Review: Deception: A Haunting Emma Novel by Lee Nichols

Title: Deception: A Haunting Emma Novel

By: Lee Nichols

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Fiction

Publisher: Bloomsbury Books (Special Thanks for review copy)

Release Date: June 8th, 2010

BookWhisperer Rating:

         

Book Description:

When Emma Vaile's parents go missing while away on a mysterious business trip, her brother's very cute best friend, Bennett Stern—Emma's knight in J. Crew armor—arrives unexpectedly to whisk her away to New England. There, Emma settles into his family's museum-like mansion and enrolls at an old-fashioned private school. Emma has memories of Thatcher that she can't explain—it's as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Finally, Emma confides in Bennett and learns she is a ghostkeeper, a person who can communicate with ghosts. Bennett brought Emma to Thatcher to protect her, but now he needs her help tracking an other-worldly murderer.

Modern Young Adult Ghost story that will keep the reader guessing through the entire story. Emma is a very likable character that is about to discover she has abilities beyond her wildest imagination. She soon finds herself amidst a world where she is not only gifted, but hunted for her powers that sets her apart from all the others.

Deception is set in a very intriguing world where Ghostkeepers are constantly at work to keep the balance between the living and the dead. This allowing for an abundance of exciting characters that may not all be living. Nichols world is one where no one should be taken at for granted, and very few can be trusted. As a ghost story I did not feel the scary and spooky nature that typically accompanies this type of story. I find Deception to be intriguing and genuinely great story writing. Lee Nichols proves to be a talented author that will hold the readers attention to the very last word, and will control your thought beyond the last page. With her twists and turns you will find yourself done before you know it.

This was not only an awesome story, but an amazing love story all wrapped up into one. Emma and Bennett seem to carry a love that have struggled through time. Even with the immediate addition of feelings from Emma; Nichols recovers quickly and builds the relationship to its height in this story. I found this love to be mostly an unspoken attraction, but the emotion and attraction is undeniable. I love a story that can give you butterflies, and make even the reader fall in love.

The ending to this novel was drastic and unexpected; leaving me only to wonder how this author will be able to surpass herself in the next novel. It is difficult to create a story that totally changes after the climax, and that is the only way I can explain this novel. It was like a whole new story after Emma’s battle. Nichols also throws an extra twist at the very end of this novel that will cause the reader to question everything that the story has built. Don’t read this book looking for a quick and easy read; the story will demand your attention and focus. With so much detail packed into 304 pages; I can only guess what Emma’s second novel will bring.

Lastly, as in my tradition I like to talk a little about the cover. I love a book with a mystery cover. This is a cover that once you have the read the story the cover makes complete sense. While this book is no totally confusing, it did pack some mystery in the pages that I find to be a great addition to the cover. Unfortunately, after having read the book the character on the cover is not what my imagination had set for Emma. Though, as I am sure many other book lovers can testify that before even turning the first page this is an attractive cover that many love.