Reviews

After by Francine Prose

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beth11398's review

dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This book was really not my jam. I couldn't figure out if the book was supposed to be a warning against parts of society/ dystopian feel or if the idea was an "invasion of the body snatchers" vibe. The story has no ending, completely open. I found myself really annoyed by large portions of this book and nearly didn't finish it.

Every single time the main character wanted to say something, he was just too tired or couldn't be bothered because of the exact same reasons. I felt like that was a cop out through the entire book. I didn't really see any character development- other than students taking a stand, but they were going to anyways because of who they are. I felt like this entire book had me asking "what happened and what is the point?" What happened: Aliens? Government attack- ours or others? How did the emails work, affecting the parents? What happened to the kids sent off to camp? Were there cameras or people on their side/ "snatched" reporting in on everything- ie. the ending0 How did they know they were at the school? Why did the graffiti set the grief and crisis councilor over the edge? What happened to Avery's parents in the office, that made them change their minds? Where did they go- like how did this book even end? Was their a direction in plan? A second book that never came to fruition?

Fast paced book and an easy read. Certainly makes you think, but not in the way I had hoped.
Overall, I appreciate the story, but wouldn't read again. Just okay overall.

elsaduck's review

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5.0

This is the first book that I have loved so much. It draws you in immediately and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You start coming up with your own ideas about what is happening and what could happen. The situation becomes scarier and leaves you with no closure.

jordyn_oli's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

grayjay's review

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2.0

After is a YA thriller about a school taken over by a grief councillor after a school shooting at a neighboring school, and a national conspiracy involving juvenile detention camps. If it weren't for the slightly ridiculous ending, and casually homophobic remarks made by the main characters toward the end of the book regarding a minor character, I would have been more impressed.

gbliss's review

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2.0

A little too predictable and preachy at times. I groaned and almost tossed the book aside when the school's administration banned Catcher In The Rye. PUHlease. (I suppose it does not help that I have never gotten what the fuss is about that book.) But at the end, when the author clearly sets things up for a sequel - don't worry, no spoiler alerts - THEN it gets interesting, or at least it sets up an interesting premise for the sequel...a sequel that could be more interesting than this first installment.

anely73's review

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2.0

Ok.. So overall this book was great. However the ending just didn't satisfy me, after all the suspense the ending was pretty bland. I would have liked to see what happened to them after.