(ARC Review) Abandon by Meg Cabot

ABANDON
Author: Meg Cabot
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Point (April 26, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545284104
ISBN-13: 978-0545284103

SUMMARY:


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 THOUGHTS:

I am a fairly new reader of books by this author. I have read Insatiable by her and loved it, but I haven't read any of her other books before that one.  When Abandon arrived to me for review, I jumped into it excited to read about how she was going make a story based on Greek mythology.  Seeing how I never actually paid attention in high school -- and my grades will confirm that  -- my mythology is a little rusty. I did however recognize the great writing that the author used in the book!

While I am not a huge fan of the story,  I can see the appeal and desire to read the book.  I liked how the author made the characters seem so real.  While she didn't go overboard on descriptions, I still felt the characters come alive in my head while reading the book.  Yet, while the author kept me interested in the story, I kept finding myself wishing it would have revealed some things sooner rather than later in the book.

For instance, we don't even find out what what actually happened to Pierce and the event that is questioned through out the chapters until well over half of the book.  I can understand needing it for the wow factor, but the constant referring to it and not revealing much kept me feeling frustrated.  I also didn't like how it was slow going for a long while, and then near the end a ton of stuff happens with not enough resolutions.  I can understand the author wanting to leave you with a cliffhanger, but I also expect some things to be resolved before I finish the last page.

Would I read the next book in the series? Absolutely. I want to see how the author is going to work out some of the problems from this book and hopefully structure the plot better to make it more appealing to the reader.
If you are a big fan of this author, you will more than likely enjoy her take on the lore and mythology that this book contains as a step up from what the author usually writes.  If you are a new reader to this author, you could enjoy it based on the fact that it has the elements that this genre is well known for as well.  You will just have to be patient with the story and be willing to see the book through and future books in the series.

MY RATING:

 
Okay book, but it left me wanting more! 3 STARS