Afterlife

Afterlife by Claudia Gray, 2011 Harper Collins

     Bianca has died. Her new status as a Wraith is confusing and the draw to leave her life is a constant pull, but Lucas has died too. When Lucas' worst nightmare comes true, Bianca is the only thing keeping him from losing control and the animosity between vampires and wraiths isn't going to keep them apart.
     But Lucas' bloodthirst is stronger than either of them could have anticipated. The only place to go is Evernight Academy, risking the perils that stalk those hallways. Lucas, Bianca, and their friends discovered, in a previous story, that Mrs. Bethany allowed specific humans to enter the school because they had lived haunted lives, and the wraiths followed them to Evernight only to be trapped by Mrs. Bethany.
     Bianca and Lucas carve out a corner of the school where they could meet with friends and plan a way to make the academy safe for Bianca to roam. They conquered the challenge of the traps, and worked toward understanding why Mrs. Bethany drew the wraiths to Evernight. While the vampires try to control Lucas' bloodthirst, Bianca tries to understand Christopher--the wraith who seems to lead the others--and the power he wields.
     After many challenges to their relationship and their very existences, Lucas and Bianca help to break down barriers between the vampires and wraiths, as well as the undead and humans. All while maintaining their relationship and fighting for each other. In the final segment of the Evernight series, Lucas and Bianca are finally able to be together without the prejudices of their world trying to separate them. The story is accessible and concludes the series with the push that began Evernight.