Review: Forgotten by Cat Patrick

Title: Forgotten
Author: Cat Patrick
Publisher: Egmont Books Ltd
Published: 7th June 2011
Source: Own Copy

With the intrigue of "Memento" and the romance of "The Time-Traveller's Wife", "Forgotten" is the perfect YA novel.

Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.
Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognise the power they have to control their destinies. - From Goodreads

I had seen this book a few times before I gave in and bought a copy. I mean of all of the supernatural books on the market just now this has to be one of the more unique stories and abilities. Not only that, it has an awesome cover. It was the reason I kept picking it up was that it called to me, and I am so glad I answered the call!

London Lane is a 16 year old girl who lives a relatively normal life, apart from the fact she can tell you detailed accounts of things that will happen to her in the future. Unfortunately she can't tell you what she wore yesterday, anything that happened over the last week in school or even if she spoke to her mother in the last few days. London's memory only looks forward. She has managed to cope this far by working a system of notes which she leaves for herself every night. This starts to fall apart when she begins dating the handsome Luke who she can't see in her future.

I really liked London Lane, and her name? London Lane. If she ever wanted to become a superhero then she already has the cool alter ego name. Through London's journey in this book we see how much she struggles with day to day. I loved London. I thought she was sweet and patient and managed to keep herself reasonably calm in some impossible situations. I men how often do you fall asleep in the back of someones car only to wake and find that your entire memory of how you go there and who you are with has been erased (That's without the addition of alcohol thank you!).

In addition to London I also loved some of the other characters. Luke. What a genuinely sweet and nice guy. He keeps chasing after London and is so patient and charming. Luke is not moody, brooding, dark or dangerous, he is just a sweet guy who makes it easy for us to fall in love with him. I also liked London's Mum, in so many books the parents are kept as minor parts, if they are in the book at all, but London's Mum is her foundation. London has someone who loves and cares about her which gives the book some warmth and heart.

The one stumbling block for me was the pacing at the start of the novel. I felt that we spent a little bit too much time just living in London's world to sympathise with her. I was drawn into her world and sucked into this dark mystery of the one dark memory that she can't pin in the future and can't remember from her past. I wish the crux of the story had occurred a little bit sooner for me.

This book had such a satisfactory ending that it almost felt complete. ALMOST. Cleverly hidden in the plot towards the end are a number of threads that I can totally see being picked up to create a thrilling series that I will want to consume all in one go! Unfortunately I will have to wait for the next book, and then probably have to wait some more for the book after that!