Scan barcode
amandalyn's review
1.0
One of the main benefits so far of writing reviews for me has been just sitting down and really thinking about why I liked or didn't like a book. It's really helped me figured out my taste in books in even greater detail.
For instance, Abandon taught me that I'm not a big fan of books that spend the majority of the time telling stories through flashbacks, like this one did. A few well placed flashbacks? Love it. Most of the story being past tense? Not so much. I have a harder time connecting to the story if most of it already happened. As soon as Abandon came back and stayed in the present, I devoured it. But most of the book lagged for me.
My only other complaint is I'm a little worried about how the romance between John and Pierce is going to play out. So far, John is just a little too controlling, 'it's for your own good' type for me.
This book made me wanna go and find my old copy of Greek myths I know I've got around my apartment somewhere. Cabot did a great job of making the story her own, but still kept enough of the originally mythology to make you interested in that as well. I loved the author's note at the end that told us even more about the other myths and real life facts she included in the book.
The ending saved Abandon for me. I won't say much, but that was definitely a twist I did not see coming.
Abandon ended up being a three star read for me. I will be on the look out for book two, Underworld, which should come out sometime next year.
For instance, Abandon taught me that I'm not a big fan of books that spend the majority of the time telling stories through flashbacks, like this one did. A few well placed flashbacks? Love it. Most of the story being past tense? Not so much. I have a harder time connecting to the story if most of it already happened. As soon as Abandon came back and stayed in the present, I devoured it. But most of the book lagged for me.
My only other complaint is I'm a little worried about how the romance between John and Pierce is going to play out. So far, John is just a little too controlling, 'it's for your own good' type for me.
This book made me wanna go and find my old copy of Greek myths I know I've got around my apartment somewhere. Cabot did a great job of making the story her own, but still kept enough of the originally mythology to make you interested in that as well. I loved the author's note at the end that told us even more about the other myths and real life facts she included in the book.
The ending saved Abandon for me. I won't say much, but that was definitely a twist I did not see coming.
Abandon ended up being a three star read for me. I will be on the look out for book two, Underworld, which should come out sometime next year.
nolastarz_4311's review
3.0
It’s a little odd, and the chemistry isn’t really there for me but it’s entertaining and he’s hot so..
sazana28's review
4.0
First Review June 8-14 2011:
All I have to say is, Meg Cabot has done it again. I can't wait for the second book.
Edit for 2019 re read! ✨
I have no memory of reading this back in 2011, lmao. But apparently I enjoyed it then. I loved diving into this story. I’ve been reading a story on Web Toons and it’s based off the story of Persephone and Hades, and that made me want to check this out again. 🤷🏽♀️
I had no IDEA that I had all three books, lmao. So I’m gonna binge them and see how I like it. It was so nice to read, the plot is literally awesome especially with the dark spin on it. The characters are cool, and I enjoy the interactions.
Of course whenever I read YA from when I was in high school I always notice how the characters suck sometimes at comprehension and communication and everything turns into a cluster fuck because someone misunderstood and hurt someone’s feelings. 😂 It happens, but YA has gotten a LOT better, so I’m definitely not mad at it.
All I have to say is, Meg Cabot has done it again. I can't wait for the second book.
Edit for 2019 re read! ✨
I have no memory of reading this back in 2011, lmao. But apparently I enjoyed it then. I loved diving into this story. I’ve been reading a story on Web Toons and it’s based off the story of Persephone and Hades, and that made me want to check this out again. 🤷🏽♀️
I had no IDEA that I had all three books, lmao. So I’m gonna binge them and see how I like it. It was so nice to read, the plot is literally awesome especially with the dark spin on it. The characters are cool, and I enjoy the interactions.
Of course whenever I read YA from when I was in high school I always notice how the characters suck sometimes at comprehension and communication and everything turns into a cluster fuck because someone misunderstood and hurt someone’s feelings. 😂 It happens, but YA has gotten a LOT better, so I’m definitely not mad at it.
clairebodger's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is THE Hades and Persephone book. Is it perfectly written? No. Do any plot details actually make sense? Absolutely not. But the emotion, the setting, the DRAMA, it’s all there. Truly SUCH a good YA series, with diverse characters (including a neurodivergent protagonist!), realistic development, and a lush Florida Keys setting. The protagonist is realistically teenager-like but not frustrating or juvenile, and John’s wildness makes sense as a traumatized and lonely person trying his best. Masterpiece, thank you Meg Cabot!
