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Soul Reader #1

Night Watch

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Waking up at the foot of your own grave is no picnic... especially when you can’t remember how you got there.

Cursed with powers she can’t name, Sloane Cabot has vowed to catch the Rogue who turned her into a monster and killed her family. Too bad a broodingly hot mage is bound to keep her on the straight and narrow.

Whether she likes it or not...

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 17, 2020

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About the author

Annie Anderson

42 books2,024 followers
Annie Anderson is the author of the international bestselling Rogue Ethereal series. A United States Air Force veteran, Annie pens fast-paced Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy novels filled with strong, snarky heroines and a boatload of magic. When she takes a break from writing, she can be found binge-watching The Magicians, flirting with her husband, wrangling children, or bribing her cantankerous dogs to go on a walk.

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5 stars
1,114 (48%)
4 stars
790 (34%)
3 stars
336 (14%)
2 stars
59 (2%)
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13 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews
Profile Image for Mikky.
818 reviews219 followers
December 16, 2021
This was better and than I was initially expecting it to be! The story was fun in a dark way. The characters are pretty interesting and did hold my attention. The narrator proved to be fantastic for this book/heroine in particular. Not every book goes with her voice (if that makes sense?). Her voice is very specific to this type of heroine (sassy, sarcastic, exaggerated personality). It was overall very entertaining and I'll be giving the next book a try!
Profile Image for Barb Shuler.
Author 109 books157 followers
January 19, 2023
Let me just say this first... SLOAN IS MY SPIRIRT ANIMAL! Legit, this bish is a total badarsed lady.

As with any Annie Anderson book I got a whole gambit of emotions while reading. I laughed, worried and I will be honest, the cracker had me teary eyed at a point. I loved every single solitary word of this story. It's one of my faves for sure. The characters grow on you. Even though... (coughs) I wanted to punt one of them into next week. for a bit, he redeemed himself. haha.

Each new character you meet in this story the bubble of fun, conspiracy and balance creeps in. Just when you think the book is going one way, it goes another. You think left, it goes right. Which, let's be honest, that makes for a darn good story. The badassedness of each character lends to the stability of the group which in turn makes the developments of the story form into a better book. The underlying issue, the why and how Sloane is who and where she is, takes you on an emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs. By the time that train slides into home you are ready to hug her, put her in your pocket and do all you can to keep her safe. In the end, that's the only way she may survive what's happening around her.

I can not wait to see what Sloan, Bastian and the rest of the crew get up to next. Something tells me that its going to raise a few roofs and bring them back down on someone's head.
Profile Image for Shirley.
901 reviews227 followers
November 17, 2020
Original review

This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Annie Anderson!

Night Watch is the first book in the Soul Reader series and tells the story of Sloane and the night watch.

Annie Anderson has written some amazing books, and Soul Reader was definitely one of them. I really liked the story, it was really interesting and I had to know what was going to happen to Sloane. I really liked this book because it’s not something I’ve read before. I really liked the first book in Annie Anderson’s other series called Dead to Me, and I think it’s set in the same world. So if you enjoyed Dead to Me, you’ll love Night Watch too!

Sloane is such a funny and badass character. I’m not surprised because Annie Anderson’s female main characters are always funny and badass! I also really like the other characters in this book. The Night Watch group is a family of different supernatural beings and they are all such fun characters to read about. I cannot wait to get to know them better in the next book! 

Night Watch was such a good Fantasy book packed with suspense, action and some romance! I really enjoyed reading this book, it was so fast paced and hard to put down. Night Watch also ended with a cliffhanger so I cannot wait to read the sequel Death Watch! Annie Anderson killed it again with this book!

Profile Image for Larissa.
484 reviews12 followers
October 18, 2021

Overall: 3/5

Plot and themes: 2/5

Characters: 3/5

Writing style: 2/5

Attention-grabbing: 3/5

Night Watch is the first in an urban fantasy series following the life of Sloane Cabot, a recently resurrected blood drinker who can't really seem to catch a break. First, she wakes up at the foot of her and her parents' grave with no memory of how she got there. Then she finds out that she requires blood to survive, which also is occasionally accompanied by the need to eat souls. And the supernatural police force also has a bounty on her head.

Not the worst book ever of course, but also a bit forgettable. The characters were fun but could have been developed more or given deeper backstories. I'm sure they have more in them but at this point I don't really know anything about any of them. While the vampire-ish thing was quirky, I'm not really understanding how her specific combo of parents makes her have fangs and need blood. I can sort of understand the soul eater thing, but where does the vampire part come in?

The romance is okay too, again not super memorable. She also has that vampire trait of inspiring complete devotion without being a vampire. It also just seems so convenient. You expect a certain degree of convenience with these novels but like the fact that she's been a hunter for a year and she just happened to kill the pack that killed this other vampire's kid and just happened to reveal that during the course of an argument? I just didn't like the things like that. So bottom line, not the worst but nothing special.


