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Thursday, April 28, 2011

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:

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.

13 comments:

Orchid said...

You are so lucky to have read Abandon (it sounds so good).

Thanks for the nice review, I had no idea that the book would have Greek mythology, which happens to be one of my favorite things to read about.

I cannot believe that this is your first Meg Cabot read...you should check out the Mediator series by her (it is made of awesome).

Orchid
The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia

Angie said...

I have no idea why but for some reason I thought this was a book about vampires. I love Greek mythology. Will definitely be checking this one out - if I don't win. :)

Kelsey said...

Sorry you didn't enjoy this more, but it looks like the series may be promising! I love Meg Cabot and Greek mythology so am looking forward to seeing what I think.

Nice, honest review and thanks for the giveaway!

latishajean said...

I can't wait to read this one thank you so much for the great giveaway!

Colleen said...

The Greek mythology aspects sound fun despite the timeline issues. And as for John/Hades...I totally agree that mysterious YA bad boys are as irresistible as they are plentiful! :)

Andrea said...

I can't wait to read it! Love Meg Cabot!

lulilut said...

I enjoyed how Meg Cabot recreated the Arthurian legend in Avalon High so I'm really excited to see how she retells Persephone's story.
Thanks for the giveaway and I'm curious how the quote on the bracelet comes into play.

Casey (The Bookish Type) said...

I ADORE Meg Cabot and Greek mythology, so I'm all over this book! However, I hate it when books jump around in time like that and you have to really work to put the timeline together. I wasn't a fan of The Time Traveler's Wife because of that. But I love Meg, so I really want to give this one a shot! Thanks for the great review and giveaway!

Beverly said...

I think I entered twice - sorry.

ashley said...

THANKS SO MUCH BABE

Anonymous said...

AHH! I love Meg Cabot!! Thank you for this offer! :h:

lady reader said...

Very nice review! Awesome giveaway. :)
Thanks so much for the opportunity! So exciting.

Happy Reading!
Amy
amydelrosso(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I need help with writing a plot chart, I read the book and I, honestly hated it. As I do with many. It confused me,I understood but there was so much that seems important, such as the necklace the teacher the necklace getting flung as the cemetery was demolished, I just can't figure out what was the climax and was the cnclusion.

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