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Abandon

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About this listen

Last year, 17-year-old Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it's his job to usher souls from one realm to the next. There's a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that falling for John means a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld....

©2011 Meg Cabot, LLC (P)2011 Recorded Books LLC Fantasy Fiction Romance Science Fiction & Fantasy
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Natalia Payne's narration of Meg Cabot's "Abandon" falls short of expectations, much like the story itself. While Payne's voice work is generally competent, there are some jarring pronunciation issues (notably "Mountaindew" instead of Mountain Dew, and questionable handling of names) that pull you out of the narrative.
The story promises an intriguing Persephone-inspired tale set in the Underworld, but delivers something quite different. Instead of the dark, mythological adventure suggested by the synopsis, we get a confusing narrative that spends barely 20 minutes in the actual Underworld. The rest focuses on Pierce's adjustment to life after her near-death experience, told through choppy flashbacks that make the plot difficult to follow.
The book suffers from several logical inconsistencies, particularly around the male lead John's age (which inexplicably jumps around) and some questionable medical facts about cold water revival. The protagonist, Pierce, comes across as privileged and sometimes grating, with constant references to her elite academy background and a tendency to blame others for her misfortunes.
The romance element feels underdeveloped and rushed, with the main characters having only a handful of interactions throughout the book, yet developing an intense connection that feels unearned. The writing occasionally ventures into overly dramatic territory, particularly in the romantic scenes.

At 9 hours, the audiobook is mercifully shorter than most, but still manages to feel longer due to the meandering plot and confusing timeline jumps. While there are glimpses of an interesting story about death and second chances, the execution ultimately fails to deliver on its promising premise.

Recommended only for die-hard Meg Cabot fans who don't mind a departure from her usual style, or listeners who enjoy YA romance with a very light supernatural touch.

Missed Potential in the Underworld

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