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DNF REVIEW: Hidden by Marianne Curley

Published By: Bloomsbury
Page Count: 325 pages
Format: E-book
Acquired: Through Netgalley for review
Publication Date: March 14th 2013
Summary from Goodreads

Ebony has always known that she is different. Her violet eyes mark her out, and her protective parents have kept her in a gorgeous valley, home-schooled, safe from everything—almost as if she’s being hidden. But she’s changing: glowing, getting more and more beautiful, and stronger than anyone knows. Ebony can’t stay hidden for ever, and when she meets complicated, intense Jordan, something explodes inside her—something that can be seen from the heavens; something that changes everything. Ebony is a stolen angel, concealed on Earth. Now the heavens have found her, they want her back.


I received this for review from the publisher via Netgalley



I must first of all say that I did not finish this book, through choice of my own, so my review will not be a reflection of the entire novel, only the part that I did read. 
I had high expectations for Hidden, mainly because I know a few people who had really enjoyed it but, sadly, this wasn’t the case for me. Maybe it’s because I had such expectations that I didn’t like it, but I guess we’ll never know.
From the start, it is evident that Ebony is different. Even she knows it, but she doesn’t know why. Why can she run faster than everybody else? Why does she have violet eyes? Why does she have the ability to heal? These were questions that were answered fairly early on in the book so the reader isn’t left guessing, something that I really liked about the novel.
Narrated by Ebony and Jordan, both of our protagonists, we got to see this book from a multiple perspective. I liked that because it meant that we got to see a larger part of the story rather than a tiny part if there were only one narrator.

I haven’t read a lot of books featuring insta-love but this is one of the few that I will be adding to my insta-love shelf. I’ve now found that insta-love bugs me and I won’t be reading another book with insta-love featured in it for a long time.

I loved the concept of this novel and, although I’ve read quite a few books with a similar plotline, this one had many unique aspects.

I found the characterisation very poor and wanted to scream at Ebony and Jordan on numerous occasions. Jordan irritated me more and more as the book progressed. This was one of the reasons why I put the book down. Whenever I pick up a book I want to be able to relate to the characters and feel something towards them, whether it be sympathy or hate for an antagonist. I didn’t, however, feel any of those things for either Ebony or Jordan.

I don’t think I’ll be reading anything else written by this author because I think I’m slightly too old to be reading this thing. It felt forced to me and I wasn’t comfortable with reading it. I do understand, however, why it may appeal to other people.

This book was sent to me for review by the publisher via Netgalley

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Pink Lady 631
    19 April, 2013 at 7:49 am

    Sorry you didn’t enjoy this as much as you hoped. Thanks for your lovely comment. I hate when a book is too forced. Thanks for a honest review 🙂

    • Reply
      Lucy
      19 April, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      No problem! Thanks for commenting!

  • Reply
    Eileen
    19 April, 2013 at 10:52 am

    Oh no insta love! I hate when that happens because then there’s no strong relationship for the rest of the book and then you’re just like “WHAT DO I DO NOW?” But I’m glad some aspects of Hidden appealed to you like the fact tht questions were answered earlier in the book 🙂

    Great review! I’m sorry you couldn’t finish this one.

  • Reply
    Ginger
    19 April, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Thanks for registering at Teenage Blogger Central 🙂

  • Reply
    Gwynneth White
    19 April, 2013 at 6:15 pm

    Nice cover. Pity the book didn’t live up to the premise. I don’t know why authors insist on going the insta love route. It is just so unrealistic.

  • Reply
    Sophie Louise
    19 April, 2013 at 6:32 pm

    Oh no! I LOVED this book and I’m so sorry you didn’t like it! I, personally, don’t mind insta-love. I’m such a sucker for it! On a plus note, I just noticed it is your Blogoversary tomorrow! Congratulations! I’m just writing my Blogoversary posts now and they do make you feel sad(But in a good way).
    -Sophie:) x

  • Reply
    Ruby :)
    19 April, 2013 at 8:46 pm

    Good thing I read this review! I was just about to request this from netgallery… Which would have increased by to-read pile and probably wasted my time! Thanks for a honest and useful review. 🙂

  • Reply
    Zoe Crook
    21 April, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    Oh, no! It is so sad that you didn’t enjoy this, Lucy. I absolutely loved this book and the only thing that annoyed me was the insta-love, but I could see why the author had to involve it. I understand that you don’t want to carry on reading something that you don’t like though. I had to abandon a book the other day… what’s the point in reading something that you don’t enjoy?

    Thanks for the honest review 🙂

  • Reply
    Rebecca-Books
    22 April, 2013 at 7:29 am

    I am so glad I saw this review actually. When I was working last week, a girl asked me if this was good, whether it was worth buying. I said I didn’t know but as you was choosing between this or Looking for Alaska, I directed her in the John Green direction.
    Books are like food sometimes. There are certain food you love that others hate depending on your personal preferences (little bit too philosophical for 8.30 on a Monday morning…)

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