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Aftermath #1
The Aftermath
Sometimes, I dream that I'm someone else.
A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger
or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist.
Since the spring of 2036, when the world changed forever, Claudia and a small clan of survivors have roamed the streets of a very altered polluted and desolate, except for the ever-present threat of cannibal Hoarders. Together they must undergo punishing tests of endurance and psychological challenge sometimes with devastating consequences all just to live another day.
With food and water in dwindling supply, and with danger lurking around every corner, no one can be trusted. And as her world starts to make less and less sense, Claudia begins to realize something she is just a pawn in some sort of game, and all of her actions are being controlled from afar by a mysterious gamer. So when she meets a maddening and fascinating outsider named Declan, who claims to be a game moderator, she must decide whether to join him in exchange for protection and access to the border.
If they play the game right, they are each other's best hope for survival and a life beyond the only world Claudia's ever the terrifying live-action game known as The Aftermath.
A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger
or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist.
Since the spring of 2036, when the world changed forever, Claudia and a small clan of survivors have roamed the streets of a very altered polluted and desolate, except for the ever-present threat of cannibal Hoarders. Together they must undergo punishing tests of endurance and psychological challenge sometimes with devastating consequences all just to live another day.
With food and water in dwindling supply, and with danger lurking around every corner, no one can be trusted. And as her world starts to make less and less sense, Claudia begins to realize something she is just a pawn in some sort of game, and all of her actions are being controlled from afar by a mysterious gamer. So when she meets a maddening and fascinating outsider named Declan, who claims to be a game moderator, she must decide whether to join him in exchange for protection and access to the border.
If they play the game right, they are each other's best hope for survival and a life beyond the only world Claudia's ever the terrifying live-action game known as The Aftermath.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
3089 people want to read
About the author
Jen Alexander
3 books99 followersA native of North Carolina, Jen Alexander spent her childhood with her nose buried in either a book or a video game, and sometimes both at the same time. Following a dream about a character trapped inside a live-action video game, Jen was encouraged by her husband to write The Aftermath, which is her debut novel. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family, going to the gym, and trying to beat agonizingly tough levels of God of War and Call of Duty.
Jen is represented by Mollie Glick at Foundry Literary + Media.
Jen is represented by Mollie Glick at Foundry Literary + Media.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
August 6, 2014
With a highly unique premise and complex world building, The Aftermath easily stands out in its genre. It's very well thought-out with a lot to love for gamers especially, but it did fall flat in character development and plot progression.
In few words: Claudia is a character in a post-apocalyptic game, being controlled by the person playing her (who is most likely a psychopath). Cool, right? I thought so. This concept is really intriguing, but how it was executed could have used a little more… oomph. It didn't take long for me to grow frustrated with our heroine, Claudia. Not her personality itself, but how easily she clued into this wild concept we're thrown in. After only a few clues, Claudia puts it all together, even asks herself how she didn't figure this out sooner. Because being a puppet in a futuristic game is one theory I always keep in mind O_o I think if we had worked more on her character building - especially psychologically - it might have been more believable. She did spend 3 years in a confused mess, but this fact was merely mentioned in passing so even knowing that, I found it was a bit of a too-wild concept to have it all figured out so easily. Not just her, either. Declan figures her out in a minute, which is kinda of incredible considering there has supposedly never been an instance of a character being self-aware. With that said, there are things in the book that is done for sake of plot progression rather than believability.
The plot itself is not especially fast paced. There's always something going on, don't get me wrong, but a lot of it is merely detours to the real plot - we go on missions and come back right where we started. We do find out interesting tidbits and get more world building during these, though. As a gamer myself, I loved finding out more about this game and how it all works. It's fascinating, really. I just wish we had learned more about the world outside of it. We're left with a sort-of… I'll call it "information cliffhanger", that only introduces more questions. What we do know of this whole world remains fairly limited at the end of this book. It's also unclear where the plot is headed (or what it even is outside this concept). Almost everything we do find out is left unanswered - even small things like how Olivia has a map no one else has, or the mention of a new version of the game. Things I'm likely to forget by the time I read the sequel, really.
Also, while there is some romance in this book, it plays a pretty small part and I can't say I felt anything, emotionally, toward it all. I wouldn't go into this expecting a romantically driven saga.
After re-reading this review it sounds like I disliked this one more than liked it, but that's not really the case. Where some aspects of the book do leave us with something to be desired, the concept itself is really impressive and kept me engrossed. Gamer fiends will definitely want to give this one a try!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
In few words: Claudia is a character in a post-apocalyptic game, being controlled by the person playing her (who is most likely a psychopath). Cool, right? I thought so. This concept is really intriguing, but how it was executed could have used a little more… oomph. It didn't take long for me to grow frustrated with our heroine, Claudia. Not her personality itself, but how easily she clued into this wild concept we're thrown in. After only a few clues, Claudia puts it all together, even asks herself how she didn't figure this out sooner. Because being a puppet in a futuristic game is one theory I always keep in mind O_o I think if we had worked more on her character building - especially psychologically - it might have been more believable. She did spend 3 years in a confused mess, but this fact was merely mentioned in passing so even knowing that, I found it was a bit of a too-wild concept to have it all figured out so easily. Not just her, either. Declan figures her out in a minute, which is kinda of incredible considering there has supposedly never been an instance of a character being self-aware. With that said, there are things in the book that is done for sake of plot progression rather than believability.
The plot itself is not especially fast paced. There's always something going on, don't get me wrong, but a lot of it is merely detours to the real plot - we go on missions and come back right where we started. We do find out interesting tidbits and get more world building during these, though. As a gamer myself, I loved finding out more about this game and how it all works. It's fascinating, really. I just wish we had learned more about the world outside of it. We're left with a sort-of… I'll call it "information cliffhanger", that only introduces more questions. What we do know of this whole world remains fairly limited at the end of this book. It's also unclear where the plot is headed (or what it even is outside this concept). Almost everything we do find out is left unanswered - even small things like how Olivia has a map no one else has, or the mention of a new version of the game. Things I'm likely to forget by the time I read the sequel, really.
Also, while there is some romance in this book, it plays a pretty small part and I can't say I felt anything, emotionally, toward it all. I wouldn't go into this expecting a romantically driven saga.
After re-reading this review it sounds like I disliked this one more than liked it, but that's not really the case. Where some aspects of the book do leave us with something to be desired, the concept itself is really impressive and kept me engrossed. Gamer fiends will definitely want to give this one a try!
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
July 13, 2014
Looove! Total gamer nerdgasm.
October 4, 2014
wow, what an amazing thrill ride.
I started this one only loving the cover and the tags to the right on Goodreads that labeled it "dystopia" and "zombies"
well...FYI No zombies in this one.
BUT, this is an amazing story. It starts out with very little information - you're Claudia Virtue. And...you're in a pretty broken down somewhere. And you're starving and barely surviving. You're in a clan and you're running around scavenging for food and running from Flesh-eaters and cannibals.
From there, it's a work in reverse. Claudia is working hard to try to understand all she sees and does. And why her body and mind are at odds with each other.
The pacing of the story was pretty quick, once you get past the confusing of the beginning. I loved Declan and Wesley and Mia - even though we don't know the full stories there
the end was completely shocking because I was so taken with the story and what was happening that I never stopped to think it through
I will definitely read the rest of this series. I want answers. I want rescue missions and I want some wins in the good guys' corner!
I started this one only loving the cover and the tags to the right on Goodreads that labeled it "dystopia" and "zombies"
well...FYI No zombies in this one.
BUT, this is an amazing story. It starts out with very little information - you're Claudia Virtue. And...you're in a pretty broken down somewhere. And you're starving and barely surviving. You're in a clan and you're running around scavenging for food and running from Flesh-eaters and cannibals.
From there, it's a work in reverse. Claudia is working hard to try to understand all she sees and does. And why her body and mind are at odds with each other.
The pacing of the story was pretty quick, once you get past the confusing of the beginning. I loved Declan and Wesley and Mia - even though we don't know the full stories there
the end was completely shocking because I was so taken with the story and what was happening that I never stopped to think it through
I will definitely read the rest of this series. I want answers. I want rescue missions and I want some wins in the good guys' corner!
May 31, 2014
This book was amazeballs! It was like a RPG game come to life and oh my goodness I loved Declan! And Claudia kicked ass!!! If you liked Eve Silver's Rush you'll love this. Hell even if you didn't like Rush (I DNF'd it) you'll love this one! This is what Rush should have been like!
June 25, 2014
My official blurb:
Packed with action and twists, THE AFTERMATH is a totally fresh take on futuristic YA. It will have you furiously rooting for Claudia to regain control of her life.
Packed with action and twists, THE AFTERMATH is a totally fresh take on futuristic YA. It will have you furiously rooting for Claudia to regain control of her life.
