Its not often that you'll find me preferring the third book in a series to either of the first two, but with My Soul to Keep, third in Vincent's Soul Screamers novel series, I am. Its not that I didn't enjoy My Soul to Save and My Soul to Take, because I loved them both immensely, but I felt like Kaylee had infinitely more to lose in this book. In both books she had someone to help her, to lean on and put her full trust in. More often than not this was Nash, but her father fit the bill as well. Except Nash was too good to be true at times. He had the right answer, the right reaction, the right amount of...something whenever Kaylee needed it.

Whether she meant to or not Kaylee had depended upon Nash to be there and what would happen if he wasn't? From the get go Nash is acting all shades of shifty. Set about a month after the events of My Soul to Save, Kaylee is just getting off her grounding and letting loose (or as loose as Kaylee can be). Except not only does she smell Demon's Breath on her friend Emma's jerk of a boyfriend, but her car gets wrecked in the process! She might have been better off just staying grounded.

I don't blame her for feeling like the world was out to get her in this book--her car is totaled, her friend is possessed and Nash lies to her and repeatedly Influences her...and that's not even getting into some of the harder stuff to deal with. For me it felt more real, Kaylee's story that is, because she had to learn to deal with everything with limited help. She turned to Tod of course, and she asked for answers in a roundabout way from Harmony (Nash and Tod's mom), but she bears the brunt of things. As she races to save everyone from something, she's also trying to deal with trust issues, mental issues and guilt.

I was kind of surprised by the lack of resentment towards Tod, but eventually we learn that Kaylee understands. And Tod does feel bad about it, just he would do it all again if he had to. He's in the deep gray of morality now that's dead and a Reaper. He isn't as selfish or calculating as he seems though, several times in MSTK his emotions get the better of him and he can't help himself. I still love Tod, something so irrepressible about him that I just can't deny.

The story feels as if it moves at a faster pace, there is rarely any downtime for Kaylee which only feels heightened by the fact she isn't able to sleep very well (for a variety of spoilery reasons). She progressively gets more snappy, impatient and agitated as the book goes on and her ability to grab sleep is hindered significantly.

I had a laugh out loud moment when Sophie gets a small dose of comeuppance that she desperately needed. She just...I'm not sure how to describe her because she reaches new levels in this book. Several times I turned to my sister and asked her 'Is this what girls are really like?' and she would tell me they're worse in her high school.

The book delighted me, in a dark way (I wouldn't say this is a happy book) and though I was initially quite upset by some of the character developments, I eventually found myself agreeing with them and understanding why Vincent took them the route she did. A lot of what happens in MSTK is a direct consequence of the actions in My Soul to Save and watching the blame game get tossed around was darkly amusing. I'm geared up and ready for the fourth book, My Soul to Steal in January 2011! ( )

Yep, Nash's an idiot. But I do understand addiction, so I can't really fault him that much. Hope he has a good redemptions arc and that she ends up with Todd ( )

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 really can 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. ( )

There is a new drug out there. Frost (as it's called in the human world) begins to make an appearance at the high school. Can Kaylee and Nash cut off the supply and protect their friends? One of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else...

I very much enjoyed this one and can hardly wait to see what happens next. ( )

*spoilers*I am so upset with Ms. Vincent for making me feel anything but love for Nash. Oh Nash..I just am so disappointed in you!! On the up side though it will be interesting to see what happens with Alec. I can not wait for the next one. It won't be the same with Kaylee and Nash not together. Still love Tod though!! :) ( )