Forgotten + Giveaway ( Int'l - I promised didn't I ? )

Review Time! AND a giveaway at the end! A few weeks ago Hardi Grant Australia contacted me about reviewing an upcoming debut called 'Forgotten' by Cat Patrick, I was super excited since I only just read about the Paramount Movie Deal the day before! Plus, I'm a huge Debut Author supporter :D Anyway onto my review...

(Goodreads) 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


The Short Story ? - A touching debut centred around a girl whose memory reset everyday at 4:33am. Beautiful writing, moving plot and fantastic characterisation. Forgotten is a novel that shows the depth of the meaning ' The Future is Yours'. A perfect balance between reality and fiction, this is one debut I wouldn't want to miss. Start saving your change and counting down people because this novel comes with a big fat tick of approval from the Bookie!

The Long Story ? - When I first read the blurb, I was a little weirded out, it sounded like a contemporary but then there's the fact that London's memory reset itself everyday and that she had memories of the future. I could accept the fact that her memory resets itself but the fact that she has memories of the future in a YA contemporary? It sounded better fit in a paranormal. So when I turned the first page my thoughts ran along the lines of - 'okay, don't know how this is going to work but I'll deal.' 10 pages into the book and my thoughts changed to - 'Ohhh interesting, who cares, this is good stuff.'

My original thoughts about the girl with the whacked up memory and visions of the future turned to admiration of the author's ability write such an original story! I loved the plot, one of the highlights of the novel for me. It was the perfect balance between real teen problems mixed with a little 'super-human' element. I would still be a little skeptical if London's 'futuristic' memories were about things like ' the next president' or 'when the world is going to end'. Thankfully, her memories are of little everyday things, things that aren't far-fetched because it's so normal. I could accept the fact this was a contemporary because her memories were so normal, it could have been any one's memories from the past instead of London Lane's memories from the future. The novel also had a nice flow to it, keeping things interesting the entire length of the novel!

Another highlight for me was the fantastic characterisation! I could connect to London on a emotional level. I understand how hard it is when you forget something so it must be horrible to forget everything, everyday including who your boyfriend is or what you wore yesterday. Nevertheless, London's doesn't give up, she writes notes that she reads everyday to remember, she smiles and thinks about other people instead of just herself, she works her way around the fear of the unknown everyday. I respect her ability to cram the morning before a test! London is a fantastic protagonist that everyone can connect to, she's strong yet she's not afraid to ask for help.

Moving on to our love interest, Luke Henry. Luke, if I ever meet the perfect guy, he would be exactly like you. You're supportive, impressively good-looking, kind and totally in love with London. Your utter devotion to her, even when you know her secret is moving. You are the perfect boyfriend and I envy London. PS- I cried a little when you cried a little,I love a man who's not afraid to cry.

Lastly, oh what beautiful writing! Cat, we as YA readers are very lucky to have you join the community. You have a strong teen voice and a unique writing style. Your writing is comfortable and easy to read, the style is easy to follow and I appreciate and admire your ability to write in first person, present tense, which is something very rare in not only YA but literature in general!

Overall, Forgotten would have stolen my heart if Luke hadn't already! A touching story, moving words, a strong heroine and a hard-not-love boyfriend is the perfect combination to a book that you wouldn't want to miss. One of the best debuts I have read this year and one of the best contemporary I have read ever, Forgotten is one book you'll regret not reading - please add to your bucket list.

Rating 5/5

~Giveaway~

Hardi Grant Australia has kindly offered me another ARC of the novel to give to one of you lovely readers! So ONE (1) of you won't have to wait til June 7th to read this A-M-A-Z-I-N-G novel!

Instructions - Please Read CAREFULLY

- International

- Must be 13 to enter

- MUST "Like" Forgotten Facebook Page ( HERE )

- +1 for comment on review

- +1 for everytime you spread the word

- Fill Out This FORM

- Ends April 25th

Don't have facebook? Not to worry! Please just spread the word and put ONE link in the FB username space!

Twitter this - "Like" Forgotten by Cat Clarke Fb Page - http://tiny.cc/7n0og and enter @BadassBookie ARC Giveaway http://tiny.cc/a8ls0

Badass Bookie xx