13 Days of Midnight (13 Days of Midnight #1) by Leo Hunt
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Goodreads Summary: 
When Luke Manchett’s estranged father dies unexpectedly, he leaves his son a dark inheritance: a Host of eight unique, powerful, and restless spirits. Unfortunately, Luke has no clue how to manage them, which the ghosts figure out pretty quickly. Armed with only his father’s indecipherable notes and a locked copy of The Book of Eight, Luke struggles to adapt to his new role as a necromancer. Meanwhile, the increasingly belligerent Host mutinies, possesses Luke’s mother, and forces him out of his own house.

Halloween, the night when ghosts reach the height of their power, is fast approaching, and Luke knows his Host is planning something far more trick than treat. With the help of school outcast Elza Moss, who knows a bit about ghosts herself, Luke has just thirteen days to uncover the closely guarded secrets of black magic and send his unquiet spirits to their eternal rest.

And if you thought it was going to be easy, you’d be dead wrong.
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review: 
Sixteen year old Luke Manchett is a popular kid at school. He plays rugby, hangs out with all the right people, and as a bonus the most popular girl in the school likes him. When his father, the well known Dr. Horatio Manchett dies and leaves Luke everything, Luke discovers that all is not as it seems. he gets dragged into a world of ghosts and necromancy and someone is always watching, waiting for his next move, counting on his mistakes.

I enjoyed reading this book, and the idea is great. However, I didn't find many things that made 13 Days of Midnight stand out from other wonderful books. I rarely read books written by male authors (although I'd love to, there just don't seem to be as many!) and this one was a refreshing read.

In the end I liked the ghosts more than the main characters. (I mean, what!) I understand that Luke is a typical teenager, obsessed with fitting in, but his trust in Elza seems sudden and poorly constructed on the writer's part. The ghosts get a much better development. The Vassal is seemingly trustworthy, but soon his betrayal is discovered. The Judge appears to only speak the truth, but his words carry more weight.

Elza is intriguing. I'd like to know more about her, motives, interests, etc. I think her original distrust of Luke also faded too quickly with very little explanation. I liked the plot a lot more than the characters, the storyline was complex and not always predictable. Perhaps the second book will act on the promise of this series.
Purchase Location: Borrowed From Library
Edition:
Paperback
Buy the book:
Book Depository
Recommended for: Fans of necromancy.