The Soul Thief
(The Angel of Death Series #1)
by Majanka Verstraete
Publisher: Booktrope
Published: November 11, 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal
When sixteen-year-old Riley is injured in a car crash and sees a girl stealing a boy’s soul, she’s convinced she’s hallucinating. But when she sees the same girl at the hospital later, she knows she wasn’t dreaming. That’s when Riley learns her secret heritage and who she really is: a halfling Angel of Death. Riley must come to terms with her new reality and supernatural abilities, but before she can do this, girls her age start dying in mysterious circumstances. It’s up to Riley to figure out why, what the innocent victims have in common, and what she can do to stop them.
Character Bios
Riley – At age
sixteen, Riley has always led a normal life. That is, until she’s stuck in a
car crash, meets an Angel of Death and finds out she’s a Halfling Angel
herself. Now charged with having to escort the souls of the deceased to the
afterlife, finding a way to control her new powers, and somehow survive high
school, she has a lot on her plate. She’s brave and supportive of her friends.
She loves spending time with them, and with her family, especially her little
sister Cassie. She also hangs out a lot at her Grandma’s shop, Herbie’s Herbs. She’s
intelligent and has a great sense of humor, but she’s struggling with her new
life and what it means to be a Halfling Angel.
Leander – An
immortal Guardian, he’s the Angel set up with the task to help Riley control
her new powers. The Council is wary of
Halflings ever since an incident with a Halfling named Darius, now over half a
millennium ago, so Leander is always watching out for Riley and making sure the
Council doesn’t start seeing her as a threat. He’s struggling with his feelings
for Seraphyn, an angel he’s been in love with for centuries. He’s loyal and
caring, and taking his job very seriously.
Katie – Katie is
one of Riley’s best friends. She’s flirty, spontaneous and outgoing, and has a
positive view on life. She’s all about emotions, about doing what you want
whenever you want it, and about seizing the day – carpe diem. Whenever a
problem presents itself, she faces it head on, without hesitating.
Michelle –
Riley’s other best friend, Michelle is a self-proclaimed geek with a love for
Lord of the Rings, video games, studying, and Star Wars. Considering how their
personalities clash, it’s remarkable Katie and Michelle get along at all.
Michelle would do anything for her friends. She has a logical mind and knows
how to stay calm in crisis situations.
Craig – The
fourth member of their best friend cycle, Craig is very intuitive. He knows
something is wrong before his friends even mention it to him. He’s always there
for his friends, and when you don’t want to get judged, he’s the person to talk
to. Sometimes he struggles with being gay – not because he’s confused about
that, but because not everyone has accepted that part of him yet. But his
friends and parents are okay with it, and he’s thankful because of that.
Herbie – Riley’s
Grandma, Herbie, owns a shop called Herbie’s Herbs. She’s also a witch, and the
only one who knew what Riley truly is, but she never told her. Riley loves her
Gran, but this betrayal stung a lot and has hurt their relationship. Herbie is
always ready t to help though, be it with spells or just pep talks.
Top
10 Reasons to Read The Soul Thief
1. The main character –
Riley -- is awesome. She’s definitely no damsel in distress.
2. It’s not a typical YA
paranormal with the focus on the love interest. The focus is on the main
character and what she’s going through.
3. No insta-love.
4. It has a few twists
and surprises you won’t see coming (at least I hope not!)
5. It features angels.
And they’re hot.
6. The main character
has an actual family who cares for her and loves her, whereas most YA novels
don’t mention family, or don’t focus on them at all.
7. Riley gets to fight
vampires.
8. She also gets to hang
out with her friends and crack stupid jokes, and even hang on with her Grandma.
9. There is some romance
though, so don’t get turned off by number two from the top tens.
10. Someone might just
come by and steal your soul tonight if you don’t read it.
REVIEW
I enjoyed going along for the ride as Riley learned about her new abilities and discovered more about this new existence that was suddenly thrust upon her. There were many intriguing characters in this story and I wanted to know more about them. It was great to see that Riley had a happy home life with two loving parents, even if things were a bit more complicated under the surface.
This was an easy read that flowed well and sucked me in with each flip of the page. The ending definitely left me wanting more, and I'm eager to continue on the journey with Riley and her friends. I only hope that the conclusion she came to at the end of this book is the right one, although, I have a feeling there's plenty more adventure and chaos waiting in store for her.
