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brunettegeekgirl's review against another edition
5.0
A great, funny yet mysterious story.
I loved how the author explain everything so well and express it too. I could easily imagine the story and the characters :).
I can't wait for the sequel.
I loved how the author explain everything so well and express it too. I could easily imagine the story and the characters :).
I can't wait for the sequel.
claudiac00's review against another edition
3.0
Se fosse per sempre è il primo romanzo di una nuova e originale trilogia paranormal romance, della scrittrice Tara Hudson, che ci racconta le vicende della diciottenne Amelia. Solo che Amelia non è una ragazza qualunque: è un fantasma. Il fantasma di una giovane ragazza annegata anni prima nel fiume che scorre sotto l'High Bridge, il ponte dove ancora oggi, dopo tutti questi anni, vaga senza meta. Amelia non sa niente di sé stessa, della sua vita passata, se non il suo nome e i fugaci istanti prima di morire. Istanti terribili, angoscianti, dove si sente soffocare dall'acqua che la circonda e sente il suo cuore cessare di battere. Istanti che è costretta a rivivere durante i suoi incubi, finiti i quali si risveglia in un cimitero che non ha il coraggio di guardare, per paura di trovare la propria tomba. La ragazza non sa per quanti anni è rimasta lì, sul ponte, a vagare senza uno scopo preciso e vivendo questa non-vita, con la paura di accettare realmente cos'è e come lo è diventato, ma un giorno, qualcosa cambia. Risvegliata dall'ennesimo incubo, Amelia trova qualcuno nel fiume, nel suo fiume. Un ragazzo sta annegando, e lei riesce a sentire il suo cuore rallentare fino a fermarsi. In questi momenti che precedono la morte del ragazzo, Amelia fa di tutto per salvarlo, consapevole di non poter in realtà fare nulla (non riesce ad interagire con il mondo dei vivi), ma spinta da una forza che le impone di salvarlo. E il ragazzo si salva. Apre gli occhi, nuota a fatica verso la riva, e giusto un istante prima di essere trasportato via dai medici, la vede. Le parla. La tocca. È così che ha inizio la romantica storia d'amore tra Joshua e Amelia, un amore che pare assurdo e impossibile, ma che stupirà per la sua incredibile dolcezza. I problemi non tarderanno ad arrivare e i due giovani si troveranno presto sommersi dalle avversità. Joshua, infatti, riesce a vedere Amelia perché è un Veggente ovvero il membro di una famiglia dove da generazioni si tramandano i segreti sull'aldilà e che ha lo scopo di... esorcizzare gli spiriti maligni. E si da il caso che la nonna di Joshua, Ruth, ritenga Amelia uno di questi spiriti maligni. Come se non bastasse, fa la sua comparsa Eli, un fantasma malvagio che reclama Amelia come sua, che crede sia la sua anima gemella destinata a stare con lui per l'eternità.
Ostacolato e in difficoltà, il rapporto tra Amelia e Joshua crescerà pagina dopo pagina, diventando sempre più forte ed estremamente tenero. Sarà un amore commovente e molto intenso, sul quale si baserà l'intero romanzo e che farà battere il cuore. Forse non ho apprezzato troppo le reazioni iniziali di Joshua, il suo accettare cio che è Amelia e una relazione con lei senza esitazione: l'ho trovato irreale. Ma, in fondo, una volta letto del loro magnifico amore, tutto passa in secondo piano.
Amelia e Joshua sono due bei personaggi, lui tenero, premuroso, sfacciato, ma anche sensibile e insicuro, lei timida, dolce, vivace, e forte, specialmente alla fine. Eli è un personaggio difficile da classificare, malvagio e senza scrupoli a volte, vulnerabile e sofferente in altri momenti. I suoi piani, però, non sono affatto equivocabili e la sua crudeltà purtroppo metterà a rischio più di una vita.
