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darastar's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 - because I like Darcy's story more than Lizzie's (which is a little slow).
Full thoughts on my blog: http://maggiekeller.net/2016/03/17/book-afterworlds/
Full thoughts on my blog: http://maggiekeller.net/2016/03/17/book-afterworlds/
bellmelr's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
THIS IS ALSO POSTED ON MY BLOG
As many prospective readers (and those who have already read this) know that this is two books in one. The first is the story of a debut author and her journey to publishing, the second being the story that she published. The two stories were separated by alternating chapters.
It was an interesting concept and great to watch as Darcy (the author of the 2nd story) grew and Lizzie (the protag of the 2nd story) did as well.
While they were both great pieces, to put them together seemed like a bad idea. I thought it was really awesome at first, but it turned out to be too much information to take in at once. Even though the chapters were split up, they just kind of dropped off near the end of each chapter. Once you went on to read the chapter after that, say, in Darcy’s perspective, you nearly forgot everything that had happened in Lizzie’s chapter.
In Darcy's story there seemed to be a lot of problems. It was interesting and all, but Westerfeld seemed to just kind of throw things at you (keep in mind that I have never read a Westerfeld book and this might just be me not particularly understanding his way of writing yet).
These are things like Darcy's sudden announcement of her homosexuality and his glaze over of the aspect. It's not brought up much except for a few scenes, which I thought was a big part that could’ve contributed to the story more. Darcy seemed to just make decision with little regard to the life around her.
I think my main thing is, is that I just didn’t like Darcy very much. To me, it seemed like she lacked character and that was something that didn’t improve throughout the duration.
On the other hand, Lizzie’s story was quiet gripping. I know Westerfeld is known for sci-fi/dystopian genres, so I wasn’t disappointed when I had gotten my hopes up for Lizzie’s story.
Her first chapter is terrifying, something I don’t think anyone would want to experience. I don’t want to write too much about it, because it’s what thrusts you into the world of Darcy’s novel. I would go back and read only Lizzie’s story again and again.
I say, if you’re interested, definitely read it. It’s still worth the read, despite what people say. I think I was just mostly disappointed because I thought I would really like Darcy’s story, because it’s about this teenage girl, fresh out of high school that moves to New York to publish her novel. That’s exactly what I got, her experiences, but her character made it really hard to enjoy everything that was happening to the fullest.
THIS IS ALSO POSTED ON MY BLOG
As many prospective readers (and those who have already read this) know that this is two books in one. The first is the story of a debut author and her journey to publishing, the second being the story that she published. The two stories were separated by alternating chapters.
It was an interesting concept and great to watch as Darcy (the author of the 2nd story) grew and Lizzie (the protag of the 2nd story) did as well.
While they were both great pieces, to put them together seemed like a bad idea. I thought it was really awesome at first, but it turned out to be too much information to take in at once. Even though the chapters were split up, they just kind of dropped off near the end of each chapter. Once you went on to read the chapter after that, say, in Darcy’s perspective, you nearly forgot everything that had happened in Lizzie’s chapter.
In Darcy's story there seemed to be a lot of problems. It was interesting and all, but Westerfeld seemed to just kind of throw things at you (keep in mind that I have never read a Westerfeld book and this might just be me not particularly understanding his way of writing yet).
These are things like Darcy's sudden announcement of her homosexuality and his glaze over of the aspect. It's not brought up much except for a few scenes, which I thought was a big part that could’ve contributed to the story more. Darcy seemed to just make decision with little regard to the life around her.
I think my main thing is, is that I just didn’t like Darcy very much. To me, it seemed like she lacked character and that was something that didn’t improve throughout the duration.
On the other hand, Lizzie’s story was quiet gripping. I know Westerfeld is known for sci-fi/dystopian genres, so I wasn’t disappointed when I had gotten my hopes up for Lizzie’s story.
Her first chapter is terrifying, something I don’t think anyone would want to experience. I don’t want to write too much about it, because it’s what thrusts you into the world of Darcy’s novel. I would go back and read only Lizzie’s story again and again.
I say, if you’re interested, definitely read it. It’s still worth the read, despite what people say. I think I was just mostly disappointed because I thought I would really like Darcy’s story, because it’s about this teenage girl, fresh out of high school that moves to New York to publish her novel. That’s exactly what I got, her experiences, but her character made it really hard to enjoy everything that was happening to the fullest.
catcervone's review
4.0
This was a really great book, and I was very invested in both stories going on. I had two main issues with this book; one was that Darcy hadn't mentioned ever liking girls until something happens and then suddenly she likes girls (Imogen points out the same thing), but as time went on, I really loved Darcy and her girl (I won't say who) as a couple and, as Darcy points out, couldn't really picture her with anyone else. My other main issue was that Darcy, particularly early in the book, was always apologizing to said girl and seemed needy at times. The characters in this book all not only had great development and were fleshed out very nicely, but also tremendously grew as people, so these problems were resolved by the end. I had some minor issues with the flip side and its rules, some just didn't seem to fit together, but that didn't bother me too much. Overall, a really great book with wonderful, realistic characters and two fantastic plots. I wanted more!
melthomp13's review
4.0
4.25/5
Really enjoyed this but I wasn't and a fan of the chapters that weren't told from Darcy's POV.
Really enjoyed this but I wasn't and a fan of the chapters that weren't told from Darcy's POV.
sazkaz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
best book
alboyer6's review
3.0
Good book. I probably would have given more star but about half way through the book started dragging for me and didn't really pick up until the very end.
jennaclarek's review
3.0
The main reason I picked up this book was because it's always listed as having asexual (specifically demisexual) representation. As someone who identifies as asexual (and has considered being demisexual), I figured I should read it. So I did. But I didn't actually know the plot of the book going into it...then again...I often just forget to read summaries going into books. Oops.
Anyways, while I really enjoyed a lot of this book, I had a lot of problems with it too. My main issue was Lizzie's story aka all of Darcy's novel. It really read like a NaNo novel I would write myself, which I guess kind of matches Darcy's style and her character, but it was kind of frustrating to read knowing it was written by Scott Westerfeld, a legit published author. I kept getting annoyed with the plot and the characters in Darcy's story because it feels flat and poorly done and kind of lame, honestly. Also a little confusing. I guess it was cool because you did get to feel like you were in Darcy's world and you knew what she was working on, but I did not enjoy it much at all. The romance between Lizzie and Yama was super rushed and totally unbelievable. Yama honestly felt like this flat, undeveloped character who didn't do anything. (Which, could mean a number of things - women are objectified like this all the time in movies and literature, so it shouldn't feel so weird to me. Also she comments a lot that he's just this hot death god who doesn't really have any purpose so I guess that fits...) I couldn't stand Lizzie as a character and I really hated the world Darcy created. It made no sense and it was really kind of weird.
All that aside, I ADORED Darcy's POV chapters. The few times she talks about her sexuality I did get a distinctly ace/demi vibe, so I really appreciated that. I loved how she was homoromantic and Indian at that! Going in no one told me it was such a diverse book, and I really appreciated that. Also all the Indian/Hindu religion references were super cool and unique. I also loved how this book tackled a lot of hard writing topics like borrowing other people's ideas and cultures and writing with white MCs so more people could relate to them. While the problems were never really solved or fully answered, they spurred up some great discussion and I think it made me consider a lot about diverse books. Also I LOVE LOVE LOVED the writing plot of this book - especially hearing about BEA. (Is it May yet?) The fact that Darcy did NaNo and got published was slightly unrealistic, but also really inspiring! It was so cool to see the publishing world laid out in a fiction book, and to see what it's really like to be a paid/published author. Since I'm finishing this Oct 27, making sure to finish it before Nov starts, I am HELLA PUMPED TO START MY NEXT NOVEL. I realized that this year's idea is actually loosely similar to Afterworlds (in that it's set in hell & there's kind of a god of death) but in my head I'm like "OKAY I CAN WRITE THIS IDEA BETTER THAN DARCY" so it's like a challenge.
Overall I loved half of this book desperately, but the rest of it left a lot to be desired.
Anyways, while I really enjoyed a lot of this book, I had a lot of problems with it too. My main issue was Lizzie's story aka all of Darcy's novel. It really read like a NaNo novel I would write myself, which I guess kind of matches Darcy's style and her character, but it was kind of frustrating to read knowing it was written by Scott Westerfeld, a legit published author. I kept getting annoyed with the plot and the characters in Darcy's story because it feels flat and poorly done and kind of lame, honestly. Also a little confusing. I guess it was cool because you did get to feel like you were in Darcy's world and you knew what she was working on, but I did not enjoy it much at all. The romance between Lizzie and Yama was super rushed and totally unbelievable. Yama honestly felt like this flat, undeveloped character who didn't do anything. (Which, could mean a number of things - women are objectified like this all the time in movies and literature, so it shouldn't feel so weird to me. Also she comments a lot that he's just this hot death god who doesn't really have any purpose so I guess that fits...) I couldn't stand Lizzie as a character and I really hated the world Darcy created. It made no sense and it was really kind of weird.
All that aside, I ADORED Darcy's POV chapters. The few times she talks about her sexuality I did get a distinctly ace/demi vibe, so I really appreciated that. I loved how she was homoromantic and Indian at that! Going in no one told me it was such a diverse book, and I really appreciated that. Also all the Indian/Hindu religion references were super cool and unique. I also loved how this book tackled a lot of hard writing topics like borrowing other people's ideas and cultures and writing with white MCs so more people could relate to them. While the problems were never really solved or fully answered, they spurred up some great discussion and I think it made me consider a lot about diverse books. Also I LOVE LOVE LOVED the writing plot of this book - especially hearing about BEA. (Is it May yet?) The fact that Darcy did NaNo and got published was slightly unrealistic, but also really inspiring! It was so cool to see the publishing world laid out in a fiction book, and to see what it's really like to be a paid/published author. Since I'm finishing this Oct 27, making sure to finish it before Nov starts, I am HELLA PUMPED TO START MY NEXT NOVEL. I realized that this year's idea is actually loosely similar to Afterworlds (in that it's set in hell & there's kind of a god of death) but in my head I'm like "OKAY I CAN WRITE THIS IDEA BETTER THAN DARCY" so it's like a challenge.
Overall I loved half of this book desperately, but the rest of it left a lot to be desired.
kayannmar's review
2.0
In the beginning I really loved this book. The idea was so interesting. But after almost 400 pages I was annoyed. I didn't like the characters as much. I became disinterested and I didn't bother to finish it. There's a lot of insta-love and romance where it was awkward and unwarranted. I began to hate it, so I decided to leave off where I didn't completely loathe the book. I won't be finishing it.
lindsaysc310's review
4.0
This book is intimidatingly large and heavy. But it's a fast read! I read the first two chapters on my lunch break and that was enough to get me hooked. I agree with a lot of reviews that the real-life storyline is more interesting than the novel-storyline. But it's great to see the changes made to the Darcy's novel as she starts out on her new life as a writer. Great love story too between Darcy and Imogen.
elockwood's review
4.0
I am a sucker for books about writing books. This is an incredibly creative, engaging take on that trope. I feel like I learned a ton of practical knowledge about what it's like to publish a book and also fully enjoyed the world of the book-within-the-book. That being said, my problem with books that have multiple narratives is that I always end up favoring one over the other. That was the case with this, and I found myself skipping through some of the "real world" chapters because reading about Darcy writing was not as engaging as reading what Darcy wrote. Lots of fantastic female characters and an interesting subplot discussion about cultural appropriation added to the book as well.