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Soul Screamers #5.5
Never to Sleep
Don't Close Your Eyes.Sophie Cavanaugh is not going to let her freak of a cousin's strange psychiatric condition ruin high school for them both. Not after all the work she's put into cultivating the right look, and friends, and reputation. But then, Sophie sees something so frightening she lets out a blood-curdling scream-and finds herself stuck in a bizarre parallel world where nothing is safe and deadly creatures lurk just out of sight, waiting for her to close her eyes and sleep...forever. Could this world be real? Or does insanity run in the family...?
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2012
40 people are currently reading
4745 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Vincent
65 books9,783 followers[Note: Though Rachel's blog entries are cross posted here, she does not frequent Goodreads. The best ways to contact her are FB, Twitter, or her Wordpress blog. PLEASE DO NOT SEND HER MESSAGES HERE. SHE DOES NOT CHECK THEM.]
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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 281 reviews
January 5, 2012
I love the Soul Screamers novellas. They give such great insight into the other characters. I am not a Sophie fan but I'm not supposed to be! She is vain, selfish, and totally stuck in her own bubble. But her bubble is burst in this novella! She sees a soulless reaper appear in the school hallway and screams, taking her into the netherworld with the cute new guy, Luca, she just met.
Sophie freaks out and wonders if she is going crazy like her cousin. We get to see her perspective of the netherworld. She fights through some crazy obstacles and runs into some old characters. She is very snarky and witty. I enjoyed a bunch of her lines and had a lot of laugh out loud moments. Luca was hot and interesting too. I can't wait to see what he is up to in Before I Wake. A must read for all Soul Screamers fans but make sure to read it after If I Die, or you will be spoiled.
Sophie freaks out and wonders if she is going crazy like her cousin. We get to see her perspective of the netherworld. She fights through some crazy obstacles and runs into some old characters. She is very snarky and witty. I enjoyed a bunch of her lines and had a lot of laugh out loud moments. Luca was hot and interesting too. I can't wait to see what he is up to in Before I Wake. A must read for all Soul Screamers fans but make sure to read it after If I Die, or you will be spoiled.
January 10, 2012
Sales Alert: this short story in the Souls Screamers series is only $1.29 for KIndle and Nook right now and all proceeds benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital for the first six months. If you're planning on reading this, please consider purchasing it sooner rather than later.
More ebook freebies and deals here!
More ebook freebies and deals here!
April 26, 2013
Ma questa è la stessa ragazza dei cinque libri precedenti?
Piacevolmente sorpresa di incontrare una Sophie divertente, ironica, spoiled (certe cose non possono cambiare), ma con la testa sulle spalle, coraggiosa e caparbia.
Luca, W O W !! Bisogna dirlo i ragazzi di Soul Screamers sono tutti speciali, ed anche quest'ultimo non è da meno: bello, misterioso, divertente e innamorato della nostra Sophie.
Curiosissima di leggere di più di questi personaggi nei prossimi libri.
Piacevolmente sorpresa di incontrare una Sophie divertente, ironica, spoiled (certe cose non possono cambiare), ma con la testa sulle spalle, coraggiosa e caparbia.
Luca, W O W !! Bisogna dirlo i ragazzi di Soul Screamers sono tutti speciali, ed anche quest'ultimo non è da meno: bello, misterioso, divertente e innamorato della nostra Sophie.
Curiosissima di leggere di più di questi personaggi nei prossimi libri.
March 24, 2016
To be honest, I don't care about Sophie.
She's egoistic and selfish. I'd love to see her face when she finds out about her heritage, that she isn't special and that Kaylee isn't crazy :P
She's egoistic and selfish. I'd love to see her face when she finds out about her heritage, that she isn't special and that Kaylee isn't crazy :P
March 18, 2015
Still don't like Sophie but I am definitely intrigued by Luca! Can't wait to get more of him in the next book.
November 18, 2011
Originally read October 6, 2011.
Re-read 6/13/12. Review to come.
Re-read 6/13/12. Review to come.
May 15, 2012
I’m not going to lie – I really do not like Sophie. She’s spoilt, arrogant and down-right irritating.
But that’s okay, because that’s the point: we aren’t supposed to like her! Sophie’s always blaming her cousin Kaylee for the things that go wrong in her life, and is sure she’s just faking crazy for attention.
It was really interesting to see what Sophie was thinking for once, and I was actually starting to like her just a teensy bit... until she said this:
“People called Kaylee special, but what they really meant was “special.” In that straitjackets and padded walls kind of way. She wasn’t special like Luca thought I was special. She could never handle what I’d just seen and done. She wasn’t stable enough.”
I seriously felt like screaming “She’s handled far worse than what you have!” but then I realized that Sophie is a fictional character.
And that she wouldn’t hear me.
I cannot wait to see how Sophie talks to Kaylee in the next book after she learns all about what she’s been through. I hope she feels extremely embarrassed and gives Kaylee a really heartfelt apology (but knowing Sophie, she probably won’t).
I love how since this story takes place in the middle of “If I Die”, the events tie up so nicely together. It’s a really awesome feeling when know what the narrator’s seeing, even when she doesn’t.
I especially like that scene where Sophie sees you-know-who and OH-MY-GOD-HE-IS-GORGEOUS together... *hint hint. ;)
But that’s okay, because that’s the point: we aren’t supposed to like her! Sophie’s always blaming her cousin Kaylee for the things that go wrong in her life, and is sure she’s just faking crazy for attention.
It was really interesting to see what Sophie was thinking for once, and I was actually starting to like her just a teensy bit... until she said this:
“People called Kaylee special, but what they really meant was “special.” In that straitjackets and padded walls kind of way. She wasn’t special like Luca thought I was special. She could never handle what I’d just seen and done. She wasn’t stable enough.”
I seriously felt like screaming “She’s handled far worse than what you have!” but then I realized that Sophie is a fictional character.
