After The EndAuthor: Amy Plum
Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: 5-6-14
World War III has left the world ravaged by nuclear radiation. A lucky few escaped to the Alaskan wilderness. They’ve survived for the last thirty years by living off the land, being one with nature, and hiding from whoever else might still be out there. At least, this is what Juneau has been told her entire life. When Juneau returns from a hunting trip to discover that everyone in her clan has vanished, she sets off to find them. Leaving the boundaries of their land for the very first time, she learns something horrifying: There never was a war. Cities were never destroyed. The world is intact. Everything was a lie. Now Juneau is adrift in a modern-day world she never knew existed. But while she’s trying to find a way to rescue her friends and family, someone else is looking for her. – Goodreads
The premise behind After The End really got my attention. Juneau lives a settlers life, totally free of anything that she and her tribe can’t make, carry, or kill. Her belief that they are some of the last people left on earth has made her tied to the land with a magical connection and has made her into the ultimate survivalist. While the set-up for Juneau is brief, you get a pretty good idea of what her life has been like. Then we have Miles, a spoiled ne’er-do-well of a teen who gets caught up in the intrigue surrounding Juneau because he wants to impress his dad. The beginning of the book was strong. As a reader, I really connected with Juneau’s initial confusion that the world she thought existed was really a lie. However, I couldn’t help but notice how nicely she fit into the box of stoic girl with powers who must survive. I wanted more from her. I wanted her to crack just a little, and that never really happened, so I just ended up feeling very disconnected from her. Miles was also a bit two dimensional, with his inevitable change of heart about Juneau. Their whole dynamic really ruined the book for me, to be honest. I liked the mystery, I liked the action, and I liked the journey that Juneau was on, but the personal interactions were distractingly bad.
There were parts of this book that were really well done and sections that had me turning pages as quickly as I could. However, there were also many sections that made me cringe at the overly convenient plot developments. So, needless to say, I felt very conflicted about this book, which was mirrored in what I saw as inconsistent pacing and a story that was just missing….something. I didn’t hate it, as I mentioned before, there were parts that really had me engaged, but when I closed the book, I was still very undecided about whether I would want to continue this series beyond book one. I think Amy Plum fans will enjoy it and while the meshing of the magical with industrial intrigue didn’t work for me, I can see how it might be a big hit with other readers.
I received this galley in exchange for my honest review.
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I heard interesting stuff about this one and I read a couple of positive but also negative reviews about this novel. I’m not sure if this is a book for me though :/ Thanks for the review!
I was pretty disappointed by this book. The convenience was what really got me. Everything was just way too easy. And the characters were pretty flat as well which was disappointing. I did like the premise though and the Yara was quite interesting. I want to see where the story goes I think.
Well, this hasn’t helped in my waivering, lol. I love the cover, and was sent a copy. glad to hear there are good things though.
I’m reading this now and so far am really intrigued by this world and Juneau’s upbringing but I’ve already seen some of that convenient plot development so far. I’m not confident after reading your review that I’m going to love it by the end but I’m too far along to stop now. Sorry this one didn’t work better for you!
Hmmm, I have been debating whether or not to read it. Most dystopian sound the same but I’m like how this sounds so far.
Yep. I’m reading this one right now and it’s kind of frustrating to see how everything just works out so well all the time, terribly convenient. Other parts are great though! Tough book to review.
Yep, this one missed the mark some for me too. Her lack of emotions really bothered me. I wanted her to be more angsty. That would seem more fitting with her life experience. I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the characters…the raven was pretty awesome though. Great review Kate.
Oh, save us from the oh-so-convenient-plot-devices! 😛 I’m sorry to hear this was a disappointment for you. I liked, but didn’t love the author’s debut DIE FOR ME the way many of my friends did, and my mixed/middling feelings have steered me away from her other novels. Looks like I’m okay to skip this one, too.
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden