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Borrowing Abby Grace #1
The Shadow
Smart and sassy Abby Grace is a seventeen-year-old with a talent for getting out of trouble. Sent to repair the lives and loves of teenagers on the edge of disaster, Abby is the perfect girl for the job. She has everything going for her… except one thing: a body.
This fast-paced and exciting episode is the first installment in an ongoing mystery series with a supernatural twist.
Episode 1
When Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van, she has no idea who she is, how she got there, or why anyone would want to kidnap her. After escaping her masked captors, she hurries home, only to discover that she unknowingly left her younger brother behind in the van. Unable to answer the police’s questions with her memories gone, she retreats to the safety of her bedroom where she tries to reconstruct her life. Just as she is settling into the belief that things will one day return to normal, she looks in the mirror—and sees a stranger’s face.
As Abby learns next, she has become a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. With nothing to go on except the vague hints of her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will, Abby sets out to rescue the missing brother. But she will need all of her intelligence, fearlessness, and wit, because if she fails to find him in time, she will remain trapped in this unfamiliar body forever.
Episode 2: Girl Steals Guy http://t.co/MZ01r1Aq
Dropped into the life of a gorgeous senior with a heartbroken best friend, Abby Grace must navigate high school keg parties, football games and power couples as she discovers that love and revenge are sometimes the same thing.
Episode 3: Teacher’s Pet
Coming in early December; preview at: www.borrowingabbygrace.com
Abby finds herself in a boy’s body for the first time, where she has to fumble her way through a secret love affair, while getting to the bottom of a grade-tampering scandal that could send her to jail.
This fast-paced and exciting episode is the first installment in an ongoing mystery series with a supernatural twist.
Episode 1
When Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van, she has no idea who she is, how she got there, or why anyone would want to kidnap her. After escaping her masked captors, she hurries home, only to discover that she unknowingly left her younger brother behind in the van. Unable to answer the police’s questions with her memories gone, she retreats to the safety of her bedroom where she tries to reconstruct her life. Just as she is settling into the belief that things will one day return to normal, she looks in the mirror—and sees a stranger’s face.
As Abby learns next, she has become a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. With nothing to go on except the vague hints of her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will, Abby sets out to rescue the missing brother. But she will need all of her intelligence, fearlessness, and wit, because if she fails to find him in time, she will remain trapped in this unfamiliar body forever.
Episode 2: Girl Steals Guy http://t.co/MZ01r1Aq
Dropped into the life of a gorgeous senior with a heartbroken best friend, Abby Grace must navigate high school keg parties, football games and power couples as she discovers that love and revenge are sometimes the same thing.
Episode 3: Teacher’s Pet
Coming in early December; preview at: www.borrowingabbygrace.com
Abby finds herself in a boy’s body for the first time, where she has to fumble her way through a secret love affair, while getting to the bottom of a grade-tampering scandal that could send her to jail.
47 pages, Nook
First published October 16, 2011
128 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Green
51 books48 followersWriter. Reader. I also enjoy jumping in piles of leaves. I am launching a new eBook series called Borrowing Abby Grace, a super-fun supernatural Nancy Drew.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 9, 2018
Kind of a cute and fun mystery definitely geared more towards a younger crowd but one that older book lovers might enjoy as well.
April 13, 2012
Plot: Abby Grace is a Shadow, a mystical being, formerly human, who inhabits the bodies of living people who need her to solve their problems. But, her problem is that she has amnesia upon first inhabiting her new body and doesn't remember anything about herself. She is in the process of being kidnapped when she first comes to, in the beginning, and manages to get away. Then, discovering who she is and who she's pretending to be takes her on a wild Nancy Drew-like mystery solving journey. The main objective of this episode is for Abby to find the kidnapped younger brother of Brooke, the girl whose body she's inhabiting.
Characters: Abby is a funny girl, apparently a teenager herself, though she has no body. We never find out why she is a Shadow, or rather, she never finds out how the whole "shadowing" process works and why she's a part of it. The other presence in the story is a boy her age named Will, who is like a ghost, and he's there to help her out. He can't tell her how to solve her mysteries, or anything about who she's supposed to be helping, but he can tell her some things about what is expected of her, how much time she has to complete her mission, and the consequences if she doesn't complete it on time. Clearly, he has an important function, but I can't form an opinion of Will because he simply isn't in the story enough.
Technical Writing: It's good and written in a believable YA voice. Abby has probably been leaping around from body to body (kind of like Quantum Leap) recently, since she's aware of modern technology and knows how to use it, even with amnesia.
Storytelling: It's supposed to be an homage to the Nancy Drew mysteries of yesteryear, but I can't even draw that comparison because I never read any Nancy Drew. My older sisters loved those books, but they're ten years older than me, and I just had no interest. I thought the books were outdated, but, that was how I felt as a kid. (Don't kill me!) Still, I thought the mystery was done really well insofar as mysteries are concerned, and I never saw the climax coming. It wasn't predictable, and Abby did her job, even helping to repair a broken family at the end. It was very sweet.
Overall Quality: Great. I wasn't sure what to think when I first started reading, but it quickly became a fast, fun, engaging story as Abby tried to figure out so many different unknowns all at once. I'm surprised it could be done within such a short space (40 pages).
Favorite Scene/Moment: Easy. The scene where Abby sings a solo as Brooke (who has a killer voice) in the choir concert. She didn't know the words to "Danny Boy," so she started making up stuff around the middle of the song--stuff about Danny losing his teddy bear and eating a hamburger. Then, in the middle of her solo, she takes off, chasing after a kid she believes is connected to the little brother's kidnapping, leaving the entire audience completely O__O. I laughed out loud at the pure Randomy McRandom-ness of it all!
Characters: Abby is a funny girl, apparently a teenager herself, though she has no body. We never find out why she is a Shadow, or rather, she never finds out how the whole "shadowing" process works and why she's a part of it. The other presence in the story is a boy her age named Will, who is like a ghost, and he's there to help her out. He can't tell her how to solve her mysteries, or anything about who she's supposed to be helping, but he can tell her some things about what is expected of her, how much time she has to complete her mission, and the consequences if she doesn't complete it on time. Clearly, he has an important function, but I can't form an opinion of Will because he simply isn't in the story enough.
Technical Writing: It's good and written in a believable YA voice. Abby has probably been leaping around from body to body (kind of like Quantum Leap) recently, since she's aware of modern technology and knows how to use it, even with amnesia.
Storytelling: It's supposed to be an homage to the Nancy Drew mysteries of yesteryear, but I can't even draw that comparison because I never read any Nancy Drew. My older sisters loved those books, but they're ten years older than me, and I just had no interest. I thought the books were outdated, but, that was how I felt as a kid. (Don't kill me!) Still, I thought the mystery was done really well insofar as mysteries are concerned, and I never saw the climax coming. It wasn't predictable, and Abby did her job, even helping to repair a broken family at the end. It was very sweet.
Overall Quality: Great. I wasn't sure what to think when I first started reading, but it quickly became a fast, fun, engaging story as Abby tried to figure out so many different unknowns all at once. I'm surprised it could be done within such a short space (40 pages).
Favorite Scene/Moment: Easy. The scene where Abby sings a solo as Brooke (who has a killer voice) in the choir concert. She didn't know the words to "Danny Boy," so she started making up stuff around the middle of the song--stuff about Danny losing his teddy bear and eating a hamburger. Then, in the middle of her solo, she takes off, chasing after a kid she believes is connected to the little brother's kidnapping, leaving the entire audience completely O__O. I laughed out loud at the pure Randomy McRandom-ness of it all!
September 19, 2015
The Shadow is a short, fast and exciting read. It is a bit of mystery with a supernatural twist. The story flows along at a great pace and gives the reader unexpected twists and turns.
Abby wakes up to find herself in the back of a van with strangers. She also can't remember who she is. When she realizes she has been kidnapped she makes a quick escape out the back. Once the police take her home her father wants to know where her brother Paul is. It's not long before she meets Will and finds out that she is a shadow. She takes over bodies to help the person fix a problem in their life. Abby has taken over Brooke's body and life in this first installment. She thinks this will be easy, just find Paul and maybe she can go back to being Abby, whoever that may be.
The author did a great job of keeping me on the edge of my seat with all the mystery and suspense. I was shocked when the story came to a close. I was way off track of what I thought was going on with the plot. I loved it, it was not predictable at all. But really exciting and unique. I have already started reading the second book because I had to know what happened to Abby next. Readers that love mystery and/or supernatural elements will enjoy this series.
Abby wakes up to find herself in the back of a van with strangers. She also can't remember who she is. When she realizes she has been kidnapped she makes a quick escape out the back. Once the police take her home her father wants to know where her brother Paul is. It's not long before she meets Will and finds out that she is a shadow. She takes over bodies to help the person fix a problem in their life. Abby has taken over Brooke's body and life in this first installment. She thinks this will be easy, just find Paul and maybe she can go back to being Abby, whoever that may be.
The author did a great job of keeping me on the edge of my seat with all the mystery and suspense. I was shocked when the story came to a close. I was way off track of what I thought was going on with the plot. I loved it, it was not predictable at all. But really exciting and unique. I have already started reading the second book because I had to know what happened to Abby next. Readers that love mystery and/or supernatural elements will enjoy this series.
