A review by bubblewombat
After We Fell by Anna Todd
4.0
After 800 something pages, I can safely say that this is the best book in the series so far. Did it need to be so long though? No.
Funny thing though, the After series, instead of causing headaches as one would assume, actually helps with mine. I don't think I've ever been as relaxed while reading as I am when I read these books.
And it's not just the cliffhangers that are keeping me entertained, there's literally never a boring part. HOW ANNA TODD, HOW???
Another cool thing is that I can never guess the plot twists until they happen (some thriller writers should learn from this, yes I said it). The very last one I was only able to guess a few chapters before it happened because a subtle clue was given.
What I'm not very fond of in this book though, is that first big twist where one character gets a semi redemption arc at the expense of another (very beloved) character.
My problem isn't that they're no longer a (huge) villain, it's that the other one shouldn't have been a villain at all. I think that scene could've played out the same without including them in it.
Steph was one of the best characters in this series and I'll never forgive Anna Todd for ruining that.
Whenever I reread this, I'll have to pay special attention to see if there were any signs or if this was a spur of the moment decision that the author made.
And Tessa and Hardin? Their growth really starts when they're apart, and I like it. At this point I could see it ending happily for them and there's only one more book till I find out if it did (and then the prequel...and Landon's books...).
Oh yes, Landon. POOR, POOR LANDON! WHY DID DAKOTA DO THAT? We didn't really get to know her so I wasn't attached to her, but I'm so sad for him. He didn't deserve that.
4.5
Funny thing though, the After series, instead of causing headaches as one would assume, actually helps with mine. I don't think I've ever been as relaxed while reading as I am when I read these books.
And it's not just the cliffhangers that are keeping me entertained, there's literally never a boring part. HOW ANNA TODD, HOW???
Another cool thing is that I can never guess the plot twists until they happen (some thriller writers should learn from this, yes I said it). The very last one I was only able to guess a few chapters before it happened because a subtle clue was given.
What I'm not very fond of in this book though, is that first big twist where one character gets a semi redemption arc at the expense of another (very beloved) character.
My problem isn't that they're no longer a (huge) villain, it's that the other one shouldn't have been a villain at all. I think that scene could've played out the same without including them in it.
Spoiler
I'm talking about Steph. There was 0 reason to make her a villain. It turns out Tessa's mother was right in her judgement and that doesn't sit well with me.Steph was one of the best characters in this series and I'll never forgive Anna Todd for ruining that.
Whenever I reread this, I'll have to pay special attention to see if there were any signs or if this was a spur of the moment decision that the author made.
And Tessa and Hardin? Their growth really starts when they're apart, and I like it. At this point I could see it ending happily for them and there's only one more book till I find out if it did (and then the prequel...and Landon's books...).
Oh yes, Landon. POOR, POOR LANDON! WHY DID DAKOTA DO THAT? We didn't really get to know her so I wasn't attached to her, but I'm so sad for him. He didn't deserve that.
4.5