blo Teens Read and Write: My Soul to Take (Giveaway Points Post)

Saturday, October 24, 2009

My Soul to Take (Giveaway Points Post)


My Soul to Take

by Rachel Vincent

pub: Aug 2009

384 pages


Giveaway ALERT! If you've already entered the contest, a comment on this post (within 5 days of post date) gets you 2 extra entries in our MegaBook Giveaway. If you haven't entered yet, go to the contest post (or click on the contest link on the upper right sidebar) to learn about the giveaway and enter! Good luck!


Something is wrong with Kaylee Cavanaugh. 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.


Young, healthy teen girls start literally dropping dead in Kaylee’s neighborhood. Just before they do, Kaylee gets a premonition about their death and she has the need to scream. We find out she’s a banshee. You know, the mythical creatures from Irish folklore. Her mother’s dead, her dad lives in Ireland and she lives with her Aunt and Uncle (her dad’s brother) and their snotty daughter who hates Kaylee.


Kaylee does her freak out thing in a dance club and suddenly the hot guy from school, Nash, is at her side, and his presence is able to keep her calm. Nash is able to explain what’s happening to Kaylee but it is still a mystery as to why these girls are dropping like flies. Nash and Kaylee go on a quest to unravel this mystery with the help of a reaper, Tod.


The pace is fast and the adventure fun. I thought the mystery tracked well and the of twists at the end are very good. I like how the climax plays out. Vincent does and excellent job bringing the various characters together in the end and using them to connect the final solution. The ‘who did it and why’ makes sense. You may or may not figure it out but there is enough foreshadowing to make it a logical, as well as an interesting satisfying and bittersweet conclusion.


Kaylee is believable about how she reacts to the things happening too her. Nash is okay and while I liked him (he is supportive, honest and caring) I never felt the ‘hottie’ aspect of his character.


My favorite character is Tod. He’s a reaper – as in grim – a bringer of death, and he’s a secondary character but way more interesting and charming than the rest of the bunch. Honestly, I think Vincent should get rid of Nash and put Tod in as Kaylee’s love interest!


But that’s just me.


Things I didn’t care for…


Her cousin hates her but we never know why. And there are even references about how they adored each other when they were younger. Didn’t make sense. It feels more like a plot device to make Kaylee more sympathetic.


The instant attraction between Nash and Kaylee doesn’t track until the author uses something to explain their immediate “connection” so, okay. However, the romance didn’t do much for me. It was fine at first but then every few pages they were kissing and she was all gaga. And then she’d pull away. Then they’d kiss again, she’d go all gaga…and she’d pull away…or they’d get interrupted. It got a bit boring because it was always the same.


I don’t want them jumping into bed or anything but let’s at least get some different description in the various scenes. Romance is the most popular genre and it felt like the author kept throwing in kiss after kiss to ramp up the romance while keeping it a clean YA read. I’m all for romance but this became repetitive without being steamy.


And really…Tod is the hotter character – without ever kissing Kaylee once!


Some of the secondary characters fall a bit flat, except for Tod. Did I tell you about Tod? He’s a reaper and…oh, yeah. I already mentioned him.


Despite the flaws, I recommend My Soul to Take as a solid good read for paranormal/urban fantasy fans. I look forward to the sequel, My Soul to Lose, but unless Tod takes over as the romantic lead, I won’t be frothing at the mouth. I do love the cover!


We have a copy of My Soul to Take available to giveaway. Go to our MegaBook Giveaway post to enter. We will have 9 winners so far! Go put your name in the hat and Good Luck!

37 comments:

Llehn said...

I just got this book out from the library! Can't wait to read it!

mariska said...

oh, i love to read this book ! Rachel vincent is so good !

brizmus said...

The sequel is actually free on the kindle, so I've been thinking about picking up a copy of this book. I'd read some bad reviews on it, so I'm glad to finally read a fairly good one. :-)

Unknown said...

I just found Rachel Vincent's blog and have been dying to read her books. Sounds great!

Blodeuedd said...

Lol, oh did you mention someone named Tod..;)
I do wanna read this book just cos oh him now :D

Stormi said...

It sounds like a very interesting book. I might put it on my wishlist and hope it comes to my library.

Ellz said...

I bought this, but I am going to wait for the next book so I can read them together. Great honest review.
Elie (Ellz Readz)

Sheere said...

