Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Deception by Lee Nichols Review

Book: Deception
Author: Lee Nichols
Age:
 YA
Release date: June 8th, 2010Pages: 336
Source: Received ARC for blog tour
Summary:
When Emma Vaile's parents leave on mysterious business trip, it gives her the perfect excuse to be a rebellious teen. Throw some parties, get a tattoo (or maybe just a piercing), and enjoy the first few weeks of her junior year. Then her best friend stops talking to her, the cops crash her party, and Emma finds herself in the hands of a new guardian—her college-age "knight in J.Crew armor," Bennett Stern—and on a plane to his museum-like mansion in New England.

After enrolling at Thatcher Academy, Emma settles in by making friends with the popular legacy crowd. But she can't shake the strange visions that are haunting her. She has memories of Thatcher she can't explain, as if she's returning home to a place she's never been. Emma doesn't trust anyone anymore—except maybe Bennett. But he's about to reveal a ghostly secret to Emma. One that will explain the visions . . . and make Emma fear for her life.

Review: Once Emma Vaile's parents leave for a rushed trip, all of Emma's original plans go downhill. Her guardian leaves, her parent's won't call back, she's stuck running the store alone, and realizing just how friendless she's gotten since her older best friend Abby stopped talking to her. Then Emma meets some new people at school. One thing leads to another, Emma hosts a crazy party in her mausoleum-like house, the cops show up, and then Emma's stuck with only three choices: Foster care, live with Bennett, or becoming a ward of the state. Naturally, she chooses Bennett, her older brother's friend and Emma's longtime crush.

The story really gets going once Emma moves to New England, and she starts to realize that she just might be seeing ghosts and also seeing glimpses of the past (well, either that or she's losing her mind). Humor is laced through almost every chapter, and Emma's sassy and witty humor can keep a reader easily engaged. Her inner voice had me cracking up at times, and while at the beginning of the story Emma seems a bit immature, she does grow quite a bit by the end. 

She has to deal with these unusual abilities by herself for awhile, as well as the knowledge that her family just may not be the people she thought they were.


There is so much more to the story, but I'll keep quiet about the rest (I'd hate to spoil the entire novel, because it's definitely worth a read). There's a bit of romance, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and oh yeah, ghosts (especially a very murderous one). The characters each have their own personalities, and quirks. Deception is intriguing and entertaining with each turn of the page, and it's left me very anxious and excited for the next installment.


Highlights: Emma's voice. She's a humorous main character, and easy to relate with. The ending was quite a surprise, and Nichols tosses a few twists and turns into Deception (and I love to be surprised when reading).

Lowlights: The beginning was a bit slow, but once you get a couple chapters in, you can't stop. This novel has an addictive quality to it's writing, and I can definitely see Kate Brian fans loving this.

Rating:    



-Lea

27 comments:

  1. Great review! I was a little surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! But now I can't wait for the sequel!

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  2. I've heard such good things about this book! Can't wait to read it--I may have to go buy it soon. Thanks so much for the review!

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  3. Great review! I love quirky characters! =D

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  4. Great review! This really sounds like my kind of read!

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  5. Oh my gosh, I so want to read this book!! Great review..

    And

    I see that you signed up for my Nancy Holder giveaway that I am having on my blog. For the books Possessions and The Evil Within. The contest ends Friday but since Nancy's book The Evil Within is being released tomorrow I am holding a Nancy Holder day on my blog. All day long you will be able to gain extra entries into the contest. So I am going around to everyones blog who signed up and letting them know. Hope to see you tomorrow.. =)

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  6. I kind of skimmed over this at first because I was like eh doesn't look like my kind of book, but then I saw Kate Brian and she is one of my FAVORITES, so I think I need to try this now!

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  7. Great review! I was already looking forward to this book and you confirm what I've heard about it so far! :o)

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  8. Great review! I have been waiting on this one for awhile. It sounds great! Your review has got me EVEN more excited to read it!

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  9. I love it when the ending surprises you...I can't wait to read this!

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  10. I really want to read this book. its sounds so good. and after hearing such good things about it, I really can't wait till I get my hands on it!

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  11. After reading your review I really want to read this book! I love surprise endings!

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  12. I have been wanting to read this one for a while now! Thanks for the great review!

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  13. Awesome review and 4.5 stars?!! Definitely a must read. This sounds a lot more intricate than I expected, wow. But in a good way.

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  14. Awesome review and 4.5 stars?!! Definitely a must read. This sounds a lot more intricate than I expected, wow. But in a good way.

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  15. Great review. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. It really sounds like a must read.

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  16. Great review! I loved this as well :)

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  17. Here from the Saturday Network! Sounds like a wonderful book to curl up with late at night!

    I invite you to visit Colloquium and enter to win a copy of "This One is Mine" by Maria Semple. I loved it (you can read my review) and want to pass it on to another reader who will (hopefully) love it, too! Enter any time up to midnight (Pacific time) June 15, 2010!! The winner will be selected at random!

    JHS
    Colloquium

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  18. I haven't seen this before. Thanks for introducing me to it. I enjoy paranormal books.

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  19. This sounds a little melodramatic, but I'll admit that I'm hooked!

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  20. I love having great humor in my paranormal YA. Thanks for the review!

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  21. Deception sounds like a book I would enjoy very much!

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  22. Glad you liked it. I've been hearing a lot about Deception and I'm happy knowing it lives up to the hype. I'm big on at least a sliver of humor or sarcasm in the mc's voice, so I know this one is for me.

    -Lisa B.

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  23. Thanks for the Great review. Have added to my wish list.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  24. great review sounds like a great book can't wait to read it.

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  25. I totally agree that Emma did seem a little Immature at the begginging she totally grows on you. I love to hate the ending!! I adored Lee Nichols chicklit writing so now that i was recently addicted to Paranormal I was shocked and excited that she was writing a Young adult paranormal novel.

    Sorry long Post!!

    Awesome Review!!

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