Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: (Soul Screamers #6)
Published: June 26th 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Categories: Paranormal, Fantasy
 

I’ve been staring at the screen for ample amount of time and I still don’t know how to start this post. I even thought that I’ll sum it up by saying something like this: “Y’all should read this book (this series) because it’s awesome!” Because it’s true. It was awesome. But I don’t think the word ‘awesome’ covers the greatness that is BEFORE I WAKE. It was…everything. Everything I hoped for.

This book surpasses If I Die on many levels. I do think that there’s a huge chance that it will exceed the previous book but I still didn’t expect it to be…amazing. Like super amazing (x100)! I don’t know what to say, really. There are not enough words to describe this book; and my feelings towards it. It just great, awesome, amazing, excellent, remarkable, etc. Take your pick because I don’t even know how to express my feelings right now without sounding like a deranged fangirl (because I Am. Deranged fangirl, I mean. And I’m not ashamed).

BIW has blood, pain, anger, and loss. But there’s also love, forgiveness, and friendship. And I love how she carefully weaved them together. I admit, my huge interest for this book has something to do with Kaylee+Tod but the book (series) is much more…more about life and death. Even though it is fictional and all that, it gave me an afterthought: that there’s fate far worse than death.

There are deaths here. And yes, that’s plural. And they’re not only nameless/faceless people. Some are characters I end loving so I’m really sad of what had happened to them. And to make matters worse, their deaths? It was a cruel way to go.

Since I don’t know how to piece all my thoughts together, I’ll just write them one by one:

Everything that doesn’t hurt is just…emptiness. It closes in on me when I’m alone, and I hate it, but I can’t fight it. – Kaylee

Kaylee’s adjusting to her new status. To save Tod’s afterlife and clean Nash’s name she took on a new role. She’s now an extractor, reclaiming stolen souls. She’s just like Tod, being there but not alive and it feels different. And we can see how she’s coping to her new existence. She was glad that Tod was with her. Helping her (in many ways. Delicious ways…I’ll get to that later.) with her afterlife. I’m also glad that even though that her dad acts like nothing changed (that she didn’t die) it somewhat relieves the feeling of emptiness she’s experiencing with her new life. I like her dad; he was making up for the lost time. I think it’s cute and great of him to still treat Kaylee the way a father should be regardless if she’s alive…or not.

While Kaylee’s growth had stopped—literally. But she is still growing in different ways. I loved her determination but at the same I loved that she shows vulnerability. You can see that she can lead people now. She makes decision even though she’s not sure if it’s right one. Dead or alive, she’s still the same girl for me: still taking risks, makes mistakes. But she’s learning from it.

He gets to kiss you, but I don’t? I don’t understand how we got here, Kaylee.”  – Nash

It feels…different that Tod and Nash have their roles reversed. Not that I’m complaining.

I love Nash. And I said this before: I like Nash and Kaylee. I don’t like them as much as like Tod and Kaylee, but seeing him broken and in pain is still…sad. But I liked his progression here. In fact, he’s much more active here than he was in the last two books. He’s in pain, yes but Kaylee explained what went wrong with their relationship. In retrospect, their relationship didn’t have a foundation. It was just there, already standing. So when the storm came it crumbled down easily. It could be anyone/anything it doesn’t necessarily have to be Tod (but I’m glad it was him). But it hurts him more because he loved these two people, and they betrayed him.

I think when he finally saw how Tod and Kaylee really are; he finally realized that it is truly over for them. He hasn’t forgiven Tod completely. But he’s there…almost there.

Oh, and Kaylee and Tod? It was everything! I’m on cloud nine!

I have lots of quotes to share but I keeping some so you have things to look forward to (and their are tons to look forward to. I guarantee you). It just Tod!!! Gawd, he’s so dreamy.

Blond and beautiful! I can’t argue with that description. Not only this guy is good looking but man, the guy is…TOD! *swoons*

And for the record, I do not think Tod is perfect. Every single one of the characters here is flawed. That includes Tod. And that’s why I like them all (sans the hellions).  I even like Thane, I know insane.

“How is it possible that every time you open your mouth, I—” fall more in love with you “—melt a little more? Seriously. There’s nothing in here but mush.”  – Kaylee

I don’t think you’re the only one Kaylee. I’m one of the hundreds—thousands girls who is also nothing but mush. He knows how to work it (words…and everything else ;)).

“Forever used to feel like a curse. Now it feels like a promise.” – Tod

*faints* No explanation needed.

“You’re not lost, Kaylee. You can’t ever be lost, because I’ll always know where you are. And if I’m not there with you, I’m on my way, and nothing standing between us will be standing for very long.” – Tod

“She’s the reason my heart beats—literally. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. There’s no one I’d put ahead of her. And I will never, ever leave her, as long as she wants me.” – Tod

I need my own TOD. Where can I get a man like him?! *swoons for the nth time*

I don’t think it’s necessary to explain the quotes further. The quotes speak for everything I want to emphasize. And if you think that Tod’s the only one making this declaration, Kaylee did too. These two…they just ‘fit.’

“No. But you can get a cake. Chocolate, with cream cheese frosting. And I get a corner slice.” – Kaylee

See? They even like the same cake. (read Reaper)

Buckling up for WITH ALL MY SOUL. Thinking it’s the last book makes me teary. I’m going to miss them… T.T