Book Review - BETRAYAL

Written by: Lee Nichols

Published by: Bloomsbury Kids

Release Date: March 2011

Source: ARC received from publisher & purchased

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars -- this is a must read.

Synopsis (from Bloomsbury Kids): The ghostly mystery continues with a traitor in the midst.

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.

I picked up Betrayal right as I finished Deception (see link for review) and let me tell you, Mundie Moms, I was filled with anxiety (in a good way). We know by now all about Emma’s strength and her legacy. But, Deception ended with such a reveal that I was left thinking, “Oh boy, how will this work out?” Those are the best kind of endings, aren’t they? A reveal not a cliff-hanger. I think so.

So, on to Betrayal and my non-spoilery thoughts. We all know, as readers, that second books are tricky. Often times there are plot developments that we question or don’t like, but Lee managed to avoid every one of those potential pitfalls. Instead, she presents what is a logical extension of the decisions which were made in the first book. And I can’t even being to praise her writing – the plot, the characters and her dark, ghost-filled world all are brilliantly presented. The stakes are higher and everything gets more and more twisted. Don’t you love when that happens in a book? I know, I do.

This time around, the secondary characters are a pivotal part of the story. And the family of friends that Emma has built around her, in her parents’ and brother’s absence, is presented in such a realistic way. Their relationships are tested so very believably, I felt like I was experiencing my own friends’ emotional ups and downs. Even the villain, Neos, continues to be a credible threat. We learn more about him and how very un-stoppable he’s become. Nothing, but nothing, brings out my fangirly side like a good villain. And by good, I mean bad, of course.

Well, nothing except an impossible romance, that is. You know the kind – forbidden, yet destined. Bennett and Emma have just that. I can’t even begin to describe my love for this pairing because I will spoil all plot developments completely. It’s enough, I think, to remark that Bennett easily makes my Top 5 Favorite Fictional Boys list. And yes, MMs, he can work a sword rather well. So here’s to another Hot Boy with Sword who is just dreamy.

I encourage you to not wait and pick up this series as soon as possible. The third installment, Surrender, comes out in December.