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Title: Abandon
Sexual Content: Kissing. References to statutory rape. Rating:
Good – A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying. |
Description
New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.
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.
Review
Gimme more Greek Mythology! I’m thrilled with the recent influx of paranormal titles that are using Greek mythology for source material, especially in the case of ABANDON, since it is a reimagined version of one of my all time favorite myths: Persephone and Hades in which the god of the Underworld kidnaps the daughter of a goddess, forces her to marry him and live half the year with him. Meg Cabot’s version is one of the better myth retellings that I’ve read in that she realistically adapts the source story in a modern, paranormally plausible way.
Pierce is an odd protagonist. There were moments when she acted like she had autism. She had difficulty identifying the emotions of people around her, facial expressions, for example, confused her. She had to tell herself to imitate the expressions directed towards her because she didn’t understand them. I would have loved it to see her portrayed this way throughout the book (maybe like THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTIME, which I loved), but it was very inconsistent. Other times she just seemed like a normal sullen teenager who had some serious secrets. John, on the other hand, was completely consistent. He was the epitome of a dark and dangerous romantic interest and I’m looking forward to him getting more page time in the next book.
Another thing that struck me odd about ABANDON was the chronology. It’s all over the place. There are lots and lots of references to a number of scary, dark incidents in Pierce’s past including the day she died. We learn about these incidents in random segments that appear haphazardly throughout the story. This type of story telling can be successful, but I don’t think it was here. I was frustrated, rather than intrigued, with the bits and pieces that popped up and enjoyed the story much more once everything was revealed (about 2/3 in) and the story continued in real time.
Despite those two issues, I found that the Persephone myth lent itself amazingly well to a modern retelling. Meg Cabot knew exactly how much to change the original myth while still keeping the timeless structure. The real Isla Huesos, with it’s macabre history, was the perfect setting for this dark and eerie reimagining of perhaps the most forbidden love story ever told. All in all, I’m already looking forward to the second book in the Abandon trilogy, which is titled UNDERWORLD and will be released in 2012.
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Giveaway provided by Point (via Big Honcho Media)
One winner will receive a copy of ABANDON and a bracelet featuring a quote from the book!
Learn more:
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.
Giveaway Guidelines
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Open to US only
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Leave a comment that includes a way to contact you if you win
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Winner will be announced on May 4th
Interested in offering a giveaway on All Things Urban Fantasy? CONTACT ME
About the author
Review: Towering by Alex FlinnMay 18, 2013
Mega Mammoth Paranormal Giveaway–64 books!April 13, 2011
Deadly Destinations: Gina Rosati & win AURACLEAugust 8, 2012
82 Responses to Review & Giveaway: Abandon by Meg Cabot
Awesome awesome giveaway…LOVE that cover!
[email protected]
Count me in, thanks for the giveaway!
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Thanks for the giveaway. Please count me in.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Great giveaway! I would love to win this for my daughter!
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Love the giveaway!!!
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Would love to be entered. Thanks
Chllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com
What a beautiful cover! Have been hearing great things about this book.
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Interesting. Love the cover. Is Greek Mythology the new YA theme? lol I'd love to be entered.
Great giveaway. Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
It seems Greek mythology is the up and coming thing in YA. Would love to get my hands on Abandon
Sounds like I might enjoy it. Nice cover too.
lyssad87(at)gmail(dot)com
sounds great, please count me in! thanks for the giveaway!
van
Littopandaxpress(At)yahoo(dot)com
I've been wanting to read this one, include me! [email protected]
Fab giveaway! I've been lusting after this one for what seems like FOREVER I tell you!!!
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Awesome giveaway! I love Meg Cabot and can't wait to start this new series. Thanks
seescootread[at]gmail[dot]com
I can't wait to read this one! I love the Greek Mythology theme.
-Jennie
un3xpectedfate[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for the review and giveaway!
Like you, I'm actually glad that there seems to be a influx in Greek Mythology based fiction being released. I'm always fascinated to see what kind of modern spin an author puts on a particular mythological figure/story.
gosia727(at)gmail(dot)com
That quote has totally captured me.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Please enter me in contest. The book sounds really good. I would love to read this book. [email protected]
Add me to this awesome giveaway…
I'd love to read this, and those bracelets look really cool. Thanks for the giveaway!
erinberry12 at charter dot net
Thanks for your very honest review. It would have been interesting to have someone with aspergers in the book.
I would like to read the story.
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Nice giveaway. I'm a huge Meg fan and can't wait to read this.
tinaigne[at]yahoo[dot]com
Hi! I love this giveaway and the author too! Thank you for doing this.
Connie
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I'd love to win one of those gorgeous bracelets!!
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
Great giveaway. Gorgeous book cover.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for the giveaway!
daniellesaunders1984(at)hotmail(dot)com
Great cover…and the story sounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Wow! This one sounds so interesting! I, too, love Greek mythology and love to read re-imagined stories. Thanks for the opp!
ash at smashattackreads.com
Great giveaway! This book looks really good and I will definitely be putting this one on the wishlist. Love the cover!
