My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent (free read) - Kaylee Cavanaugh's trip to the mall ends with a brutal panic attack and a brainscrambling shriek she can't stop. Her secret fear is exposed. It's the worst day of her life.
Until she wakes up in the psychiatric unit.
But the hospital isn't a safe place for Kaylee, and getting out won't be easy because everyone thinks she's crazy. Everyone except Lydia, who has a secret of her own... From RachelVincent.com
I have been wanting to read Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series since My Soul to Take was first released. However, due various reasons, I have been unable to buy it. Seeing as I had a few hours to spare, and after the high of finishing Prey, the fourth in Rachel's adult Shifters series, I thought I would give the prequel novella to the Soul Screamers series, My Soul to Lose a try.
At this point in Kaylee's life, she doesn't know that she's a bean sidhe. The only way she can explain to herself the terrible urge to scream when she sees someone is as a panic attack - despite feeling unbearable pain and grief, and seeing said person surrounded by shadows. Normally, if Kaylee can get away from the person who triggers her "panic attacks", she can calm down. But she doesn't get away quick enough while at the mall, and the ear splitting scream she wails lands her waking up 15 hours later restrained to a bed in a mental hospital.
No questions are answered in My Soul to Lose, but there is nothing wrong with that; as a prequel, it is supposed to be read after reading at least My Soul to Take. The events that take place in Lose are mentioned in Take, and Lose was written so we readers are actually able to experience those events through Kaylee's eyes first hand, as they happen.
Although a completely different story to that of her Shifter's series, Rachel's familiar writting style runs throughout the story, as well as a strong willed narrator. Rachel's familia style of writing is a comfort that eases you into a new story, and puts any doubts to rest. Anyone weary of trying Rachel's YA series need not be; the narrative style in Lose is no different to that of the Shifters series, it isn't dumbed down in anyway. The only real difference is that Kaylee's interests are that of a teenager; her ex-boyfriend, her homecoming dance, fashion, etc.
I absolutely loved Rachel's descriptions of Kaylee's screaming! Before reading, yet knowing that Kaylee was a bean sidhe with the urge to scream when people are about to die, I wasn't sure how her actual screaming was going to be described, or that it could be pulled off well. The story is by Rachel Vincent, though, so of course I really didn't have anything to worry about. I loved how the scream was like an animal or a beast trying to force it's way out of Kaylee, that caused physical pain, and unbearable sorrow. It was such a great image, and it was awesome to see Kaylee trying to fight it; her character really came through with her fear.
The only bad thing I would say about Lose is that it's a download. It's free, which is great, but I'm not a fan of reading off a screen, I much prefer an actual physical book - one that would look nice and shiny sitting on my bookcase. I read it online as there is no other way for me to read it.
Over all, a brilliant start to what looks to be a promising series! I'm looking forward to reading My Soul to Take, and getting the answers to all the questions that were asked in Lose! I have no doubt that it's going to be brilliant!