Blog Tour: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard Review + Playlist + Giveaway

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember. What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

When I first read the synopsis for The Forgotten ones, I could have sworn it was a contemporary, coming of age/ finding yourself story. The last thing I expected was the paranormal twist that was thrown in there.

Alison's mom suffers from schizophrenia and she has spent most of her life thinking it was her fault that this happened since her mom was normal before she became pregnant with her. The reality is completely off base. Strange things begin to happen, like black birds camping out in her front yard and then her long lost father that she's never met suddenly shows up on her door step. From there things get even weirder.

I really fell in love with some of the characters. Especially the main love interest, Ethan. Ethan is a contagious character and I spent most of the first half of the book laughing right along with him. He's fun, sweet, goofy, adorable and smoking hot all at the same time. I hope we see more of him in the second book. Alison's best friend is also her cousin and neighbor, Nicole. They're inseparable but at the same time so different. Nicole is popular and outgoing while Alison is more focused on taking care of her mother and grandparents. Alison is 21 and instead of going out with her friends, she has a life plan revolving her mother. She's dedicated her entire life to helping her, which means she isolates herself from others. The infuriating thing about her is how she pushes Ethan away when he clearly just wants to help her anyway he can. It's understandable and frustrating at the same time. I understand that she doesn't need distractions because she has enough going on in her life, but if she just trusted Ethan a bit her life would be simpler. wouldn't let him get close to her even though she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

As I mentioned earlier the first half of the story has a very contemporary feel to it but the second half delves into irish folklore. Alison's father Liam is irish and she quickly learns that there's more to her backstory. There are many more characters introduced and while their names are a bit complicated, they add more to the story. Laura Howard does a great job with the world of the fey. I hardly read fairy books but this one was well done. I had a little bit of a difficult time getting into the story. My attention wasn't completely captured at first but by the end I was intruiged. The ending was filled with action and I'll be reading the second book in this trilogy. I can't wait to see where Laura Howard takes this story. If you're looking for a fairy book, start this one because it's well done and quick to get through.

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My "The Forgotten Ones" Playlist:

1. Heart Attack - Demi Lovato

This shows the side of Alison that's scared to let Ethan into her life.

2. Dark Side - Kelly Clarkson

Reminded me of Allison and the problems she has and how even though she pushes Ethan away she still wants him there with her. She has the dark secret of the fey world.

3. We Come Running - Youngblood Hawke
It makes me feel how she must have felt seeing all the beauty in the fey world.

4. All Alone - Fun.

Makes me think of her relationship with her mom and how she feels alone. Having to take care of her mom.

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Giveaway:

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