Abithica in Q&A with Susan Goldsmith

Mar 07, 2011 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, fantasy

What if you were some kind of disembodied spirit, moving from host to host, living life through other people's bodies, but never having a life of your own? What if you didn't know what you truly are, let alone who you are? Could you find happiness or love?

A minute ago, she was Claire, who just fell back in love with her husband, Tom, but before she left, she broke her number one rule – she got attached. Now she's Sydney, a troubled young woman who got involved with a dangerous gang that won't l ...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Lauren rated it it was amazing

When I first heard about Abithica, I knew I had to read it. It sounded promising, and I have to admit, the pretty cover had a lot to do with my decision as well. In the end, Abithica turned out to be something completely different from what I had been expecting, but in the best way possible of course.

First, I just loved the character of Abithica. From the first page, I became completely immersed in her story. She was fearless, brave, and extremely compassionate as well as giving. What I adored m When I first heard about Abithica, I knew I had to read it. It sounded promising, and I have to admit, the pretty cover had a lot to do with my decision as well. In the end, Abithica turned out to be something completely different from what I had been expecting, but in the best way possible of course.

First, I just loved the character of Abithica. From the first page, I became completely immersed in her story. She was fearless, brave, and extremely compassionate as well as giving. What I adored most about her character, though, was seeing how she changed people's lives over the course of the novel with her help, actions, and words. From Lane, her love interest, to Sydney, the person whose body she inhabits, to Faith, Sydeny's mother, to Shae, Lane's sister, each one of them faced some sort of positive change because of her presence.

As mentioned above, the premise of this novel was something that originally intrigued me about this novel. I mean, the idea of a person inhabiting another's body long enough to help them and get somewhat attached then be ripped away? It sounded unique, and unique was exactly what it ended up being. It was always interesting to learn more about Abithica's past and what her purpose was. In addition, I enjoyed the addition of Sydney's past troubles and what they now meant for everyone. It always cased extreme twists and turns that fully caught my attention, and with the addition of another POV (this time from someone involved in a gang), I was even more eager to see how everything would come together in the end.

The only aspect of this novel I wasn't completely thrilled about was the huge focus on faith. It became a bit much after a while, especially when it was used to explain every odd occurrence that happened in the character's lives. However, at the same time, it wasn't exactly pushed in my face, so it didn't really affect my feelings toward the story that much.

Completely unique and intricate, Abithica has ended up becoming one of my new favorite reads, and given that nearly heart stopping conclusion, I'm really intrigued to see what's next for Abithica!

Grade: A ...more

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Jun 09, 2011 Lisa rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult-fantasy, supernatural-fiction

Imagine never knowing where you will wake-up each day or how long you’ll be there, but you know that you’re there to serve a purpose, if you can just figure out what the purpose is to be. And, once your purpose is served, you’ll awaken somewhere else to begin the process all over again. Did I mention that where you land is always in someone else’s body because you have no corporeal form (which reminded me of The Host by Stephenie Meyer, which is not a bad thing at all)? Well, that is exactly wha ...more

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Jan 26, 2011 Kim rated it it was amazing

I loved this book!!! Very original story with a flavor of Stephenie Meyer's The Host. Enjoyed all the different characters and mystery to Abithica's struggles in "this" body! Great "first love" romance! If you love paranormal, Abithica is a must read! ...more

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Mar 15, 2011 Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: jun11, angels, read-in-2011, paranormal-romance

Abithica is far from what I expected, being a more adult than young adult. The main character, a body-jumping someone who winds up in teenager, and almost adult Sydney’s body, looks at herself as a parasite. Her mind is one of self-hatred and rules. If she follows her rules, then she doesn’t get hurt, she doesn’t get attached, and maybe her parasitic time in a body will leave the host a little better than when before she jumped in.

Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan and rules really a Abithica is far from what I expected, being a more adult than young adult. The main character, a body-jumping someone who winds up in teenager, and almost adult Sydney’s body, looks at herself as a parasite. Her mind is one of self-hatred and rules. If she follows her rules, then she doesn’t get hurt, she doesn’t get attached, and maybe her parasitic time in a body will leave the host a little better than when before she jumped in.

Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan and rules really are made to be broken, so this now-Sydney does open up, does get attached, and even falls in love. At times, the dialogue can be a little ooey-gooey, but Lane, the love interest, really is kind of swoony. Maybe a little pushy, but very much a man’s man and a sweetheart. His adoration for his younger and traumatized sister Shae shows exactly what kind of man he is. And he’s a man who loves completely; whether that love is directed at his sister or the now-Sydney, Lane’s love is enduring.

Sydney (now-Sydney as I like to call her) is one heck of a character. She’s torn between hating herself and wanting happiness. She’s as human as you or me, but not, at the same time. Her internal monologues drive the book. The secondary characters are all entertaining as well. Lane and Shae are wonderful and I have a soft spot for Sydney’s mother Faith. Her theory about the shoes people wear is beyond funny.

The majority of the book takes place around now-Sydney, but there are parts with a group call the Legnas. As much as I liked seeing this deeper, darker group that the old Sydney is somehow affiliated with, the rift between them and the now-Sydney is so great that it almost makes Abithica feel like two different stories. By the end, the two stories roll into one, but for a while there, the connection seemed miniscule.

Abithica is a tale of redemption and acceptance and love. While many are calling it young adult novel, it reads as adult. Now-Sydney’s voice is very much that of an adult and her thoughts, emotions, and actions are those of an adult. The overall premise of the book is interesting and even thought-provoking. It makes you think about people and life and how we’re more than just skin, bones, and brains. It’s nearly impossible to put down because now-Sydney’s voice begs you to continue, for her sake and her own. I was perfectly content with the ending, but wouldn’t mind seeing where things could go from there, expanding upon the revelations that arise from Abithica’s close.
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Jul 26, 2011 Beverly McClure rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Imagine finding yourself in one host body after another, not even knowing what you are, much less who you are. Is she some sort of parasite that lives in others’ bodies and feeds off of their lives, their loves, their hurts? This is the dilemma facing our heroine in Susan Goldsmith’s debut novel Abithica.

Ms. Goldsmith’s story begins with our character finding herself in a woman named Sydney’s body. What is her purpose for being there? What does God have in mind for her? In her previous host, sh ...more

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Jun 17, 2011 Justina rated it it was amazing

What a good book!! I just loved the lead character. Actually most of the characters. She broke my heart but it all pulled together in the end. I hope there's a sequel!!! I was totally addicted!! ...more

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