Surrender by Lee Nichols

For Review: Bloomsbury
Published: 12 April 2012

From Goodreads: After a devastating battle at headquarters in New York, the ghostkeeping world is in shambles. When Emma and Bennett return home, they are determined to defeat the wraithmaster, Neos, forever. But it's not going to be easy. Bennett's parents kick him out when they realize he is still using drugs to enhance his powers. Emma is convinced her aunt has come back from the dead to warn her of a new threat. And worst of all, Neos is using wraiths to possess the students at Thatcher Academy. If the ghosts manage to take over the entire school, even Emma won't be strong enough to stop them. But if either she or Bennett sacrifice his or her powers, they might be able to save the ghostkeeping world once and for all-and break the "ghostkeepers lose their powers when they fall in love" curse. The question is: who will be the one to surrender all power?

Fast-paced and romantic, this conclusion to the Haunting Emma trilogy will thrill readers as it brings the ghostly mystery to a close.

I've really enjoyed reading Lee Nichols' Haunting Emma series and the final instalment is a brilliant conclusion to the saga.

The story picks up from where we left off in Betrayal. Neos is still a threat and gaining power, Bennett is using desperate means to gain the power he believes he will need to beat him. And, of course, there is still the problem of ghostkeepers losing their powers if two are together...

One of my favourite aspects of this story is the romance between Emma and Bennett so I really enjoyed this one. There were some really great scenes between the two. I'm also please that her friends played a larger part in the story, especially Natalie and Coby. I really liked Coby and his friendship with Sara and Harry.

I liked the showdown at the end too - and how it all turns out - and the way all the pieces fit together. The characters all really develop and become stronger over the course of the series so it's really nice seeing them get to this point.

I'm really excited to see what Lee Nichols writes next. Hopefully it will be as romantic, and action packed as this series!

Betrayal by Lee Nichols

For Review: Bloomsbury
Published: 5 September 2011

From Goodreads:  Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great for battling the wraith-master Neos and horrible for her social life. Emma knows fellow ghostkeeper Bennett Stern is her soul mate, but when ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power. And until Neos is defeated, Bennett and Emma can't risk it.


When the temptation of being with Emma gets to be too much, Bennett disappears, pursuing a dangerous path to increase his powers. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school. But when the Knell, a secret ghostkeeping society, sends two new ghostkeepers to Echo Point—one a snarky teen guy, the other a British scholar—Emma throws herself into training to battle Neos. But as the team grows stronger, so do the ghosts. And worse, one of their own will betray them. One Emma never suspected. . . .

Having really enjoyed Deception I picked up this one as soon as I'd finished the first one.

Now that Emma knows she is a Ghostkeeper and understands what it means she throws herself into her role. This installment is much more action packed than the first and there is still the romance and mystery element to keep me hooked!

The characters really develop in this one too. Emma becomes much stronger - and more accepting of her abilities. Her relationship with Bennett is still a driving force of the story but he was absent too much for my liking. We know why he's not staying near Emma but I really missed their interactions. But when he was present the scenes were awesome!

Some new characters are introduced and I loved them! I also have really taken to Natalie - I really think she is a good friend for Emma. And I loved learning more about Emma's family.

Again the story surprised me. It is completely unpredictable - I had no idea what was going to happen and I couldn't wait to find out. I am so looking forward to the third book - Surrender - when it's published! More please!

Deception by Lee Nichols

For Review: Bloomsbury
Published: 5 September 2011

From Goodreads: When Emma Vaile’s parents go missing while away on a mysterious business trip, she’s left all alone in her creepy old house. But 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. She quickly finds friends in the popular legacy crowd at Thatcher and spends her free time crushing on Bennett.

But the eerie visions she’s been hiding from everyone have gotten worse. 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.

I was really excited to read this one - I love stories about ghosts! Add in some romance and a mystery and I was pretty much hooked.

I liked Emma straight away. She's been through a lot and has more to face as the story progress but she always manages. Bennett is awesome as the potential love interest - so intense and moody that I can definitely understand why Emma might like him!

I loved all the ghost characters (especially the Rake!) - and watching Emma work out what going on. There are some really surprising moments too - the whole story was very enjoyable to read.  I am thankful I have a copy of the next book in the series - Betrayal - so I could read it straight away! I needed more Bennett and I really wanted to find out more about her family. Great stuff!