**Giveaway ALERT! A comment on this post (within 7 days of post date) gets you 5 extra entries in our MegaBook Giveaway. If you haven't entered yet, go to the contest post (or click on the contest link on the upper right sidebar) to enter! Good luck!The Everafter
By Amy Huntley
Pub: 2009
249 pages
Synopsis:
Madison Stanton doesn’t know where she is or how she got there. But she does know this—she is dead. And alone, in a vast, dark space. The only company she has in this place are luminescent objects that turn out to be all the things Maddy lost while she was alive.
And soon she discovers that with theses artifacts, she can re-experience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life: Her first kiss. A trip to Disney World. Her sister’s wedding. A disastrous sleepover. In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.
The story is told through the different vignettes of Madison going back to the moments when she lost a a particular item. At first it's just to experience being alive and seeing her loved ones but then she realizes she can use these moments to unravel the how ans why of her death.
The format is unusual.
It jumps back and forth from her dead self to times in her life where she can be anywhere in age from an infant to seventeen.The style was choppy and uncomfortable but I kept reading and got into the flow. I liked Maddy and felt compelled to go along for the ride, wanting fo find out more about her and how her life ended.
Humor and sadness weave in and out. Lots of Emily Dickinson references so if you like her poetry, you should really enjoy this book because it is clear the author is a fan.
The characters are believable but where I think Huntley really shines is making the various relationships realistic and honest - friends, rivals, sisters, boyfriend/girlfriend, parent/child.
This is paranormal, technically, but not in the usual sense.
Yes, you're reading about her as a ghost, but his is a story about Maddy's life and how she comes to understand herself and the people around her, with the side note of finding out the mystery of how she died. There's no woo-woo, creepy, haunting kind of stuff.
The author does put in life messages about, the afterlife and how you should live and enjoy your life when you are alive, but all that doesn't come in until the very end so it doesn't bog down the story and it isn't heavy handed. I thought the ending fell a bit flat but it wasn't a high energy kind of book anyway, and it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.
While I wouldn't call it fantastic, I liked and recommend The EverAfter. There isn't a big time commitment- I finished it in a couple hours - so it's a fast read if not fast paced. The story weaves and lingers in a good way. If you have a short block of time and would like to finish an interesting and thought provoking book, give The EverAfter a whirl.
First Line: I’m dead. Not my-parents-told-me-to-be-home-by-twelve-and-it’s-two-o’clock-now dead. Just dead. Literally. I think.
Fabulous first line! Great voice. I like the character immediately and am interested to read more. Well done Ms Huntley!
Author Sites: http://amyhuntley.com/
Blog -http://everafterwords.blogspot.com/
*** FYI, my ARC has the same cover art but the title is The After. They changed it to The EverAfter on the final books. Which title do you prefer?
117 comments:
I prefer The Ever After. The cover is indeed pretty. this book sounds very good, reminiscent of The Lovely Bones which I liked.
Love the cover ...like Ever after too. Reminds me of happily ever after..
I really liked this book and a great first line it has.
I loved the way the story unfolded and this interpretation of life after death was a fresh one.
Glad u liked it too.
I want to read this book, sounds great and it has a really good first line *O*
I prefer 'The EverAfter' too ^^
Seems like a really interesting plot, I can't wait to read it xD
Love the cover too :P
I initially wanted to read this book because of the cover. It caught my eye and after you review I still really want to read it. I haven't picked it up yet but I definitely will be. I prefer the Everafter, it just make it sound much more interesting. Thanks for the review!
I was a big fan of Emily Dickinson's poetry in my early teens... so this sounds like something I would enjoy! I, too, think the EverAfter sounds more interesting and powerful as a title.
Sounds good !!
What a great concept! I can't wait to read this book.
That is such a brilliant first line! :)
I'm excited to read this book :)
I think I have this book somewhere.Pretty bad when your TBR pile is taking over :)
Sounds like an interesting book.
Wow, an unusual concept for a book but it sounds like something I'd definitely read!
sounds interesting. I like the cover too. I also like the title The Everafter.
I really like to cover and I think The Everafter is a more interesting title. I have to read this now.
I like Ever After better, because you know, Happily EVER AFTER. After just sounds all lonely out there by itself.
I like your review, "choppy" is my new favorite world :D
The cover is lovely. However, I wonder why there have been so many books written after a person dies lately? That seems to be an unusual technique. Admittedly, I haven't read any of them, but the idea seems odd to me.
This book is in my TBR pile and sounds pretty interesting. I am not sure why I haven't picked it up yet..especially since it does look like a quick read. Thanks for the review!
The cover is very nice, and i think the ever after fits more the book
Ohh, that is a great fist line! And I like Ever After much better.
I am not sure which I like better. I think maybe the After because it is something different!!
