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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
This was a great weekend to read books. Just finished my third one.
I received a copy of this book from Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This is not a traditional Harlequin book. I was expecting a cheesy love story... Nope The Lost was surprisingly a great read filled with surprises. I loved the concept and innovative story. I particularly loved the variety of characters and what they each bring to the story.
The Lost is a fantastic summer read. I am looking forward to the next book to find out what's next.
I received a copy of this book from Harlequin in exchange for an honest review. This is not a traditional Harlequin book. I was expecting a cheesy love story... Nope The Lost was surprisingly a great read filled with surprises. I loved the concept and innovative story. I particularly loved the variety of characters and what they each bring to the story.
The Lost is a fantastic summer read. I am looking forward to the next book to find out what's next.
Positives: it was interesting, I thought the idea was awesome and could have been really great with a different author, the story kept me entertained. I didn't abandon it so that's a plus.
Negatives: the romantic element and the ending.
The author writes YA and it seemed to show. The "romance" between Peter and Lauren was a lot of "what is he thinking? What should I do? Am I desperate?" kind of stuff but I liked that the author was tame with it (just kissing). There were also a lot of references to high school and this woman is supposedly 28. ??? The ending felt like a money grab, like those terrible TV shows that end abruptly and you have to "stay tuned for the exciting conclusion next week" kind of crap.
Bottom line: meh. I might read the "stunning conclusion" but I can just as easily forget I ever read this.
Negatives: the romantic element and the ending.
The author writes YA and it seemed to show. The "romance" between Peter and Lauren was a lot of "what is he thinking? What should I do? Am I desperate?" kind of stuff but I liked that the author was tame with it (just kissing). There were also a lot of references to high school and this woman is supposedly 28. ??? The ending felt like a money grab, like those terrible TV shows that end abruptly and you have to "stay tuned for the exciting conclusion next week" kind of crap.
Bottom line: meh. I might read the "stunning conclusion" but I can just as easily forget I ever read this.
An interesting read. Sarah Beth Durst is always hit or miss for me. I either really love her or hate the book.
Surprisingly this one was middle of the road for me. Very introspective and contemplative; I'd classify it more of a book on mourning than the fantasy mystery it is classified as.
Not bad, but not what I was expecting. You need to be in the right mind frame to read this and enjoy it.
Surprisingly this one was middle of the road for me. Very introspective and contemplative; I'd classify it more of a book on mourning than the fantasy mystery it is classified as.
Not bad, but not what I was expecting. You need to be in the right mind frame to read this and enjoy it.
Sarah Beth Durst’s first novel for adults definitely lived up to it’s potential. While it’s clear that this is a novel meant for adults, the crossover YA potential is there, especially from an author who is so well versed in the YA world.
What happens to lost things; wallets, car keys, toys, etc.? They end up in Lost, just like Lauren Chase. Lauren has lost her way, in more ways than one. When she ends up in Lost, all she wants to do is go home but that decision is up to the Missing Man who takes one look at her and hightails it out of town. Now, Lauren isn’t the only one who can’t leave and the townspeople aren’t exactly happy that they are all stuck in Lost as well. The only people willing to help Lauren are a knife-wielding little girl and a man called the Finder. Lauren has to figure out what it is she’s lost, find the Missing Man, and find her way home, before it’s too late for someone she loves very much.
Lauren is an easy character to connect with. She’s lost her dreams, her way, and her sense of hope. Who hasn’t felt like that at some point in life? The town of Lost is there to help her find all these things and more. Lauren is a strong willed person though and she’s not willing to accept that she’s stuck in Lost with no way out except for with the help of the Missing Man. She’s not used to relying on other people and that’s not going to change now. Sure she has a little help along the way from Claire and the Finder, but she never relies fully on them. She’s smart, she’s tough, and she’s willing to work for what she wants. Claire and the Finder are there to help her figure out the ways of Lost but they don’t want to help her leave. Claire is the little sister that Lauren never had and the bond between them is immediate and real. Their relationship was absolutely adorable. The Finder’s relationship with Lauren was a bit more complicated. There is definitely attraction between the two of them but they both know that it can’t really go anywhere with Lauren planning to eventually find her way home. Still, he’s willing to stick around and show her how to defend herself and also to fend for herself. He was an interesting character but really an all around good guy.
The rest of the townspeople were a little weird. Well, maybe a lot weird. They were hostile and ferocious and they did not like that Lauren ran off the Missing Man. It’s pretty clear early on in the book that you do not want to get on these people’s bad sides and that’s exactly where Lauren ends up. And while it became clear relatively early on that Claire was a friend to Lauren, thinking about a knife wielding six-year-old is kind of terrifying.
The story is beyond unique. Lost things end up in Lost but so do people that have lost dreams and hopes and so many other things. It’s a much deeper story than I originally thought and while that did slow the pace down a bit, it made me end up liking it a lot more than I expected. It’s definitely not a fast-paced story that you will breeze through but instead it’s a story that will really make you think, long after you’ve actually finished the book.
