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A review by soundlysmitten
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
While I was moved by some of the beautifully devastating sentiments in this novel, the plot didn’t feel as gripping as I imagined it would, and I feel conflicted writing this review. On the one hand, I think there are some issues involving structure and character development. On the other hand, knowing what the author set out to do, I think she accomplished her vision for this piece of work.
Although the premise is paranormal, the content is definitely more contemporary, and the pacing just seems off. The first half of the book is dedicated to the progression of Ash & Poppy’s short yet substantial relationship. The second half ruminates on Ash’s life as a reaper, but not many things of real importance happen, so the remainder of the story feels underwhelming. Also, some of Ash’s reactions feel pretty nonsensical. Even if dying and becoming a grim reaper is a just excuse for disorientation, none of the tension seems to hold much weight. Having a character freak everyone out cause apparently there’s some looming threat that never actually comes to pass or get explored in the slightest… that’s way too obvious a fabrication, in my opinion. As for the characters, Ash is the only one I cared about because she’s the only one I really got to know. The other reapers, Ash’s friend Adara, and even Poppy to be honest, all seem like they're just there for the sake of Ash’s story. But it's still an affecting tale, though.
Every time I read an own voices story about someone from another background, I am reminded of the common ground people of many cultures share. Although I am not Guyanese, I could very much relate to the difference between how people perceive Ash because of her heritage and the person she really is because of it. Some of her family interactions were also achingly familiar to me, but I found much more amusement in reading about the lighter clashes than dealing with them in real life 😹 While Afterlove is in part a cute story about first love, it also touches upon the struggles of teens coming out to parents they expect won’t love and embrace them for them, and feeling used by people they just want to love. Furthermore, it focuses on the experience of losing the ones you love in stages. Because of my own relationship with loss and grief, certain parts sat heavy on my chest. But it was the author’s Acknowledgments that actually made me cry, and I would beg you to read it if you pick up this book. Maybe even read it first…
Although the premise is paranormal, the content is definitely more contemporary, and the pacing just seems off. The first half of the book is dedicated to the progression of Ash & Poppy’s short yet substantial relationship. The second half ruminates on Ash’s life as a reaper, but not many things of real importance happen, so the remainder of the story feels underwhelming. Also, some of Ash’s reactions feel pretty nonsensical. Even if dying and becoming a grim reaper is a just excuse for disorientation, none of the tension seems to hold much weight. Having a character freak everyone out cause apparently there’s some looming threat that never actually comes to pass or get explored in the slightest… that’s way too obvious a fabrication, in my opinion. As for the characters, Ash is the only one I cared about because she’s the only one I really got to know. The other reapers, Ash’s friend Adara, and even Poppy to be honest, all seem like they're just there for the sake of Ash’s story. But it's still an affecting tale, though.
Every time I read an own voices story about someone from another background, I am reminded of the common ground people of many cultures share. Although I am not Guyanese, I could very much relate to the difference between how people perceive Ash because of her heritage and the person she really is because of it. Some of her family interactions were also achingly familiar to me, but I found much more amusement in reading about the lighter clashes than dealing with them in real life 😹 While Afterlove is in part a cute story about first love, it also touches upon the struggles of teens coming out to parents they expect won’t love and embrace them for them, and feeling used by people they just want to love. Furthermore, it focuses on the experience of losing the ones you love in stages. Because of my own relationship with loss and grief, certain parts sat heavy on my chest. But it was the author’s Acknowledgments that actually made me cry, and I would beg you to read it if you pick up this book. Maybe even read it first…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail