Review: Surrender - Lee Nichols

Surrender by Lee Nichols, published by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books on 6th December 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
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?

Review:
I'm a massive fan of the Haunting Emma series by Lee Nichols and have eagerly followed Emma's battle to defeat Neos and win the heart of the gorgeous Bennett.  She may have achieved the latter but she still has a fight ahead of her to find Neos's ashes and end his reign once and for all.

Emma's story has had so many ups and downs.  She's had to deal head on with tragedy, death and loss and has coped with discovering who she really is, as well as being left by her family and learning how to deal with ghosts who want her dead.  Her one constant throughout the trilogy has been the wonderful Bennett.  I adore him so much!  Left me assure you now that there's plenty to satisfy fans of Bennett and Emma in 'Surrender'.  They know they love each other and want to be together forever but to stay together one of them has to lose their powers.  If you're hoping for kisses, then yes there are kisses and lots of them!  Without trying to give anything away, they also get the most perfect ending which made me so happy to read.

I love Emma's bravery, her determination and her strength.  She treats all her friends and family and the ghosts she's surrounded by with respect.  She has some tough choices to make in the book but she always tries to do what's right.  Her friends are wonderfully characterised too, including Natalie who becomes like a sister to her, as well as Lukas, Sara and Harry.  She may not always have her real family by her side but she can always count on her friends to be there.

The final part of the trilogy tied up all the loose ends and concluded the story brilliantly.  Pacy, action-packed and a real page turner, I only wish the book has been longer.  I literally devoured it in one sitting! There's no doubt that this series really does have it all.  An unbreakable love, a fight between good and evil, mystery, adventure, action and romance.  I'm sad that a wonderful adventure is over but I'm so excited to see what Lee Nichols will turn her hand to next.  You never know - there might even be a Bennett/Emma sequel at some point in the future where we get to see if they really are living out their happy ever after!