jdouglas96's review against another edition
1.0
A simple story with simple characters - too many characters to be able to spend enough time with to actually care about. The concept itself is interesting and I enjoyed John and Pierce as characters as well as their growing relationship and short backstory. This backstory was perhaps too short - they only knew each other for less than an hour before she escaped, causing 'consequences' to fall upon him and the initiation of his relentless stalking of her. Which, unlike her unlawful detainment, was casually addressed in a way that made it seem like absolutely no big deal. Yeah. Stalking. Okay. And though 'love at first sight' was mentioned, the next two years consisted of John stalking her and she fearing that he would show up and further ruin her life. It was repeatedly drummed into the reader that John was a man who was 'wild' and dangerous and who was known to have taken many lives. The few instances he expresses any inclinations toward violence, he does so in order to defend Pierce or else to kick open a gate so she could pass. Beyond that, his dangerous nature is confined to her just telling us how dangerous he is.
The execution of the story-telling is nothing short of a mess - jumping back and forward through time, moving in from one situation only to come back to it several pages - or chapters - later, having since introduced a new situation, to add more details to the first, and so on. Many of these situations I felt could have been addressed far more concisely, or written out completely. The writing was average at best, with sentences and descriptive terms being reused over and over, and though I understand the language used is meant to relate young adults and teens, it seemed absolutely careless in its informality at times - and yet the way that the characters, Pierce in particular, spoke was awkwardly formal.
At one point, Pierce lost her necklace and yet it was subsequently repeatedly mentioned to be around her neck - um what?
I did appreciate the way Pierce's history was steadily revealed rather than being shat out as exposition. Yet again, the execution of this could have been much better.
The story itself appealed to my once teenage mind - fresh, interesting, dramatic and romantic, and I enjoyed what felt like a shallow glance into an interesting world with characters which could be so much more if they had the opportunity. And so it's unfortunate that it is so poorly written.
This is why we have editors, people.
The entire story is clearly written with a sequel in mind, so we will see whether any improvements are made upon any of the criticisms I have laid out above.
The execution of the story-telling is nothing short of a mess - jumping back and forward through time, moving in from one situation only to come back to it several pages - or chapters - later, having since introduced a new situation, to add more details to the first, and so on. Many of these situations I felt could have been addressed far more concisely, or written out completely. The writing was average at best, with sentences and descriptive terms being reused over and over, and though I understand the language used is meant to relate young adults and teens, it seemed absolutely careless in its informality at times - and yet the way that the characters, Pierce in particular, spoke was awkwardly formal.
At one point, Pierce lost her necklace and yet it was subsequently repeatedly mentioned to be around her neck - um what?
I did appreciate the way Pierce's history was steadily revealed rather than being shat out as exposition. Yet again, the execution of this could have been much better.
The story itself appealed to my once teenage mind - fresh, interesting, dramatic and romantic, and I enjoyed what felt like a shallow glance into an interesting world with characters which could be so much more if they had the opportunity. And so it's unfortunate that it is so poorly written.
This is why we have editors, people.
The entire story is clearly written with a sequel in mind, so we will see whether any improvements are made upon any of the criticisms I have laid out above.
thestephaniejoy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
barngab10's review against another edition
Just couldn’t get into it. The plot was slow, the e-book formatting was funky, just wasn’t for me.
bookish_redpanda's review
2.0
While another good read from an author I've loved from a long time, I unfortunately had some issues with the book.
While I love the characterisation and loved how Cabot kept certain parts of Pierce's backstory hidden until further into the novel, I felt the jump in scenes suddenly with no warning unnerving. One moment we'd be on the Island, learning of her new life and how she's coping with her return from death, then with no warning we're in the middle of a flashback. It put me off the book, but the characters and the plot are so interesting, I'm wanting to read the rest of the series.
Not Cabot's best book, but at the same time, it's not the worst book I've read. Though unfortunately I go into the rest of the series not expecting much...
While I love the characterisation and loved how Cabot kept certain parts of Pierce's backstory hidden until further into the novel, I felt the jump in scenes suddenly with no warning unnerving. One moment we'd be on the Island, learning of her new life and how she's coping with her return from death, then with no warning we're in the middle of a flashback. It put me off the book, but the characters and the plot are so interesting, I'm wanting to read the rest of the series.
Not Cabot's best book, but at the same time, it's not the worst book I've read. Though unfortunately I go into the rest of the series not expecting much...
riotgrrl's review against another edition
1.0
the story started in a good way, but then it got all whiney. just another stupid teenager that thinks her life is a desaster even when talking about pretty normal things.
toriwatson's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicide
emiliebookworld's review against another edition
Meg Cabot is really close to the top of my list on my list of favorite authors so whenever she has a new book coming out, I make sure to read it. I have yet to read one of her books and not enjoy it and this didn’t change with Abandon. It was a great story and a book I loved reading.
On the surface, Pierce appears to be a girl just like anyone else. But there’s one thing that makes her different, she died and came back to life. Ever since that event, Pierce hasn’t been the same. She can’t seem to focus on anything and keeps on getting herself in trouble. And then there’s John, the mysterious boy she first met as a child and again when she died. Now he just seems to show up whenever there’s trouble around. Now in Florida trying to make a fresh start, Pierce once again finds herself getting in trouble without really meaning to and once again John appears to save the day. Maybe now Pierce will finally get a chance to understand what is happening in her life.
Meg Cabot is an amazing writer. The way she writes makes it so the reader is drawn into the story right from the start and keeps you in until the very end. It was no different with Abandon. While it didn’t have as much of the trademark humor I normally love in Meg Cabot books, it was still a great story and one I highly enjoyed. I knew the broad likes of the Persephone myth on which the story is based but not in great detail. The way in which it is retold in the books was great. The way in which it was written makes it so you never really knew what was going on with Pierce and John until it was all laid out. And that is the kind of story I love.
I loved getting to know Pierce. She was a really interesting character and there was never a dull moment with her. She always managed to find herself in the most impossible situations and I never really knew how she even got there in the first place. She kept me highly entertained throughout the book. John was mysterious to say the least. It practically took me the entire book to figure him out and even now I’m not sure I’ve completely figured him out. I just can’t seem to decide if he’s a good guy or bad boy. Maybe in the next book I’ll finally be able to make up my mind about him.
Overall, Abandon was another great book by Meg Cabot. Like I said, I’ve yet to read one of her books and not enjoy it. Hopefully this will continue in the future with the next book in the Abandon trilogy.
On the surface, Pierce appears to be a girl just like anyone else. But there’s one thing that makes her different, she died and came back to life. Ever since that event, Pierce hasn’t been the same. She can’t seem to focus on anything and keeps on getting herself in trouble. And then there’s John, the mysterious boy she first met as a child and again when she died. Now he just seems to show up whenever there’s trouble around. Now in Florida trying to make a fresh start, Pierce once again finds herself getting in trouble without really meaning to and once again John appears to save the day. Maybe now Pierce will finally get a chance to understand what is happening in her life.
Meg Cabot is an amazing writer. The way she writes makes it so the reader is drawn into the story right from the start and keeps you in until the very end. It was no different with Abandon. While it didn’t have as much of the trademark humor I normally love in Meg Cabot books, it was still a great story and one I highly enjoyed. I knew the broad likes of the Persephone myth on which the story is based but not in great detail. The way in which it is retold in the books was great. The way in which it was written makes it so you never really knew what was going on with Pierce and John until it was all laid out. And that is the kind of story I love.
I loved getting to know Pierce. She was a really interesting character and there was never a dull moment with her. She always managed to find herself in the most impossible situations and I never really knew how she even got there in the first place. She kept me highly entertained throughout the book. John was mysterious to say the least. It practically took me the entire book to figure him out and even now I’m not sure I’ve completely figured him out. I just can’t seem to decide if he’s a good guy or bad boy. Maybe in the next book I’ll finally be able to make up my mind about him.