[email protected]
OMG!! So can't wait to read this book! Awesome giveaway, thanx!
jessbess2505[at]yahoo[dot]com
Sounds fascinating!
jesi DOT oconnell AT gmail DOT com
I have been wanting to read this book badly, I am a huge fan of Mythology . Thanks for the giveaway.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Very cool review. I have a feeling my reaction will be similar to yours in terms of issues and rating. I definitely love anything having to do with Persephone and Hades though.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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Sounds like a great book.
Thanks for the giveaway.
geckyboz[at]gmail[dot]com
Thans for the giveaway! This book sounds great and the bracelts are really cool
brittanylovesbooks(at)gmail(dot)com
I love greek mythology! Thanks for the giveaway.
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Great giveaway. Please count me in. Thanks
forwhlz at gmail dot com
i love the cover of this book!
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Very nice review! Everyone has been saying amazing things about this book so I cannot wait to read it
Thanks a ton for the giveaway!
~Alison
lostinbelieving(at)yahoo(dot)com
Awesome!
tiahmichelle(at)gmail(dot)com
Meg Cabot is one of the very few highly prolific writers that I continue to read and enjoy. Thank you for having this giveaway and the review. Added to the WWBL and going to look for it on Recorded Books. Meg translates well to audio.
VWinship at aol dot com
I would love to read this and those bracelets are awesome! Thanks for the giveaway
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Love to read this
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Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I can't get a copy at my local library
[email protected]
Awesome cover, looks great!
tripisu(at)hotmail(dot)com
This book sounds awesome. I would love to be entered.
twiztidsharkie(at)aol(dot)com
You have a fabulous blog! I want to award you the Creative Blog Award for all the hard work you do!
I invite you to follow me as we have a lot in common, but no pressure. I’m not giving you the award just so you will follow me. You really do deserve it!
My blog specialize in helping writers get published by learning from agents, editors and authors who I interview.
Tomorrow, I am having a literary agent on my blog as a special guest. She has some great tips for authors.
Take care and have a nice day
Go to http://astorybookworld.blogspot.com/p/awards.html and pick up your award.
~Deirdra
What a great giveaway I been hearing so much about this book and can't wait to read it! Thanks so much for the chance!
tishajean@ charter.net
Thanks for the giveaway XD
mystifyingparanormalreviews[at]gmail[dot]com
I would love to read this book – I think it sounds wonderful! Please enter me in the giveaway
paranormalopinion(at)hotmail(dot)com
Loved the trailer and am looking forward to following this trilogy. So many questions were asked and I want to find out the answers.
[email protected]
Thanks for the giveaway! Persephone and Hades is my favorite Greek myth.
[email protected]
This sounds like a really good read. I like the cover.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
Great giveaway! I can't wait to read Abandon…it sounds like an awesome read. BTW the bracelets are too cool.
BookNoise at gmail dot com
I'm in!!! Thanks for hosting!
[email protected]
I love Meg Cabot and I love different takes on the Persephone/Hades myth!
lilazncutie1215[at]yahoo[dot]com
Oh enter me. This sounds like a perfect book for me!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com
I really do like Meg Cabot's older novels and I am hoping to get into her newest release. Thanks for the great giveaway
apk1princess(at)live(dot)com
Awesome giveaway!
rootml1 AT hotmail DOT com
The cover looks very mysterious. It makes me want to read it! The bracelets look great too
angeldream3[AT]gmail[DOT]com
I have been DYING to read this dying! I'd love a chance to win!
Lane
moiraethefates(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Wow, Something Different! Greek Mythology, my favorite. When I was in college and pledged a sorority, I used persephone as my greek name so I definitely wan to read this! please enter me in the giveaway!, thanks! [email protected]
I so love this cover and I so love Meg Cabot – so yes, enter me for sure!! Thanks!
mmillet at gmail dot com
Thanks for the giveaway.. this looks like a new series for my collection
gperez11(at)dusty(dot)tamiu(dot)edu
Please enter me in the giveaway.
marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com
Please enter me into this contest I would love to read this book.
[email protected]
Thanks for the great giveaway! Want to read this so badly!
[email protected]
This book looks awesome, thanks for the giveaway!
shadowkatt2011 [at] aim [dot] com
This looks like a good one…thanks for hosting this awesome giveaway!
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This sounds like an awesome book! I have to add it to my wishlist in case I don't win.
[email protected]
Thanks for the giveaway!
susanna dot pyatt at student dot rcsnc dot org
I would love to read this! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am really excited to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
NC
bookishlilly(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! I love the cover, I can't wait to read this book!
alice13188 at yahoo dot com
Thanks so much for the chance to win. I cover looks great.
[email protected]
~Kassandra
Thanks for the chance! Really looking forward to reading this.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I really loved her mediator series, so i can't wait to try this one too!
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This comment has been removed by the author.
What an amazing giveaway! Wish it was international! Shall have to sigh and wait for this to hit the UK (not with, like, a hammer… just with fantasticness!)
Beth @ http://alitlesunshy.blogspot.com
I'm really looking forward to this book, and the cover is great!
wildthing309 (at) hotmail (dot) com
OMG can’t wait for this book to come out
iceskateah at gmail dot com