Review: Insanity by Lauren Hammond

12 December 2013



Title: Insanity (Asylum #1)
Author: Lauren Hammond
Buy it: Amazon, Barnes and Noble
Add it: Goodreads
Meet the author: Goodreads, Official blog


Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn’t be more opposite.
Adelaide’s mother abandoned her when she was ten years old, leaving her to be raised by her abusive and alcoholic father.
Damien on the other hand came from a wealthy family, was a local celebrity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.
Despite their differences, Adelaide and Damien were young, wild, and fiercely in love.
And they had a plan.
They were going to run away.
Be together forever.
And their plan was set in motion, until tragedy struck and for some reason, Adelaide wound up in The Oakhill Institution for the insane.
Adelaide has no idea what she did to wind up at Oakhill, but she knows one thing for sure...
She wants out.
And after Damien follows her there to aid her in escaping, Adelaide slowly begins putting together the pieces of her memory that are missing.
And it doesn’t take Adelaide long to figure out that sometimes...
That one true love never dies.





                                   



First of all, I would like to thank Miss Ivashkov from Goodreads for recommending this book to me. I must admit that it wasn't as dark as I thought it would be. It definitely  wasn't what I expected at all, but it was more than I could hope for. I enjoyed e-v-e-r-y  second of reading it. This is a kind of book that needs to come with a big warning: prepare yourself  'cause you will probably go little insane during or after reading it.  This book triggered so many emotions inside me. I felt sorry for my poor Adelaide and Damien, I was angry at Marjorie and that sadistic son of  a bitch Dr. Morris, puzzled with Aurora and Dr. Watson (or Dr. Hot for me), mad at Adelaide's abusive father…I couldn't figure out some things and it was driving me insane. Luckily, I didn't read it at public, because I swear a lot and at the end I wanted to smash my e-reader. I was so angry, hurt and in shock. I definitely didn't see that coming. One week after and I can't stop to think about this book. I know its just a fiction, but for me it feels so real. Sometimes I feel more connected to book characters and I feel more emotions for them than for  real people, and this was that case. At least some mysteries were unraveled, but there is a lot of things that still need to be explained.

One of my fear is that I'll end sane in an asylum. I know, it's ridiculous, but I have a wild imagination ( probably because I read too much). My main question remains unanswered: is Adelaide sane or insane?? I have a million different theories, probably all of them are wrong.
We know that something terrible happened when she tried to escape with Damien and she ended at Asylum, but  this book messed with my mind a lot and I'm not sure what is real and what is an  illusion anymore.

I really liked the main characters Adelaide and Damien. They were so young and in love, like a modern Romeo and Juliet, but  with many obstacles to be together. It may be a cliche, but I'm such a sucker for  forbidden and impossible love. I love my dear Addy like a sister and my dear Damien like a future husband (marry me, please!). I really enjoyed reading about first time they met, first kiss, little fights  and their secret meetings. Maybe someone will find their dialogues or lovemaking scenes corny, but I really love them all, I just can't help myself, I love romance.

I remind myself that he’s only a person. That it’s okay if I act normal, but I’m so blown away by his beauty that I can’t act normal.


“Don’t you know it’s unladylike to walk around in your undergarments?”


“You’re not only beautiful, but enigmatic. I find that fascinating.”


“I promise you, Adelaide, you can’t shut me out forever! I’ll be here every day until you talk to me!”


It’s amazing how he can see right through me. It’s amazing how all it takes for him to know what I’m really thinking is to look into my eyes.


God, this man, my love, my everything has always known how to make me break into pieces, in a good way.


And my favorite words that make me swoon every time a hot hero says it to lucky heroine: You're mine”. Yep, all yours, definitely. I'm gonna marry first guy who ever says that to me.

Secondary characters are very  important for the story line, actually everything is important to make a big picture at the end. Crazy or not, Adelaide is right at one thing: Asylum isn't helping people to get better, it's even worse than the  prison. The way they treat their patient is not human at all. I don't know how Dr. Morris got his medical license. I can't describe the things he did to his patient, it's just too much even to think about it. Luckily, there is one doctor worth my naughty thoughts: Dr. Watson. I like him, too. Well, I do believe in polyamory, actually I'm in love with a lot of fictional characters. But who can blame me, when they are all so perfect. That girl Aurora puzzled me even more than Dr. Watson. I'm curious and I cannot wait for her book to come out. I need to know her story.

What I didn't like? Just one little thing, all those Before and After chapters confused the hell out of me, and it was difficult to follow the plot sometimes, but I get why the author did that-to amaze us at the end.

I would recommend this book to all those who enjoy heartbreaking romance, young adult and don' mind a little mind-fuck, because this book will makes you question everything.

P.S. Let's hope I wont need an asylum after I finish reading this trilogy.
P.P.S. Building my vocabulary is always fun, especially when you learn fun new words like lobotomy and electroshock therapy.

Memorable quotes:

At that point, I look away I stare at the tiny cracks in the plaster wall. That’s how I feel inside, cracked—no—shattered. It’s like watching a mirror being blown up in front of you. There are so many pieces, but you have no idea how to put them back together again.


Would I feel better just letting go?
Yes.
I know this because the only reason I’ve been holding back is because I’m terrified of the pain my memories will bring. But life is pain. Life is chaos. It’s never easy. Always a struggle.

Kisses


                                                      


No comments:

Post a Comment