Thursday, August 15, 2013

Mini Review: Absent

Soooo the day after my grand declaration that I was returning to this little corner of the internet, I ended up traveling unexpectedly due to a bit of a family emergency. Everything is OK, but needless to say I haven't been around. Again. I was starting to think some of these reviews I've had stuck in my head were never going to come out, so I've decided to share my thoughts in shorter format just to make sure I do indeed share them at all! So, here's my first mini review of a book that's been waaaaay overdue.
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Absent by Katie Williams
Series: no
Publisher: Chronicle
Date: May 21, 2013
How did I get this book? free Advanced Reader's Copy from a publisher Facebook contest
My Rating: 3 of 5 stars
GoodReads | Author | Publisher

When Paige dies in an accident, she becomes a ghost who can't leave the grounds of her high school. Shortly after starting to hear rumors she committed suicide, she realizes she can posess the body of anyone who is thinking of her and tries to set the record straight. I wasn't thrilled by how the ending of his book went, but it was very thought-provoking read that I definitely recommend. It gives a really interesting perspective on how hurtful rumors and gossip can be. I thought it was a very realistic view of high school and one of this book's greatest strengths was actually it's lack of details. I would normally never say that, so hear me out -- by not being overly descriptive about the school itself even though it was a central element of the book, it was able to clearly evoke what high school means for me. As I was reading, I was picturing the hallways, classrooms, and grounds of my own past and I think that was quite powerful. By not making this particular high school stand out in any significant way, I think it made the story infinitely more relatable and, therefore, that much more universal.

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This book counts toward my reading goals for:
2013 ARC Reading Challenge

4 comments:

  1. I read it to and way more or less 50/50 on it. I think the ending was really weak too!

    Sorry I haven't been by in awhile. But I am making a big effort into blogging again. LOL!
    Hope all is well with you and the family.

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    1. Thanks Alysia! I'm trying to get back into the groove myself, but it hasn't been easy with so much house craziness for me. Glad you're back too!

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  2. I keep debating about reading this. I'm just not that into ghost stories normally. I can't wait to read all of your mini reviews! Don't worry, I haven't posted in like a week due to family vacation and getting a new job, life happens.

    I'm glad everything is ok!

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    1. If you're on the fence about this type of book anyway, I probably wouldn't suggest you read it in a hurry. It is a quickie though, so maybe someday when you need something really short :)

      Congrats on the new job, that is so exciting!

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I'd love to hear what you think :)