Release Date: May 15, 2013
Allison O'Malley just graduated from college. Her life's plan is to get a job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She doesn't have room for friends or even Ethan, who clearly wants more. When Allison's long-lost father shows up, he claims he can bring her mother back from the dark place her mind has sent her. He reveals legends of a race of people long forgotten, the Tuatha de Danaan, along with the truth about why he abandoned her mother.
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I am a lover of all things Irish (my grandmother was Irish) and fantasy. So imagine how wonderful it was for me when I got a chance to review a book that combined the two.
The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard was a pretty quick read and a lovely story. From the sensible and determined Allison to the just as determined and love struck Ethan to the mysterious Liam to the fierce and conflicted Aodhan... the characters were diverse and interesting and enjoyable to read about.
Liam's sudden arrival in Allison's life kind of throws everything for a loop, even if not everyone in Allison's life knows just exactly who he is. He's come to with the intentions of pulling Allison's mother out of the trap her mind has had her in for as long as Allison can remember. He brings with him tales of places and things that Allison couldn't have dreamed of and a lot of "friends" that are more confusing for her than not. But she's willing to do anything to have her mother back. The mother that her grandparents told her about, bright and alive... and just... not the way she is now.
Ethan is in love with Allison. And as much as Allison tries to talk herself out of it, because she'll have no time for a boyfriend or love life when she's taking care of her mother, she's wanted him, too, for as long as she could remember. An actual relationship with Ethan is not something Allison can do. Right?
I do a fair job at Irish names if I do say so myself. Most of them anyway. But there were just some here that I couldn't figure out. Well, there were a lot, because ALL of them were Irish. There is a pronunciation guide in the back of the book which I wish I had seen before reading, because it would have made all of it so much easier. But that aside, it was a super easy story to get sucked in to. And like I said before, a very quick read. I thought it was over way too fast, I wanted to read more and more but alas.... the end.
It started off a bit slow, building the world and introducing the different characters, and then rocketed off before I knew what was happening. You know that point on a roller coaster where your stomach finally catches up with the rest of you after you've gone down a totally steep hill and you're just about to go up another one? Yeah, that's where I was. But I have to wait for the next book to go up the next hill. And I hate waiting!
I would definitely recommended this as a read to anyone ages 16 and up. There are a couple of scenes that were a little iffy so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger. So go and grab a copy and take a look for yourself!
About the Author:
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.
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