And that she wouldn’t hear me.
I cannot wait to see how Sophie talks to Kaylee in the next book after she learns all about what she’s been through. I hope she feels extremely embarrassed and gives Kaylee a really heartfelt apology (but knowing Sophie, she probably won’t).
I love how since this story takes place in the middle of “If I Die”, the events tie up so nicely together. It’s a really awesome feeling when know what the narrator’s seeing, even when she doesn’t.
I especially like that scene where Sophie sees you-know-who and OH-MY-GOD-HE-IS-GORGEOUS together... *hint hint. ;)
February 4, 2022
I really don't care about Sophie. She should've been left in the Netherworld.
March 28, 2012
I never liked Sophie, ever. I will admit even in this nice little novella I still don't like her. But what I did really like was that she had a taste of her own medicine and finally she had to experience exactly what Kaylee has been through, although Kaylee's experiences were worse and more times then she had too. What really pissed me off? How at the end she insisted that she was now badass and the Queen like the selfish little snot she always has been. For that alone I only wanted to give it 2 stars. Then there was Luca. I love him and hate him all at the same time! Why on earth would he be so attracted to Sophie in literally 5 minutes? I am dieing to figure out what he is and what the hell Sophie is and for that it deserved its 4 stars.
I should have saved this till I was able to jump right into Before I Wake.
Oh well! :)
I should have saved this till I was able to jump right into Before I Wake.
Oh well! :)
January 2, 2012
OK... This MINI SHOT STORY ROCK... Very nice Sopkie POV.... I really love Lucas right know! And I enjoy him really really shortly.... before a Wake promese to much... and this waiting it really really KILLING ME
July 27, 2020
3rd Read: 6/9/2016
2nd Read: 10/30/2014
Original Read: 10/20/2012
It doesn't matter how many times I read this, I still hate Sophie.
Maybe if Sophie got Amnesia, and completely changed her personality and became a decent human being, then maybe I would....but I'm not even sure that would do it...
2nd Read: 10/30/2014
Original Read: 10/20/2012
It doesn't matter how many times I read this, I still hate Sophie.
Maybe if Sophie got Amnesia, and completely changed her personality and became a decent human being, then maybe I would....but I'm not even sure that would do it...
March 21, 2019
In this book we get Sophie's POV. I never really liked her character throughout the series so far and have to say I still don't.
I am curious as to how Luca's character will play a part in the series and of what whatever Sophie is, how that will also play out going forward.
I am curious as to how Luca's character will play a part in the series and of what whatever Sophie is, how that will also play out going forward.
January 1, 2012
Ok, so I've been wanting to read this since one of my twitter friends, Fiktshun, teased about it back in October. I have to be honest and say that I was totally jealous that she got to read it before ANYBODY else. But I have to say that the wait was so very worth it.
There was a little contest going on on Rachel Vincent's site as who can guess the POV. Sophie was not the one I would have picked. Sophie is known in the Soul Screamers series as being a person that every one kind of.....dislikes. She's horribly mean to Kaylee and is selfish.
This book was a nice look into Sophie's mind.
If you are new to my site and don't really know who I am, let me tell you that Rachel Vincent is my all time favorite author so I might be a little bit biased in this review. Although I'll try not to be.
As I mentioned earlier, Sophie wasn't my first choice for the POV of this novella but I'm glad she was. Even though I don't particularly like her, persay, this gave me a new perspective on her in the series.
This novella is totally action-packed and I could not stop reading. RV always has such a great way with words to make you feel like you're in the story. I don't want to put spoilers in my review in the off chance that someone reading this hasn't read If I Die yet.
**DO NOT READ NEVER TO SLEEP IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IF I DIE!!!!**
I liked seeing a different side to Sophie. It was really refreshing. You think she's selfish when you read about her in the series but she's more than a pretty face and (sometimes) snotty attitude. ;-)
She pulls herself through a horrible experience and she does it by herself. It's great that she found a new strength in herself that she never thought she had. It was a great feeling to be able to share with her. It made me understand her in a way I never did.
Now....to one of the high points of the story....Luca. Can I just say...Yum? ;-) He sounds absolutely divine and I can't wait to see more of him in Before I Wake. He seems like the perfect fit for Sophie.
This short novella will hold me until Before I Wake....just barely though...just barely.
The whole Soul Screamers series is one of my favorite series and it's almost painful enduring the wait between each book. ;-) Even though it seems like forever between each release, the wait is always worth it. Always.
I'm not going to venture too much into the details in this review since some haven't read If I Die. Just trust me when I say that this is a must read! But only after If I Die ;-)
Now for some quotes from the book (non-spoilery of course):
I laughed out loud. "Does it usually take blunt-force trauma for you to score a phone number?"
"I don't even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses." And those only hurt when they don't show up.
I stared at them for a second, while the angel and devil on my shoulders debated. If I gave him the gloves, he's put his shirt back on. If I didn't, he might get pricked if a thorn went through the material. In the end, my conscious won, but only because letting Luca die in the Netherworld would be an unacceptable waste of a perfectly good six-pack.
That was one of my favs ;-)
Happy reading!
There was a little contest going on on Rachel Vincent's site as who can guess the POV. Sophie was not the one I would have picked. Sophie is known in the Soul Screamers series as being a person that every one kind of.....dislikes. She's horribly mean to Kaylee and is selfish.
This book was a nice look into Sophie's mind.
If you are new to my site and don't really know who I am, let me tell you that Rachel Vincent is my all time favorite author so I might be a little bit biased in this review. Although I'll try not to be.
As I mentioned earlier, Sophie wasn't my first choice for the POV of this novella but I'm glad she was. Even though I don't particularly like her, persay, this gave me a new perspective on her in the series.
This novella is totally action-packed and I could not stop reading. RV always has such a great way with words to make you feel like you're in the story. I don't want to put spoilers in my review in the off chance that someone reading this hasn't read If I Die yet.
