Why this book?: Well, I'm definitely riding the Greek Mythology in YA trend, especially when it involves my favorite myth story, Hades and Persephone. Also.. it was due back to the library tomorrow. Disclaimer: I got this book from my local library. I am reviewing this for my own enjoyment.
Type: Young Adult, Teen, Young Adult Romance, Trilogy, Book One, Series, Greek Mythology, Hades and Persephone
About the book: Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back. But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid. Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.
My Review: I'm conflicted about this book. I enjoyed it over all, but for every good thing I liked about it, there was something about it that just didn't work for me. I'm all for jumping right into a story - but "Abandon" starts when Pierce moves to her new home, which happens to be almost ten years after she first meets John, and a full year and a half after her death and her deal (sorta) about staying with John. The first several chapters were incredibly confusing, because Pierce would make vague references to things that happened in the past, and you'd eventually get told what happens.. but usually not right away. So be prepared to pay a lot of attention while reading.
The author mentions "Abandon" is book one in a trilogy, which is great - because "Abandon" felt like all set up, with little of it's own plot and story. This book might by the type that is hard to judge without reading the rest of the series, because you can't really review it without reviewing the rest (and I will, when they're released). And even then, it's not so much set up in the present, as learning about John and Pierce's past together, and then we'll get the rest in books two and three. And then the word "love" is mentioned (C'mon people, it's a YA romance, you knew the L word was going to be there), and it seems like it came out of left field. It doesn't feel like they have enough history to be tossing around that word, not when we've only been present for a few days worth. Hopefully this will be addressed in the future novels.
That said, yes, there were things I liked about "Abandon." I love this take on the Hades and Persephone myth, and the history behind the gift (a necklace) that John gives Pierce. I cannot wait to see what Cabot will do with the rest of the series, and how she will further blend the mythology in with what she has already started. I also like Pierce's family dynamics. Her parents are actually present in the story, or at least her mother is. But Pierce doesn't just have her mother to rely on, her father is still a presence in her life, as is her Grandmother, uncle and cousin - she has family, and isn't totally alone, something that isn't too prevalent in young adult fiction.
Cover Loving: This cover is very well done. Simple, and elegant. The gold and black tones seem perfect for the story.
Recommendation: It's a good story, and one I would feel confident recommending to younger teens to read, since it doesn't deal with subjects that are too mature. And fans of "The Goddess Test" by Aimee Carter will want to check out "Abandon."
Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE (3/5). I toyed with giving this a lower rating, maybe 2.5 or even 2, but as mentioned above, that might just be because this book is so hard to judge without reading the rest of the trilogy. I'm seeing a lot of things in "Abandon" that show it has the makings of a great series, but there are equal amounts of issues and problems.
Have you read "Abandon" by Meg Cabot? Share your thoughts in the comments! How would you compare this book to other mythology-based YA releases? Would you like to pick up a copy of "Abandon?" Get it at Amazon.com!
Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda ~!~
2 comments:
I won this book in a contest and it's supposed to be on its way to me. I've seen where other people have the same problems with other books that you have with this one. A lot of set up and such, wherein the reader has to pay keen attention to be able to keep up with what's happening. Hoping the timeline thing won't confuse me.
I hope so too! Maybe with all the advanced warning, you'll be prepared for it.
When you finish it, come back and share your thoughts! I'd like to see if you felt similarly.
~ Amanda
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