My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Title/Author: My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers #1) by Rachel Vincent
Publisher/Date published: July 29th 2009 by Harlequin
How I got this book: own it.
Why I read this book: besides some serious cover love: I'd requested the fourth book in the series from the publisher because it sounded REALLY interesting and decided to bump it up on my to-read list.

Kaylee desperately wants to be a normal 16-year-old girl, especially after having been committed to the psych ward by her aunt and uncle some time ago. The reason: she started screaming her head off and couldn't stop, convinced a boy she didn't know, but who passed them by, was going to die. She never ever wants to go back there, so when the urge overcomes her again, this time in the local club, she completely freaks out.
The last time, no one had been able to calm her down, but now Nash, the hottest guy in school, somehow doesn't get freaked out and manages to actually get her to relax a bit.
Kaylee is convinced her social reputation is ruined, but Nash hasn't told anyone and seems to really be interested in her, in being her boyfriend.
The only trouble in paradise: girls Kaylee's age are dropping dead one every day.

Kaylee lives with her uncle, aunt and cousin Sophie. Her mom died when she was three years old and her father hasn't been around since. The only friend she has is Emma, a gorgeous girl who doesn't care seem to care about social status.
Her aunt and uncle don't believe her when she tells them something is going on, that the deaths are connected somehow. Then she hears them arguing about calling her dad and letting him explain and Kaylee knows something is wrong with her, why else would she be screaming bloody murder every time someone is about to drop dead?

Funnily enough, her new boyfriend Nash seems to know more about this and he'll have to tell her, because the teenage deathrate is rapidly increasing.

While I really enjoy reading about wizards, witches and everything, I've been getting a bit weary of other paranormal creatures. But this was really refreshing, Kaylee turns out to be a bean sidhe or banshee, as they're referred to in popular culture, which is why she screams when people die, she actually sings for their soul.

The fact that Kaylee upon discovering what she is, doesn't immediately has access to superpower or instantly masters difficult things is a VERY big bonus point for the author. I'm not into instant ability and I'm glad that isn't the case here.

The story spans a couple of days, but a lot happens in those days. Nash and Kaylee make a cute couple and I really like Nash, though he suffer from hero-complex: he feels an overpowering need to protect Kaylee. From everything. But Kaylee is a bit of a damsel in distress, so it fits at this point. There's not much room for character development, but this is a series of at least four books, so I'm hoping this will happen eventually.

Kaylee is a very likeable character and I could really relate to her. Her emotions feel real and not overdone. She has real issues regarding her family and her absent dad and her reaction to all this is very believable.

And have you seen the cover? I LOVE that dress and the color, and it feels like the girl is going to spin around and dance right out of the picture.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book and will go on to read the rest of the series.

My rating: 4 stars.