Review & Playlist: The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard

The Forgotten Ones by Laura Howard
Publisher: self published
Published: May 15, 2013
Pages: 177
Received: ebook for honest review/blog tour
Buy Now: Amazon

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

Okay what drew me into this book was the fact that it dealt with both schizophrenia and faeries. I was curious how these two topics could be blended together in one book and work. Such an amazing job was done to show how Allie deals with her mother's illness, how and why she wants to take on the role of primary caregiver for her mother and then adding in the storyline involving the fae. 

Allie keeps everyone outside of her bubble, not letting anyone get close to her. She spends a lot of time alone and helping to take care of her mother. She is afraid to let anyone get close, because she feels she needs to be responsible for her mom and that she won't have time for another type of relationship. She also wonders one day if she will fall to the same illness that has taken her mother from her. I think I related to Allison a lot because I saw myself in her, her quiet nature, that she prefers time with books instead of people, the she just wants to take care of those closest to her.

Now, the relationships that Allie has are all different. The one with her mom is one of frustration, devotion and love. She wants her mom back, the one she had when she was six years old and she sometimes blames herself for her mothers condition, because it started after she was born. The other aspect is love, because there is nothing that Allie wouldn't do for her mother. It's a massive pile of mixed emotions when it comes to her mom. 

Then there is Ethan, the guy she has crushed on for years, but she keeps pushing him away. Afraid to get too close to him, yet wanting him to be there for her. Ethan is relentless in asking her out, trying to spend time with her and I have to give it to him for having the patience and love for Allie that he possesses. Now if only Allie can see it for herself, or perhaps I should say, if only she would let him in. “But Ethan….he was so hard to resist sometimes.”

So not only does Allie have issues in the real world, but she finds out that faeries exist and they might just have something to do with her mother's mental illness. Can you imagine first finding out faeries are real? And then to find out that her mom might be normal again if only she will let them help? I would be freaked right out. I do love how Laura Howard was able to make all of this believable for Allie, realizing that her father, Liam, might be telling the truth about helping her mom and the need to visit Tir Na Nog. So many questions are answered and make sense, even if it sounds insane to believe in the fae. 

”I swallowed the truth, wondering if the fact my life had just turned into a Disney movie would be considered all right.”

 

 ”Things like schizophrenic mothers, reappearing fathers and boys with dimples didn’t exist when I ran.”

 

The land of Tir Na Nog was beautifully descried by Howard, everything was so vivid in my mind while reading. I always love reading about the land of fae, but this was absolutely wonderful. Also, I guess it helps that a few twists happen during Allie's time in Tir Na Nog, ones that I did not see coming and they only add to my wanting to read the next book in the trilogy that much sooner.  

”The sky in Tir na n’Og was bluer than I’d ever seen it at home. It was like stepping into Oz and I was Dorothy. Everything here was richer, more vibrant than I could have imagined.”

I was blown away by this book. The ending was abrupt, but has me wanting more.... now! I cannot wait to make the trip back to Tir Na Nog. ”Does this mean you are taking me to fairy land?”

 

MY PLAYLIST for THE FORGOTTEN ONES!

 
1. Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye (ft. Kimbra) - this is how I imagine what it would feel like to be pulled in by the faes thrall and then being let go again - like Aodhan.

2. 22 by Taylor Swift - This is what I hope will happen for Allison in the next part of the trilogy. Like her life can somehow become what it was meant to be and that she will give love a try.

3. See You Again by Carrie Underwood - this is what I imagine Allie`s mom Beth feels about Liam

4. Change Your Mind by Boyce Avenue - this is what I think Ethan would sing to Allie about giving him a chance.

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About the author:

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.

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