**DO NOT READ NEVER TO SLEEP IF YOU HAVE NOT READ IF I DIE!!!!**
I liked seeing a different side to Sophie. It was really refreshing. You think she's selfish when you read about her in the series but she's more than a pretty face and (sometimes) snotty attitude. ;-)
She pulls herself through a horrible experience and she does it by herself. It's great that she found a new strength in herself that she never thought she had. It was a great feeling to be able to share with her. It made me understand her in a way I never did.
Now....to one of the high points of the story....Luca. Can I just say...Yum? ;-) He sounds absolutely divine and I can't wait to see more of him in Before I Wake. He seems like the perfect fit for Sophie.
This short novella will hold me until Before I Wake....just barely though...just barely.
The whole Soul Screamers series is one of my favorite series and it's almost painful enduring the wait between each book. ;-) Even though it seems like forever between each release, the wait is always worth it. Always.
I'm not going to venture too much into the details in this review since some haven't read If I Die. Just trust me when I say that this is a must read! But only after If I Die ;-)
Now for some quotes from the book (non-spoilery of course):
I laughed out loud. "Does it usually take blunt-force trauma for you to score a phone number?"
"I don't even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses." And those only hurt when they don't show up.
I stared at them for a second, while the angel and devil on my shoulders debated. If I gave him the gloves, he's put his shirt back on. If I didn't, he might get pricked if a thorn went through the material. In the end, my conscious won, but only because letting Luca die in the Netherworld would be an unacceptable waste of a perfectly good six-pack.
That was one of my favs ;-)
Happy reading!
January 2, 2012
Originally Posted in a Blackplume
After hearing Kaylee and Tod from the other two novellas of Soul Screamers series Rachel Vincent now offer the voice of Sophie in Never To Sleep. From this novella readers will get the chance to know more of Sophie as a character as she goes with her first deadly adventure to the Netherworld with the handsome new guy, Luca.
I have to admit before reading this novella I don’t really care much about Sophie. She doesn’t really grow in me as a character from all the previous books of Soul Screamers series. I don’t hate her but I don’t love her either. I thought she is just one of those secondary characters needed by the plot but never really developed until now.
Sophie from the previous book is sarcastic, annoying and spoiled. We never really get the chance to know her because the narrator, Kaylee doesn’t really got the chance either. With so many unsettled issues between Kaylee and Sophie we only got the glimpse of Sophie’s character.
In this novella we got the chance to know Sophie a little more. Reading from her point of view gives more of her character. Though I really believe that she is a tough person being the sarcastic and bitch she is from the previous books I never imagined her as the sweet and funny type. So I am surprised and delighted to see that side of her from here. But don’t get me wrong I’m still not a fan of her though this novella really help me to understand her more. Maybe a little more development and turn I may like her eventually, after all I enjoy hearing her thoughts and lines in here.
And I am still looking forward seeing the changes of her character after her experience to Netherworld. I want to see how her relationship with her cousin Kaylee will develop after this and how well will she handle the rest of the Netherworld information that she needs to know, especially the past events that were directly related to her.
The plot is really simple and quick since it is just a novella but inspite of that this book is loaded with so many hilarious and sweet moments. The moment Luca enter to the stories every words Sophie said is a treat. I smile and laugh so many times reading this novella. Speaking of Luca, this guy is an interesting addition to the Soul Screamers world. I’m curious what impact he will bring to the series and what twist he will add to the more exciting world of Soul Screamers. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next book of the series.
Just like the two novellas of the series Never To Sleep is fully loaded with its own plot to tell. A nice glimpse to know the other side of another character and the Soul Screamers world. This quick, fun and action-packed novella is a perfect read while waiting for the next book, Before I Wake.
After hearing Kaylee and Tod from the other two novellas of Soul Screamers series Rachel Vincent now offer the voice of Sophie in Never To Sleep. From this novella readers will get the chance to know more of Sophie as a character as she goes with her first deadly adventure to the Netherworld with the handsome new guy, Luca.
I have to admit before reading this novella I don’t really care much about Sophie. She doesn’t really grow in me as a character from all the previous books of Soul Screamers series. I don’t hate her but I don’t love her either. I thought she is just one of those secondary characters needed by the plot but never really developed until now.
Sophie from the previous book is sarcastic, annoying and spoiled. We never really get the chance to know her because the narrator, Kaylee doesn’t really got the chance either. With so many unsettled issues between Kaylee and Sophie we only got the glimpse of Sophie’s character.
In this novella we got the chance to know Sophie a little more. Reading from her point of view gives more of her character. Though I really believe that she is a tough person being the sarcastic and bitch she is from the previous books I never imagined her as the sweet and funny type. So I am surprised and delighted to see that side of her from here. But don’t get me wrong I’m still not a fan of her though this novella really help me to understand her more. Maybe a little more development and turn I may like her eventually, after all I enjoy hearing her thoughts and lines in here.
And I am still looking forward seeing the changes of her character after her experience to Netherworld. I want to see how her relationship with her cousin Kaylee will develop after this and how well will she handle the rest of the Netherworld information that she needs to know, especially the past events that were directly related to her.
The plot is really simple and quick since it is just a novella but inspite of that this book is loaded with so many hilarious and sweet moments. The moment Luca enter to the stories every words Sophie said is a treat. I smile and laugh so many times reading this novella. Speaking of Luca, this guy is an interesting addition to the Soul Screamers world. I’m curious what impact he will bring to the series and what twist he will add to the more exciting world of Soul Screamers. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next book of the series.
Just like the two novellas of the series Never To Sleep is fully loaded with its own plot to tell. A nice glimpse to know the other side of another character and the Soul Screamers world. This quick, fun and action-packed novella is a perfect read while waiting for the next book, Before I Wake.
July 21, 2013
Eastlake High was full of pretty people who acted like total freaks. I blame the local water supply. Which was why I drank bottled water.