This review and all my others can be found at: https://aworldshapedbybooks.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Darcy.
1,811 reviews17 followers
November 8, 2020
This is my first book by Annie Anderson and I am throughly impressed. It is extremely well written and the characters are stunningly developed. I loved Sloan and all her kick butt attitude. She has the ability to pull it off as well. Bastian and the others add so much to the story. It is packed full of action, suspense, mystery, and drama. It is a magnificent story that keeps you glued to it and doesn’t let go. It has you keeping your nose so into the story that is put it down you feel like you are missing something. This story does end in a pretty big cliffhanger but the ride getting to it is oh so worth it. I can’t wait to see what happens next. This is an absolute must read!!!!!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Katyana.
1,606 reviews230 followers
July 24, 2022
I have to say, I liked this book a lot more than I liked the sister series with Darby (not that it was bad, it just was a C book where I'd give this book a B+).

Sloane is younger than Darby, but a lot more mature (odd given Darby is a homicide detective). Also a lot less emo. Sure, she's got her moments of angst, but they are more earned - she's been through the wringer, seriously - and she doesn't wallow in them.

Sloane also fights at the front, rather than standing on the sidelines with her mouth hanging open. She's a badass.

My only quibble is the love interest - he went from enemy who wanted her dead to dude half in love with her in... I'm pretty sure it was a day. Literally. Maybe two, because I'm not sure if a night passed when she went down to her cage.
Profile Image for Katheyer.
1,557 reviews20 followers
November 5, 2020
“One foot in front of the other. Sloane. Keep moving”

“Night Watch”, the first installment in the “Soul Reader” series by Annie Anderson, is another fantastic start into a good, solid, classic urban fantasy new series. After having reading Anderson’s “Grave Talker” Series - and enjoying it enormously - I was very expectant about this new series, whose MC is in fact (unbeknownst to her) the offspring of a grave talker and blood mage, and the book surely didn’t let me down. Sloane Emerson Cabot (FMC) is a wonderful character all by herself, and while she possesses the same high quality snarky, witty and strong character, she is by no means a mere copy of Darcy (Grave Talker MC).

Sloane wakes up on her grave, without little to no recognition of what brought her there, and is in her way to the police station – presuming a crime -as she is attacked by some dubious guy, who she is forced to fight and eventually kill, what makes her realize that something very wrong is going on, and she has indeed become some kind of vampire. After a whole year on the street, acting as vigilante, which serves a double purpose, clean the streets from undesirables and get a meal in the process, she gets ambushed by the Night Watch and recruited – reluctantly – into it. From there on the story is enjoyable ride, filled with interesting characters, unexpected twists and funny situations.

Annie Anderson has once more (!) created a fully credible series, spiked with some supernatural tropes and multifaceted characters that fit seamlessly with each other, like a somehow dysfunctional but nevertheless fully credible family. Another wonderful UF series to add to your TBR list 😊
Profile Image for K.A. Graham.
Author 19 books117 followers
November 3, 2020
Night Watch (Soul Reader Book 1)
by Annie Anderson

*5 stars*

Another Supernatural homerun by the Queen of everything paranormal, Annie Anderson. I'm in absolute love with this story and NEED the next installment ASAP!

Sloane wakes up, in a cemetery of all places, to a literal freak fest. One day she's alive, and the next she's drinking blood from a strangers throat.

On one of her nightly ventures, she meets a crew of characters that just might be her one and only blessings in disguise. They end up showing her what real love and loyalty can look like, even in a house full of chaos and unearthly happenings. With their help and guidance, just maybe she'll solve the mystery of what's happened to her and gets some peace, if that's at all possible.

Did I happen to mention, Bastian? No? Well, let me just say he's rough, gruff, and my kind of sexy. Sloane's got her hands full with this one, and vice versa. I'm literally on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens with my two little hellions, so stayed tuned!
Profile Image for Heather.
28 reviews
November 15, 2020
Sloane is another great addition to Annie’s arsenal of ass kicking female leads! I love this first entry and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Jeanny.
1,933 reviews161 followers
February 21, 2024
This has potential so I’ll read book 2. Audible version.
Profile Image for Tami.
192 reviews4 followers
November 3, 2020
What a great cast of characters with cool skill sets! Sloane will steal your heart while she fights for justice, her way, until she's found by the Night Watch and asked to join their ranks. She'll keep fighting for justice, but will have someone at her back! Love this new series! Simon's cat is the bomb!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Dawne.
414 reviews7 followers
November 6, 2020
Annie Anderson has knocked it out of the ballpark again! Sloan may now replace Max as my new favorite kick a$$ heroine. What an amazing new series that I could not put down. A unique storyline that I can’t get enough of. I can’t wait for the next book!
Profile Image for Gale Albright.
2,454 reviews17 followers
March 3, 2021
I was so excited to read this book. I love this author she is amazing and brilliant. I am hoping The Soul Reader and The Grave Talker series dovetail together at some point. I love all these characters and I appreciate how they cross over.
329 reviews2 followers
January 17, 2021
An excellent read