About the Author
Majanka Verstraete begged her Mom to teach her how to read while she was still in kindergarten. By the time she finished fifth grade, she had read through the entire children’s section of her hometown library. She wrote her first story when she was seven years old, and hasn’t stopped writing since. With an imagination that never sleeps, and hundreds of possible book characters screaming for her attention, writing is more than a passion for her. She writes about all things supernatural for children of all ages. She’s tried to write contemporary novels before, but something paranormal always manages to crawl in. Majanka is currently studying for her Master of Laws degree, and hopes one day to be able to combine her passions for law and writing. When she’s not writing, reading or studying, she likes watching “The Vampire Diaries” and “Game of Thrones,” spending time with her friends, or playing “World of Warcraft.”
Tour Schedule
November 12
Write Away Bliss - Schedule / Excerpt
The Musings of a Book Addict - Review
Suzy Turner, Author - Author Interview
The Best Books Ever - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Excerpt
November 13
Country Book Bumpkin - Review, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Reese's Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast
Pinky's Favorite Reads - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 14
Indy Book Fairy - Review, Excerpt
Kimber Leigh Writes - Top Ten, Excerpt
Here is What I Read - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Writing Belle - Character Bios
November 15
A Book Paradise - Author Interview, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Endless Reading - Review, Excerpt
The Literary Melting Pot - Review
November 16
Roxy's Reviews - Review, Character Bios, Top Ten
Real Talk, Book Talk - Dreamcast, Excerpt
Becca Anne's Book Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast
Nerd Girl Official - Excerpt
November 17
Deal Sharing Aunt - Author Interview, Top Ten, Excerpt
Star Shadow Blog - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Soundtrack
Dystopia Capitol - Review
November 18
Kristy Centro - Character Bios
Whispered Thoughts - Character Bios, Excerpt, Soundtrack
Little Hyuts Reviews - Dreamcast
November 19
Step Into Fiction - Review, Excerpt
Behind the Pages - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Excerpt
This Redhead Loves Books - Review, Excerpt
The Avid Reader - Soundtrack, Character Bios
November 20
Tracy's Nook - Review, Character Interview
The Pleasure of Reading - Excerpt
Bex n Books - Character Bios
Becky's Barmy Book Blog - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 21
Relaxed Reads - Dreamcast
Renee Entress's Blog - Review
Books and Friendz - Character Bio, Excerpt
Pretty in Fiction - Top Ten, Excerpt
Kat's Book Promotions - Dreamcast
Write Away Bliss - Schedule / Excerpt
The Musings of a Book Addict - Review
Suzy Turner, Author - Author Interview
The Best Books Ever - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Excerpt
November 13
Country Book Bumpkin - Review, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Reese's Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast
Pinky's Favorite Reads - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 14
Indy Book Fairy - Review, Excerpt
Kimber Leigh Writes - Top Ten, Excerpt
Here is What I Read - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Writing Belle - Character Bios
November 15
A Book Paradise - Author Interview, Soundtrack, Excerpt
Endless Reading - Review, Excerpt
The Literary Melting Pot - Review
November 16
Roxy's Reviews - Review, Character Bios, Top Ten
Real Talk, Book Talk - Dreamcast, Excerpt
Becca Anne's Book Reviews - Review, Character Bio, Dreamcast
Nerd Girl Official - Excerpt
November 17
Deal Sharing Aunt - Author Interview, Top Ten, Excerpt
Star Shadow Blog - Character Bio, Dreamcast, Soundtrack
Dystopia Capitol - Review
November 18
Kristy Centro - Character Bios
Whispered Thoughts - Character Bios, Excerpt, Soundtrack
Little Hyuts Reviews - Dreamcast
November 19
Step Into Fiction - Review, Excerpt
Behind the Pages - Author Interview, Dreamcast, Excerpt
This Redhead Loves Books - Review, Excerpt
The Avid Reader - Soundtrack, Character Bios
November 20
Tracy's Nook - Review, Character Interview
The Pleasure of Reading - Excerpt
Bex n Books - Character Bios
Becky's Barmy Book Blog - Top Ten, Excerpt
November 21
Relaxed Reads - Dreamcast
Renee Entress's Blog - Review
Books and Friendz - Character Bio, Excerpt
Pretty in Fiction - Top Ten, Excerpt
Kat's Book Promotions - Dreamcast
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