Book 3), My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers

Never exactly a light series, Soul Screamers takes a notably dark turn in this book. After a party that gets out of hand, Kaylee begins to suspect that some of her classmates are using demon's breath--a Netherworld substance with hallucinagenic properties. She and Nash set out to cut off the source of the drug before things turn deadly.

First of all, I have to applaud Vincent for attempting to tackle as difficult a topic as addiction. What I have admired about this series most thus far is that she manages to address real problems common to many teenagers, but does so through fantasy elements. From parents and school, to the will-they-or-won't-they aspect of Nash and Kaylee's physical relationship, these character read like real teenagers. In this particular book the addiction is used to illuminate many of the character's flaws, fears, and inner demons. There was a great deal of character development and many emotional moments.

Vincent continues to build the paranormal aspects of her world, hinting at more interesting facats and possible future plot threads all the time. While this takes a back seat in many cases to the internal struggles, it's still fairly well done and worth noting.

Kaylee is left on he own or with very limited help many times throughout this book, and in many cases that seemed needless. I questioned many times why she did not find someone stronger or more knowledgable than herself to help. I'm continuously bothered by the apparent lack of competent adult policing/fighting forces in this little supernatural world. One would assume that if there are a decent number of banshees and other creatures, there should be some kind of leader, or a warrior class, anyone at all that could step in when someone evil threatens multiple lives. Or it could all be left up to a teenage girl...that seems fine too.

My other major complaint is the utter lack of resolution in the ending. SPOILER ALERT: One of two things needed to happen in this ending: either Kaylee needed to leave Nash for good because of all of the crap he did to her, or she needed to forgive him and try to start over. She half-asses it instead, saying she wants him to get better so she can have him back. In a long established relationship, that would make sense: I would be able to believe that she loved him and that their relationship could sustain temporary seperation for the purpose of mental healing. However, their relationship is fairly new--three months I believe. Realistically, even if they felt in love, taking a break at this point would mean the end because the relationship is not established enough to survive it. So yes, I hated the ending and I felt it was a massive cop out on the authors part.

These complaints aside, this was a good book overall. It had a lot of depth and emotion without getting needlessly angsty. 4 stars.

Will bean sidhe Kaylee Cavanaugh ever be able to trust Nash again? She's still reeling from his betrayal (see MY SOUL TO KEEP for more details) when his ex-girlfriend, Sabine shows up. Sabine is determined to recapture the love she had with Nash... but is she the culprit behind the recent deaths and upheavals plaguing Eastlake High?

Wow, I thought MY SOUL TO KEEP was intense but MY SOUL TO STEAL takes things to an entirely new level! Rachel Vincent doesn't hesitate to address touchy issues such as drug addiction, betrayal, and relapse as this series only gets better with each new installment. MY SOUL TO STEAL is the fourth book in the Soul Screamers series and is best read within the context of the series as a whole, as the plotlines and relationships are intertwined throughout the series.

Rachel Vincent does a marvelous job with character development, taking familiar characters into even darker places while introducing us to Sabine. Frankly, I wanted to hate Sabine for interfering in the relationship between Nash and Kaylee but her prickly personality starts to grow on the reader as her past is revealed. Kaylee's plight is a bit more complex, as she is torn between her love for Nash and the hurt of his betrayal. It's a very honest look at the emotional damage caused by addiction and I applaud Rachel Vincent for being willing to tackle it.

Rachel Vincent certainly shakes up the various relationships in MY SOUL TO STEAL, leaving the reader wondering just what will be in store with the next installment, IF I DIE. Highly recommended!

Two weeks have passed since the events of the prior book and Kaylee is still struggling with whether or not she can trust Nash again since he'd lied to her and used his bean sidhe ability to Influence her mind while he was addicted to Demon's Breath. Her heart and head are warring with each other over the issue.

But along comes Sabine, the troubled (and trouble) girlfriend Nash left behind a couple of years ago when his mother moved them to a different town and Nash hadn't been able to contact her. She's made it clear that Nash is hers and she intends to fight dirty to get Kaylee out of the way.

Sabine's arrival coincides with trouble at the school involving deaths and utter chaos, and Avari, a hellion, has new plans to get his hands on Kaylee. The weight on her shoulders gets heavier as Kaylee and crew attempt to save the school from the machinations of the Netherworld.

This is the 4th book in the Soul Screamers series. As an adult reading this YA series, I find the struggle Kaylee faces between her heart and head to be somewhat grown up and the trust issue is appropriate for the amount of time that's taken place. Some might find it a little frustrating that she hasn't immediately moved on in either direction, although the pace works for the story.

Sabine's character is interesting. Situations and conversations with or due to her provide the reader with insight to relationships beyond our own wants. What's actually best for whom in the long run?

Even though it's told in first person, the author has done a good job of getting the thoughts and perspectives of the other major players to come through in the story. I found it easy to read and not too dark considering the circumstances. And it would be difficult not to be sucked in from the first paragraph.

If you have a Kindle and have not yet gotten it, Reaper, the short story told from Tod's point of view, telling us how he died and became a reaper, would be good to read before this one, especially since the story is still free to download. It's not necessary to read it first, but the events take place when Nash is obsessed with Sabine.

For YA, these books are pretty disturbing.
It would have been better had Kaylee not become so self-centered--not selfish--but she couldn't seem to see past her own feelings...as though everyone's actions around her were a personal affront to her and her perfection.

Also, I like Tod's character and all, but come on...how did he suddenly become a self-righteous Kaylee-obsessed hero? Honestly, if Tod asked Kaylee if she was okay one more time...And literally the second Kaylee told Tod what was happening I was like, ooh I can't wait for the scene in which he punches Nash...and then, sure enough...that really annoyed me. Tod butting into Nash and Kaylee's business and playing the hero. It's just not...Tod...

The end was hugely anti-climactic, and I found it absurd that Kaylee took a million years to figure out what Nash was doing, and I also found it annoying that the book cut off where it did. I really wanted to see Nash's mom's reaction.

One of the problems is that Vincent tends to have everyone in the book obsessed with her main character. Seriously. With this series and the werecats series, every character's favorite person is the main character and the main character is always sooo important. I mean, Tod LITERALLY cares more about Kaylee, a girl he's known for a few months, more than his own brother. Okay...if you say so.

This just annoyed me personally, but when Kaylee called her uncle to tell him that Nash and her dad were trapped in the Netherworld, his response was OHH I HAVE TO GET MY BROTHER BACK. Then, oh, and we can't let Nash die because it would upset his mother. Really? Who says that. Shouldn't they want to save him for HIM, so HE WON'T DIE, not simply so Harmony won't have to lose someone else...Honestly, some of the things her characters say are ridiculous.
In other news: Everyone thinks Kaylee should dump Nash and never look back because he made a mistake. He is HUMAN, well...kind of lol. But seriously, he can't be PERFECT. People make mistakes. Everyone. If you really love someone and want a relationship with them, you have to work through mistakes and the realities of what people are, including their less perfect sides. Oh, Nash isn't perfect? Well, dump that guy's sorry ass and find someone that is perfect and will never make a mistake. What's that you say? There's no one out there that fits this description? Well, gosh. What to do?

Truthfully, I never liked Nash that much, because I thought he was too perfect. NOW, I like him much better, because he feels more real. He's allowed to make a mistake. People CAN have second chances. If you think Kaylee should never forgive him, that's just silly. Yes, he needs to earn back her trust, and no, things will not be the same, nor will they be easy, BUT...they can work through this.

Oh, and one more thing: for those who don't like Nash because he supposedly only likes Kaylee b/c she's a banshee, well, news flash...Why does Kaylee like Nash? When they talked for the first time, she liked him ONLY BECAUSE he was popular and good-looking. She gave no indication that this changed in any of the rest of the books...and nor is there proof that Nash likes Kaylee only b/c she's a banshee.

So...why is it okay for her to like Nash for his popularity/good-looks? Just wondering. Honetly, she never acted like she really loved Nash or had real feelings for him as a person...she was too into having her first real boyfriend...and then, of course, the instant she finds out he's not perfect, she dumps him. And, of course, everyone is cheering her on for doing so, but I'm not. If she REALLY cared about him, they would try to work things through. Yes, Nash made a horrible mistake, but that's what people do. Get over it already.

I have really loved getting to know Kaylee and Nash through Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamer series; the two of them are so cute together, they really balance each other out and they have a very special bond since they are both bean sidhe (banshee). In this book that bond is going to be put to the test because Nash has some "jock" friends (that personally drive me crazy) and cause a lot of problems. A new drug is making it's way through the high school called "frost" (aka Demon's Breath) and the jocks seem to have an endless supply.

For me the story was heartbreaking once I saw it starting to unfold and enter Kaylee's world. I started guessing how it was going affect Kaylee and I knew she was in for a rough ride. Through these events Kaylee really matured and grew as a character. Rachel Vincent did a great job of making me feel her emotions and go through her trials with her. Which in turn made it hard to read at points, not hard because the book was bad, hard because I have grown attached to Kaylee and I want to see her happy.

On the lighter side we also get to hang out with Kaylee's free spirited friend Emma, and Nash's hilarious grim reaper brother Tod. Tod is really starting to grow on me, I did not like him as much in previous books, but as he develops in this book I now have a soft spot for him. Oh and Sophie, man that girl will never quit just being, well if you have read the other books I think you know what I mean, she is just so ungrateful and mean and I am waiting for the day when Kaylee just tells her off.

As for Kaylee and Nash there were times when Nash would say something to Kaylee and my mouth would just drop open because it was so cruel. I did not think I would ever hear him talk to her like that, it broke my heart. The thing I have come to admire about Rachel Vincent's writing though, is that she is not afraid to write her stories with real life situations and problems. I think this book was a necessary step in Kaylee and Nash's relationship because things do not always turn out perfectly, whether you are human or supernatural. All couples have obstacles they need to overcome and work through, Kaylee and Nash included. Overall, the book was great, heartbreaking, difficult to read because of the tough issues throughout, but I think it makes a great addition to the series. Life is not always rainbows and sunshine, so I guess the best way to describe this book is real. All that said I love the journey I take with these characters and I will be eager to read the next chapter in Kaylee's and Nash's life.

MY GRADE

Plot: 5

Setting: 5

Writing: 5

Originality: 5

Characters: 4

Romance: 4

OVERALL: 28/30 = 93% A
Cover/Title Bonus: 3

OVERALL

A relatable topic with strong character revelations and character cooperation. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book to see how it all pans out.

First Line

The whole thing started with a wasted jock and a totaled car.

Plot

I really enjoyed the entire plot of this installment of Kaylee's adventure. The substance abuse was something I think all readers can associate with, since it is usually a hot topic in the teen years, whether you're a teen or the parent of the teen.

I thought the progression of the plot moved well. It was great.

I've been reading some reviews that have decided that the ending was cliffhanger but I've decided it's not really. I think it wrapped up really nicely. Maybe not all honky-dory but there's definitely a strong conclusion: "all will be decided in the next book", which really sounds like a cliffhanger but it's not. Really.

Setting

I'm a huge fan of the netherworld that Rachel has created. I love that it's mostly a replication of the real world Kaylee lives in just darker with scary creatures.

Writing

I wasn't a fan of the writing/plot in the previous book, My Soul to Save, so I was leery when it came to reading this one, especially after Rachel has said numerous times that it's a darker book than the previous ones, but she did a great job at meshing everything together. Things that happened in My Soul to Save played a large role in this book and I found that nice, even though I still wasn't liking exactly what happened in book 2. I can honestly say I'm looking forward to the next book to see how everything gets resolved, because I truly believe Kaylee will make everything mostly all better.

Originality

The entire Soul Screamers concept is 100% original. The only thing I can even compare it to is the weird series called Dead Like Me, which I've watched and it's super weird.

This book introduces us to another cool netherworld creature and I'm hoping that we might meet them again.

Characters

I <3 Tod. Seriously. I like him so much more than Nash. Why? I'm not really sure except that maybe he's more "real". He doesn't have a hidden agenda and he just lays it all out in the open. I love that he's all about protecting Kaylee. He really opens up in this book and I enjoyed that. I'm not sure what Rachel's trying to do but she seriously has me thinking there may be sparks flying between him and Kaylee. There were some minor descriptive words used during some encounters that I wouldn't have used unless one or the other was feeling something a little more than friendship for.

Nash. Nash just isn't cutting it anymore. The poor boy has been thrown under the bus in this book. And really, who's to blame? I feel so sorry for him in this book. I really can't blame him, to an extent, and yet I want to blame Kaylee and I know that's wrong too. So, who's to blame? The parent? The school teachers?

Kaylee. She really kicks some ass. I loved her bravado attitude. Her cousin is such a turd it's funny. I'm not sure I agree with every choice Kaylee made but all will be found out in the next book.

Romance

There's some major sexual tension between Nash and Kaylee. Then things start to get crazy with the substance abuse issue in the school and their relationship takes to the back burner. Now, it seems that things are going to stay there for a while yet. :(

Cover/Title Bonus

I touched on this when the initial cover was announced. I'm not a fan of this cover. I like the color but the girl is just not right....she's way off from being normal, which I guess is understandable with what Kaylee goes through in this book but still, it's off putting.

Another thing? Kaylee actually wears an awesome white gown in this. Of course white wouldn't have made an awesome cover but I think they should have tried to incorporate that into the cover, but then again the series so far has one color covers. Oh wells.

I first want to applaud Rachel Vincent, for taking on issues that are very real to today's teens. This book deals not only with drug use, but addiction and it consequences. It also deals with the pressure on teens to have sex. These issues may be wrapped up in the world of ban sidhe's, but this situation could happen in any high school in America. Also, the teens is in series sound and react like real teens, not how an adult might thinks a teen would sound and react.

I enjoyed reading about how Kaylee is dealing with her relationship with Nash through out the beginning of the book. She's questioning how he really feels about her. Are they soul mates? I mean forever is a long time when you are a bean sidhe. She's questioning how far they should take their relationship physically. She's also feeling the first stirrings of jealousy. I remember going through these same issues as a teen, and I can really relate to her character.

For me the stand out character from this book is Tod. He really steps up in this book. He does what has to be done, even risking the love of his undead life, to help Kaylee. Though he isn't without his own faults, but for me the reason behind the actions are solid. He's the like the big brother Kaylee never had, and he seems to have soft spot when if comes to her. He may, at first, come a crossed as somewhat obnoxious and self centered. I see this as more of a smoke screen. With each book, we get to see more and more of who he really is, and I really like it.

I read the last chapter with my hand covering my mouth in complete and utter shock. All I wanted to do is cry for Kaylee. I just couldn't believe what Nash did, though the signs were all there. I guess, I just saw Nash as Kaylee's rock, the person she could always turn to for everything. That is probably why I didn't see it coming, and neither did Kaylee. My heart broke after reading what Nash had done, and how he had treated Kaylee. His actions had so many awful consequences. Will Kaylee, in time, come to forgive Nash for his appalling behavior? I just don't know, but I just hope that he can get himself together and be the man Kaylee deserves.

The Soul Screamer books are getting better and better, with each book released. I can't wait for the next book in this series!!!

This book was insanity. I literally couldn't not take my eyes off of it once I started. It hooked me in much like the first book did, but in a different way. There was a good "who dunnit" and I kept fighting myself back and forth on who I thought it was and in the end I was surprised by how it panned out. There were a lot of surprises in this book in general. And a lot of emotions. There was a part where I literally laughed out loud for two minutes straight and my husband and daughter came in to see what all the fuss was about. There were other times where I was just angry. Or sad.

I have tons I want to say about this book, but I'm too afraid to spoil anyone, so I'll try to tread lightly.

Sabine is an evil and bitter brat. I don't understand why Nash feels sorry for her. There was a line and she crossed it and I was surprised that everyone let it go so easily. She gave Kaylee nightmares about Nash and those were "fair game", but I felt it was too low to be forgiven when she brought her Mother into the nightmares. That ticked me off a lot. I also lost a lot of respect for Nash in this book. He wants to hold onto his ex-girlfriend he hadn't even seen in two years as a best friend while she tries to jump on him every chance she gets and torture the girl he "loves" and he expects Kaylee to just go along with it. Nonono.

TOD FOR THE WIN!

I'll be honest, my interest in this series started wavering a little in the second book and the third was okay, but now I literally am jumping out of my seat for the next book. Only 16 more days to go until it comes out!

My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers, Book 3) brings us back to the world of Kaylee Cavanaugh, teen-aged bean sidhe. Kaylee, still adjusting to life with her recently returned father, is finally finished with her grounding from her last adventure when the Netherworld rears its ugly head in her home town. It appears that some of the students in her school, friends of Nash, are inhaling Demon's Breath for a high, unaware of its otherworldly origins or of its deadly consequences.

Kaylee and Nash set out to protect the student body from the highly dangerous Demon's Breath, but all is not as it seems. Nash's behavior is erratic and he keeps trying to Influence Kaylee. Both Emma and Sophie are wrapped up in things via their respective boyfriends, and Kaylee can't know for sure how much danger either of them are in. She wants to go to the adults for help but Nash keeps stopping her. The whole story seems a bit disjointed before things finally click into place for Kaylee and, vicariously, for the reader. Once the core of the story begins to unwind, we see that all roads lead to Avari, the hellion whose attempt to snatch Kaylee's soul was thwarted in My Soul to Save (Soul Screamers Book 2). I won't tell you how things develop to this point, but once Avari is revealed, things begin to make a little more sense and the action begins to pick up. Kaylee must make some difficult choices and take a long, hard look at who is truly on her side.

In My Soul to Keep (Soul Screamers, Book 3), Kaylee begins to grow up. She has to make difficult decisions based on what is right, not on what she wants. She also seems to have made an enemy in Avari, bringing Netherworld into her life on terms other than her own. Her actions in previous books are coming back to either benefit her or make her re-evaluate the consequences of her previous decisions. Overall, I think that this book represents a turning point in the series. Kaylee is maturing, the problems are getting bigger and the villain is badder. It seems as if the character relationships will be more complex in the coming stories which will benefit the series' longevity.

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Boys at school are getting addicted to demon breath and Kaylee is on a mission, with the help of Nash, to find out who is selling it and stop them. The addiction gets out of hand as people wind up going crazy from the demon breath, or worse, dying.

Kaylee gets herself into trouble with escalating demon breath addictions, a hellion out to get her, a moody boyfriend that I'm not sure I love or hate, people being possessed...yeah, this story gets intense. It deals with subject matters of drug abuse and the pressure of having sex. It also furthers the complications of Nash and Kaylee's relationship. This story wonderfully deals with issues that most teenagers can relate to, but with a paranormal twist that keeps the story interesting.

The book is fun but frustrating, too, at times. There are points when I wanted to scream at Kaylee, "Are you blind?!" While this wasn't my favorite book in the series since most of the plot felt predictable and my frustration with the characters made me want to shake the book more than once, I think the story really propelled the series forward. It added more depth to the overall story and series. Plus, it makes me curious about what's going to happen in the next book, especially with Kaylee and Nash. So if you're invested in the series, be sure to check it out!

My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers, Book 4) by Rachel Vincent is the latest addition to the Soul Screamers series. Kaylee Cavanaugh, female bean sidhe is trying to hold it all together. While she is still recovering from her recent breakup with Nash, his ex-girlfriend and first love Sabine comes to town. Kaylee is blindsided by the gorgeous and slightly creepy Sabine, who is very clear in her intention to win back Nash's heart. Sabine is a mara--a being that feeds off the fear of others in the form of their nightmares.

In the midst of Kaylee's troubles, teachers start dropping dead at school--in their sleep. And the student body seems to have lost its collective mind. On top of all this, Avari seems to have been possessing people around Kaylee in their sleep. Sabine, Avari and the chaos can't all be a coincidence, can it? Kaylee is faced with so many possibilities that she doesn't know where to turn or who to trust. Can she turn to Nash even though she feels that she can't trust him? Tod is always there for her, but he seems to be acting a little weird too, and she can't expose Emma to any more of Netherworld, can she?

My Soul to Steal (Soul Screamers, Book 4) shows Kaylee becoming more self-reliant and confident in her abilities. She also has to learn to trust and accept help from others instead of trying to take everything on herself. Nash is also maturing--his desperation in trying to win Kaylee back a clear sign that he is adhering to the straight and narrow. All of the characters seem to have matured since the first novel, My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers Book 1). Okay, maybe not Sophie but somebody has to play the foil, right? The books seem to be heading in a direction where Kaylee is learning how special she is, as both a girl and a bean sidhe. I found this latest addition to be highly entertaining and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.

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This is officially my favorite book in the Soul Screamers series. It takes place a month after the last book and it is full of action and intense emotion. Rachel has a way of making Kaylee's experiences mirror the experiences of what may happen to a typical teen. The Netherworld has opened up the door to things Kaylee never knew were possible, and this book proves just that. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that I am thrilled that the boyfriend (Nash) is not perfect. Every relationship has issues. This story brings back some characters that I didn't expect to see again. I was thrilled that the story focused more on Kaylee's school. I wanted the chance to get to know some new characters see how she deals with high school issues.

This book delves deeper into Kaylee's new home life as well. The development of each character was amazing. I really felt like I knew each of them better after this story. One of the biggest examples of that was with Tod. I think I mentioned in my mini-review of My Soul to Save that Tod was really brought onto a new level in that book. This book emphasizes that even more! Gotta love Tod :)
The smaller intimate parts of this book were my favorite. The interactions between each character were amazingly written. Each small detail carried such significance. As I was reading it I felt that each fight, each touch, or each look carried a lot more meaning than in most stories. I enjoyed those parts even more than the action.

Very emotional, very shocking, and sometimes very heartbreaking, this story shakes Kaylee's world. I'm very curious to see where the next book takes us. Fantastic book!

This is officially my favorite book in the Soul Screamers series. It takes place a month after the last book and it is full of action and intense emotion. Rachel has a way of making Kaylee's experiences mirror the experiences of what may happen to a typical teen. The Netherworld has opened up the door to things Kaylee never knew were possible, and this book proves just that. I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that I am thrilled that the boyfriend (Nash) is not perfect. Every relationship has issues. This story brings back some characters that I didn't expect to see again. I was thrilled that the story focused more on Kaylee's school. I wanted the chance to get to know some new characters see how she deals with high school issues.

This book delves deeper into Kaylee's new home life as well. The development of each character was amazing. I really felt like I knew each of them better after this story. One of the biggest examples of that was with Tod. I think I mentioned in my mini-review of My Soul to Save that Tod was really brought onto a new level in that book. This book emphasizes that even more! Gotta love Tod :)
The smaller intimate parts of this book were my favorite. The interactions between each character were amazingly written. Each small detail carried such significance. As I was reading it I felt that each fight, each touch, or each look carried a lot more meaning than in most stories. I enjoyed those parts even more than the action.