I love the cover.. is so pretty!
I haven't read it yet... but the plot seems interesting!

Krista said...

I love the cover, too! I haven't seen this title before I'll have add them to my list... great review :)

Anonymous said...

I read and reviewed this book not long ago. I loved it and mentioned how great the cover was myself. :3

throuthehaze said...

The cover is great! I really want to read this

cait045 said...

I can't wait to read this series

Alessandra said...

I used to think I didn't care much about paranormal romance, but after reading a few (Need, Shiver...) I think I'm changing my mind! This sounds interesting. I might have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.

babygirlG said...

Banshee and grims?!! WOW! Now I gotta read this!

Anonymous said...

I bought this book when it came out and still haven't read it.I can't wait to read it,but I have so many other books in my TBR pile.

Jamie said...

I have this book on my TBR list and it sounds soooo good! I love Rachel!!

Sandra Stiles said...

This one has just been added to my wishlist and my TBR list. If I am going to read a romance novel it better have something paranormal to catch my eye. This sounds perfect. Can't wait to read it.

Martha Lawson said...

The cover is very pretty.. I would really love to win and readthis one..

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

pepsivanilla said...

This is such a great cover!
Sounds like a very unique book series.

Mandy said...

I really want to read this series

Katy said...

This sounds like a really unique and creative storyline. :) Good review!

Jessica said...

I think this book would have been better without the "romance".
Maybe it could have come in the next installment; but I just didn't think it added anything to the book. Great review!

BTW, I think the sequel is My Soul To Save.

Teddyree said...

My copy of this one just arrived from The Book Depository. I had high expectations for it, they've been downgraded just a little since reading your review but I hope to still enjoy it :-)
The covers are stunning aren't they!

Anonymous said...

I need to check out this book and the author!

Cherry said...

I wanted to try Rachel Vincent but Stray has been in my TBR pile for a month now and I still haven't gotten around to reading it. I really ought to read a Rachel Vincent one of these days :)

Cherry
mischivusfairy-inbox12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I just read The Summoning, and this sounds like an interesting reversal of the necromancer idea. I can't wait to read it!

Nikki in Niagara said...

I really liked Todd too! I'm not a Romance fan at all, but I love the Paranormal part or these paranormal romances and I'm getting hooked on them even though I roll my eyes through all the kissy, kissy stuff. Loving the reaper aspect, though!

Brodie said...

This sounds like a really cool book! Well, despite the flaws. I haven't read any Rachel Vincent books yet... I gotta check this one out. LOL I think I like Tod already! ;)

Tales of Whimsy said...

Excellent review :) really!

ninefly said...

I actually thought the "screaming at death" thing was kinda annoying at first (ex. oh no someone's gonna die wahhh), but now that I know about the banshee aspect, that definitely makes it a billion times more interesting.

Tod sounds awesome 8D

Bunny B said...

The plot sounds really intriguing! Something I would enjoy!

Bunny B said...

The plot sounds really intriguing! Something I would enjoy!

Sarbear said...

I heard a raving review of this -- it's nice to hear a review that's on the middle-ground. I want to read it.

Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) said...

This book sounds different. Maybe not something I would read, but certainly interesting.

:D Nikki

booklover said...

Once again, I must say that I like the cover, but the plotline...Ehhhh. We'll see. Sounds OK to me.

John said...

christian louboutin
coach factory outlet
beats solo
ray bans
louis vuitton bags
abercrombie outlet
the north face outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
ray ban outlet
nhl jerseys
michael kors outlet online
polo ralph lauren
nike huarache
polo outlet
jordan concords
concord 11
north face jackets
coach factory outlet onlinet
ray ban sunglasses
vans sneakers
toms outlet
retro 11
oakley sunglasses
coach factory outlet
nfl jerseys
michael kors outlet
mihchael kors outlet online sale
canada goose jackets
toms outlet
cheap toms
nike roshe run women
ralph lauren
cheap jordan shoes
ugg boots outlet
ray ban sunglasses uk
hollister clothing
2016225yuanyuan

jan said...

نقل عفش من الدمام الى مكة نقل عفش من الدمام الى مكة
نقل عفش من الرياض الى الدمام نقل عفش من الرياض الى الدمام

نقل عفش من الرياض الى جدة نقل عفش من الرياض الى جدة

نقل عفش من الرياض الى جدة نقل عفش من الرياض الى جدة

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...