Rating: 4.5/5 StarsGenre: Paranormal/Mystery
Release Date: 6/8/2010
Series: Haunting Emma
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About the Book: When Emma's parents leave on a business trip and don't return, Emma's world turns upside down. Her new friend at school lets social services know that Emma's been living alone and Emma finds herself saved by her brothers best friend Bennett. Bennett takes Emma away to his family's museum-mansion and enrolls Emma in a fancy private school. Emma starts to have visions of ghosts like she did when she was a child-and last time that happened no one believed her and she ended up in a mental hospital. Bennett is hiding secrets that hold the key to Emma's visions and there's more to Emma's ghost-seeing abilities than she knows. She may just hold the key to solving a murder.
GreenBeanTeenQueen Says: Ghosts, romance, mystery, a Gothic feel, a mysterious private school, secrets-this book has everything a reader wants in a paranormal mystery. When I received my copy for review there was a note that said set time aside to read this one in one sitting-and it was right. Once I started reading Deception, I didn't want to stop!
Emma is a strong character and I loved her voice. She just felt so normal-even when she discovers her supernatural powers, she never stops being a normal teen. She has a crush on Bennett, but she never gets overly whiny or obnoxious about it. She might not be the most popular girl, but her worries about school and her friends don't consume the book. She has no clue about her powers or why she's seeing ghosts, so the reader discovers things along with Emma, which I liked. I also liked how there's romance, but that's not the main focus of the book.
Deception is a ghost story with a Gothic feel to it. The pacing is perfect and the mystery unravels slowly, but there's still enough to hold the reader's interest and keep them intrigued. It is a start to a series, and while some things are wrapped up, I still have lots of questions. And the ending has such a surprise that I want the next book now! The mystery genre in young adult sometimes feel lacking, so I'm glad to have a new ghostly mystery to give my mystery readers at the library. There's a little bit of everything in this book, so it's sure to please fans of paranormal, romance and mystery. An engaging start to a new series, I can't wait to return to Emma's story!
Want to win your own copy of the book? Bloomsbury has graciously given me an ARC to give away! Fill out the Google Doc below to enter! Must be 13+, have a US address for shipping (no P.O. boxes). Contest will end June 21 at midnight central time.
Full Disclosure: Reviewed from ARC sent by publisher for blog tour.
Fantastic review! I loved this book and I think I read it in one sitting too.
ReplyDeleteI really hope that there will be more books like this. I loved suspense/mystery books when I was a teen. I hope this is the start of a new trend in YA fiction, especially paranormal. The Body Finder was another suspenseful book that I loved. I can't wait to find out what happens with Emma in Betrayal.
Great review! I've been wanting to read this for the past few weeks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having the giveaway :)
Thanks for the contest and great review, I've heard such great things about this book and after reading your review I'm even more anxious to read it!
ReplyDeleteI've only been reading great things about this book. I'm really looking forward to finally reading this book. Thank you for the giveaway. :D
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering about this book. Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI don't like the cover but I've heard nothing but good things about the book!
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