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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.
deemazztan's review
2.0
Not finding either story line interesting enough to continue reading this. Neither main character is compelling. A colleague raved about this book, and I love SW's other books, but this one is not worth my time right now.
doublearegee's review
4.0
I would really like to read this parted out as just the novel and just the "making of", just to see if it changes the feel. Given that the making of part doesn't much affect the novel itself, I think it'd be more interesting that way. Occasionally it felt like an intrusion to stop reading the novel to step back into Darcy's life, and her personal life was sometimes just not that interesting.
misswitch's review
I have really, really, REALLY tried to like this book. I've had it from my school library for MONTHS and the fact of the matter is, life is too short for stories you don't care about. And I really don't care about this book.
The story's alternating chapters/plots meant that just as I figure out where we left off and start really getting into the current story, it's over and I go back to the other story line and start all over again.
Since there was literally no sign that these two stories tied together in any other way than being the book the "real world" character wrote, I couldn't work up the enthusiasm to make the effort to finish.
The story's alternating chapters/plots meant that just as I figure out where we left off and start really getting into the current story, it's over and I go back to the other story line and start all over again.
Since there was literally no sign that these two stories tied together in any other way than being the book the "real world" character wrote, I couldn't work up the enthusiasm to make the effort to finish.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book with it's alternating chapters. A book about a writer (Darcy) writing a book about a character called Lizzie, which once you get used to the concept is great. And the edits that Darcy makes then appear in the following chapters of the book she is writing about Lizzie. So not only do you get a great story,but you also get an insight into the writing process as well. During Darcy's tory she writes a sequel, which you are then dying to read, although the book was only a story within a story, and not the 'real' book! Wonder whether Scott Westerfeld will give us a sequel to both stories, Darcy and Lizzie's - I do hope so. An enjoyable read - both stories.
faithl's review
2.0
Review originally posted
here
I don't know; a quarter way into this book, I felt as if everything started to drag along. There became no point of reading Darcy's story except hearing about her complain and moan about how hard her writing was, how her first draft was a fluke and how desperate her budget was becoming. Her character didn't develop, in fact it did the opposite. She starts from being independent and decisive to insecure and doubtful. I didn't enjoy the romance, I felt as if nothing was there. Gay/lesbian romances don't really do anything to me. They're just there and I feel nothing. Is that bad? Romance is supposed to add to character instead it did Darcy's no benefit. She becomes annoying and ungrateful. She's constantly complaining when her novel is being published, at nineteen. She rushes off to Imogen for advice (or really, a solution) for her problems. Darcy trusts Imogen enough for that but not enough of her own identity in Imogen's eyes.
Lizzy's also started to do the same. There was no underlying plot line in her story. There was just her thoughts and her troubles and the dumb decisions she seemed to keep making. She's constantly rushing off to something without thinking it through and it's only once she's done it, that she actually sees the repercussions of her stupidity. She's heavily reliant on Yama, the love interest. A romantic relationship, especially a fictitious one should be adding and benefiting to the two characters not taking away. In both these cases, their independence is taken away.
Anyway, it was enjoyable and entertaining during the first half of this book. But then, the second half started to slow down and became a chore to read. Only to find out the ending instead of, to enjoy the story. I'm sorry, this was just not the book for me. It doesn't mean that it isn't for you, though.
Spoilers
It probably seems like that I hate this book but I don't. I dislike it. Two different things.
Let's begin with Darcy.
She's smart and she had achieved at eighteen. I mean, she's just graduated and her books are going to be published; one already written and the other hasn't even been started yet. But she is so insecure and clingy. She needs so much reassurance and praise in order for her to feel good about herself. So many times she says that she can only write when Imogen is around. Gradually, it almost seems like she can't live without Darcy. At the beginning, she's independent and can make her own choices. She talks to her parents about her decision to hold off college and stay in New York City for the sake of her novel. She's able to stand on her own two feet. Once Imogen enters her life, Darcy becomes such a nuisance. I really don't believe how Imogen could cope with her for that long. Darcy always runs off to Imogen when a problem comes up. She wants her solution served to her on a silver platter. Hello, it doesn't work like that. Once Imogen left, I felt that it would allow Darcy to finally grow up.
Lizzy's story . . . eh.
I liked the beginning. The opening chapter is indeed intense and very drawing. Terrorists come and shoot everyone, leaving Lizzy as the sole survivor. But after, she became stupid. Killing the bad man because of Mindy was as stupid as she could of gone. Mr Hamlyn is obviously not a good dude. You don't do anything for him because the cost are going to be too great. Of course, she's too emotional and illogical to see this. I don't see why she had to go back to him so many times. She, too is quite clingy to Yama. She can't sleep without him. That goes a bit far. She'll do something dumb then, she'll call Yama to save her. Yama will be mad for only a second and then they'll be googly eyes the next. Are you kidding me? It's also the same with Lizzy, I didn't really see any development with her character.
