book could have been so much better if not for the little things that bugged me to no end and I could not overlook them.
The "balance" of the book was a little bit off. Some things were described too long and some things didn't get the attention they would have deserved.
For example the book tells the characters's childhood, which would have been okay if not telling it up to the 52% mark!!! A lot of times I was bored while reading it and couldn't wait to get to the "real" story.
The thing that annoyed me the most was that at the end of almost every single chapter the protagonist sums up what will happen in the next! It was like reading spoilers before reading the book! It made me SO ANGRY because I couldn't enjoy the story this way and I was bored because I knew what will happen!
Another thing is: The HEA at the end was unrealistic!
I couldn't believe how Alix could forgive everything so easily after being angry for so many years. One minute she was like "I don't want to see you ever again", the next "let's love each other".
But as I said earlier, the writing was great and I really liked Alix and Nick. Alix was so strong that I truly admired her!
*** 3 stars ***
Don't Let Go
This book surprised me, broke me and made me feel like I was living the story instead of the characters.
Don't Let Go was not what I expected. After reading the blurb I thought it would be the "same old" friends-to-lovers romance but IT WAS SO MUCH MORE!
At the beginning it was a bit hard for me to get into the story because the writing was "different". Not bad different, just different like I was used to. But after a few chapters the story truly sucked me in and didn't let go until I finished the whole book. It was truly UNPUTDOWNABLE!
What suprised me the most was that the romance wasn't what I enjoyed the most. I haven't experienced in real life the things the story was about, yet the book made me feel like I was living that life instead of the characters, it shattered me inside then put me back together. This is one of those books you'll never be the same after reading it.
In a nutshell, the book is about Jules and Noah, two people who became lovers after being friends since they were kids. At their age of seventeen a bad decision tore them apart and they haven't seen each other for 26 years. They can't run from the past though, especially when Noah comes back to his home town.
Don't Let Go was perfect from page one! Yet in the back of my mind I had a feeling like something was missing. I didn't know what it was because the writing was great, the story was engaging... Later I found out it was not a "something" but a "someone". I was astonished how could I miss someone from the book without "meeting" him/her first.
Then that "someone" came.
And I stared sobbing.
... and sobbing. Everything fell into place, like someone put together my shattered heart. It was indescribable.
I know it's quite vague but I don't want to ruin the book for you with spoilers.
THIS IS A MUST READ! I recommend it to everyone who likes their book with deeper emotions.
PS: I NEED to read that "someone's" story!!!
***** 5 unforgettable stars *****
Six of Hearts
I can't believe I had to rate this book "only" 3 stars after it being one of my most anticipated reads this year.
I love L.H. Cosway's writing! I couldn't wait to read Six of Hearts when I found out it has a magician in it. I thought it was really unique and intriguing. And it truly was if I don't count the romance.
Jay reminded me of Darcy Oake from this year's Britain's Got Talent!
Six of Hearts would have been a PERFECT book if not for two things:
1) The mystery
IT WAS SO BORING! Also it was frustrating that we had to wait 'til the end to find out what was going on with Jason and his "big" secrets.
The author could have sold this problem pretty easily if at least a few scenes would have been written in his POV. Just saying.
2) The romance
I HATED the old boring I'm-the-shy-and-obedient-heroine-and-I don't-question-anything theme I've read in so many books already that I lost count!!!
This is pretty much how it went:
I couldn't stand it! It ruined for me the whole experience!
***3 sad stars***
