64
Sep212009
Book Review & Giveaway: Ruined by Paula Morris [NOW CLOSED]
by Carolyn • Posted in 3 Star Reviews, Authors M-P, Book Reviews, Giveaways, Paranormal, Paula Morris
Title: Ruined
Author: Paula Morris
Genre: Paranormal/Ghost
Reading Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Point
Publication Date: 31 Aug 2009 (HB/UK) / 1 Aug 2009 (HB/US)
ARC: 315 pages
Rating: 6/10
Synopsis:
When Rebecca Brown goes to New Orleans to stay with her voodoo-obsessed aunt, she finds the beautiful city haunted by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Rebecca is also startled to discover a haunting of a different kind: near a graveyard one night, amid the Spanish moss and beneath the moonlight, she meets a ghost girl named Lisette, who has been dead for 150 years. Lisette helps Rebecca unearth an ancient mystery in her aunts house, along with some troubling historical truths. Meanwhile, Rebecca must juggle adjusting to her snooty new prep school, developing a serious crush on a handsome boy, and dealing with an elite group of popular girls who may be linked to the ghostly mystery themselves.
Review:
Ruined is marketed as a ghost story and it is a story about a ghost, but it’s not what I expected. It’s not scary, or spooky or spine-tingling. It’s just about a girl who happens to be a ghost. The plot is quite good and we are introduced to Rebecca, who is the only person (or so she thinks) that can see the ghost, Lisette. They form a friendship, but behind it there is a secret which Rebecca slowly unravels and discovers the truth.
Rebecca is a nice girl, but we don’t really get to know her, and it’s the same with all the other characters. We are given glimpses of their personality, but then they just fizzle out and go flat. They are not really developed enough for my liking.
It is a nice easy read, as the writing is fairly simple, but I did find it a little hard going at times, as it is quite slow paced and there isn’t any action in the book to help move the story along. The atmosphere is non-existent, although I did get an essence of New Orleans, but the graveyard, which Rebecca frequently visits isn’t eerie or chilling. I wasn’t riveted by this book, but I did want to find out about Lisette, how she died and how Rebecca was tied up in it all.
During the last few chapters things do pick up when the truth is finally revealed and there is a potential murder and sacrifice. But then, it ends, just as it begins to get interesting.
Verdict:
Overall, this is a nicely written book, but not outstanding. It did keep my interest but didn’t grip me. If you are looking for a scary ghost story, this isn’t the book for you, but if you want an easy read with a mystery twist, then this may be the book you’re looking for.
Paula Morris has published a short story collection and several novels for adults in her native New Zealand. She’s lived in a number of cities around the world, moving to New Orleans the year before Hurricane Katrina. She teaches creative writing at Tulane University. If you would like to know more about Paula Morris then visit her website
Okay, on to the CONTEST!
I have FIVE copies of Ruined to giveaway to FIVE winners, thanks to Point Publishers. All you have to do is leave a comment and an email address so I can contact you. No email address, no entry. Only ONE entry per person please (all addition entries will be deleted).
Open to United States mailing address only (international readers can enter if you have a friend in the States who can accept your prizes by mail!). Contest ends 30 Sept when winner will be announced.
GOOD LUCK!
Thank you to Point for sending me this book for review.
64 Comments
Great review, girlie! Ruined sounds interesting and I'm looking forward to trying it.
- Wendy (omgitswendy at gmail dot com)
Reply
Awesome review, glad it's not scary, well not glad, but you know sometimes I need a break from horror.
Anyways enter me!
My email is
goodbooksandgoodwine(at)gmail.com
Reply
No need to enter me – I'll be hosting a giveaway later this week. I was just hoping the book would be better!
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I love ghost stories and I don't mind if it's not scary. thanks!
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
Reply
Hmmmm…a ghost story you say….sure enter me.
mandyfish@gmail.com
Reply
OOOh great review! This book looks awesome, I just love a good ghost story.
Enter me please
jennilovevirgo[at]aol.com
Reply
I love the black and white cover. Please enter me.
zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom
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Enter me please!
michwerm (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks!
Reply
The cover is absolutely gorgeous. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.
fforgnayr@yahoo.com
Reply
I am really anxious to read this book.
jomullane(at)bluemarble(dot)net
Reply
Book Chick City: I love good ghost stories and have been wanted to read this one. Thanks for posting. Hope I win!!!
Wendy C.
lulubee183(at)hotmail.com
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Fab review. I SO want to read this. It's the whole New Orleans mystique. It catches me every time.
Please enter me.
-Juju
suitejuju(at)gmail(dot)com
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Thanks – your review makes me want to read it, because I was worried it would be too scary. I know, I know, I'm an adult, but when you got nightmares like mad as a kid, you learn to be careful.
Or maybe I'm just a pansy.
Thanks! So excited!
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Sorry – forgot an email. It's rae_sunshine4(at)yahoo.com
Also, feel free to come say hi – twoandahalfbooklovers.blogspot.com
Reply
Great review.
I would love to read this book.
Thanks
ivybookreadertimes@live.com
Reply
I'd like to be included! tWarner419@aol.com
Reply
I love your reviews! This sounds good, thanks
Penney
luvhistoricalromance AT gmail DOT com
Reply
Great review! I've been wanting to read this one! Please enter me!
pureimagination77(at)gmail.com
Reply
OOH another new author and book. Loved the post and please enter me.
klmc_37@yahoo.com
Reply
I'd like to give it a try! Thanks for your good review and that it may not be everyone's cup of tea.
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Reply
I would love to be entered! thank you!
kristacole64(at)yahoo(dot)com
Reply
Thanks for this contest. Ruined sounds like a wonderful book.
aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Reply
Love the review.
shannon@justanothermusing.com
Reply
Ooooh, I'd LOVE a copy of this!!!
spin.around[at]gmail.com
Reply
Sounds like a different kind of ghost story. Count me in.
susan.byerly@comcast.net
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looks like a great read thanks minsthins at optonline dot net
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I'd love to be entered. This one sounds worth checking out. Sometimes I can't do scary ghost stories. (I'm a bit of a wimp.) Thanks for the review.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com
Reply
I usually read books that took place in the past, but I think I would enjoy reading this one.
seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com
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Please enter me in your giveaway. I love New Orleans. Thank you.
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Please count me in! Email address is in the profile. Thanks so much!
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I've been trying to win this forever but no luck! LOL
I'd love to enter!
kim
bookbutterfly9@gmail.com
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Oooooh, I have picked this book up so many times but just haven't bought or borrowed it yet! Can't wait to read it, it sounds good!
amber_johnson2004@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Reply
Thanks for the great giveaway and review! I've been curious about this book for awhile!
Reply
Great review. I love a good ghost story.
Please enter my name in the draw.
djeanq(at)gmail(dot)com
Reply
I've wandered the cemetaries of New Orleans. Loved it! Please add me to the giveaway.
oregonkimm(at)gmail(dot)com
Reply
Who knew Young Adult, could be so entertaining! Love the review, book sounds awesome!
Reply
I always love your reviews. I'd like to check this book out.
Reply
Ruined sounds intriguing. Your review was great. Despite the problems you mentioned, it still seems like it's a good read.
Count me in! Thanks!
miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Reply
This sounds like an awesome book. I have been wanting to read it for a while now. Please enter me.
Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com
Reply
It sounds kind of interesting. I don't really care so much about scary stories so that wouldn't bother me.
rmayerhoefer at cox dot net
Reply
Nice Review. Please enter me. Thanks for the giveaway.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Reply
Looks interesting!
thefatesarevicious at yahoo dot com
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I would love to read this. Please enter me.
neverendingshelf@gmail.com
Reply
Great review! I have been wanting to read this for awhile now.
Casey
paranormalfanatic@gmail.com
Reply
awesome review!
Count me in!
leslie-lv at hotmail dot com
Reply
I've heard mixed things about this, but it's left me curious. Count me in!
~Misty (mbradenwf@gmail.com)
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Enjoyed the review. Please enter me. Thank you!
cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com
Reply
This looks great; enter me!
zedster.tbb at gmail dot com
Reply
What a shame it's not as atmospheric as the cover (which is brilliant). Still sounds interesting though, so please enter me.
notenoughbookshelves.blogspot.com
Thanks fr the comp.
Reply
Sounds like a good read!
Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com
Reply
A ghost story for Halloween. Enter me please
foltzsfantasticbooks at gmail.com
Reply
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
eswright18 at gmail dot com
Reply
Sounds like I may enjoy the book. I like a book with a mystery twist. Thanks for the giveaway!
tiffanys819 at gmail dot com
Reply
Sounds like a good book even though the writing may be alittle weak. Would love to read it : D
BevE
merryweatherbookblog@gmail.com
Reply
This book sounds like a good read, one I'd like to try. Count me in please.
jessica(at)fan(dot)com
Reply
I really enjoy the idea of this book, especially the setting in New Orleans. It really interests me a lot. But if the characterization isn't there, I'm not sure I'd be all that into the book. Still, I'd love to give it a chance. Enter me please. JLesnick@scu.edu
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I would love to read this!!
choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com
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My step daughter would love this book in her christmas stocking…
Reply
I'd love to be entered to win!
grochowskis@hotmail.com
Reply
Thanks for the contest!
kellybjensen//at//gmail.com
Reply
I haven't really read many ghost books so this will be cool.
~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com
Reply
I'd love to be entered! Great review!!
crystalreviews[at]gmail.com
Reply
I love ghost stories, and what better setting than New Orleans? Count me in, please. Thanks!
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
Reply
I would love enter…
ivybookreadertimes@live.com
Thanks
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