Betrayal - Book Review

Title ~ Betrayal
Series ~ Haunting Emma #2
Author ~ Lee Nichols
Release Date ~ March 1, 2011
Age Group ~ Young Adult
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Source ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper, Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive—one a snarky teen boy, the other a British scholar—Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good.

As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

REVIEW

I fell in love with ghostkeepers Emma and Bennett in Deception, the first book in this series. They wanted to be together, but Bennett would lose his power to the more powerful Emma. I enjoyed how they innocently struggled with their feelings.

This time around, Bennett goes missing for a good part of the book. While he is gone, Emma is sad, but she hooks up with some new ghostkeepers and her loyal friend Natalie. When Bennett finally returns, Emma realizes that he has changed and it’s not for the better. I am surprised and disappointed with the way Bennett’s story is playing out.

I did, however, like the other characters. The new ghostkeeprs include a hot British guy and another guy who is a trickster. Cody, who died in the first book, has returned in ghost form. Cool. There are ghasts, which are ghosts that have lost their way and start to turn on people. And finally, there is the Siren, who tries to weaken Emma’s power.

The ending is a shock that I did not see coming. While I like a surprise ending, it wasn’t enough to make up for the depressing tone and the relationship between Emma and Bennett.

RATING

3 So-So

COVER COMMENTS

This cover is a nice compliment to the Deception cover. Emma is front and center and I see Bennett too. I like the mysterious misty air and what look like grave markers in the background.