Showing posts with label Rachel Vincent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rachel Vincent. Show all posts

Saturday, 4 July 2015

Review: The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

The Stars Never Rise (Untitled Series, #1)The Stars Never Rise

Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Untitled
Pages: 368
Publisher: Delacorte Pres
Release date: 9th June 2015

Synopsis (Goodreads): Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

Review: 4 ½ out of 5 stars

I was a little hesitant about starting The Stars Never Rise, I really enjoyed Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamer series but her Shifters series was a BIG miss for me so I was a little reluctant but I am pleased to say this book is a fabulous start to the series and I can’t wait to read the next installment.

Our MC is sixteen year-old Nina Kane, living in New Temperance her main focus is to provide for her sister by keeping food on the table and a roof over their heads by doing whatever it takes while their deadbeat mother is seemingly oblivious to what is going on. Nina was a character I instantly liked and sympathised with, things weren’t easy for her but she remained strong and determined.

When Melanie, Nina’s fifteen year-old sister announces something that will cause them a lot of drama because it is considered a sin, Nina will do anything possible to keep her safe. Now wanted by the Church and hunted by dark robed exorcists, Nina meets a group of teens eager to help her transition in to her new abilities and tell her the truth about what she is and also about the life she had come to believe in.

The world-building was creative and unique, it’s a world that has been ruined by soul-eating demons and degenerates, their lives are now strictly ruled by the Church, this book was heavy on the religion which I usually don’t enjoy but it was a pivotal aspect in this book. It was a fast-paced read that kept me flipping the pages eager for more.

I think what makes this book wonderful is how Rachel Vincent doesn’t forget to make the secondary characters stand out just as much as Nina. I was so fascinated and quite baffled by Finn and enjoyed the bond shared between Devi, Maddock, Reese and Grayson. I still have so many questions!

Overall, The Stars Never Rise is wonderfully written, it’s a dark blend of Dystopian and Urban Fantasy that worked really well. With a great plot line and fantastically drawn characters it makes it all the more enjoyable.



Rachel VincentAbout the author: A resident of Oklahoma, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her workspace with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks-seriously-and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Waiting on Wednesday - The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent


Hi everyone!! thank-you so much for stopping by today.

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My WoW for this week is The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent.

The Stars Never Rise (Untitled Series, #1)

Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: TBA
Genre: Young adult
Amazon pre-order
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release date: June 2015


Synopsis. (Goodreads)

Sixteen-year-old Nina Kane should be worrying about her immortal soul, but she's too busy trying to actually survive. Her town's population has been decimated by soul-consuming demons, and souls are in short supply. Watching over her younger sister, Mellie, and scraping together food and money are all that matters. The two of them are a family. They gave up on their deadbeat mom a long time ago.

When Nina discovers that Mellie is keeping a secret that threatens their very existence, she'll do anything to protect her. Because in New Temperance, sins are prosecuted as crimes by the brutal Church and its army of black-robed exorcists. And Mellie's sin has put her in serious trouble.

To keep them both alive, Nina will need to trust Finn, a fugitive with deep green eyes who has already saved her life once and who might just be an exorcist. But what kind of exorcist wears a hoodie?

Wanted by the Church and hunted by dark forces, Nina knows she can't survive on her own. She needs Finn and his group of rogue friends just as much as they need her.

What are most anticipating this week?

PS. If you are interested in children’s book reviews (3-12 years), I have started a new review blog Here – Little Ones Read (Competition happening at the moment to win a book of your choice to $10aud)

Friday, 29 June 2012

REVIEW: My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent

 My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, #1)
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers
Pages: 279
Publisher: HarlequinTeen
Genre: Young Adult - Paranormal

Synopsis. (Goodreads)

She doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

REVIEW: 4 1/2 out 5 stars

My Soul to Take is the first book in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent. I picked up this book after receiving a copy of book 6, Before I Wake – it sounded really intriguing so I thought I’d give it a try and boy was it a riveting read!

Kaylee Cavanaugh was abandoned by her parents at a young age and has been raised by her aunt and uncle. She has the unusual ability to sense when a person near her is about to die and her body reacts in a way that is definitely not normal, she screams bloody murder but is absolutely clueless about why she is this way.

After experiencing what she believes is a panic attack with the extreme urge to scream in a club; Kaylee is befriended by the school hottie, Nash Hudson who has a way of calming her, seems to know a lot more about what she is experiencing and starts to take an interest in helping her through it. I love the relationship they share and their connection – they are both bean sidhe’s - Banshee’s. I also liked how they were able to work together to try and solve the strange mystery surrounding the recent bout of teenage deaths.

I loved the unique premise of My Soul to take, I don’t think I have ever read a novel about banshees or grim reapers and I found it quite fascinating. I enjoyed learning along with Kaylee about what she was and why she reacted the way she did.

Kaylee was a really likeable heroine, she was intelligent, funny and believable in her reactions and I loved her interactions with each of the other characters – especially Nash. She was sweet and loyal and deals with and accepts what she is really well.

I adored the secondary characters, Kaylee’s relationship with her best friend Emma was wonderful – I would have loved to have read a bit more of the witty dialogue between them; Tod was mysterious and I liked him instantaneously, Sophie was spoilt and obnoxious.

I didn’t see the many twists and turns we are given which was great, I enjoy nothing more than being shocked by a book. Ms Vincent has written a wonderful, intriguing story with well developed characters and a world that is truly fascinating.

My Soul to Take is well paced and engaging and Rachel Vincent’s descriptive and detailed writing allowed me to become immersed in this amazing story, I liked the explanations we are given of the banshee’s (and Grim Reapers purpose). I was truly surprised by the mystery throughout and the ending left me gaping. I am definitely eager to read the next book in the series, My Soul to Save.

Books in order:

1. My Soul to Take
2. My Soul to Save
3. My Soul to Keep
4. My Soul to Steal
5. If I Die
6. Before I Wake
7. With All My Soul