My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Jul 25, 2011 D.G. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, young-adult, paranormal

**3.5 stars**

I had some problems with the paranormal plot so usually I would have bitched non stop in the review (fear not, it will still happen below.) However, I liked the characters so much that I really enjoyed the book and the plot issues didn't bother me as much as they probably should have.

I really liked Kaylee. She's used to living in the shadows of her gorgeous best friend but she doesn't mind; in fact, she's happy not have caught people's attentions. You see, Kaylee has 'panic attacks' **3.5 stars**

I had some problems with the paranormal plot so usually I would have bitched non stop in the review (fear not, it will still happen below.) However, I liked the characters so much that I really enjoyed the book and the plot issues didn't bother me as much as they probably should have.

I really liked Kaylee. She's used to living in the shadows of her gorgeous best friend but she doesn't mind; in fact, she's happy not have caught people's attentions. You see, Kaylee has 'panic attacks' for unexplained reasons and her friend has helped conceal the fact from others. She definitely doesn't want the whole school to think she's crazy!

Kaylee came across a typical teenager, one that is devastated by the desertion of her father but doesn't feel sorry for herself. She's brave, caring, a bit too impulsive and willing to do much to protect those she loves. Definitely a person that I want to read more about.

I thought the romance was a bit rushed but liked how they behaved like normal teenagers (constantly making out.) I also liked how the adults played an important role - YA with no adults always seem fake to me.

Now, the issues with the plot. I really don't see the point of the whole bean sidhe business. Whatever good they do doesn't seem all that important (giving people closure! give me a break!) and it's not like they could do it for everybody. And I didn't understand how could they keep screaming while a soul says the goodbyes. Also, the whole thing is so noticeable you would think that their kind would have gone extinct during the Inquisition.

Kaylee's desire to try out her 'powers' without really understanding the consequences seemed pretty dangerous to me. It's like a teenager wanting to drive her pregnant mother to the hospital without knowing how to drive (yes, she can help but she can cause more problems than she can solve.) She should have been more reluctant but I guess the author didn't see another way to advance the plot.

I was surprised by the villain responsible for the deaths but I didn't understand how the deal was struck and why the (view spoiler)And the business of the lists! So you mean to tell me that Death needs a spreadsheet to keep track of who should die? C'mon!

I'll definitely continue the series but I really hope we get to know more about the role of bean sidhes and we don't have more jarring plot points like Death and the lists. ...more

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Aug 13, 2009 The Flooze rated it liked it

Shelves: vanquished_2009, urban-fantasy-paranormal, ya_teen

I wavered between giving this a three or a four, since I felt 3.5 was appropriate. Since I'm stingy, I went with three.

This is a story of screwed up family dynamics, teenage sorrows, and a budding new relationship, all tangled up in a greater tale of Celtic myths walking among us.

Kaylee is a likable protagonist whose confusion and distress can't mask that she's actually a very sensible and practical girl. Vincent conveys her frustration well and makes us desire answers as much as Kaylee does. A ...more

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Oct 19, 2020 Marla rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, mystery, paranormal, ebook, romance, series, demons, mixed-reviews, library-ebook, zz-2020

3.5 stars.. Interesting premise of a bean sidhe (banshee) singing someone's death. I liked that female bean sidhe sing someone's death delaying someone's soul from leaving their body and male bean sidhe can Influence people and return a soul. Very unusual paranormal talent and the execution of story was enjoyable.

Likes:
* Bean sidhe (banshee) = soul screamer
* Emma Marshall, Kaylee's beautiful, curvy best friend
* Beautiful, kind Nash Hudson (even though in real life, I wouldn't trust him)
* I like ...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Christal rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: female-lead, ya-and-na, urban-fantasy, lesser-known-creatures

The bean sidhe (banshee) mythology in this book was very interesting and refreshing to read after so many vampire books. Kaylee and Nash were likeable main characters that you found yourself caring about. The rest of the characters, especially Sophie, were pretty stereotypical, but the story moved along so nicely that it didn't seem to matter. The writing and subject matter were appropriate for younger readers. ...more

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