August 14, 2014
What an original start to what I hope is a new dystopian YA series! I am a huge dystopia fan and this unique approach did not disappoint! I was so vested in Claudia's story and found I couldn't put it down once I started. I really loved the gaming scenario and the characters. I cannot wait to see where the story goes from here. I hope the next book will be out as soon as this one hits the shelves! I want more NOW! I could totally see this being made into a movie and have a huge fan base following as a book series. I highly recommend this book to YA and dystopia fans.
December 4, 2014
SPOILER WARNING: This review contains world-building spoilers. If reading this on Goodreads, the spoilers are marked; if reading elsewhere, they are not.
What if a character had a whole life outside of her gamer? Jen Alexander's The Aftermath takes this on, and also subverts stereotypes linking playing violent games to committing violence in real life.
If you're a gamer, you may get more out of this book than I did. Mostly, I don't quite understand. The game is set in 2030s Nashville, but is it really Nashville, or a pseudo-town like the one at the FBI Training Academy?
The chapter on the USA's "history" (the 2030s, so it's technically the future for readers, but it's this story's "past") doesn't seem to make sense. Yes, suspension of disbelief is definitely required here, but this chapter really pushes it.
There's a touch of the Special Snowflakes here: Claudia is the face of the game, while Olivia is the wealthiest, most high-profile gamer in the programme. The romance is kept to a minimum - the first kiss doesn't occur until 60 pages from the novel's end - but there's still some eye-rolling to be had at certain lines.
There's a cliff-hanger so there may be a sequel, which I hope will be from Olivia's point of view. The Aftermath is often confusing, but always entertaining, with science about which I'd love to learn more.
What if a character had a whole life outside of her gamer? Jen Alexander's The Aftermath takes this on, and also subverts stereotypes linking playing violent games to committing violence in real life.
If you're a gamer, you may get more out of this book than I did. Mostly, I don't quite understand. The game is set in 2030s Nashville, but is it really Nashville, or a pseudo-town like the one at the FBI Training Academy?
The chapter on the USA's "history" (the 2030s, so it's technically the future for readers, but it's this story's "past") doesn't seem to make sense. Yes, suspension of disbelief is definitely required here, but this chapter really pushes it.
There's a touch of the Special Snowflakes here: Claudia is the face of the game, while Olivia is the wealthiest, most high-profile gamer in the programme. The romance is kept to a minimum - the first kiss doesn't occur until 60 pages from the novel's end - but there's still some eye-rolling to be had at certain lines.
There's a cliff-hanger so there may be a sequel, which I hope will be from Olivia's point of view. The Aftermath is often confusing, but always entertaining, with science about which I'd love to learn more.
January 1, 2015
Claudia Virtue woke up three years ago. She remembers nothing of her life before. Her life now though is a small clan of survivors trying to ward off the ever-present threat of cannibals called Flesh Eaters. While on a mission to find food and water, Claudia gets knocked out. When she awakens, her world starts to make less and less sense. She feels like the words she is speaking are not the words she wants to be speaking, her actions not what she intended to be doing.
That's because Claudia's life is not her own.
Claudia discovers she is nothing more than a pawn in a game with all of her actions being controlled by another girl in another place. She tries to escape, but there's no way out - that is, until she meets a moderator named Declan. But things are never what they seem in Claudia's world.
I thought The Aftermath was a good debut novel for Alexander. There was excellent character development and it wasn't the same old same old story. There were times I could predict what would happen and times I was surprised.
The romance was pretty banal so don't read it for that. Also, the beginning is a bit trite and she underestimates the reader a bit, but it gets much better. I am not convinced the reason she tells things easily figured out isn't because she is trying to demonstrate Claudia coming into awareness. It could've been executed better, but the farther in you read, the better Alexander seems to handle this.
The Aftermath is a story about Claudia but it is also a story about humanity's humanity- keeping it, losing it, faking it. I liked that this was not just a story - but a message. It makes you think and consider - something YA books often lose track of in their quest to be the next mega-million movie deal. I appreciated that it was a message other than "government bad", which, to be honest, is officially a pedestrian concept now.
Overall, I think Alexander wrote a good debut novel and I am interested to see how she steps it up for the next book.
That's because Claudia's life is not her own.
Claudia discovers she is nothing more than a pawn in a game with all of her actions being controlled by another girl in another place. She tries to escape, but there's no way out - that is, until she meets a moderator named Declan. But things are never what they seem in Claudia's world.
I thought The Aftermath was a good debut novel for Alexander. There was excellent character development and it wasn't the same old same old story. There were times I could predict what would happen and times I was surprised.