Never to Sleep is a novella set during the events of If I Die - but completely separate to everything that happens in that book - well, except for Kaylee and Tod's public display of affection, which we see from the outside this time. Never to Sleep follows Sophie, Kaylee's spoilt, self-centered, entitled younger cousin, as a chance meeting with a new student and the sudden appearance of a soulless reaper bring about Sophie's first visit the Netherworld, and opens her eyes to all things evil.
Sophie may be a right cow and too shallow for words, but in this story, I could only admire her. With hardly any information about what's happened, why it happened, and how, Sophie manages to keep her head despite being completely terrified. Because of how shallow and bitchy Sophie is in all the previous books, it is to assume that Sophie is all surface and no depth, that she's actually stupid - but she's not. She might despair over being related to Kaylee, but the fact that they are is clear throughout the story through how alike they are when in trouble. She actually has a head on her shoulders, and is capable of thinking clearly and logically even under huge stress. Her ability to think on her feet and able to get herself out of the tightest of scrapes is just brilliant!
Of course, its also filled with laugh out loud moments. Some of my favorites are -
“I don’t even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses.” And those only hurt when they don’t show up.
“Oh, shit, are you okay?” A guy knelt at my side, and I blinked, stunned, trying to draw reality back into focus as my vision doubled, then threatened to multiply.“That depends. Are you triplets?”
He laughed. “No, there’s only one of me.”
“Good. I think you’re okay, Sophie, but just to be sure—and this is for purely medical purposes—what’s your phone number?”
I laughed out loud. “Does it usually take blunt-force trauma for you to score a phone number?”
Being a short story, it's a little hard for me to say much more without spoiling things. It's awesome to be introduced to new characters and to revisit old ones. It's even better to have questions that need answers, that will hopefully be answered in the next book, along with all the left over questions from If I Die.
Never to Sleep is a novella set during the events of If I Die - but completely separate to everything that happens in that book - well, except for Kaylee and Tod's public display of affection, which we see from the outside this time. Never to Sleep follows Sophie, Kaylee's spoilt, self-centered, entitled younger cousin, as a chance meeting with a new student and the sudden appearance of a soulless reaper bring about Sophie's first visit the Netherworld, and opens her eyes to all things evil.
Sophie may be a right cow and too shallow for words, but in this story, I could only admire her. With hardly any information about what's happened, why it happened, and how, Sophie manages to keep her head despite being completely terrified. Because of how shallow and bitchy Sophie is in all the previous books, it is to assume that Sophie is all surface and no depth, that she's actually stupid - but she's not. She might despair over being related to Kaylee, but the fact that they are is clear throughout the story through how alike they are when in trouble. She actually has a head on her shoulders, and is capable of thinking clearly and logically even under huge stress. Her ability to think on her feet and able to get herself out of the tightest of scrapes is just brilliant!
Of course, its also filled with laugh out loud moments. Some of my favorites are -
“I don’t even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses.” And those only hurt when they don’t show up.
“Oh, shit, are you okay?” A guy knelt at my side, and I blinked, stunned, trying to draw reality back into focus as my vision doubled, then threatened to multiply.“That depends. Are you triplets?”
He laughed. “No, there’s only one of me.”
“Good. I think you’re okay, Sophie, but just to be sure—and this is for purely medical purposes—what’s your phone number?”
I laughed out loud. “Does it usually take blunt-force trauma for you to score a phone number?”
Being a short story, it's a little hard for me to say much more without spoiling things. It's awesome to be introduced to new characters and to revisit old ones. It's even better to have questions that need answers, that will hopefully be answered in the next book, along with all the left over questions from If I Die.
June 9, 2012
Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.
Being such a huge Soul Screamers fan, when I heard Mira Ink were finally going to publish Never to Sleep in the UK, I was ecstatic! I have been waiting to read Never to Sleep ever since Rachel Vincent had first mentioned it on her blog, and now I finally have it! And just as I expected, it was amazing!
Never to Sleep is a novella set during the events of If I Die - but completely separate to everything that happens in that book - well, except for Kaylee and Tod's public display of affection, which we see from the outside this time. Never to Sleep follows Sophie, Kaylee's spoilt, self-centered, entitled younger cousin, as a chance meeting with a new student and the sudden appearance of a soulless reaper bring about Sophie's first visit the Netherworld, and opens her eyes to all things evil.
Sophie may be a right cow and too shallow for words, but in this story, I could only admire her. With hardly any information about what's happened, why it happened, and how, Sophie manages to keep her head despite being completely terriefied and the thousands of questions running through her head. Because of how shallow and bitchy Sophie is in all the previous books, it is to assume that Sophie is all surface and no depth, that she's actually stupid - but she's not. She might despair over being related to Kaylee, but the fact that they are is clear throughout the story through how alike they are when in trouble. She actually has a head on her shoulders, and is capable of thinking clearly and logically even under huge stress. Her ability to think on her feet and able to get herself out of the tightest of scrapes is just brilliant! Sophie is not a dumb bimbo; despite her moments of annoying self-centered behaviour, Sophie is someone to be in awe of.
Being a short story, it's a little hard for me to say much more without spoiling things. It's awesome to be introduced to new characters and to revisit old ones. It's even better to have questions that need answers, that will hopefully be answered in the next book, along with all the left over questions from If I Die.
It's a fantastic story, and I'm excited to see where it all leads in Before I Wake. All Soul Screamers fans should read it!
Being such a huge Soul Screamers fan, when I heard Mira Ink were finally going to publish Never to Sleep in the UK, I was ecstatic! I have been waiting to read Never to Sleep ever since Rachel Vincent had first mentioned it on her blog, and now I finally have it! And just as I expected, it was amazing!
Never to Sleep is a novella set during the events of If I Die - but completely separate to everything that happens in that book - well, except for Kaylee and Tod's public display of affection, which we see from the outside this time. Never to Sleep follows Sophie, Kaylee's spoilt, self-centered, entitled younger cousin, as a chance meeting with a new student and the sudden appearance of a soulless reaper bring about Sophie's first visit the Netherworld, and opens her eyes to all things evil.
