Wrecked
by Anna Davies
Standalone
Genre: YA, Paranormal, Contemporary
Published May 1st 2012 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
copy received from publisher
synopsis from goodreads
Rating:
Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this. Ever since the death of her parents, Miranda has lived on Whym Island, taking comfort in the local folklore, which claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and in its surrounding waters. Sometimes it’s just easier to believe things are out of your control.But then a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, and Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy who haunts her dreams. Consumed by guilt from the accident, she finds refuge in late-night swims—and meets Christian, a boy who seems eerily familiar, but who is full of mystery: He won’t tell her where he is from, or why they can only meet at the beach. But Miranda falls for him anyway…and discovers that Christian’s secrets, though meant to protect her, may bring her nothing but harm.Seductive and compelling, Wrecked brings a contemporary, paranormal twist to a classic enchanting tale.
With my latest mermen addiction I was eager to dig into this story. It sounded perfect, intense with a paranormal twist, exactly how I liked it! I was however very glad I read Jenny’s Review of Wrecked before I started reading it, because it made me shift my expectations.
Contemporary or Paranormal?
A little bit of both, but before I go deeper into this story I would like to clarify that this is not a classic paranormal story. In fact, the Paranormal aspect plays only a little role. This book is about much more, it’s about a horrible accident and how Miranda deals with the aftermath without falling apart. That was the main topic in my opinion and you should be aware to expect a very heavy intense story, full of grief, anger pettiness and in the middle a girl who suddenly looses everything although none of this was her fault. It is very emotional ride and very heartbreaking –  so take some tissues…
How to find a way to life…
When Miranda and her friends find themselves in this storm, hell breaks loose for Miranda. Many of her friends die in this storm, the ones that survive blame her although it’s not her fault. She withdraws from everyone devastated with the loss of her Boyfriend and there is non one to support her. But, there is this mysterious boy she dreams about and she thinks that he was the one to save her. The thought of him keeps her up and when she meets him at the beach, he’s to become her savior….
Seeing all those people treating Miranda like she’s a killer was horrible! It left me speechless and it was terrible to see how people treated her. Yet, Miranda tries and struggles to keep upright. There is certainly some inner strength she’s not even aware of herself. It was easy to brake down under what Miranda had to deal with. I was expecting to see the kids treat her like this, but it was even crueler to see  how the grown-ups of this uptight town handled this situation, and it was even more horrific! A character that really stuck me was her Grandma – all she cared about was appearance and it was horrible to see with how little love Miranda was handled.Although, I might be a little harsh here, she did love Miranda, yet appearance was more important. Miranda needed someone to hold her and and shoulder to lean on…
They all just wanted to blame someone and Miranda was there, ready to be the victim. My heart broke for her many many times…
The Savior – A Mermen
The paranormal twist was a nice addition but not completely wooing me over. The same I have to say for Christian (and can we stop a second and wonder how a merman comes to such a common name?? That I found really odd… I mean Christian?!). I liked him, but I mainly loved him because he gave Miranda back hope and someone to trust. For this, I loved him! But, he is not a boy I’m ready to swoon over.  At first, he was curious about her, and had no idea why he saved her – but then he realized he had to save her again and that he’d  risk everything to do this…
The ending was surprisingly genuine and honest which isn’t something we see quite often in stories like this. I expected a happily ever after but what we got is even more real and after an initial irritation I was content that this was the right ending of this story..
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
This was a very intense and tragic. It’s a story of loss, grief and healing. The paranormal aspect is very small and just a tiny aspect. It was heartbreakingly sad, but the end felt genuine and real! If you are going to read this book, know that this I no happy mermaid tale and rather a very tragic story about loss and how to find the way back to live… and don’t forget some Kleenex…
 
 
Additional Info
Here is an excerpt for you to read. And I’d love to say that the cover is incredibly gorgeous and fitting! The boy with the scales on his skin and I love the darkness of this cover, it first so perfectly to this book!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster you can wi:
A waterproof e-reader cover and a copy of Wrecked!
I mean how awesome is that ? Finally be able to read in the pool or in the bathtub hehe!!
   (Prizing courtesy of Simon & Schuster Giveaway open to US residents only)
to enter:
simply leave a comment!Â
(Note: if you add your email address when you submit your comment, you do not need to leave your email in the comments! I can reach you once you won!)Â
Now, tell me do you love mermaid tales? And what was/is your expectation towards Wrecked according to the synopsis?
Much Love,
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I can’t really say whether or not I love mermaid tales as I don’t usually read them, but I find something rather magical about them.
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There is something magical about them!!! but this one here is much more than magic!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I’ve been hearing mix things about Wrecked and I was a little unsure whether I wanted to read it or not. Your review definitely gave me some hope and I might check it out in the near future.
I have a feeling I’ll be bawling my eyes out though !
Thanks for the great review, Danny. 🙂
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Oh yep, Tissues are highly recommended!!! *sniffles*
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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The only mermaid tale i know of is the little mermaid! lol So i expect this book to a door to a whole new world for me!
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Hehe!!!! This one is more of the contemporary site but I love the idea of mermaids, you really should give it a try!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Wrecked is on my ‘to read next’ list! It sounds so interesting.
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Wonderful!! Hope you are going to like it!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Ohhhh!!!! Somehow I had this book on my TBR pile for the longest time, but I totally forgot it was about mermaids! That’s perfect for my newfound mermaid addiction after loving Of Poseidon LOL x) I already feel my heart breaking for Miranda — I couldn’t imagine losing most of my friends and my boyfriend all at once. That’s too terrible to even think about!
Amazing honest review, Danny! <3 Haha and maybe the mermaids have their own underwater language and they had to translate their names randomly when they surfaced, and he thought, "Hey. Christian sounds cool! I'll use that!" …? IDK! x)
Mimi Valentine recently posted..Review: Purity
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LOL sweetie, I felt the same! After OF Poseidon I wanted more!! And yes my heart broke so so many times for Miranda, I would have loved to punch a few people for not being more understanding! It hurt so much! And… I was angry!!
What she had to go through is beyond horrible…
And OMG ROFL – I looooved your idea about the name *giggles* But, seriously… Christian?? Oh and his brothers name is Valentine.. SERIOUSLY???
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Sounds intense! I’ve seen super mixed reviews on this one though and mermaid books haven’t impressed me at all – I haven’t read that many though. But this sounds very raw and different from your normal paranormal I might check it out.
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Yes it is Giselle. The mermaid tale only plays a very tiny role and is not important for the true story of the book. I think it took away a little of the intense heaviness of the plot and lighten it a little with the magic moment of mermaids.
It is different, raw, tragic and intense…
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I tend to really enjoy mermaid tales. The lore is just so intriguing. I’m really curious to see where Davis takes this novel. I’m always up for reading more Mermaid novels!!!
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Then you should go for it.. I liked the Lore and the idea behind it – hope you are going to like it!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I haven’t read many mermaid/merman books, but I find I’m fascinated by them, especially the covers. I think this one sounds really good, but I can see where in the blurb the merman angle is not front and center in the book. I would love to read it.
Crystal @ My Reading Room recently posted..Cover Reveal: Deadly Secrets, Loving Lies by Cynthia Cooke
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I adore this cover so so much!! IT’s perfect! The colors tells the story of the tragedy and the boy with the fishscales tells the mermaid part! I was initially slightly confused specially by the first line: “Secrets of the sea have never been sexier than this. ” Because this is not very fitting for this story here… it’s just catching..
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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This one was definitely not what I expected! I was expecting a definite paranormal read, and was surprised the focus was so much on Miranda’s grief, and I just never quite settled into the story. And I’m a girl who loves an HEA ending, so the open-ended nature of this one left me wanting my pretty little bow! Fantastic review though Danny:)
Oh, and don’t enter me, I just wanted to leave a comment:)
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Yes I totally expected the same and I would have been highly disappointed if it wouldn’t have been for your Review. I am certain that if I would have gone in blind I wouldn’t have liked it – but now I was prepared. Although I still missed a little more lightness in this whole story. Way too heavy!
Yep, me too I LOVE Happy Endings, I don’t care if they might not be perfectly real – I want to dream and want fairy tale ending full of bubbles, hearts, sunshine and happiness!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I haven’t read any mer-books that I have liked enough to read more… this one sounds so intense! I am a bit disappointed to hear that it’s more of a contemporary then paranormal, but yet, it still sounds like a good one to get into!
Thanks for a great review 🙂
margie c {the bumble girl} recently posted..Bout of Books Read-a-thon starts today!
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Yep, I was also not so much into mer-themed books until I read Of Poseidon!
Which was totally different from this one.
But, Wrecked has a different appeal and it was heavy but really good! Truly, give it a try!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Awesome! I’m so excited for this book. I hope more books will involve mermaids! I’m sure this book will be wonderful! The cover is gorgeous too! Thanks for the giveaway!
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The cover is sooo freaking awesome!! and I truly hope you will love this book. Miranda needs all the love she can get!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Wow this sounds good if you’re in the mood for something a bit tragic. Great review. I haven’t gotten too much into mermaids and stuff so I donno. I just haven’t been interested in that yet. But we’ll see, there’s always room for expanding my tastes! lol
I also LOVE the cover for this too. So pretty.
♥ Sarah @ I’m Loving Books
Sarah recently posted..Review: Fated by Alyson Noel
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Yep, you need to be in the mood for this one… and once you know what you will get into you can fully dig into this story!
And if you want a lighter mermaid book, read OF POSEIDON!! lool 🙂
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I’ve only read one mermaid tale which is not enough to make a real comment. The one I read I did enjoy.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
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Oh which one did you read? I totally want to read more of them now!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I’m sorry but I don’t remember. It was at least 5 years ago before I started keeping track of what I was reading. I just remember that it was fun and sexy. I feel stupid because if I could remember the author I could figure it out. Sorry,
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I don’t have a lot of experience in the field of mer-people myself, I’ll have to pass on commenting on that. however, with the minimal paranormal content that you describe this book sounds like a good bridge from normal contemporary for someone like me. Thanks!
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Yes, if you are not that big of a paranormal fan than this one might be the perfect combination for you! I think the paranormal aspect brought a bit of a lightness to this overall very tragic story!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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I haven’t read many mermaid related books at all. Certainly not enough to form a general opinion about them. However, it sounds like Christian really is a good “guy” because he provides Miranda with hope and trust. But it sounds like a pretty tragic story and I need/want happy now!
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I loved that Christian was just there for her. She needed someone to trust and to rely one, someone that shines a little light on her soul!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Honestly, I haven’t read a book with mer-people as significant characters. I mean, I’ve read books that had mermaid in them, but mostly with such small parts or mentions. I don’t know why I haven’t yet; it’s not like there aren’t appealing ones out there.
Christy @ Love of Books recently posted..Afterglow Trilogy Blog Tour: Excerpt
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Ok … you need to give Of Poseidon a chance! This is the best mer-people book I have ever read! I’m sooo in love with it and I can’t stop throwing it at everyone who wants, or does not want to know lol!!
Danny recently posted..Blog Tour: Wrecked by Anna Davies – Review & Giveaway
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Hi Danny,
I am still in search of that “wow” mermaid tale, aside from Disney’s Little Mermaid but that really doesn’t count. I am starting Of Poseidon next week so maybe that will be the one. I appreciated your very thorough review of this one. It sounds like a challenging read.
Heidi recently posted..Insurgent (Divergent #2) by Veronica Roth
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I really love mer-people in book! They just put this spark into the book! I have read many books with mer-peoploe. Like i read this book i really loved of a mer-man, but i can’t remember it’s name-it’s such a shame!
Sangita recently posted..Stacking the shelves (1)
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Hmm…see, I was hoping for a good mer-folk tale with this one, and it sounds like that’s not really what it is (which, not gonna lie, makes me glad I didn’t buy it on a whim to read this past weekend). It sounds like this one will probably be a library check-out first and foremost–I’d prefer to spend my money on truly swoon-worthy guys, lol. 🙂
Great review, Danny!
Jessi recently posted..YA Book Review: The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman
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I’ve only read 1 or 2 mermaid stories and didn’t have much luck with them. Wrecked’s synopsis intrigued me, but after reading your review I’m going to be expecting something different. Thanks for the review and giveaway! 🙂
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I would love to read about mermaids. I have never read any books about them. Please enter me in contest.
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Yes, I love mermaid books! I haven’t read very many, but the ones I have read have been very enjoyable. And this one looks as if it’ll be another great read! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Oh great review Danny! I read somewhere else that the ending was not as expected.
That’s okay, I think if you accepted it, I’ll be okay with it. But you know what, I really need that water proof cover for my Kindle b/c I’m reading a lot of mermaid/siren/selkie books and I need to keep my Kindle dry! I’m afraid it’s going to get splashed! So please, please let my number be the lucky one! For the book and the cover.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Heather
hrose2931 recently posted..Review-Nikolas and Company The Merman and The Forgotten Moon
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Not entering the giveaway for obvious in-Germany-living reasons, but I just wanted to let you know how difficult your review makes it to NOT go and buy a copy of WRECKED immediately. Usually I prefer lighter reads (and ones with an obvious happy ending), but something about your description of WRECKED makes me want to know what this one is like. 🙂 Thanks a lot for sharing!
Carina @ Fictional Distraction recently posted..Review: Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy (Blog Tour Stop)
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*sigh* Why is this book not at my library yet?
Not the biggest mermaid, fan mainly because there doesn’t seem to be a lot of them. Now every time I turn around mermaid books are coming out. Looking forward to a different perspective in Paranormal Romance!
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I love contemporary and I love paranormal! This one will probably be a great read for me even though your rating is not the highest. Yet, I am such a masochist that the sad ending factor could be a plus for me. SNiff!! Now that I already introduced myself into the Mermaid books thanks to your review of Of Poseidon, I am eager to reach this read one day.
Excellent review my sweet ^.^ thnx so much for sharing and for the giveaway!
muah!! XOXOXOXO
Natalia Belikov recently posted..Review: Gilt by Katherine Longshore
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I really cannot wait to read this one – any sort of book with mermaids I just have to read! 🙂
Erica recently posted..Endure by Carrie Jones Blog Tour
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This book sounds amazing! I’ve been dying to read a mermaid book, but this one is a twist on The Little Mermaid – awesome! I can’t wait to read it, and I love that it’s a little bit both contemporary and paranormal. That’s my kind of book. Thanks so much for the giveaway 🙂
Krista R recently posted..Review: Sweet Evil
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I love mermaids and have always loved them. I don’t have any expectations for this book other than I feel I am going to love it!
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I really want to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
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This book sounds captivating and enchanting, if they can write books about fairies why not mermaids etc. I would like to read this book, please enter me into your contest. Thank you for your review
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I’m always questionable when it comes to mermaid stories, but this one captured my attention. It will be a nice summer read. Thanks for the contest!
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I don’t really know if I enjoy mermaid tales or not because I’ve only read one, Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs. I still liked it very much though, and want to read Wrecked to see how the story plays out. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Don’t see mermen very often! A nice change
Shauna recently posted..City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
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I’ve never read any mermaid book before so I can’t say if I like them or not but this one seems interesting.
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This book sounds fantastic, I can’t believe I didn’t know about it before. I’m definitely excited about reading this one. I haven’t really read any mermaid/mermen books before so I’m excited to break the ice with this one.
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What intrigued me about this book was the cover! Dark and mysterious and kind of tortured looking, which I see agrees very much with the plot! Thanks for the giveaway!
Shae Carcar recently posted..Blog Tour: Review of Swipe by Evan Angler
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I like mermaid tales as long as they aren’t super cheesy and Disney like. My favorite mermaid book is Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs. I’m expecting Wrecked to be a pretty good book. Hopefully it will turn out to be even better than my expectations. Thanks for the giveaway! 😀
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Normally I don’t read mermaid stories…BUT with SO MANY AWESOME new YA mermaid books coming out I am definitively reading some mermaid books!
From the synopsis of Wrecked I am expecting something dark, seductive, & emotional. Something that is completely different from Disney’s version of mermaids. Thanks 4 the giveaway!
Lisseth Torres recently posted..Blog Tour: Visions of You (review & giveaway!)
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I think mermaid stories can be hard to do properly. There’s a lot of little details to work out, especially when you have a human as well… that being said I have read some really good ones, and Wracked sounds like it’ll be another one!
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I haven’t yet read a mermaid tale, but this one sounds (and looks) fantastic!
Thanks for the chance to win!!
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I love the idea of an underwater world and exploring something beautiful like the sea
Jessica Etches recently posted..Review: Providence By Jamie McGuire
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I haven’t really read many mermaid books yet but there are a few that I am really excited for I can’t wait to read Of Poseidon and I just won a copy of the Vicious Deep so I am excited to read that one. I think Wrecked sounds very interesting and I love the cover. I’m usually don’t really like sad stories and this one sounds a little sad but the romance has me interested so I would love to read wrecked!!!!
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I actually didn’t like this book at all. There were some serious plot holes and despite the fact that I am into mermaids, I couldn’t get into this book. Within the first five chapters, SIX people die. And one more is about to join them. Also the boat running into a buoy and sinking is extremely unrealistic even for a paper normal book. Too sketchy for me, even though I was so looking forward to it.
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