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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This was one of the most gripping young-adult books I've read in a long time.
In the After is a post-apocalyptic YA debut novel. I haven't read post-apocalyptic stories in awhile, and full disclosure, I saw this book on the shelf at the library and thought, "that's a cool cover," then, "let's read it" after reading the inscription.
The storyline was intriguing, learning to survive in a world that is no longer your own. Beings believed to be aliens spreading across the globe, infecting all they can see. Behaving as zombies, yet they don't devour as zombie games and shows portray... just bite, infect, move on. Essentially blind, if you remain quiet. So, Amy learns how to quiet. Learns to only go out at night, where the shadows give her an advantage. Develops a form of sign language in order to talk with the mute toddler she found while scavenging one day.
The girls have only each other, as close as sisters as they can get. One day, they're rescued by those who formed a safe haven, and imagine Amy's surprise when she finds her mom there, alive and well. But, things aren't quite as they seem there. After several years of having to take care of herself, and then also Baby, Amy struggles with conforming to the rules of the society. It's too loud. Too open. So she tries to adjust, but it's not easy.
The second half of the book is half memory, half in the present. So while it bounces back and forth, you get to read her current struggle and also slowly read about the events leading up to her "breakdown," so to speak. It's quite an interesting story. There is a very slight romance or at least the inkling of one, but definitely not enough to actually qualify this to be a romance.
The storyline was intriguing, learning to survive in a world that is no longer your own. Beings believed to be aliens spreading across the globe, infecting all they can see. Behaving as zombies, yet they don't devour as zombie games and shows portray... just bite, infect, move on. Essentially blind, if you remain quiet. So, Amy learns how to quiet. Learns to only go out at night, where the shadows give her an advantage. Develops a form of sign language in order to talk with the mute toddler she found while scavenging one day.
The girls have only each other, as close as sisters as they can get. One day, they're rescued by those who formed a safe haven, and imagine Amy's surprise when she finds her mom there, alive and well. But, things aren't quite as they seem there. After several years of having to take care of herself, and then also Baby, Amy struggles with conforming to the rules of the society. It's too loud. Too open. So she tries to adjust, but it's not easy.
The second half of the book is half memory, half in the present. So while it bounces back and forth, you get to read her current struggle and also slowly read about the events leading up to her "breakdown," so to speak. It's quite an interesting story. There is a very slight romance or at least the inkling of one, but definitely not enough to actually qualify this to be a romance.
3.5 stars I enjoyed this story but I found it a little predictable.
This review and more: SIK Book Reviews
This book was overall quite enjoyable. There's nothing really to complain about, in my opinion. On the other hand, there's nothing I feel the need to gush about either. So, I apologize if this turns out to be one of my more boring reviews.
I really enjoyed the story. I thought everything was explained well and it had excellent world building. I was able to completely get lost in this world and ride along with Amy without questioning things, which is always great. I thought the author came up with a unique take on the premise for this book and did a really good job of delivering it in a captivating and enjoyable way.
The characters were all likable and relateable. I loved the bond between Amy and Baby and I really rooted for them. Amy is a tough main character, who had to mature quickly in order to survive her world. You won't find a whiny teenager protagonist who needs others to protect her in this book! Baby is actually very strong and mature as well, even though she is so young. I loved the both of them.
Overall, in the after was a great book with a captivating storyline that kept me enveloped until the end. I'm looking forward to continuing the story with the sequel.
This book was overall quite enjoyable. There's nothing really to complain about, in my opinion. On the other hand, there's nothing I feel the need to gush about either. So, I apologize if this turns out to be one of my more boring reviews.
I really enjoyed the story. I thought everything was explained well and it had excellent world building. I was able to completely get lost in this world and ride along with Amy without questioning things, which is always great. I thought the author came up with a unique take on the premise for this book and did a really good job of delivering it in a captivating and enjoyable way.
The characters were all likable and relateable. I loved the bond between Amy and Baby and I really rooted for them. Amy is a tough main character, who had to mature quickly in order to survive her world. You won't find a whiny teenager protagonist who needs others to protect her in this book! Baby is actually very strong and mature as well, even though she is so young. I loved the both of them.