Very emotional, very shocking, and sometimes very heartbreaking, this story shakes Kaylee's world. I'm very curious to see where the next book takes us. Fantastic book!

This is the third offering in the Soul Screamer's series. The book can stand alone from the series if the reader is not too fussy about filling in a lot of blanks themselves. I enjoyed the characters and plot and the story progressed at a fast speed, which encouraged me to read on, and on, and on, just to see what would happen next.

Kaylee and her boyfriend Nash are awkward above and beyond the normal teenager. They somehow must find a way of fitting in and behaving as close to 'normal' as any teenager can get, while at the same time protecting thier unsuspecting friends and classmates from a new drug being brought over from the Netherworld. Balancing teenage problems, threats from demons and potentially embarrassing genetic 'gifts' the two must do battle in two overlapping worlds to save themselves, protect their families and try to stop a deadly demon from destroying everything that they hold dear.

Great read, but I recommend reading the series in order. The story is so complex and the characters have so much history that is explored in the first two books that a serious reader will enjoy having all the puzzle pieces available to them rather than guessing (even if their guesses are spot on).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The bean sidhes are back, baby! There's plenty of fresh excitement and horror for Kaylee & Co. to explore in the Soul Screamers' third installment, My Soul to Keep, and the twists and turns will keep readers guessing until the final page.

When Kaylee goes to a party and a football player smashes his car into hers, she assumes it's because he's had a few too many drinks. Instead, she finds that the boy is high on Demon's Breath, a dangerous supernatural substance that kept soulless teens alive in the previous book. We learn that Demon's Breath can do a lot more than sustain a life-force. It has hallucinogenic properties, is highly addictive to mortals, and eventually its victims go insane. And the hellion-drug keeps cropping up--Nash's closest friends are suddenly obsessed with it, and Kaylee knows she's got to do something to keep it away from unsuspecting mortals.

There is much to appreciate, here. More Emma (yay!), more Tod (double yay!), and Kaylee's growth, both as a person and as a bean sidhe. Her power and control have increased, and I feel almost smug when I see her display her strength and skill to such advantage. She's come a long way from the uncontrollable shrieking panic attacks of book one, and now she's working it like she's drawing a paycheck. Also, the stakes are raised in this book because there's trouble in paradise on the Nash-Kaylee front--they're still in love, but they're having recurring problems, most of them caused by Nash. Even the plotting seems tighter in this book. Every single thing that happens, happens for a reason and every time I went, "what is up with this?" my question was answered later on in the story.

Ultimately, I think My Soul to Keep is successful because of its emotional impact. While reading, I felt truly sorrowful and truly angry for the first time in the series, and I was either wincing or oohing and ahhing at every new development. Reserve your copy now--My Soul to Keep is a keeper

While Nash suffers excoriating withdrawal pains from the Netherworld's addicted Demon's Breath his maybe girlfriend Kaylee feels betrayed by his actions (see My Soul To Keep). He knows she is not ready to talk while she misses him after two weeks of no Nash. However, Kaylee wants a serene spring term at school after the nightmarish previous semester that no sixteen years old girl, even a Banshee like her, should ever face.

However, their chance to reconcile their differences takes a tortuous spin towards hell when Nash's former girlfriend Sabine the Mara transfers to their school. She has arrived with one goal: to win back her boyfriend and any means to achieve her end is acceptable. The Mara uses her skill to read fear and turn that trepidation into a nightmare. as subsistence. She turns up the fear factor to the point people especially her adversary Kaylee cannot sleep due to the nightmares that have their souls screaming for solace as increasingly their dreams are literally killing them.

The fourth Soul Screamers teenage urban fantasy (see My Soul To Save) is a fabulous complex relationship thriller as what Sabine wants Sabine gets. The fast-paced story line is driven by the relational triangulation as the female banshee struggles with her feelings made into something to fear by her vicious rival. My Soul To Steal is much more personal in nature than the powerful previous three tales.

Harriet Klausner

I remember saying that Rachel Vincent was brave for the places she took her characters in the last Soul Screamers book, but that was nothing compared to what she's done to them in MY SOUL TO STEAL.

Sabine. Obviously we're not supposed to like Nash's ex-girlfriend who shows up and starts trying to pick things back up where they left off, but Rachel Vincent might have taken it a bit too far. I wanted to reach into the book and physically beat her! She's a psycho, vindictive, vengeful, manipulative slutbag. I'm getting angry again just thinking about her. Anyone who showed her the slightest compassion--and I mean anyone--got knocked down a peg in my estimation. Think Lila from season two of Dexter.

And really, did Kaylee and Nash need any more problems with their relationship after what happened in MY SOUL TO KEEP? Apparently so, because Sabine worms her way into the middle of things like a parasite. Emotions run high for everyone and the fallout proves to be just as big. And I don't just mean for the characters.

When I start a series and invest myself in new characters, I start to build certain expectations. Who will end up with who, who will become a villain, who will be redeemed etc. I had very clear expectations going into MY SOUL TO STEAL, and I should have known after MY SOUL TO KEEP that Rachel Vincent never does what I expect. There's a big, huge, ginormous thing that happens in this book, or rather starts to happen, that I initially felt so betrayed by that part of me didn't want to finish the book. I did of course, and I'm amazed at how quickly I started to warm up to the idea of what's to come.

Nothing is set in stone for this series. Rachel will probably surprise me again in the next book, IF I DIE, but that's part of what makes this series so exciting. The last two books have been shocking, but they've also been my favorites. Can't wait.

Sexual Content: Kissing. Lots of references to sex.

Excellent. This series is so good. Rachel not only gives us a different supernatural world but she gives us true human/other dynamics.
Kaylee has not forgiven Nash for allowing the demon Avari to possess her and Nash from taking advantage of her during the possessions. She is also sacred that Nash will fall back into his Frost addiction. Nash's wants her back in his life so bad and is willing to do whatever she asks so she will trust him again and resume their lives together.
Sabine (Nash's first love) shows up at Eastlake as a senior. Being a mara she immediately starts messing with Kaylee's dreams since she wants Nash back. She holds nothing back and informs Kaylee that she will stop at nothing for Nash.
Nash and Sabine have a give and take relationship now because he has no one to help him through his addiction and Sabine just has no one.
Avari begins causing all kinds of havoc at Eastlake including killing several of the teachers. Kaylee and clan become involved. The story leads us along the path of how and why Avari is doing these nasty deeds.
Will begin the next book later this week :).

This was my favorite Soul Screamers book so far! I loved the pacing---this book was full of action with no lulls in between the emotional, action-packed scenes. I read My Soul to Keep really quickly because I just couldn't put it down. Every time I'd get to the end of a chapter, I just had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The plot was more intense than My Soul to Save, with plenty of suspense and surprises. I suspected what was really going on but was still upset for Kaylee when it came to pass.

One of the things that sets this series apart is the writing---the writing is really clever for being a YA series. I like Rachel Vincent's phrasing and smart metaphors. My Soul to Keep recaptured the romance, suspense, and emotion of book one for me, and I started book four: My Soul to Steal, immediately after finishing because I just couldn't wait to find out what happens next!

Kaylee and Nash, teen aged bean sidhes (banshees), are trying to recoup after a terror filled adventure that left Nash an addict to Demon's Breath and two of his friends victims (one dead, one insane) from the same stuff.

