Abandon by Meg Cabot

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.

Expected Publication: April 26th, 2011 by Scholastic Inc.

Review:

The first thing that you need to know is that I absolutely love Meg Cabot. She's definitely one of my favorite authors (if not my all time favorite) and I have never before read a book written by her that I didn't like. Abandon is no exception.

It was very different, coming from Meg Cabot, although she has written other series involving death or paranormal-like themes (the Mediator and the 1- 800- WHERE- R- YOU series) and I didn't quite know what to expect.

The aspect of mythology was very intriguing to me, being a major fan of Rick Riordan's novels, and gave the book a darker feel than Meg's other novels; even in The Mediator series, which deals with death constantly (the main character sees and talks to ghosts), I always felt that it had a more concentrated focus on humor, which isn't as apparent in Abandon.

My favorite part of Abandon would have to be the strength of the voice of the main character. While it doesn't have many funny events or occurrences, Pierce's way of explaining things was constantly making me smile, as well has just the general feel of her. I found her to be a very thorough and complicated character, which always makes a book feel stronger and more memorable.

Abandon is also definitely not lacking suspense, or the shock factor. My jaw dropped--literally--more than once, and I swear some of my teachers gave me the stink eye for a) reading in class, b) bursting into laughter, and c) well . . . reading in class. But I just couldn't put it down. I finished it in two days. And I cried when I finished--not literally, but almost. Plus, there are quite a few moments were I was caught completely off guard, which isn't something that happens often.

I really would have liked further development in the relationship between Pierce and John, and maybe some more development on John himself. Because of the narrative distance in the novel (it takes place two years after Pierce "died"), it was somewhat hard to get a clear sense of John and their relationship, and I'm hoping that's something that will come through a bit more in the upcoming novels in this new series.

In spite of this, I'd definitely recommend Abandon to other long-time Meg Cabot lovers, fans of Greek Mythology, and pretty much everyone else. I love Meg Cabot, and I love this book. It's something new for the YA genre of Paranormal, and I get the feeling that Meg will soon be acquiring many new fans.

I just have one question for Meg: Will you please write my life?

Grade: A+

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

Teen Idol by Meg Cabot

High school junior Jenny Greenley is so good at keeping secrets that she's the school newspaper's anonymous advice columnist. She's so good at it that, when hotter-than-hot Hollywood star Luke Striker comes to her small town to research a role, Jenny is the one in charge of keeping his identity under wraps. But Luke doesn't make it easy, and soon everyone -- the town, the paparazzi, and the tabloids alike -- know his secret . . . and Jenny is caught right in the middle of all the chaos.

What i thought: Okay, i totally picked this up on a whim. You see, I have this problem where i cannot go to school without a book. And i did not have a book at school today. So i sort of had this mental breakdown after i took a test in History. I was sort of just sitting there. . . Anyway, i started laughing really hard out of no where and almost started crying. . . well, basically i flipped. I was sitting next to my friend Sami and she asked me if i had a book. I, of course, did not. Sami told my teacher this, and my first hour teacher. . . lets call her Ms. Sally. Well, Ms. Sally sent me to the library. Yuh-huh. The library. So i went, and i picked this up. I have read just about all of Meg Cabot's teen novels and thought, Why Not?

Yeah, well, back to the review, i am happy i picked this book. It is a short and fun read, but DEFINATELY worth it. I personlly feel this book ranks up with the Princess Diaries series, and How to be Popular some of Meg Cabot's other great novels.

I think Jen had a lot of potential, and honestly was a truly GOOD person. She was really nice to everyone in school, and comforted them when they needed it, but just stood by when the "beatings" actually occured. Jen never tried to put a stop to things, even when she could have.

And when she DID try, it really made a big difference.

Also, i think Cabot did an AMAZING job incorperating the horrors of highschool, and how a famous person like Luke really WOULDNT understand it, and would probably be disgusted. Luke reacted the way i feel someone SHOULD when they walk into Clayton High for the first time, seeing how all of the students treated eachother. I myself was appalled. The students treated one and other so horribly.

Jen learned a lot through the story, and even falls in love (with whom i will not say).

this book is a great combination of humor, fame, teenage problems, romance, and friendship, all told in Meg's convincing teenager voice, one which reveals feelings and sucks you into the story.

Fan's of Megs other novels, particularly the Princess Diaries series, All-American Girl and Ready or Not, and How to be Popular, will enjoy Teen Idol.

When Lightening Strikes: the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU Series by Meg Cabot

Jess Mastriana was misunderstood by her teachers and had a crush on the local bad boy, but that didnt mean she was trouble. But trouble found her when she survived a lightning strike and descovered that a newfound talent had been bestowed upon her.