Overall, The Lost is a great start to this new trilogy from Sarah Beth Durst. I’ve become majorly invested in the lives of all the characters and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.
What happens to lost things; wallets, car keys, toys, etc.? They end up in Lost, just like Lauren Chase. Lauren has lost her way, in more ways than one. When she ends up in Lost, all she wants to do is go home but that decision is up to the Missing Man who takes one look at her and hightails it out of town. Now, Lauren isn’t the only one who can’t leave and the townspeople aren’t exactly happy that they are all stuck in Lost as well. The only people willing to help Lauren are a knife-wielding little girl and a man called the Finder. Lauren has to figure out what it is she’s lost, find the Missing Man, and find her way home, before it’s too late for someone she loves very much.
Lauren is an easy character to connect with. She’s lost her dreams, her way, and her sense of hope. Who hasn’t felt like that at some point in life? The town of Lost is there to help her find all these things and more. Lauren is a strong willed person though and she’s not willing to accept that she’s stuck in Lost with no way out except for with the help of the Missing Man. She’s not used to relying on other people and that’s not going to change now. Sure she has a little help along the way from Claire and the Finder, but she never relies fully on them. She’s smart, she’s tough, and she’s willing to work for what she wants. Claire and the Finder are there to help her figure out the ways of Lost but they don’t want to help her leave. Claire is the little sister that Lauren never had and the bond between them is immediate and real. Their relationship was absolutely adorable. The Finder’s relationship with Lauren was a bit more complicated. There is definitely attraction between the two of them but they both know that it can’t really go anywhere with Lauren planning to eventually find her way home. Still, he’s willing to stick around and show her how to defend herself and also to fend for herself. He was an interesting character but really an all around good guy.
The rest of the townspeople were a little weird. Well, maybe a lot weird. They were hostile and ferocious and they did not like that Lauren ran off the Missing Man. It’s pretty clear early on in the book that you do not want to get on these people’s bad sides and that’s exactly where Lauren ends up. And while it became clear relatively early on that Claire was a friend to Lauren, thinking about a knife wielding six-year-old is kind of terrifying.
The story is beyond unique. Lost things end up in Lost but so do people that have lost dreams and hopes and so many other things. It’s a much deeper story than I originally thought and while that did slow the pace down a bit, it made me end up liking it a lot more than I expected. It’s definitely not a fast-paced story that you will breeze through but instead it’s a story that will really make you think, long after you’ve actually finished the book.
Overall, The Lost is a great start to this new trilogy from Sarah Beth Durst. I’ve become majorly invested in the lives of all the characters and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a hard time liking Lauren. I hope I get with the program a lot faster than her if I ever end up in another dimension or something, and whine a whole lot less.
The romance was lame. I have no idea why Lauren and Peter liked each other and the whole thing was real YA.
The plot was interesting, but it dragged when Lauren was in Lost and then the hospital part… yikes. The whirlwind courtship between fresh-off-a-coma Lauren and the freaky doctor who creeped on her while she was in that coma, facilitated by her dying mother, was hella gross. Why did we need any of that? Why did Lauren make out with him ?
Thank god for Claire or I might have bailed.
The romance was lame. I have no idea why Lauren and Peter liked each other and the whole thing was real YA.
Thank god for Claire or I might have bailed.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved this book really wish I could start the next one straight away and I hope the 3rd one will be released soon.
* Received advanced reader copy from publisher at PLA 2014. Signed by author.
Note this is marketed as an adult book. I know Sarah Beth Durst as a YA author. So was surprised to read the marketing material that this is adult. It is adult but I could see more mature teens enjoying it as well.
What an intriguing concept. We all lose things, right? But where do lost things go?
Lauren starts driving one day. It is one of those drives meant to just get-away, escape reality, run from truths, not face consequences. After driving all day, when she sees a sign, “Welcome to Lost,” she decides to have a meal, stay the night, and start home fresh in the morning. Only she cannot leave. Because when you are lost, you have to be found.
The Finder, well, he only finds you on the road and sees you safely to Lost. To return to where you came from? Well, then you need the Missing Man. Seems a little backwards … but just go with it! Lauren meets some real characters in Lost and she quickly finds herself on their bad side. Your skin will crawl when she encounters the children
To tell much more of this story will deprive readers of the joy of discovering all the nooks and crannies. And, it is about discovery. This is a fantastical, wonderfully enjoyable read. And I’m quite eager to see what happens in #2 & #3. Oh no, you say? Another trilogy? It is okay! If you find you only want to read #1, you will be happily satisfied. But I suspect you’ll be eager to read more just as I am.
Note this is marketed as an adult book. I know Sarah Beth Durst as a YA author. So was surprised to read the marketing material that this is adult. It is adult but I could see more mature teens enjoying it as well.
