My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

March 2011, Mira Ink 

384 pages, Paperback

Review copy 

Young Adult, Paranormal

Banshees, grim reapers, netherworld, deadly fauna & flora, demons, humour, friendships going stronger, teen romance - gets quite heavy, sacrifice, death, disobedience, fear, 

Summary from Mira Ink

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies. So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul. The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand. Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk....

Nayuleska's thoughts

There's a story to reading this book (as well as the story within it). I started reading it, and got 2/3 through. However, life slowed down on the reading front for various reasons beyond my control. I then had a few other books to read first. So I read them. The problem was, I couldn't remember where I'd put My Soul to Save. I hunted for a few days, on and off. I wasn't too worried, because I always put objects down in strange places and instantly forget where they are. I found it the other day. I know I hadn't read it for a few weeks. And yet when I flicked over the last chapter I'd read (not the last chapter in the book. I've been really good and haven't peeked at an ending for months!), it all came back to me. I was like 'oh yeah, that happened' and away I went to finish it. 

I felt like I was at home with the characters. Life becomes more turbulent and dangerous for Kaylee. Her friend Emma wants to know more, which manages to put all their lives in danger. Tod would never knowingly hurt Kaylee (annoy her yes), but when he withholds a vital opinion, he sends her to her doom. Of course Kaylee minds about dying - who wouldn't? - but she's always thinking of the bigger picture and saving others. What she learns in this book is that there's always a sacrifice to be paid. How large it is can depend on the situation - or netherworld being - which is in control. 

In some ways this book was funnier because I already knew about what Kaylee was, she knew the truth about her family. Her father tries to be strict but she pushes past the boundaries (and other ones). Part of me was amazed that he permitted her lessons with Nash's mother.  That lands her in serious trouble, but that is nothing compared to the reason why she's engaged in delinquent behaviour. It's certainly preferable to the goings in the celebrity world where young girls are losing their souls. That world is not Kaylee's world, she's a normal girl. But how can she say no to helping when the very person who needs help has a link to Tod? 

Content wise, this book is heaps scarier than the first. The stakes are definitely higher. I recommend carrying bug spray in the netherworld. No, not bug spray. Weed killer. Only make sure that it's potent. The teen romance gets intense a few times, definitely the higher end of YA. 

Final conclusion 

This is one of those series that gets better as you read it, and make you want to re-read the previous book just because you know what happens next. 

Be sure to read the first in the series, My Soul to Take, as well as the Shifters series, which finishes with Alpha (yes I say finish because it's the only one I've read). 

For more about Rachel's book please check out her website.