Review: MY SOUL TO TAKE (Soul Screamers #1)

Author: Rachel Vincent
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: August 1, 2009
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN-10: 0373210035
ISBN-13: 978-0373210039
Available from: Chapters, The Book Depository, Amazon
List Price: $10.91 CAD, $9.08 CAD, $9.99 USD
Rating: 4 of 5

She doesn't see dead people, but…



She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

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

Review:

The Soul Screamers series caught my eye one evening while strolling through the bookstore. All of the covers looked so beautiful on the shelf, and the storyline sounded quite unique. From the start of My Soul to Take until the end I was quite intrigued. The series' concept is different from anything else that I have read before and I found all aspects of Soul Screaming to be very detailed. The world that Kaylee lives in is well constructed with many mysteries that are lying beneath the surface ready to emerge. The manner in which this book was penned allows for the reader to uncover the existing secrets at the same time as it's female heroine.

As a main character Kaylee is quick witted and honest. She needs to be though considering the state of her home life and her place in the social hierarchy at school. When Nash enters the picture though everything that Kaylee knows about herself, and her life, is altered. The world that Nash introduces her to helps Kaylee understand the mysteries that she has been living with for 16 years. It is Nash's presence in her life that not only helps Kaylee understand her ability, but also gives her a chance to have a real relationship with a tremendous hero.

What I love about Nash is that he seems like he used to be kind of promiscuous. I presume that this would be because of his ability to use his Influence on the ladies. This is all speculation though as most everything Kaylee knows about Nash's romantic life has been gathered from gossip. Whatever the case may be though, it is clear the Nash's affection for Kaylee is genuine. This can be seen in the way that he worries about her, calms her, and cares for her. Oh, and the way Tod the reaper's interest in Kaylee makes Nash ever so jealous. Tod the reaper is kind of fantastic. His role in this book is quite minimal but I know that his presence will be felt more strongly in the rest of the series.

Every death and accompanying soul scream in this book is written quite vividly. The piercing sound that Kaylee holds back in the presence of death can be felt by the reader each and every time. The reaction that accompanies these deaths is quite thrilling and will have you consumed. The soul screaming moments in this book accompanied with the relationship between Kaylee and Nash makes it nothing less than intriguing. My Soul to Take is the first book I have read from Rachel Vincent, but it will surely not be the last. In addition to the other books in the Soul Screamers series, I would be interested to read from Vincent's popular adult series Shifters. If you are looking for a new series to get into then I definitely reccommend Soul Screamers. I am anxious to see where Kaylee's story is headed, so thank goodness my mailbox was filled with Soul Screaming presents this week. ;)

-Christie