Sophie may be a right cow and too shallow for words, but in this story, I could only admire her. With hardly any information about what's happened, why it happened, and how, Sophie manages to keep her head despite being completely terriefied and the thousands of questions running through her head. Because of how shallow and bitchy Sophie is in all the previous books, it is to assume that Sophie is all surface and no depth, that she's actually stupid - but she's not. She might despair over being related to Kaylee, but the fact that they are is clear throughout the story through how alike they are when in trouble. She actually has a head on her shoulders, and is capable of thinking clearly and logically even under huge stress. Her ability to think on her feet and able to get herself out of the tightest of scrapes is just brilliant! Sophie is not a dumb bimbo; despite her moments of annoying self-centered behaviour, Sophie is someone to be in awe of.
Being a short story, it's a little hard for me to say much more without spoiling things. It's awesome to be introduced to new characters and to revisit old ones. It's even better to have questions that need answers, that will hopefully be answered in the next book, along with all the left over questions from If I Die.
It's a fantastic story, and I'm excited to see where it all leads in Before I Wake. All Soul Screamers fans should read it!
July 11, 2012
*kind of half-spoilers below*
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started this today. Told from the POV of Sophie, Kaylee's popular cousin, this novella takes place during If I Die (right after on of the BIG scenes, actually). Sophie has never really gotten along with her cousin is one of the more... innocent people in the series, with no idea about the Netherworld and all the other awesome (though not always good) paranormal things that happen in the series. In this novella the dark side of the world is revealed to her as she spies something creepy and screams--which, being half bean-sidhe, probably wasn't the best course of action. She manages to cross over into the Netherworld, bringing a newly introduced character, Luca, with her.
Luca is... intriguing. His description certainly makes him sound nice ;D but... I really am unsure about his intentions for being there at the school and after his trip into the Netherworld with Sophie. I am really suspicious, and I want to believe he's good. I guess I can hope. I really want to learn more about this whole Necromancer business and how Luca is 'useful' to that hellion (whose name I know starts with 'A' but I just can't remember right now), which I'm sure will be revealed in Before I Wake (BIW).
I really enjoyed this novella. I actually found myself wishing for more at the end. As always, Vincent's writing was wonderful. It was humourous. I found myself smiling at all the little fiction/pop culture references, especially the Alice in Wonderland ones. A few characters that have not been seen in a while made appearances here, which was nice but also sad because of the state they were in.
My point of view about Sophie managed to change almost completely after reading this. Her relationship with Kaylee is not the best one and, having read all other accounts from Kaylee's POV, my opinion of Sophie wasn't that great. But now after reading this, I really do like her. She's actually kind of nice on the inside, and surprisingly smart. I hope this little stunt in the Netherworld (I actually feel proud of her and the actions she performed there) has woken her up to the world enough for her to realise that popularity isn't everything, which, from the sounds of things at the end, she has. I can't wait to see how she and Luca develop further in BIW.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started this today. Told from the POV of Sophie, Kaylee's popular cousin, this novella takes place during If I Die (right after on of the BIG scenes, actually). Sophie has never really gotten along with her cousin is one of the more... innocent people in the series, with no idea about the Netherworld and all the other awesome (though not always good) paranormal things that happen in the series. In this novella the dark side of the world is revealed to her as she spies something creepy and screams--which, being half bean-sidhe, probably wasn't the best course of action. She manages to cross over into the Netherworld, bringing a newly introduced character, Luca, with her.
Luca is... intriguing. His description certainly makes him sound nice ;D but... I really am unsure about his intentions for being there at the school and after his trip into the Netherworld with Sophie. I am really suspicious, and I want to believe he's good. I guess I can hope. I really want to learn more about this whole Necromancer business and how Luca is 'useful' to that hellion (whose name I know starts with 'A' but I just can't remember right now), which I'm sure will be revealed in Before I Wake (BIW).
I really enjoyed this novella. I actually found myself wishing for more at the end. As always, Vincent's writing was wonderful. It was humourous. I found myself smiling at all the little fiction/pop culture references, especially the Alice in Wonderland ones. A few characters that have not been seen in a while made appearances here, which was nice but also sad because of the state they were in.
My point of view about Sophie managed to change almost completely after reading this. Her relationship with Kaylee is not the best one and, having read all other accounts from Kaylee's POV, my opinion of Sophie wasn't that great. But now after reading this, I really do like her. She's actually kind of nice on the inside, and surprisingly smart. I hope this little stunt in the Netherworld (I actually feel proud of her and the actions she performed there) has woken her up to the world enough for her to realise that popularity isn't everything, which, from the sounds of things at the end, she has. I can't wait to see how she and Luca develop further in BIW.
January 29, 2012
UPDATE: View original review in my blog: The Midnight Book Thief
Ah, I love the Soul Screamers series. It's totally original- come on, do you guys know any other series about banshees? No? Thought so. The wait for the sixth book is unbearable, and I am sooo happy Rachel decided to write this novella! And thanks so much to Rachel @ Fiktshun who sent me a copy!
'Never to Sleep' is about Sophie, Kaylee's obnoxious cousin. I have to admit- I hate Sophie. She's spoiled, she's mean, she's annoying... The list goes on. But I actually began to like her after this novella. She proved herself to be more than just a stuck-up dancer. Sophie was resourceful, and she used her brains to escape the Netherworld. She was calm and collected under pressure, and she handled herself nicely.
This novella was full of action and suspense. Sophie, along with Luca, the new guy who's not entirely human (I won't spoil his 'specie' for you.) find themselves trapped in the Netherworld. And of course, they have to face different kinds of creepy Netherworld creatures. There wasn't a dull moment in this novella. It's chock-full of blood pumping moments, and you just can't finish it fast enough.
