Book Review: Hereafter (ARC)

Hereafter (ARC)
Hereafter #1
Author: Tara Hudson
Pages: 416 pgs
Reading Level: YA
Published: June 7th 2011
Review Source: Pitch Dark Books
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Borders

Summary: (from goodreads) Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

First of all I have to say how much I love the cover of Hereafter. The way the girl blends in with the background just captures me. The cover also features 2 of my favorite colors that are green and blue. Now that I have read Hereafter I can say the cover fits the story. 

If you didn't think you can have a love story and a ghost story all in one book, then Hereafter will prove you wrong. The story shows us what true love is no matter what form, realm or day it is. Tara tells such a sweet with a bit of angst story. Ghost that can love and be loved back. I was more inclined for the love story then the when the book would be the ghost part of the story. I felt those times it was lacking a bit. I wanted more from the ghosts and their abilities and background. I also would have love a bit more evil and creepy. Now the love story couldn't have been better written, so its help me balance both sides of the book. 

Amelia is a ghost has been wandering the place of her death for some time now. She doesn't know why she is dammed to do this. She also has nightmares (that's what Amelia calls them) and will wake up in different location from where she was originally. She can't touch or feel anything in the human world. So how does a boy that is drowning change that for Amelia in some ways. She is drawn to him instantly. While Joshua is drowning he can see her and hear her while she is encouraging him to survive instead of drown. Joshua survives thanks to Amelia and he goes in search of her a few days later, to see if he invented her. Of course he is shocked when they meet and she eventually tells him her secret. But little does Amelia know that Joshua has his own secrets that he really doesn't know to much about. Will Amelia and Joshua be able to over come their differences? Will Amelia confess to Joshua about th eother ghost that is after her? Well there is only one way to find out, yes you guessed it. You must pick up Hereafter and read it. 

Come in with a open mind and heart, this is not your typical ghost story. I will definitely read the next in the series called Arise due out in 2012.