Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next. 


There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . .

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Why I Read it:  Meg Cabot does paranormal mythology? Yes please.



Review: Did you know that I love Meg Cabot? No? Well I do. The Mediator series was one of the first paranormal series I ever read and Jinx was my favorite book for so long. When I heard that Meg was taking a more serious approach to young adult paranormal and throwing in some mythology to boot, I was so excited.


The book is a take on the myth of Persephone and Hades, which is one of my favorite myths and hasn't really been explored that much until recently. With it's original take on the story and fantastic execution, Cabot hits the mark. She also excells in writing a compelling and interesting story while also adding little humorous afterthoughts and observations. Unfortunately, the protagonist in this book let me down a little, so I'll go into the main character first of all.


Pierce is one of those horrible heroines that I just couldn't like. I didn't hate the character at all, but I couldn't like her. What really got on my nerves was that she blamed everything on something else - she's grouchy, but it's her near death experiences fault, she almost drowned, but it's her Dad's fault for not being there (at fifteen, you don't need your Dad there to watch you every second of the day.) She has people telling her that she is 'selfless' and always tries to help everyone else, but she comes across as spoiled to me. I also can't see how she's anything special, why would the ruler of the underworld want to take her as his eternal companion. There is also her too stupid to function moment, when she puts herself in danger of being raped by a teacher, to prove that he is a rapist... Why not like, tell the police?


Thankfully, hottie John saves the book. He's deep and dark and haunted but I loved it. I just couldn't see how the romance worked, she was stuck in the underworld with him for all of five minutes then throws tea in his face and runs out, to me, that is not enough time to fall in love. The relationship was cuter towards the end but I did struggle to get my head around it.


The storyline picks this book up though - I loved the idea of Pierce's necklace, I loved the backing characters and I loved the take on the myth. Cabot's unique idea of Isla Huesos being the door to the underworld and the way that the underworld itself was written. I can't wait to hear more about the furies and have a bit more action, rather than just world building.


What I loved most of all was Cabot's writing. Gripping as ever, she manages to write a deep, dramatic story and still weave it with a certain level of wittiness, which grips even the most serious reader.


Overall, Abandon was unique and entertaining take on the myth of Persephone and Hades. I loved the storyline and the backing characters and as always, I adored Cabot's writing. Unfortunately the main character wasn't likeable. Still, it was a good read and I would recommend it.


Overall Rating: B-

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Stand Alone/Series: First in a series
UK Release Date: 2nd September 2011
UK Publisher: MacMillan Childrens
Book received as an ARC from the UK publisher.