Abandon Review

Abandon by Meg Cabot

3 Stars (Very Generous)

Synopsis: (from author's website)

Seventeen-year-old Pierce 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 lets herself fall any further, she might find herself back in the place she fears the most.

And when Pierce discovers the shocking truth, that’s exactly where John sweeps her:

The Underworld.

Review:

This was my second Meg Cabot and I think my last.  While the premise was intriguing, the story itself did not seem to be carried out very well.  Pierce, the heroine, tends to contradict herself quite often.  For example, she hates it when people ask her about dying and coming back.  But she’s quick to remind anyone that she has died before if they complain or criticize her.  

Pierce also has many flashbacks throughout the story.  They just cut into the story and often confused me.  She’d be at an ice cream shop and then home and then back at the ice cream shop.  I had to re-read those parts just to make sure she was having flashbacks or that she hadn’t skipped ahead.  These could have been done much more smoothly.   

The love story comes across forced.  I kept wondering why/how/when John ever fell in love with Pierce, and vice versa.  They never have tender moments.  Until they do and that’s when it seemed especially forced and the timing awkward.  

My last complaint, although I have several more, there were so many unanswered questions, or questions that should have been asked but never were.  The latter I dislike the most, especially when the answer is staring one right in the face.  

Unless you are already an established fan of Meg Cabot, do not start with this book.  I would have given this book a 2.5 star rating, but couldn’t bring myself to do it.  I like Meg Cabot, but I’ve found her writing just isn't my thing.

--monica