Of course, its also filled with laugh out loud moments. The last few pages? I loved it. Sophie really stood up for herself, and I just loved how she took down Peyton, her manipulative co-dancer. Plus, there were also sweet- and sexy- scenes between Sophie and Luca.
My only complain about this book? It was too short! Though I guess that's why its called a novella and not a novel... But still. I want more of (I never thought I'd say this!) Sophie and Luca!
I give Never to Sleep 5 stars. This was such an awesome way to start the new year! :D If only all the books I'll read this year will be as awesome as this was. This book was a quick, fun read. I devoured it in less than an hour! Once I started, I couldn't put it down at all. Though now I kinda regret it, because now I have nothing left to read until Before I Wake comes out... Oh well. Guess I'll just find a way to grab an ARC! :)
Ah, I love the Soul Screamers series. It's totally original- come on, do you guys know any other series about banshees? No? Thought so. The wait for the sixth book is unbearable, and I am sooo happy Rachel decided to write this novella! And thanks so much to Rachel @ Fiktshun who sent me a copy!
'Never to Sleep' is about Sophie, Kaylee's obnoxious cousin. I have to admit- I hate Sophie. She's spoiled, she's mean, she's annoying... The list goes on. But I actually began to like her after this novella. She proved herself to be more than just a stuck-up dancer. Sophie was resourceful, and she used her brains to escape the Netherworld. She was calm and collected under pressure, and she handled herself nicely.
This novella was full of action and suspense. Sophie, along with Luca, the new guy who's not entirely human (I won't spoil his 'specie' for you.) find themselves trapped in the Netherworld. And of course, they have to face different kinds of creepy Netherworld creatures. There wasn't a dull moment in this novella. It's chock-full of blood pumping moments, and you just can't finish it fast enough.
Of course, its also filled with laugh out loud moments. The last few pages? I loved it. Sophie really stood up for herself, and I just loved how she took down Peyton, her manipulative co-dancer. Plus, there were also sweet- and sexy- scenes between Sophie and Luca.
My only complain about this book? It was too short! Though I guess that's why its called a novella and not a novel... But still. I want more of (I never thought I'd say this!) Sophie and Luca!
I give Never to Sleep 5 stars. This was such an awesome way to start the new year! :D If only all the books I'll read this year will be as awesome as this was. This book was a quick, fun read. I devoured it in less than an hour! Once I started, I couldn't put it down at all. Though now I kinda regret it, because now I have nothing left to read until Before I Wake comes out... Oh well. Guess I'll just find a way to grab an ARC! :)
August 26, 2016
Who would want to read a Soul Screamers novella about Kaylee's hateful cousin Sophie?? That was my first though after hearing about this novella. Sophie is self centred, spoilt, shallow and a complete bi*ch. After reading Never To Sleep, Sophie is still all those things but she's also strong, funny and brave. I still dislike Sophie, intensely but I understand her a little more now.
Sophie runs into new student Luca and what follows is an unintentional trip to the Netherworld. Sophie starts screaming when she and Luca stumble across someone at school with strange eyes who appears out of thin air, by the time Sophie stops screaming they've ended up in the Netherworld. It was said in earliar books that Sophie was human but it looks like she inherited some of her dad's bean sidhe genes. Luca and Sophie don't know how they got to the Netherworld but they work together to get back to their world before any of the Netherworld creatures get their hands on them.
Luca we find out has been to Netherworld before and is not entirely human, he explains to Sophie about the Netherworld and it's dangers. Suprisingly Sophie manages to stays calm and handles the situation quite admirably. Sophie being Sophie though thinks she is special and unique and even believes that Kaylee couldn't handle experiencing the horrors of the Netherworld.. the cheek of it.. little does she know!
I really would like to read about Sophie's reaction in future books when she realises that her cousin isn't crazy or attention seeking or trying to ruin her life but is in fact selfless, incredibly strong and brave. As much as I hate Sophie, I would like to read more from her POV because her character has the most to grow and it'd be good to read about what she thinks of Kaylee when she realises the truth. I'd like to see her acknowledging how wrong she was about her and show guilt and remorse for treating her so poorly and I'd like to hear Sophie give Kaylee a heartfelt apology. I also would like to know more about Luca, his powers and what he was up to before Sophie ran into him at school.
Sophie runs into new student Luca and what follows is an unintentional trip to the Netherworld. Sophie starts screaming when she and Luca stumble across someone at school with strange eyes who appears out of thin air, by the time Sophie stops screaming they've ended up in the Netherworld. It was said in earliar books that Sophie was human but it looks like she inherited some of her dad's bean sidhe genes. Luca and Sophie don't know how they got to the Netherworld but they work together to get back to their world before any of the Netherworld creatures get their hands on them.
Luca we find out has been to Netherworld before and is not entirely human, he explains to Sophie about the Netherworld and it's dangers. Suprisingly Sophie manages to stays calm and handles the situation quite admirably. Sophie being Sophie though thinks she is special and unique and even believes that Kaylee couldn't handle experiencing the horrors of the Netherworld.. the cheek of it.. little does she know!
I really would like to read about Sophie's reaction in future books when she realises that her cousin isn't crazy or attention seeking or trying to ruin her life but is in fact selfless, incredibly strong and brave. As much as I hate Sophie, I would like to read more from her POV because her character has the most to grow and it'd be good to read about what she thinks of Kaylee when she realises the truth. I'd like to see her acknowledging how wrong she was about her and show guilt and remorse for treating her so poorly and I'd like to hear Sophie give Kaylee a heartfelt apology. I also would like to know more about Luca, his powers and what he was up to before Sophie ran into him at school.
January 1, 2012
Short, to the point, quite funny... but still from Sophie's POV...
In this novella, Sophie meets Luca, the necromancer, and a soulless reaper who makes her screem so hard she and Luca end up in the Netherworld. Most of the story is about how to get back to the real world, and it actually had loads of hilarious quotes :
"I don't even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses." And htose only hurt you when they don't show up...