There you go! Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld did disappoint me. It raised my opinion of his writing quite high during the beginning and then it just went downfall from there.
here
I have so many mix feelings about this book, at the moment. I started this book with very high expectations. I'd heard so many good things about this book and I was slightly doubtful about it since I disliked Uglies. I didn't even finish it. So like all YA readers, I trashed all my preconceived ideas and dived into this novel. I was instantly hooked by Darcy's success and the riveting story she wrote. She's eighteen and her YA novel is being published after finishing the first draft in only a month. I enjoy intelligent characters, they're hard working and somehow are always rewarded for it. I was starting to feel like an under achiever. Being published is a big deal. I noticed that Afterworlds is almost 600 pages and I was ecstatic. I mean, who wouldn't get excited when reading 600 pages of YA fiction awesomeness. So first 100 pages or so, I'm really enjoying this book, especially the chapters of Lizzy's story. The terrorist scene is frightening and captivating and the whole idea of the flipside was intriguing. Lizzy becomes a psychopomp, meaning she can travel to where the dead are. She can see them, hear them and throughout her story, she is trying to get used to it. She meets Yamaraj, a hot Indian who is also a psychopomp and one thing leads to another and they fall in love. At the same time, Darcy is going through troubles like having to change the ending of Lizzy's story, get a start on the second book and handle the ups and downs of her first love ..... with a girl.
I don't know; a quarter way into this book, I felt as if everything started to drag along. There became no point of reading Darcy's story except hearing about her complain and moan about how hard her writing was, how her first draft was a fluke and how desperate her budget was becoming. Her character didn't develop, in fact it did the opposite. She starts from being independent and decisive to insecure and doubtful. I didn't enjoy the romance, I felt as if nothing was there. Gay/lesbian romances don't really do anything to me. They're just there and I feel nothing. Is that bad? Romance is supposed to add to character instead it did Darcy's no benefit. She becomes annoying and ungrateful. She's constantly complaining when her novel is being published, at nineteen. She rushes off to Imogen for advice (or really, a solution) for her problems. Darcy trusts Imogen enough for that but not enough of her own identity in Imogen's eyes.
Lizzy's also started to do the same. There was no underlying plot line in her story. There was just her thoughts and her troubles and the dumb decisions she seemed to keep making. She's constantly rushing off to something without thinking it through and it's only once she's done it, that she actually sees the repercussions of her stupidity. She's heavily reliant on Yama, the love interest. A romantic relationship, especially a fictitious one should be adding and benefiting to the two characters not taking away. In both these cases, their independence is taken away.
Anyway, it was enjoyable and entertaining during the first half of this book. But then, the second half started to slow down and became a chore to read. Only to find out the ending instead of, to enjoy the story. I'm sorry, this was just not the book for me. It doesn't mean that it isn't for you, though.
My rating
Spoilers
It probably seems like that I hate this book but I don't. I dislike it. Two different things.
Let's begin with Darcy.
She's smart and she had achieved at eighteen. I mean, she's just graduated and her books are going to be published; one already written and the other hasn't even been started yet. But she is so insecure and clingy. She needs so much reassurance and praise in order for her to feel good about herself. So many times she says that she can only write when Imogen is around. Gradually, it almost seems like she can't live without Darcy. At the beginning, she's independent and can make her own choices. She talks to her parents about her decision to hold off college and stay in New York City for the sake of her novel. She's able to stand on her own two feet. Once Imogen enters her life, Darcy becomes such a nuisance. I really don't believe how Imogen could cope with her for that long. Darcy always runs off to Imogen when a problem comes up. She wants her solution served to her on a silver platter. Hello, it doesn't work like that. Once Imogen left, I felt that it would allow Darcy to finally grow up.
Lizzy's story . . . eh.
I liked the beginning. The opening chapter is indeed intense and very drawing. Terrorists come and shoot everyone, leaving Lizzy as the sole survivor. But after, she became stupid. Killing the bad man because of Mindy was as stupid as she could of gone. Mr Hamlyn is obviously not a good dude. You don't do anything for him because the cost are going to be too great. Of course, she's too emotional and illogical to see this. I don't see why she had to go back to him so many times. She, too is quite clingy to Yama. She can't sleep without him. That goes a bit far. She'll do something dumb then, she'll call Yama to save her. Yama will be mad for only a second and then they'll be googly eyes the next. Are you kidding me? It's also the same with Lizzy, I didn't really see any development with her character.