October 30, 2011
Episode one is where you are first introduced to Abby Grace and where she learns that she is a Shadow. This is where she “borrows” people’s bodies in order to help them solve their problems. The story begins with Abby waking up in the back of a van. She is confused as to where she is and who she is. She doesn’t even remember her own name. She is living the life of Brooke, the girl whose body she has taken over, but when she looks into the mirror, she sees Abby. After surviving the daring escape, she learns from Wilhelm aka Will, who is her Guardian, about Shadows and that she is supposed to solve a problem. He doesn’t know much about what her current mission is, but is there to guide her along the way.
Brooke has a brother Paul, who is also missing. She learns about this when she is brought home by the police. To Abby, her mission is clear – to find Paul and reunite him with the family. Since Abby is new at being a Shadow, she doesn’t always know what she is supposed to do and soon learns that there is a time limit to her missions. If she doesn’t complete them, she will be trapped in Brooke’s life forever.
I really liked this story. It was a short one and I read it very quickly. I found myself being mesmerized by this book. I couldn’t put it down until I was finished with it. When it was done, I quickly downloaded Episode 2 because I just had to find out what would happen with Abby next.
I Like:
▪ How this story is different than books I normally read. Don’t get me wrong, I like books about paranormal beings as much as the next person, but I love it when a books challenges my imagination further than what the mainstream ideas do.
▪ The aspect of figuring out what the real problems are and how Abby is going to fix them in the allotted time. I’ve always liked crime shows like Law and Order, CSI and NCIS. This series brings out the investigator in me.
▪ Will. Even though in the first Episode, Abby seems to be annoyed by him, he still seems like an asset to the books and her operation of being a Shadow. I imagine we will see more of how he is helping Abby in future episodes of this series.
▪ The cover of the book. I must credit Backlit Fiction when they came up with the cover. I love how you see both Abby and Brooke in the cover and it reminds you that even though she inhabits Brooke’s body, she is still Abby. She has all the traits that come with her.
▪ Abby is not always right. This makes this more realistic. (As realistic as being a Shadow can be.)
I Did Not Like:
▪ Waiting for more episodes of this series. Other than that, I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like. As rare as that is, it’s true. There really isn’t a “bad guy” or love triangle in this book, so there isn’t many characters that you don’t like.
Brooke has a brother Paul, who is also missing. She learns about this when she is brought home by the police. To Abby, her mission is clear – to find Paul and reunite him with the family. Since Abby is new at being a Shadow, she doesn’t always know what she is supposed to do and soon learns that there is a time limit to her missions. If she doesn’t complete them, she will be trapped in Brooke’s life forever.
I really liked this story. It was a short one and I read it very quickly. I found myself being mesmerized by this book. I couldn’t put it down until I was finished with it. When it was done, I quickly downloaded Episode 2 because I just had to find out what would happen with Abby next.
I Like:
▪ How this story is different than books I normally read. Don’t get me wrong, I like books about paranormal beings as much as the next person, but I love it when a books challenges my imagination further than what the mainstream ideas do.
▪ The aspect of figuring out what the real problems are and how Abby is going to fix them in the allotted time. I’ve always liked crime shows like Law and Order, CSI and NCIS. This series brings out the investigator in me.
▪ Will. Even though in the first Episode, Abby seems to be annoyed by him, he still seems like an asset to the books and her operation of being a Shadow. I imagine we will see more of how he is helping Abby in future episodes of this series.
▪ The cover of the book. I must credit Backlit Fiction when they came up with the cover. I love how you see both Abby and Brooke in the cover and it reminds you that even though she inhabits Brooke’s body, she is still Abby. She has all the traits that come with her.
▪ Abby is not always right. This makes this more realistic. (As realistic as being a Shadow can be.)
I Did Not Like:
▪ Waiting for more episodes of this series. Other than that, I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like. As rare as that is, it’s true. There really isn’t a “bad guy” or love triangle in this book, so there isn’t many characters that you don’t like.
October 24, 2011
My favorite series are those that have lots of changes: I hate when I am stuck in one place with one person too long (after all, if I want that, there is my own life to live). My favorite heroines are those that has a little chutzpah in them: pushovers make me want to throttle someone. My favorite books are thrillers: ones where I can't wait to turn the page and keep on with my roller-coaster read.
Borrowing Abby Grace ticked all those boxes for me. The premise is so original and is sure to keep me coming back for more. Abby, or the main character who may yet be someone else altogether, wakes up in the back of a van, apparently in the middle of a kidnapping, with amnesia. How's that for the first chapter? And from there, the action just keeps going.
After foiling the kidnappers and returning home, Abby is told that she is a Shadow-a creature that inhabits the body of another person in order to help them in some way. If she can't figure out what they need and in a timely manner, she might just be trapped forever in this body and never figure out who she is or how to get home, if she can ever remember where home is. The family she has landed in has huge problems. How exactly is she supposed to know what to do and when to do it? What I love is that the author didn't pull any fast ones here. I loathe books where the ending is a trick, something the reader had no way of knowing but that neatly sums everything up. This book doesn't do that--we follow right along as the main character bumbles her way through.
I love series, like this, that you can just drop in on. I like the idea of a new story and new characters in every single book and this one is setting me up for one grand adventure after another. These kinds of books give the reader a chance to get to know the characters as they grow and develop. Abby is one of my favorite types of heroines. She is charming and funny with just the right amount of spice. I am pulling for her all along, even though I don't know much about her because she doesn't know too much about herself.
All in all, I loved this first installment. It holds lots of promise and I can't wait to see where the next book goes. I have to read it--to answer all my questions and theories about who this person is! The idea is very unique in a market that tries to hard to be like every other supernatural best-seller. The real treasure here is not the measure of 'sameness' it has, but the measure of uniqueness.
Borrowing Abby Grace ticked all those boxes for me. The premise is so original and is sure to keep me coming back for more. Abby, or the main character who may yet be someone else altogether, wakes up in the back of a van, apparently in the middle of a kidnapping, with amnesia. How's that for the first chapter? And from there, the action just keeps going.
After foiling the kidnappers and returning home, Abby is told that she is a Shadow-a creature that inhabits the body of another person in order to help them in some way. If she can't figure out what they need and in a timely manner, she might just be trapped forever in this body and never figure out who she is or how to get home, if she can ever remember where home is. The family she has landed in has huge problems. How exactly is she supposed to know what to do and when to do it? What I love is that the author didn't pull any fast ones here. I loathe books where the ending is a trick, something the reader had no way of knowing but that neatly sums everything up. This book doesn't do that--we follow right along as the main character bumbles her way through.
I love series, like this, that you can just drop in on. I like the idea of a new story and new characters in every single book and this one is setting me up for one grand adventure after another. These kinds of books give the reader a chance to get to know the characters as they grow and develop. Abby is one of my favorite types of heroines. She is charming and funny with just the right amount of spice. I am pulling for her all along, even though I don't know much about her because she doesn't know too much about herself.
All in all, I loved this first installment. It holds lots of promise and I can't wait to see where the next book goes. I have to read it--to answer all my questions and theories about who this person is! The idea is very unique in a market that tries to hard to be like every other supernatural best-seller. The real treasure here is not the measure of 'sameness' it has, but the measure of uniqueness.
October 5, 2011
As you fall deeply into Borrowing Abby Grace, you'll find yourself hooked and yearning for more. Suspenseful, thrilling, and exciting! You'll find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat.
She awoke to find herself confused, disoriented, and in the back of a van with two complete strangers wearing ski masks. But how did she get there? Kidnapped! Not wanting them to know she was awake, she quietly snuck to the back of the van and opened the door, only to barely get away, as they had realized her intentions and tried desperately to stop her.
She landed in the middle of a beautiful subdivision where everyone was now running towards her to check to see if she was OK. Once the officers from the wailing sirens had checked her out and asked if she belonged to the address in her wallet, she could only shrug and say yes. She had no recollection of who she was or what happened.
When they arrived at the house and the man came outside, running happily towards her, she knew she must be home. But then the question came. Where is Paul? Her brother was kidnapped too. She didn't even know who she was, and couldn't break his heart by telling him this, so she just played along. Looking at the pictures, at the blonde, she realized, that must be her. Except, when she looked into the mirror she seen someone completely different. Someone with black hair, and pale, not tanned skin at all.
Suddenly, someone appeared by her side. Explained to her that she is a shadow. That the body she is in belongs to Abby, and that Abby needs her help. Yet, she only has a short time to do it or she gets stuck inside forever...
She awoke to find herself confused, disoriented, and in the back of a van with two complete strangers wearing ski masks. But how did she get there? Kidnapped! Not wanting them to know she was awake, she quietly snuck to the back of the van and opened the door, only to barely get away, as they had realized her intentions and tried desperately to stop her.
She landed in the middle of a beautiful subdivision where everyone was now running towards her to check to see if she was OK. Once the officers from the wailing sirens had checked her out and asked if she belonged to the address in her wallet, she could only shrug and say yes. She had no recollection of who she was or what happened.