It's so great when an author comes up with a new twist in the supernatural world. Especially when it is as well written as this tale.
I'm very much looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon.
2,091 reviews153 followers
November 19, 2020
5 Cranky Stars


I will admit my weaknesses are book series where you take a rogue or a mundane human and put them in a magical house with other people all fighting for a greater good. Once again Annie Anderson gave me that with Night Watch. Sloane was an amalgam of two magical beings and was a paranormal character I've never heard of before. That's why I loved this book. She made a tried and true staple of a genre we've all read and made it her own.


Sloane has no memory of how she woke up at the foot of her own grave. Life was good she had parents and a dog and suddenly it was gone. She's spent the last year on the streets being a vigilante with her strange new powers until the Night Watch captures her and gives her an offer. She is unsure because nothing good has happened since that day and well Bastian is just too much for her. It's here she finds out who she truly is and the power she wields.


Arghhh I loved Bastian! Why does Annie give me these gruff men and make me fall in love? I liked Sloanes I'm an island attitude but glad she let her walls down some. I mean there was a bone kitty named Isis and I'm all for cats in any form. Think of one of those Halloween cat skeletons. Once again another winner from Annie Anderson i can't wait for more.
Profile Image for Donna.
125 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2021
Basic

If the romance was set at pg 13 this would be a decent YA. I liked the premise but the execution is shallow. If your in the group; tired of female leads with ridiculous powers that are just super, skip this. What annoyed me the most was rapid character personality switching. Hates her (insert 10 pages) more worried about her than the last family member you have on earth. The plot is interesting enough. I’m in the mood for light reading I’ll keep reading for now.
230 reviews6 followers
May 13, 2021
Page one

As soon as I read the first paragraph I knew this was going to be good. I came across it by accident and am so glad I did. Its different, its riveting and im getting the next installment right now!
Profile Image for Katherine Paschal.
2,207 reviews60 followers
November 24, 2020
Sloane wakes up on what appears to be her grave with no idea how she got there or what is going on. When she attempts to get help, she ends up attacking another person only to find out that there is a paranormal world she had no idea existed- and it seems that she is now a part of it. Sloane has no idea what happened to her still but revenge is her goal and she has a lot of motivation.

This is my second book by this author (each was a first in a series) and I have decided that she is great at world building and character development. I would categorize this as an urban fantasy, where unbeknownst to the human world, a magical and dangerous supernatural world with magic uses, vampires, zombies, ghouls and werecreatures also exists. This is the perfect read for anyone who wants something fast, exciting, dangerous and unique. I am always on the look out for new urban fantasy and this author is now on my insta-buy list.

Night Watch was incredibly easy to read, I could sit down to read a chapter and find myself five chapters later with no idea how it happened and no interest in stopping. The pacing was incredibly fast, the whole book pretty much taking place in a few days (and a year, but that doesn't count) with never a dull moment. I like all the elements that made up the story- magic, supernatural creatures, angst, a smidge of lust that hopefully turn to romance (enemies to lovers I hope!), found families, action, a hint of mystery, a reanimated kitty (don't ask), an moody empath, and enough plot and world building left to know a second book will need to be available soon to satiate my needy heart.
Profile Image for Lene Blackthorn .
1,597 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2020
Waking up from your grave isn't exactly an enticing memory.
Sloane lived through the death of the whole family, walking out of her grave and the cemetery only to meet her first victim - and discovering her supernatural identity. Alone and driven by righteous, strong morals, she fights the bad guys of Ascension and feeds on their blood and souls. Only when she is captured by the Night Watch, an organization that harbors more oddities than she ever met, her life changes completely.
Right from the beginning, I felt instantly a connection to Sloane. That woman is a kickass one, with smart mouth and strong survival skills, even despite her suicide/death attempts. It felt easy and natural to follow her on her journey, identify with her emotions, and see the world she lives in through her eyes. Her character was brought to life from the very first page, catching my attention and signing me up for the wild ride of her story. The other characters she meets are incredibly interesting (oh, and I absolutely love Isis btw), complex, and fitting the odd nature of the supernatural world with magic that brings endless possibilities. The plot twisted at a rapid pace, and even though I guessed some of the revelations right ( i.e. no surprise there for me), it did not diminish the joy from reading an awesome story. The hints of blossoming romance are promising, and given the chance I'll stick with Sloane until the last page of her story is over.
85 reviews
November 16, 2020
Sloan Cabot wakes up on top of her grave - so vampire right? Well maybe, but whatever she is she decides to take the better path and helps people. Sloan's memories are missing or hazy, she woke up beside her parents graves and they died the same day she did and that is pretty much all she remembers. She needs to drink blood but she reads the persons soul and all their actions as she does so. Sloan uses that information to hunt down evil and help others. But she has been unknowingly upsetting a lot of people and gets trapped helping what she thinks is an endangered person. Sloan meets a singular group of people who are focused on helping others - in a non typical way. There is action and drama and angst but the story delivers all of this in a gripping manner.
I started and read the book straight through without stopping. I recommend this read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ani Conda.
104 reviews5 followers
November 10, 2020
Annie Anderson has once again took my poor book nerd soul and held it prisoner for the entirety of this book until I had devoured every last word. The pain and happiness that Sloane feels through this book were almost a physical presence in the room with you. My heart beat faster with her adrenaline and stopped with her sorrow.