"You're not... human?" "Well, I am human. But I'm more."
Maybe Kaylee was actually the sanest person I knew.
"Okay, time out. That's all the crazy talk I can take for now. I want to go home. What do I have to do? Click my heels together?" My shoes weren't ruby, nor were they slippers, but for what my dad paid for the designer label, they damn well ought to take me wherever I wanted to go.
"I never joke about carnivorous bunnies."
"Aplologies, Your Highnexx, I meant to mistake you for someone who wants to survive."
In the end, my conscience won, but only because letting Luca die in the Netherworld would be an unacceptable waste of a perfectly good six-pack.
"I always knew popularity was a survival skill i high school, but here, it's really an issue of life and death."
I wanted the courage to face whaterver was coming to kill me, but who was I kidding? I didn't even have the guts to defent Laura - my own best friend - when Peyton started raggin on her, so what good would I be against an actual monster?
People called Kaylee special, but what they really meant was "special." In that straitjackets and padded walls kind of way. She wasn't special like Luca thought I was special. She could never handle what I'd just seen and done. She wasn't stable enough.
All right, then, Sophie - you really make me look forward to seeing how you'll react to just how special Kaylee is - and how you only have a tiny part of that family special-ness in you :D
In this novella, Sophie meets Luca, the necromancer, and a soulless reaper who makes her screem so hard she and Luca end up in the Netherworld. Most of the story is about how to get back to the real world, and it actually had loads of hilarious quotes :
"I don't even like regular plants. Except for corsages and long-stemmed roses." And htose only hurt you when they don't show up...
"You're not... human?" "Well, I am human. But I'm more."
Maybe Kaylee was actually the sanest person I knew.
"Okay, time out. That's all the crazy talk I can take for now. I want to go home. What do I have to do? Click my heels together?" My shoes weren't ruby, nor were they slippers, but for what my dad paid for the designer label, they damn well ought to take me wherever I wanted to go.
"I never joke about carnivorous bunnies."
"Aplologies, Your Highnexx, I meant to mistake you for someone who wants to survive."
In the end, my conscience won, but only because letting Luca die in the Netherworld would be an unacceptable waste of a perfectly good six-pack.
"I always knew popularity was a survival skill i high school, but here, it's really an issue of life and death."
I wanted the courage to face whaterver was coming to kill me, but who was I kidding? I didn't even have the guts to defent Laura - my own best friend - when Peyton started raggin on her, so what good would I be against an actual monster?
People called Kaylee special, but what they really meant was "special." In that straitjackets and padded walls kind of way. She wasn't special like Luca thought I was special. She could never handle what I'd just seen and done. She wasn't stable enough.
All right, then, Sophie - you really make me look forward to seeing how you'll react to just how special Kaylee is - and how you only have a tiny part of that family special-ness in you :D
January 8, 2012
Awesome! As always.
I really liked this. Like all the books I’ve read by Rachel Vincent, this one was action-packed, breathtaking and shocking. My eyes were glued to the pages. I wouldn’t have been able to stop reading even if I’d wanted to.Rachel Vincent has the remarkable ability to make even a single sentence suspenseful or downright shocking.
So…Sophie, she was definitely a…different character. I’ll admit, while I was dying to read Sophie’s point of view of um…things, I was also worried that I wouldn’t like her as a narrator. And I still don’t like her. Actually I didn’t realize how much I loved Kaylee as a narrator until her “voice” and awesomeness weren't there.
But while I don’t like Sophie, at the same time I don’t hate her as much as I did or at least thought I did.
Sophie’s completely clueless and she isn’t the nicest of people. But while it puts me off a little, I also kind of like it. She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind, to be who she is and I think that’s admirable. And every once in a while I think she channels a little bit of Kaylee’s awesomeness. Family resemblance maybe?
Oh, and Luca! Did I mention Luca? I definitely like him, no doubt about that. Is he or will he ever be as amazing as Tod? That’s yet to be seen. But there are other things of him that can be seen (or read) in this novella. Like him. Shirtless. And that’s good enough for now. I wonder what brings him toKaylee’s Sophie's part of town, though. Because I have a feeling he’s not just here for the scenery or the outstanding educational system.
What I can definitely say is that this novella gave me even more reason to pine for Before I Wake, as if I needed any. There are some very interesting revelations contained in this book that you won’t want to miss. Trust me.
I really liked this. Like all the books I’ve read by Rachel Vincent, this one was action-packed, breathtaking and shocking. My eyes were glued to the pages. I wouldn’t have been able to stop reading even if I’d wanted to.Rachel Vincent has the remarkable ability to make even a single sentence suspenseful or downright shocking.
So…Sophie, she was definitely a…different character. I’ll admit, while I was dying to read Sophie’s point of view of um…things, I was also worried that I wouldn’t like her as a narrator. And I still don’t like her. Actually I didn’t realize how much I loved Kaylee as a narrator until her “voice” and awesomeness weren't there.
But while I don’t like Sophie, at the same time I don’t hate her as much as I did or at least thought I did.
Sophie’s completely clueless and she isn’t the nicest of people. But while it puts me off a little, I also kind of like it. She’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind, to be who she is and I think that’s admirable. And every once in a while I think she channels a little bit of Kaylee’s awesomeness. Family resemblance maybe?
Oh, and Luca! Did I mention Luca? I definitely like him, no doubt about that. Is he or will he ever be as amazing as Tod? That’s yet to be seen. But there are other things of him that can be seen (or read) in this novella. Like him. Shirtless. And that’s good enough for now. I wonder what brings him to
What I can definitely say is that this novella gave me even more reason to pine for Before I Wake, as if I needed any. There are some very interesting revelations contained in this book that you won’t want to miss. Trust me.
January 2, 2012
It should be 2.5 stars, really.
