michellesantiago's review
3.0
I was really excited to start After Obession because 1) it's has a ghost/demon possession premise, 2) it's told in alternating perspective male and female main characters, and 3) Carrie Jones was on my list of authors whose books I've been meaning to check out. This novel turned out to be a very quick read--I've read it all in two days (which hasn't happened in the while since school started).
One of the things I did like about it was the character of Alan. His Native American background was interesting, he was sensible and practical and his character was just different in a good way. I though his character was better developed and it stood out more than Aimee's character. Nothing about Aimee really stood to me. She just your typical young adult paranormal female character with nothing to really distinguish her from the rest. Moreover, I wasn't feeling the romance between Aimee and Alan. The way Aimee broke off her relationship with her boyfriend and her feelings for Alan, things just happened too fast for it to be believable.
The story's pacing was fairly fast-paced and I was never bored while reading it. I really liked the alternating perspective and enjoyed reading what Alan and Aimee were thinking and how they felt. I also liked the premise of two special teens with unique gifts having to fight a demon who not only was possessing Courtney, Aimee's best friend and Alan's cousin, but was also basically infecting the whole town with its evil. Despite that, the execution wasn't as solid and the writing, overall, had an uninspired, mainstream quality about it that I wasn't a fan of.
The last fourth of the book was especially exciting and that was when the characters, the plot and substance of the novel finally came together for me. I really liked how the authors ended the novel. I had some issues with After Obsession but for the most part I would liken this novel to an ABC Family movie--it's fairly entertaining, enjoyable and a quick read.
**Reviewed by Michelle for Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks book blog.**
http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com
One of the things I did like about it was the character of Alan. His Native American background was interesting, he was sensible and practical and his character was just different in a good way. I though his character was better developed and it stood out more than Aimee's character. Nothing about Aimee really stood to me. She just your typical young adult paranormal female character with nothing to really distinguish her from the rest. Moreover, I wasn't feeling the romance between Aimee and Alan. The way Aimee broke off her relationship with her boyfriend and her feelings for Alan, things just happened too fast for it to be believable.
The story's pacing was fairly fast-paced and I was never bored while reading it. I really liked the alternating perspective and enjoyed reading what Alan and Aimee were thinking and how they felt. I also liked the premise of two special teens with unique gifts having to fight a demon who not only was possessing Courtney, Aimee's best friend and Alan's cousin, but was also basically infecting the whole town with its evil. Despite that, the execution wasn't as solid and the writing, overall, had an uninspired, mainstream quality about it that I wasn't a fan of.
The last fourth of the book was especially exciting and that was when the characters, the plot and substance of the novel finally came together for me. I really liked how the authors ended the novel. I had some issues with After Obsession but for the most part I would liken this novel to an ABC Family movie--it's fairly entertaining, enjoyable and a quick read.
**Reviewed by Michelle for Michelle & Leslie's Book Picks book blog.**
http://booksandmakeup.blogspot.com
novelheartbeat's review
4.0
Carrie's writing skills have really improved since she wrote Need. I didn't care for that one, but this one was pretty darn good! Dark and haunting - it definitely had the creep factor. It was a quick read and went smoothly. The descriptions were great but not too lengthy, I was able to get a good picture in my head without getting bored. I think this would make a great movie!
I liked that it switched back and forth between Aimee and Alan. It gave me a good idea of what they were both thinking and feeling and I was able to get to know them both instead of just focusing on one character. It made their emotions more personal.
I loved Alan. L-O-V-E-D. Why aren't there guys like that in the real world? He was hot, like smokin' drool-worthy HAWT (hint: I pictured him as Taylor Lautner), but still had a sensitive side and was thoughtful, and yes, chivalrous! Sigh, commence mental swooning. Between books and Disney, it's no wonder our expectations are set so high, right ladies?
Aimee was a solid and strong protag. I didn't think she was spectacular, but I didn't have any complaints about her either. Okay, I lied, there was one at the beginning - where she met Alan and called him "the guy of her dreams," yet she had only had one dream about him that you as the reader knew about. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the dreams before the actual meeting.
Other than that, I was very satisfied with the romance building between her and Alan. It didn't move too quickly (because nobody likes an instaluv), and at parts I was like, "Oh for heaven's sake, just kiss her already!!!" I like it when a story makes me really want it to happen because of all the waiting, it makes it so much sweeter when a little action finally does happen.
The only complaint I had was the whole 'feeling sparks when they touch.' Come on, really? What a horrible cliche. That doesn't even happen in real life. Either that or I have seriously been with all the wrong guys...
Now for quote time! There was only one in this book that really stood out for me:
Why is it when women do something brave, we think it's something dangerous? And when a guy does something dangerous we think it's brave?
Right?
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
To see more book review please visit geobobspinelli.blogspot.com
I liked that it switched back and forth between Aimee and Alan. It gave me a good idea of what they were both thinking and feeling and I was able to get to know them both instead of just focusing on one character. It made their emotions more personal.
I loved Alan. L-O-V-E-D. Why aren't there guys like that in the real world? He was hot, like smokin' drool-worthy HAWT (hint: I pictured him as Taylor Lautner), but still had a sensitive side and was thoughtful, and yes, chivalrous! Sigh, commence mental swooning. Between books and Disney, it's no wonder our expectations are set so high, right ladies?
Aimee was a solid and strong protag. I didn't think she was spectacular, but I didn't have any complaints about her either. Okay, I lied, there was one at the beginning - where she met Alan and called him "the guy of her dreams," yet she had only had one dream about him that you as the reader knew about. I would have liked to have seen a little more of the dreams before the actual meeting.
Other than that, I was very satisfied with the romance building between her and Alan. It didn't move too quickly (because nobody likes an instaluv), and at parts I was like, "Oh for heaven's sake, just kiss her already!!!" I like it when a story makes me really want it to happen because of all the waiting, it makes it so much sweeter when a little action finally does happen.
The only complaint I had was the whole 'feeling sparks when they touch.' Come on, really? What a horrible cliche. That doesn't even happen in real life. Either that or I have seriously been with all the wrong guys...
Now for quote time! There was only one in this book that really stood out for me:
Why is it when women do something brave, we think it's something dangerous? And when a guy does something dangerous we think it's brave?
Right?
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing style: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
World-building: 4/5
Pace: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
To see more book review please visit geobobspinelli.blogspot.com
bigdreamsandwildthings's review
3.0
The first book in a loooooong time that made me not want to get up in the middle of the night! Good story and characters, on the scary side but lots of fun.
missprint_'s review
3.0
As soon as Alan arrives in town, he knows something isn't right even if he can't quite place what. He knows from his dreams with his spirit animal that it involves a dark force. And a girl with bright red hair.
Aimee's friends call her Red because of her hair. She notices Alan right away, even with her boyfriend, it's hard not to when he's so tall and good looking. And he's also the guy she's been seeing in her creepy vision-dreams for the past few weeks.
Their connection is immediate, but Alan and Aimee have a lot to do before they can think about anything as simple as a relationship. Courtney--Alan's cousin and Aimee's best friend--has been acting strangely. Like, something else is controlling her strange.
There are four stages to any possession: Invitation. Infestation. Obsession. You can probably guess what comes after. Aimee and Alan have to save Courtney before that, and together they might just manage it. They kind of have to, because after obsession there is no turning back. For anyone in After Obsession (2011) by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel.
After Obsession was written in collaboration with alternation chapters where Jones wrote Aimee's narration while Wedel wrote Alan's.
Aside from a catchy title, After Obsession has a clever premise that is straightforward and wastes no time getting to the crux of the story. Aimee and Alan are clever narrators with their chemistry and unique abilities.
Jones and Wedel play fast and loose with supernatural elements here generally to good effect. Aimee has visions and can heal people (which no one at all seems to find odd). Alan is half Navajo and has a spirit guide and is a spirit warrior (and also apparently completely embraces a culture he knows little about outside of Internet research because his father was Navajo even though he never met his father and doesn't even know his father's name for certain).
If you can get past those issues, After Obsession is a fun, breezy read with suspense, excitement and romance.
After Obsession is currently a standalone novel, which is fine except for the end of the book when things start happening really fast and a lot of plot threads are not fully explained or resolved. With so much left up in the air After Obsession felt more like a first installment than a complete novel albeit an entertaining read either way.
Possible Pairings: Swoon by Nina Malkin, Fury by Elizabeth Miles, The Game of Triumphs by Laura Powell, Misfit by Jon Skovron, Between by Jessica Warman
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2011
Aimee's friends call her Red because of her hair. She notices Alan right away, even with her boyfriend, it's hard not to when he's so tall and good looking. And he's also the guy she's been seeing in her creepy vision-dreams for the past few weeks.
Their connection is immediate, but Alan and Aimee have a lot to do before they can think about anything as simple as a relationship. Courtney--Alan's cousin and Aimee's best friend--has been acting strangely. Like, something else is controlling her strange.
There are four stages to any possession: Invitation. Infestation. Obsession. You can probably guess what comes after. Aimee and Alan have to save Courtney before that, and together they might just manage it. They kind of have to, because after obsession there is no turning back. For anyone in After Obsession (2011) by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel.
After Obsession was written in collaboration with alternation chapters where Jones wrote Aimee's narration while Wedel wrote Alan's.
Aside from a catchy title, After Obsession has a clever premise that is straightforward and wastes no time getting to the crux of the story. Aimee and Alan are clever narrators with their chemistry and unique abilities.
Jones and Wedel play fast and loose with supernatural elements here generally to good effect. Aimee has visions and can heal people (which no one at all seems to find odd). Alan is half Navajo and has a spirit guide and is a spirit warrior (and also apparently completely embraces a culture he knows little about outside of Internet research because his father was Navajo even though he never met his father and doesn't even know his father's name for certain).
If you can get past those issues, After Obsession is a fun, breezy read with suspense, excitement and romance.
After Obsession is currently a standalone novel, which is fine except for the end of the book when things start happening really fast and a lot of plot threads are not fully explained or resolved. With so much left up in the air After Obsession felt more like a first installment than a complete novel albeit an entertaining read either way.
Possible Pairings: Swoon by Nina Malkin, Fury by Elizabeth Miles, The Game of Triumphs by Laura Powell, Misfit by Jon Skovron, Between by Jessica Warman
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2011
bethyboo29's review
5.0
Gotta say I loved this book.
I loved it's small moments of humor and the romance.
I love how different it was. This book is amazing. I really enjoyed it!! I hope others enjoy it also! I love Carrie Jones and I'm going to look into Steven E. Wedel's books.(:
GREAT BOOK, RECOMMENDING IT TO ALL MY FRIENDS(:
Only thing I don't remember being mentioned was Benji's age. Anyone know how old he was?(:
<3
I loved it's small moments of humor and the romance.
I love how different it was. This book is amazing. I really enjoyed it!! I hope others enjoy it also! I love Carrie Jones and I'm going to look into Steven E. Wedel's books.(:
GREAT BOOK, RECOMMENDING IT TO ALL MY FRIENDS(:
Only thing I don't remember being mentioned was Benji's age. Anyone know how old he was?(:
<3
littleredd303's review
3.0
Sometimes you read a book so good that you don't have to say anything at all because it is so good and that is this book : amazing!
books_plan_create's review
4.0
Interesting...very very interesting. And, it seems as if this is a stand alone book. Woot. I am so tired of series, trilogies, sequels, etc.
I bought this as a belated birthday gift to myself and started it on the airplane ride home. I was not expecting it to pick up as fast as it did! Also, this book wasn't what I was expecting. To be honest, it had two things going for it: 1) Carrie Jones (whom I adore) and 2) The cover is beautiful. Based on the title and the INNER blurb I was thinking boy meets girl + girl and boy fall too serious + obsession. I WAS WRONG!
Awesome story. The only thing that kept it from a 5 was the ending was too swift. It wrapped up too nicely and I felt the tension dropped off too soon.
I bought this as a belated birthday gift to myself and started it on the airplane ride home. I was not expecting it to pick up as fast as it did! Also, this book wasn't what I was expecting. To be honest, it had two things going for it: 1) Carrie Jones (whom I adore) and 2) The cover is beautiful. Based on the title and the INNER blurb I was thinking boy meets girl + girl and boy fall too serious + obsession. I WAS WRONG!
Awesome story. The only thing that kept it from a 5 was the ending was too swift. It wrapped up too nicely and I felt the tension dropped off too soon.