>Ruined by Paula Morris

fiction

by Caroline C | on November 24th, 2011 | 9 comments

Rebecca Brown couldn’t feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year. She’s staying in a creepy old house with her Aunt Claudia, who reads tarot cards for a living. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she’s invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he’s got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in a cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to show Rebecca the nooks and crannies of New Orleans. There’s just one catch: Lisette is a ghost. A ghost with a deep, dark secret and a score to settle. As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend–and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey–she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair? (From Amazon.ca)

What I loved most about this book was the setting. I love just about anything New Orleans. The setting was richly described and I loved the cemetery scene, and especially the Mardi Gras scene. Everything about the setting was wonderful and the book swept me away with it. I loved the ghost story as it fits hand in hand with the setting so you have this underlying paranormal feeling (although I think it’s not needed as New Orleans itself gives you that paranormal feeling anyways!).

I really liked Rebecca. I liked how her social status at her school didn’t matter to her and she went on with life however she pleased. I liked how she didn’t let snooty girls like Helena and Marianne dictate her life. Who annoyed me the most were Toby, Claire, and Amy. Toby because he was such a jerk and the urge to punch him in the face got stronger whenever he appeared in the book. Claire and Amy were immensely annoying because it felt as if they were with Rebecca out of convenience, and to have someone around to make themselves look better. I just couldn’t stand their chatter and the way they tried to make Rebecca look stupid (although Rebecca hardly cared less about what they talked about most of the time – which I thought, was cool and why I liked Rebecca even more).

I’d have to say, Anton started to grow on me. He did seem like such a nice guy and he fit the similar mold to Rebecca – that he didn’t care what others thought. So in that sense, they did look nice together.

The ghost story plot with Lisette was really interesting. It gave the story a good feeling of mystery and the setting helped a lot to give the plot a good creepiness factor. There’s also a nice rich sense of history behind the book and it’s well explained and thought out so it gives the reader a good comprehension on why things are like they are in the story. Although the mystery deepens as you progress through the book. The real action is at the last third of the book. The suspense really does build up – especially the Mardi Gras scene and I got so mad that these old families would ever think of such a thing to do against Rebecca.

What I particularly did not like is what in the world happened to Toby??!! he just disappears despite his actions??!!! I wanted him to get his comeuppance! I just thought the ending was a bit rushed.

Either way, the rich descriptive setting with a wonderful ghost story does make up for the shortcomings. It’s a well written book and well worth the read. It’s an excellent choice for those that like ghost stories or paranormal young adult fiction.

Caroline C (126 Posts)

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Comments (9)

Ankit Sharma Saturday - 26 / 11 / 2011 Reply

>nice plot. thanks for suggesting my next read! good review
GrandmasDaffodils Wednesday - 01 / 02 / 2012 Reply

>I LOVED this book, especially the integration of New Orleans & Mardi Gras references. Thanks for the excellent review.
cynthia ann dominguez Thursday - 26 / 04 / 2012 Reply

hi, i just started reading this novel "ruined" and it seems great ! all teens like me should read this novel,
9898! Friday - 18 / 05 / 2012 Reply

Great book! I really liked it, that's a book I'll read for a second time. I usually don't reread books but for Ruined I will. I might try reading another book by Paula Morris. Any ideas?
Fanfiction Writer Sunday - 27 / 05 / 2012 Reply

SOMEBODY HAS TO WRITE A FANFICTION FOR THIS ONE...
Ebn Sunday - 10 / 06 / 2012 Reply

As usual, your post had me in splits. However, on a soeuris note, there is nothing plagiaristic about using "facts and ideas" as they are the common resources that no one can claim copyright to. So if I write a post based on what you have written here and include the facts that you mention (you don't, but I am just giving an example), I cannot be called a plagiarist. Same applies for your google and wikipedia. It is not right to call research and reference work plagiarism. Very useful and thought provoking post, just when this issue (of a "controlled" and "safe" internet) is being so fiercely debated. Great work, Deepak!
anonymus Tuesday - 09 / 10 / 2012 Reply

awesome book....simply love it.......will surely reread it cauz till now this is the best book i have read awesome awesome awesome ...................................................great bwork paula morris .................hope you write more like this one........
Cristina Wednesday - 09 / 01 / 2013 Reply

I Absolutly LOVE this book!! It's exciting and always interests me. No matter how many times I read it I'm sure that I will always love it.
haneesha Saturday - 04 / 05 / 2013 Reply

I just love it...............its so awesome..................................simply superb.iwas so exited while reading this.Iam willing to read it again and again.This is the first i ve read.I normally feel bored in reading books,but once after I started reading this book,I'm very much intrested in reading books.I simply say this book is simply AWESOME.