When they arrived at the house and the man came outside, running happily towards her, she knew she must be home. But then the question came. Where is Paul? Her brother was kidnapped too. She didn't even know who she was, and couldn't break his heart by telling him this, so she just played along. Looking at the pictures, at the blonde, she realized, that must be her. Except, when she looked into the mirror she seen someone completely different. Someone with black hair, and pale, not tanned skin at all.
Suddenly, someone appeared by her side. Explained to her that she is a shadow. That the body she is in belongs to Abby, and that Abby needs her help. Yet, she only has a short time to do it or she gets stuck inside forever...
November 4, 2011
This book was provided to me by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fun, super-fast read. The idea with these books is that they're episodes, so they're short and sweet.
Right off, we meet Abby Grace. Abby is a shadow who gets "borrowed" by people who have problems that Abby can fix for them. The biggest problem is that she doesn't know anything about the person she's supposed to be---not to mention the person she is.
We also meet Will. At this point, Will is a blank page, but there is potential there. I hope that in future episodes we get to know more about him.
I'm looking forward to learning where this series is headed!
This is a fun, super-fast read. The idea with these books is that they're episodes, so they're short and sweet.
Right off, we meet Abby Grace. Abby is a shadow who gets "borrowed" by people who have problems that Abby can fix for them. The biggest problem is that she doesn't know anything about the person she's supposed to be---not to mention the person she is.
We also meet Will. At this point, Will is a blank page, but there is potential there. I hope that in future episodes we get to know more about him.
I'm looking forward to learning where this series is headed!
August 31, 2017
A short book and probably written with a teen or preteen audience in mind.
The story makes rather large leaps in the progression of the story and also assumptions.
The story makes rather large leaps in the progression of the story and also assumptions.
January 21, 2012
You have to give it up to Backlit Fiction: they know the power of good editing and design.
Honestly, in the world of independant publishing, it's hard to find a book that engages both my artist side and my writer side, but Kelly Green's Borrowing Abby Grace series does that: it features eye-catching covers, seriously well-edited books and zero grammatical/spelling glitches.
The Borrowing Abby Grace series features short, fast-paced stories that are easy to read, fast-paced and quite engaging, with interesting characters, new ideas and lots of humor. The concept is fun and original: a girl-ghost, a.k.a "Shadow" who can be "borrowed" into other bodies as other people, with lots of mystery and sassy good humor thrown in to boot. Abby reminds me of a quirkier, sassier Nancy Drew. She's all A to B, no tears and tantrums, inquisitive and funny and mostly fast-thinking. While she solves the mysteries and problems in the lives of other people- people whose bodies she is forced to take over because that is what Shadows do- she questions her own existence and the possibility of what might have happened to her own life as Abby Grace. There is also Will- the boy in the shadows who is supposed to be helping her but chooses to be infuriatingly smug instead- whose mysteries I hope will be revealed in the forthcoming books. The plot doesn't lag anywhere- it moves in one continuous sweep from the beginning to the end, and that might also be a shortcoming of this novel.
Sometimes it just seemed too FAST.
Perhaps that has to do with my reading preference of books with long winding paragraphs of description, but I felt that Abby accepted the Shadow thing too quickly. That the problem in the first book which she was supposed to solve wasn't quite a problem at all, that the girl she'd been "borrowed" into could have just solved it herself instead of going in for a paranormal solution. I mean, when you have a paranormal solution, the problem should involve guns blazing, vampires dying, world ending...right? Maybe it's just me with my need for descriptions and emotional stuff and all: but I thought the book should have been longer, Abby should have been more fleshed out, and the problems...actually problems which NEED to be fixed paranormally. And also, couldn't the decisions that she makes as someone else totally affect the "someone else" when they are back in their own body? This is a question I was asking myself throughout the Girl Steals Guy book (the 2nd one in the series) because Abby makes some pretty important choices for the girl that she has been borrowed for, Michelle. I kept thinking what Michelle would feel when she came back. (And for her to come back, where did she go in the first place? Maybe we'll get to know that as the series continues!)
But that said, there was no problem with enjoying Abby Grace and her wittiness at all. I liked Abby's voice: her sarcasm is much appreciated in the place of usual YA heroine whininess.
I liked her relationship with Will, and I want more of him in the next books. I liked that each time she does a job, a memory of hers comes back. I liked that it made me laugh, and that it also got me curious regarding the real Abby Grace, and Kelly Green's writing-style is quite good.
Just...less speed next time, more people, more PROBLEMS.
The covers rocks, though. Dude, it does.
Honestly, in the world of independant publishing, it's hard to find a book that engages both my artist side and my writer side, but Kelly Green's Borrowing Abby Grace series does that: it features eye-catching covers, seriously well-edited books and zero grammatical/spelling glitches.
The Borrowing Abby Grace series features short, fast-paced stories that are easy to read, fast-paced and quite engaging, with interesting characters, new ideas and lots of humor. The concept is fun and original: a girl-ghost, a.k.a "Shadow" who can be "borrowed" into other bodies as other people, with lots of mystery and sassy good humor thrown in to boot. Abby reminds me of a quirkier, sassier Nancy Drew. She's all A to B, no tears and tantrums, inquisitive and funny and mostly fast-thinking. While she solves the mysteries and problems in the lives of other people- people whose bodies she is forced to take over because that is what Shadows do- she questions her own existence and the possibility of what might have happened to her own life as Abby Grace. There is also Will- the boy in the shadows who is supposed to be helping her but chooses to be infuriatingly smug instead- whose mysteries I hope will be revealed in the forthcoming books. The plot doesn't lag anywhere- it moves in one continuous sweep from the beginning to the end, and that might also be a shortcoming of this novel.
Sometimes it just seemed too FAST.
Perhaps that has to do with my reading preference of books with long winding paragraphs of description, but I felt that Abby accepted the Shadow thing too quickly. That the problem in the first book which she was supposed to solve wasn't quite a problem at all, that the girl she'd been "borrowed" into could have just solved it herself instead of going in for a paranormal solution. I mean, when you have a paranormal solution, the problem should involve guns blazing, vampires dying, world ending...right? Maybe it's just me with my need for descriptions and emotional stuff and all: but I thought the book should have been longer, Abby should have been more fleshed out, and the problems...actually problems which NEED to be fixed paranormally. And also, couldn't the decisions that she makes as someone else totally affect the "someone else" when they are back in their own body? This is a question I was asking myself throughout the Girl Steals Guy book (the 2nd one in the series) because Abby makes some pretty important choices for the girl that she has been borrowed for, Michelle. I kept thinking what Michelle would feel when she came back. (And for her to come back, where did she go in the first place? Maybe we'll get to know that as the series continues!)
But that said, there was no problem with enjoying Abby Grace and her wittiness at all. I liked Abby's voice: her sarcasm is much appreciated in the place of usual YA heroine whininess.
I liked her relationship with Will, and I want more of him in the next books. I liked that each time she does a job, a memory of hers comes back. I liked that it made me laugh, and that it also got me curious regarding the real Abby Grace, and Kelly Green's writing-style is quite good.
Just...less speed next time, more people, more PROBLEMS.
The covers rocks, though. Dude, it does.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2011
Could you imaging waking up, in the back of a moving van, with no recollection of who you are or how you got there? Terrifying, right? This is the case for Abby, a teenage girl with a very interesting secret. Abby is a Shadow, a being capable of entering another's body and literally taking over in order to solve that person's disasterous dilemmas. In this first story of the Abby Grace eseries, Abby finds herself in the process of being kidnapped and must struggle not only to save herself, but figure out just who she really is.
The author of this eseries, Kelly Green, was sweet and gracious enough to request this review, and I'm so glad she did. This story is a a fast and fun read. Each ebook is relatively short, this one only being 58 pages, but that allows the reader to get caught up in the story right away. Green made a wonderful comparison to this story as being a modern day Nancy Drew, and I couldn't agree more. The mystery and intrigue is palpable as you get caught up in secret after secret, dying to know how Abby is going to solve any. You're thrown into the thick of the story, right along with Abby, which I found to be an amazing writing tactic. It truly feels like you're sitting right along with her, just as lost and confused as to who she is and what mystery she is supposed to solve. With each clue that is unveiled, I was left wondering where this trail would lead us next!
In this first ebook, Abby has taken over Brooke's life, and must try and figure out why someone attempted to kidnap her and where her missing brother, Paul, has been taken. It was really thrilling, following Abby along while she collects clues and tries to unravel each mystery, all while the very cute ghost, Will, tries to steer her in the right direction. I loved Abby's character, she's smart and sassy with an edge to her. Although in a very stressful predicament, she doesn't come across as weak or whiny and therefore I never once was annoyed with Abby. I found her internal dialogue to be witty and hilarious and there were several times that her responses left me either smiling or laughing. Abby was sincerely a very enjoyable character who was so easy to connect with!
I recommend this series to a middle grade audience or for those who love a good mystery. They are definitely fast reads, but the stories are engrossing and leaves you questioning what really is happening to Abby Grace. Green does a fantastic job at giving you just enough detail to leave you wondering right along with Abby, a great exemplification of the author's writing style! There were a few surprising twists as well, that really shakes the story up too! In the end, Borrowing Abby Grace leaves you satisfied and with a sense of accomplishment that you could solve the mystery right along with Abby.
