Hazel's job at the Antioch didn't work out at all like she had planned. After a daring escape and one very risky delivery of the first baby born in years, she's still holding on to the hope of a better future. Out of the Antioch and on the run, who can Hazel turn to for help and can they really be trusted? In the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, relationships are tested and even more secrets are revealed. Hazel tries to put the pieces together, hoping everything doesn't fall apart. Will she be able to hold it all together or will there be those who slip through the cracks?
I read the first novel of this series a few months back, I can't even remember when now. Ahhh! Where has 2012 gone? Anyways, I started reading The Forgotten about a week or so ago, and because I was in a reading rut, I didn't finish it until recently. Though, the novel could be read in a matter of hours.
Claudia Carozza really peaked my interest a little more in the sequel, so that was a really good improvement. I was more excited for a lot of things to come in this novel, and surprises are everywhere. Since the last novel ended in a cliff hanger, I'd say that you'll have to read about twenty pages in, an then the cliff hanger continues. The middle was lagging for me, and that's when I usually loose interest. I skimmed some parts, and things still made sense, so that wasn't something I appreciated I can do when reading a novel.
Hazel really stepped it up a notch in this novel. I think I like her a bit more than in the first novel, because she's becoming more of herself and a strong heroine. She changes quite drastically in the novel, and if you're ready for the character development, then you'll love The Forgotten.
There are some soap opera scenes during this novel, but don't worry, it gets better, and unlike soap operas the drama ends, in a way.
This is kind of a spoiler, so if you want to be absolutely spoiler free, then skip this paragraph. Like the first novel, there is a death. I won't say who, but it's someone that is quite present in most of the novel. The death for me felt strained, and just away to kill off a character, at first. Later reading, I did noticed that the death was for something huge for Hazel. If you liked this character a lot-I didn't- then you'd be devastated at her fast leave in the novel.
Pigeons were a huge symbol in this novel, and because of that I look at pigeons in a different way then before. Unlike thinking about them as the pesky fat birds that wander the city, I think of them as quite courageous creatures. I know that pigeons have developed a friendly term with humans, so they don't find the need to fly away when someone comes in a foot radius of them. The small birds with blue bellies I see around my town, they are cowards, in their way. I guess we're all like that at the beginning. Finding food, and then flying away when danger approaches, but Pigeons are the opposite.
All in all, to wrap things up in a nice little package, The Forgotten won't be forgotten in my mind, and some serious character battles support the novel, and the novel goes to a more violent side. Near the end, it actually gets vulgar, and that was something I didn't expect one of the characters to say. I love the story, as its world fascinates me, so I'll give The Forgotten by Claudia Carozza a head nods, thumbs up. (4 out of 5)
If you liked my review please check out my blog at http://readrw.blogspot.com/ (I don't always add my reviews to goodreads)
The Forgotten picks up right where The Twenty left off, and we're immediately thrown into the adventure. Hazel and her friends have escaped the Antioch and are on the run. Some have gone into hiding; some have chosen to fight. With everything she's up against, Hazel is having a hard time keeping it together. Her friends are all leaning on her, and she isn't sure she's up to the job of leading this group of misfits.
There is so much to love about this series! First of all we have two super hot guys. They are strong, sexy characters, and you can't help but love them both. If you've read The Twenty you know just how hard it is to pick a favorite. I know I can't! One minute I think I like Luka best. He's the tough and sexy bad boy. It's apparent that he's totally into Hazel, and he's extreme. But, then there's Shane. We only got a glimpse of who Shane really is in The Twenty. His real bad-ass personality comes blazing through in The Forgotten. He wants Hazel, and while he's more laid back and quite, he's also pretty damn passionate about it. He kinda makes me melt.
Now, let's talk about Hazel. In The Twenty she goes to the Antioch prepared to make a better life for herself and her family. She has no idea what she's getting herself into. When I reviewed The Twenty I had this to say about Hazel: "I immediately liked and respected Hazel. She is selfless and will do whatever it takes to protect the people she cares about. She's self assured and amazingly strong willed, and when things get tough she squares her shoulders and marches ahead, even pushing everyone else behind her." This is exactly how I would describe her in The Forgotten, but she's wiser, tougher and even more selfless. She's gotten to be quite the bad-ass herself! The trials she and her friends are going through weigh heavily on her, sometimes breaking her down, but she never fails to stand tall and kick ass.
The Forgotten is much more action packed and full of adventure. We meet some new people, some I like and some, not so much. I'm not sure who I trust, yet. We lose some of our group, some with no idea as to their whereabouts. Some questions are answered, usually leaving you with another. We find out that the Antioch has many more secrets that we first thought. I'm still not sure what the Antioch is up to, but I'm enjoying finding out one piece of the mystery at a time. I am completely and thoroughly captivated by this amazing series, and I can't wait until the third and final book comes out!
I won the first book in this series in a giveaway, and when I read it, I was immediately HOOKED! I l couldn't wait to get back to Hazel's world. And this book was a hundred times better that the first book. (See my review here) "Take care if you haven't read the first book in the series, there might be minor spoilers." After leaving her sister and one of the Elects in her uncle's house, Hazel and her friends set out on a journey to find out what the officials are hiding. When Margaret (Hazel's friend) decides to use the help of one of her informants, Hazel is shocked that it is none other than Shane, the guy she met when she was back home. Things are getting worse. The officials are looking for Hazel, and they will stop at nothing. Even if it means killing her best of friends. And if that was not enough, Hazel can't help but feel torn between the two equally-captivating boys, Luka and Shane. How can she choose when everything she has ever believed in is at stake? What are the officials hiding? Will Hazel and her friends ever find out? And will Hazel be able to choose between the two boys? Find out much more when you read The Forgotten. An action-packed, breathtaking roller coaster ride! I LOVE this book. After reading The Twenty, I was anxious to read this book. But not very "anxious". I didn't know how the author would develop the characters more. But I was hell wrong. Claudia Carozza is an AMAZING writer! And she made Hazel even more adorable. I LOVE the characters in this book. Hazel is very head-strong and she is determinant, which I love. The supporting characters are really good, too. I LOVED Justin, and Maria, and many others. The boys. I can't even talk about them. Luka is the ultimate bad boy with a soft, sincere heart. He is not shy to show his true feelings to Hazel. I couldn't help but fall in love with his sweetness and protectiveness. Shane is pretty different. He is sweet and wonderful as well. But he doesn't show his emotions easily, although it's obvious that he cares about Hazel. The love triangle is believable, but it is very difficult to choose a side. If you want a very enjoyable, romantic dystopian read, then The Forgotten is the one for you! I loved the twists, the turns, and the vulnerability of the characters. I loved reading this book, and this time, I am VERY anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I just miss being in Hazel's world!
As the second book of the Barronlands Trilogy, The Forgotten picked up right where it left off and continued on the whirlwind journey of Hazel and co.
As with the first book there was so much going on that I was feverishly reading to keep up with it and quickly find out what was going to happen next, but this time I found myself getting a little frustrated with Hazel and her little tantrums she threw. Maybe I needed to remind myself when reading this that she is supposed to be a young girl, or maybe I am just a bit older than the intended reader?
If you liked the first one book of the series then you will love the second instalment. I hope I don't have to wait to long for the third book.
The Forgotten takes place right where The Twenty left off and the first thing that I noticed was the writing had improved dramatically. This book has a lot more action than in the first one and keeps you wondering what is going to happen. I feel much more connected to the characters this time around and felt the pain Hazel felt when someone she loves very dearly dies. One thing I'm have difficulty with in this book is the love triangle. Normally I love love triangles but I'm still not feeling connected to Hazel's love interests. I will say that I'm leaning more towards Luka though. Overall a massive improvement!