"The Lost Girl" Review

Date Published: August 28, 2012

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Number of Pages: 432

Publisher: Balzer& Bray

First Thoughts:

I first found this book through a goodreads friend; I found the summary to be both intriguing and full of fresh ideas. I loved almost everything about it, it’s one of those books where you don’t want to put down because the story is so intriguing and the writing is so precise and beautiful that you just never want to stop reading it. I definitely would love to read more about this world, though it hasn’t been determined yet but I’m wishing for another book in this world; I’m just not ready to let it go.

Plot:

So the plot was one of the best things about this book, loved absolutely everything about the story, there was plenty of action and suspense, I was constantly introduced to new ideas and situations that it allowed for little dullness. I really enjoyed the complexity to this world; there were plenty of layers to this world so that it gave it realism and “texture”. I really enjoyed that there was constantly surprises around every corner, I thought the summary on the cover pretty much told the reader what this book was going to be about but there was so much more to this story and I’m so glad I gave this book a chance. The ending was very well thought-out and creative and it left it for both the possibility of a sequel or leaving it as a stand-alone (But please don’t be a stand-alone!). As for the actual plotline it wasn’t missing anything and there was definitely a few sub-plots in this book that made the major conflict that much more amazing. I’m so glad that this story was so fresh and new, I’m so tired of reading books that has the same concept tied into it, and this was definitely a book I will be reading again. As for the pace of the book it was pretty quick, there were some slower moments but I enjoyed them just as much as the fast paced moments because they were just as beautiful and important. So like I mentioned earlier I enjoyed the concept of Echo’s and what they represented in this book and look forward to dissecting this book even more and discovering all the little secrets this world holds. This was overall I very enjoyable plot and would definitely love to see more books like this.

Romance:

So there was romance in this book but I was not necessarily the main conflict, it was more of a sub-conflict that tied in with the main conflict. As for the romance itself I really enjoyed it, I love the complications that were involved and how it appeared almost like a love triangle but in reality wasn’t which of course makes the romance even better (love triangles are so last minute ago!). I also thought the romance was sweet and believable, I don’t think it was rushed or unrealistic, really enjoyed reading it in the book. So overall I enjoyed this aspect of the book.

Characters:

I loved getting to know the characters especially Eva, she was definitely a great character to get to know and learn, she isn’t by any means the strongest female protagonist but she definitely has some spunk and originality that makes her lovable and fun to read along with. As for some of the lesser characters I enjoyed getting to know them too, they were all filled with personality and flaws that made them more realistic and enjoyable to read about. I had no problem connecting with any of the characters and actually enjoyed the antagonists, they actual had a pretty good reason for why they did the things they did. So overall I enjoyed the characters and thought this was a great addition to the book; definitely made it fun to read.

Transformation of the Character:

Eva did transform some in this book, it wasn’t an all-out bloom but it was definitely noticeable and fun to read about. I liked that we got to see her before she transformed and then gradually got to see every little event that sparked a change in her. As for the other characters they didn’t all necessarily transform it was just the reader got to see some of their characteristics revealed and therefore got to know the real them. So overall this was good aspect of the book.

Description:

Loved all the little details in this book, the author has a way of writing the most beautiful descriptions that it really sucked me in as a reader. I don’t think there was too much description in the book; I think it was just the right amount. And the author really did a good job describing both the emotions and the scenery in this book. I’ll never forget the scene near the end…it was so beautifully described and the action really came to life. I found that I really enjoyed the slower moments in the books, the little scenes that may not look too exciting but hold such symbolism and creativity that if you paid close attention you can find the double meanings to some of the descriptions….very well thought out and described. I really enjoyed this aspect to the story and loved how the world came to life as I read through the pages.

Style:

This was written in first person and one POV which allowed the reader to become intimate with Ava and better understand her POV and her world. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style; I loved her creativity and the way she writes. Her writing is definitely more mature and reader friendly. I enjoyed reading her book and look forward to reading any future writing/books by her. So overall I felt the author’s style was appropriately picked for the book and provided the reader with a better experience while reading the entire book.

Quote of the Book:

“The cottage by the lake is now over the hill and far away, and Jonathon and Ophelia and the other little ducks are there, and if I dream hard enough maybe, like the song, I will go after them and find them one day all the little ducks will come back.”

Goodreads Summary:

Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

Last Thoughts:

I would recommend this book to YA and to anyone who loves to read a creative and inspiring story, this book isn’t just for teens and young adults; it’s for those readers out there that are looking for a book that is beautifully and creatively written. I can’t wait to read more by this author, I actually think a message to the author is needed, got to support those authors and let them how much their book touched you, you know. So overall I loved this book and this has definitely become a favorite of mine.

My Rating: