Title: Ruined
Series: Ruined #1
Author: Paula Morris
Genre: YA, paranormal
Publication date: August 2009
Published by: Scholastic - Point
Source: Won in a giveaway
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Synopsis:
Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her Aunt Claudia, who reads Tarot cards for a living. And at the snooty prep school, a pack of filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city.
This book had been on my to-read list for a while now. I am a HUGE fan of mysteries and especially ghost stories! And I thought Ruined was a great combination of both!
The positive: The first thing I have to throw out there is the Greek mythology reference at the beginning of the book! If you don't know by now, (and you really should...I've only mentioned this about a million and a half times!) I am, like, the biggest fan of mythology! My fave, of course, is Greek mythology...I just love it! Anyway, about this reference, it was just a little something about Hestia: Goddess of the hearth.
As I said before, I love ghost stories. I don't know what it is about them, but they are just some of my favorite things to read about. I thought Lisette's story was very interesting and intriguing, as well. It was such a great mystery!
The not-so-positive: The only problems I had were that, first, the beginning was a bit slow, and I wanted things to get action-y soon. And second, the book was kinda predictable. The "surprises" in the book I saw coming, when I actually like being caught off guard.
But, overall, I really enjoyed this book! I thought the book wrapped up nicely there at the end, so I'm curious to read the sequel and see what it will be about.
Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)
I read Dark Souls by Paula Morris, which was also a ghost story, but it fell flat for me. However, I think she's really good at atmospheric writing... I felt like I was in York, England (where the book is set). I just wish the character development had been better and the plot was more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI might have to give this one a try because I haven't read any books set in New Orleans before!
I agree! The descriptions were amazing...she is pretty amazing at creating vivid imagery. I kinda want to go to New Orleans after reading this book ;)
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