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Allusive Aftershock
What happens when a major earthquake changes life as you know it and the boy you thought you hated ends up saving you? Three times!
Courtland Reese is the guy everyone hates and makes fun of because … well, he is weird. He communicates with animals. Strange or interesting, seventeen-year-old Adela Castielle can’t quite figure out, but when he saves her from being trampled by her own horse, she begins to understand him a little better and wants to learn more about him.
But, Max--her best friend/dream guy/someday-to-be-her-husband-only-he-doesn’t-know-it-yet--hates Courtland with a passion. Adela wants to know why, except neither boy is talking.
When Max leaves her stranded in his parents' wine cave with his worst enemy, Courtland, after what the experts are calling a “megathrust” earthquake, Adela starts to question her loyalty to Max as steamy kisses in a dark damp cellar only fuel her emotions with more conflict.
But does she really have time to worry about that when fire, destruction and mayhem surround her?
Courtland Reese is the guy everyone hates and makes fun of because … well, he is weird. He communicates with animals. Strange or interesting, seventeen-year-old Adela Castielle can’t quite figure out, but when he saves her from being trampled by her own horse, she begins to understand him a little better and wants to learn more about him.
But, Max--her best friend/dream guy/someday-to-be-her-husband-only-he-doesn’t-know-it-yet--hates Courtland with a passion. Adela wants to know why, except neither boy is talking.
When Max leaves her stranded in his parents' wine cave with his worst enemy, Courtland, after what the experts are calling a “megathrust” earthquake, Adela starts to question her loyalty to Max as steamy kisses in a dark damp cellar only fuel her emotions with more conflict.
But does she really have time to worry about that when fire, destruction and mayhem surround her?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2012
8 people are currently reading
1001 people want to read
About the author
Susan Griscom
67 books720 followersFind me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Griscom/...
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMGriscom
Susan Griscom, writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She's hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.
She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.
She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.
Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMGriscom
Susan Griscom, writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She's hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.
She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.
She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 25, 2019
Oh wow! this book blown me away. Its not just romance, but so much more.
In idylic life of small town in California, lives 3 different characters. Adela, Courtland and Max. We get an introduction of each of their characters grow up and their relationship in school. Courtland has been in love with Adela since fourth grade but Adela has crush on Max. Max is just a jerk. Then the earthquake changing everything.
The story itself touches every aspect of life. Especially what happens to humanity after being hit by earthquake. How life is lost, and never been the same again. On that journey, is Adela and Courtland love story. Their story is so sweet and heart breaking. And there is a lot of moral message when their story develop.
I love love the story. I am looing forward to another story by this author.
5 stars
In idylic life of small town in California, lives 3 different characters. Adela, Courtland and Max. We get an introduction of each of their characters grow up and their relationship in school. Courtland has been in love with Adela since fourth grade but Adela has crush on Max. Max is just a jerk. Then the earthquake changing everything.
The story itself touches every aspect of life. Especially what happens to humanity after being hit by earthquake. How life is lost, and never been the same again. On that journey, is Adela and Courtland love story. Their story is so sweet and heart breaking. And there is a lot of moral message when their story develop.
I love love the story. I am looing forward to another story by this author.
5 stars
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December 17, 2012Cover look familiar?
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February 6, 2014Allusive Aftershock has a new cover! ♥
The very first scene in this book is based on an earthquake I experienced as a teenager. Adela's emotions and actions in that scene are from what I remember. The rest of the book is entirely fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidences are products of my imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or deceased, is entirely coincidental.
This book is dedicated to all the men, women, and children whose lives have been lost due to one of mother nature’s natural disasters and to all the brave rescue people involved in helping those who survived. A special thought to the ones left behind struggling to rebuild their lives or cope with the loss of a loved one.
The very first scene in this book is based on an earthquake I experienced as a teenager. Adela's emotions and actions in that scene are from what I remember. The rest of the book is entirely fiction. All names, characters, places, and incidences are products of my imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons living or deceased, is entirely coincidental.
This book is dedicated to all the men, women, and children whose lives have been lost due to one of mother nature’s natural disasters and to all the brave rescue people involved in helping those who survived. A special thought to the ones left behind struggling to rebuild their lives or cope with the loss of a loved one.
January 25, 2013
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, I just wanted to say that I love this cover. I love how it shows a science right out of the book. Also I love how the title fits that story so perfectly. I really enjoyed this book, everything about it. I liked that in a YA world filled with paranormal, this "normal" book about a natural disaster could surpass all of my expectations. I feel like that is a big part of why this book had the "it" factor is because it is a story about something that could easily happened and has happened and affects tons of people. This novel not only is about adventure and survival, but its about love and loss.
Courtland was by far my favourite character. He was swoon worthy, plus he knew how to survive when many perished. He is also an animal lover with such a great connection to them that he can "feel their thoughts". Also he is a genuinely caring person and it shows with he actions. I love how Susan Griscom incorporated that Court is half native with this affinity he has for animals. Adela was a pretty good character, I just hated how she let Max treat her like crap all of the time. And I really didn't like how she wasn't more concerned about finding her siblings. If it was me, I would have searched until I found them despite if the had pulled through or not. But she redeemed herself when she can to her senses about Max and Court. Max, as you can probably tell was my least favourite character because he was such a slime all and treated Adela poorly. I just wished that it hadn't taken a horrible disaster for Adela to figure that out.
By far one of the best YA romance novels that I have ever read. The story flows seamlessly and you lose yourself in it, all the while really connecting with the characters and what they have to do to survive. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure or a romance. I feel that adults would also enjoy this book. If this is the way that Susan Griscom writes, consider me a forever fan!
Firstly, I just wanted to say that I love this cover. I love how it shows a science right out of the book. Also I love how the title fits that story so perfectly. I really enjoyed this book, everything about it. I liked that in a YA world filled with paranormal, this "normal" book about a natural disaster could surpass all of my expectations. I feel like that is a big part of why this book had the "it" factor is because it is a story about something that could easily happened and has happened and affects tons of people. This novel not only is about adventure and survival, but its about love and loss.
Courtland was by far my favourite character. He was swoon worthy, plus he knew how to survive when many perished. He is also an animal lover with such a great connection to them that he can "feel their thoughts". Also he is a genuinely caring person and it shows with he actions. I love how Susan Griscom incorporated that Court is half native with this affinity he has for animals. Adela was a pretty good character, I just hated how she let Max treat her like crap all of the time. And I really didn't like how she wasn't more concerned about finding her siblings. If it was me, I would have searched until I found them despite if the had pulled through or not. But she redeemed herself when she can to her senses about Max and Court. Max, as you can probably tell was my least favourite character because he was such a slime all and treated Adela poorly. I just wished that it hadn't taken a horrible disaster for Adela to figure that out.
By far one of the best YA romance novels that I have ever read. The story flows seamlessly and you lose yourself in it, all the while really connecting with the characters and what they have to do to survive. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good adventure or a romance. I feel that adults would also enjoy this book. If this is the way that Susan Griscom writes, consider me a forever fan!
January 17, 2013
I really loved this book! I have never read anything like it before! I was instantly drawn into the plot and I instantly connected with the characters! The plot was just amazing! It was action packed and I couldn't stop reading it! It also just got better and better! The plot was original and a first for me and I thought that the disaster aspect was an amazing one to put into a Young Adult book! I also liked that there wasn't any paranormal aspect to this book! I also loved the characters! Adela was the main character but Allusive Aftershock was told from both Adela and her love interest, Courland 'Court' point of views! I loved the dual point of view as you got to see how Courland really felt about Adela and vice versa! Adela was such a strong person! I thought that she was a caring person and I loved her relationship with Court! Court was so hot! I like how protective he was of Adela and how much he genuinely cared for her! I also liked Max but you could tell that he had a crush on Adela and also at times in this book he was slightly controlling and self-centered but I think that he added so much to the story as he was the complete opposite to Court! I would honestly love to read more of Adela, Court and Max's story but I can see why this book is a standalone and I absolutely love the cover!
December 17, 2018
Reviewed for THC Reviews
Allusive Aftershock is a stand-alone YA romance from indie author Susan Griscom. It’s primarily a contemporary story with slight science-fiction overtones. The sci-fi element comes in the form of an apocalyptic level earthquake called a megathrust. I hadn’t heard this term before, but I looked it up, and yes, it is a real thing. However, rather than the earthquake being confined to a particular area of California as we typically see, it basically devastates the entire state, killing thousands, and leading to numerous powerful aftershocks. Hence, the touch of science-fiction. Not that this might not be possible – I honestly don’t know since I’m not a seismologist – but an earthquake of this magnitude is certainly not something we’ve seen before that I’m aware of. It also leaves the state in complete ruin, with the protagonists facing near-constant danger and obstacles to their survival. So, it’s also an action-adventure, survival story. But somewhere in the midst of all this peril and devastation, we get a sweet romance between a boy who’s had a crush on the heroine since the fourth grade and a girl who begins the story not even sure if she likes him as a person but who slowly starts to appreciate him and see his hidden depths.
Adela is just your average, typical teenage girl who’s a senior in high school. She loves her family, which includes her mom, dad, and four-year-old twin brother and sister. She also adores her horse Big Blue. Adela has been best friends with Max since she met him upon moving to the area in the fourth grade. She has a crush on him and thinks he’ll someday be “the one,” but Max, who attracts female attention everywhere he goes, doesn’t seem interested in her in that way. Little does she know that Courtland, who she’s known nearly as long, has been sweet on her from afar for years. Max hates Court, though, and because he’s Adela’s best friend, she basically goes along with whatever he says. A rumor was started years ago that Court is a freak who can talk to animals, so after a pretty strong earthquake hits the area, agitating their horses, Adela’s father calls Court to come calm them down. At first, Adela is offended that her dad thinks the school freak can take care of her horse better than she can, but when Court prevents Big Blue from throwing her off and possibly trampling her, she begins to see him a little differently. After the megathrust quake hits and he saves her life again, she’s definitely much more open toward him. At the very beginning of the story, I thought Adela was acting a bit spoiled and petty about Court helping with the horses. She also goes along with Max a little too willingly rather than judging Court for herself, but this improved dramatically after he saves her life. I liked that she insisted upon staying with Court after he was injured even though Max was dead set on leaving the relative safety of his family’s wine cellar. I also like how she cared for Court’s injuries and helped him out in any way she could.
Courtland is part Native American. He lost his mother when he was in the fourth grade. With his mother gone, his father couldn’t cope and became an alcoholic, so Court has lived a fairly independent life, learning to take care of himself at an early age. Around the same time his mother died, Adela became one of his neighbors, and he developed a crush on her. After the rumor of him being a Dr. Doolittle freak got started, most kids either teased him or gave him a wide berth. He never thought that Adela would ever feel the same way about him that he does about her, but it doesn’t stop him from admiring her from afar. Court is a total sweetheart, who was easy to fall for and who stood out in stark contrast to the rather selfish Max. He saves Adela’s life multiple times, and once he’s recovered enough from his injuries to be of use, he’s very protective of her and does everything in his power to make sure that she stays safe, while helping her find her family. I love that once things start to become more romantic and heated between Court and Adela, he never, ever pushes her to do anything she’s not ready for, which is another contrast to Max, who we learn isn’t nearly as respectful of girls. Court is simply an all-around, wonderful guy who knows how to treat a girl right.
Since this is a YA book, I’ll address any potentially objectionable content for parents or educators who might have concerns. Because of the catastrophic nature of the story, there are a lot of deaths, including loved ones of both the protagonists and supporting characters, including a beloved pet. In general, though, the author doesn’t tend to linger over them. On the one hand this might be a good thing for her target audience, but on the other hand, it did leave me a little emotionally cold at times, because it feels like, in some instances (though admittedly not all), they just take it in stride and move on without a lot of emotions involved. Court must hunt animals for food, which is given a moderate amount of detail, so anyone who hates violence against animals beware. I will give the author kudos on this, though, because Court isn’t overjoyed by having to do it, and at least once, she shows him thanking an animal for its sacrifice like his Native American ancestors would have. The language isn’t pervasive, but there is some. However, the sensuality would probably be the greatest concern. Court and Adela snuggle together for warmth while sleeping, and on one occasion, sleep together fully nude after getting their clothes wet. There’s also some fairly passionate kissing and heavy petting, that nearly leads to love-making. I liked, though, that when faced with the choice, they had an open discussion about it and were intending on using safe sex practices. I also thought it was very sweet that both characters are virgins. While there’s no actual sexual content, and IMHO, nothing I’ve described was over the top, the sexual tension was still higher than I’ve seen in any other YA book I’ve read to date. Primarily for this reason, I’d probably only recommend the book for mature teens of perhaps sixteen and up.
Overall, Allusive Aftershock was a sweet story romance-wise, and I very much enjoyed that part of it. The action-adventure and survival aspects kept me reading to see how they were going to make it, although admittedly, I couldn’t help thinking more than once that the author was throwing nearly everything but the kitchen sink at these poor kids. I also thought the ending was perhaps a little abrupt. One thing after another kept happening as the page count continued winding down, until voila! they’re miraculously saved. In general, it wasn’t too bad, but it was a tad jarring. There were also a few nagging, little things that didn’t entirely make sense, such as how the rescuers knew that certain people had died when there were apparently no bodies or why these kids didn’t have any cell phones when nearly every teenager in America today does. Mostly, though, I was rather distracted by the writing itself, or perhaps more accurately, the editing, which was not very well-done IMHO. There were a number of typos (including the heroine’s last name having two transposed letters on more than one occasion), missing or incorrect words, and most importantly a lack of contractions. This was especially problematic in the dialogue, because it makes it too formal, particularly given that the characters are teenagers. Because of some of these issues, I waffled on how to rate the book. For the first half or so, I was planning on giving it 3.5 stars, but once the romance really got going, I was more invested in the story and enjoyed the latter half enough to bump it up to 4 stars. In general, Allusive Aftershock is a good story and a rather unique one to the genre. If you aren’t a nit-picky reader like I am, and you enjoy sweet but slightly sensual YA romance with a touch of science-fiction and a healthy does of adventure and peril then it might just fit the bill.
Allusive Aftershock is a stand-alone YA romance from indie author Susan Griscom. It’s primarily a contemporary story with slight science-fiction overtones. The sci-fi element comes in the form of an apocalyptic level earthquake called a megathrust. I hadn’t heard this term before, but I looked it up, and yes, it is a real thing. However, rather than the earthquake being confined to a particular area of California as we typically see, it basically devastates the entire state, killing thousands, and leading to numerous powerful aftershocks. Hence, the touch of science-fiction. Not that this might not be possible – I honestly don’t know since I’m not a seismologist – but an earthquake of this magnitude is certainly not something we’ve seen before that I’m aware of. It also leaves the state in complete ruin, with the protagonists facing near-constant danger and obstacles to their survival. So, it’s also an action-adventure, survival story. But somewhere in the midst of all this peril and devastation, we get a sweet romance between a boy who’s had a crush on the heroine since the fourth grade and a girl who begins the story not even sure if she likes him as a person but who slowly starts to appreciate him and see his hidden depths.
Adela is just your average, typical teenage girl who’s a senior in high school. She loves her family, which includes her mom, dad, and four-year-old twin brother and sister. She also adores her horse Big Blue. Adela has been best friends with Max since she met him upon moving to the area in the fourth grade. She has a crush on him and thinks he’ll someday be “the one,” but Max, who attracts female attention everywhere he goes, doesn’t seem interested in her in that way. Little does she know that Courtland, who she’s known nearly as long, has been sweet on her from afar for years. Max hates Court, though, and because he’s Adela’s best friend, she basically goes along with whatever he says. A rumor was started years ago that Court is a freak who can talk to animals, so after a pretty strong earthquake hits the area, agitating their horses, Adela’s father calls Court to come calm them down. At first, Adela is offended that her dad thinks the school freak can take care of her horse better than she can, but when Court prevents Big Blue from throwing her off and possibly trampling her, she begins to see him a little differently. After the megathrust quake hits and he saves her life again, she’s definitely much more open toward him. At the very beginning of the story, I thought Adela was acting a bit spoiled and petty about Court helping with the horses. She also goes along with Max a little too willingly rather than judging Court for herself, but this improved dramatically after he saves her life. I liked that she insisted upon staying with Court after he was injured even though Max was dead set on leaving the relative safety of his family’s wine cellar. I also like how she cared for Court’s injuries and helped him out in any way she could.
Courtland is part Native American. He lost his mother when he was in the fourth grade. With his mother gone, his father couldn’t cope and became an alcoholic, so Court has lived a fairly independent life, learning to take care of himself at an early age. Around the same time his mother died, Adela became one of his neighbors, and he developed a crush on her. After the rumor of him being a Dr. Doolittle freak got started, most kids either teased him or gave him a wide berth. He never thought that Adela would ever feel the same way about him that he does about her, but it doesn’t stop him from admiring her from afar. Court is a total sweetheart, who was easy to fall for and who stood out in stark contrast to the rather selfish Max. He saves Adela’s life multiple times, and once he’s recovered enough from his injuries to be of use, he’s very protective of her and does everything in his power to make sure that she stays safe, while helping her find her family. I love that once things start to become more romantic and heated between Court and Adela, he never, ever pushes her to do anything she’s not ready for, which is another contrast to Max, who we learn isn’t nearly as respectful of girls. Court is simply an all-around, wonderful guy who knows how to treat a girl right.
Since this is a YA book, I’ll address any potentially objectionable content for parents or educators who might have concerns. Because of the catastrophic nature of the story, there are a lot of deaths, including loved ones of both the protagonists and supporting characters, including a beloved pet. In general, though, the author doesn’t tend to linger over them. On the one hand this might be a good thing for her target audience, but on the other hand, it did leave me a little emotionally cold at times, because it feels like, in some instances (though admittedly not all), they just take it in stride and move on without a lot of emotions involved. Court must hunt animals for food, which is given a moderate amount of detail, so anyone who hates violence against animals beware. I will give the author kudos on this, though, because Court isn’t overjoyed by having to do it, and at least once, she shows him thanking an animal for its sacrifice like his Native American ancestors would have. The language isn’t pervasive, but there is some. However, the sensuality would probably be the greatest concern. Court and Adela snuggle together for warmth while sleeping, and on one occasion, sleep together fully nude after getting their clothes wet. There’s also some fairly passionate kissing and heavy petting, that nearly leads to love-making. I liked, though, that when faced with the choice, they had an open discussion about it and were intending on using safe sex practices. I also thought it was very sweet that both characters are virgins. While there’s no actual sexual content, and IMHO, nothing I’ve described was over the top, the sexual tension was still higher than I’ve seen in any other YA book I’ve read to date. Primarily for this reason, I’d probably only recommend the book for mature teens of perhaps sixteen and up.