The author of this eseries, Kelly Green, was sweet and gracious enough to request this review, and I'm so glad she did. This story is a a fast and fun read. Each ebook is relatively short, this one only being 58 pages, but that allows the reader to get caught up in the story right away. Green made a wonderful comparison to this story as being a modern day Nancy Drew, and I couldn't agree more. The mystery and intrigue is palpable as you get caught up in secret after secret, dying to know how Abby is going to solve any. You're thrown into the thick of the story, right along with Abby, which I found to be an amazing writing tactic. It truly feels like you're sitting right along with her, just as lost and confused as to who she is and what mystery she is supposed to solve. With each clue that is unveiled, I was left wondering where this trail would lead us next!
In this first ebook, Abby has taken over Brooke's life, and must try and figure out why someone attempted to kidnap her and where her missing brother, Paul, has been taken. It was really thrilling, following Abby along while she collects clues and tries to unravel each mystery, all while the very cute ghost, Will, tries to steer her in the right direction. I loved Abby's character, she's smart and sassy with an edge to her. Although in a very stressful predicament, she doesn't come across as weak or whiny and therefore I never once was annoyed with Abby. I found her internal dialogue to be witty and hilarious and there were several times that her responses left me either smiling or laughing. Abby was sincerely a very enjoyable character who was so easy to connect with!
I recommend this series to a middle grade audience or for those who love a good mystery. They are definitely fast reads, but the stories are engrossing and leaves you questioning what really is happening to Abby Grace. Green does a fantastic job at giving you just enough detail to leave you wondering right along with Abby, a great exemplification of the author's writing style! There were a few surprising twists as well, that really shakes the story up too! In the end, Borrowing Abby Grace leaves you satisfied and with a sense of accomplishment that you could solve the mystery right along with Abby.
December 19, 2011
Smart and sassy Abby Grace is a seventeen-year-old with a talent for getting out of trouble. Sent to repair the lives and loves of teenagers on the edge of disaster, Abby is the perfect girl for the job. She has everything going for her… except one thing: a body.
This fast-paced and exciting episode is the first installment in an ongoing mystery series with a supernatural twist.
When Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van, she has no idea who she is, how she got there, or why anyone would want to kidnap her. After escaping her masked captors, she hurries home, only to discover that she unknowingly left her younger brother behind in the van. Unable to answer the police’s questions with her memories gone, she retreats to the safety of her bedroom where she tries to reconstruct her life. Just as she is settling into the belief that things will one day return to normal, she looks in the mirror—and sees a stranger’s face.
As Abby learns next, she has become a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. With nothing to go on except the vague hints of her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will, Abby sets out to rescue the missing brother. But she will need all of her intelligence, fearlessness, and wit, because if she fails to find him in time, she will remain trapped in this unfamiliar body forever.
Review: So that synopsis pretty much sums up about everything that takes place in the story. I would just like to add my own thoughts.
This book was fast pace and kept you on the edge of your seat. I was like what's going to happen?! WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN?! It all seems over wayyy too fast and will make you go running to buy the second book, so consider yourself warned.
It's interesting to see how everything plays out and how she does it. This book didn't quite explain everything, like who Abby is or what a shadow is, but I'm hoping it will in the next book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was very well done. Just from reading this book I'm already a fan of this author. She has a real nice writing style. One that flows and make for easy reading.
I give this book a 5/5. Still wish it would have explain more, but it was still good.
No content warning.
This fast-paced and exciting episode is the first installment in an ongoing mystery series with a supernatural twist.
When Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van, she has no idea who she is, how she got there, or why anyone would want to kidnap her. After escaping her masked captors, she hurries home, only to discover that she unknowingly left her younger brother behind in the van. Unable to answer the police’s questions with her memories gone, she retreats to the safety of her bedroom where she tries to reconstruct her life. Just as she is settling into the belief that things will one day return to normal, she looks in the mirror—and sees a stranger’s face.
As Abby learns next, she has become a Shadow, sent to inhabit the lives of strangers in trouble. With nothing to go on except the vague hints of her cute but maddening Guardian, a 19th century ghostly teenager named Will, Abby sets out to rescue the missing brother. But she will need all of her intelligence, fearlessness, and wit, because if she fails to find him in time, she will remain trapped in this unfamiliar body forever.
Review: So that synopsis pretty much sums up about everything that takes place in the story. I would just like to add my own thoughts.
This book was fast pace and kept you on the edge of your seat. I was like what's going to happen?! WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN?! It all seems over wayyy too fast and will make you go running to buy the second book, so consider yourself warned.
It's interesting to see how everything plays out and how she does it. This book didn't quite explain everything, like who Abby is or what a shadow is, but I'm hoping it will in the next book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was very well done. Just from reading this book I'm already a fan of this author. She has a real nice writing style. One that flows and make for easy reading.
I give this book a 5/5. Still wish it would have explain more, but it was still good.
No content warning.
December 7, 2011
Title: The Shadow: Borrowing Abby Grace (Episode 1) and Girl Steals Guy (Episode 2)
Author: Kelly Green
Publisher: Back Lit Fiction
Publication Date: 2011
Source: Author/Publisher (Received copy of books in exchange for honest review)
Cover: I completely dig them. They catch your attention and make you go “hmm?” And isn’t that just what every cover is supposed to do? I approve.
Genre: YA Episodic Mystery. You get a complete little mystery in every episode, from when Abby drops into the story to when the case comes to an end.
Plot: The chapters are short, making the story move really quickly. Since it’s written in episode form (i.e. you get a full-slightly-longer-than-short story in each hit), the story progresses quick enough to keep you interested but is short enough to make you want more when it’s done. The story also makes sense to be given in episodes. At first, I worried it’d be like a chapter being sold one at a time, but the story lends itself to a format, and each episode is complete enough to be on its own (as opposed to it being a chapter of a large novel). I don’t think it would really work if they were put together.
Romantic Element: There are hints of romance, enough to make you want to read later episodes. BUT, and this is huge for me, I was more than okay with reading the story without Abby running after anyone. Girl Steals Guy is especially good in this aspect. (Psst, still read Borrowing Abby Grace first for context—they could be read separately, but they’re cheap enough for you to start from the beginning and get the full picture).
Overall: These episodes are worth getting into. There’s enough mystery to keep you interested; enough twists to keep you from getting bored; and it moves quickly enough that you can feel accomplished after reading each episode. What’s not to like about that? Fair warning, Abby may sound a little robotic in the beginning of Borrowing Abby Grace, but she does grow on you, and by the time you read Girl Steals Guy, you should like her. It’s a good snack mystery—a.k.a. a full mystery in a little package with a YA twist. Green gives great authentic teen analogies, and I fully support these episodes as being awesome for younger YA and up. (Note: Borrowing Abby Grace is PG-ish, and Girl Steals Guy is more late-PG-13)
Author: Kelly Green
Publisher: Back Lit Fiction
Publication Date: 2011
Source: Author/Publisher (Received copy of books in exchange for honest review)
Cover: I completely dig them. They catch your attention and make you go “hmm?” And isn’t that just what every cover is supposed to do? I approve.
Genre: YA Episodic Mystery. You get a complete little mystery in every episode, from when Abby drops into the story to when the case comes to an end.
Plot: The chapters are short, making the story move really quickly. Since it’s written in episode form (i.e. you get a full-slightly-longer-than-short story in each hit), the story progresses quick enough to keep you interested but is short enough to make you want more when it’s done. The story also makes sense to be given in episodes. At first, I worried it’d be like a chapter being sold one at a time, but the story lends itself to a format, and each episode is complete enough to be on its own (as opposed to it being a chapter of a large novel). I don’t think it would really work if they were put together.
Romantic Element: There are hints of romance, enough to make you want to read later episodes. BUT, and this is huge for me, I was more than okay with reading the story without Abby running after anyone. Girl Steals Guy is especially good in this aspect. (Psst, still read Borrowing Abby Grace first for context—they could be read separately, but they’re cheap enough for you to start from the beginning and get the full picture).
Overall: These episodes are worth getting into. There’s enough mystery to keep you interested; enough twists to keep you from getting bored; and it moves quickly enough that you can feel accomplished after reading each episode. What’s not to like about that? Fair warning, Abby may sound a little robotic in the beginning of Borrowing Abby Grace, but she does grow on you, and by the time you read Girl Steals Guy, you should like her. It’s a good snack mystery—a.k.a. a full mystery in a little package with a YA twist. Green gives great authentic teen analogies, and I fully support these episodes as being awesome for younger YA and up. (Note: Borrowing Abby Grace is PG-ish, and Girl Steals Guy is more late-PG-13)
October 6, 2011
A girl wakes up in the back of a van. She doesn't know who she is or how she got there. After getting herself out of the situation however, people start filling in the blanks...sort of. Will, Abby's guardian, informs her that she is currently in Brooke's body. Brooke is borrowing Abby, who is a Shadow, because she needs help with something. No one can tell Abby what she must fix in Brooke's life, only that if she doesn't fix it the consequences are major. So Abby has to figure out what she's supposed to be fixing and how to fix it while keeping up appearances since there is no way she can explain her situation.
Abby's situation reminds me of Riley Bloom's from Radiance. She is thrown into a weird situation where she has to help people, but doesn't really know where to start. It is sort of paranormal and no one really wants to say what's going on. There is also a fun Nancy Drew aspect to this story, girl detective and all. I really want to know more about Will too. He seems intriguing even if he is kind of a pain. The story was a bit too short to really twist you up in the mystery. There just weren't enough pages to have lots of false leads and other mishaps. It was intriguing though, especially since it starts off with a kidnapping. The ending sort of came upon me suddenly. I thought that it would be at least a little longer once I found out that the job wasn't over. The length though lends itself to being a great reluctant reader pick. There is enough action to keep the reader hooked and they won't be intimidated by a 400 page tome.This story is perfect for the younger YA crowd too. You should definitely check this one out when you get a chance, it was a fun read. Kelly Green is an author to look out for, maybe she will be picked up on some mystery anthologies somewhere down the line. I eagerly await the next adventure that Abby is sent on and hope the next tale will boast a few more pages.
First Line:
"The first thing I realized when I woke up in the back of the van was that I had no idea at all how I’d arrived in the back of a van.
Favorite Line:
"I thought maybe I should invest in a black unitard, or a trench coat and hat, to go with my new line of work."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1a2k...
Abby's situation reminds me of Riley Bloom's from Radiance. She is thrown into a weird situation where she has to help people, but doesn't really know where to start. It is sort of paranormal and no one really wants to say what's going on. There is also a fun Nancy Drew aspect to this story, girl detective and all. I really want to know more about Will too. He seems intriguing even if he is kind of a pain. The story was a bit too short to really twist you up in the mystery. There just weren't enough pages to have lots of false leads and other mishaps. It was intriguing though, especially since it starts off with a kidnapping. The ending sort of came upon me suddenly. I thought that it would be at least a little longer once I found out that the job wasn't over. The length though lends itself to being a great reluctant reader pick. There is enough action to keep the reader hooked and they won't be intimidated by a 400 page tome.This story is perfect for the younger YA crowd too. You should definitely check this one out when you get a chance, it was a fun read. Kelly Green is an author to look out for, maybe she will be picked up on some mystery anthologies somewhere down the line. I eagerly await the next adventure that Abby is sent on and hope the next tale will boast a few more pages.
First Line:
"The first thing I realized when I woke up in the back of the van was that I had no idea at all how I’d arrived in the back of a van.
Favorite Line:
"I thought maybe I should invest in a black unitard, or a trench coat and hat, to go with my new line of work."
Read more: http://www.areadingnook.com/#ixzz1a2k...
December 5, 2011
The Shadow is the first episode of Borrowing Abby Grace series. The story starts with a girl, who wakes up in the back of a van. She doesn't know why she is there or who she is. Now she will need to find out, with the help of an estrange but good looking guy, Will, the reason of why she is there and what she needs to do. The answer will surprise more than one. Abby Grace has a mission, and she needs to complete it in order to move forward. Where? She even doesn't know it yet.
I don't want to talk too much about the plot because I think it's awesome with capital A, and I consider everybody should read the book and discover the story by themselves. Lovers of YA books, that enjoy stories full of suspense, action and supernatural elements, will love this book, specially because I think it has everything a book needs.
First, like I said before, an amazing plot.The book is full of mystery that makes you read and read and read until you finish it and go running to buy the next one, because you need to know what is going to happen next! What is going to happen to Abby? Will she go home? Will she remember? Is she d…? There are so many questions that need to be solved!
Second, long story short. Sometimes you read a story that has more than 400 hundreds pages, and you get bored with so many descriptions and so many details and so many things that most of the time, are not necessary! But in the case of Abby Grace, the story is short, is an episode of only 47 pages, but with a really well developed idea. You don't feel rush, or a brusque ending. Of course, you want to read more, but you get a felling that the book ended in the way it was supposed to finish.
And last but not least, lovely characters. I love Abby. Abby Grace is a really smart girl, and even though she is not in her best moment she has time to make you smile and laugh with some of her ideas or when she is mad at Will, or when she does something a little bit crazy or risky. She is strong and brave, and she doesn't stop until she discovers the truth, she has the gift to make everything go well again. That's why she was selected…because she is perfect for the job!
Ah! And I almost forget! The covers are amazing! They tell you a lot about the story! : )
Happy Reading!
I don't want to talk too much about the plot because I think it's awesome with capital A, and I consider everybody should read the book and discover the story by themselves. Lovers of YA books, that enjoy stories full of suspense, action and supernatural elements, will love this book, specially because I think it has everything a book needs.
First, like I said before, an amazing plot.The book is full of mystery that makes you read and read and read until you finish it and go running to buy the next one, because you need to know what is going to happen next! What is going to happen to Abby? Will she go home? Will she remember? Is she d…? There are so many questions that need to be solved!
Second, long story short. Sometimes you read a story that has more than 400 hundreds pages, and you get bored with so many descriptions and so many details and so many things that most of the time, are not necessary! But in the case of Abby Grace, the story is short, is an episode of only 47 pages, but with a really well developed idea. You don't feel rush, or a brusque ending. Of course, you want to read more, but you get a felling that the book ended in the way it was supposed to finish.
And last but not least, lovely characters. I love Abby. Abby Grace is a really smart girl, and even though she is not in her best moment she has time to make you smile and laugh with some of her ideas or when she is mad at Will, or when she does something a little bit crazy or risky. She is strong and brave, and she doesn't stop until she discovers the truth, she has the gift to make everything go well again. That's why she was selected…because she is perfect for the job!
Ah! And I almost forget! The covers are amazing! They tell you a lot about the story! : )
Happy Reading!
November 23, 2011
Originally posted at Read Me Bookmark Me Love Me
In just two words: fun and refreshing. Borrowing Abby Grace is the first episode of what will be a fast-paced and exciting series. After returning to consciousness in the back of a van without any memories, Abby discovers she's a Shadow. Waking up in a new body every few days, she must fix a large aspect of that person's life, otherwise she'll be trapped in the body forever. Gripping storyline, am I right? I've never read an episodic series before so this was a new experience that I really enjoyed.
This first episode follows Abby's investigation of her body's brother's disappearance. Suspects are around every corner but I can honestly say that my theories were nowhere near close to the truth. Borrowing Abby Grace is scattered with little clues Abby must piece together using her quick thinking and steely determination. I loved that we were just as clueless as Abby, in regards to her Shadow situation, as it made the story seem more personal and realistic. While you'll finish each episode in no time at all, you'll be engrossed for that short period of time, hoping for another piece of the overall mystery to be revealed!
Abby is a great narrator, coming off as strong-willed and witty. Although she feels as if she's very alone, Will cheekily hides in the shadows, watching to make sure she's safe. His character is one of great intrigue also. As a Guardian ghost he's very cryptic and of no "real" help at all, but I like the support he shows Abby, even though she doesn't appreciate his frustrating secrecy at all. With these episodes being so short, we don't get to know the characters very well but I imagine, just like a television series, their personalities and histories will continue to build on as the series continues.
For my first read of something like this, I think it went fabulously well. It's almost exhilarating to read something so short, as opposed to my usual 300-400 pages! Mystery lovers will really sink their teeth into this series - just like a true crime show, we have a sticky situation that we're able to solve in less than an hour ;) A great, fun debut series by Green!
In just two words: fun and refreshing. Borrowing Abby Grace is the first episode of what will be a fast-paced and exciting series. After returning to consciousness in the back of a van without any memories, Abby discovers she's a Shadow. Waking up in a new body every few days, she must fix a large aspect of that person's life, otherwise she'll be trapped in the body forever. Gripping storyline, am I right? I've never read an episodic series before so this was a new experience that I really enjoyed.
This first episode follows Abby's investigation of her body's brother's disappearance. Suspects are around every corner but I can honestly say that my theories were nowhere near close to the truth. Borrowing Abby Grace is scattered with little clues Abby must piece together using her quick thinking and steely determination. I loved that we were just as clueless as Abby, in regards to her Shadow situation, as it made the story seem more personal and realistic. While you'll finish each episode in no time at all, you'll be engrossed for that short period of time, hoping for another piece of the overall mystery to be revealed!
Abby is a great narrator, coming off as strong-willed and witty. Although she feels as if she's very alone, Will cheekily hides in the shadows, watching to make sure she's safe. His character is one of great intrigue also. As a Guardian ghost he's very cryptic and of no "real" help at all, but I like the support he shows Abby, even though she doesn't appreciate his frustrating secrecy at all. With these episodes being so short, we don't get to know the characters very well but I imagine, just like a television series, their personalities and histories will continue to build on as the series continues.
For my first read of something like this, I think it went fabulously well. It's almost exhilarating to read something so short, as opposed to my usual 300-400 pages! Mystery lovers will really sink their teeth into this series - just like a true crime show, we have a sticky situation that we're able to solve in less than an hour ;) A great, fun debut series by Green!
