Book: RuinedAuthoress: Paula Morris
Pages: 309 (Hardcover)
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
My summary: Rebecca finds her self submerged in mystics, lies, high society, and Southern tradition when her father forces her to leave her beloved New York City to go live with a distant family friend in a post-Katrina New Orleans. There she meets and befriends a ghost named Lisette. Together Rebecca and Lisette untangle a web of deceit, lies, and murder that will rock both their worlds.
My say: The only reason I did not love this novel is that the writing style seems to be aimed at younger teens. Other than that this is a great book. The author writes about New Orleans, the traditions behind Mardi Gras, race, social class, and Southern ways. Her heroine is fearless, brave, and admirable.
My favorite part?: Lisette shows Rebecca some of the old ghosts that haunt New Orleans. That part was super cool and taught me a couple of cool historical facts.
My rating: 3 stars; I liked this story.
Cover love?: I love this cover. It is pertinent to the story, well balanced, and I could not stop looking at it.
The Meter Readings:
Kiddie-o-meter: Ruined is pretty safe for younger readers. There is no sex nor foul language. There is some minor violence, death, and mentions to voodoo.
Adult-o-meter: This one is aimed at young at heart readers.
Quoteable:
"Lisette dragged Rebecca into the road, because cars were easier to avoid than people. Some ghosts were easy to spot, like the woman with dark ringlets wearing a flowing blue ball gown, picking her way back and forth across Royal Street, gazing up at a flower-bedecked balcony."
Contest:
Want to win my gently used hardcover copy of Ruined?
To enter you must be or become a follower and comment with your email address below. Existing followers will receive an additional entry. Contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada only. Contest ends December 9th.
My final say: I NEED to go back to New Orleans. I only went once (many moons ago) for Mardi Gras.
Thank you to Book Chick City for making this review and contest possible.
50 comments:
I won this months ago but never received it (boo). I still want to read it. I thought it was geared a bit older, but, the story line sounds great. I agree about the cover.
I am a current follower
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
Elie (Ellz Readz)
Ruined sounds very interesting and I love the cover. I makes me want to read it more.
Old Follower
usignolc(at)yahooDOTcom
Nice review! I felt pretty much the same way.
No need to enter me in the contest.
I've been waiting to read some reviews before I bought this one. I think I'll give it a try! I'm glad the cover ties in, because love it
Of course I'm an old follower :)
-Lizzy
Cornucopiaofreviews@gmail.com
I like your review format. Very creative.
I reviewed this a while back and I also gave it 6/10. I can't say that I really enjoyed it but there were some good moments. The one thing I was disappointed in was the amount or lack of spookiness. It did say it was a ghost story, but it didn't have what I wanted. Thanks for the review :)
I enjoy your review format and Ruined sounds like a fun book.
I have been wanting to read this.
I am already a follower
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Great review. You always have such good information in a readable format. I have had this from the library for a while but haven't gotten to it. Maybe I'll wait...
I like the cover too. Glad to hear it reflects the content.
Thanks as always!
I forgot to put my name in for the contest. I'll give it a go!
demonicattractions@gmail.com
old follower
I put it on my sidebar just for fun! Can't have too much promotion!
Great review! I really appreciate your honesty. :)
I have this book on my wishlist, I'm glad I wasn't too hasty.
I just love the cover!
Please enter me for a chance to win your copy. :)
I'm already a follower.
- bookloversdiary(@)yahoo(.)com
Don't enter me, I've got a copy of this on the way to me. I just wanted to drop by and say thanks for another honest, awesome review. :) It made me look forward to reading this even more. Oh, and thanks for giving me Hush, Hush's new ending. You saved me about 20 bucks. :)
Thanks for the link love JuJu!
After reading Ruined I also had the urge to visit New Orleans again. Like you I've only been once and it was...longer ago then I can remember :)
Great review!
No need to enter me :)
Nice review. I've been looking forward to reading this. Please enter me in the contest
+1 old follower
McKenzie
mac.attack17(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oooh, I'd love to read this! And I'm also in LOVE with the cover, it's beautiful!
My email address is:
spin . around @ gmail . com
And I get an extra entry since I'm an older follower of your lovely blog! :)
Geez I love your reviews!
andrearobbins10@yahoo.com
I've been watching this one, I love the cover! Kinda bummed that you only gave it a 3 though.
I'm an old follower :)
hefollowedme AT gmail DOT com
Thanks!
Mel
I love your reviews. They always give a lot of info - especially when you talk about whether it's good for kids. I've seen good and bad reviews of this one. Usually when it's like that I have to read it for myself to decide.
I'm an old follower :)
foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com
I've been wanting to read this one for a while! I'm a follower!
dragonzgoil at gmail dot com
I've really been wanting to read this. Thanks for the opportunity. I love reading your thoughts on books too! :)
Kim
bookbutterfly9(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi I love ghost stories. polo-puppy-fluffyAThotmail *dot* com I love the sound of this.
I'm a follower too. Cheers
Thanks for the great review and Giveaway, JuJu! I have really wanted to try this one so I'd love to be entered :)
I'm a follower :)
Thank you!
kristacole64(at)yahoo(dot)com
I have this one on my TBR pile; definitely fooking forward to reading it. I'm not sure how I'll like the writing though, if it's too aimed at younger readers!
I was in New Orleans only once as well..., ages ago, when I was cross country traveling. It wasn't for Mardi Gras though, we hung out in bars and other locals listening to old time jazz.
I am a new follower and loving it!
veltara@yahoo.com
enter me in the contest. can't wait to read the book
Gah! I'll totally enter this :) The book sounds real good.
(existing follower)
justeena_25(at)yahoo(dot)ca
Ooooh! Sounds interesting! I just may have to pick this one up! :)
Great review! I've seen this one around the blogsphere and it's definitely on my wish list. COunt me in!
+1 - existing follower!
grgenius(at)go(dot)com
Yay for awesome books that take place in Louisiana!
And you so should return, though not just to New Orleans. Isn't Mardi Gras so much fun?!/
I'm an old follower
zedster.tbb(at)gmail(DOT)com
Juju, I love the cover too. IT would be really fun to win this book. Please enter me:
geekettesarbear(at)yahoo(dot)com
+1 old follower
I flipped through this tonight when during my trip to the bookstore! I would love a chance to enter the contest!
I am already a follower! :)
My email:
holly(dot)lilly(at)gmail(dot)com
I am already a follower and would love to win a copy of this book.
cherylbaryl@hotmail.com
I've wanted to read this since I first heard about it. Sounds great, if a little young.
whatinabox (at) gmail (dot) com
I'd love to win a copy of this!
I enjoy YA novels, so hopefuly I'll like this one :) the story line sounds fun too
I'm a follower
Thanks for the contest!
kikala(dot)street(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me into the contest! This sounds like a great book.
I'm a new follower.
I would love it if you entered me! I'm new to blogging and yours is amazing!
Thank you for commenting!
Devin
ALiteraryLolita[at]aol[dot]com
This book sounds wonderful and in my own backyard, I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the opportunity. - Parajunkee
parajunkee (@) gmail.com
I've heard mixed reviews on this one, but it still leaves me curious. I'd like to give it a try.
And of course I am a follower!
~Misty
mbradenwf@gmail.com
Hi Juju, Please enter me into the contest to win Ruined. Looks interesting! I'd like to go to New Orleans too!
Fun contest Juju and it looks like a good book. Please enter me in the contest!
demonicattractions@gmail.com
Sorry, my email is demonicattractions@gmail.com
So glad I found your blog! What a great place to visit! I've been anxious to read this book and your review was very helpful. Thanks so much for your giveaway!
5wrights1[at]verizon[dot]net
Forgot to add, new follower.
Don't include me in the contest, am not in the US. But, re-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2009/12/win-ruined-at-tales-of-whimsy.html.
Goodluck to all who is participating!!
Hi - I met you on Shelfari.
I would love to enter your contest!
I did become a follower.
forevereading at gmail dot com
Come visit my blog sometime.
Great review! I had heard similar things about this book from others, too. But I'm a sucker for a Mardi Gras theme!! I'd love to enter the contest!
I'm a follower.
intthehammockblog (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks so much!!
Woah, I really thought I entered this one. Thanks for the reminder! Deifnitely want to try it. :)
+1 existing follower
booksatmidnight(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a good book! Since I'm a teen, I think I'd really like it.
I'm already a follower.
naggy8(at)gmail(dot)com
*********PLEASE NOTE************
This contest is closed.
The winner was announced December 10th (http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2009/12/contest-winners-ruined.html).
Thank you to every one who entered!
Please continue to check back for more contests.
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