#amanda stevens

JOMP Book Photo Challenge

Last read:

Title: The Abandoned

Author: Amanda Stevens

Rating: ★★★☆☆

First published: 2011

Read: 7 - 9 November 2022

Thoughts:

I really liked the first half, but the second felt rushed, which is a shame because I think this story had a lot of potential.

Ree Hutchins is a compelling protagonist.

I think Hayden Priest is a truly fascinating character and I wish Stevens had developed him more.

It was interesting to see Amelia Gray through other's characters eyes. I always had the feeling she didn't see herself clearly. But I guess we all are unreliable narrators.

I was enjoying the alternating narration between Ree and Hayden. However at the end a lot of the action was omitted because the writer decided to skip Hayden's point of view of the events and Ree was unconscious.

At the end, it didn't sit well with me that Ree was somewhat scared of Hayden. It was the ghost possesing him, nevertheless a great part of what happened wasn't explained to Ree.

I also wanted to know if Hayden and John Devlin knew each other already or how they got to trust the other and work together. There was plenty to write about and the story, although enjoyable, could have been better developed.