Abandon by Meg Cabot

Book Jacket

Pierce knows what it's like to die, because she's done it before.

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

I saw this book marketed as the Hades/Persephone myth, which as far as myths go, I count as one of the best.  I was super excited to get my hands on this book for that reason, and also because I am a failure of a YA reader, since I've never yet set eye to Meg Cabot page.  Unfortunately, Abandon did little to encourage me to read anything else of hers.

Pierce's story is largely told through flashback, and I agree with the reviewer (from some website, sorry I don't remember) who suggested the book might have been more suspenseful if it had been told in real time.  It's just not possible to make Pierce's island high school adventures anywhere near as exciting as dying, or interacting with the Lord (or is he just Steward?) of the Dead. 

Which, let's be honest, there was very little swoon.  I am disappoint.  Pierce throws tea in his face to escape Hades (awesome!) and wants nothing to do with him (so much potential!).  And then she just....realizes she likes him?  I wanted more.

Okay, this is too pessimistic.  Things I liked?  The weather was ominous.  HAHAHA, oh man, that is not a good first "like."  I liked Pierce's family, both her environment-destroying father and environment-loving mother, as well as her troubled uncle and cousin.

This is supposed to be a trilogy, but I can't help but think they could have cut out 2/3 of this book and fit the whole trilogy in one.  As is, I probably won't jump at reading the second book when it comes out next year.

Two out of five diamond necklaces.

Release Date:  April 2011
Reading Level:  Grade 7+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection:  YPL CAB


Don't believe me?  Check out these reviews of Abandon:

The Discriminating Fangirl
Sassy Monkey Reads