I got this book not too long ago and have been meaning to read it but just haven't got to it yet. I'm glad you recommend it and I have to admit the cover is what got me to pick it up in the first place. And the first line is rather awesome.
Now this cover is gorgeous.
And the title they ended up with is much better than The After, in my opinion. :)
I enjoyed this book. It was a semi common theme with a different twist. And I agree about the cover, it is really pretty. :)
Hm...I do think I like the new title better.
A ghost, well I hope she finds her way cos else it would be rather depressing
I like the EverAfter better. Sounds like an interesting book. Not your usual ghost story/paranormal.
Great review, I have this one and I have not picked it up yet...but I shall, I loved your take on it!
I like Everafter not after. And yes, the cover is SOO CUTE!
Ooo good review! You always impress.
The cover is what first caught my eye when I saw this book. It sounds like a unique concept and I look forward to when I'm able to sit down and read it. Great review, thanks for sharing!
I'm heard some mixed opinions on this one, while I'm leaning towards reading it I'm not committed yet.
Oh The Everafter, totally.
I prefer The Everafter. And I agree, the design of the cover is quite typical at the moment, but I think covers like this are so common right now because they are eye catching and beautiful.
Great review!
The Everafter sounds better and strangely it looks better on the cover. I'm so getting this book.
This book has a beautiful cover. I actually prefer the title The EverAfter
Sounds like an intersting idea for a story, but the format seems a bit...odd. :)
I think "Everafter" works better for this book since it works well with the paranormal theme (and longer titles look prettier on covers)
the "After" sounds like a thriller or horror story lol
I prefer The EverAfter. I'm not sure if I'll be giving this book a try or not.
I like the color and its simplicity, but I think I prefer the ARC's title than the new one. Everafter just sounds better XD
However, I'm definitely going to be checking out this novel. It sounds interesting!!
Another book on my list. I like the first line, very catchy. But I think I prefer just The After. Oh well.
I like The Everafter better, I think! And I love Emily Dickinson. Another great review. =O)
I much prefer "The Everafter" myself. And the cover is gorgeous. If I get the chance I'll give this one a look.
I have this book on my TBR shelf, I didn't realise it was a "one of kind" story thought, it's seems pretty unique.
Thanks for the review
The cover is really beautiful and eye catching. I ahven't read the book yet, but it's on my to read list. I've heard mostly positive reviews in the blogosphere, so I'm excited to read it.
I prefer the title The Ever After. The After sounds kind of weird and like it's incomplete.
I just bought this at Powell's last weekend. I can't wait to read it. Plus, I'm a huge fan of the cover.
Both get the point across, but the After was far more contemperary.
Yay, the first line is definitely great. This book is already in my wishlist! Looking forward to get it :)
I prefer The Ever After, sounds like a good read. I also like the premise of the book, it would be cool to go back to different times in my life.
I forgot to add cool premise , although not the being dead part.LOL
i love the cover on this one! very haunting and it does go well with the blurb. i prefer the everafter title.
Great first line! I haven't heard much about this book, but it sounds good.
I love the cover too. And the first line is fantastic!
i read the description for this a few weeks ago, and loved it. love the cover too, and i had no idea they'd changed the title. i also prefer the everafter.
Wow. This doesn't sound like any book I've every read before as far as the premise is concerned. And that first line? What a hook! I'm in. It's now on my TBR list.
The cover looks beautiful (and interesting). I can't wait to read it!
Beautiful cover!
Hmm, hard to say what title is preferable (until I read it anyway). Thanks for the review! I keep seeing this one, but I may just wait and see if my library gets it in, instead of buying it. :)
I like Ever After better. Makes it sound more fairy-tale-ish. I think this has a lot of similarities to The Lovely Bones. :)
Great review! I really want to read this one. I like the EverAfter better. I *think* there is a current YA book out there called The After (or maybe just After) so maybe that's why they changed it?
I just read this one, and enjoyed it. Like you said, it's a fast read and a good book. I think I prefer The After, although it came out at a similar time to After by Amy Efaw; maybe that's why they changed it.
I found the book's take on the afterlife rather interesting!
I think the cover is beautiful too! And I love those first few sentences!
:)
To be honest I think I prefer the EverAfter... don't know why, it just appeals to me more.
I prefer The Everafter. It reminds me more of a fairytale <3
Thanks for the great review. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover, might as well check it out when I have more time <3
Thanks for the review Alyssa, the book sounds great. EverAfter sounds more 'right' to me.
I think I like the title The Everafter better than The After. This book sounds good either way though.
Enjoyed your review, I would like to read it but think it might be one to borrow from the library.
The cover is gorgeous and I prefer everafter :-)
Disney World yay i work there (haha). On a more serious note I actually prefer "The After". "The EverAfter" kind of reminds me of that Drew Barrymore movie. But the cover is gorgeous I totally agree. N I love that first line it is hilarious n apparently very fitting. Thx for another great review. I'll have to check it out
Sounds like an interesting read, although a tad bit unusual.
I think 'The Everafter' sounds nicer. And I love the cover!
I love the cover! So weird how it jumps between dead self and living self. . . kinda cool, though!
I love the cover and what a brilliant opening line!!!
Need. Want. Must have. I agree that it's a great opening line. I much prefer the title The Everafter, I think it has more relevance to the story. Great review :)
Count me too! Great contest
This book sound so weird, yet totally cool. I love the cover as well and the first sentence is fantastic.
I like "The EverAfter" much better than "The After" because "after" means "ass" in a formal way in my native language :P
The cover is absolutely beautiful *_* I love it!
This book kind of remind of The Lovely Bones, which I intend to read soon.....
Great first line...makes me want to go and buy it right now ;D
this is crazy...75 comments..;D
Anyways, I cant wait to read this..someday, maybe Ill get to it....
Great first line & it sounds like a really unusual story - I'll have to check this one out :o)
Wow this book sound great and with a good voice too? I'm totally sold. I'm a sucker for kind of ghost stories. It sounds really original.
This book is really intriguing. I'll have to add it to my TBR list.
I like the sound of the EverAfter. It makes it seem like there are endless possibilites... *shrugs* I really have no idea what the novel is about though, because I haven't read it. I would love to though. It's on my wishlist.
Love the cover for this :)
I definitely prefer The Everafter over just The After and I have to agree with you about the cover. It is becoming a common style, but I still find them all gorgeous. Thanks for the great review. I'll keep the pace and jumpiness in mind when I read it.
Ahh! The cover is beautiful. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by it's cover, but I just did and I'd read it for that alone. But you're review just makes me want to read it that much more. :)
It sounds really original. I really liked how you added the first line. It's always fun to see how the writer plans to grab your attention. The cover is really stunning. I'm sure i'm not the first to say that.
I like the cover as well and think it's marvelous. Really gorgeous. I prefer the title The Everafter. The After sounds simple, I think.
:)
The Everafter>The After. I'm dying to read this! Great review.
Sounds interesting, but I'm afraid that I might find it confusing. I do like the cover.
I like The Everafter better. I just has a better sound. I just won this book, so I can't wait to read it.
Ohhhh. I had this mixed up with The Lovely Bones, the whole sees-objects-from-her-life thing. Y'know, in the preview she sees the bottled ship her dad smashes? I'm glad that's been cleared up!
I like the final title better than the ACR title, I think. Although The After has a more final ring to it, and death is pretty final. Okay, I changed my mind, I like The After better. :)
Ni review! If I ever need something quick (and my library has it) I'll keep this mind. :)
I'm gonna cut this off now. My comment is turning a sub-post.
The Ever After is a book that I will most likely to love.
I like the after as a title but if you didn't know what the book was about it could be confusing- Everafter is fairly clear and still a lovely title.
very nice review.
seahn
I like the final title better. I haven't read this one yet but it sounds so good.
I love the first line!
I really want to read this book, it sounds great
I prefer 'The EverAfter' too
I love the cover. The book sounds interesting too :)
I love the first line! It is a great start!
The Everafter sound more poetical XD
Love the cover! I can't wait to read it!!
I think the Everafter sounds way better!
I'm not sure why but th synopsis reminded me vaguely of Lovely Bones.
And this unusual idea has definitely caught my attention.
I love the cover too and think The Ever After sounds better.
I must say that if I was stuck in the afterlife with all the things I've ever lost I wouldn't have much room to move!
Usually, I always hear about various books and drool over them from a distance.Finally I can say that I have read this book..yeeeeee !
It looks great! I love the cover, my favourite colours are blue and purple :)
I prefer Ever After and love the cover since purple is my fav.,.
I loved this book. I prefer the new title.
Such a pretty cover. I think I prefer the new title too.
WOW - to an amazing first line. Looking forward to reading this book at somepoint in the nearish future.
Beautiful cover and great plot, looks like a really good book ^^ And I think I prefer The Everafter, I dont know it just sounds better xD
Great Review!
I hadn't heard of this one, but it looks real interesting!
Great review! I've been interested in reading The Everafter for quite some time, since I first saw the cover - so gorgeous! I'll be on the lookout for this, it sounds like my kind of read.
I'm going to read this book when I can! I love the cover!
That writing style does sound odd yet intriguing. Thanks for the review, I hadn't really heard to much about this as of yet.
I have seen this book around and want to read it. I think I prefer the title the EverAfter. I like the cover art on it.
Great review! I really wanna read this book. Ive been lookin at it for quite some time now. And I really like the cover:)
I don't know if the Ever Afer is my kind of book or not. I'm waffling on the fence post, so to speak....so maybe I should just try it, huh? :)
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