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Abandoned
Emily is a woman with a dark past. She was found abandoned on a park bench in Glasgow, Scotland when she was only two years old. Being unable to talk or explain herself meant that growing up within the Scottish welfare system was depressingly harsh.
This all changes the day a young social worker named Kim comes into seven-year-old Emily's life. Kim suspects that there is definitely more to Emily than the workers in the social system have surmised. A suspicion that Emily is no ordinary sufferer of domestic trauma. Emily, through Kim, finds hope, guidance and the chance of a normal life. But when a teenaged Emily becomes a victim of assault, leading to the death of her attackers, it fires off an urgent need to find out who she actually is.
Through the first person accounts of a social worker, a teenager, a gymnastics coach, an investigative agent and a sickly, elderly man, we observe Emily's often-perilous journey to discover her true identity and what led to her abandonment in the first place--what she eventually finds may be truly extraordinary.
This all changes the day a young social worker named Kim comes into seven-year-old Emily's life. Kim suspects that there is definitely more to Emily than the workers in the social system have surmised. A suspicion that Emily is no ordinary sufferer of domestic trauma. Emily, through Kim, finds hope, guidance and the chance of a normal life. But when a teenaged Emily becomes a victim of assault, leading to the death of her attackers, it fires off an urgent need to find out who she actually is.
Through the first person accounts of a social worker, a teenager, a gymnastics coach, an investigative agent and a sickly, elderly man, we observe Emily's often-perilous journey to discover her true identity and what led to her abandonment in the first place--what she eventually finds may be truly extraordinary.
- GenresContemporaryFiction
172 pages, Paperback
First published November 12, 2013
31 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Warren Craig Shan
1 book18 followersAlthough originally hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, I now reside in Sydney, Australia, which has been my home now for the past 25 years. For nearly 20 of those years, I have been working as an IT professional in varying capacities.
I kind of fell into writing when I started writing a serial of short stories, for friends, when I was challenged to create an interesting literary character. After five of these stories, it was recommended that I assemble this into a book. The result became Abandoned
I seek to write more books as ideas come to me. I do enjoy the challenge of trying turn fanciful stories into something more earnest and relate-able. A huge influence of mine, is the writer american science fiction / fantasy writer Peter David. Good writing is more than an interesting story. It is also the delivery of it and that unique style that each writer can bring. The most memorable quote that drives my own style is: "For every lie you tell, try to keep as much truth in it as possible. In that way, the lie seemingly becomes plausible."
I kind of fell into writing when I started writing a serial of short stories, for friends, when I was challenged to create an interesting literary character. After five of these stories, it was recommended that I assemble this into a book. The result became Abandoned
I seek to write more books as ideas come to me. I do enjoy the challenge of trying turn fanciful stories into something more earnest and relate-able. A huge influence of mine, is the writer american science fiction / fantasy writer Peter David. Good writing is more than an interesting story. It is also the delivery of it and that unique style that each writer can bring. The most memorable quote that drives my own style is: "For every lie you tell, try to keep as much truth in it as possible. In that way, the lie seemingly becomes plausible."
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 7, 2015
This first book from Warren Shan is wonderful. He is a great story teller and keeps the reader engrossed and eager to keep reading. I was so disappointed when I came to the end as I wanted to read more. Can not wait to see the next book from this author.
August 27, 2022
I read this book in about two to three hours; an easy read. Loved the way we saw the lifespan of the main character in five separate stories with other characters, and how they intertwined. What an interesting lead, Emily is; not only physical strength but inner strength. I think I would have liked a different ending, but I don't want to give the story away. One of the most beautiful quotes in the prologue: "I was a moth to her flame, totally out of my control yet delightfully drifting to her magnetic light". A very sympathetic book.
June 29, 2014
I really thought the book was a interesting story. I enjoyed seeing how the character Emily grows in each event and how she is able to over come the challenges she is faced with. This book is a must read as it provides readers with mystery to find out the secret behind the character Emily's strengths. Great Story... it captured my attention until the last page. I loved it!!!
October 23, 2015
I enjoyed this book. I must say it was enthralling and I couldn't put it down. Very interesting story. Furthermore, I didn’t mind that it was short, surprisingly! Looking forward to Warren’s next novel!!!
January 1, 2016
Great read
This story kept me engaged the whole time. This short story left me wanting more. It is a really great read.
This story kept me engaged the whole time. This short story left me wanting more. It is a really great read.
March 28, 2015
Abandon this book!
This is a mildly interesting story but not worth the time it takes to read. The book starts out as though it will be a good tale
, but by the time you have read about a third of the way through, you have already read the most interesting part. I thought about stopping, and I should have. The rest of the book just leads to an anticlimactic ending. Not worth your time.
This is a mildly interesting story but not worth the time it takes to read. The book starts out as though it will be a good tale
, but by the time you have read about a third of the way through, you have already read the most interesting part. I thought about stopping, and I should have. The rest of the book just leads to an anticlimactic ending. Not worth your time.
April 29, 2014
I think the reason I decided to give this book a try was because of the title. The word just intrigues me and has been a good word for favorite books in the past. This was a fairly interesting story line but lacked descriptors that connected me to the characters or the tale. I think with a good editor and another go round, some bulking up, this story could have received 3 stars from me.
June 10, 2015
Disappointed
I liked the starting chapters but was disappointed at how little was devoted to Emily and her life. The book just just jumped from one point to years later. Way too sketchy.
I liked the starting chapters but was disappointed at how little was devoted to Emily and her life. The book just just jumped from one point to years later. Way too sketchy.
December 16, 2015
Not to sure of this book
Did not really like this book. But just could not put it down until I was finished. Skipped some of it
Did not really like this book. But just could not put it down until I was finished. Skipped some of it
March 28, 2016
I received this book through First Reads.
This book was disjointed but predictable. Thankfully it was only 160 odd pages.
Badly edited.
This book was disjointed but predictable. Thankfully it was only 160 odd pages.
Badly edited.
May 14, 2016
Good story
I haven't read this author before. I enjoyed his telling of the story. I would read the nxt book in the saga
I haven't read this author before. I enjoyed his telling of the story. I would read the nxt book in the saga
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews