"Lost And Found" by Talia Jager Review

Date Published: October 16, 2011

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Number of Pages: 216

Publisher: Self-Published

First Thoughts:

I’ve already read a couple of books by this author; she has become my go to author when it comes to books about realistic and hard-core topics. She has a way of taking a serious almost scary situation and turning it into a book fun to read and learn from. And this book was no exception, I enjoyed the writing and I really enjoyed the connection I had with the main character. This book does dig up some serious issues and I therefore would caution the younger teens to pick up this book; it’s up to you if you’re ready to read about drug addiction, teen pregnancy and a mixture of deep heart throbbing emotions. But in all, this book brought me to a better understanding of some of these issues and leaving me a good feeling by the end.

Plot:

This book was filled with many hard issues but it was told in a way that made it enjoyable to the reader. There was the story of a young girl who suffered so much and she seek just a little bit of light and you get to experience that when you read alongside her; you FEEL all the joy or tragedies of this young girl as her life progresses. There was a really good story to go along with these issues and I think that’s what made me enjoy this book that much more. There were reasons behind reasons, there was a real life there; I felt like it could have actually been a true story as sad as it is. But these issues happen every day and I think this book really makes you see that. It doesn’t really allow you to be blind to these issues anymore…it kind of makes me want to volunteer somewhere; I want to help teens who suffer like Kory. And as far as any sub-plots there were a few and they really tied in well with the main plot; they had their own stories but they fit so well that they seemed more like puzzle pieces that connect with the other parts of the story. And I don’t think they distracted me from the main plot either. As far as the pace I found it to be really quick…but it did have its slower moments to allow the reader a break. As for the ending I liked it but I wish it would have been expanded some. I was yearning just a little bit more of these characters, I wanted to see a little more into the future but it was good all the same. Overall the plot was really good and well-thought out.

Romance:

There was a little romance but it wasn’t overwhelming at any point and really it wasn’t the main focus of the book either. The romance was kind of more of a sub-plot than anything but it did add a nice part to the story. Where most romance in YA is a little much for me I didn’t find this to be annoying or too much. It kind of was sweet in a way and realistic. So overall I enjoyed this aspect of the book.

Characters:

I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know Kory. I felt she was a really easy character to connect with and sympathize with and even when she made some really dumb decisions or choices I was still able to FEEL for her where in a normal situation I would have no sympathy for that person; strange isn’t it? Kory was really a person I could see out in reality which is a great quality I look for in a book. And as for some of the more minor characters, I really enjoyed them, they added great texture to the world and some comic relief when it was needed. And quite honestly there are a few characters in this book that I would love to be associated in my life; their personalities and qualities really are something I would look for in a person. So overall I enjoyed the characters in this book.

Transformation of the Character:

There was a beautiful transformation in this book and though I think it’s only the beginning of how much she is going to change the amount I saw take place in this book was beautiful and fun to read. I don’t want to really say much because it would essentially ruin the book for you but know that this was a fun part to read about and it really made the read that more enjoyable.

Description:

The description was good especially when it came to the emotions in the story. This alone was really what made connecting to Kory that much easier to do. But as far as description of scenery and scenes it was good but nothing special. Some of the scenes were well described but others were lacking a certain element to really grasp me to the location or scene. But like I mentioned earlier the emotional part of this book was through almost pure description, this author really did well on describing the emotions of Kory and allowing the reader to get into her mind and see the world through her eyes. And being able to get inside the main characters head is really a good factor when it comes to better understanding the character and story. As for the dialogue it was good and just the right amount. So overall this was a good aspect but lacked a few essential elements.

Style:

This was written in one POV and in first person which really allowed the reader a more open view of the characters world. I was able to connect to the main character easier and better understand her story; this book was about her after all. As far as the author’s writing I thought this book was one of the better from the books I’ve read by her. It didn’t seemed rushed or choppy, it was just the author’s style alone. So, this was a good aspect to the book.

Quote of the Book:

“She was right. I was the kid from the wrong side of the tracks. The one moms warned their kids about. I was abused and addicted to drugs. I had pink hair and wore way too much make-up…somehow Sara had seen through that.”

Goodreads Summary:

Korinne was born addicted to drugs, and life has been headed downhill ever since. After her abusive mom is arrested, Korinne is given a second chance when she’s placed in foster care. There she meets the girl who becomes her best friend and the boy she falls in love with.

When her mother is released from jail, she demands that Korinne be returned to her care. Korinne runs away only to end up living on the streets. After suffering an overdose, she awakes in the hospital…and finds out she’s pregnant.

16-year-old Korinne must pick up the pieces and heal so she can provide a better life for her baby—and for herself.

Last Thoughts:

I would recommend this to older YA readers and to anyone who enjoys realistic type books. I really enjoyed this book because I felt like I took important lessons from it; I felt more knowledgeable by the end of the book. I cried, smiled, and felt anything in-between throughout this book but in the end all that I felt had been worth it. I will continue to read books by this author and can’t wait to see what else she has in store for her eager readrs.

My Rating: