The Literary Melting Pot

The Soul Thief (The Angel of Death Series #1)

by Majanka Verstraete

Publisher: Booktrope

Published: November 11, 2014

Genre: YA, Paranormal

SYNOPSIS

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.

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REVIEW

This exciting YA novel begins with a traumatic jolt and keeps the exhilarating flow throughout! The characters are believable and the paranormal world created is easy to understand. Leaving the religious aspect open-minded, the author gives our young readers an engaging story that’s congenial for most. Although there’s a fleeting glimpse of romance, it’s appropriate and leaves us wanting for more!
Younger readers should take to this quite nicely! I recommend.

Quick note for the “pet-peevers”:
There are a few inconsistencies that over analytical adults like me will notice, but they’re easy to overlook. For example, Riley’s mentor is quoted as being aged “over millennia”, yet he seems as inexperienced and naïve as she at times. Also, Riley’s abilities seem to have “clauses” added as the story progresses. Again, these are easy to overlook, but worth mentioning. I don’t feel this takes away from the story, and I doubt it will deter the younger readers. I stick to my recommendation.

About This Literary Chef

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.”