Overall, in the after was a great book with a captivating storyline that kept me enveloped until the end. I'm looking forward to continuing the story with the sequel.
This is a re-read for me, but I guess I didn't log it from before.
I really enjoyed it again the second time around. It's simple, it's compelling. It's exactly what you think it is. But if you haven't spent a lot of time in the genre the twists are good and you won't see them coming so it's fun.
I like when an author does a good job writing tropes and making them their own and you can track them and you can enjoy the unique twist and flair they have. That's important. You can read 100 alien invasions or zombie stories and enjoy each one because of the creativity of the person writing.
I liked the heroine, I loved the use of ASL and the admittance it was changed to fit a purpose, and I would really like to read the sequel so I'm going to have to check and see if the library has it, at some point. I like how smart the main character is, how capable she is, without being overly able to handle things and that she needs support and allies and will use them and take advantage of that. She's not afraid to get help and she isn't afraid to need help. It's an important character trait.
I really enjoyed it again the second time around. It's simple, it's compelling. It's exactly what you think it is. But if you haven't spent a lot of time in the genre the twists are good and you won't see them coming so it's fun.
I like when an author does a good job writing tropes and making them their own and you can track them and you can enjoy the unique twist and flair they have. That's important. You can read 100 alien invasions or zombie stories and enjoy each one because of the creativity of the person writing.
I liked the heroine, I loved the use of ASL and the admittance it was changed to fit a purpose, and I would really like to read the sequel so I'm going to have to check and see if the library has it, at some point. I like how smart the main character is, how capable she is, without being overly able to handle things and that she needs support and allies and will use them and take advantage of that. She's not afraid to get help and she isn't afraid to need help. It's an important character trait.
In The After grabs you from the very first page, and manages to keep you on the edge of your seat (or curled up under your blanket in fear) from beginning to end. This book was everything I was looking for and more, seriously… I loved it. Demitria Lunetta did a great job of balancing suspense, sci-fi and character elements all while keeping the reader engaged with Amy’s perspective. There are even some dystopian elements throughout, so there’s something for everyone here.
The big bag race is mostly just referred to as Them. They showed up one day and started devouring the human race, with no thought of world domination beyond their own hunger–you can definitely draw some zombie comparisons here (love!), but they manage to be a whole new kind of scary that keeps you holding your breath any time Amy encountered one of Them. They can’t see very well, but have great hearing, so you can be standing right beside one and be a-okay, so long as you don’t even breathe. Hence the supportive breath-holding. *shudder*
Besides Them, Amy has only been sharing her world with one other person–Baby. Amy found Baby as a toddler, and has raised her in the years since the initial attack. The two of them rely on each other 100%, even communicating silently through sign language in order to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Baby is a pretty good kid but has her mood swings like any other. I actually really enjoyed seeing Baby evolve as Amy’s sister, and then eventually try to figure out how to interact with other people.
I cannot recommend this book enough. In The After is a fantastic YA/sci-fi blend that will leave you feeling both satisfied and desperate for more.
The big bag race is mostly just referred to as Them. They showed up one day and started devouring the human race, with no thought of world domination beyond their own hunger–you can definitely draw some zombie comparisons here (love!), but they manage to be a whole new kind of scary that keeps you holding your breath any time Amy encountered one of Them. They can’t see very well, but have great hearing, so you can be standing right beside one and be a-okay, so long as you don’t even breathe. Hence the supportive breath-holding. *shudder*
Besides Them, Amy has only been sharing her world with one other person–Baby. Amy found Baby as a toddler, and has raised her in the years since the initial attack. The two of them rely on each other 100%, even communicating silently through sign language in order to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Baby is a pretty good kid but has her mood swings like any other. I actually really enjoyed seeing Baby evolve as Amy’s sister, and then eventually try to figure out how to interact with other people.
I cannot recommend this book enough. In The After is a fantastic YA/sci-fi blend that will leave you feeling both satisfied and desperate for more.
