Hereafter by Kate Brian

Hereafter by Kate Brian
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Length: 320 pages
Genera: Science Fiction
Subjects: Afterlife, Mystery, Romance
How I obtained the book: Library; paperback

Rating: ✭✭

Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She’s also made friends with a local clique–including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan.

But Rory’s world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn’t what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory’s every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she’s ever known ends.

This review contains unmarked minor spoilers for Shadowlands, book one of the Shadowlands trilogy.

When I read Shadowlands last year, I couldn’t really say I was impressed with it. I loved the murder mystery but the characters were incredibly lacking for me and I couldn’t really connect with any of them. Hereafter was a very lackluster book, but I could see potential in it. Hereafter was a very disappointing read, as I had higher hopes for it. While the characters slightly improved in Hereafter, the plot took a turn for the worse.

Shadowlands had a very interesting plot. The mystery and heart pounding tension made it an enjoyable read at times. Sadly, Hereafter suffers from Second Book Syndrome and what made the first book good was lost in this installment. It was mediocre, but not great by any stretch of the imagination. The big ‘twist’ of the novel was uninspired at best, as Brian all but spelled it out in the first two chapters. The overall plot was fell flat compared to Shadowlands.

In the first book, the mystery second narrator was purposefully obvious, I think. You were supposed to know who it was, at least vaguely. In this book, clearly it was meant to be a surprise. Instead of gradual foreshadowing, Brian went straight for a semi-reveal.

All the characters were some sort of modified trope – the MIA parent trope, the cold ‘slut’, ect.

After looking at the cover (I’m assuming it’s her sister in the background), you’d think that she and the father would play a major role in the book, especially due to some key plot points. But, no, not really. She spends hardly any time with either family member, as she was much more interested in spending time with Tristan. I don’t buy it. Her dad would be worried sick about her, especially because he thinks Steven Nell is out there. Would he really let his daughter spend practically all of her time out in the town, without any protection?

The hate between Nadia and Rory was really stupid, honestly. Rory immediately took Nadia for a provocatively dressed, man-stealing bitch and Nadia hated Rory for some unexplained reason. I’m not sure what started this immense dislike for her, but damn, Nadia hated Rory.

Rory’s obsession with Tristan was just plain annoying to read. I don’t like pining in my books and this was no different. Rory just wouldn’t shut up about Tristan’s sexiness or his amazing bod. I don’t care, Rory. I don’t care. The cheap excuse for a ‘romance’ reduced the impact of the ending.

The mystery of the souls going to the wrong place was literally all Hereafter had going for it, and it did it fairly well. The tension was well done in places and I felt involved in the story.

Shadowlands was perfect as a stand-alone and Brian should have left it at that. Shadowlands was an incredibly disappointing book, only occasionally entertaining. This book is only worth reading if you really enjoyed the first book – and even then, maybe it’s best to forget this book ever happened.

Pantomime by Laura Lam

Pantomime by Laura Lam
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Length: 392 pages
Genera: Fantasy
Subjects: LGBTQIA, circuses, love, self discovery
How I obtained the book: Netgalley, E-galley
Rating: ✭✭✭

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada

 

WEIRD PREREVIEW THINGIE

This review will hold spoilers but none that you won’t find in any of the other “spoiler” reviews for this book. If you do not want to know about what the big twist is (which is actually revealed around 25 – 30% in), I suggest you skip this review as the spoilers for that will not be marked. The spoilers begin in the next paragraph.

Personally, I feel like this “twist” should have been stated in the actual description. I would have been 100x more excited for this book, if I knew about the twist. In the description, it says:

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

When I, like many other reviewers, first read this, I saw one thing: Gene x Micah. But the truth is, even though there is romance, it is not between Gene and Micah since they’re, um, the same person. The protagonist is intersex. I really think that if this was in the description, it would be more popular because I’m sure there are others out there who wanted to read a YA book with an intersex protagonist.

I honestly do not understand why this is a secret since anyone who is paying a little bit of attention to the book would be able to realize this. Gene has not only similar physical qualities but the two “POVs” are pretty much the same.

For a more in-depth assessment on why this “twist” should have been in the description read Experiment BL626’s insightfulreview on why he thinks the same. Though I do not agree with every point, I do agree with many of them!

—

ACTUAL REVIEW THINGIE

PANTOMIME is a book that I’ve wanted to read ever since I first saw it on Cuddlebuggery. I got an ARC a long time ago but for some reason I could never get into it. It didn’t help that I got the ARC during a bad time where I didn’t – couldn’t – read anything.

But, when I finally got into a few days ago and finished it in a few hours like I always do in these stories.

PANTOMIME isn’t the best book I’ve ever read. Something was missing throughout but I still enjoyed it very much. The best part of the novel, personally, is Micah, the main character. His troubles with his sexuality and identity were definitely my favourite part of the book.

Characters
Micah Grey, or Gene I suppose, is the intersex protagonist. Micah Grey is strong, smart, and just all-around amazing. I absolutely love him. The main focus of the novel is around Micah and his struggles with who he is.

At times, the book could go very deep and get very depressing for a YA fantasy read. The only deepness I’ve seen in most YA fantasy is well… nothing. YA seems to save all the deep reads for contemp. reads. I felt really connected to Micah in this book, something that doesn’t happen often – in any genre.

The supporting characters, Drystan and Aenea, were Micah’s best friends also doubling as LIs. Though the romance is not the main focus of the book, there is a lot since the book revolves around sexuality and love, to a lesser but still prominent extent. Personally, I didn’t mind this love triangle because it was barely portrayed as a love triangle, and by that I mean, Micah was not internally debating who he loved. *cough* Team Drystan *cough*

My favorite character, excluding the obvious Micah, was probably this one little side character who only had a few lines and pages. It was the little shopkeeper or stall keeper who took Micah in after he had run away. I don’t know why I liked him, I just did.

Plot and Writing
Plot
PANTOMIME is a very character based book, as YA books are slowly starting to do. The plot isn’t very big. Micah isn’t some mystical person, no one has supernatural powers, and there isn’t a war. It’s kind of hard to imagine but it’s true.

There are a few hints of some more prominent plot in the second book, probably going to be about this ancient extinct race of Chimaera, who have a great magical power and this Vestige thing. *weird geeky reference warning* They sort of reminded me of the Dwemer from the TES series – in a good way of course.

The setting sort of reminded me of NIGHT CIRCUS but it was much less magical. PANTOMIME didn’t have that mystical, magical feeling to it where it felt like Les Cirque des Rêves could be right outside your door.

Writing
It wasn’t the most lyrical writing ever but for the book, it fit. It was emotional and expressed Micah’s thoughts very clearly and well. I don’t really have much to say on the writing since it was fairly average but not bad. No, the writing was very nice just I’m sure there could be… more.

Likes and Dislikes
Likes:
– Micah
– Characterization
– LGBTQIA aspect

Dislikes:
– It was still missing that part

In conclusion
Beautifully created, PANTOMIME is a masterpiece, which I full heartedly adore. The only thing keeping me from giving it a nice shiny five star rating is that I felt PANTOMIME was missing something. I’m not exactly sure what it is but it sure wasn’t there. Still, I recommend this book to everyone and anyone.