*REVIEW* Before I Wake 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...

  Where to start with this one.  I started the Soul Screamers series a little later than most but it had me hooked right from book 1.  Each book I finished left me needing a little more and it became kind of like an addiction.  There is honestly so much to love about this series and each book just completely pulls you in and holds you to the pages until you turn the last one.

  Kaylee has been through so much in this series and really you have to admire her selfless ways.  Dying hasn't been very kind to her though and I find myself wanting to poke her at times.  I wouldn't call her weak but there are moments that she lets a little bit of self pity get through and to me it just wasn't her.  Characters change and grow but I felt that Kaylee left a little bit behind when she came back.  Her love for her friends and family hasn't changed and I would have to say that is my favourite thing about her anyway.  She would do anything for those she cares about and at the end of the day that is what really matters to me.

  Todd, Nash and Sabine create a lot of interesting situations.  Obviously for different reasons but despite the different situations they all bring something to the table that you want to read and I mean you WANT it!  Todd creates a lot of the steamier scenes that leave you smiling and remembering why you love him and Kaylee.  They are just too perfect for each other.  Nash... I actually have both issues and sympathy for him.  There are moments when my heart seriously goes out to him but then he does something selfish and stupid and I want to scream at him!  Sabine, well she is herself.  She is a consistent characters and despite her snark I actually really like her.  I love her honesty and flat out blunt ways.  I however have issues with her lack of smarts when it comes to Nash.  I understand undying love but when that guy wouldn't risk anything to save you?!

  This series really does just get better and better.  The story progresses at such a rate that you don't feel you are missing something or get board with all the extras.  You also have to respect an author that has the ability to kill of any of their characters at any given time!  This to me makes them more real and more human.  Well I guess not more human but knowing that they can die like anyone else makes the entire risk factor that much more intense.  With this book when the big thing happened it was like my emotions went from 0-60 and I was floored.  I did see it coming to an extent but still I didn't really expect it.

  This was another awesome instalment for the Soul Screamers series.  Rachel Vincent never fails to amaze with her strong characters and unpredictable twists.  There is always something just around the corner and you can't help but not want to put these books down.  I think that it is safe to say that this is one of my favourite series and I will be sad to see it end.  With all the work and development that Rachel put into her characters I have become rather attached.  Needless to say this is another must read and an amazing addition to an already mind blowing series!