ARC Review: Remembrance (The Mediator #7) by Meg Cabot
10:00
Series: The Mediator #7
Author: Meg Cabot
Published February 2nd 2016 by William Morrow Paperbacks
Goodreads Synopsis
You can take the boy out of the darkness.
But you can’t take the darkness out of the boy.
All Susannah Simon wants is to make a good impression at her first job since graduating from college (and since becoming engaged to Dr. Jesse de Silva).
But when she’s hired as a guidance counsellor at her alma mater, she stumbles across a decade-old murder, and soon ancient history isn't all that’s coming back to haunt her. Old ghosts as well as new ones are coming out of the woodwork, some to test her, some to vex her, and it isn't only because she’s a mediator, gifted with second sight.
From a sophomore haunted by the murderous spectre of a child, to ghosts of a very different kind—including Paul Slater, Suze's ex, who shows up to make a bargain Suze is certain must have come from the Devil himself—Suze isn't sure she’ll make it through the semester, let alone to her wedding night.
Suze is used to striking first and asking questions later. But what happens when ghosts from her past—including one she found nearly impossible to resist—strike first?
What happens when old ghosts come back to haunt you?
If you’re a mediator, you might have to kick a little ass.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy via Edelweiss. This in no way impacted on my view.
This was my second ever approval via Edelweiss, and the fact that it was a book by one of my favourite authors made it all the more better! Cabot's The Mediator series has had a special place in my heart since I read them all way back in 2010 or something, and when I heard that she would be returning to the world, with a new adult book (just like with The Princess Diaries), I was desperate to get my hands on a copy.
Remembrance is the first adult edition of the Mediator series, and returns to the somewhat problematic world of Suze Simon. Since she sort of resurrected her ghostly boyfriend, Jesse, they've been together, and are dealing with adult stuff like college, student loans, and jobs. They recently got engaged, and are planning their wedding. Unfortunately, just as life is becoming perfect for them, a spanner is thrown into the works, namely Paul Slater. I'm sure most of you disliked him as much as I did in the original series, and now he's trying to split up Suze and Jesse by demolishing the house they met in, and was the main setting of their whole ghostly/mediator relationship. To top it off, there's a new NCDP (Non-Compliant Deceased Person) haunting a student at Suze's new place of work - her old school.
I loved being back in Suze's head again! She was exactly as I remembered her, and it made me feel so nostalgic. She's still the sassy, feisty Suze we all know and love. Her being able to see dead people, and the problems that brings still bothers her, though she wants to do as much as she can to help the ghostly spirits, especially when this one is a little kid.
I enjoyed the plot and mystery surrounding the ghost, Lucia, and why she is haunting the student. That whole arc was very enjoyable, especially when it came out in little drips and drabs - it wasn't a whole info dump on the whole situation.
However, there were problems in this book. Jesse, as swoony as he is, and I will always love him, was a little too much. Even though he knew how bad ass Suze is, he still wanted to protect her and keep her wrapped up in cotton wool. No, she has to deal with Lucia and all that herself. Other than that, their relationship was perfect, and I loved the ending of the book so much!
Secondly, why on earth did Paul Slater have to come back? He basically blackmails Suze and tries to force her into cheating on Jesse just so he won't go all demon on everyone. Paul knows Suze would never be with him of her own volition, but that doesn't bother him. Well, it bothered me, and was the main reason why the rating is only a 4. I know the book needed some angst, but the whole cheating situation really got to me.
Even though there were these issues, I still enjoyed the book so much! I will always love this series, and I'm really glad Cabot decided to return to it. The characters (except Paul) were as lovely as they always had been, and I was hooked with the various story arcs playing out. I'm guessing there probably won't be an eighth instalment, with how it ended, but I would definitely read it if there was. I'd recommend the book to those who loved the original series, and I hope the little bits I didn't like won't put you off.
Dates Read:
January 31-1 February 2016
Rating
4 Stars
January 31-1 February 2016
Rating
4 Stars
2 comments
Great review, Sophie! I just recently discovered this book came out and have been very exited to read it. I couldn't stand Paul either. :)
ReplyDelete#Commenting365
I nearly died when I heart Meg was writing more of this series, and couldn't believe it when I got a review copy :) Paul is someone who most people hate, I think, and it's understandable why!
DeleteSophie @ Sophie Reads YA