Kaylee and Nash have separated while they try to decide if the last adventure with the Netherworld has fatally injured their relationship. Then Sabine arrives on the scene to complicate matters. She is Nash's ex girlfriend and his first love. She wants him back and will do anything to accomplish this.

This is bad enough, but add to the mixture that Sabine is a "mara" (a being who feeds on the fear of others while they sleep and suffer from the fear filled nightmares she creates for them), and you have a really hard challenge for Kaylee.

Of course, you also have another diabolical plot by the Netherworld hellions that puts the whole East Lake highschool population at risk.

The story is fast paced with lots of turns, as we have come to expect from the 'Soul Screamers' series.

It is a great story for teenagers

"Soul Screamers" is a series I have liked very much since I read the first book "My soul to take".
The second book, which I highly anticipated, I really liked too.
The third one... well, continue reading.

I had some problems with this book.

Be warned: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Im sorry to say that Kaylee became extremely annoying. She repeats herself over, and over, and over. I can't count how many "and suddenly, a realization hit me", "a sudden wave of intuition rolled over me" or "suddenly a devastating new understanding crashed over me" there are in the book, because Kaylee is CONSTANTLY having realizations. Normally, I would have already had them 40 or 50 pages before, so it didn't come as a shock to me as they did Kaylee who "was crashed by this realization".
I also wanted a little romance in this book since there isn't a lot in the first two (just enough for you to like the couple). I really sympathized with Nash and Kaylee on both first books, and wanted to see their relationship grow in this one.
During the first quarter of the book I thought Kaylee had become an obnoxious, annoying girl who couldn't stop thinking about the Netherworld. I know she is a banshee and everything but she could relax a bit, stop bickering and spend a good time with her boyfriend and friends. I needed for her mind to stop reeling and repeating the same things over and over. I mean, Nash would be hugging her, or trying to kiss her, and she wouldn't want him to because she was very busy thinking about demon`s breath AGAIN, and coming to the same conclusion she had come to 5 minutes before. My advice would be: Shut up for once and kiss your boyfriend, please.
These pages also ruined the relationship a little bit for me too: I started to truly think that the only reason why Nash was with Kaylee was because she was a banshee like him. I mean, how else could he stand her?? He is a gorgeous-looking teenager, a good person, popular, sportive: why on earth would he be with this girl who doesn't STOP talking about the same thing over and over, obviously doesn't pay much attention to him, and doesn't even want to do more than just kiss??? She is ANNOYING. I think he could have been able to stand that if he had even been in love with her, but for the romance we get in the first two books, I didn't feel they were really, truly, completely in love. And they are teenagers for god`s sakes. I know they have lived through many intense things together and that has bonded them, and that is why I always knew they would end up together. But right now, I thought Nash should have had a serious talk with Kaylee telling her to RELAX because she was becoming unstandable.
In the second quarter of the book I already knew that Nash was on Demon`s Breath. I don't think I was very intuitive, I think it was pretty obvious, really. I thought about the possibility when I noticed his mood swings and the Influencing part, but I definitely started to suspect when he said he would give the balloon to Tod. I decided my suspicion was correct when I entered the second quarter of the book. It was pretty clear at this point. Here, I realized why he was letting Kay be very nervous: he didn't want her to notice him since he was becoming a demon`s breath-addict.
And, after 156 pages of Kaylee`s on and on rambling about the Netherworld and Demon`s Breath, we enter the third quarter of the book in which Kaylee realizes everything we had already realized some chapters ago. FINALLY. We should be shocked by her sudden revelations but........Uuuhhh.........nop.

Kaylee confronts Nash and asks him for information about his addiction and about how he got the frost (Demon`s Breath`s other name) in the first place. She is very disappointed in him and he is very desperate. After leaving Nash on his own, Kaylee finds Doug half dead on the sidewalk next to her car. He had taken Nash`s more-concentrated frost. We can find in this scene the, now common, urge to scream, Nash saving Kay from inhaling the Demon`s Breath, the wail, and her going away to Emma`s house with Emma. During their sleepover, Emma is possessed by a Netherworld human (yes, a human who is currently trapped in the Netherworld) who tells our heroine that Nash had been kidnapped by a hellion (Avari, of course) and that she should come to the Netherworld tomorrow to save Nash and himself from Avari. She tells him to come back in 2 hours to Emma`s body (despite the fact that she was letting him do this while very mad at Nash for letting Avari posses her). Not knowing what to do, Kay goes to the hospital to see Tod and tells him EVERYTHING. We then discover what role Tod had in all this drama and Addison reappears in the story as Tod`s motivation to do what he did. They go back to Emma`s, and the human possesses her again. He tells Kay that there is going to be a party tomorrow in the Netherworld and that they should use the distraction of the party to save Nash and himself. Suddenly though, the human and Kaylee`s chat is interrupted by Avari, who shoves the human out of Emma`s body and enters himself to have a word with Kay. They talk, and she has new realizations (yep, Kay is again bombarded with "understandings"). After all this, Avari kidnaps Kaylee's father, so she has to save three people instead of two while in the Netherworld. She goes to her uncle Brendon`s house and tells him EVERYTHING. After making him promise that he is going to sit still for at least 1 hour before he tells Harmony and goes into the Netherworld to help Kay save Nash, her father and the human, she leaves and goes to the school`s Winter Carnival. This is the place in which the party at the Netherworld is going to be held. Oh, during all this, Kay is sleep deprived because if she sleeps, she is going to have a nightmare (which is really a premonition) about someone (she can't see clearly who) who dies. This causes her to scream, and travel to the Netherworld without intending to.

Ok, after this summary I have to say: what?? Wow!! We go from "Nothing is really happening" during the first half of the book to "A bombing of events" which is the third quarter of the book. I started enjoying the novel when things started to actually happen, although I would have liked them to start happening before.
And, the two times I said "EVERYTHING" in that huge paragraph above I meant the author wrote everything of what was going on. Imagine reading the whole summary paragraph over and over and over in the book as Kaylee`s thoughts or Kaylee saying this to different people. I wanted to tell Rachel: "Yes, I know what is happening, I`m reading it. STOP TELLING ME please".
And finally, we arrive to the fourth quarter of the novel which redeems the whole book for me. I LOVED it. Rachel really knows how to write big epic finales. She has done so in all her "Soul Screamers" books. Kaylee starts acting, and stops thinking which was a huge relief for me. Addison comes back into the action and is the one who saves them in the end. I have always loved her character, and really hope she gets a good ending. I liked the ending with Nash and Kaylee, I really did. I think she had her head and her heart in the right place there. I don't why, but even after all this, I don't hate Nash. I'm pissed at him, but know he will come back and be the old Nash again: the only difference being his emotional scars (which I hope leave him a lesson).
So, in the end, I say the third book isn't so bad, although it was the worst of the three. I hope Rachel continues with Soul Screamers and develops Kaylee`s character a bit more on the fourth book which I'm going to read. Although, if the fourth book is as the first half of this one, then I think I'm going to stop with the series. But, thankfully, I trust Rachel`s endings. I know, even if the first part of the novel is slow, the ending is going to be really great. I just hope she would start the real story before the half of the book.
Hope to have helped you; I would love for you to comment. Bye!

After a month of being grounded Kaylee is ready to get out and have some fun and to finally be able to spend some time with Nash, her good looking, popular and all together too good to be true boyfriend. However Nash doesn't seem quite himself lately, but Kaylee has bigger problems to worry about.

Her first night out in a month and disaster has struck in the form of Demon's Breath. Somehow it has made its way across from the Netherworld only to be become the most popular drug to be used by the most popular guys at school. Those balloons can sure become addictive.

Things quickly move from bad to worse as Kaylee realises that everyone she loves is somehow mixed up with Demon's Breath and the Demon behind it. In the end no one is safe and no nothing will be the same, least of all Nash who as it turns out really is just too good to be true.