What an intriguing concept. We all lose things, right? But where do lost things go?
Lauren starts driving one day. It is one of those drives meant to just get-away, escape reality, run from truths, not face consequences. After driving all day, when she sees a sign, “Welcome to Lost,” she decides to have a meal, stay the night, and start home fresh in the morning. Only she cannot leave. Because when you are lost, you have to be found.
The Finder, well, he only finds you on the road and sees you safely to Lost. To return to where you came from? Well, then you need the Missing Man. Seems a little backwards … but just go with it! Lauren meets some real characters in Lost and she quickly finds herself on their bad side. Your skin will crawl when she encounters the children
Spoiler
but oh boy did I love Claire. All her spunk & curiosity plus how, despite her young age, she seems so wise – and more of a parent to Lauren than Lauren is an adult!To tell much more of this story will deprive readers of the joy of discovering all the nooks and crannies. And, it is about discovery. This is a fantastical, wonderfully enjoyable read. And I’m quite eager to see what happens in #2 & #3. Oh no, you say? Another trilogy? It is okay! If you find you only want to read #1, you will be happily satisfied. But I suspect you’ll be eager to read more just as I am.
Durst can be so hit or miss for me, but this book ended up as a definite hit. I adored it. The premise is right up my alley--a little spooky, a lot mysterious, and very desolate. There's a heroine who changes in believable ways in front of your eyes and characters you end up loving.
The main character, Lauren, is just so believable. She's a woman who works a steady job, who cares deeply for her ill mother, and who is so, so lost without even knowing it. It's understandable and relatable, even if you wish differently.
She finds herself in the town of Lost that's filled with people just like her, all searching for something that would allow them to leave. Everything that goes missing ends up in the town, people included, but Lauren finds herself ostracized (and nearly killed) by the rest of the denizens except for a little girl, Claire, and Peter who holds his own special role in the town. Lauren's special too even though she doesn't find out how until closer to the end of the book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the first half of the book--not because it was poorly written, but because Lauren grated on me a bit. And then I'd feel a bit guilty because I doubt I'd act much differently from her if I landed myself in the same situation. But then she changes. Slowly but surely she morphs into this character I found myself rooting for, even when I wanted to smack my palm against my forehead a couple of times still.
And the other prominent characters I enjoyed as much. Claire I took to almost immediately, which is strange because I am not the hugest fan of little children in books. But she's smart and endearing in that carry a teddy bear in one hand and a knife in the other way. ...That's probably why I liked her so much, come to think of it. Peter was interesting. He grows on you (because mostly I wrinkled my nose at him at the beginning), much like Lauren does. Their romance isn't all that believable, but I ended up kind of enjoying it anyway.
If I had to say anything about the end, other than the cliffhanger you're left dangling with, it'd be that it was fairly predictable. Not bad, but you could definitely tell the direction the story was turning.
Mostly the story was about personal growth of the main character, with a dash of added mystery and romance. I had fun reading it and greatly appreciated how Lauren managed to endear herself to me. Keep in mind though: you don't get a lot of answers and there is a cliffhanger at the end. 4 stars.
The main character, Lauren, is just so believable. She's a woman who works a steady job, who cares deeply for her ill mother, and who is so, so lost without even knowing it. It's understandable and relatable, even if you wish differently.
She finds herself in the town of Lost that's filled with people just like her, all searching for something that would allow them to leave. Everything that goes missing ends up in the town, people included, but Lauren finds herself ostracized (and nearly killed) by the rest of the denizens except for a little girl, Claire, and Peter who holds his own special role in the town. Lauren's special too even though she doesn't find out how until closer to the end of the book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the first half of the book--not because it was poorly written, but because Lauren grated on me a bit. And then I'd feel a bit guilty because I doubt I'd act much differently from her if I landed myself in the same situation. But then she changes. Slowly but surely she morphs into this character I found myself rooting for, even when I wanted to smack my palm against my forehead a couple of times still.
And the other prominent characters I enjoyed as much. Claire I took to almost immediately, which is strange because I am not the hugest fan of little children in books. But she's smart and endearing in that carry a teddy bear in one hand and a knife in the other way. ...That's probably why I liked her so much, come to think of it. Peter was interesting. He grows on you (because mostly I wrinkled my nose at him at the beginning), much like Lauren does. Their romance isn't all that believable, but I ended up kind of enjoying it anyway.
If I had to say anything about the end, other than the cliffhanger you're left dangling with, it'd be that it was fairly predictable. Not bad, but you could definitely tell the direction the story was turning.
Mostly the story was about personal growth of the main character, with a dash of added mystery and romance. I had fun reading it and greatly appreciated how Lauren managed to endear herself to me. Keep in mind though: you don't get a lot of answers and there is a cliffhanger at the end. 4 stars.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No