Wickedly Sweet Books: Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Let me be honest. I have been waiting for this book for YEARS. I have to say, I am a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. I absolutely adore almost every book she's written! She has such beautiful talent and is able to write such a wide variety of works. She is definitely one of the most talented authors I have had the joy of following!

So now, having said that, I will try to give a completely honest and unbiased review of her newest book, Abandon.

Abandon by Meg Cabot

Publisher: Point

Release Date: April 26, 2011

Pages: 304

Summary taken from Abandon page at Meg Cabot's website

The Myth of Persephone, Darkly Reimagined

— Book One: Abandon —

She didn't fall into his world. She was taken.

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.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

I love reading books about Greek mythology. I find them absolutely thrilling (hence the reason I loved Percy Jackson)...so I was even more psyched when I heard that Meg Cabot was beginning a new series based off of the story of Persephone.

The story, as you can tell by the above summary, is about a teenage girl named Pierce. Pierce undergoes an accident and dies, thus coming face to face with John Hayden in the Underworld. Pierce, however, is strong willed and determined (just as most of Meg's characters tend to be), and she refuses to accept death. Her determination finally allows her to escape from death.... and the Underworld.

I can't say much more, because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Basically, though, the book follows Pierce as she tries to start a new life after her accident and after the "incident."

But, for some reason, John makes it impossible to start anew, because he seems to always show up when she least expects him to.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

This series has great potential. The plot is original, and the character is definitely likeable.

To be honest, I felt that the book jumped around a lot throughout the beginning. I understand that this was necessary in order to add mystery to the story. Just sometimes I felt that it may have been so mysterious that I was very confused. I couldn't tell if I was reading past tense or present tense, flashback, or current reality.

After all of the back story, though, I found this book insanely delightful.

Pierce is a strong female character, and I find this endearing. I love the twist on the story, because the handsome prince is what some may even consider a villain. How can a prince save you from the one thing you're trying to run from? I absolutely loved this concept in the novel. I felt that it was original and entertaining.

I wish the book had more romance, but I realize that this novel was used as a background in order to build up for the true excitement and romance that will come with the sequel. I can live with that idea. What I can't live with is having to wait for the sequel. Meg has me hooked on the chemistry and interactions between John and Pierce, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Even though the beginning was slightly choppy, I do understand that it was crucial to the plot to have so many flashbacks. Other than those flashbacks, which were necessary, I really considered the book as meeting my "Meg Cabot standards." So, for that, I give the book a rating of.........

5/5 Wickedly Sweet Cupcakes

(4 1/2 if you want to be exact, but really, who even EATS a half a cupcake?! I know I don't!)