The Lost Girl
By Sangu Mandanna
August 28, 2012
Ages 13 and up
Balzer + Bray
Reviewed: ARC from publisher
Author’s Website
Order from Amazon
Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.
But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.
Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.
What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.
From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself.
JENNA’S REVIEW
One word sums up the debut novel by the talented new author, Sangu Mandanna, and that word is:
STUNNING.
THE LOST GIRL is simply one of THE BEST books I have read this year. Completely original and unforgiving in its portrayal of “self” and “identity” and “having a soul”, as well as seriously intense with regard to both emotion and story, few books can compare to this sensational debut. Home run, Sangu. Home. Run.
The story begins with the introduction of Amarra (whom I initially deemed Amarra 2.0) – she is a “stand in”/clone, created to replace the original Amarra, should the girl ever meet an early demise. Nameless, not allowed to be her own person, Amarra 2.0 defies the rules of her creators and gives herself a name, Eva. But then, of course, the original Amarra is killed in a car accident, and Eva must immediately drop everything and take her place. A hard task for a clone with a life and a mind of her own.
I have not met a character recently who I respect more than Eva. Her situation and place in the world around her is unimaginable. The comparisons to Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein are appropriate, as Eva is just as despised by the world as that unfortunate creation. She must lie to everyone and act just like Amarra; attending school, encountering Amarra’s friends, dating… Hiding who she truly is inside. Lost. Yes, she marches on, unquestioningly carrying out the task for which she was created – BUT she displays her OWN character growth that peals away, layer by layer, right before your eyes. You can actually visualize her true self coming out as she speeds toward a climactic ending full of shocks and surprises.
I reached the end of this book, both amazed by the story that I just encountered and wishing on every star in the sky that someday I would be able to read more about Eva. It can’t end, it just can’t! While I was satisfied with where Eva’s story left her, I can’t help but want more. That is how wonderful THE LOST GIRL is.
Even if we don’t see more of Eva, you can guarantee that I am a Sangu Mandanna fan for life.
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Setting: 10
Pacing: 10
Style: 10
Grade: 100
THE GIVEAWAY:
Enter to win an ARC of THE LOST GIRL!
Open to US/Canada residents aged 13 and older only.
Giveaway ends at midnight on Tuesday, October 9, 2012.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Holla! I’ve been sort of on the fence about this book (wasn’t sure if the premise would frustrate me), but your review gave me a hearty push between the shoulder blades. I want to read this book!
Glad to hear you really liked this one. I’ve heard other good things about it, so I think I’ll definitely give it a try. It seems like I’ve been reading a lot of books with a similar 2-souls/people-in-1 type thing lately (Incarnate, What’s Left of Me, Through to You). Thanks for the chance to win!
Wow! Eva sounds amazing! Honestly, it’s hard for me to get completely connected with the main character in a novel. I might like the character, maybe even love them, but rarely do they draw me so deep into the novel that I actually adopt their identity. Only a few have done that, like OBSIDIAN and GODDESS INTERRUPTED, and these are the books that are kept in a special place on my bookshelf.
Thanks for the chance to win the ARC! :D
Excellent review. I’ve been wanting to read this book for months. The premise sounds really fascinating and engaging. I actually think I’ll like the characters which seems to make or break a book for me.
Wow, a perfect score! I wanted to read this book when I first heard about it, and now after reading your review I really want to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!
I just bought this the other week – This makes me really excited to get to it!! :)
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review, and for your honesty. I’ve heard so many great things about this novel and I simply cannot wait to read it!!!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Lucy
This sounds amazing!!
Fantastic as always! I’m really been wanting to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!
I bought this book and can’t wait to read it! So excited you gave it a perfect grade :)
Eve is like Frankenstein? sounds awesome. :D
I seriously didn’t expect The Lost Girl to be such an emotional read, but I’m so glad it is! I’m even more excited to read it!
Great review & thanks for the giveaway ^__^
I keep seeing this book around but I haven’t actually read any reviews for it until now. And a perfect score? WOW. I’ve been following your blog for awhile now and that seems rare, so I know it must be special! Great review, and thanks for a chance to win a copy!
Great job on the review! I can’t wait to read this book, it’s on my wish list!
After reading the review and the blurb, this is a book I MUST get for my daughter….and I! I might be nice and let her read it first, though! The burb was fascinating and a little confusing BUT when the review said this is the BEST book, I was sold!
Great review, Jenna! I got this on netgalley and haven’t been able to get to it. Your take on Lost Girl makes me want to read it that much more. Eva sounds more intriguing all the time. Thanks for the giveaway, girl! ;)
Thank you for stopping by! You must share your thoughts with me once you’ve had a chance to read the book. :) (And you’re welcome!)
That’s a heck of a glowing review! A review like that makes me put it on my wishlist, even though I have yet to read any others….I’m excited for this one. Thanks!
I was definitely interested in The Lost Girl when I first heard of it, but if I hadn’t been and I read your review, it would have changed my mind in a big way. Wonderful review! You can seriously get someone interested in a book. Thanks so much for getting me even more interested in this one. Thanks for the giveaway, as well!
I’m glad you loved it so much! There is a waiting list for this novel at my library. I’m number 3, so hopefully I’ll get a chance to read it soon! Thanks for the giveaway!
It sounds really intriguing, I don’t think I’ve heard of a plot quite like this before.
Great review- thank you!
I really did love the review, it made me want to read this book all the more! Thanks for the great giveaway!!