Thursday, June 9, 2011

Review: Forgotten

Forgotten by Cat Patrick
Release Date: June 07, 2011
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304, Hardcover
Young Adult
Source: Publisher, in exchange for honest review
Overall: Fabulous!
|Author Website| |Amazon|

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future. 
Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.  Via Goodreads.


My Thoughts: 


Forgotten, a 2011 debut novel, is a solid step into the realm of Young Adult fiction for author Cat Patrick.  With a mix of mystery, romance, and a new spin on coming-of-age, Forgotten is a story which will appeal to much of the young adult fiction audience.

4:33 a.m. is the time in which London Lane's mind resets itself.  Everything about her condition is odd including it's onset, which is explained later in the book.  Despite forgetting the past with each waking day, London isn't memory free.  She remembers the future.  

With a condition like London's you may expect a girl who is as good as handicapped in life.  You may expect someone whiny with little will to attempt to grasp and hold onto any normalcy in life.  After all, if you weren't in her future, she couldn't remember you.  Not the making for someone who would be outgoing and forth coming with perusing those who weren't on her radar.  While she wasn't the most socially popular and didn't have many friends, London was far from inept.  She was strong in her own right, likable, and extremely courageous.  I couldn't imagine relying on a mountain of notes to get me through my day, remind me I have homework I should have done, or remind me what I wore.  I sure as heck couldn't imagine having to write down a description of my boyfriend and his name just so I wouldn't miss him in the halls.  In other words, I liked London Lane.

London Lane's story wasn't all about finding a boyfriend or dealing with her social issues.  London's Lane story is deep rooted and pretty involved, though Cat Patrick does a wonderful job of keeping it somewhat light and easy to digest.  I think that is part of the books charm.  You get the content and plot of a heavy and involved story but you get it wrapped up in a decent sized book and in a way that makes it easy to absorb.

The others in London's story were all as likable as London.  Her mother, unwilling to let London let her condition define fully who she is, is kind and compassionate despite the secrets that are revealed to us later in the story.  Jaime, the best friend, is someone London foresees being there despite their inability to always agree on heavy situations.  She's loyal and plays her part as b.f.f. well providing loyalty, love and protection to London when few others are willing to give it.  Even despite their eventual falling out I could never bring myself to hate Jaime.  Then there is Luke, the mysterious boy who London can't see in her future and forgets daily. Luke is a story in himself and is a character who has good intentions despite their wires getting momentarily crossed.  
Everyone I was introduced to were all vulnerable and sensitive and had their own insecurities or hurdles to clear. Even the father, who isn't in the picture, is someone you can't seem to hate or hold a grudge against.  Forgotten really has a cast of strong characters who I easily vested my emotions into.  They were all real.

The story that unfolded for me was deeper than I originally thought.  Who knew I'd be trying to piece the missing pieces together for London.  I was searching for clues to the mystery that was her condition and what she was remembering, the disturbing visions,  that changed it all.  Cat Patrick did an amazing job of rounding out the story, answering questions we may have had, and keeping it open for slight interpretation at times.  The story, despite being slightly vague at times, truly was pretty awesome in my book.

There won't be a sequel to Forgotten according to Cat Patrick's website.  At first I was slightly unnerved by that fact, I didn't feel like I've had enough of London and Luke and the rest of their story.  But, when I took a moment and re-read the last few pages again I saw that the story was really tied up beautifully.  I was given what I was needed to thoroughly enjoy this stand alone title and great 2011 Debut novel.  I truly thought this book was fabulous- I mean, I read it in one sitting.  



Purchase:
|Amazon|


2 comments:

  1. Great review! I've heard a lot of good things about this one. I'll have to get it soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am glad you liked it!! I loved this one!!!

    ReplyDelete

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