January 17, 2012
I think that, immediately, the first thing that jumped out at me about this first little "episode" was the writing. Now, I've read tons of authors, tons of styles of writing, and I have to say that I enjoyed Kelly Green's writing. It isn't clueless--you know what I mean. The authors who write just to write, and have no sustenance? No, none of that here (well, yes, there is sustenance. God, I'm confusing myself!). The writing flowed easily and felt real--it wasn't faked, nor did it have a bunch of unanswered rifts. I liked that about this book (episode, short story...you get the idea. It's like, 60 pages, so it's pretty small!).
Even after reading the first episode, and reading about Abby, I can't tell you what she is. She's referred to as a "Shadow" but she doesn't know if she's a ghost/spirit/whatever, so therefore, readers don't really know either.
Pretty much Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van with masked people upfront (so obviously she's been kidnapped!), no memory, in the body of someone else. (Uh, Sierra, how does she know she's in a body that isn't her own? Looks in the mirror and sees herself, but sees images of the real "girl" she's inhabiting in said girl's room...confusing? Sorry!) She has to solve the girl's problem (whose body she is in), which seems to be why she was kidnapped and why her brother was kidnapped.
I liked Abby's character. She reminds me somewhat of the Scooby-Doo gang, what with the mysteries and stuff (I never read Nancy Drew, though that is what this is kind of like, I hear). The mystery itself kept me interested, and I laughed a little as it all planned out, because I didn't see that coming (wow. I admit I was wrong? Yeesh!).
Liked Will's character, too, though I'm excited to learn more about him in the next episode...Which I'm going to read now. I liked that he's like, Abby's "Shadow Guide". He's referred to as her guardian, and he's a ghosty too.
Full of mystery, questions and intrigue, Borrowing Abby Grace is a short, fun little story that I think fans of mysteries will enjoy!
Even after reading the first episode, and reading about Abby, I can't tell you what she is. She's referred to as a "Shadow" but she doesn't know if she's a ghost/spirit/whatever, so therefore, readers don't really know either.
Pretty much Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van with masked people upfront (so obviously she's been kidnapped!), no memory, in the body of someone else. (Uh, Sierra, how does she know she's in a body that isn't her own? Looks in the mirror and sees herself, but sees images of the real "girl" she's inhabiting in said girl's room...confusing? Sorry!) She has to solve the girl's problem (whose body she is in), which seems to be why she was kidnapped and why her brother was kidnapped.
I liked Abby's character. She reminds me somewhat of the Scooby-Doo gang, what with the mysteries and stuff (I never read Nancy Drew, though that is what this is kind of like, I hear). The mystery itself kept me interested, and I laughed a little as it all planned out, because I didn't see that coming (wow. I admit I was wrong? Yeesh!).
Liked Will's character, too, though I'm excited to learn more about him in the next episode...Which I'm going to read now. I liked that he's like, Abby's "Shadow Guide". He's referred to as her guardian, and he's a ghosty too.
Full of mystery, questions and intrigue, Borrowing Abby Grace is a short, fun little story that I think fans of mysteries will enjoy!
October 4, 2011
When we meet Abby she is waking up in a van, with her hands duct taped and two hooded people in the front. She doesn't know how she got there and can't remember anything past this moment. She escapes by the skin of her teeth and eventually is returned home, or to a place she is told is her home. Her father is happy to see her and she finds out she has a brother who was also kidnapped and the police are still looking for him. She tells the police what she remembers and eventually heads upstairs searching for her room. The things in the bedroom aren't familiar to hers and the girl in the photos has blonde hair while hers is dark. She is confused until she meets Wilhelm or Will as he tells her to call him in her room.
Will tells her that she USED to be Abby Grace, and that she is a shadow and has been sent to help Brooke, the girl with the blonde hair in the pictures.
Abby fills Brooke's shoes, unsure of exactly what it is she has to do and how she can help but when Will tells her that if she doesn't help Brooke, she will be stuck her in THIS life forever she sets out to solve the mystery surrounding Paul's disappearance.
Kelly, creates a wonderfully fun, short story for ages 12+. This is a modern day Nancy Drew with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed the storyline of Abby trying to work her way through Brooke's school day, friends and chorus solos even through she doesn't know the words to the songs. Very funny.
The story is fresh and different and I couldn't imagine who was guilty of the kidnapping plot or why and the ending was a nice surprise. Now, I can't wait to find out more about Abby and find out how she became a shadow and exactly what does that mean? Is she alive? Is she in a coma? Is she a ghost?
Looking forward to book 2.
Will tells her that she USED to be Abby Grace, and that she is a shadow and has been sent to help Brooke, the girl with the blonde hair in the pictures.
Abby fills Brooke's shoes, unsure of exactly what it is she has to do and how she can help but when Will tells her that if she doesn't help Brooke, she will be stuck her in THIS life forever she sets out to solve the mystery surrounding Paul's disappearance.
Kelly, creates a wonderfully fun, short story for ages 12+. This is a modern day Nancy Drew with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed the storyline of Abby trying to work her way through Brooke's school day, friends and chorus solos even through she doesn't know the words to the songs. Very funny.
The story is fresh and different and I couldn't imagine who was guilty of the kidnapping plot or why and the ending was a nice surprise. Now, I can't wait to find out more about Abby and find out how she became a shadow and exactly what does that mean? Is she alive? Is she in a coma? Is she a ghost?
Looking forward to book 2.
November 23, 2011
Quick reaction: Huh. It was... good.. but... not great. A bit melodramatic. Some things didn't make sense. Overall, though, a refreshing and humorous read.
Long reaction: Original is here: http://thereviewsnews.blogspot.com/20.... (Due to copy-and-paste, formatting has been lost. Abby Grace refers to the book, not the protagonist.)
Borrowing Abby Grace is a humorous and refreshing read that handles paranormal with grace (pun intended).
I enjoyed Abby Grace. These quick "episodes" have fulfilling, witty characters. The premise is killer as well... except it wasn't exactly what I expected.
I didn't expect this book to be so "light." It was a nice surprise... but not exactly what I was looking for. I have to admit that there were times the characters' reactions were quite melodramatic and difficult to relate to, and there were plot holes that could have been avoided but weren't. The story also carried us in a mysterious direction that, when over, made sense but just didn't seem plausible because there was no foundation/foreshadowing leading up to that point. (A good plot-twist book? The Demon's Lexicon). I understand that these are "episodes" so they are supposed to be quick, but that doesn't mean you can't expand on some important plot points to have an impact-ful result. Despite these downfalls, though, Abby Grace gracefully integrates the paranormal aspect into the protagonist's life, and I do appreciate that.
Overall, I did like Borrowing Abby Grace. This series is basically Nancy Drew meets Paranormalcy. So if you enjoy both, you might like these "episodes" more than I did. Do give them a try, though. This is one interesting ride.
Long reaction: Original is here: http://thereviewsnews.blogspot.com/20.... (Due to copy-and-paste, formatting has been lost. Abby Grace refers to the book, not the protagonist.)
Borrowing Abby Grace is a humorous and refreshing read that handles paranormal with grace (pun intended).
I enjoyed Abby Grace. These quick "episodes" have fulfilling, witty characters. The premise is killer as well... except it wasn't exactly what I expected.
I didn't expect this book to be so "light." It was a nice surprise... but not exactly what I was looking for. I have to admit that there were times the characters' reactions were quite melodramatic and difficult to relate to, and there were plot holes that could have been avoided but weren't. The story also carried us in a mysterious direction that, when over, made sense but just didn't seem plausible because there was no foundation/foreshadowing leading up to that point. (A good plot-twist book? The Demon's Lexicon). I understand that these are "episodes" so they are supposed to be quick, but that doesn't mean you can't expand on some important plot points to have an impact-ful result. Despite these downfalls, though, Abby Grace gracefully integrates the paranormal aspect into the protagonist's life, and I do appreciate that.
Overall, I did like Borrowing Abby Grace. This series is basically Nancy Drew meets Paranormalcy. So if you enjoy both, you might like these "episodes" more than I did. Do give them a try, though. This is one interesting ride.
October 31, 2011
In Borrowing Abbey Grace, Green creates an incredibly intriguing setup that will keep readers interested and coming back for more. You see, Abbey is a Shadow. When someone ‘borrows’ Abbey Grace, she takes over their body and solves whatever problem they have. This time, Abbey get’s placed in the body of Brooke, a girl who was recently kidnapped. Abbey has to face the challenge discovering who kidnapped her and finding Brooke’s little brother.
Isn’t that great? What this tells me is that Green will always have somewhere new and exciting to take the book. We will always have Abbey, but everything around her will change.
Green packs a great sense of suspense into the plot. There is a lot of build up, but I was a bit let down by the ending. It was certainly a surprise ending, but for me, it wasn’t very satisfying. I wanted more from the book. The storyline presents a number of great questions about Abbey and her past, but it doesn’t answer any of them.
Abbey is a great character. She is strong, likable and has no problem carrying the storyline along. She’s got spunk and sass and is quite the little spitfire.
This was a quick, short read, but it certainly packs a lot of potential. I wasn’t a huge fan of the storyline this time around, but I loved Abbey. She has the whole Veronica Mars vibe going on, which is always a hit with me. I look forward to reading the next installments of the series and seeing what trouble Abbey finds herself in next time. I just hope that her storyline is touched on a bit more. I have so many questions about her that were completely left open.
Isn’t that great? What this tells me is that Green will always have somewhere new and exciting to take the book. We will always have Abbey, but everything around her will change.
Green packs a great sense of suspense into the plot. There is a lot of build up, but I was a bit let down by the ending. It was certainly a surprise ending, but for me, it wasn’t very satisfying. I wanted more from the book. The storyline presents a number of great questions about Abbey and her past, but it doesn’t answer any of them.
Abbey is a great character. She is strong, likable and has no problem carrying the storyline along. She’s got spunk and sass and is quite the little spitfire.
This was a quick, short read, but it certainly packs a lot of potential. I wasn’t a huge fan of the storyline this time around, but I loved Abbey. She has the whole Veronica Mars vibe going on, which is always a hit with me. I look forward to reading the next installments of the series and seeing what trouble Abbey finds herself in next time. I just hope that her storyline is touched on a bit more. I have so many questions about her that were completely left open.
January 8, 2012
Review copy provided by the publisher.
When Abby wakes up in the back of a van with no memory of how she got there, she reacts without thinking and escapes from her masked captors She finds herself in a home she's never seen with a father she doesn't know being asked about a brother she can't recall. As if that's not freaky enough, when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't look like the girl in the pictures who she is supposed to be. What is going on? A guy named Will appears who tells her she's a Shadow--summoned to solve an urgent problem for Brooke, the girl whose life she is inhabiting for a brief time. If she solves the problem, Abby moves on...if not, she's trapped in Brooke's body forever. Will is her guide; he can help her a bit with the problem, but can't tell her much else. Luckily, Abby finds that she's resourceful and intelligent, and she sets out to find Brooke's brother Paul and figure out how to make their home a happy one.
Borrowing Abby Grace is the first installment in an intriguing new e-series. It's short (~53 pages) and entertaining with an appealing paranormal premise and fast-paced mystery plot that's sure to attract readers. It reminded me somewhat of Mercy by Rebecca Lim, except Abby is (probably) not an angel, but there's still the element of helping desperate people solve urgent problems. It's fascinating watching Abby adapt quickly to her new environment and ad lib someone else's life. Her relationship with Will, who might be a nineteenth-century ghost, is also entertaining. Overall, this is a great read for lovers of paranormal adventures and mysteries! Recommended for ages 13 & up.
When Abby wakes up in the back of a van with no memory of how she got there, she reacts without thinking and escapes from her masked captors She finds herself in a home she's never seen with a father she doesn't know being asked about a brother she can't recall. As if that's not freaky enough, when she looks in the mirror, she doesn't look like the girl in the pictures who she is supposed to be. What is going on? A guy named Will appears who tells her she's a Shadow--summoned to solve an urgent problem for Brooke, the girl whose life she is inhabiting for a brief time. If she solves the problem, Abby moves on...if not, she's trapped in Brooke's body forever. Will is her guide; he can help her a bit with the problem, but can't tell her much else. Luckily, Abby finds that she's resourceful and intelligent, and she sets out to find Brooke's brother Paul and figure out how to make their home a happy one.
Borrowing Abby Grace is the first installment in an intriguing new e-series. It's short (~53 pages) and entertaining with an appealing paranormal premise and fast-paced mystery plot that's sure to attract readers. It reminded me somewhat of Mercy by Rebecca Lim, except Abby is (probably) not an angel, but there's still the element of helping desperate people solve urgent problems. It's fascinating watching Abby adapt quickly to her new environment and ad lib someone else's life. Her relationship with Will, who might be a nineteenth-century ghost, is also entertaining. Overall, this is a great read for lovers of paranormal adventures and mysteries! Recommended for ages 13 & up.
December 19, 2011
I received a pdf copy from the author for review.
Abby Grace wakes up in a van with no recollection of who she is. She remembers small tidbits about herself but not much. She escapes from the van and is taken “home”, yet she has no clue who her “dad” is and apparently her little brother, Paul, was kidnapped, too. After being alone in her room for awhile, she gets a visitor, Wilhelm. He tells her that she’s Abby Grace and a Shadow, someone who helps other people that ‘borrow’ her. Right now, she’s helping Brooke. Will is pretty cryptic in all of Brooke’s encounters with him.
She’s trying to adjust to Brooke’s life while trying to find out who stole her brother. Some of the suspects range from a freshman trouble maker, a random guy Abby finds following her at times, and a high school teacher.
I was intrigued when I heard about this. I’ve always been a fan of Nancy Drew ever since I was in elementary school and also have always loved books involving the paranormal. This e-book blends just enough mystery and paranormal aspects that made me want to continue reading. I definitely hope to see more of Will in future episodes. I was really surprised by the ending. I really wasn’t expecting it. I do wish it was longer, but it is short enough for people who are reluctant readers or want a good story in a short amount of time.
Abby Grace wakes up in a van with no recollection of who she is. She remembers small tidbits about herself but not much. She escapes from the van and is taken “home”, yet she has no clue who her “dad” is and apparently her little brother, Paul, was kidnapped, too. After being alone in her room for awhile, she gets a visitor, Wilhelm. He tells her that she’s Abby Grace and a Shadow, someone who helps other people that ‘borrow’ her. Right now, she’s helping Brooke. Will is pretty cryptic in all of Brooke’s encounters with him.
She’s trying to adjust to Brooke’s life while trying to find out who stole her brother. Some of the suspects range from a freshman trouble maker, a random guy Abby finds following her at times, and a high school teacher.
I was intrigued when I heard about this. I’ve always been a fan of Nancy Drew ever since I was in elementary school and also have always loved books involving the paranormal. This e-book blends just enough mystery and paranormal aspects that made me want to continue reading. I definitely hope to see more of Will in future episodes. I was really surprised by the ending. I really wasn’t expecting it. I do wish it was longer, but it is short enough for people who are reluctant readers or want a good story in a short amount of time.
November 29, 2011
Abby wakes up in the back of a van with no memory of who she is or how she got there. After concluding that she has been kidnapped, Abby rolls out of the moving van, landing in a park. The police are called and Abby finds out that she is part of a family, a mom, dad and a little brother (who was also kidnapped). She also meets Will, a handsome ghost who explains that Abby has been placed in this body to help recover the little brother. But she only has a day.
Will is an intriguing character who we don't see nearly enough of. I liked that story line and hope it will be developed in future books. Abby's character is interesting but again, not fully developed. The story is very short so there is not much time to get into depth into anything. I liked that she had such enthusiasm for everything and truly wanted to help the lives of people she didn't even know. But, I found the pacing a little slow and found it hard to care about Abby. We don't find out enough about her to do so. This book reminded me of the first episode of a TV series, except we needed a bit more background on Abby to keep us going.
Overall, the writing is much cleaner than self-published books but not quite on par with larger publishers. Still, it's a fun premise and not a bad way to spend an hour or two.
Content Warning: Nothing really. Recommended for ages 12+.
Will is an intriguing character who we don't see nearly enough of. I liked that story line and hope it will be developed in future books. Abby's character is interesting but again, not fully developed. The story is very short so there is not much time to get into depth into anything. I liked that she had such enthusiasm for everything and truly wanted to help the lives of people she didn't even know. But, I found the pacing a little slow and found it hard to care about Abby. We don't find out enough about her to do so. This book reminded me of the first episode of a TV series, except we needed a bit more background on Abby to keep us going.
Overall, the writing is much cleaner than self-published books but not quite on par with larger publishers. Still, it's a fun premise and not a bad way to spend an hour or two.
Content Warning: Nothing really. Recommended for ages 12+.
January 5, 2012
I have a few things to say about this book. (There is a voice inside my head that says, good, that's what this review is for. Shut up, voice.)
I think the plot of The Shadow is completely original, and if you're like me and you're getting a bit tired of typical paranormal books, you may want to pick this one up. Reading this book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. You know how they randomly break out into song on Glee or in High School Musical? That disbelief is like, multiplied exponentially here.
Abby was a hard character for me to connect to--her amnesia and complete blackout did not help. Her attitude towards helping Brooke's (that's the girl whose body she took up in) family was admirable in the end, but this was the only character trait I could even find in her, and it was more out of necessity than out of good will, I thought.
The pacing in this book was excellent--yes, it was very short, but it was still very entertaining for me and fast paced, great for a trip if you need something to occupy you on plane rides, etc.
Overall, I recommend The Shadow and would be reading the sequel now if I didn't have such a massive pile of review books to read :(
For my full review, visit http://reutreads.wordpress.com/2012/0...
I think the plot of The Shadow is completely original, and if you're like me and you're getting a bit tired of typical paranormal books, you may want to pick this one up. Reading this book requires a lot of suspension of disbelief. You know how they randomly break out into song on Glee or in High School Musical? That disbelief is like, multiplied exponentially here.
Abby was a hard character for me to connect to--her amnesia and complete blackout did not help. Her attitude towards helping Brooke's (that's the girl whose body she took up in) family was admirable in the end, but this was the only character trait I could even find in her, and it was more out of necessity than out of good will, I thought.