It's My Soul To Keep if a demon doesn't get it first. Kaylee is facing her hardest challenge yet and that's not just because it's the most dangerous. Issues of trust, sex and drugs are immersed in the supernatural as Kaylee uses her bean sidhe abilities to unravel the mystery surrounding those around her. But after being deceived, lied to and used will she be able to forgive herself.

Gold Star Award Winner!

Something evil from the Netherworld is infiltrating Kaylee and Nash's high school scene - Demon's breath. The kids are calling it frost and it is quickly becoming the new popular way to get high. Kaylee and Nash know just how dangerous Demon's breath is.

While trying to save their friends, one of whom is already addicted to the frost, something comes between them. Kaylee will have to decide how to save her friends without the help of her boyfriend.

I so enjoy this series! It's just so engaging. I fly through the books and am lost in them. The writing is engrossing and the characters trap you in. And it's something different from the other paranormal books out there.

Once again, I really liked Kaylee. She's just a great, down-to-earth character. But I have to say that Nash disappointed me this time around (which I think he was supposed to). After reading the last book in the series, MY SOUL TO SAVE, I grew to really like Tod. And now, I think I might like him more than I like Nash.

Hopefully, Nash can redeem himself in the next book, MY SOUL TO STEAL, but I have to wait until January for the chance to read it!

Reviewed by: Andrea

I enjoyed the first two books in this series even though I thought Kaylee was a bit thick-headed, she had good intentions. In My Soul to Steal, Kaylee is acting like a jealous, selfish, and clueless brat. She keeps calling Nash her boyfriend, but she broke-up with him. She is angry that he wants to spend time with someone who actually cares about him, even though it is in an obsessive way, but she doesn't want to help him with his struggles herself. I do not understand how she could be a heroine, when all she does in complain and accomplish nothing. I had a hard time not throwing this book against the wall several times. I like my heroines to be flawed, but I cannot stand when they are depicted as helpless, selfish, and indecisive in the books I read and then we are suppose to cheer them on. I'll still read the next one to see if she actually grows-up and stops acting like a toddler, but I am not keeping my fingers crossed

I love this series, and #3, MS2K, is no exception. In this chapter of Kaylee Cavanaugh's adventures, author Rachel Vincent goes even further in using the paranormal elements of her heroine's life as a way to make her more, not less, approachable to the average human reader.

Unlike some YA stories in which the heroine's "magic" gives her special powers, touching a kind of wish-fulfillment in some readers, the Soul Screamers series uses Kaylee's abilities to highlight the sense of being different and helpless that so many of us, teenager or not, can relate to. In the same way that the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series used its monsters as an allegory for the social dangers of high school, so does Vincent--and this darker, third book of the series goes even farther than before, exploring issues of drug abuse and teenaged fame as only a beautifully conceived paranormal can do.

While some of the twists saddened me deeply, none of them felt out of character or left me feeling hopeless. I highly recommend this series, and this book!

I received this book for review without having read books 1-3 yet. Fortunately my friend had the series and lent them too me. They, like this book, were a quick read, but still intriguing.

I thought this book was the most intense of the series. The Arrival of Nash's ex-girlfriend adds some drama to Nash and Kaylee's 'relationship' and the world around them.

There were several plot twists that I didn't see coming and kept me reading even though I had read all 4 books in the matter of a week. I was definitely sucked in and needed to know what happened. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. It seemed weak when compared with the rest of the book.

All in all, I will definitely keep reading the series. I hope that future books explore the Netherworld a bit more as I thought that has been a bit lacking.

My 9 year old daughter desperately wants to read the series, though I am adamant she isn't ready for it quite yet. She's just excited to see a main character with her name, spelled the same way. :)

This was the best Soul Screamers book yet! I loved the addition of Sabine to the story. She brought another layer of intrigue to the series.

Like the other books in the series, the main appeal of My Soul to Steal was the pacing and the plot twists. The book moved really quickly and I had a hard time putting it down. I couldn't wait to see how Vincent would resolve the multiple layers of conflict.

One of my favorite things to read about, especially in YA literature, is character growth. I loved that Kaylee had some growth in this book. Also, I've always liked him (especially after reading his novella), but I'm now a member of Team Tod!

If you haven't read the Soul Screamers series yet, I would recommend it to fans of paranormal fiction and fans of YA. It's a great series!

"My Soul to Steal" follows bean sidhe Kaylee as she deals with the aftermath of her boyfriend Nash's addiction to Demon's Breath. Adding to her relationship woes is the arrival of Nash's ex-girlfriend, Sabine, at Kaylee's high school. Sabine is a mara, literally a nightmare, &, to survive, she must feed off of people's fears while they sleep. Of course, when Kaylee begins to have nightmares & teachers begin to die, Sabine is the prime suspect.

I hate to say that I am finished with this series after reading "My Soul to Steal." There isn't anything terrible about it; the books have just become boring. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but, after that, I began to loose interest. When I saw that "My Soul to Steal" was available from the the storee Vine program, I decided to give the series one last shot. I'll admit that I skimmed the last one third of the book just to be finished. I really like the characters (especially Tod), but the plot just bores me.

Title: My Soul to Keep

Author: Rachel K. Vincent

Genre: Paranormal YA Fantasy

Publisher: Harlequin

Publication Date: June 1, 2010

Paperback: 304 Pages

Back Cover: Kaylee has one addiction, her very hot, very popular boyfriend Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them. Until something does. Demon Breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends - one of whom is already hooked. And so is someone else...

Stand Alone or Series: Book 3 in Series

Why did I read this book: I love me some Rachel K. Vincent and while I was slow to delve into this new world anything Rachel writes has a home on my bookshelf. After ordering from my local indie bookseller and my copy never arriving I ended up winning a copy online with the caveat that I must review it.

And now for the Review (spoiler alert):
In this, the third book in the Soul Screamers series, Kaylee has found some stability and with her boyfriend Nash is dealing with what it is to be a bean sidhe. That is until she has to save the world and more immediately her classmates from an addicting substance from the Netherworld. Kaylee has some clues along the way that there is something going on with Nash and is understandably devastated when she realizes the betrayal. Vincent writes the anger, frustration and despair beautifully, leaving room for redemption. Tod is a more active character in this book and we are given a chance to see him as more than the reaper that we have come to know. Nash who has up to now been been perfect in every way cracks. While I can hate what he does, it is good to see some flaws and screw up a few things. It isn't a surprise that Kaylee saves the day, but not everyone survives and she still is wracked by the guilt of the things that she should have done differently. Repeating a pattern for me this 3rd book has proved to be my favorite in the series so far, it is also the one that made me the weepiest.

Verdict:
This is a great book and a well crafted addition to the series. I give it a solid 7

Book four of Rachel Vincent's SOUL SCREAMERS series begins with Kaylee trying to figure out how she can work things out with her maybe boyfriend, Nash. Kaylee knows that she can't ignore what happened, but their already strained relationship takes a turn for the worse when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school.

Sabine appears beautiful, confident, and ready to take Nash away from Kaylee without looking back. She is also a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read your fears and send you nightmares, which she then feeds upon while you sleep.

Sabine isn't above terrifying Kaylee to get her hands back on Nash.

As always, this installment is suspenseful, engaging, and worth every minute spent reading it. Ms. Vincent and her books are definitely worth a look, and once again there are many twists and turns to the story as Kaylee and gang try to figure out exactly what is going on.