Overall, Allusive Aftershock was a sweet story romance-wise, and I very much enjoyed that part of it. The action-adventure and survival aspects kept me reading to see how they were going to make it, although admittedly, I couldn’t help thinking more than once that the author was throwing nearly everything but the kitchen sink at these poor kids. I also thought the ending was perhaps a little abrupt. One thing after another kept happening as the page count continued winding down, until voila! they’re miraculously saved. In general, it wasn’t too bad, but it was a tad jarring. There were also a few nagging, little things that didn’t entirely make sense, such as how the rescuers knew that certain people had died when there were apparently no bodies or why these kids didn’t have any cell phones when nearly every teenager in America today does. Mostly, though, I was rather distracted by the writing itself, or perhaps more accurately, the editing, which was not very well-done IMHO. There were a number of typos (including the heroine’s last name having two transposed letters on more than one occasion), missing or incorrect words, and most importantly a lack of contractions. This was especially problematic in the dialogue, because it makes it too formal, particularly given that the characters are teenagers. Because of some of these issues, I waffled on how to rate the book. For the first half or so, I was planning on giving it 3.5 stars, but once the romance really got going, I was more invested in the story and enjoyed the latter half enough to bump it up to 4 stars. In general, Allusive Aftershock is a good story and a rather unique one to the genre. If you aren’t a nit-picky reader like I am, and you enjoy sweet but slightly sensual YA romance with a touch of science-fiction and a healthy does of adventure and peril then it might just fit the bill.
January 5, 2013
i have to say this is one of them books i will never ever forget ,I LOVED IT ,i could not put it down its now one of my top 10 books i have ever read and will re-read again and again ,susan you did a fab job when you wrote this book well done and i will buy any book you write from now on xxx
December 27, 2012
***Spoiler Alert*** There is some spoilers so beware before you read!!
Another amazingly written story by Susan!! I love her work, her writing is always so captivating. I will definitely recommend Allusive Aftershock to everyone, especially those into YA.
The characters in Allusive Aftershock are funny, sensitive and real. Max is the popular guy everyone loves but he is also the biggest bully when it comes to Courtland Reese.
Court is suppose to be the school "freak" because he works with animals and supposedly could talk to them, but he has the biggest crush on Adela and has since the fourth grade.
Adela is best friends with Max and has been forever, she has also had the biggest crush on him for that long too, that is until Court comes more involved in her life.
Most of California has been destroyed by one earth quake after another. Court, Max, and Adela are on their own, teens without their families not even sure if their families survived the quakes or not. Now they are trying to survive and find shelter the best they can. They have endured illness's, burns, breaks and so much more, but they stick together relying on one another to get by and the one that would most likely be considered the weakling is the one taking care of them the most. When Max leaves to find help Court and Adela are left alone taking care of one another, soon one thing leads to another and Adela starts returning Courts feelings for her.
After Max doesn't return they realize they need to get out from where they are and find help themselves or they may end up being stuck forever.
Will they be able to survive the earth quakes, and will they find their families?? To find out what happens in Allusive Aftershock you MUST read it for yourself!!
Another amazingly written story by Susan!! I love her work, her writing is always so captivating. I will definitely recommend Allusive Aftershock to everyone, especially those into YA.
The characters in Allusive Aftershock are funny, sensitive and real. Max is the popular guy everyone loves but he is also the biggest bully when it comes to Courtland Reese.
Court is suppose to be the school "freak" because he works with animals and supposedly could talk to them, but he has the biggest crush on Adela and has since the fourth grade.
Adela is best friends with Max and has been forever, she has also had the biggest crush on him for that long too, that is until Court comes more involved in her life.
Most of California has been destroyed by one earth quake after another. Court, Max, and Adela are on their own, teens without their families not even sure if their families survived the quakes or not. Now they are trying to survive and find shelter the best they can. They have endured illness's, burns, breaks and so much more, but they stick together relying on one another to get by and the one that would most likely be considered the weakling is the one taking care of them the most. When Max leaves to find help Court and Adela are left alone taking care of one another, soon one thing leads to another and Adela starts returning Courts feelings for her.
After Max doesn't return they realize they need to get out from where they are and find help themselves or they may end up being stuck forever.
Will they be able to survive the earth quakes, and will they find their families?? To find out what happens in Allusive Aftershock you MUST read it for yourself!!
May 27, 2017
This book took me by surprise. It was nothing like I expected. I went in believing that this would be an ordinary young adult romantic story. Man, was I wrong. There is nothing ordinary about this story. This not your typical story of teenage love. It is a story of survival, forgiveness, coming of age, learning tolerance and love.
Courtland Reese has loved Adela Castielle since the fourth grade, but she had no idea how he felt. Considered weird, because of his uncanny ability to communicate with animals, he spent most of his time alone. Adela has no idea what to make of him, especially when her best friend Max (the guy she hopes will become her boyfriend and future husband) continues to spout his hatred of him. However, when a catastrophic earthquake slammed into California and Courtland rescued her not once but three times, she questioned the stories she heard and was eager to uncover the mystery that is Courtland.
I don't read many young adult books, but I found the premise of this title intriguing and could not resist the lure. I am happy to say I had a great time with this story. The story was well written, and it flowed fluidly from start to finish. I never had a chance to be bored. The story was intense and had me on the edge of my seat. I felt nervous for Adela and Court as they traversed earthquake ravaged territory in their quest for survival.
The story told from both the POV of Adela and Courtland, allowed me to develop a connection with them. I got the opportunity to learn the reasons for their actions. It made me privy to their thoughts and feelings, thus allowing me to relate to their pain and fears. I loved that in spite of their fears they were able to keep a level head during times of crisis.
When I first met Adela I was not a fan, as she appeared a judgemental, spoilt and selfish brat. Her treatment of Courtland at the time was unfriendly. Her treatment towards him was no better than that of his other peers. However, when disaster struck, I saw a different side of her. I came to appreciate this version of her, which proved to be sweet, caring and protective. Her actions towards Courtland demonstrated these traits.
Courtland was a sweetheart. He is half Miwok Indian who had to deal with bigotry on many levels. He did not have an easy childhood. He lost his mom at an early age and his dad and the bottle became best friends as a result. However, he remained strong through it all. He is not the type to wallow in self-pity. He is a take charge person, which he proved by his actions after disaster struck. What I liked most about him was he did not allow what people thought of him to change him. Even though Adela treated him with disdain, his love for her never faltered.
Max was the least likable character. His hatred of Courtland was not justified. It was hard to believe that they were ever friends. He is selfish, cowardly and belligerent. In the end, he developed a measure of kindness, but it was too late for it to endear me to him.
There are some areas that I had a bit of a problem with, fortunately, it did not take away from my enjoyment, but it left me with some questions.
*** THERE MAY BE SPOILERS AHEAD *** -
I would love to know what transpired with Max after he left Adela and Courtland in his parents' wine cave on the pretense that he was going to get help. Nothing is heard of him again until Courtland and Adela found him on the brink of starvation.
- It would have been good to know what exactly happened to Adela's dad. It was stated that he had not survived, but there was no evidence to indicate this. How did he die?
- I am one of those readers who is all for an epilogue, however, in this case, I was disappointed. It would have been nice if it was geared towards what took place years later, instead of what was expected to happen.
*** END OF SPOILER ***
Verdict
The story demonstrates the value of teamwork, friendships and the dangers of accepting rumours without having the facts. If you are a fan of the young adult genre and looking for a unique story, then you will enjoy this book.
Courtland Reese has loved Adela Castielle since the fourth grade, but she had no idea how he felt. Considered weird, because of his uncanny ability to communicate with animals, he spent most of his time alone. Adela has no idea what to make of him, especially when her best friend Max (the guy she hopes will become her boyfriend and future husband) continues to spout his hatred of him. However, when a catastrophic earthquake slammed into California and Courtland rescued her not once but three times, she questioned the stories she heard and was eager to uncover the mystery that is Courtland.
I don't read many young adult books, but I found the premise of this title intriguing and could not resist the lure. I am happy to say I had a great time with this story. The story was well written, and it flowed fluidly from start to finish. I never had a chance to be bored. The story was intense and had me on the edge of my seat. I felt nervous for Adela and Court as they traversed earthquake ravaged territory in their quest for survival.
The story told from both the POV of Adela and Courtland, allowed me to develop a connection with them. I got the opportunity to learn the reasons for their actions. It made me privy to their thoughts and feelings, thus allowing me to relate to their pain and fears. I loved that in spite of their fears they were able to keep a level head during times of crisis.
When I first met Adela I was not a fan, as she appeared a judgemental, spoilt and selfish brat. Her treatment of Courtland at the time was unfriendly. Her treatment towards him was no better than that of his other peers. However, when disaster struck, I saw a different side of her. I came to appreciate this version of her, which proved to be sweet, caring and protective. Her actions towards Courtland demonstrated these traits.
