Book Review: Hereafter

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Source: Netgalley

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:
Before I started reading this book, I had no idea what to expect. I know that there were going to be a lake, with a dead girl in it, and also a boy. That was pretty much it. But I must have had some expectations before starting it, because it didn't turn out the way I had expected.

For me, this isn't the best debut book this year (I've been spoiled by reading so many great ones!), but it is a decent book.

The story didn't engage me as much as I had hoped, and the danger didn't feel as dangerous as it should have. The reason for this is perhaps the characters, who felt a bit distant.

What I did like about this book however, is Amelia's development. At first she is a ghost trapped in a nightmarish between-life, with no memories of her life before her death.

But as she gets to know Joshua she's slowly discovering hidden memories of her mortal life, as well as new powers in her after-life. Which brings both the reader and Amelia on an emotional and raw road for remembrance and understanding.

Rating: 3.5 of 5