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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.
dabbledev's review
2.0
The writing style reeked of Scott Westerfield which made it hard to believe that the"author" of the story in this book actually wrote it. The "real life" story that was being told at the same time was so unbelievable and written in so much Westerfields style that I couldn't connect with any of the characters because they felt so fake. At one point in the story the "author" realizes her characters are paper cut-outs, but I felt that way about all of the.
If he was trying to write the story like it was a debut novel then he succeeded. There were so many plot holes in the paranormal aspects and morality aspects of the story that it was very hard to follow. The story speaks true that the first chapter is the favorite. It was the only part I really enjoyed.
If he was trying to write the story like it was a debut novel then he succeeded. There were so many plot holes in the paranormal aspects and morality aspects of the story that it was very hard to follow. The story speaks true that the first chapter is the favorite. It was the only part I really enjoyed.
beastreader's review
3.0
I saw an ad for this book and it sounded good. So when I got the chance to get an early review copy I jumped at the chance. I liked the concept of the duel storylines. The author did a good job of keeping them separate but intertwining them as well into one huge book. Although I found Lizzie's story way more exciting than Darcy's. The storyline with Lizzie had more depth and the concept of her being a soul guide (yeah I did not like the word "psychopomp either) was cool. The alternate world or "afterworld" was another cool thing that I liked. It made the idea of the underworld not as scary. Darcy was fine but she was a tad boring. She was a wallflower. Luckily I still had a good time reading this book despite the slow moments with Darcy. Before I knew it I was already half way down with this book and then I was finished. Now that I have been introduced to Scott Westerfeld, I will be keeping an eye on what he comes out with next.
ohheycourtney's review
4.0
It is not every day that I happen upon a book that a I can relate this much. Following Darcy through the writing and publication of her book, reading about the ups and downs of her life, as well as getting to read the story that she had written- just WOW. This book was really really good. I really don't think Darcy could have been written any better. Definitely putting Darcy and Imogen on my favorite characters list.
I love how raw and real Darcy is. She was ready to start over in a big city and make her dreams reality, but at the same time she didn't just succeed- she stumbled. She was immature and dating someone older, learning how to grow up- but at the same time not growing too much so that it seemed impossible. The character development was just amazing, and I am so so so impressed with this book.
I only wish that there was more Darcy and less Lizzie. I found myself rushing through the afterworlds story, just to get to real world New York. The struggles and the emotional battles that Darcy was going through were just so much more enjoyable than this Lizzie that could travel to the flipside.
I love how raw and real Darcy is. She was ready to start over in a big city and make her dreams reality, but at the same time she didn't just succeed- she stumbled. She was immature and dating someone older, learning how to grow up- but at the same time not growing too much so that it seemed impossible. The character development was just amazing, and I am so so so impressed with this book.
I only wish that there was more Darcy and less Lizzie. I found myself rushing through the afterworlds story, just to get to real world New York. The struggles and the emotional battles that Darcy was going through were just so much more enjoyable than this Lizzie that could travel to the flipside.
ennitsud's review
4.0
i admit, it took me an unusually longer amount of time to finish this book than i usually would. i guess i was intimidated of having to carry such a large book to school every day. but that's not important.
this was a really good book. it was the first of scott westeelrfeld's that i've read and it didn't disappointed. i was especially interested in the doubling narratives between the paralleled stories. i have to admit, though, it wasn't what i expected. upon waiting for this book, i imagined something along the lines of darcy's experiences in new york inspiring what would happen to lizzy in the novel, but it wasn't like that. and i didn't mind it. in fact, it gave me a lot to think about as a person who wants to be a part of the publishing/ writing/ editing industry some day. the distinctions between the two narrators were also interesting. westerfeld is pro at creating two stories at the same time that have characters that don't seem to mesh. darcy and imogen were completely separate entities from lizzie and yama and i loved that. i know i would've mixed up their personalities had i been writing this. in addition, this is the first book i've read with a same sex couple and i really liked it. i've never read anything with same sex and it was a good start. (tbh, i loved imogen and darcy's relationship more than lizzie and yama's but that's probably because there was more interactions between them in the story than the latter couple).
overall, i loved this novel. great job, scott westerfeld! :-)
this was a really good book. it was the first of scott westeelrfeld's that i've read and it didn't disappointed. i was especially interested in the doubling narratives between the paralleled stories. i have to admit, though, it wasn't what i expected. upon waiting for this book, i imagined something along the lines of darcy's experiences in new york inspiring what would happen to lizzy in the novel, but it wasn't like that. and i didn't mind it. in fact, it gave me a lot to think about as a person who wants to be a part of the publishing/ writing/ editing industry some day. the distinctions between the two narrators were also interesting. westerfeld is pro at creating two stories at the same time that have characters that don't seem to mesh. darcy and imogen were completely separate entities from lizzie and yama and i loved that. i know i would've mixed up their personalities had i been writing this. in addition, this is the first book i've read with a same sex couple and i really liked it. i've never read anything with same sex and it was a good start. (tbh, i loved imogen and darcy's relationship more than lizzie and yama's but that's probably because there was more interactions between them in the story than the latter couple).
overall, i loved this novel. great job, scott westerfeld! :-)
iggirl's review
Realized I'd read it before. Decent book, interesting twist, but TBR is too towering to reread any but the most fantastic.
averagebook_lover's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jadziadax's review
Ugh. I loved, loved the Leviathan books...but this? Nope. A. The love interest is five years older than the barely legal protagonist. Not really romantic. B. A 18 year old got an agent/made money? I wish. C. The writing just wasn't as strong.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
captkaty's review
5.0
Awesome, uber-meta book that's both a YA novel and a novel about YA. 18-year-old Darcy Patel wrote a paranormal romance during NaNoWriMo, got a huge two-book publishing deal, and moved to New York to finish the edits to her book and write the sequel. Afterworlds is told in alternating chapters -- half are about Darcy in New York, and the other half are chapters from Darcy's book. It is super fun to see how what is happening in Darcy's real life affects what is happening in her book, and also all the great insider YA tidbits. A must for any YA geek.