Review: Afterworlds by: Scott Westerfeld

Afterworlds by: Scott Westerfeld (Sept. 23, 2014)

608 pages

Genre: Young Adult

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Source: I received a copy from the best book blogger friend a girl could ask for, Nicole over at The Quiet Concert. Thanks again!!!!

Purchase: Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository | Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings…

Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

My Review

I have been thinking about how to write this review for some time. I am honestly at a loss for words, which doesn’t happen very often. Afterworlds is a very daunting novel, it’s 608 pages, and man does it look it. So the big question is, did I love this book as much as I thought I would considering I greatly enjoyed many of Westerfeld’s other novels? I honestly don’t even know how to answer that question.

I really liked Afterworlds and I loved the idea of having a book with two stories in it. I mean it’s a two for one deal. Who doesn’t love those? It’s too bad that since there were two books in one I don’t think either story was as good as it could have been.

I liked both Darcy (the writer) and Lizzie (the MC in her novel). I also found both of their stories entertaining. I’m not even sure I could tell you which one I liked more, both had their positives and negatives. The worst part was the switching back and forth. Not because it was hard to follow but because I was really enjoying one story and then it felt like I got ripped away into the other one. It wasn’t always a pleasant feeling, although it did make me completely engaged in the novel. It was fun however to get to think like a writer and a reader while reading.

My favorite part of the whole book would have to be when Darcy’s friend does research for her novel. She does hands on research, she likes to experience things her characters do first hand so she can really write it. I found this technique interesting and funny to read about.

So what should I rate Afterworlds? I honestly still am not sure. I liked it a great deal but it didn’t blow me away as much as I hoped it would. It also takes a good chunk of time to read so I don’t want to waste anyone’s time in case they don’t like this. In the end, I’m giving it four stars and telling all you readers out there to proceed with caution. I obviously don’t regret reading Afterworlds and I hope you don’t either. Unique it is.