Ms. Vincent can write some wonderfully nuanced characters. Unfortunately, she failed in this attempt. Sophie is still the self-centered jerk she has always been. Sure, she's resourceful and assertive, but that is to be expected. Most girls don't get to be one of the most popular girls in their cliques by being just a mean girl.
Luca is a new character that was introduced in this novella, and it seems he'll play some sort of role in Before I Wake. But I am glad for Sophie's little adventure in the underworld. It's about time she got introduced into the family business.
I also had to laugh when she thought Kaylee could never have handled the underworld! if only you knew, Ms. Sophia, if only you knew!
All in all, I think you can skip this novella and not be the worse off for it.
Ms. Vincent can write some wonderfully nuanced characters. Unfortunately, she failed in this attempt. Sophie is still the self-centered jerk she has always been. Sure, she's resourceful and assertive, but that is to be expected. Most girls don't get to be one of the most popular girls in their cliques by being just a mean girl.
Luca is a new character that was introduced in this novella, and it seems he'll play some sort of role in Before I Wake. But I am glad for Sophie's little adventure in the underworld. It's about time she got introduced into the family business.
I also had to laugh when she thought Kaylee could never have handled the underworld! if only you knew, Ms. Sophia, if only you knew!
All in all, I think you can skip this novella and not be the worse off for it.
September 15, 2013
I read this a while back and for some reason never got around to noting it. This story helps many of us understand why we like sophie or at least don't try to kill her. I like how we learn to understand her, what I don't like, and mind you I've read all the book in the series now, is how she never does much to show her cousin how much she appreciates what she's done for her. Because her cousin has done quite a bit and put up with quite a bit for her. The fact that she made her cousin's school life, or life in general so difficult and yet never has said anything to her about it. Well, regardless if it's by a physical reach out, or verbal, it didn't happen, which to me is unfortunate, and makes me still think very poorly of her.
September 6, 2012
Never to Sleep is a short 56 page ebook.
I admit I do not particularly like Sophie and didn't have any desire to read anything about her. However this books introduces a character who will likely play a part in the next books in the series and we learn that there might be more to Sophie than we thought. It was worth reading and while I doubt I'll ever like Sophie I can see things a little better from her perspective now.
If you are a Soul Screamers fan then you should read this novella. It does contain a spoiler so read it after you read book #5 If I Die.
Rating: 3.5 Stars - Good Book
Source: Purchased
Content: Language
I admit I do not particularly like Sophie and didn't have any desire to read anything about her. However this books introduces a character who will likely play a part in the next books in the series and we learn that there might be more to Sophie than we thought. It was worth reading and while I doubt I'll ever like Sophie I can see things a little better from her perspective now.
If you are a Soul Screamers fan then you should read this novella. It does contain a spoiler so read it after you read book #5 If I Die.
Rating: 3.5 Stars - Good Book
Source: Purchased
Content: Language
March 21, 2012
I suppose it's good for Sophie to see a little reality. Or, in this case, not-quite-reality.
As much as I love this series and send props to Vincent for her character development, I felt like Sophie's character was a little flimsy. She's not quite real and there is too much bleeding between her character and Kaylee. Example: She says things Kaylee would say.
I don't think it's believable for a self-absorbed nit-wit to turn into warrior princess in a matter of hours. The Sophie we know would have either fainted or ran screaming from what she sees. Then again, maybe we don't know Sophie at all and this is a peek into what she's really made of.
As much as I love this series and send props to Vincent for her character development, I felt like Sophie's character was a little flimsy. She's not quite real and there is too much bleeding between her character and Kaylee. Example: She says things Kaylee would say.
I don't think it's believable for a self-absorbed nit-wit to turn into warrior princess in a matter of hours. The Sophie we know would have either fainted or ran screaming from what she sees. Then again, maybe we don't know Sophie at all and this is a peek into what she's really made of.
Read
July 16, 2018Same old - don't recommend this series or author anymore for several reasons (none of which are related to author-behaving-badly, as far as I can tell) but since I enjoyed this series back then, I'm keeping my reviews.
I really like Sophie. She is a teenager, she's a little self-rightous and unaware of what is going on, but that isn't entirely her fault, is it? It was great to see the world through her eyes, and even though she remains partly ignorant to many things, I'll have to admit that I wouldn't mind reading more stories told from her point of view.
I really like Sophie. She is a teenager, she's a little self-rightous and unaware of what is going on, but that isn't entirely her fault, is it? It was great to see the world through her eyes, and even though she remains partly ignorant to many things, I'll have to admit that I wouldn't mind reading more stories told from her point of view.
September 5, 2013
I was truly awake, for the first time in my life, and if asleep was what I'd been before, I never wanted to sleep again.
wow, I've always disliked Sophie. Although I won't say I like her, I at least understand her better now.
and I think this was the best way for Sophie to find out. Any other way would have blown her mind and she never would have accepted it.
now the big question is, what is she?
and welcome to the scene Luca :D
wow, I've always disliked Sophie. Although I won't say I like her, I at least understand her better now.
and I think this was the best way for Sophie to find out. Any other way would have blown her mind and she never would have accepted it.
now the big question is, what is she?
and welcome to the scene Luca :D
July 4, 2012
This was pretty good. You get better acquainted with Sophie. I was hoping the story would go into her finding out about Kaylee. It ticks me off her calling her crazy all the time. Still not a fan of hers but I'm glad I read it. Luca is a cutie pie. Ready for Soul Screamers # 7.
January 14, 2013
While Luca was a very intriguing character I hope to read more about and Rachel Vincent's writing is amazing as always, there is just nothing that is going to make me feel for Sophie. All I wish for Sophie's future is a giant junk-punch.
September 2, 2013
This novella in the Soul Screamers series focuses on Sophie. When Sophie unexpectedly ends up in the Netherworld, she has to find a way to get out and go home. Seeing the Netherworld from Sophie perspective was interesting and creepy.
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