Now, whenever she sees a picture of a missing child, Jess knows exactly where he or she is when she wakes up the next morning. Reuniting lost children with their deperate parents is one thing, but Jess must choose whether to use her power for good. . . or for evil.

What i thought: When Lightning Strikes was a great start to this fantastic series. Filled with laugh-out-loud-humor, Jess tells her story in a tone of sarcasm and wit.

I personally loved the character Jess the most out of the entire story, and felt her personality really helped the story flow. Jessica Mastriana was often rather sarcastic, and it was very enjoyable, reading words that honestly seemed to be coming from an every-day teenager in Indiana. Jess, similar to Suze in the Mediator Series and Tally in the Uglies series, often tried to hide her true feelings, and was pretty good at it. Jess, like Suze, was never afraid to throw a punch, although punching wasnt always nessecary. She would often display her feelings through violence, and i feel this really helped formed her personality. . . helped you get to know her better. Jess, even with the odd powers, was very realistic and her feelings were really easy to relate to.

Jess is a typical teen with problems both at school and at home -- for example, her brother is mentally ill, and her mother insists that she and Jess dress alike. Understandably, when Jess finds herself with psychic ability, she is confused and doesn't know what to do. The exciting pace of the novel will have readers entranced with unfolding events, much like an action adventure movie.

Elements of romance and other relationship issues round out the plot to let readers see all sides of Jess and her family, as well as offering a bit of a breather from the intense action. Meg Cabot writes with her trademark style, utilizing familiar teen language and behavior. Fans will want to pick up other books in the series, and also check out the Lifetime television series, 1-800-MISSING, which is based on characters from the book.

This book is filled with undeniable suspense and humor. Although not as great as the Mediator series, i think it falls under the same category.

if you do not have access to a bookstore currently, click here to read the book online for free!!! I am not sure whether or not this works out of the U.S., but might as well give it a try!

SIMPLY NERDY BOOK REVIEWS

Forever Princess: Princess Diaries X by Meg Cabot

What's a Princess to do?
It's Mia's senior year, and things seem great. She aced her senior project, got accepted to her dream college(s), and has her birthday gala coming up . . . not to mention prom, graduation, and Genovia's first-ever elections.
What's not to love about her life? Well . . .
Her senior project? It's a romance novel she secretly wrote, and no one wants to publish it.
Prince Phillipe's campaign in the Genovian elections isn't going well, thanks to her totally loathsome cousin René, who decided to run against him.
Her boyfriend, J.P., is so sweet and seemingly perfect. But is he the one?
And her first love, Michael, is back from Japan . . . and back in her life.
With Genovia's and her own future hanging in the balance, Mia's got some decisions to make: Which college? Which guy? How can she choose? Especially when what she decides might determine not just the next four years, but . . . forever!

What i thought: Forever Princess, the final book (and longest, with 400 pages) in the Princess Diaries series, is full of the same smart, independent, and fiercely passionate princess we've all known and loved, but with a bit more maturity and wisdom that has been a long time in coming. The fairy tale elements of the series that have sucked countless girls in are ever present in Forever Princess--the ball gowns and parties, hi-tech gadgets and name dropping to name a few. 

Throughout it all, Mia is kept down to earth by her flaws and outbursts and true-to-life emotions that readers can identify with. One of the main conflicts of the story is Mia's love life, and readers will root for her as she discovers what it means to truly be in a healthy and happy relationship, and fights for what she wants. 

Themes of courage, independence, and standing up for yourself are also evident, and Cabot presents them in a convincing style as Mia struggles with the decisions she must make, and her journey through high school and all of her experiences culminate, giving us a Mia who is strong and sure of herself. With a satisfying, optimistic, romantic, and slightly cheesy conclusion fit for a princess, Cabot ensures that Mia goes out with a bang.

This book was laugh-out-loud funny, just like the others in this bestselling series. Cabot creates a teenage girl that EVERYONE can relate to, and whose problems are hilarious. I loved reading Mia's diary, and thought that it was enjoyable, reading her words, and hearing them very clearly in your mind, almost as if she was whispering into your ear

I felt some parts were ridiculous though, as it was completely obvious that she was in love with Michael, and that it was NOT MHC. It bothered me that i could easily figure something out that the character in the book could not, even when it was HER life.

Despite this, Meg Cabot did an AMAZING job with this series, and this book will NOT disappoint you. it is so utterly shocking, yet hilarious.

If you have not yet read the other nine books in this series, i would run to Borders and get them RIGHT NOW. These books are very entertaining, and a fabulous read.

Grade: A