Reviewed by: Breia "The Brain" Brickey

The 4th book in Vincent's "Soul Screamers" series, "My Soul to Steal" continues in the recent popular genre of teen paranormal relationship angst, where the boy and the girl just can't quite get it together and live happily ever after. This is a good thing, though, or the stories would be so boring! and of course, there wouldn't be any room for sequels... In the middle of trying to figure whether or not they should be together, they are fighting off various beings and creatures that want to destroy them. It seems to me that, since many of these books are written by women, and they are targeted to a female teen audience, they tend to feature strong intelligent heroines and less-clearly heroic male partners. The Soul Screamer series doesn't cover any major new territory in this category, but it is well-written and suspenseful. If you devour any new titles in the genre, you will probably like this one too.

I have never liked Nash and often wondered why Kaylee was so in love with him. I should actually love this book because things between Kaylee and Nash are very strained right now (I'm hoping it stays that way), but it just didn't compare to how I felt about the two previous books in the series.

In "My Soul to Keep" we get to see more of the Netherworld, which really excited me at first until I started to compare it to places and characters in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series. There were far too many similarities between the two worlds, so I felt a little cheated.

I wish she had recapped more of the previous book, because I had forgotten about Avari and I didn't want to go back through the last book and skim it to get myself caught up again.

I still love the way that Vincent writes and will continue reading the series, but I was a little disappointed with this one.

My Soul to Keep was an entertaining journey into an dark new world and an absolute delight to read. Even without having read the previous books in the series, I had enough information to enjoy the ride into Kaylee's world. The author's voice lends itself perfectly to the teenaged heroine who emotionally engages the readers with her warmth, humor, and bravery. Nash was a perfect hero for her and the cast of secondary, both human and not, only added to my enjoyment of an already wonderful story. The tale began at an easy pace, building as clues were discovered and more lurking dangers were revealed, and presented a satisfying ending that I couldn't have predicted. Needless to say, I'll be going back now and reading through the entire series. Ms. Vincent is an immensely talented author and I'll be watching for her books to come with eager anticipation. - Roxanne

Without spoiling the plot line here, this book in the Soul Screamers series really shakes up Kaylee's world. There is much more drama and suspense than the last one, but it doesn't quite hit the high mark of the first book. Kaylee is finally growing up and finding her backbone though. She is learning how to deal with her gifts and even though she is at odds with Nash during this installment, I have hopes that things will get better.

The usual group of characters is present and mostly accounted for as well. There are some page turning parts that will not let you put the book down. This book deals with underage drinking and substance abuse in a responsible way. There are a few points of sex that are discussed in a conscientious manner as well. I would recommend this series for anyone over 14.

This book picks up about two weeks after Kaylee walked out on Nash, and left things in limbo. Nash is now clean and is looking to make amends with Kaylee. He still loves her and wants to be together. I admire Kaylee for not just jumping back into a relationship with Nash. She's conflicted and feels betrayed, and no longer knows how to trust because Nash was just the biggest and most recent betrayal of her trust.

Kaylee figures she and Nash will have time to work things out, and if and when their ready to try again it will just happen. This plan gets derailed when Nash's ex-girlfriend Sabine shows up and she wants Nash back in a big way. Because Sabine wasn't just any girlfriend she was Nash's first everything. Sabine is also a mara (a living NIGHTMARE) so she knows Nash's supernatural side as well.

This book was more about the personal aspects of each characters lives. It only had action and very little of it towards the end. This book was more about the drama of Kaylee's love life. Who should she be with? Is Nash right for her or is she supposed to be with someone else? And will Sabine ultimately take Nash away before Kaylee can make a decision about wanting to be with him or not? All these things are asked in this book but only some get answered.

***Slightly spoilery below***

I didn't particularly care for Sabine because she made it known right away she was after Nash and wasn't going to pull and punches but she was completely ruthless about it. She hurt Nash by doing these things to Kaylee, and didn't really seem to care. She claims she loves him (it was more like she needed him to me, and not in a healthy way)but she never listens to him and does things her own way everytime. I don't understand how Nash just kept forgiving Sabine each time she messed with Kaylee even after she had promised Nash she wouldn't. I think the Nash has grown since he has known Sabine but she hasn't.

Something else that didn't make this book amazing to me was too many people were telling Kaylee that her and Nash aren't right for each other. I personally love her and Nash so I am a little biased I know, but it got to the point where so many people were saying it I couldn't really tell if that was what Kaylee wanted anymore. I think Kaylee and Nash are good for each other because they both want to be with each other and they balance each other well. Nash relies on Kaylee's strength and support, and Kaylee relies on Nash's love and help (his perspective, he always reins her in if she goes too far). Whereas Nash and Sabine's relationship was completely unhealthy in my opinion. I didn't like how one character said Nash needs to be needed and Sabine and him are right for each other.

I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book, and see these loose ends tied up. I really hope Kaylee and Nash can work through their issues, and I really hope Sabine leaves I don't like her

There's a new drug in Eastlake, Texas. Its street name may be "frost", but those with Netherworld connections know it better as Demon's Breath. One student is well on his way to a psych ward, and if bean sidhe Kaylee Cavanaugh can't track and stop the source of the drug, the whole student body is doomed to become food/torture subjects for the big-wigs in the Netherworld.

The subject matter raises the tension for a plot with continuous twists and higher stakes. At the end of the book, Kaylee has more problems to solve in the next instalment than she does at the start of this one. Tod is still the most awesome character here, providing refreshing - and, thankfully, not twee - comic relief. Kaylee's uncle Brendon seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and proves that not all adults are incompetent in YA novels. There's even a new type of Netherworld creature introduced.

I didn't connect with MY SOUL TO KEEP as much as earlier parts of this series. Turns out I love reading about the Netherworld when it doesn't have so much involvement, and the teens at school seem rather flat and stereotypical. MY SOUL TO TAKE affected me with Kaylee's panic attacks and mental illness issues, whereas KEEP focuses more on how she reacts to other people's psychological problems. Until the very end of the novel, where she has to cope with serious betrayals, making January 2011's MY SOUL TO STEAL a must for any reading wish list.

Everything Sabine Campbell does creates tension in the most entertaining, and kind of trashy, way. Her unabashed honesty, devious tactics, and shameless badassery - she's just hilarious! And speaking of hilarity, spare a thought for Kaylee Cavanaugh's dad, who stumbles upon one of the funniest moments.

Rachel Vincent continues to impress with unusual species, teen drama, and deadly scenarios. MY SOUL TO STEAL brings characters' fears to the forefront, exploiting them in every way possible. But all this angst is balanced out with healthy doses of situation comedy and witticism. A fabulously fun and gossip-worthy book, be sure to read it before you hear all the awesome spoilers. You'll love this!

UGH!!! I found this book to be utterly frustrating! But, still, I could not put it down. I just had to keep reading to find out what happens at the end!!

Sabine was just really rude and annoying. She could not have picked a better time to show up! Just when Kaylee and Nash are trying to sift through all of their problems and BAM! Throw one more in there. Honestly, I was starting to wonder if Nash would be worth all the trouble. He insisted on keeping Sabine around which was excruciatingly agitating!

I am really starting to swoon over Tod! I still think that Nash and Kaylee could have a good thing going, but Tod is starting to gain some notice and Nash had better up his game!

WHEW!!! This series gets a little better with each book!

This book had some tears falling, so I must warn all of you! This one did not really end on a happy note:(

I am still having a hard time believing what I actually was reading, but I will get over it. I am trying not to give too much away for those of you that have not read the series yet. All that I can say is that this is the first book in the series so far that I had a hard time putting down. I just wanted to read, read, read to get to the next book!

I am still kind of on the fence between Nash & Tod, but starting to lean more towards Tod after this book!

Moving on to the next one......

