Afterlight by Rebecca Lim

Afterlight
Written by Rebecca Lim
Contemporary, Paranormal, Suspense
Expected Publication June 24th 2015
240 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing
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★★★★
Since her parents died in a freak motorbike accident, Sophie Teague’s life has fallen apart. But she’s just enrolled at a new high school, hoping for a fresh start.

That’s until Eve, a beautiful ghost in black, starts making terrifying nightly appearances, wanting Sophie to be her hands, eyes and go to girl. There are loose ends that Eve needs Sophie to tie up. But dealing with the dead might just involve the greatest sacrifice of all.

Dark, thrilling and unrelentingly eerie, Afterlight will take you deep into the heart of a dangerous love story, revealing the otherworldly, and deadly pull of past wrongs that only the living can put right.
Sophie is coping with the loss of her parents, a motorcycle accident having killed both her mother and father and leaves her living with her grandmother above the family owned pub. After a incident driven by grief, Sophie is about to embark on life at a new school, a fresh start giving her the confidence she needs to go on. But with her unruly red hair and lean appearance, Sophie soon becomes a target of a mean girl clique. But Sophie isn't like other girls. Still grieving and seeking signs from her parents, she's visited by an apparition she's affectionately called Eve. Eve is a ghost, visiting Sophie only to show her a series of images in which she expects the teen to follow. With nothing to lose, Sophie embarks on a series of clues which only leads to disaster, when the media latches onto the story of her heroic deeds, now camping outside the The Star Hotel waiting for an exclusive.

Jordan is the ultra cool and untouchable idol at Ivy Street High School and is inexplicably drawn to Sophie, despite the two teens being worlds apart. Jordan knows about the afterlife, and together they unravel the mystery that is Eve and why she refuses to move on. But the two teens soon find themselves the target of a crime heavyweight... And soon may be joining Eve in the afterlife.

Kelly's Thoughts

Afterlight was a suspenseful and engaging story of grief, playing the reluctant hero and a ghostly apparition that demands attention. Told from Sophie's perspective and set in my hometown of Melbourne, she's the girl next door. Awkward, both socially and physically, still growing into her own body. She's the quiet, grieving teen, having lost her parents in a freak accident that she's slowly coming to terms with. Her guardian is now her tough as boots grandmother, who runs The Star Hotel, Sophie living in her own room upstairs. Eve isn't the first ghost she's seen, but by far the most insistent. Eve has unfinished business, and embroils Sophie into her world via a series of images and cryptic clues. Before long, the cool, untouchable Jordan is drawn into the fray, helping Sophie in her mission and to banish Eve from both their lives.

It was enthralling, engaging and action packed. Although Jordan was far less interesting and felt bland at times, I adored Sophie. Her character was flawed but incredible realistic. She's not all that remarkable or plans to save the world, but the reluctant heroine who up until meeting Eve, wanted to go through high school unnoticed, by everyone but Jordan that is. I felt such affection for Sophie, she's the quiet girl next door and although intelligent, she's so lovely and naive that I felt the need to protect her. Even from Jordan.

The romance was barely there, but would have preferred to have seen a friendship form between the two teens, perhaps with a similar tension as Mycroft and Watts from Ellie Marney's Every Series. It felt more so a romance of convenience and not at all believable sadly. But only a small gripe.

The Final Verdict

I loved it. The intensity, especially with the last few chapters was unexpected and had me on the edge of my seat. I adored Sophie's character, who readers will not only find likable but also relatable. Rebecca Lim is a wonderful Aussie author who's taking our own brand of young adult to the world.

21 comments

  1. Hey Kelly! I'm officially back from all sorts of exam nightmares with the summer ahead of me! Finally doing my rounds again. :)
    I love the idea of Afterlight - it's a bit spooky right? I've been in the mood for some horror (ish; I'm a wimp) these days and this seems like one of those starters you take before you dive in to the first meal. Oh, how was it to read a book set in the same town? Did it depict Melbourne realistically?

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    1. It's more thriller, not really horror so you'll be alright poppet. It did. I love reading books set in Melbourne, especially when you can recognise suburbs and landmarks. I loved this one, but it does have an open ending and a bit of a cliffhanger and as far as I know, there's no sequel planned either. Yet. Fingers crossed.

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  2. I am slightly put off by the fact that Jordan is this super popular dude and Sophie is on the other end of the popular spectrum. Which is why I am pretty sure I'd end up feeling similarly about the romance. Also, I wonder what it would be like if a cool kid became bffs with a not cool kid and there was no romance. *jazz hands*

    I loooove the sound of the whole paranormal element in this one though! All that creepy appeals to me! Also Eve sounds like a very interesting character........

    Lovely review, Kelly!! <3

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. The romance felt more of one of convenience sadly, they both shared the same ability to see ghosts so just navigated towards one another. I would have loved to have seen a friendship between the two instead. And all that jazz hands too.

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  3. This sounds something that I would love! And I liked Rebecca Lim's writing in her first novel so her writing won't be foreign to be anymore when I get to read this. I am also very intrigued by the synopsis!!!! Great review Kelly! You really sold this book to me :)

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    1. Awesome Paula, looking forward to seeing what you think of it.

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  4. Yep, I'll definitely be reading this one!! I think maybe I've read one of the author's books before? I can't really remember now--but I do remember that I liked it. Lovely review!

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    1. You've probably read The Astrologer's Daughter, which was also a little on the creepy side. I enjoyed that one too, but loved this one so much more. Really looking forward to seeing what you think of it Kara.

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  5. This reminds me of an anime series I watched not too long ago, Death Note. I have to confess however, that I am exceedingly wary about entertaining the idea of making any sort of deal with the dead, but goodness me, this does sound enthralling!

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    1. She's a persistent spirit, I'll give her that. We actually get to find out her back story as well, as Sophie and Jordan discover who she is. I love a slightly creepy paranormal, but nothing to keep you awake at night or jumping at shadows and this one is perfect.

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    2. Slightly creepy I can do. Which reminds me! Have you read Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children? I've been curious about that series, but am superstitious!

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  6. I'm intrigued by the paranormal aspect of this book. I haven't read that much books about ghosts so I'm really curious. It sucks that the romance seemed to be of convience instead of a slow blooming one. As a romance junkie, I really don't like it when that happens, lol. Wonderful review, Kelly!

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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    1. It was a mild romance though, more so a very minor part of the storyline that probably wasn't needed. It was awesome though Blessie, really engaging and enthralling. Loved it!

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  7. Oh nice review, Kelly! I really didn't get along well with The Astrologers Daughter, also by Lim, though I recognise the same fast paced, intense last chapters (that didn't wrap things up in a full enough way for me, though), but paranormal isn't really my thing so I'm not planning on reading this. I really love the idea and extensions of the idea of a reluctant hero- I love to imagine how far that theme could be taken. I remember seeing on tumblr this series of posts about a "hero" who kept doing things to keep herself unremarkable and avoid becoming the hero of a manga, and they were glorious. I want that book to be made! Reluctant heroes unite! (Even though I'm kind of of the opinion that everyone is a hero of their own life, whether they accept it or not.)
    So nice review. The romance sounds a bit iffy but otherwise I'm glad this was a fairly happy read for you! xx

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    1. The romance was such a small aspect of the storyline that it really didn't make much of an impact on how great a read this was Romi. Like The Astrologer's Daughter, she really loves an open ending. It's a bit creepy, but mostly a contemporary storyline with a touch of the paranormal. I'm not a big paranormal reader, but really loved it. Give it a try though, I think this one will pleasantly surprise you Romi.

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  8. The cover of this book is very catchy & beautiful, the paranormal aspect sounds really different though - I haven't read too many books about ghosts but your review does have me intrigued though. Wonderful review as always!<3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. I've read a few and while it isn't as scary as one like Anna Dressed in Blood, it's creepy and I loved Sophie's character. She's smart and determined. Add this one Benish, I think you'll really enjoy it.

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  9. I'm exciting to read this one so it's great to see you liked it! Lovely review! :)

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it Sophie, it's incredible!

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  10. I never knew this one was set in Melbourne, now I totally feel obliged to read it haha. Melbourne's been my home for the pas two years and I adore it, despite missing NZ a lot. This book sounds deliciously dark and moody, perfect for the current winter weather :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on it.

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  11. Yay, I love Aussie YA Books! I love how it's set in Melbourne and the ghostly stuff definitely sounds really intense. Despite your issues with the one bland character, this one sounds great. THanks for the review Kelly! I have this one on my shelf to read.

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