Book Review + Giveaway: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Abandon (The Abandon Trilogy, #1) by Meg Cabot

Reading Level: Young Adult

Release Date: Available Now

Publisher: Point

Pages: 320

Source: Received from publisher for honest review

(Thanks to Big Honcho Media as well)

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera knows what happens to us when we die. That’s how she met John Hayden, the mysterious stranger who’s made returning to normal life—or at least life as Pierce knew it before the accident—next to impossible. Though she thought she escaped him—starting a new school in a whole new place—it turns out she was wrong. He finds her. What does John want from her? Pierce thinks she knows…just like she knows he’s no guardian angel, and his dark world isn’t exactly heaven. But she can’t stay away from him, either, especially since he’s always there when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most. But if she let’s herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears most. And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her: The Underworld.

My Review: I love Greek mythology, especially when authors revitalize the myths. You'd think me being Greek I'd know about this myth, but I honestly wasn't familiar with Persephone and Hades story. Thanks to the good old internet, I researched it before I started reading Abandon, that way I could distinguish the similarities and differences in Meg's interpretation. I've never read a Meg Cabot book before, so when the opportunity came for me to review Abandon, I jumped on it.

Pierce, was an exceptional character whose voice sustained a realistic, and applicable tone. I really liked the fact that she had anxiety issues, since many of us could relate to her feelings. My only complaint about her consisted within her memories. I understand why Meg presented the present and past situations in a back and forth manner, however in my opinion, it created a jumbled outline. Most of the time, it did feel like a puzzle, I had to carefully read each scene so I wouldn't miss out on the discoveries.

Moving on, John who is obviously Hades in the novel, exemplified the mysterious bad boy that I always seem to fall for. I know, I'm such a mush, I'm putty in the hands of good looking YA men, or should I say boys? I thought it was quite entertaining how John always popped up to save Pierce from her spontaneous ways. Even though, the plot surrounded the Greek myth, it also contributed a stimulating approach. All in all, I enjoyed my first Meg Cabot book, but I have a feeling I am missing out on a better story. Maybe the next installment will help me wholeheartedly give into the series, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

My Rating:

Book Trailer:

:: Contest Details ::

-One person will win a copy of Abandon and a bracelet featuring a quote from the book (picture above.)

-This contest is for U.S. residents only.

-Deadline will be on May 12, 2011.

contest is closed.

Author's Info:

Meg Cabot is the author of the New York Times bestselling series The Princess Diaries, which was made into two wildly popular Disney films of the same name. Other books include Airhead, Being Nikki, Runaway, All-American Girl, Ready or Not, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How To Be Popular, Pants on Fire, and the Allie Finkle, Mediator, and 1-800-Where-R-You series. Meg divides her time between New York City and Key West, Florida.

For more info on Meg, visit her sites:

-Website

-Twitter

-Facebook

-GoodReads

Scholastic has launched a new online community called This Is Teen to connect readers with their favorite YA authors and books. Visit their page on Facebook for all the latest news on Meg Cabot and her new book ABANDON www.facebook.com/thisisteen.