Book Review: Afterworld by Scott Westerfeld

Afterworld
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: September 23rd 2014
Review Source: Simon Pulse

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.

Afterworlds is a book within a book, Darcy Patel is a freshly graduated girl who's on her way to becoming a printed author. She is signed with a popular publishing company and has moved to New York to focus on her dream of writing. The book alternates between Darcy's life and her book- a paranormal romance that involves a girl who comes too close to death and a death god she seems to be in love with.

I have to admit, I had high expectations for Afterworlds. Terrorist attacks, book signings, paranormal romance, and late night rewrites? Sign me up! Unfortunately I was very disappointed with the outcome. There were quite a few things that bothered me, but what I almost couldn't stand was the romance, BOTH of them. Darcy and her character, Lizzie, both fell in love at around the same part of the book. At first it was okay, but after awhile it became too much like instalove. Both characters became so dependent on the person they were in love with. Their lives literally revolved around this significant other and they wouldn't think or act for themselves. They would only do what the other wanted which I found extremely annoying.

Despite the romance, I enjoyed the book. It was really interesting to see the everyday life of a debut author. Darcy attended parties, book signings, and met/ became friends with some of her favorite authors. She struggled through rewrites and coming up with a viable idea to write about in her sequel. Darcy's novel was entertaining as well, Lizzie survives a traumatic experience and has to cope with how it has changed her. I had a difficult time deciding whether I liked Darcy's or Lizzie's story more, but in the end I liked them both equally.