Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Publisher: Harper Collins
Release Date: June 2011
Pages: 404
Series: Hereafter #1
4 STARS: I Really Liked It
Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she’s dead. With no recollection of her past life–or her actual death–she’s trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but “will” him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.
Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, “Hereafter” is a sensation you won’t want to miss.
My Thoughts:
The main character in this book is Amelia, and she’s dead. So if you don’t want to read a story with a ghost protagonist then this book isn’t for you. On the other hand, I don’t really consider this a “ghost story.” Amelia is not spooky or scary. She’s a girl trying to figure out what happened to her. I read this like fiction, just like I would a story with wizards, vampires, or talking animals.
I was enthrolled with the story line at the very beginning; it’s so unique. The writing is beautiful. Amelia is 18 “living” near an Oklahoma river she drowned in and has been in a mental haze since her death. Then one day she helps rescue a boy named Joshua from drowning in the same river. Her life gains some meaning. Joshua can see and touch Amelia. The love story is so great. Joshua is so charming and sweet. He could have run away screaming that he saw a ghost, but instead he builds a beautifully unique friendship.
The bad guy in the book is so intriguing, but he is also extremely creepy and scary. There aren’t a lot of other side characters since no one else can see, hear, or touch Amelia. The focus of the book is the romance. There was some profanity in this book, see my content ratings for details.
I really enjoyed Hereafter. I’m looking forward to the release of book two in the series! Arise is expected to be released on June 5th, 2012.
Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) to view details
Sexual Content: mild/moderate ( kissing, in bedroom alone talking on bed then lay together while boy slept )
Language: moderate ( d***-6, God-20, Jesus-1, h***-5, a**-3 )
Violence: mild ( fight scenes )
Other: an instance of teen drinking
Reviewed by Kathryn Cooper
Creator of Clean Teen Fiction
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Kathryn Cooper 