Author: Cat Patrick
Publication: June 2011 [AU PB]
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont (AU)
Source: For review from publisher
Age: 14+ mild/moderate sexual references and violence
Age: 14+ mild/moderate sexual references and violence
Pages: 270
My Rating:
Summary:
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.
My thoughts:
Wow, this book is amazing. I cannot believe how well Cat Patrick told this story. This is her debut, and already it's set for worldwide release in June, with a movie on the way! If that doesn't promise a bright writing future for Patrick, then I don't know what is.
Forgotten follows the story of a girl who can remember the future, but her past is a blank. Part mystery, part contemporary romance, part just finding out how you fit in, Forgotten fits the bill.
Let me just say that I love all of the covers for Forgotten. I prefer the US original HB, left, but the new one, right is okay. The UK cover is also pretty, and probably represents the story the best out of the four.
For the past few days leading up to finishing this book, I would read it any chance I could. Unfortunately for me, at the time I was quite busy with uni work. But anyway, I would go to sleep until way past my bedtime, read on the train, before getting up in the morning -- it was filled with an intrigue that would not falter. And after I read the book, it seemed to follow me, London seemed to follow me. And haunt me. So not only did it captivate me, but it also haunted me.
I loved the twists and turns in this book. It was so hard to predict what was going to happen next, and when I thought I had it all figured out, I was incorrect time and time again. :P Patrick sure knows how to make her stories click!
The actual location this book was set in is unclear, but the setting is drawn up with a vivid imaginativeness that I could actually imagine myself there.
As there weren't a huge amount of characters in this book, it was easy to follow along and remember the names and roles of each of them. Family and her best friend seem to be huge support groups for London, and it is only when she bumps into Luke, that her whole world spins out of it ordinary axis. Her mum is really sweet, and it shows that she cares so much about her daughter: they used to share everything--or so they thought. Her dad was thrown out of the house when she was still a young one; she still has no idea what's happened to him--he's not in her future, anyway. Then London and her best friend, I just love that her best friend (whose name evades me at this moment) has her own story arc, her own pathway separate from the main character.
The relationship between London and Luke is a special one, because London has to wake up and remember her boyfriend all over again, everyday. It's really sweet: I remember there's a quote in the book, that goes along the lines of, "My heart keeps time even when my head doesn't". Prepare to be swept away as their relationship escalates to dangerous levels.
There is actually quite a lot of humour and funny parts in Forgotten. Many of them involving London's clumsiness and forgetfulness (haha), but every character induced a smile and a chuckle from me at least a couple of times through my reading.
I love the idea of Forgotten, and also really appreciate Patrick's story behind the story. [link] I can't wait to share this with my friends!! Now, the hard part is here: the wait before finished copies finally come around! I'm still not sure which cover I'll get, but for the sake of supporting the Aussie market, I'm going to buy the $22 AU PB when it publishes.
I can easily see this being a huge success as a movie. As with all other film adaptations, only if done well. I think I can trust Paramount though. Maybe?
To sum up . . .
Read it. Love it. I'll be waiting for your reviews and thoughts, if you haven't read it yet!
Read on, if you haven't read it. ;D
Quotes:
"AREN'T FRIDAYS SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD?
This one started badly.
The note on my nightstand didn't tell me anything useful. My eyelids wanted to stay closed; my favourite jeans were in the hamper, and there was no milk in the fridge.
Worst of all, my cell phone was dead: the shiny, candy red one that I'll have until it falls into a gutter; the one that has the calendar and reminder bells and is essentially my portable, socially acceptable security blanket."Favourite Quotes
"Each thought stands in turn in front of my mind's eye for a mental audition, but no one gets the part. No thought is just right."
(pg. 199)
Giveaway:
Now, it's time for a giveaway! I know I haven't hosted one in a long time, and I apologise for that.
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ONE lucky winner will receive an ARC (advance readers copy) of Forgotten! This will be sent straight from the publisher (Hardie Grant Egmont ♥). J was so kind as to send me a couple Forgotten post-it pads, and I'll be giving one of these away to ANYONE!So, to sum up:
- Forgotten ARC: Aussie only
- Forgotten post-its: International (including Aussies)
Fill in the FORM to enter.
Extra Entries
+2 "Like" the Official Forgotten Facebook page [link]
+1 Everytime you spread the word: about my giveaway, or about Forgotten (and not a review, waiting on wednesday does count though). I will be counting these, as long as you have a direct link to prove that you have spread the word!
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This contest will close on the 30th of April at 5 pm (GMT +10). Winner will be notified to confirm (I'd rather it be a surprise, but I want to make sure you don't win an ARC from another place first), and announced on the blog on the 2nd of May.
GOOD LUCK! :D
Buy:
Live in Australia?
Live elsewhere?
Amazon | The Book Depository
Official Site
Goodreads Page
I have received this review copy in return for an honest review.
Challenge: Debut Challenge 2011
Links:
Official Site
Goodreads Page
I have received this review copy in return for an honest review.
Challenge: Debut Challenge 2011