In the After is divided into 3 parts. If I could rank them out, The Part I was the best; Part II was the good; and Part III was the better. But as a whole, I loved this book since it was a page-turner, compelling and it made me think and gave me the creeps. Even the world is fleshed-out and the characters aren't annoying. And there's no insta-love.
Part I was pure survival. I liked it best because well, survivals give me heart attacks (not the fatal one) and take me to the edge of my seat. Which is a good thing because it is an indication that I'm enjoying reading the book. It is also admiring to read how the characters grow and learn as an individual and be wiser along the way just to survive.
Part II was a sort of a letdown because I'm expecting something else but I was dragged to a generic setup after an apocalypse. In this book, it comes to a name as New Hope. A community that is trying to save and restore humanity and have set of rules (rules are important, of course) that didn't abide by the main character because she wanted answers. (And because she is the main character and she needs to step-up and oppose the leader or the ruling people for the conflict. Lol. Just kidding. Of course, if you're smelling something fishy, you started asking questions and eager to know everything.) Nevertheless, this part was still intriguing. Amy was experiencing trauma and panic after she settled in New Hope. She became jumpy and paranoid and always in attack mode. And as I've said above, she smelled something fishy, something dark in this controlled environment. So am I. This part also has two narratives of Amy. It's kinda confusing yet it was also fascinating.
Part III is where I proved that there is something fishy going on. Ha! (Thank the gods, if not, I will be pissed) I felt a pang of disappointment however, because these are not the answers and explanations I'm expecting. Anyway, I already moved on about that and accepted what I've got. At least, I got answers.
The best-est for me about In the After is the sisterly love between Amy and Baby. I loved these two. I liked their connection and harmony with each other.
Part I was pure survival. I liked it best because well, survivals give me heart attacks (not the fatal one) and take me to the edge of my seat. Which is a good thing because it is an indication that I'm enjoying reading the book. It is also admiring to read how the characters grow and learn as an individual and be wiser along the way just to survive.
Part II was a sort of a letdown because I'm expecting something else but I was dragged to a generic setup after an apocalypse. In this book, it comes to a name as New Hope. A community that is trying to save and restore humanity and have set of rules (rules are important, of course) that didn't abide by the main character because she wanted answers. (And because she is the main character and she needs to step-up and oppose the leader or the ruling people for the conflict. Lol. Just kidding. Of course, if you're smelling something fishy, you started asking questions and eager to know everything.) Nevertheless, this part was still intriguing. Amy was experiencing trauma and panic after she settled in New Hope. She became jumpy and paranoid and always in attack mode. And as I've said above, she smelled something fishy, something dark in this controlled environment. So am I. This part also has two narratives of Amy. It's kinda confusing yet it was also fascinating.
Part III is where I proved that there is something fishy going on. Ha! (Thank the gods, if not, I will be pissed) I felt a pang of disappointment however, because these are not the answers and explanations I'm expecting. Anyway, I already moved on about that and accepted what I've got. At least, I got answers.
The best-est for me about In the After is the sisterly love between Amy and Baby. I loved these two. I liked their connection and harmony with each other.
It was ok/pretty good. About half way through I had decided I wouldn't read any future books, but at the end, I thought, well, maybe. I had to agree with another reviewer that I wish Them had more of a story, and were not so just blatantly evil/bad.
In a world that's so creepy it's easy to get pulled into this silent dystopian world of aliens, the companionship of a single person and creatures that are genuinely scary. I loved the first half of the novel which introduces our very normal heroine Amy, a girl who just happens to have hippy parents, complete with solar panels, electric fence and a stockpile of food. It's a little incredulous but hey, lets go with it. Things get interesting when Baby is introduced completing their small world for the beginning.
Things become a lot more typically YA when the twist and second half of the novel kicks in. Our rather insipid love interest is introduced, yet another twist and some teenage rebellion. I would have liked more of the world in the first half of the novel but am interested enough to keep reading.
Things become a lot more typically YA when the twist and second half of the novel kicks in. Our rather insipid love interest is introduced, yet another twist and some teenage rebellion. I would have liked more of the world in the first half of the novel but am interested enough to keep reading.