My Soul to Steal by Rachel Vincent

My Soul to Steal:
Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

Rachel Vincent is an author that is unafraid to delve into the darker side of life in the young adult genre. Her unique world of bean sidhes (banshees) is much different than anything I am seeing on the shelves lately and I love that, this series just keeps getting better and better with each new installment. She creates a labyrinth of relationships with complex characters, and she never gives them an easy solution; they have to work it out for themselves as they grow and learn over the course of the book. Her incredible writing style keeps me craving more and more. Rachel delves right in with her entire heart behind her words, making each new book more emotionally captivating and takes her readers right alongside the emotional ups and downs of her characters.

This book picks up right where My Soul to Keep left off, and Kaylee is trying to forgive Nash for the betrayal and ultimately his disregard for her well being that occurred due to his dangerous deal with a hellion. Things are pretty strained between Nash and Kaylee and it gets much worse when Sabine, Nash's ex-girlfriend, transfers into their school, and stakes her claim on Nash -- willing to use any tricks necessary to get him back. Teachers begin dying under mysterious circumstances and Kaylee's suspicions of Sabine are heightened when she learns of her true nature. Nash claims Sabine is innocent and keeps defending that they are only friends, but Kaylee's trust issues are making it difficult to believe him. I felt that Tod seems to be taking a more personal interest in Kaylee, and although I don't like the advice he gives Kaylee, I can definitely see what he is talking about when it comes to her relationship with Nash. Life is never easy for Kaylee and her friends, an old enemy returns using those closest to Kaylee to gain her soul. As events and mysteries unfold the action is non-stop and Kaylee proves, yet again, the strength she possesses in order to do what is right and protect those around her.