Courtland was a sweetheart. He is half Miwok Indian who had to deal with bigotry on many levels. He did not have an easy childhood. He lost his mom at an early age and his dad and the bottle became best friends as a result. However, he remained strong through it all. He is not the type to wallow in self-pity. He is a take charge person, which he proved by his actions after disaster struck. What I liked most about him was he did not allow what people thought of him to change him. Even though Adela treated him with disdain, his love for her never faltered.
Max was the least likable character. His hatred of Courtland was not justified. It was hard to believe that they were ever friends. He is selfish, cowardly and belligerent. In the end, he developed a measure of kindness, but it was too late for it to endear me to him.
There are some areas that I had a bit of a problem with, fortunately, it did not take away from my enjoyment, but it left me with some questions.
*** THERE MAY BE SPOILERS AHEAD *** -
I would love to know what transpired with Max after he left Adela and Courtland in his parents' wine cave on the pretense that he was going to get help. Nothing is heard of him again until Courtland and Adela found him on the brink of starvation.
- It would have been good to know what exactly happened to Adela's dad. It was stated that he had not survived, but there was no evidence to indicate this. How did he die?
- I am one of those readers who is all for an epilogue, however, in this case, I was disappointed. It would have been nice if it was geared towards what took place years later, instead of what was expected to happen.
*** END OF SPOILER ***
Verdict
The story demonstrates the value of teamwork, friendships and the dangers of accepting rumours without having the facts. If you are a fan of the young adult genre and looking for a unique story, then you will enjoy this book.
January 17, 2013
“Allusive Aftershock” by Susan Griscom
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was really good and I liked it a lot. Although this Young Adult novel was a work of fiction, there were subjects and events that unfortunately happen in reality. Author Susan Griscom wrote this novel very tastefully and she captivated me from the beginning. I would definitely recommend “Allusive Aftershock” to fans of Young Adult Romance, and I would rate this novel 4 STARS.
The small, barely there town of Pleasant Ridge, California was hit by a mega thrust earthquake. There was tremendous damage as well as many aftershocks. When the town’s people thought things were safe enough to get back in the usual routine of school and work…they were wrong. Extremely strong aftershocks caused so much damage and death. When the unfortunate and disastrous events of the earthquake tore apart the small town of Pleasant Ridge…things changed. Many of the survivors lost their families and homes, and had no food or water. Trouble was everywhere and Adela, Max, and Courtland needed to get to safety quickly. Problem is, Max and Court do not get a long at all. To add to that, Adela has a major crush on Max, while Court is in love with Adela. So we got ourselves a little love triangle going on. Court got hurt in the damage of the aftershock and Adela tended to him while Max left to find help. Although some people in the town became delirious, Adela finally started seeing things clearly. She began seeing Court for who he really was and not what the rumors said. They got to know each other quite a bit while she was caring for Court’s wounds and trying to survive together. She also gained some perspective on her and Max’s relationship. More aftershocks occurred causing more damage, and they decided they needed to keep moving and find help and also find out why Max never came back. Chaos is everywhere, but Adela will not give up until she finds her family…or find out what happened to them.
“Allusive Aftershock” is a story of disaster, tragedy, loss, and love. The very first pages grabbed my attention with the action. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I was immediately intrigued with the characters. Adela and Courtland were fabulous and I loved how the point of view switched back and forth between them throughout the novel. It was great getting into Courtland’s head to see his perspective, as well as Adela’s. I loved Courtland from the very beginning because he was the “odd man out” and I love routing for the underdog. Everyone loved Max, Adela’s lifelong best friend and crush, but everyone thought Courtland was a freak. I hate bullies and always feel bad for the victims, so I felt an immediate connection to Courtland. Although Adela wasn’t bullied, she did live in the shadows of Max and was never seen by him the way she wanted to be. I felt right away that Adela and Court were meant for each other, he appreciated everything about her…and let her know it. But, you will have to read this book to find out who Adela ultimately wanted to be with. I know I want her with Court, but find out what Adela decides for herself…Max or Court?
I would recommend this 4 STAR book to Young Adult lovers. People who want to read a book with real life situations, like earthquakes and the damage they bring, as well as a young love, will enjoy this book. “Allusive Aftershock” by Susan Griscom is a great book and I will definitely read more of Susan Griscom’s books. She has a talent for intriguing the reader and connecting her audience with the characters.
Brianna Lee Book Reviews
http://www.briannaleereviews.blogspot...
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book was really good and I liked it a lot. Although this Young Adult novel was a work of fiction, there were subjects and events that unfortunately happen in reality. Author Susan Griscom wrote this novel very tastefully and she captivated me from the beginning. I would definitely recommend “Allusive Aftershock” to fans of Young Adult Romance, and I would rate this novel 4 STARS.
The small, barely there town of Pleasant Ridge, California was hit by a mega thrust earthquake. There was tremendous damage as well as many aftershocks. When the town’s people thought things were safe enough to get back in the usual routine of school and work…they were wrong. Extremely strong aftershocks caused so much damage and death. When the unfortunate and disastrous events of the earthquake tore apart the small town of Pleasant Ridge…things changed. Many of the survivors lost their families and homes, and had no food or water. Trouble was everywhere and Adela, Max, and Courtland needed to get to safety quickly. Problem is, Max and Court do not get a long at all. To add to that, Adela has a major crush on Max, while Court is in love with Adela. So we got ourselves a little love triangle going on. Court got hurt in the damage of the aftershock and Adela tended to him while Max left to find help. Although some people in the town became delirious, Adela finally started seeing things clearly. She began seeing Court for who he really was and not what the rumors said. They got to know each other quite a bit while she was caring for Court’s wounds and trying to survive together. She also gained some perspective on her and Max’s relationship. More aftershocks occurred causing more damage, and they decided they needed to keep moving and find help and also find out why Max never came back. Chaos is everywhere, but Adela will not give up until she finds her family…or find out what happened to them.
“Allusive Aftershock” is a story of disaster, tragedy, loss, and love. The very first pages grabbed my attention with the action. I wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. I was immediately intrigued with the characters. Adela and Courtland were fabulous and I loved how the point of view switched back and forth between them throughout the novel. It was great getting into Courtland’s head to see his perspective, as well as Adela’s. I loved Courtland from the very beginning because he was the “odd man out” and I love routing for the underdog. Everyone loved Max, Adela’s lifelong best friend and crush, but everyone thought Courtland was a freak. I hate bullies and always feel bad for the victims, so I felt an immediate connection to Courtland. Although Adela wasn’t bullied, she did live in the shadows of Max and was never seen by him the way she wanted to be. I felt right away that Adela and Court were meant for each other, he appreciated everything about her…and let her know it. But, you will have to read this book to find out who Adela ultimately wanted to be with. I know I want her with Court, but find out what Adela decides for herself…Max or Court?
I would recommend this 4 STAR book to Young Adult lovers. People who want to read a book with real life situations, like earthquakes and the damage they bring, as well as a young love, will enjoy this book. “Allusive Aftershock” by Susan Griscom is a great book and I will definitely read more of Susan Griscom’s books. She has a talent for intriguing the reader and connecting her audience with the characters.
Brianna Lee Book Reviews
http://www.briannaleereviews.blogspot...
June 25, 2013
First things first. I absolutely ADORE the cover. Its simply beautiful. I couldn't wait for the story to reach to the scene which the cover page depicts. It definitely wasn't what I expected but I loved it nevertheless. The cover awesumness apart all I wanna say is that you HAVE to go for this book but be prepared for some heartbreaking moments which the characters will have to endure.
The book begins with an earthquake which to be honest would have scared the hell out of me. I loved Adela's character because she was so kind hearted, and worried about everyone around her before worrying about herself. When a big quake hits killing thousands of people while our characters are at school, its when their real journey of survival begins. She realizes that her best friend Max is not the great friend she thought. In fact, he is a jackass who looks out more for himself then Adela. Until she calls him on it. She's always believed herself in love with him, but he proves his true nature to her in due time. When they find Courtland Reese burned and barely conscious, in front of his burned down house, she and Max work together to get him to the safety of Max's family's wine cellar. Max is heartbroken at the state of his house, and the loss of his parents, but does man up with Adela to get Court in the cellar. In the meantime, Adela starts taking care of Courts burns, much to the complaint of Max who doesn't think it's needed.
COURTLAND REESE. Such a beautiful soul. He works mainly with animals, but because of this gift, he's made fun of. Kids in school call him a freak. Adela however isin't too sure about him. Although in due course she realises how wrong everybody actually is and how nice a person Court actually is.
In the end, Adela suffers some heartbreak, but with the love and support of Court, she's able to get through it.
I loved this book. I had to know what happened with Court and Adela, and if she found her family and horse. Max, in the end, didn't turn out so bad after all. He proved to be a pretty good friend to both of them.