Overall, Abandon was another great book by Meg Cabot. Like I said, I’ve yet to read one of her books and not enjoy it. Hopefully this will continue in the future with the next book in the Abandon trilogy.
joanav's review
2.0
Full review at: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livroabandon-de-meg-cabot.html
Portuguese review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livroabandon-de-meg-cabot.html
This book is weird. That’s the feeling that’s left in me after reading it, and not in the best sense of the word.
(...)
To be completely honest, not much happens in the book…sadly. Meg Cabot is one of my favourite YA authors and I had high expectations for this book and it just fell short. I can’t exactly say it was a bad book, it wasn’t, it didn’t have a lot of content plot wise, it was just…weird.
(...)
Portuguese review: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2016/04/livroabandon-de-meg-cabot.html
This book is weird. That’s the feeling that’s left in me after reading it, and not in the best sense of the word.
(...)
To be completely honest, not much happens in the book…sadly. Meg Cabot is one of my favourite YA authors and I had high expectations for this book and it just fell short. I can’t exactly say it was a bad book, it wasn’t, it didn’t have a lot of content plot wise, it was just…weird.
(...)
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
So...The first book of the abandon trilogy by Meg Cabot(in my opinion and excuse me if I'm being paranoid)gives us something entirely different to imagine love and learn.All the supernatural and Underworld stuff in the book aren't real but I would really appreciate it if they were.Because the author,instead of sticking with the same plots almost every author is using decided to try something entirely different.She gives us the life of girl who died...went to the Underworld,met a mysterious and very frightening boy(I'm leaving the sexy part behind) and then came back to life.After two years of what happened she still can't get him off her mind and when she moves to her mother's island she meets him in the cemetery.There he gets angry and throws the necklace he gave her telling her to leave him alone.If you ask me the way he behaved was a little harsh.Then Pierce's (btw sorry I forgot the name but I was a bit caught up with the plot;)first day at school turns into something close to a disaster because the Cemetery Sexton has her necklace.All that time she believed that John(the mysterious frightening boy)gave it to her to protect her from the furies but she learns that the necklace he gave her was responsible for a lot of deaths.But then she learns that only if the right person wears it...it won't cause trouble.So to get to the point and because I don't wanna say much....I already did but that's fine...one night John drops on purpose a bird in her pool because he knows she'll go out and save it.There they have some romantic if you can call it that moments which in my opinion were the best in the whole book and John wants to meet her so with this and that she agrees.And then when her uncle Chris is taken by the police as the main suspect for a murder Pierce finds out that her grandmother is a fury and was the one responsible for her first death.So Pierce fights her and John gets there in time to save her and he takes her to the place where everything started....The UNDERWORLD!!!
So people I think this was an amazing book because as I said it's something really different.I've read some books by Meg Cabot(The Queen of Bubble specifically)and sorry for saying this but it was not my kinda thing.But Abandon was something completely different.Almost a month ago I went out to find something to read.I saw Abandon in the shelf and it was like it wanted me to buy it(the paranoid part;)but instead I got Divergent and then the next time I went out to find an interesting book I couldn't stand it and I finally bought it.And when I started reading I couldn't put it down.And now I'm like...reading more books than I can handle at the same time...Anyway can't wait to start the Underworld any time..soon I hope because there are so many books I want to read and I might not find time for it...!!!XD
So people I think this was an amazing book because as I said it's something really different.I've read some books by Meg Cabot(The Queen of Bubble specifically)and sorry for saying this but it was not my kinda thing.But Abandon was something completely different.Almost a month ago I went out to find something to read.I saw Abandon in the shelf and it was like it wanted me to buy it(the paranoid part;)but instead I got Divergent and then the next time I went out to find an interesting book I couldn't stand it and I finally bought it.And when I started reading I couldn't put it down.And now I'm like...reading more books than I can handle at the same time...Anyway can't wait to start the Underworld any time..soon I hope because there are so many books I want to read and I might not find time for it...!!!XD
grclnntt's review against another edition
Just can’t. Couldn’t keep trying to read it. If it didn’t put me to sleep, it bored me to distraction