Abandon (Abandon #1) by Meg Cabot

Abandon

Abandon #1

Meg Cabot

Front cover

Date read: 25 October - 1 November 2020

Length: 292 pages

Published: 2011

Pierce died once. Only she didn't stay dead. Now she's trying to put the pieces together. Who is the mysterious young man who keeps following her, and why did he give her that necklace? It's time to go back to where she was...

She knows what

it's like to die...

...now Death wants her back.

I quite enjoyed Abandon and I think I probably would have loved it if I had read it when I was a teenager. 

I feel sorry for Pierce, no one understands what she's actually been through. She's in a tricky situation because she knows that no one would believe her if she told the truth, and even when she lets little things slip she gets treated like she's crazy.

One thing he has going for her is she seems to be quite clever though, and knows the things she definitely can't tell anyone. She is strong willed and will stop at nothing to try to do what she thinks is right or necessary. 

Looking forward to the next one so I can learn more!

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

A Long Way Down

Nick Hornby

Front cover

Date read: 18 - 24 October 2020

Length: 257 pages

Published: 2005

Martin, JJ, Jess, and Maureen all find each other on top of a tower block - Topper's House, a well known suicide spot in London. They each have their own reasons for being there, but the same end goal in mind. Together they form a pact and talk each other down. Can this unlikely group of friends keep each other alive?

'Can I explain why I wanted to jump off the top of a tower block?'

I didn't particularly like any character specifically, but JJ would be the best. He seemed the most down to earth and I probably would have got on with him more than any of the others.

Jess is annoying and and a bit of a brat. She does what she wants without thinking about the consequences for other people, or even herself. She does try to do nice things at the end though, which redeems her a little.

Martin is a scoundrel and makes bad decisions. He's a minor celebrity so those things tend to get blown up by the media, and something bad he did caused his life to fall apart.

Maureen is stuck with a life she didn't want. She has a severely disabled son and lives a very monotonous life. She's bored and lonely.

But together they actually make a pretty good team, helping each other though their difficulties.

Overall rating

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The Wee Librocubicularist

Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men (Dan Starkey #2) by Colin Bateman

Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men

Dan Starkey #2

Colin Bateman

Front cover

Date read: 10 - 17 October 2020

Length: 334 pages

Published: 1996

Starkey is asked to write a book about Irish boxer Bobby McMaster, following his life and his journey to New York to fight the champion Mike Tyson. But in true Starkey fashion, everything goes wrong. McMaster's wife is kidnapped in a political agenda. Can they save her, and will Bobby win the fight?

You know, I actually feel a bit sorry for Dan. He seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time, getting himself into dangerous situations that are often difficult to get out of.

There's more to Bobby than meets the eye. On the surface he seems stupid and uncaring, but he's actually quite smart and cares a great deal about things that matter to him.

I'm not really sure what's going to happen with Dan and Patricia. Dan is working very hard to win her back, but she seems mostly uninterested. And now there's a major event that could cause them to split for good!

I'm not really interested in boxing but the story is interesting. There's enough of other things going on to keep even me reading!

Very much enjoying the series so far.

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist

Bedlam by Christopher Brookmyre

Bedlam

Christopher Brookmyre

Front cover

Date read: 30 September - 9 October 2020

Length: 376 pages

Published: 2013

Ross Baker is a scientist working for Neurosphere, helping to develop medical technology. After volunteering to be a test subject for something new they are working on, he finds himself trapped in Starfire - a violent sci-fi video game. Will he ever be able to escape and get back to the 'real world'?

LET THE GAMES BEGIN...

Bedlam is a very interesting concept and plot. I found myself drawn into the worlds with Ross and just not knowing what was going to happen in each one was thrilling! I imagine many gamers have thought about what it would be like to be in the actual worlds of their games.

I'm not much of a gamer myself, but I had heard of a few of the games, whether through my brother playing them, or just generally hearing people talk about them. I'm not sure how many I've actually played myself!

I didn't actually like Ross that much as the protagonist, but I could still sympathise with him. As much as he likes video games, he just wanted to get back to his real world, to be with his girlfriend who he just discovered is pregnant. One problem is that time passes differently in the game world, and he has no idea how much time has passed in the real one.

In the games I liked Iris, and Juno up to the end. It seems he's not the only 'real' person stuck in the game world, and like all the other people there, they're just trying to find a way out while not dying. It's a lot harder than it seems!

This was quite different from the Brookmyre I've read before, which has mainly been his crime fiction. I've got to say I really enjoyed it and will have to look out for more of his sci-fi stuff!

Christopher Brookmyre

Overall rating

Thanks,

The Wee Librocubicularist