Friday, April 8, 2011

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 - and enter @ ARC Giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

60 comments:

  1. After reading this review it makes me want to read it now! wow you gave it a rating of 5/5 then it definitely as must read!

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  2. Can we still enter if we don't have a facebook page (since I'm like the only person in the world who doesn't have one...)? I would love to participate in the giveaway, but don't particularly want to go through the trouble of making an account just to like a page. Maybe I could twitter it or add the link to my sidebar or something instead.
    Anyways, thanks for the giveaway and great review:)

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  3. Wow! 5/5! I have been dying to read Forgotten. Thanks for the wonderful review!

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  4. I LURVE the sound of this book and cant wait to read it!!
    Great review, thanks

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  5. Have you ever seen the movie Memento? the premise reminds me a bit of that, which is awesome because I really enjoyed that movie. I can tell that you really loved Forgotten which makes me so happy because I am dying to read this one! I'm also really stoked that its like a Contemporary/Paranormal mash-up. Thanks so much for the giveaway & review!

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  6. This book sound great I love to read it.

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  7. I hear nothing but great things about this book! I want to read it so badly!

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  8. I am so glad you loved this. It is one of most anticipated reads. Thanks for the giveaway too :)

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  9. Definitley adding this book to my must read pile! Sounds fantastic!

    Thanks for the review, and the giveaway! :-)

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  10. So,your review definitely made me put this on my "to be read" list. I'm gonna read it for sure.
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  11. Wow. This book sounds fascinating. I can't wait to read it! Thanks!

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  12. Wow This book is interesting cant wait to read this. LOVE THIS! Thanks for the GIVEAWAY! :)

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  13. That actually sounds like a really awesome book! I will read this even if I don't win! Thanks for the review and giveaway :) xo

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  14. I loved Momento, and I have to say this sounds like the teen paranormal version. Can't wait for it to come out!

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  15. I love this cover <3 Thank you for this review and giveaway :)

    Syki
    sykorova.p@gmail.com

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  16. This looks amazing. And the movie rights are already sold? Wow.

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  17. I have been intrigued by this cover now I am really intrigued and really want to read this. Sounds wonderful

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  18. Great review. I love how you told how you were feeling going into the book. That puts things in perspecive.

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  19. Great review! Book has very interesting story and the cover is amazing!!!

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  20. This sounds like a wonderful read, fingers crossed and thanks for making it international

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  21. Oh I can't wait to meet Luke. Yes, this looks like my cover love of this book is worth it! :)

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  22. Luke Henry is definitely a memorable name. Is it weird that the name alone makes him sound to be a proper classy gentleman type? Thanks for the in-depth review. I just recently hear of this book, but wasn't too particularly interested in it until now. And thanks for the giveaway as well.

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  23. The story and cover sounds and looks really interesting. Thanks for the great review and giveaway!

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  24. lovely cover, i would love to win:) thanks for the giveaway:)

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  25. I really like books or movies about lost memories. The possibilities are so large! I don't know how express what I mean in English... It's so frustrating! ... What I mean is... Erased memories are like a start over. It's kind of fascinating to see how people relearn their own lives...

    Well... anyway... this book sounds fabulous ! Thanks for the giveaway ;)

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  26. Sounds amazing. Thanks for the international giveaway! :)

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  27. Interesting concept for a book. I keep seeing the cover and those red flecks have me mesmerized.

    Thanks for reviewing it.

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  28. lovely cover great giveaway, nice review pretttyy


    The Book Mystress, xx

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  29. Thanks for the review, I'm already in love with London :D
    And it's great that heroine is likeable enough, heroines I don't care about have a potential to ruin the whole book for me.

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  30. Wow! everything looks amazing..from the title itself, the cover and your review. Its pretty interesting. Please count me in, I would love to win this book. Thanks!

    clarissa.bulatao at yahoo.com

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  31. I have to blushingly confess that until now I haven't heard of this book, so thank you all the more for drawing my attention to it! The cover grabbed my eye and then when I read what you had to say about the novel I knew that I HAD to add it to my wishlist. It sounds wonderful and I would love to read it! Thank you! :-)

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  32. Wow! I already saw this book the other day but it really didn't strike me enough to try it. But after reading your review, I'm more than excited to read this!! Thank you for being honest about your review and making me want it! I'd like to read it please! :))

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  33. This book sounds amazing! I love the premise and can't wait to read this! I love when paranormal is mixed with contemporary.

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  34. This sounds amazing! I think the idea the book is based on is very interesting and I would love to read the story and see what will happen! :)

    I love the cover! It is so sweet and fresh!

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  35. It sounds like, and I could be making a huge jump here, but a little like Before I Fall, not in plot, but in great writing, characterization, and contemporary YA. I really loved Before I Fall so I can only hope to love this book as much!

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  36. Ooooh, looks so interesting! I'm quite intrigued how it will work, whether I win or not, I will be getting this booK!

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  37. This book seems really great... I'm sure I will buy it if I don't win.. :)

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  38. This book looks very good! I really want to read it.. :))))
    Thanks! :)

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  39. This sounds SO good!! I really want to read this! Thanks for the heads up!

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  40. I have read some review about this and most of you fall for Luke. I wonder how does He looks like. I hope I can also read this book. So I can get what all of you talked about

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  41. Oh, i cant wait to read this book. the review and the cover make me crazy.. wish me luck

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  42. thanks for this awesome giveaway -- the cover looks so good - even if i don't win the book I'm defiantly going to read it :))

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  43. -I love your review. It makes me want to read the book even more. Well, if I don't win it, I'll still check it out in June! :]

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  44. OMGGG sounds so good! I really want to read it now :) thanks for making this international! :D

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  45. This sounds sooo good! Will wait if I must, but want to read it now Lol love your rewiew! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. Sounds like a very strange book but your review has interested me in it so I will fill out the form and enter.

    Thanks for making it Intrnational.

    Carol T

    budddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  47. Good thing that you mentioned about the writing style! I like it when the book not only has an interesting plot but it is well-written too!

    Thanks for the really nice international giveaway!

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  48. Wow 5 out of 5, there's something about that book that I need to find out.

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  49. Thanks for the review, I'm adding it to my to read list now. Reminds me a little of the 50 First Dates movie. Can't wait to read it.

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  50. Wow! This sounds really good - I will definitely have to add it to my TBR pile. Thanks for reviewing it

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  51. Thanks for the review!
    This is officially on my TBR list now!

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  52. Great review! You've built on the description and made Forgotten sound like a truely amazing read. I look forward to having a go at it myself!

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  53. I started my ARC of Forgotten but got a bit confused and mind-tripped...Want to get back into it though.

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  54. This sounds like a good read - will definitely check it out!

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  55. Great review sounds like something I would really enjoy.

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  56. The blurb for the book is a little confusing, but your review definitely makes me want to read it!
    Jayne

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  57. after reading your review, i've put this one back on my to-read list. :D

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  58. definitely check this out soon ..... great review!

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  59. There are so many popular books right now, and Forgotten is one of them. I've read lots of rave reviews on the web. Yours only made me want to read it even more!

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