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A review by nverjudgeabook
The Lost Girl by Sangu Mandanna
4.0
From the moment I received this through the post, I knew this would be a books for me. Through the inspiration of Frankenstein, I was curious to see how the classic could influence or combine the nature of novel in to this YA. All I can say is... Forget Frankenstein, try The Lost Girl.
But first I'd like to say Thank you to Jessica over at Booked Up for doing a Read-along with her. As she would say: "We *fangirled* together" . You can see her review here.
Warning some minor spoilers.
Mandanna has created a refreshing and a unique take on the classic. The plot intrigued from the very beginning; an Echo, a creation stitched by the Weavers as a replacement of human nature. Is she real?Does she have a choice in her own life? No Echo does and that's the pain of watching someone's life flash through your eyes, knowing that your going to be next. Eva was stitched at the Loom in London, its argued whether she was born at all or rather than made. But I felt quite strongly about this subject, she living, she breathing, she has a brain and she unlike Frankenstein's Monster, is the living embodiment of a normal human being. How Mandanna was able to make me feel and empathise with these character is a brilliant trait in writing that I admire her for. The pace Part 1 was slightly off and didn't have the constant for that the rest of the novel had. However what I loved about TLG was the transition between Amarra and Eva, London and Bangalore and a human and an Echo.
The main protagonist, Eva, is strong, opinionated, artistic, passionate and a brave soul for an Echo. She is especially unique echo, gutsy and fight for what she believes in. However, she has a vulnerable side, one that makes her realistic, makes her human. Its said in the history of Echos, they only have one chance, Eva has 3. Sean the green-eyed love interest and Guardian, lets just say everybody needs one. His charisma and characteristics broke your heart at Part 1, *sniffles* and then he's the beating heart of the novel. The moment when you just want them kiss is overwhelming and horrible- but that is one of the many rules that the Weavers set in place; no relationship between Guardian and Echo. But hey, she 's broke all the rules, what's one more?
"Eva", he says, and my eyes tear. "Do you still dream of cities?""Yes", I say. I hear the sound of him swallowing. "Do you still dream of me?""Yes". I thought things might have changed."No" he says. "I haven't either," and he hangs up.
Some of the secondary characters were equally brilliant; Matthew, Eva's creator is the arrogance of Frankenstein, he's the unfeeling consciousness of the Loom. He sees no reason only the craft of his creations. Matthew's character is infuriating at best, when he states the line between both sides of human nature. Eva is no more than a human than everyone else! (*Grrrrr*) I loved Sasha and Nikhil, the Familiar's family was more than accepting of Eva's status and Sasha was the bubbliest character of them all. Ray, Ammara's love interest, was cunning, deceiving and the cause of Eva's downfall. Finally, Lekha, Eva's best friend, she may have seen through her eyes, but she is the spark that Eva needs to continue this life.
Mandanna has created a spectacular achievement and expectation for her debut novel. For a Standalone its brilliant, yet the ending leaves you wondering. Wondering whether where it will take you next. I hope Mandanna has a sequel in the making, because I will be the first to buy it. This is one of my very first reads of 2013 and it has set me on a high for something different and fresh.
Rating: 4.5
But first I'd like to say Thank you to Jessica over at Booked Up for doing a Read-along with her. As she would say: "We *fangirled* together" . You can see her review here.
Warning some minor spoilers.
Mandanna has created a refreshing and a unique take on the classic. The plot intrigued from the very beginning; an Echo, a creation stitched by the Weavers as a replacement of human nature. Is she real?Does she have a choice in her own life? No Echo does and that's the pain of watching someone's life flash through your eyes, knowing that your going to be next. Eva was stitched at the Loom in London, its argued whether she was born at all or rather than made. But I felt quite strongly about this subject, she living, she breathing, she has a brain and she unlike Frankenstein's Monster, is the living embodiment of a normal human being. How Mandanna was able to make me feel and empathise with these character is a brilliant trait in writing that I admire her for. The pace Part 1 was slightly off and didn't have the constant for that the rest of the novel had. However what I loved about TLG was the transition between Amarra and Eva, London and Bangalore and a human and an Echo.
The main protagonist, Eva, is strong, opinionated, artistic, passionate and a brave soul for an Echo. She is especially unique echo, gutsy and fight for what she believes in. However, she has a vulnerable side, one that makes her realistic, makes her human. Its said in the history of Echos, they only have one chance, Eva has 3. Sean the green-eyed love interest and Guardian, lets just say everybody needs one. His charisma and characteristics broke your heart at Part 1, *sniffles* and then he's the beating heart of the novel. The moment when you just want them kiss is overwhelming and horrible- but that is one of the many rules that the Weavers set in place; no relationship between Guardian and Echo. But hey, she 's broke all the rules, what's one more?
"Eva", he says, and my eyes tear. "Do you still dream of cities?""Yes", I say. I hear the sound of him swallowing. "Do you still dream of me?""Yes". I thought things might have changed."No" he says. "I haven't either," and he hangs up.
Some of the secondary characters were equally brilliant; Matthew, Eva's creator is the arrogance of Frankenstein, he's the unfeeling consciousness of the Loom. He sees no reason only the craft of his creations. Matthew's character is infuriating at best, when he states the line between both sides of human nature. Eva is no more than a human than everyone else! (*Grrrrr*) I loved Sasha and Nikhil, the Familiar's family was more than accepting of Eva's status and Sasha was the bubbliest character of them all. Ray, Ammara's love interest, was cunning, deceiving and the cause of Eva's downfall. Finally, Lekha, Eva's best friend, she may have seen through her eyes, but she is the spark that Eva needs to continue this life.
Mandanna has created a spectacular achievement and expectation for her debut novel. For a Standalone its brilliant, yet the ending leaves you wondering. Wondering whether where it will take you next. I hope Mandanna has a sequel in the making, because I will be the first to buy it. This is one of my very first reads of 2013 and it has set me on a high for something different and fresh.
Rating: 4.5