Author: Demitria Lunetta
Genre: Young Adult/Scifi/Dystopian
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: 25th June 2013
Stand alone or series: In the After #1
Pages: 261 pages
Book Received from: Bought (e-book)
First Lines: I only go out at night. I walk along the empty street and pause, my muscles tense and ready.
Possible Spoilers if you haven't read this.
Synopsis:
They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.
Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.
After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.
Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.
My Thoughts:
I was really drawn in with the synopsis and I mean look at the cover. Awesome right?!
The books split up in to three Parts: Part One After, Part Two New Hope, Part Three Guardians. I have to say the strongest part of this book for me was definitely Part One.
Part One, we are introduced to Amy and Baby, the two main characters in the book. The story is told in Amy's POV first person present tense. I have to admit, I really liked Chapter One. The fact that she can only go out night is definitely the opposite of what I would do and what most would do if there are zombies or aliens. I mean look at Legend. Hole up in a bathtub with the dog for the night and fingers crossed make it through until the morning. Well these monsters "thankfully" can't see well in the dark. Hearing is ultra fine but the bad eye sight is a definite plus for the survivors.
Chapter two onwards we get a bit of the back story and everything leading up to Baby. I have to admit, this story is the strongest when both Amy and Baby are together. Their relationship for me makes the story all that more captivating. The best thing is the way they have learned to communicate with each other since the creatures have turned up.
Part Two got a little confusing. The chapter starts with what I thought was flash backs and then what happens currently but it didn't make sense. The way I understand it now was the italics start off small to begin with and it's like this is the current scene but she's drug addled thanks to the Dr.. and because the story that she's telling is longer it becomes the main focus. I guess maybe because she's dreaming or whatever. Towards the end the italics become clearer until it clicks that wow.. it's not what I thought at all. Once I got past Part two I thought, even though it was a little jarring, it was pretty smart. Get two of the most important parts and weave them together. I think if it was done a little bit differently it could have been better.
Others who have reviewed this book comment on the romance as lacking. It's almost none existent for me that I almost didn't notice it. I'm happy with the way that Part Three played out. I don't want to say too much else and ruin it but there are some big revelations in Part Two and Part three. For some of you it may be a let down, for others it will be nowhere near what they expected. I was in the latter of the group. And I can say that I'm looking forward to the next book In The End which will be out next year.
For those of you that may or may not have enjoyed The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey, this might be up your alley!
