Welcome to the Underworld • Abandon

Abandon by Meg Cabot
Series: Abandon #1
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: April 26, 2011
Source/Format: Bought || Hardcover

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. 

Apparently, I was on a mythology kick - right after The Throne of Fire and The Goddess Test, I jumped straight into reading Abandon. And, as always, Meg Cabot manages to kick ass when it comes to telling a story.

Abandon wasn't what I was expecting it to be - and I thought that made it better. I liked how Meg mixed mythology and the real world together, in a way that was creepy in how much in made sense. Meg's a master at this, and I really enjoyed the way she managed to do it here.

I also love John - yet another one of my "bad boy" crushes. I don't know... Despite his violent tendencies and his cold, aloof manner, I sense the tenderness and romantic nature that prevails as well so it makes my heart melt. He's a brilliant leading man, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about him. I didn't like Pierce too much. It was partly because I could hardly identify with her, and partly because I really didn't like her personality. Sometimes, I wished I could bring her out of Abandon... just so I could slap her silly.

Impeccable storytelling, a neat twist and a strange ending - all these things have left me clamoring for the next book, despite my misgivings about the protagonist.