Author: Rachel Vincent
Publication date: July 28th 2009
Publisher: Harlequin
Age group: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal
Cover rating: 3/5
Content rating: 4.5/5
Source: Bought on Amazon
Buy: Amazon / The Book Depository
Description via Goodreads:
It was supposed to be a fun day, shopping at the mall with her best friend. Then the panic attack started and Kaylee Cavanaugh finds herself screaming, unable to stop. Her secret fears are exposed and it's the worst day of her life.
Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
She tries to convince everyone she's fine--despite the shadows she sees forming around another patient and the urge to scream which comes burbling up again and again. Everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, that is. Another patient with some special abilities....My thoughts:
My Soul To Lose is a prequel novella to Rachel Vincent's popular series, Soul Screamers, which I have yet to read! While I think it probably isn't absolutely necessary to read this novella before the rest of the series, I found it to be a lovely introduction to the world and characters. It left me with a huge urge to read the first book which hopefully I'll get to do really soon! Sometimes novellas can be lacking in substance or feel like they were cut short but this one certainly wasn't.
The story starts off with a bang. Kaylee Cavanaugh is trying to enjoy a day out with a friend but her 'panic attacks' are getting in the way of that. Kaylee's really having a tough time of it. She screams for no apparent reason and there's nothing she can do about it! Fearing she is mentally ill, she is admitted to a psychiatric unit and even had to be sedated for 15 hours. This story mostly takes place inside the unit. I've read a fair few books that feature psychiatric hospitals and I think of all of them, this one was the easiest to picture.
Rachel Vincent's writing is just amazing! I could see everything clearly in my head and there was so much emotion throughout the story it was almost tangible. When Kaylee was having one of her attacks, it was described so well you could almost feel it yourself. You could sense her panic, fear and confusion. It really gets inside your head and makes you realize what Kaylee is going through. I just loved how real it all felt even if the circumstances and reasons behind it were a little surreal!
This is definitely one to read in a single sitting. I was so captivated by the story, I couldn't tear my eyes away from Kindle. I loved the ideas, the mystery and the characters. Kaylee is a likable person and I'm looking forward to getting to know her better in the next book. If you want to test this series out, this novella is really a good way to do so! It will leave you hungry for more. I have a feeling I'm going to adore book one!
This sounds totally up my street! I wanted to keep reading! I love stories that put you slap bang in the middle of it/make you feel what the characters are feeling... and it sounds like this story did just that. Will be investigating this one! Thanks :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear this has you eager to start the series. I really like Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series and can't wait to hear what you think of book one. Aweosme review! :)
ReplyDeleteI have this but I've never read it, even though I've read the rest of the series so far and loved it. I'm glad you enjoyed this and I hope you like the rest of the series just as much. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteRACHEL VINCENT! <3 Oh my gosh, I love her and her books and her writing too, and I think that the Soul Screamer's series was my favourite! This prequel novella was pretty sweet, but it's NOWHERE near as awesome as the rest of the series. The first few books are awesome, but the latest book, If I Die, has to be my favourite -- it was just so heart-pounding! So even if you didn't love this (and I'm glad you did!), I would definitely recommend that you continue with all of RV's other books! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing novella review, Nicola! <3
I actually had the novella on my PC long before buying My Soul to Take but you know I went and read My Soul to Take and still haven't gotten to the novella. The first book actually mentions Kaylee's time in the psych ward and now that I know this story is about that I really want to check it out now. Thanks for the review now I am going to read the short story! Also yes love Rachel Vincent, if you haven't checked out her adult book Blood Bound then do. It's my favourite book by her.
ReplyDeleteI have issues with Rachel's books, I really disliked her Shifter series, but I'm happy you enjoyed this, maybe I will give this series a go
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