My Soul to Keep by Rachel Vincent (Young Adult, Paranormal)

May 2011, Mira Ink

304 pages, Paperback

Review copy

Young Adult, Paranormal 

Themes: parallel world, grim reaper, banshees, substance abuse, teen relationships (being pushed too far in one), getting hurt, people changing personalities, making tough choices, a lot of drama, high school life, moderate teen romance, a fair amount of laughs, a few tissues needed. 

Summary from Mira Ink 

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 can really 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. 

Nayuleska's thoughts

Romance in a book is never my main focus in a book. I do think Rachel has excellently approached a tricky subject: how to act when getting pushed in a direction you don't want to be in a relationship. Related to that is having all of Kaylee's thoughts and fears during that time - they are palpable and ever so real. I wanted to give her a hug and a mug of hot chocolate. Kaylee manages to get the paranormal work aspect of her life in tact - yes she still gets in trouble again (I don't think she'll ever learn), super scary things happen to her. This is the book where I officially hate Nash. There isn't a polite word for how I feel about him. I'm so glad Tod is around and that he's friends with Kaylee, because he's the one protecting her, as much as a reaper can do. 

This third book in the series gets 10/10! I'm reading book for as I schedule this review on 15th October 2011. 

Suggested read

Obviously read the previous books in the series: book 1 is My Soul To Take.