There you go! Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld did disappoint me. It raised my opinion of his writing quite high during the beginning and then it just went downfall from there.
hastings91's review
3.0
3.5
Ugh how do I rate this when I only really processed 60% of it (I couldn't bring myself to care about Lizzy's chapters)
Might review later (a long with a lot of others that are higher priority)
Ugh how do I rate this when I only really processed 60% of it (I couldn't bring myself to care about Lizzy's chapters)
Might review later (a long with a lot of others that are higher priority)
ragesandpages's review
3.0
Initial Reaction: I enjoyed and appreciate the alternating chapters for this book. For me, it was interesting to see how Darcy went about publishing a book when she is only 18. It might be a dream that some teens have, to write one day, and this story gives a glimpse into the culture.
Conflict: I enjoyed reading this book because it was like reading two books in one. The first was a realistic YA book that tells about how Darcy went about writing, finding an agent, and getting a book deal. The other was a supernatural romp through the life of a new psychopomp and how she has to deal with her own decisions and tragedies. It was slow in some parts, but finding new love never grows old. I really liked the ending that Darcy decided on - yes, there wasn't a happy ending but Lizzy remembered that she has friends and help at her side (if she wishes for it).
I also enjoyed the dilemma that Darcy has to go through when deciding to tell her parents about Imogen. Darcy is finding out about herself, and she might not be the best Hindu but she's interested in her parent's religion, in reading books and writing, and is persistent on not putting labels on. She's trying to take things one day at a time.
Characters: Darcy was an an interesting character to read about. It's no easy feat to write roughly 60,000 words -- let alone get published at 18. But she tried to be honest, most of the time. And she went into new territory and learned a lot about starting life as an adult (even though you really don't feel like one).
Lizzy was complicated, but I loved her for it. She decided to do what she thought was right, and even though it wasn't the best option she stood by it and faced consequences. She was like Lizzy, unsure and stepping into new territory. But she knew that she had a lot to learn and realized that she can't shoulder her burden alone. Unless she decides to stay in the Afterworld, she needs her best friend to get through it all.
Setting: Everything was straight forward. I particularly liked the descriptions of the Afterworld; they were very descriptive and bursting with vivid detail.
Overall: I would definitely recommend this book to our book club. We have many Indian-American girls, and they can all definitely relate to Darcy's culture and life going in different directions. I think that the Hindu death god references and Darcy's worry about killing off her religion will resonate with many of my regular readers. Also, I think that this is a good book to introduce to someone if they are hesitant about reading supernatural fiction and/or realistic fiction.
*I also need to mention that I listened to the audiobook, so it was very helpful to have two different narrators reading Lizzy and Darcy; it helped keep the scenes and stories separate.
Conflict: I enjoyed reading this book because it was like reading two books in one. The first was a realistic YA book that tells about how Darcy went about writing, finding an agent, and getting a book deal. The other was a supernatural romp through the life of a new psychopomp and how she has to deal with her own decisions and tragedies. It was slow in some parts, but finding new love never grows old. I really liked the ending that Darcy decided on - yes, there wasn't a happy ending but Lizzy remembered that she has friends and help at her side (if she wishes for it).
I also enjoyed the dilemma that Darcy has to go through when deciding to tell her parents about Imogen. Darcy is finding out about herself, and she might not be the best Hindu but she's interested in her parent's religion, in reading books and writing, and is persistent on not putting labels on. She's trying to take things one day at a time.
Characters: Darcy was an an interesting character to read about. It's no easy feat to write roughly 60,000 words -- let alone get published at 18. But she tried to be honest, most of the time. And she went into new territory and learned a lot about starting life as an adult (even though you really don't feel like one).
Lizzy was complicated, but I loved her for it. She decided to do what she thought was right, and even though it wasn't the best option she stood by it and faced consequences. She was like Lizzy, unsure and stepping into new territory. But she knew that she had a lot to learn and realized that she can't shoulder her burden alone. Unless she decides to stay in the Afterworld, she needs her best friend to get through it all.
Setting: Everything was straight forward. I particularly liked the descriptions of the Afterworld; they were very descriptive and bursting with vivid detail.
Overall: I would definitely recommend this book to our book club. We have many Indian-American girls, and they can all definitely relate to Darcy's culture and life going in different directions. I think that the Hindu death god references and Darcy's worry about killing off her religion will resonate with many of my regular readers. Also, I think that this is a good book to introduce to someone if they are hesitant about reading supernatural fiction and/or realistic fiction.
*I also need to mention that I listened to the audiobook, so it was very helpful to have two different narrators reading Lizzy and Darcy; it helped keep the scenes and stories separate.
mfumarolo's review
4.0
Really more like 3.5 stars, but I'll round up.
*e-Galley provided by the publisher via Edelweiss - thank you! This in no way impacted my opinions of the book.*
Darcy Patel has won the literary lottery. At only 18 years old, not only has she written her first novel, but she got an agent, sold her manuscript in a huge two book deal, and is now moving to New York instead of her planned dorm room in Ohio so she can be full time writer for a few years. But living the dream isn't quite what Darcy thought it would be (not that she really knew what to expect). Then there's Darcy's book itself, Afterworlds, the suspenseful paranormal romance thriller about a girl who survives a terrorist attack and finds herself able to slide between the land of the living and into the Afterworld, where the dead reside.
This book is a true example of getting two novels for the price of one. Literally. Chapters alternate between the two stories, each one a full-length work resulting in a massive 600 page journey. Readers must be in the mood, therefore, for two things: 1) a big book and 2) wanting to read both straight-up contemporary and paranormal romance at the same time. This second part was a bit of a challenge for me at the time of reading - the paranormal chapters, while very well written and engaging, were just not something I was completely in the mood for when I picked this up. Lizzie and Yamaraj, these chapters' protagonists, are well considered and go on a captivating journey. Westerfeld could easily write a sequel just focusing on them (and I hope he does!). An interesting facet of this particular story-in-a-story is that Darcy is becoming a more seasoned writer as she's editing and rewriting, and we get to see that as the book goes on.
While I may not have been completely in the mood for paranormal, I was deeply interested and invested in the contemporary side of this story. Darcy doesn't always make the right choices. In fact, she makes a lot of choices that made me wince (mostly in terms of how she mishandles her financials), but those choices were incredibly realistic given her extraordinary situation. While much of Darcy's world is book related, it's not her whole world. She's discovering New York, learning how to live on her own, in her first relationship, and figuring out the publishing industry from the eye of the storm.
I've never read anything by Westerfeld before, and this was quite an introduction to his style and body of work. If you are in the mood for contemporary, romance, action, adventure, ghosts, and really a little bit of everything, check out Afterworlds when it hits book shelves September 23rd.
*e-Galley provided by the publisher via Edelweiss - thank you! This in no way impacted my opinions of the book.*
Darcy Patel has won the literary lottery. At only 18 years old, not only has she written her first novel, but she got an agent, sold her manuscript in a huge two book deal, and is now moving to New York instead of her planned dorm room in Ohio so she can be full time writer for a few years. But living the dream isn't quite what Darcy thought it would be (not that she really knew what to expect). Then there's Darcy's book itself, Afterworlds, the suspenseful paranormal romance thriller about a girl who survives a terrorist attack and finds herself able to slide between the land of the living and into the Afterworld, where the dead reside.
This book is a true example of getting two novels for the price of one. Literally. Chapters alternate between the two stories, each one a full-length work resulting in a massive 600 page journey. Readers must be in the mood, therefore, for two things: 1) a big book and 2) wanting to read both straight-up contemporary and paranormal romance at the same time. This second part was a bit of a challenge for me at the time of reading - the paranormal chapters, while very well written and engaging, were just not something I was completely in the mood for when I picked this up. Lizzie and Yamaraj, these chapters' protagonists, are well considered and go on a captivating journey. Westerfeld could easily write a sequel just focusing on them (and I hope he does!). An interesting facet of this particular story-in-a-story is that Darcy is becoming a more seasoned writer as she's editing and rewriting, and we get to see that as the book goes on.
While I may not have been completely in the mood for paranormal, I was deeply interested and invested in the contemporary side of this story. Darcy doesn't always make the right choices. In fact, she makes a lot of choices that made me wince (mostly in terms of how she mishandles her financials), but those choices were incredibly realistic given her extraordinary situation. While much of Darcy's world is book related, it's not her whole world. She's discovering New York, learning how to live on her own, in her first relationship, and figuring out the publishing industry from the eye of the storm.
I've never read anything by Westerfeld before, and this was quite an introduction to his style and body of work. If you are in the mood for contemporary, romance, action, adventure, ghosts, and really a little bit of everything, check out Afterworlds when it hits book shelves September 23rd.
theswampmaster's review
3.0
To be honest, I was sort of disappointed. With a concept awesome like this and just the crazy format of the book, I felt the idea could've been played with so much more. I am not even that excited for book two, someone please bring back our Westerfeld