Review - Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Afterworlds

Author: Scott Westerfeld

Pages: 608

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: 23rd September 2014

Blurb from Goodreads:

Darcy Patel has put college and everything else on hold to publish her teen novel, Afterworlds. Arriving in New York with no apartment or friends she wonders whether she's made the right decision until she falls in with a crowd of other seasoned and fledgling writers who take her under their wings… Told in alternating chapters is Darcy's novel, a suspenseful thriller about Lizzie, a teen who slips into the 'Afterworld' to survive a terrorist attack. But the Afterworld is a place between the living and the dead and as Lizzie drifts between our world and that of the Afterworld, she discovers that many unsolved - and terrifying - stories need to be reconciled. And when a new threat resurfaces, Lizzie learns her special gifts may not be enough to protect those she loves and cares about most.

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My Review:

*I received a copy of this book via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss*

3/5 stars

Teenager Darcy Patel is putting college on hold in order to live the dream of being a writer. Her book Afterworlds is going to be published and she's signed a contract for the sequel. Will Darcy be able to write the sequel? Will she be able to live her dream?

Afterworlds is essentially two books in one and the chapters alternate between Darcy, the author, and Lizzie, the protagonist of Afterworlds.

Darcy's story:

I preferred Darcy's chapters mainly because I found it interesting to read about the process authors go through - editing and then touring - and how Darcy was feeling throughout it all. I liked Darcy and thought that she was brave for going against her parents and doing what she wanted to (moving to New York to be a writer instead of going to college). The romance was okay and I liked that it wasn't cheesy or over the top.

Lizzie's story:

I didn't enjoy Lizzie's chapters as much - the romance felt forced and unnecessary. I didn't find the plot that interesting or gripping. Lizzie was okay but I didn't really connect with her. However there were aspects to this half of the book that I did think were clever.

Overall I enjoyed the book but I was slightly disappointed.