A review by emtheauthor
Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld
4.0
I really can't believe I haven't heard of this book before. I don't know how it's not more popular (an awesome new idea by Scott Westerfeld anyone?) and how in the world I found a beautiful new hardcover edition in the Barnes and Noble clearance bin. But I did. And I was stoked.
I've never read a book quite like this one: it's about a high school senior named Darcy who gets an amazing publishing deal for her novel 'Afterworlds'. She leaves her somewhat reserved family in Philly and moves to the dazzling New York City to chase her dream and immerse herself in the new publishing world she wants so badly to be a part of. However, every chapter switches between Darcy's quest for authorship and the novel she wrote.
At first, I wasn't really jiving with the story of Lizzie in 'Afterworlds' and found myself wishing to just read about Darcy. I loved Darcy. I loved her and everyone she met, and I love the way we saw her grow and change and learn. Plus, as a teenage author, I devoured through her story, living vicariously (with some jealousy, I'll admit) at the wonderful and terrifying and exhausting life of getting published. I loved every part of her journey.
The problem was, I didn't like 'Afterworlds' the novel from the start. The first chapter was soooo good, but then it quickly changed to almost supernatural in some ways, and I didn't like that as much. I also didn't really like the love interest at first. It took several chapters before I came to like Darcy's novel. By the middle though, I came to love it. I wanted to know what happened. And while it was somewhat beautifully frustrating to get so involved in one of their stories, only to have it switch at the chapter break, my absolute favorite thing was watching how the stories interwove together. Maybe it's just because I'm a writer, so I know the feeling, but I thought it was so well done. Especially the endings. It was amazing to see how Darcy and Lizzie influenced and directed each other, and it truly illustrates just how fiction can come to life.
Rated 4/5 for such a refreshing and clever idea, brilliant storytelling, and writer's love
I've never read a book quite like this one: it's about a high school senior named Darcy who gets an amazing publishing deal for her novel 'Afterworlds'. She leaves her somewhat reserved family in Philly and moves to the dazzling New York City to chase her dream and immerse herself in the new publishing world she wants so badly to be a part of. However, every chapter switches between Darcy's quest for authorship and the novel she wrote.
At first, I wasn't really jiving with the story of Lizzie in 'Afterworlds' and found myself wishing to just read about Darcy. I loved Darcy. I loved her and everyone she met, and I love the way we saw her grow and change and learn. Plus, as a teenage author, I devoured through her story, living vicariously (with some jealousy, I'll admit) at the wonderful and terrifying and exhausting life of getting published. I loved every part of her journey.
The problem was, I didn't like 'Afterworlds' the novel from the start. The first chapter was soooo good, but then it quickly changed to almost supernatural in some ways, and I didn't like that as much. I also didn't really like the love interest at first. It took several chapters before I came to like Darcy's novel. By the middle though, I came to love it. I wanted to know what happened. And while it was somewhat beautifully frustrating to get so involved in one of their stories, only to have it switch at the chapter break, my absolute favorite thing was watching how the stories interwove together. Maybe it's just because I'm a writer, so I know the feeling, but I thought it was so well done. Especially the endings. It was amazing to see how Darcy and Lizzie influenced and directed each other, and it truly illustrates just how fiction can come to life.
Rated 4/5 for such a refreshing and clever idea, brilliant storytelling, and writer's love