Review: Afterworlds

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
Published by Simon Pulse on December 29, 2014
Genres: Young Adult -Fantasy, Young Adult-Contemporary
Source: Bought
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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.

Scott Westerfeld is an author that I grew up reading when I was in middle school and going into high school.  I still remember the Midnighters series and how I never wanted it to end. Time went on and I was able to meet Mr. Westerfeld himself and get his new book Afterworlds signed and personalized. I was exciting to read it but when reading it, I got more than I bargained for. Two separate worlds in one book made this a very insightful and loving read.

The book, like mentioned, is spilt into two worlds. The one world follows this young girl named Darcy who has just graduated from high school and instead of attending college like most every average teenager, she decides to write a book within the span of thirty days and have her life change when she is picked up by a publisher. Moving to New York to live in that author experience. The second world follows this girl named Lizzie who finds herself going from a terrorist attack to the Afterworlds. From here she will meet different characters who will impact her life and the life of being an average teenager has just gone down the drain.

Looking at the world of reality we are given Darcy, a fresh out of high school girl who moves to New York to begin her life as an author. I liked her character because she reminds me of me. She rushed to move to New York, start a relationship, and start the life of an upcoming author. I do not want to say that this is bad but it is not something one should do all the time. It is always good to take risks but take your time, don’t rush to become an adult so soon. Live in the moment. She meets Imogen who was somewhat like her guilty pleasure but also a rock for her. These two were inseparable but tension began to arise and what happens to every couple happened and for them to last, they need to trust.

Now for the fiction world Lizzie is similar to the character of Darcy. She rushes into things and likes to take things into her own hands and sometimes the consequences are not always pleasant. This world building was interesting and she seemed to grow by the end. She meets Yamaraj or Yama for short who she immediately falls for and looks to for guidance. But life gets in the way and consequences follow and the idea of falling in love is not something one should understand fully unless it comes with distractions.

I was not expecting to grab a book that came with a two for one deal. The transitions between the two worlds was simply great. I never once wanted to put the book down and the ease of reading was bliss. I know it says that there is no plans for a second book but I would love it if there was another book. I am so glad I stumbled upon this book. A book that shows what it is somewhat to be an author packed with a world for the fantasy lovers. A simplistic read!

Happy Reading!