The pacing in this book was excellent--yes, it was very short, but it was still very entertaining for me and fast paced, great for a trip if you need something to occupy you on plane rides, etc.
Overall, I recommend The Shadow and would be reading the sequel now if I didn't have such a massive pile of review books to read :(
For my full review, visit http://reutreads.wordpress.com/2012/0...
January 30, 2012
When I was approached by Kelly Green to read and review her new series, I wasn't too sure what to expect and when I started reading with "The Shadow" , I was hooked - I love these type of stories , in a way it reminded me of a softer and more realistic version of Breanna Yovanoff's "The Replacement" or Carol Snow's novel "Switch".
In "The Shadow" , we discover as Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van - it seems that she has been abducted and is suffering amnesia - how did she get here ? , what has happened? and more the fact who is she actually? Escaping from the side of the van , Abby Grace finds herself at the house of the girl - Brooke. Abby discovers that she is what is called a Shadow. They are the ones who inhabit your body, when you have a problem to be solved and you need help fixing it , they are the fixers . Here to restore the world back to the way it should be.
Now Abby must pretend to be Brooke and discover along with the help of her guardian Will , what problem Brooke needs solving and she better hurry up as it seems the whole shadow thing comes with a timelimit and an ultimatum either solve the problem or be stuck in Brooke's life forever.
Can Abby discover Brooke's problem or will her new identity be Brooke forever ?
At 50+ pages, The Shadow is a quick read and one that won't leave you disappointed.
In "The Shadow" , we discover as Abby Grace wakes up in the back of a van - it seems that she has been abducted and is suffering amnesia - how did she get here ? , what has happened? and more the fact who is she actually? Escaping from the side of the van , Abby Grace finds herself at the house of the girl - Brooke. Abby discovers that she is what is called a Shadow. They are the ones who inhabit your body, when you have a problem to be solved and you need help fixing it , they are the fixers . Here to restore the world back to the way it should be.
Now Abby must pretend to be Brooke and discover along with the help of her guardian Will , what problem Brooke needs solving and she better hurry up as it seems the whole shadow thing comes with a timelimit and an ultimatum either solve the problem or be stuck in Brooke's life forever.
Can Abby discover Brooke's problem or will her new identity be Brooke forever ?
At 50+ pages, The Shadow is a quick read and one that won't leave you disappointed.
October 21, 2011
his was a fun, yet quick read. The action starts off right away, when we meet the main character as she wakes up in a van being driven by people in ski masks. She has absolutely no memory of who she is or what has happened to her, yet she can tell that she shouldn't be in this van and begins making escape plans. Her adventure continues when she meets a father she doesn't recognize and then the mysterious Will who explains that she is a Shadow. While she is Abby Grace, everyone around her sees her has the blonde haired, fabulous singer, Brooke. She has to help Brooke with a big problem and then she will move on...to what, she doesn't know.
I am definitely curious about future installments in this ebook series. Abby has spunk and the writing is fun. I do wish that it was a bit longer, but that is probably because I tend to breeze through books that I enjoy, and this one did not take long!
Content: swearing
I was sent a copy of the ebook in order to provide this review. The opinion expressed is 100% my own.
I am definitely curious about future installments in this ebook series. Abby has spunk and the writing is fun. I do wish that it was a bit longer, but that is probably because I tend to breeze through books that I enjoy, and this one did not take long!
Content: swearing
I was sent a copy of the ebook in order to provide this review. The opinion expressed is 100% my own.
March 6, 2012
When Kelly Green contacted me to review this book, I gladly accepted. As a kid, I loved Nancy Drew books. I devoured every single one of them, the originals, plus all the ones where Nancy is grown up and in college. Needless to say, I was pretty damn excited. Ms. Green did a wonderful job of integrating mystery and paranormal into this short story. Abby was a likeable character, and although we didn't get a whole lot of characterization with her, I expect we'll see more of a character development with her in the future stories. Really the only things that bothered me about this book are a.) the cost and b.) the length. The novel is only 47 pages, and as I was reading, I was dissapointed to discover how short it was. I thought that it was a full fledged book. And that gets me to point b. This book sells for $2.99 on Amazon. Personally I would be reluctant to purchase such a short story for 3 bucks. I may just be cheap, but I am being honest.
Overall, if you like mysteries, short and sweet stories, and Nancy Drew, this book is for you!
3 out of 5 stars
Overall, if you like mysteries, short and sweet stories, and Nancy Drew, this book is for you!
3 out of 5 stars
February 22, 2012
My review of The Shadow (Borrowing Abby Grace) can also be found here: Review of Borrowing Abby Grace by Kelly Green
3 1/2 Stars!
I really enjoyed this. Its only 47 pages so its a quick read, but it was a very fun and thrilling read. The action started right on the first page and that drew me in very quickly. The writing was very easy to follow so that definitely helped in the story being good. I enjoyed how we got right to the point of the story with Abby getting her mission. I did however want to know some more about Brooke's world, besides the basics we learned. I also wanted to know more about how you became a shade and exactly how the borrowing works, but even without that the story was still fantastic. And can I just say the ending was totally NOT what I expected! It was a great way to end episode 1.
I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, fast, mystery like book.
3 1/2 Stars!
I really enjoyed this. Its only 47 pages so its a quick read, but it was a very fun and thrilling read. The action started right on the first page and that drew me in very quickly. The writing was very easy to follow so that definitely helped in the story being good. I enjoyed how we got right to the point of the story with Abby getting her mission. I did however want to know some more about Brooke's world, besides the basics we learned. I also wanted to know more about how you became a shade and exactly how the borrowing works, but even without that the story was still fantastic. And can I just say the ending was totally NOT what I expected! It was a great way to end episode 1.
I recommend this to anyone who wants a fun, fast, mystery like book.
April 14, 2012
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
When I first read the summary, I immediately thought of Quantum Leap, which was my favorite show growing up. I was excited to start reading this book, however I had a hard time getting into it. It is a short story, and I felt like by the time it really started to take off it was over. I would love to know more about the characters involved as well as have more details about what was going on. This is the first book in the series, so I'm sure you learn more as it progresses, but I would've liked a little something more to pull me into the plot. I didn't feel that connection. I enjoyed Kelly Green's writing style. The cover is fantastic and fits perfectly with the book. When you have a few hours to spare, this is a nice little story to help you pass the time.
When I first read the summary, I immediately thought of Quantum Leap, which was my favorite show growing up. I was excited to start reading this book, however I had a hard time getting into it. It is a short story, and I felt like by the time it really started to take off it was over. I would love to know more about the characters involved as well as have more details about what was going on. This is the first book in the series, so I'm sure you learn more as it progresses, but I would've liked a little something more to pull me into the plot. I didn't feel that connection. I enjoyed Kelly Green's writing style. The cover is fantastic and fits perfectly with the book. When you have a few hours to spare, this is a nice little story to help you pass the time.
December 13, 2011
BAG is a book with a lot of potential, and I felt it really could have given us more. It was all there, but not completely there.
We meet Abby, a ghost (we're not sure about this yet) to give it a term, who's inside a girl's body: Brooke needs her help with something and Abby's here to do the job for her.
When I was asked to review this, I said "Why not? Sounds good!". And it was, but I wish we'd gotten more info about Abby and her handler (?) Will, and also, about her Borrowing businness. I know we'll get all this in the next books, but for a First in a Series, it lacked that thing that makes you want to run to the bookstore and buy the sequel.
Nevertheless, The Shadow is a short book (only 50-ish pages) and a fun read for a cold afternoon when you want to curl up in a sofa and read.
We meet Abby, a ghost (we're not sure about this yet) to give it a term, who's inside a girl's body: Brooke needs her help with something and Abby's here to do the job for her.
When I was asked to review this, I said "Why not? Sounds good!". And it was, but I wish we'd gotten more info about Abby and her handler (?) Will, and also, about her Borrowing businness. I know we'll get all this in the next books, but for a First in a Series, it lacked that thing that makes you want to run to the bookstore and buy the sequel.
Nevertheless, The Shadow is a short book (only 50-ish pages) and a fun read for a cold afternoon when you want to curl up in a sofa and read.
November 21, 2011
If you are looking for a fun, quick supernatural read look no further! Borrowing Abby Grace was the perfect book for you!
At first, I was a little bit skeptical about this book because of the length. How could an author get the story across in 47 pages? Kelly, however, is able to tell the story in a flowing manner without it being too rushed!
What are really liked about this story was the mystery surrounding it! It was really interesting to try and figure out what was going on while Abby was also figuring out herself!
I do wish, however, that we were given a little bit more of the backstory of Abby instead of being thrust right into the action.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it! I can't wait to see what's in story for Abby next!
At first, I was a little bit skeptical about this book because of the length. How could an author get the story across in 47 pages? Kelly, however, is able to tell the story in a flowing manner without it being too rushed!
What are really liked about this story was the mystery surrounding it! It was really interesting to try and figure out what was going on while Abby was also figuring out herself!
I do wish, however, that we were given a little bit more of the backstory of Abby instead of being thrust right into the action.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it! I can't wait to see what's in story for Abby next!
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