Another absolute brilliant anti-heroine and merry band of misfits. The simple ties to Dead To Me were brilliant and made me want to go back and read it again. I genuinely can not wait for Death Watch, it wasn’t a HEA per se but it left me wanting more story and more for Sloane. The male characters are alluring but incredibly frustrating where as the ladies are all independent and strong.

A great one sitting read that will leave you cursing your normal human needs because they get in the way of your reading.
Profile Image for ilaanya.
47 reviews4 followers
December 23, 2023
The best part is the bone cat. I liked the concept of the soul taker do-gooder, I liked that it just dove right into the action but didn’t feel like you missed book 1, but the romance fell totally flat for me.

This may be bringing it into book 2 - kindle bundles all the books together, so I’m not sure how far the romance progressed in book 1 - but unless it really is just blood addiction, there’s no reason for the guy to actually be so possessively “in love”. I could understand the mc’s infatuation, she’s new to the life, never drank the blood of a willing innocent, etc. but even that’s a stretch. DNF the second book but i don’t feel like writing a separate review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Stacey Rankin.
432 reviews4 followers
November 15, 2020
A fantastic start to the series, an urban fantasy story filled with mystery, intrigue, secrets, betrayal, deception, action, adventure and the start of potential romance. Very well written, intriguing characters with hidden depths, secrets and brilliant chemistry all wrapped up in in an imaginatively gripping storyline. Annie Anderson is a new to me author, I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in this series and also reading more of her other books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Giorgione.
488 reviews22 followers
November 14, 2020
Everything Annie writes is fantastic! This was another amazing book that made me laugh, cry a little and cheer for the wonderful cast of characters.They are a wonderfully dysfunctional family and I can't wait to read more! This story is full of mystery, action, suspense, drama and a little treachery thrown in. Sloane is a butt kickin survivor and it will be interesting to see where the chemistry between her and Bastian goes. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Margarita Rose.
947 reviews7 followers
November 16, 2020
One moment you have your whole world planned out and the next moment you are lying in your grave as well as your parents. Who killed this family and why. What has caused Sloane to live although dead? A crazy fast paced action packed ride from one moment to the next. I am excited to see how this series will change the characters and what will happen next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,538 reviews10 followers
November 17, 2020
I loved this story. It opens up strong and spooky and hooked me from the beginning> i had to see what was going on after that first chapter. And I was not disappointed. Sloane was a great character and she made me laugh out loud. The rest of the Night Watch crew she meets were just as amusing. I loved the bit of mystery going and cannot wait to see what is discovered next in terms of Sloane and what it means for the group. Just a great story that I devoured in one sitting as I could not put it down.
Profile Image for Michelle.
8,896 reviews21 followers
November 29, 2020
Night Watch is the first book in the Soul Reader series and I could not put this book down until the last page. From the interesting supernatural characters to the paranormal story filled with magic, mystery, suspense, action, romance and twists this is definitely a must read. I am loving Sloane, her strength, her heart, her humor and after that ending I can't wait to read the next book and find out what happens next. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Rhiannon Chillingworth.
789 reviews186 followers
July 26, 2021
This was a pretty decent urban fantasy. It was a quick, but engrossing read, with decent world building and a likeable main character. Sloane managed to be sympathetic, but not whiny, which can be a hard thing to pull off and I enjoyed her chemistry with Bastian.

It's not going to stir your soul, but if you're looking for your next Urban Fantasy read then maybe give this a try. I'm moving straight onto book 2.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,367 reviews46 followers
November 20, 2020
Sloane woke up in a cemetery she thought that she was dreaming but she looked at the newly dug grave and headstone next to her and she knew that she wasn’t dreaming, on her way to the cop station Sloane was attacked by a vampire but she was stronger and drained him dry. Sloane saw all of his memories and the innocent people he killed now she was determined to kill all of the bad guys no matter what they were. Amazing start to this new series I loved it and I definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 212 reviews

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