My granddaughter Kayla's (15) review:

Kaylee just can't stay out of trouble. She's in it up to her chin this time. Teachers dying, demonic possessions, relationship
problems and Nash's ex-girlfriend turns up too! These are only a few of the things Kaylee has to worry about. With the reappearance of Sabine, Nash's ex, Kaylee has her worst nightmares to deal with. Literally! She can't help but turn to her close friends and family for help. Even Tod, Nashs's Reaper Brother, helps her out. However does Tod have hidden motives for helping Kaylee??? Find out in My Soul To Steal. It will leave you breathless til the next one.

A little too much love-triangle-ish crap. Too many uses of the word "confliction." Something coming with Tod. I hate to think the series will be that predictable, but I can feel something coming a country mile away.

I have enjoyed several of the books preceding this one. I found the world that Vincent details to be well-written, and well-developed. The characters were not TOO perfect, with just enough flaws to be relatable and just enough heroism to be likable.

I'm not so sure about this one, though. The storyline just didn't hold my interest, and the suspense wasn't all that suspenseful. It seemed a little whiny, to be honest. With the heroine's holier-than-thou attitude toward everyone, and her boyfriend's pathetic groveling. The book didn't really add to the series, in my opinion.

I absolutely loved this book! Beginning to end I was captivated and could not put it down. The Soul Screamers series is very different to most YA series out there at the moment with it's focus on bean sidhes rather than the more popular topics of vampires and angels. It gives you something new to get your teeth in to but what really makes this series work is the very creepy dark side found in the Netherworld and the fantastic, realistic characters and the way they develop.

Not only is this a great paranormal story in which Kaylee is attempting to get to the bottom of a spate of sudden deaths and stop them, but she's also battling with very serious personal issues, which Rachel handles incredibly well. At the end of My Soul To Keep (book #3) Kaylee realised how badly her boyfriend Nash had betrayed her, and she was strong enough to walk away. Addiction is a difficult subject to handle, but Rachel has managed it perfectly. She could have easily written it so Kaylee simply forgave Nash and they lived happily ever after, or had her walk away and suddenly stop caring. Neither would have been realistic, but the former something that could possibly have been expected. But instead Rachel deals with it in a very real and honest way. Kaylee isn't about to stop loving Nash or wanting to be with him. And she's also not about to suddenly trust him again. Trust takes work and hard as it is for them, I'm really enjoying seeing both Nash and Kaylee work to make things better. Nash's addiction is not going to be left by the way side and forgotten. It's something that will be ongoing, just as any addiction in real life is. It's handled maturely, without talking down to readers and without glorifying any aspect either. There are plenty of harsh truths involved with addiction and many conflicting emotions, none of which are skipped over, making for an excellent story.

My Soul To Steal sees the addition of Sabine, Nash's ex. And wow, she's a hell of an addition! Sabine was introduced in the short story 'Fearless' (which she narrates) found in the 'Kiss Me Deadly' anthology. I loved that short and fell in love with Sabine then. I actually love her more now, after Steal, although I've no doubt many readers will dislike or even hate her. She's very forthright, very nasty at times, and very, very blunt about her reasons for being at Kaylee's school. She wants Nash back and she doesn't care who she has to hurt to get him. Sabine is such a fantastic, complex character and I also love how she tells Kaylee what's what, revealing some home truths and making Kaylee face them.

Another important character in Steal is Tod. Tod is quite possibly my favourite character in this series. He's funny, caring, selfish and when its really needed, he can be very honest as well. He has a scene with Kaylee in Steal which might well be one of my favourite scenes of the series. Tod clearly cares about Kaylee, but he doesn't protect her from the darker truths she needs to know about. I love the caring honesty he gives her and the way he's developed over the series.

The paranormal aspects of the story are beautifully blended with the personal creating an intense read and like I said at the start, I couldn't put MSTSteal down! This series has just gone from strength to strength. Steal is achingly painful at times, with some fantastic drama, laugh out loud moments and awesome character development as well. Kaylee is growing in strength and self confidence, something I love to see and enjoy following. Steal is easily my favourite book of the series so far and it left me hungry for more! One of my favourite reads of the year and I can not wait for book 5, If I Die! Spectacular work from a wonderful author and a must read series!

This was an action packed book!
So far this series hasn't disappointed, and this was another great addition.
I love that there are a few lovers quarrels as well as some real life teenage problems, just with a paranormal twist.
It's easy to relate to the characters and understand what they are feeling.
Todd is growing on me with each book, and towards the end of this one I found myself preferring him to Nash.
I can't wait to read the next book.

I have enjoyed this series so much, I already dread the conclusion! Although the first couple books were my favorites bc of the heated romance, this has been such a ride. The characters and adventure follow in keeping with the storyline but stay fresh. The writing is YA but not too much on the Young side.

I do find myself with the "will they or wont they" question and although I am pulling for the happy-ish ending, I just really don't know for sure. I have to admit that that means good writing. I always know...
Whatever is next Rachel, in Soul Screamers and after, count on me to be following!

I've been reading this series and very much enjoying it. But I was up late finishing this book because I simply could not put it down. Events move in such a way that you are compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next, and there is a lot happening with this book. It's hard to review without revealing spoilers, but basically this book is about addiction, how it changes a person, and how it effects those around them, especially the people they love. This is a great series, highly recommend.

In a world of Twilight, Sookie Stackhouse, Vampire Academy, etc. it is virtually impossible to find a great fantasy read (and notice here I didn't say good or mediocre for a reason) that doesn't involve someone getting bit in the neck and getting blood sucked out of them. With that being said, this series is freaking awesome! Don't get me wrong, I like Twilight and Vampire Academy, but these series are just a new twist on an old myth. What Rachel Vincent has done with the Soul Screamers series has never been done before. You must read this series...and that is all I have to say.

I've found these books to have a fascinating premise and storyline, although none of them are stand alone books-you do have to read each one. The addiction aspect in this book is reasonable for teenage readers and teenage characters in the books themselves. Of course I was dissappointed in Nash's behavior but I think he will have the opportunity to redeem himself in the next 2 books. I think he'll want to, anyway. It will give him even more depth as a character.

Kaylee is interesting and I was proud of her for standing up to Nash's behavior, but I'm a hopeless romantic-I hope they work everything out. Tod is becoming to most fascinating character of all, looking forward to seeing how he develops.

Now I have to wait until January-How annoying!!!

As usual this series does not disappoint. I'm irritated at Kaylee for not really seeing what's right in front of her and helping Nash. I'm irritated at Nash for being a jerk. And I can't stand Sabine on so many levels. But the ending leaves me wondering what's in store for them all.

I have just found Rachel Vincent and her series this summer and read the whole Soul Screamer series in a span of three days. This series keeps you involved and MSTKeep definitely left me wanting more. Kaylee is determined and selfless in wanting to help everyone even though she has only known about her family heritage for a few short months and still does not know all of what this means. MSTKeep leads you to believe that maybe this time the problem she faces won't hit so close to home, but she is definitely hit harder in this book than the previous ones. If you haven't read the previous books in the series, you should read them all before this one. It was a great read and it is going to be hard to wait until January for the next book to see what happens to Kaylee and Nash next.

Well Rachel Vincent has done it again! I love reading her Soul Screamer books (I like them more than her Shifter series.) Kaylee and Nash are one of my favorite couples. This book was hard to read though because Kaylee's world turns upside down. You can tell Kaylee has grown a lot since My Soul To Keep. I hated what Nash was doing but I also understood that even Nash is not perfect and that if he was it wouldn't be realistic. Even Nash Hudson can make mistakes. Can't wait for My Soul To Steal! Wish it was January 2011 already! Want to see what Nash will do to make things right and I know he will cause it is obvious how much he loves Kaylee.