Le difficoltà li ostacoleranno senza tregua e sarà necessaria tutta la forza di entrambi per superarle indenni. Come primo volume di una trilogia, probabilmente accadranno ancora numerosi fatti importanti nei due seguiti e, chi lo sa, magari il problema maggiore dei due ragazzi (Joshua è vivo e mortale, Amelia è morta e per sempre diciottenne) troverà a sua volta una soluzione... a noi non resta che sperare.
http://clary-booktime.blogspot.it/2012/03/recensione-se-fosse-per-sempre.html
Ostacolato e in difficoltà, il rapporto tra Amelia e Joshua crescerà pagina dopo pagina, diventando sempre più forte ed estremamente tenero. Sarà un amore commovente e molto intenso, sul quale si baserà l'intero romanzo e che farà battere il cuore. Forse non ho apprezzato troppo le reazioni iniziali di Joshua, il suo accettare cio che è Amelia e una relazione con lei senza esitazione: l'ho trovato irreale. Ma, in fondo, una volta letto del loro magnifico amore, tutto passa in secondo piano.
Amelia e Joshua sono due bei personaggi, lui tenero, premuroso, sfacciato, ma anche sensibile e insicuro, lei timida, dolce, vivace, e forte, specialmente alla fine. Eli è un personaggio difficile da classificare, malvagio e senza scrupoli a volte, vulnerabile e sofferente in altri momenti. I suoi piani, però, non sono affatto equivocabili e la sua crudeltà purtroppo metterà a rischio più di una vita.
Le difficoltà li ostacoleranno senza tregua e sarà necessaria tutta la forza di entrambi per superarle indenni. Come primo volume di una trilogia, probabilmente accadranno ancora numerosi fatti importanti nei due seguiti e, chi lo sa, magari il problema maggiore dei due ragazzi (Joshua è vivo e mortale, Amelia è morta e per sempre diciottenne) troverà a sua volta una soluzione... a noi non resta che sperare.
http://clary-booktime.blogspot.it/2012/03/recensione-se-fosse-per-sempre.html
miiztash's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kathlgpa's review against another edition
2.0
Started off with nice writing. Got too much into the focus on romance and descriptions. Lost interest.
sdb27's review against another edition
3.0
Hereafter was one of those books where I could understand the appeal as I was reading it, but for some reason I could not get into the story completely. One part ghost story, two parts teenage romance, Hereafter had some beautiful parts, as well as some parts that I found rather dull or not contributive to the plotline. Amelia’s been a ghost for as long as she can remember—which isn’t much, considering she can’t remember anything except her own name. But one day she sees a boy drowning in the same river where she died, she knows that she has to help him, somehow—so she wills him to live… and he does. But suddenly he can see her—a ghost!—and suddenly Amelia’s life (or death) is turned upside down.
I really liked the idea of the unique romance between Amelia and Joshua. The fact that Amelia’s a ghost already presents so many obstacles, but when you add that to a seriously dangerous ghost who wants Amelia all to himself, and an equally dangerous and powerful witch who also happens to be Josh’s grandmother… let’s just say that Amelia and Josh have their work cut out for them if they want to be a couple. I was really surprised by how well Josh seemed to handle the whole “I see dead people” thing, but I suppose given how he was raised, it makes sense. Amelia was a really likeable narrator, with a fierce protectiveness for those she loves and an inner resilience despite all that she’s been through.
I think that the reason I did not like the book as much as I could have was because many of the ideas that were presented were only half-baked and didn’t really get fully explored in the book. I understand that this is a book series, so I can only presume that some of the mysteries that were brought up in this book are actually explained in the next ones. However, I felt like a lot of details that were meant to sound ominous could have presented interesting plot twists had they been introduced earlier in the book and explored more fully (for example, Josh’s grandmother and his special heritage, the significance of the bridge, the other, sinister world which only ghosts like Amelia can see and navigate, etc…). The ending was also underwhelming and I felt like it wrapped up way too neatly.
This book started off really well, but my interest tapered off by the end because not much happened to keep me engaged while I was reading. I did really like Josh and Amelia’s relationship, but the saving grace of the book was probably Eli and his seductive, yet sinister personality. I only wish that he could have been a more significant part of the book. I definitely have a thing for bad boys, even though Eli had a few screws loose. His motives, however, made very little sense.
I wish that Hereafter lived up to its potential, and in a way it did, at least in the romance department. However, as a paranormal/ghost story, I felt like it was severely lacking in follow-through, or at the very least, explanations.
____
For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
I really liked the idea of the unique romance between Amelia and Joshua. The fact that Amelia’s a ghost already presents so many obstacles, but when you add that to a seriously dangerous ghost who wants Amelia all to himself, and an equally dangerous and powerful witch who also happens to be Josh’s grandmother… let’s just say that Amelia and Josh have their work cut out for them if they want to be a couple. I was really surprised by how well Josh seemed to handle the whole “I see dead people” thing, but I suppose given how he was raised, it makes sense. Amelia was a really likeable narrator, with a fierce protectiveness for those she loves and an inner resilience despite all that she’s been through.
I think that the reason I did not like the book as much as I could have was because many of the ideas that were presented were only half-baked and didn’t really get fully explored in the book. I understand that this is a book series, so I can only presume that some of the mysteries that were brought up in this book are actually explained in the next ones. However, I felt like a lot of details that were meant to sound ominous could have presented interesting plot twists had they been introduced earlier in the book and explored more fully (for example, Josh’s grandmother and his special heritage, the significance of the bridge, the other, sinister world which only ghosts like Amelia can see and navigate, etc…). The ending was also underwhelming and I felt like it wrapped up way too neatly.
This book started off really well, but my interest tapered off by the end because not much happened to keep me engaged while I was reading. I did really like Josh and Amelia’s relationship, but the saving grace of the book was probably Eli and his seductive, yet sinister personality. I only wish that he could have been a more significant part of the book. I definitely have a thing for bad boys, even though Eli had a few screws loose. His motives, however, made very little sense.
I wish that Hereafter lived up to its potential, and in a way it did, at least in the romance department. However, as a paranormal/ghost story, I felt like it was severely lacking in follow-through, or at the very least, explanations.
____
For more book reviews, visit my blog The Bookshelf!
kayzie7's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this story, it had good ideas and wasn't nearly as far fetched and dramatic as I thought it would be. I'm looking for the next one!
jeslyncat's review against another edition
3.0
The beginning and main parts of this book are really well-written and enjoyable. I adore the set-up and the reasonings within the story. However, there is a great deal of randomness and storylines that have no back-up or justification. In fact, there are aspects of the plot that directly contradict things from earlier in the book. Worst of all, about 3/4 of the way through the book it's like the author just stops trying--she is clearly only continuing the story so that she can turn this into a series. I'm sick and tired of YA authors only writing books to write a series of books, it infuriates me that good story ideas turn into this kind of thing.
sarah_kirwood's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
kaitortot's review against another edition
5.0
The colors included in this cover are absolutely gorgeous. We’ve been seeing a lot of really pretty covers lately, haven’t we? I just love how it turns from dark blue to light blue to a yellow. Plus, the transparency of her dress is awesome. “A stranded spirit. A sudden love.” To me, this promises a powerful love story.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this book. I am not 100% in love with paranormal romance stories, but there are a few certain ones that I do love. The synopsis had me intrigued, but skeptical. A ghost and a boy falling in love? I wasn’t quite sure how (and if) this would work. Oh, was I wrong.
Hudson’s writing style was really beautiful. She definitely has a way with words. I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish. Hudson paints a picture with her words and it really allowed me to visualize everything that was happening.
I thought Amelia’s form of ghost-amnesia was very interesting. Would ghosts remember their previous lives or would they have no recollection? I enjoyed taking the journey of discovering Amelia’s past with her. Joshua’s character was a really good one. I want to learn more about him! I loved how the characters in this novel were really fleshed out. They weren’t just caricatures. They all had strengths and flaws.
I cannot wait for the sequel. How will the story play out with Amelia being a ghost and Joshua being alive and well? Can they have a happy ending? I know that I am rooting for them.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperTeen and Tara Hudson for this review copy!
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this book. I am not 100% in love with paranormal romance stories, but there are a few certain ones that I do love. The synopsis had me intrigued, but skeptical. A ghost and a boy falling in love? I wasn’t quite sure how (and if) this would work. Oh, was I wrong.
Hudson’s writing style was really beautiful. She definitely has a way with words. I was completely engrossed in the story from start to finish. Hudson paints a picture with her words and it really allowed me to visualize everything that was happening.
I thought Amelia’s form of ghost-amnesia was very interesting. Would ghosts remember their previous lives or would they have no recollection? I enjoyed taking the journey of discovering Amelia’s past with her. Joshua’s character was a really good one. I want to learn more about him! I loved how the characters in this novel were really fleshed out. They weren’t just caricatures. They all had strengths and flaws.
I cannot wait for the sequel. How will the story play out with Amelia being a ghost and Joshua being alive and well? Can they have a happy ending? I know that I am rooting for them.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperTeen and Tara Hudson for this review copy!
maddi_md's review against another edition
4.0
Tara Hudson has written a great paranormal young adult debut novel with 'Hereafter'!!
The story starts out with our ghostly heroine, Amelia, in the grips of a nightmare as she relives her death in the river. When she awakes from her nightmare she notices a boy who is actually drowning in the river and extremely close to death. Since Amelia is only a ghost there's really not much she can do but will him to live and miraculously he does. After Joshua's near death experience he can see Amelia and Amelia is "awakened", meaning she begins to feel and be aware of the living world again. I liked this beginning, it jumped straight into the action and drew you straight in. My favourite scene in the entire book is in the second chapter when Joshua and Amelia meet under the water.
In the first few chapters Amelia is lost in a fog where she can't recall her life, however as the book goes on she begins to remember her life, smells, sensations and feelings. As she rediscovers her life you get to experience her memories as she does; you feel her frustration at her lack of memories, her wonder as she remembers and her sadness as she realises what she's lost.
Joshua is also a great character; he's sweet, understanding, brave and fun. He helps Amelia find out who she was and is the reason for her awakening to the living world. However I think his character could have been stronger as I didn't develop the total book crush on him as I normally do in ya novels.
Now let's get to the conflict. The description of the evil hereafter world that exists on High Bridge road is written really well! I love the imagery! I can imagine that dark river, the gnarly trees and the black hole perfectly. I also think the idea is a really great and original one. The evil character that rules this world is Eli, the dead rock star who is seriously messed up. When we first met Eli I was very worried that I would find myself reading about another love triangle but thankfully this is not the case. I think that Eli could have been a bit more sinister in the beginning rather than just the bad feelings Amelia got from him but his crazy delusions and wicked actions became pretty evident later on.
I really enjoyed this book! I'm intrigued to see what will happen next, like what will the series ending be like when the story is based around the romance of a ghost and a living boy?? Obviously there are some serious issues to that relationship that I'm interested to see how will resolve. The happy ending in this book is fairly unrealistic so I really want to see how their relationship will develop.
The story starts out with our ghostly heroine, Amelia, in the grips of a nightmare as she relives her death in the river. When she awakes from her nightmare she notices a boy who is actually drowning in the river and extremely close to death. Since Amelia is only a ghost there's really not much she can do but will him to live and miraculously he does. After Joshua's near death experience he can see Amelia and Amelia is "awakened", meaning she begins to feel and be aware of the living world again. I liked this beginning, it jumped straight into the action and drew you straight in. My favourite scene in the entire book is in the second chapter when Joshua and Amelia meet under the water.
In the first few chapters Amelia is lost in a fog where she can't recall her life, however as the book goes on she begins to remember her life, smells, sensations and feelings. As she rediscovers her life you get to experience her memories as she does; you feel her frustration at her lack of memories, her wonder as she remembers and her sadness as she realises what she's lost.
Joshua is also a great character; he's sweet, understanding, brave and fun. He helps Amelia find out who she was and is the reason for her awakening to the living world. However I think his character could have been stronger as I didn't develop the total book crush on him as I normally do in ya novels.
Now let's get to the conflict. The description of the evil hereafter world that exists on High Bridge road is written really well! I love the imagery! I can imagine that dark river, the gnarly trees and the black hole perfectly. I also think the idea is a really great and original one. The evil character that rules this world is Eli, the dead rock star who is seriously messed up. When we first met Eli I was very worried that I would find myself reading about another love triangle but thankfully this is not the case. I think that Eli could have been a bit more sinister in the beginning rather than just the bad feelings Amelia got from him but his crazy delusions and wicked actions became pretty evident later on.
I really enjoyed this book! I'm intrigued to see what will happen next, like what will the series ending be like when the story is based around the romance of a ghost and a living boy?? Obviously there are some serious issues to that relationship that I'm interested to see how will resolve. The happy ending in this book is fairly unrealistic so I really want to see how their relationship will develop.