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I have one big problem when it comes to retellings based on Greek Mythology: I know way too much about said Greek mythology, which makes me overly critical, mostly considering the personalities of the Gods. Which always makes me both excited and terrified to start Greek Mythology retellings. Because it can end both ways. It can be a total disaster. Or it can be one of the best reads ever.
This book does one thing very very cleverly that already helped with that issue: The main love interest is not Hades himself (I guess that's sort of a spoiler, but fine). And that made me love this story instantly a whole lot more than I thought I did. Because up until that revelation, I was kinda conflicted on the book. Because you know, Hades didn't feel like Hades. Which makes sense if he's not actually Hades.
Apart from that I really enjoyed reading the book. The book is written in a very nice style, that reads quite easily and makes the characters sound actually their age. A lot of characters in YA novels sound like full blown adults and in more contemporary settings that always seems unrealistic to me. In this book the seventeen year old actually thinks and speaks like a seventeen year old, and she had a nice sense of humor that made me smile quite often.
The story itself is also quite entertaining. It lacks some depth and complexity that could have been added, without a doubt. But it's very amusing anyway, which is the most important function of a book, right? I love how the story is told with flashbacks. We fall right into the middle of it and then figure out what has really happened through flashbacks. It gives the story a very nice pace and it kept me interested in both the past and the here and now.
But, the story got even more interesting at the very end. It's a pity the paperbacks are hard to find, but fingers crossed that the places I've ordered them from really can deliver them. Because I really want to read the next two books!
This book does one thing very very cleverly that already helped with that issue: The main love interest is not Hades himself (I guess that's sort of a spoiler, but fine). And that made me love this story instantly a whole lot more than I thought I did. Because up until that revelation, I was kinda conflicted on the book. Because you know, Hades didn't feel like Hades. Which makes sense if he's not actually Hades.
Apart from that I really enjoyed reading the book. The book is written in a very nice style, that reads quite easily and makes the characters sound actually their age. A lot of characters in YA novels sound like full blown adults and in more contemporary settings that always seems unrealistic to me. In this book the seventeen year old actually thinks and speaks like a seventeen year old, and she had a nice sense of humor that made me smile quite often.
The story itself is also quite entertaining. It lacks some depth and complexity that could have been added, without a doubt. But it's very amusing anyway, which is the most important function of a book, right? I love how the story is told with flashbacks. We fall right into the middle of it and then figure out what has really happened through flashbacks. It gives the story a very nice pace and it kept me interested in both the past and the here and now.
But, the story got even more interesting at the very end. It's a pity the paperbacks are hard to find, but fingers crossed that the places I've ordered them from really can deliver them. Because I really want to read the next two books!
iceangel32's review
4.0
I liked this book. The whole book happened in the series of about 3 day, but contained alot of flashbacks and previous events. I enjoyed Meg's take on Persephone and can't wait to hear more about what happens to Pierce and John. This book has greek mythology, love, hate, parents that care and mystery.
devansbooklife's review
2.0
I found this story very hard to read. The plot is all over the place. The lines seemed very quickly and poorly put together. I still do not understand what is really going on, who John is, or how this girl can feel in love with him after spending a few moments with him. I do not believe I will be reading any other books from this series
celtic_oracle's review against another edition
1.0
Overwrought, creepy and not particularly interesting for the most part. I will admit, the twist was unexpected - but also unexpectedly stupid (and creepy).
Read this review that says it all very well. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/351411859?book_show_action=true
Read this review that says it all very well. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/351411859?book_show_action=true
reading_aine's review
2.0
The premise was really interesting, which is why I picked up this book. However, it was much darker in a disturbing way than I expected. This book tackles some heavy themes -including death, PTSD, suicide and the sexual assault of a minor.
Pros:
- The book had good suspense. I tried to figure out exactly what had happened in Pierce's past.
Cons:
- The relationship between Pierce and John was not healthy. Also, neither of them were very likable characters.
- Pierce is the narrator of her book and continually inhabiting her head was extremely annoying.
Pros:
- The book had good suspense. I tried to figure out exactly what had happened in Pierce's past.
Cons:
- The relationship between Pierce and John was not healthy. Also, neither of them were very likable characters.
- Pierce is the narrator of her book and continually inhabiting her head was extremely annoying.