The book begins with an earthquake which to be honest would have scared the hell out of me. I loved Adela's character because she was so kind hearted, and worried about everyone around her before worrying about herself. When a big quake hits killing thousands of people while our characters are at school, its when their real journey of survival begins. She realizes that her best friend Max is not the great friend she thought. In fact, he is a jackass who looks out more for himself then Adela. Until she calls him on it. She's always believed herself in love with him, but he proves his true nature to her in due time. When they find Courtland Reese burned and barely conscious, in front of his burned down house, she and Max work together to get him to the safety of Max's family's wine cellar. Max is heartbroken at the state of his house, and the loss of his parents, but does man up with Adela to get Court in the cellar. In the meantime, Adela starts taking care of Courts burns, much to the complaint of Max who doesn't think it's needed.
COURTLAND REESE. Such a beautiful soul. He works mainly with animals, but because of this gift, he's made fun of. Kids in school call him a freak. Adela however isin't too sure about him. Although in due course she realises how wrong everybody actually is and how nice a person Court actually is.
In the end, Adela suffers some heartbreak, but with the love and support of Court, she's able to get through it.
I loved this book. I had to know what happened with Court and Adela, and if she found her family and horse. Max, in the end, didn't turn out so bad after all. He proved to be a pretty good friend to both of them.
January 29, 2013
THE STORY
There’s no slow ramp up in Allusive Aftershock. From opening scene to the very end, the story has you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next and if they will survive the latest problem.
What makes this story so amazing is how realistic the dire situation was—three teenagers trying to survive after a natural disaster ripped their home and town and much of the surrounding countryside apart.
THE CHARACTERS
Adela – I loved how REAL she was. In some ways, she was supernaturally perfect in how spunky and caring and sweet and gutsy she was. Thrown into a horrible situation, she proved her strength every step of the journey.
Yet at the beginning, she struggled with envy and jealousy when Court could calm her horse. She purposefully and foolishly disobeyed Court’s orders to not ride Big Blue because she wanted to prove she knew better with her own horse.
And that was a very realistic depiction of a teenage girl: smart, sweet, funny, cute, and a little bit of foolishness thrown in. And I loved watching her grow throughout the story.
Courtland – He was absolutely sooooo thoughtful. He was strong and smart and an anchor throughout the whole story. A perfect gentleman and a great match for Adela. Did I mention swoon-worthy? And sweet? And muscles and emerald green eyes? But my favorite part about him is his connections to animals. I wish I had that ability.
Max – Half annoying jerk, half caring friend. I think the addition of his character was downright genius—deepening the plot and the character development and strengthening the story. Okay, I admit. I normally hate love triangles because (1) someone is always going to get hurt and (2) the girl rarely picks the guy I like.
But Max was different. He had deep issues that needed to be worked out with Courtland, and his story arc was one of my favorites.
There’s no slow ramp up in Allusive Aftershock. From opening scene to the very end, the story has you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next and if they will survive the latest problem.
What makes this story so amazing is how realistic the dire situation was—three teenagers trying to survive after a natural disaster ripped their home and town and much of the surrounding countryside apart.
THE CHARACTERS
Adela – I loved how REAL she was. In some ways, she was supernaturally perfect in how spunky and caring and sweet and gutsy she was. Thrown into a horrible situation, she proved her strength every step of the journey.
Yet at the beginning, she struggled with envy and jealousy when Court could calm her horse. She purposefully and foolishly disobeyed Court’s orders to not ride Big Blue because she wanted to prove she knew better with her own horse.
And that was a very realistic depiction of a teenage girl: smart, sweet, funny, cute, and a little bit of foolishness thrown in. And I loved watching her grow throughout the story.
Courtland – He was absolutely sooooo thoughtful. He was strong and smart and an anchor throughout the whole story. A perfect gentleman and a great match for Adela. Did I mention swoon-worthy? And sweet? And muscles and emerald green eyes? But my favorite part about him is his connections to animals. I wish I had that ability.
Max – Half annoying jerk, half caring friend. I think the addition of his character was downright genius—deepening the plot and the character development and strengthening the story. Okay, I admit. I normally hate love triangles because (1) someone is always going to get hurt and (2) the girl rarely picks the guy I like.
But Max was different. He had deep issues that needed to be worked out with Courtland, and his story arc was one of my favorites.
January 7, 2013
Wow what an emotionally charged story! I cried, laughed and cried some more. Allusive Aftershock is such a beautifully written story about surviving an earthquake and the aftershocks. It is also so much more. Adela, Courtland and Max are the three main characters. Adela and Max are best friends and spend a great deal of time together. Adela has a huge crush on Max and believes some day he will realize they are meant to be together. Courtland is pretty much an outcast and Max is a huge reason for this. Courtland can communicate with animals, which many find to be odd and abnormal.
Courtland saves Adela, more than once, while Max shows his true colors. Adela is left alone with Courtland and begins to see a different side of him. I honestly loved Courtland from the moment he was introduced. The way he put others needs before his own and the tenderness he used when helping animals. Max really ticked me off. His needs were always most important and he always wanted to be center of attention. The way he treated Courtland infuriated me and he even treated his supposed best friend with little respect (in my opinion). Adela begins to see that maybe Max isn't the perfect guy she has always thought him to be and sees Courtland in a new light.
Allusive Aftershock is such a gripping story. I found the way Susan Griscom wrote this story to be very touching. I couldn't help but get swept away by the turmoil these characters experienced and cry when they faced the realities of losing loved ones and fighting to survive a catastrophe of such magnitude. I think everyone should read this book!!!
Courtland saves Adela, more than once, while Max shows his true colors. Adela is left alone with Courtland and begins to see a different side of him. I honestly loved Courtland from the moment he was introduced. The way he put others needs before his own and the tenderness he used when helping animals. Max really ticked me off. His needs were always most important and he always wanted to be center of attention. The way he treated Courtland infuriated me and he even treated his supposed best friend with little respect (in my opinion). Adela begins to see that maybe Max isn't the perfect guy she has always thought him to be and sees Courtland in a new light.
Allusive Aftershock is such a gripping story. I found the way Susan Griscom wrote this story to be very touching. I couldn't help but get swept away by the turmoil these characters experienced and cry when they faced the realities of losing loved ones and fighting to survive a catastrophe of such magnitude. I think everyone should read this book!!!
April 5, 2013
This book was part of a blog tour, I received a copy for my honest review
Adela lives in a rural area with her parents and twin sibling, her life is almost perfect, if only her her best friend Max would realize she was in love with him. They have been friends for years, on the sidelines is Courtland, people think he is a freak because he is so good with animals. A huge earthquake happens, Court saves Adela from her horse, aftershocks change everyones lives. When Max leaves Adela alone with Court in a cellar the two of them grow close and their relationship changes. Adela starts questioning her feelings for Max and the new feelings she is developing for Court. I liked this book, Adela started out as a somewhat spoiled naive girl and developed into a smart woman. Court was a hot, sweet knight in shining armor. Max was a jerk, I really hated the dude, he irritated me to no end. The semi post apocalyptic plotline was interesting and had some very sad moments in it. The romance between Courtland and Adela was cute, the two of them had a lot in common. I really liked the book right up until the end, the ending seemed really rushed and I felt like it didn't fit in with the tone of the rest of the book. I read it, flipped back and read it again hoping that maybe I had missed something. If the ending had not been so rushed or it had an epilogue, this book would have been a solid five stars. It was entertaining, I liked most of the characters and it was a quick read. I did like how descriptive the author was so I am going to be putting her on my watch list.
Adela lives in a rural area with her parents and twin sibling, her life is almost perfect, if only her her best friend Max would realize she was in love with him. They have been friends for years, on the sidelines is Courtland, people think he is a freak because he is so good with animals. A huge earthquake happens, Court saves Adela from her horse, aftershocks change everyones lives. When Max leaves Adela alone with Court in a cellar the two of them grow close and their relationship changes. Adela starts questioning her feelings for Max and the new feelings she is developing for Court. I liked this book, Adela started out as a somewhat spoiled naive girl and developed into a smart woman. Court was a hot, sweet knight in shining armor. Max was a jerk, I really hated the dude, he irritated me to no end. The semi post apocalyptic plotline was interesting and had some very sad moments in it. The romance between Courtland and Adela was cute, the two of them had a lot in common. I really liked the book right up until the end, the ending seemed really rushed and I felt like it didn't fit in with the tone of the rest of the book. I read it, flipped back and read it again hoping that maybe I had missed something. If the ending had not been so rushed or it had an epilogue, this book would have been a solid five stars. It was entertaining, I liked most of the characters and it was a quick read. I did like how descriptive the author was so I am going to be putting her on my watch list.
February 21, 2013
I read allusive aftershock .I must say I usually only read about vamps and wolfs .But I'm glad I did read it because I would of missed out out on this Gripping story of life ,survival and new found love .Which was in front of Adele nose the whole time. Adele thinks she is in love with her best friend Max but soon realizes she has a connection with Courtland who is an outcast ,kids joke about him being a freak and being Dr.Do little because of his love for animals .Courtland transforms from a misunderstood boy into a young man.He has the need to protect Adele.keeping her alive is over whelming ,romantic and thrilling at the same time.As they try to stay alive from a huge earthquake and the aftershocks that follow.Adele realizes Courtland is handsome and unique is his way he shows her respect and compassion,while Max shows his true colors and his true reason he dislikes Court. Susan Griscom is amazing Author .Her story held my grasp as I was not able to put it down.I really enjoyed this book and you need to add it to TRBl list Now!!!!!!It will have you yelling,crying and dying of laughter .You will not be disappointed ,Only wanting wanting more .
August 18, 2013
Growing up in California, Susan Griscom is well acquainted with earthquakes--as am I, because I grew up there, too. When you've felt the ground beneath you rumble, buck and shake, you have an intimate knowledge of the power of Mother Nature, and Susan uses this knowledge and her memories to create a powerfully realistic backdrop for this novel. Add to that the sometimes painful coming-of-age feelings experienced by teens and you have a compelling, entertaining read.
Adela, Courtland & Max are each typical and yet unique characters, and I came to like them all. Interestingly, Max isn't given a POV, so his character is the least known to the reader; however, Susan does a good job of representing him through the others' reactions to his words and deeds.
Like others, I felt the ending just a tad bit rushed, but that may be partly because I just wasn't ready for the story to end! One thing's for sure, Court's the guy I'd want my daughter with if she ever suffered the kind of disaster faced by Adela.
Adela, Courtland & Max are each typical and yet unique characters, and I came to like them all. Interestingly, Max isn't given a POV, so his character is the least known to the reader; however, Susan does a good job of representing him through the others' reactions to his words and deeds.
Like others, I felt the ending just a tad bit rushed, but that may be partly because I just wasn't ready for the story to end! One thing's for sure, Court's the guy I'd want my daughter with if she ever suffered the kind of disaster faced by Adela.
February 15, 2016
I love it, love it. At first I didn't like Adela's opinion and attitude towards Court and how she was head over heels on Max who is just an arrogant, wimpy jerk. But anyways, as I read more, I love how Court and Adela's relationship develop as she started accepting him and admiring him more once she learned what kind of person he was and I love that. She didn't like him right away because he was gorgeous but because she started liking how he treated her and how he made her feel special. I thought the last part was hilarious!!! I love this book, and I recommend it to anyone whose looking for a fun and romantic read:)
June 29, 2014
This book took me by surprise. I was immediately captivated from the very first page.I haven't read a book about characters facing earthquakes so it was a nice change for me. I was very glad to take that journey with them. It seemed Susan put a lot of research in the story. I learned a little about earthquakes while reading this and I love that!!! The story was beautifully written and well thought out. I felt as if I was right there with the characters facing everything they faced. It felt so real. I also loved how Susan switched up the POVs in this story. It was nice to see what Courtland was thinking as well as Adela.
A week after the first earthquake, life goes back to normal. They all go back to school and work. First day back to school, a huge earthquake hit. The school was completely damaged. Courtland saved Adela's life. Max pulls her away from him and starts leading them home. When Max and Adela get to her house, Adela can't find any of her family so they decide to head to Max's home. On the way, they find Courtland hurt pretty badly. They pull him to Max's house, and realize Max's family dead. They take shelter in Max's cellar with a few days worth of food and water. When it starts running low, Max leaves to search for more. He never comes back. Courtland and Adela start connecting to each other during their time together. When they decide to leave, another aftershock hits and caves them in. After three days of trying to get out, Cooper shows up and digs them out. Courtland and Adela begin their journey again. They start looking for her family and a shelter. Along their way, they find Max almost dead. Will the three of them work together and find shelter? Will Adela find her family if they are still alive?
I loved every character in this story. There wasn't a character I didn't like. Adela was was very strong and loyal. She always thought she loved Max until she started spending time with Courtland. She got the butterflies with Coutland and was surprised. I loved watching their relationship grow and build into something new. Courtland was a sweetheart. After losing his dog, Shiloh, and his father, he vowed not to lose Adela either. He has always loved her. Max hates Courtland over something that happened when they were kids. He was Adela's best friend. He never saw her as anything more. When he sees that Adela and Courtland are close, he becomes protective of her. Max sees that they truly love each other and the friendship between him and Courtland changes for the better. They become friends again. I loved that.
The only criticism I have about this book is that the ending was a little rushed to me. When Adela, Max and Courtland was at the museum, iI saw I only had a few pages left. I immediately thought there was going to be a book two since it didn't feel as if it was going to end in just a few pages. But it did. I just wish their was a little more to the ending even though it made me cry.
This was a great book!!! I really did enjoy it. The world-building was well crafted and the story was well developed. Allusive Aftershock is a book I will definitely reread. Great job Susan!!!
A week after the first earthquake, life goes back to normal. They all go back to school and work. First day back to school, a huge earthquake hit. The school was completely damaged. Courtland saved Adela's life. Max pulls her away from him and starts leading them home. When Max and Adela get to her house, Adela can't find any of her family so they decide to head to Max's home. On the way, they find Courtland hurt pretty badly. They pull him to Max's house, and realize Max's family dead. They take shelter in Max's cellar with a few days worth of food and water. When it starts running low, Max leaves to search for more. He never comes back. Courtland and Adela start connecting to each other during their time together. When they decide to leave, another aftershock hits and caves them in. After three days of trying to get out, Cooper shows up and digs them out. Courtland and Adela begin their journey again. They start looking for her family and a shelter. Along their way, they find Max almost dead. Will the three of them work together and find shelter? Will Adela find her family if they are still alive?
I loved every character in this story. There wasn't a character I didn't like. Adela was was very strong and loyal. She always thought she loved Max until she started spending time with Courtland. She got the butterflies with Coutland and was surprised. I loved watching their relationship grow and build into something new. Courtland was a sweetheart. After losing his dog, Shiloh, and his father, he vowed not to lose Adela either. He has always loved her. Max hates Courtland over something that happened when they were kids. He was Adela's best friend. He never saw her as anything more. When he sees that Adela and Courtland are close, he becomes protective of her. Max sees that they truly love each other and the friendship between him and Courtland changes for the better. They become friends again. I loved that.
The only criticism I have about this book is that the ending was a little rushed to me. When Adela, Max and Courtland was at the museum, iI saw I only had a few pages left. I immediately thought there was going to be a book two since it didn't feel as if it was going to end in just a few pages. But it did. I just wish their was a little more to the ending even though it made me cry.
This was a great book!!! I really did enjoy it. The world-building was well crafted and the story was well developed. Allusive Aftershock is a book I will definitely reread. Great job Susan!!!
January 28, 2013
I received a free copy of this book for the blog tour.Thank you so much!
I rate this book with 6 stars outof 5. I loved it!!
“Allusive aftershock” is one of those books that remains in your head a long time after you read it. I loved everything about this book and I will always remember it.
The story reminded me a little of “Pandemonium” by Lauren Oliver, not sure why. Maybe because both of the stories are are happening in a catastrophic scenario.I loved the fact that the love story develops slowly. We are used to love-at-first-sight kind of stories and reading this book reminded me that some authors can be different and original.
The characters are well portrated and realistic. I liked all of them except of Max. Oh my, how I hated him! So full of himself and so selfish! And I really don’t know what did Adela see in him. He’s aweful!
On the other side, Court is amazing and I adored him! He’s smart, loyal, gentle,unselfish and adorable. I felt sorry for him, because he was bullied in school by Max. That’s another reason why I hated Max.
As for Adela, she is not who she seemed to be in the first pages.
I appreciated that this book isn’t rushed. Indeed, the action develops fast, but I didn’t feel this book like a rushed one. The author descibes everything with patience and she gives you enough details to keep you reading but not to get bored.
The author’s writing-style is great, I loved it! Something in her writing style is unique and it gives the book a special musicality.
I loved everything about this book.I laugh, I cried over the drama and I got annoyed because of Max. The book is emotional and you’ll find yourself on the verge of tears in the end.
After 2 days of spending my time with these amazing characters, it was hard to say GoodBye! I REALLY want a second book!
I truly recommend “Allusive Aftershock”.If you are searching for a special love story, then you found your perfect book!
I rate this book with 6 stars outof 5. I loved it!!
“Allusive aftershock” is one of those books that remains in your head a long time after you read it. I loved everything about this book and I will always remember it.
The story reminded me a little of “Pandemonium” by Lauren Oliver, not sure why. Maybe because both of the stories are are happening in a catastrophic scenario.I loved the fact that the love story develops slowly. We are used to love-at-first-sight kind of stories and reading this book reminded me that some authors can be different and original.
The characters are well portrated and realistic. I liked all of them except of Max. Oh my, how I hated him! So full of himself and so selfish! And I really don’t know what did Adela see in him. He’s aweful!
On the other side, Court is amazing and I adored him! He’s smart, loyal, gentle,unselfish and adorable. I felt sorry for him, because he was bullied in school by Max. That’s another reason why I hated Max.
As for Adela, she is not who she seemed to be in the first pages.
I appreciated that this book isn’t rushed. Indeed, the action develops fast, but I didn’t feel this book like a rushed one. The author descibes everything with patience and she gives you enough details to keep you reading but not to get bored.
The author’s writing-style is great, I loved it! Something in her writing style is unique and it gives the book a special musicality.
I loved everything about this book.I laugh, I cried over the drama and I got annoyed because of Max. The book is emotional and you’ll find yourself on the verge of tears in the end.
After 2 days of spending my time with these amazing characters, it was hard to say GoodBye! I REALLY want a second book!
I truly recommend “Allusive Aftershock”.If you are searching for a special love story, then you found your perfect book!
April 2, 2013
I wasn’t sure I would like this story due to the earthquake and aftershocks destroying California story line but I was so wrong. I loved it and could not put it down.
California is rocked with devastating earthquakes and aftershocks. Adela and Max who have been best friends forever set off to find their families and on their way they run into Court another boy from their school who is hurt. The three of them have to come together to try and survive while trying to find out if their families are still alive. With Court hurt Max leaves to try and find food and help while he is gone another quake happens trapping Adela and Court in the cellar. They start to have feelings for one another.
I really loved how the story is told from Adela and Court so we really get to see how the devastation affects everyone from different perspectives. I immediately felt a connection with Court. He is just a sweet guy that you just fall in love with. He is so compassionate towards animals and people in general. Not to mention he is cute and his love for Adela really comes through. Adela is a sweet girl who loves her family even though at times she annoyed me when he came to Max and her treatment of Court. But as I read more I really started to connect to her. Max I just didn’t like. He was such a jerk at the beginning of the story but as the story went and things happened I started to like him a little. We really get to see the growth in the characters as the story goes and see how mature they become in dealing with such hard decisions.
With the real possibility of the events happening in this book I was nervous to read it at first but I am glad I got over my fears and made myself read. Allusive Aftershock is filled with love, heart break, and loss that will have you laughing, crying, and finally left with hope that things will work out even when it feels like it won’t. 5/5 Bloody Fangs
California is rocked with devastating earthquakes and aftershocks. Adela and Max who have been best friends forever set off to find their families and on their way they run into Court another boy from their school who is hurt. The three of them have to come together to try and survive while trying to find out if their families are still alive. With Court hurt Max leaves to try and find food and help while he is gone another quake happens trapping Adela and Court in the cellar. They start to have feelings for one another.
I really loved how the story is told from Adela and Court so we really get to see how the devastation affects everyone from different perspectives. I immediately felt a connection with Court. He is just a sweet guy that you just fall in love with. He is so compassionate towards animals and people in general. Not to mention he is cute and his love for Adela really comes through. Adela is a sweet girl who loves her family even though at times she annoyed me when he came to Max and her treatment of Court. But as I read more I really started to connect to her. Max I just didn’t like. He was such a jerk at the beginning of the story but as the story went and things happened I started to like him a little. We really get to see the growth in the characters as the story goes and see how mature they become in dealing with such hard decisions.
With the real possibility of the events happening in this book I was nervous to read it at first but I am glad I got over my fears and made myself read. Allusive Aftershock is filled with love, heart break, and loss that will have you laughing, crying, and finally left with hope that things will work out even when it feels like it won’t. 5/5 Bloody Fangs
January 20, 2013
This book is so very unique. A contemporary Young Adult novel that centers around a major earthquake and the aftershocks that follow, leaving unimaginable destruction in their wake. At first I had doubts that I would enjoy this. Earthquakes are known for being extremely devastating and the one in Allusive Aftershock is no different. But the story completely sucked me in. It was haunting and beautiful and sad. It was incredibly well written, too. An emotional, powerful, roller coaster ride. I think it would make a great Lifetime movie.
The story revolves around three very different characters, all relateable in their own ways. As the novel progresses, these characters go through so much and the reader can see them grow up before their eyes.The situation they're in forces them to grow up quickly because if they don't, they'll die. It's one big race to survive and if they are not careful, they won't.
The story has a slight dystopian feel to it because of the breathtaking and detailed counts of the destruction. It's told by two of the three main characters, Adela and Court. These two develop the sweetest and most adorable relationship. It definitely shows that no matter how bad things have gotten, good things can still occur afterwards. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them better through their point of views.
Court is such an interesting character. I warmed up to him quickly. He's every girls dream guy. Great with animals, strong, protective, good looking. He's not afraid to be affectionate and he can hunt and cook for you. *sigh*
The cover is absolutely stunning and it goes perfectly with the story. It captures the essence of the entire novel.
Allusive Aftershock is a story about life and love. It's emotional, heartbreaking, romantic, and heartwarming. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will give you hope.
The story revolves around three very different characters, all relateable in their own ways. As the novel progresses, these characters go through so much and the reader can see them grow up before their eyes.The situation they're in forces them to grow up quickly because if they don't, they'll die. It's one big race to survive and if they are not careful, they won't.
The story has a slight dystopian feel to it because of the breathtaking and detailed counts of the destruction. It's told by two of the three main characters, Adela and Court. These two develop the sweetest and most adorable relationship. It definitely shows that no matter how bad things have gotten, good things can still occur afterwards. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them better through their point of views.
Court is such an interesting character. I warmed up to him quickly. He's every girls dream guy. Great with animals, strong, protective, good looking. He's not afraid to be affectionate and he can hunt and cook for you. *sigh*
The cover is absolutely stunning and it goes perfectly with the story. It captures the essence of the entire novel.
Allusive Aftershock is a story about life and love. It's emotional, heartbreaking, romantic, and heartwarming. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, and it will give you hope.
January 26, 2013
This was a fantastically realistic portrayal of the effects of earthquakes on a more personal level. Too often we hear on the news about an area that has been devastated by an earthquake and all the damage that it has caused. But rarely do we actually sit back and think of the people that have been affected. Those that have survived but lost those close to them. Family and friends. This book deals with that. We get to feel the lose and heartbreak that these characters go through.
Griscom did an excellent job at conveying the sorrow that these characters experience. You feel what they feel, cry with them, laugh with them, love with them. Every emotion is felt to the fullest. I loved watching the characters grow. I especially loved watching the relationship between Adela and Court slowly develop. I loved Court. He's such a sweet and caring person. Adela was likable but I just did not see what she saw in Max. Sure he was hot but he was a complete jerk! I just don't know why she was so in love with him. He showed some change towards the end of the book but still.
Griscom did a brilliant job at describing the chaos and destruction that the earthquakes have caused. You actually feel like you are there living through it yourself. She perfectly portrays the hardships and struggles the characters experience and how they must try to survive on there own out in the wild with very little food and water, facing the elements.
If you are looking for a different YA book with plenty of action, heartbreak, and has a very sweet romance at the centre of it, then this is the book for you.
Griscom did an excellent job at conveying the sorrow that these characters experience. You feel what they feel, cry with them, laugh with them, love with them. Every emotion is felt to the fullest. I loved watching the characters grow. I especially loved watching the relationship between Adela and Court slowly develop. I loved Court. He's such a sweet and caring person. Adela was likable but I just did not see what she saw in Max. Sure he was hot but he was a complete jerk! I just don't know why she was so in love with him. He showed some change towards the end of the book but still.
Griscom did a brilliant job at describing the chaos and destruction that the earthquakes have caused. You actually feel like you are there living through it yourself. She perfectly portrays the hardships and struggles the characters experience and how they must try to survive on there own out in the wild with very little food and water, facing the elements.
If you are looking for a different YA book with plenty of action, heartbreak, and has a very sweet romance at the centre of it, then this is the book for you.
January 22, 2013
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What an amazing story! I loved every moment I spent reading Allusive Aftershock! I must say that this book is wonderful it is everything you would want it to be and more. Allusive Aftershock is an amazing book with such a gripping story of life itself. It was such a realistic story I found myself crying laughing and even yelling at the guys in this book. The realism of the story just blew me away at times I was so into the book that it felt as though this tragedy had really taken place and I was watching a news report on it. The characters are so strong and likable you grow so attached to them and it's as though they become a part of you. Adela is a strong beautiful young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Max comes off as the cocky know it all when deep down he just needs to know that he has something real. Courtland is a strong willed guy with a huge chip on his shoulder and for good reason but when he finally breaks down the walls and lets people see who he really is it changes how he is perceived entirely.
I was just totally blown away by the story in Allusive Aftershock it was so detailed every scene was described so well yet left just enough for your mind to picture it and let the imagination flow to make the story your own. I have to say that this book is definitely on my list of top ten books I have read so far this year. I will for sure be making Susan Griscom one of my favorite authors. I will not give away anymore of the story but, I will say this if you haven't read this book yet you need to make this one a must read on your list!
What an amazing story! I loved every moment I spent reading Allusive Aftershock! I must say that this book is wonderful it is everything you would want it to be and more. Allusive Aftershock is an amazing book with such a gripping story of life itself. It was such a realistic story I found myself crying laughing and even yelling at the guys in this book. The realism of the story just blew me away at times I was so into the book that it felt as though this tragedy had really taken place and I was watching a news report on it. The characters are so strong and likable you grow so attached to them and it's as though they become a part of you. Adela is a strong beautiful young woman with the weight of the world on her shoulders. Max comes off as the cocky know it all when deep down he just needs to know that he has something real. Courtland is a strong willed guy with a huge chip on his shoulder and for good reason but when he finally breaks down the walls and lets people see who he really is it changes how he is perceived entirely.
I was just totally blown away by the story in Allusive Aftershock it was so detailed every scene was described so well yet left just enough for your mind to picture it and let the imagination flow to make the story your own. I have to say that this book is definitely on my list of top ten books I have read so far this year. I will for sure be making Susan Griscom one of my favorite authors. I will not give away anymore of the story but, I will say this if you haven't read this book yet you need to make this one a must read on your list!
February 5, 2013
This is a completely different kind of disaster book, California is rocked by earthquakes and aftershocks. Best friends Adela and Max set off to try to find their families, in the midst of this, they link up with Court, Max's worst enemy. Both boys vie for Adela's attention and she isn't sure what to make of any of it. They will have to learn to find food, water, shelter and avoid the people that have become bandits. At one point Court is injured and Max leaves to try to find food and help. After another earthquake, Court and Adela are trapped in a cellar. It is then that Adela begins to have feelings for Court as well. As all of this takes place it stays in the back of your mind that, they are amidst the drama, trying to find their loved ones and they are just kids. I loved the characters in this story and I loved how different it was from other disaster books that always seem to start with a superbug or something. I do still enjoy those, but this was refreshingly different. This isn't the whole world, it,s California, and it's been pretty much wiped off of the map. The fact is, the author wrote a fictional story about a very real possible scenario which makes it even creepier. I fell in love with the characters, especially Court, while reading of their tribulations, I suspect you will as well. Fantastic ending, this author wraps it up for you and doesn't leave you hanging. Loved it and it is suitable for teens and adults. No real objectionable material as far as I'm concerned. Very minimal sexual content.
January 4, 2013
This book was amazing! Faced with a catastrophic series of earthquakes, Adela, her best friend Max, and classmate Courtland are left alone and struggling for survival. Courtland was a bit of an outcast, being able to understand the needs of animals better than the average person. Adela has spent her entire childhood swooning over Max, who only saw her as a friend, and Max has spent the last eight years hating Courtland after an incident that happened between these two when they were best friends.
The circumstances these young adults found themselves in were horrific, and were so well described that I often felt like I was right there with them through the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks. Susan was able to bring these three young people to life for me, and I found myself rooting for them, mourning their losses, and reveling in their triumphs. I also love a book where the characters evolve into who they were meant to be. This is absolutely the case with this book! They certainly learned a lot about life and a lot about themselves during the course of this book!
This book had all the elements required to make a great, fast-paced read: love, hate, catastrophe, fear, and humor. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone, young or old! There are some parts of the book that I thought might get too adult, but were actually not. In fact, I would be very comfortable having my own teenagers read this book, because of the excellent message it sends!
The circumstances these young adults found themselves in were horrific, and were so well described that I often felt like I was right there with them through the earthquakes and subsequent aftershocks. Susan was able to bring these three young people to life for me, and I found myself rooting for them, mourning their losses, and reveling in their triumphs. I also love a book where the characters evolve into who they were meant to be. This is absolutely the case with this book! They certainly learned a lot about life and a lot about themselves during the course of this book!
This book had all the elements required to make a great, fast-paced read: love, hate, catastrophe, fear, and humor. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone, young or old! There are some parts of the book that I thought might get too adult, but were actually not. In fact, I would be very comfortable having my own teenagers read this book, because of the excellent message it sends!
February 13, 2013
Allusive Aftershock tells the story of 3 teenagers who re dealing with the horrors of a massive earthquake that destroys their town and the surrounding areas. From the very beginning, the story captures your interest and drags you into the adventure. The story line is constantly making you wonder how they're going to survive and what is going to happen next. But it's not just a series of events happening...it's so much more. It's the characters growing up and learning about themselves and their friends. It's emotional and touching. It's a sweet love story that occurs against the backdrop of a natural disaster. I absolutely loved the characters in this story and how realistic they were. Adela was the perfect representation of a teenage girl - there were moments were she was scared and uncertain and moments were she was strong and there were also moments were she was a stubborn teenager and made stupid mistakes. Court was such a wonderful character - he was a loner at school because he was teased by the other students because of his abilities to understand animals, but that made him such a strong person. Max was a typical high school jerk at times but he also had some moments were he showed his feelings. The interactions between Adela, Max, and Court were wonderful and provided a lot of depth to the characters. I absolutely loved this book and I was sad when I finished reading it because I didn't want it to end. Susan Griscom has definitely gained a new fan =)
January 4, 2013
Wow! This story really touched me and I know I'm being selfish when I say this but I'm glad and blessed that I live in a place where we don't get earthquakes or other natural disasters. Even though there is true meaning in the book Susan found a way to add some humorous scenes to the book, (really they shouldn't be humorous but since my sense of humor is way off anyway I found some scenes funny.) "Yes...and no. This part? The part where you can't even piss by yourself? Yeah I'm tickled pink, but spending this much time with you is another story." (Still in the same scene just a couple quotes later) "Hey, I'm doing you a favor here. And you don't need to worry about my fingers swayin.' Max too the little metal tab between his thumb and finger, pulled the zipper up while I held the bottom part taut and waited while Max buckled my belt." I loved Court he was such a gentlemen, Max honestly that boy needs a damn reality check, and Adele that girl was on a one woman mission trying to find her other siblings, she wasn't giving up and kept going, no damsel in distress here. Susan is an amazing author and I'm really looking forward in seeing what she does next. She has made a new fan this book was just superb.
February 1, 2013
Allusive aftershock
What happens when you add a catastrophic series of earthquakes and Susan Griscom? One fabulous BOOK! This book has it all!!The book has love, anger and earthquakes! The story is set apart from some of the things out right now. New twist! We have three characters that I became invested in completely. All were written with perfection and I felt like I knew them. I was hooked, I'm still hooked! The issues they had to deal with, adults could not handle it. (See previous statement this book is fabulous)
Adela likes Max, Cortland is just a loner and Max hates Courtland. I've not even scratched the surface at all. There happens to be so much more. Which you will have to read book to find out. Lol! I love Courtland he was my favorite. The ups and downs- twists and growth they endure. wow! I want them to succeed , I wanted to cry for them... I wanted to fix it. I was engrossed. It is one of the best YA romance books I have read in awhile. The book is fresh and original! You need to read this book. It's a great book for any age. You need to get the book.. Trust me!
What happens when you add a catastrophic series of earthquakes and Susan Griscom? One fabulous BOOK! This book has it all!!The book has love, anger and earthquakes! The story is set apart from some of the things out right now. New twist! We have three characters that I became invested in completely. All were written with perfection and I felt like I knew them. I was hooked, I'm still hooked! The issues they had to deal with, adults could not handle it. (See previous statement this book is fabulous)
Adela likes Max, Cortland is just a loner and Max hates Courtland. I've not even scratched the surface at all. There happens to be so much more. Which you will have to read book to find out. Lol! I love Courtland he was my favorite. The ups and downs- twists and growth they endure. wow! I want them to succeed , I wanted to cry for them... I wanted to fix it. I was engrossed. It is one of the best YA romance books I have read in awhile. The book is fresh and original! You need to read this book. It's a great book for any age. You need to get the book.. Trust me!
October 11, 2013
After the past couple of years in New Zealand with earthquakes we are pretty clued up on what to do in case of an earthquake and the allusive and multiple aftershocks that come with an earthquake. In Allusive Aftershock - Adela and her family are involved in an earthquake as their town is hit. Owning a horse farm , Adela's dad calls in the cavalry which consists of Courtland whom has been known as a "animal whisperer" so much that the kids in his year especially Adela's best friend and crush Max calls him Dr.Doolittle. What happens next over the course of the novel is that Adela and her siblings and their friends go back to school and a big earthquake strikes again, this time causing lots of damage and multiple deaths. Adela , Courtland and Max are separated from the others and learn to survive. Over this period of time we read as we witness Adela's views of Courtland and Max changing. Which guy will end up being Adela's knight in shining armour ?
Find out in Allusive Aftershock and for those who are criers in books, get out your tissues for the second half of the book as it is emotional in parts.
Find out in Allusive Aftershock and for those who are criers in books, get out your tissues for the second half of the book as it is emotional in parts.
January 27, 2013
Allusive aftershock
What happens when you add a catastrophic series of earthquakes and Susan Griscom? One fabulous BOOK! This book has it all!!The book has love, anger and earthquakes! The story is set apart from some of the things out right now. New twist! We have three characters that I became invested in completely. All were written with perfection and I felt like I knew them. I was hooked, I'm still hooked! The issues they had to deal with, adults could not handle it. (See previous statement this book is fabulous)
Adela likes Max, Cortland is just a loner and Max hates Courtland. I've not even scratched the surface at all. There happens to be so much more. Which you will have to read book to find out. Lol! I love Courtland he was my favorite. The ups and downs- twists and growth they endure. wow! I want them to succeed , I wanted to cry for them... I wanted to fix it. I was engrossed. It is one of the best YA romance books I have read in awhile. The book is fresh and original! You need to read this book. It's a great book for any age. You need to get the book.. Trust me!
What happens when you add a catastrophic series of earthquakes and Susan Griscom? One fabulous BOOK! This book has it all!!The book has love, anger and earthquakes! The story is set apart from some of the things out right now. New twist! We have three characters that I became invested in completely. All were written with perfection and I felt like I knew them. I was hooked, I'm still hooked! The issues they had to deal with, adults could not handle it. (See previous statement this book is fabulous)
Adela likes Max, Cortland is just a loner and Max hates Courtland. I've not even scratched the surface at all. There happens to be so much more. Which you will have to read book to find out. Lol! I love Courtland he was my favorite. The ups and downs- twists and growth they endure. wow! I want them to succeed , I wanted to cry for them... I wanted to fix it. I was engrossed. It is one of the best YA romance books I have read in awhile. The book is fresh and original! You need to read this book. It's a great book for any age. You need to get the book.. Trust me!
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