The romance was pretty banal so don't read it for that. Also, the beginning is a bit trite and she underestimates the reader a bit, but it gets much better. I am not convinced the reason she tells things easily figured out isn't because she is trying to demonstrate Claudia coming into awareness. It could've been executed better, but the farther in you read, the better Alexander seems to handle this.
The Aftermath is a story about Claudia but it is also a story about humanity's humanity- keeping it, losing it, faking it. I liked that this was not just a story - but a message. It makes you think and consider - something YA books often lose track of in their quest to be the next mega-million movie deal. I appreciated that it was a message other than "government bad", which, to be honest, is officially a pedestrian concept now.
Overall, I think Alexander wrote a good debut novel and I am interested to see how she steps it up for the next book.
November 23, 2025
MY THOUGHTS
I went into this book with no clue as to what it was about. I had the vague idea that it was dystopian and had something to do with videogames, but that was it. And yes, both of those were involved, but there was so much more to it!
This was a very unique book and yes, it had some videogame inspiration, but the idea is new and very interesting. The I'm sorry if I'm being vague, but it's much more exciting to go into this book knowing as little as possible (Though, you can always read the synopsis if you want to see how original of an idea this book has). The world-building involved in creating The Aftermath and the dystopian society is amazing! So much is involved in the creation of this world and you do actually feel like you are within it!
I, honestly, don't have very many issues with this book. Some of the characters felt a bit flat, but that's understandable due to the situation and many of the characters grew rounder as the story went on. There were some things I had a hard time believing, but they were easy to ignore.
IN CONCLUSION
A fast-paced, suspenseful dystopian with a very unique plot! While this book has some video game inspiration, you don't have to be a gamer to enjoy it! I'm not a gamer, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
I do recommend it to those who want to read a brand-new take on dystopians!
And I will definitely be reading the sequel! Especially after that ending!
September 1, 2014
"In the world of the Aftermath,
every day could by your last...."
I am a huge fan of survival stories so of course when I saw this book I knew I had to have it. Survivors trying to live in a world ravaged with cannibal Hoarders?? Ummmm YES!!!! I love survival stories where the characters have to search for food, water, shelter, and where there is always danger lurking around the next corner. This book was all that I expected and more....
The main character, Claudia and her small clan of survivors are just trying to make it day by day by scavenging from nearby cities. While on a scavenge hunt Claudia runs into another survivor and during the encounter she gets hit on the head by an object. The next thing she knows...she is either dreaming or thinks she is...She hears people talking about "fixing" her and she sees machines working on her and she is totally confused.
"But sometimes I dream that I'm someone else. A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist."
It is at this moment when Claudia realizes that she is actually a pawn in video game and that all her actions and decisions are being made by the gamer that is controlling her.
"You look terrified---I thought I told you not to think of the game.
But I didn't, I want to say. I thought of a different game where I was a different type of gamer. And worst of all, I'm not sure where the memory came from or if I'm simply imagining even more violence.
And the craziest thing of all is that I hope that's it--that it's my imagination, that I'm going off the deep end; that there isn't more blood on my hands."
I first wanted to read this book because I thought it was a survival story and while it still is....it felt a little less intriguing once I knew that someone was actually "playing" each character which in turn means that the issues and problems that the characters were facing are really just made up to make the game better.
The one thing that I would have liked to seen more of was romance. The story lacked a good romance story and of course that always makes a book better. I think when romance is added into the book it always makes the book more emotional and makes it easier to connect with the characters.
I wasn't sure where exactly the story was going to go at first but still found myself completely absorbed in it. Claudia is such an intense character and her fight to discover the truth was so compelling that I found myself cheering her on. There are so many twists in this story and just when you think you have it figured out....you realize that you have no clue. Fans of young adult, dystopian, suspense, sci-fi, and gamers will really enjoy this book. It had just enough action in each chapter to keep you hooked.
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
every day could by your last...."
I am a huge fan of survival stories so of course when I saw this book I knew I had to have it. Survivors trying to live in a world ravaged with cannibal Hoarders?? Ummmm YES!!!! I love survival stories where the characters have to search for food, water, shelter, and where there is always danger lurking around the next corner. This book was all that I expected and more....
The main character, Claudia and her small clan of survivors are just trying to make it day by day by scavenging from nearby cities. While on a scavenge hunt Claudia runs into another survivor and during the encounter she gets hit on the head by an object. The next thing she knows...she is either dreaming or thinks she is...She hears people talking about "fixing" her and she sees machines working on her and she is totally confused.
"But sometimes I dream that I'm someone else. A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist."
It is at this moment when Claudia realizes that she is actually a pawn in video game and that all her actions and decisions are being made by the gamer that is controlling her.
"You look terrified---I thought I told you not to think of the game.
But I didn't, I want to say. I thought of a different game where I was a different type of gamer. And worst of all, I'm not sure where the memory came from or if I'm simply imagining even more violence.
And the craziest thing of all is that I hope that's it--that it's my imagination, that I'm going off the deep end; that there isn't more blood on my hands."
I first wanted to read this book because I thought it was a survival story and while it still is....it felt a little less intriguing once I knew that someone was actually "playing" each character which in turn means that the issues and problems that the characters were facing are really just made up to make the game better.
The one thing that I would have liked to seen more of was romance. The story lacked a good romance story and of course that always makes a book better. I think when romance is added into the book it always makes the book more emotional and makes it easier to connect with the characters.
I wasn't sure where exactly the story was going to go at first but still found myself completely absorbed in it. Claudia is such an intense character and her fight to discover the truth was so compelling that I found myself cheering her on. There are so many twists in this story and just when you think you have it figured out....you realize that you have no clue. Fans of young adult, dystopian, suspense, sci-fi, and gamers will really enjoy this book. It had just enough action in each chapter to keep you hooked.
http://curling-up-with-a-good-book.bl...
August 12, 2014
This is 3.5 stars. C'mon Goodreads, 1/2 stars, it can't be that hard!
I won this in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway, thanks to GR for the book.
I did end up enjoying the story though I have to say that it started out terribly slow for me. This was due in part to one of the things that was so well done here, and that's the world building. The plot is a pretty unique one, and the author did a great job creating the world of The Aftermath and it's characters. The way the story unfolds is *by necessity* kind of confusing initially, though it does become more clear as events play out.
Briefly, Claudia Virtue lives in The Aftermath, the world that's left after a terrible war. There's not enough food, water, or supplies needed to live for the survivors and on top of that, they have to contend with groups that have turned to cannibalism to live. For a while now, Claudia has been bothered by strange echos in her mind, that sometimes seem like wisps of memory. She worries that the pressure and stresses of trying to survive are making her lose it. As time goes on and those flashes get stronger, she begins to suspect that she's being controlled like a character in a live-action game.
If I were a gamer myself, I think I would have sucked this book up. It was creepy the way Claudia begins to suspect that she's not in control, the way she starts noticing strange things about her clan members that she never did before.
What really kept me from liking this more was that the characters were so flat for most of the story. I get why this was, as they were made to be unemotional for the most part, as characters in a brutal landscape. But it didn't help me to care about what was happening. The plot was not fast moving at all, until the very end, so there was no action to make it exciting. I also had an issue with a few things said and done that just seemed contradictory to something previous.
All of that said, it sounds like I didn't like it but that's not the case. It wasn't a bad book, the idea behind it was fascinating. I do wish there had been more character development, that is what connects me to a story. As for the action I was looking for, the end sure did take off with that. It also left me with a lot of questions unanswered and I very much want to know what happens next.
I won this in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway, thanks to GR for the book.
I did end up enjoying the story though I have to say that it started out terribly slow for me. This was due in part to one of the things that was so well done here, and that's the world building. The plot is a pretty unique one, and the author did a great job creating the world of The Aftermath and it's characters. The way the story unfolds is *by necessity* kind of confusing initially, though it does become more clear as events play out.
Briefly, Claudia Virtue lives in The Aftermath, the world that's left after a terrible war. There's not enough food, water, or supplies needed to live for the survivors and on top of that, they have to contend with groups that have turned to cannibalism to live. For a while now, Claudia has been bothered by strange echos in her mind, that sometimes seem like wisps of memory. She worries that the pressure and stresses of trying to survive are making her lose it. As time goes on and those flashes get stronger, she begins to suspect that she's being controlled like a character in a live-action game.
If I were a gamer myself, I think I would have sucked this book up. It was creepy the way Claudia begins to suspect that she's not in control, the way she starts noticing strange things about her clan members that she never did before.
What really kept me from liking this more was that the characters were so flat for most of the story. I get why this was, as they were made to be unemotional for the most part, as characters in a brutal landscape. But it didn't help me to care about what was happening. The plot was not fast moving at all, until the very end, so there was no action to make it exciting. I also had an issue with a few things said and done that just seemed contradictory to something previous.
All of that said, it sounds like I didn't like it but that's not the case. It wasn't a bad book, the idea behind it was fascinating. I do wish there had been more character development, that is what connects me to a story. As for the action I was looking for, the end sure did take off with that. It also left me with a lot of questions unanswered and I very much want to know what happens next.
April 30, 2015
Check out my blog for more reviews on New & Upcoming books.
www.UtopiaNeverComes.blogspot.com
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Claudia Virtue isn't sure who she is anymore. Her thoughts contradict with her feelings, she is no longer in control of her own actions, and she keeps having these dreams about a girl that looks just like her, but is in a completely different world. She is the leader of her clan and she is in charge of making sure they aren't killed by flesh-eaters (Savage Cannibals), as well as making sure they have enough food, water, and supplies by taking them on missions. She is just starting to realize that her weird behavior and the unexplained blackouts that she keeps having are not the result of something she is doing.
From the very beginning, you know something is wrong. It all seems too surreal and there is something sinister going on. When she is knocked out while on a raid with her boyfriend, she wakes up to find that she can finally see what is really happening. Claudia and her friends are living inside of a video game. They are only characters being played by real people in the real world. While her friends are still oblivious, she has become sentient. When her player logs off, she used to black out and only wake back up when her player logged back on... but now, she is able to control herself for that period of time.
Claudia is the result of a glitch in the program. She can't let anyone find out or the game moderators will delete her. All she wants to do is find a way out. So when an attractive dark haired boy offers to help her escape if she can help him find someone, there is only 1 thing to do.
This book is not what I expected when I purchased it... but in so many ways, it is better than I could have ever imagined. So much happens that I didn't see coming that every page kept me on my toes. I enjoyed every second of reading it and now I'm aching for more. The ending is a cliff-hanger that only gives you half of the answers that you were searching for and I need to know what happens next.
I love a book that makes me beg for more and The Aftermath is definitely that book!!
www.UtopiaNeverComes.blogspot.com
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Claudia Virtue isn't sure who she is anymore. Her thoughts contradict with her feelings, she is no longer in control of her own actions, and she keeps having these dreams about a girl that looks just like her, but is in a completely different world. She is the leader of her clan and she is in charge of making sure they aren't killed by flesh-eaters (Savage Cannibals), as well as making sure they have enough food, water, and supplies by taking them on missions. She is just starting to realize that her weird behavior and the unexplained blackouts that she keeps having are not the result of something she is doing.
From the very beginning, you know something is wrong. It all seems too surreal and there is something sinister going on. When she is knocked out while on a raid with her boyfriend, she wakes up to find that she can finally see what is really happening. Claudia and her friends are living inside of a video game. They are only characters being played by real people in the real world. While her friends are still oblivious, she has become sentient. When her player logs off, she used to black out and only wake back up when her player logged back on... but now, she is able to control herself for that period of time.
Claudia is the result of a glitch in the program. She can't let anyone find out or the game moderators will delete her. All she wants to do is find a way out. So when an attractive dark haired boy offers to help her escape if she can help him find someone, there is only 1 thing to do.
This book is not what I expected when I purchased it... but in so many ways, it is better than I could have ever imagined. So much happens that I didn't see coming that every page kept me on my toes. I enjoyed every second of reading it and now I'm aching for more. The ending is a cliff-hanger that only gives you half of the answers that you were searching for and I need to know what happens next.
I love a book that makes me beg for more and The Aftermath is definitely that book!!
October 28, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5
*received in goodreads giveaway*
First of all, I'm not into games at all, and this book was basically an RPG video game come to life. However, The Aftermath was a surprisingly enjoyable read!Characters were likable enough,the main heroine was badass (I'm all for girl power),and the plot was fast-paced and engaging. I got a bit confused at the beginning,had no idea what was going on, but once I read further and got into the story I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. The plot had plenty of action and the plot-twists and surprising revelations made me eager to know how the story played out.
Now let's talk about Declan *swoon. I KNEW IT I KNEW IT
I'm a sucker for romance, so anything with romance I will read. Declan+Claudia definitely made the story more enjoyable for me. Their relationship isn't the main focus of the plot, mind you. That girl's fighting for her freedom. Their relationship wasn't instant love (a couple of punches and threats were thrown here and there), but that made the relationship more realistic and therefore made the characters more believable since they ARE game charactersliving trapped in a cannibal kill-or-be-killed game.
B-b-but, that ending though D;
Like, I can't even.
I think I care for him too much.
Anyway, I'll definitely continue reading this series, so bring on the second book!
I need to know how this series plays out.
*received in goodreads giveaway*
First of all, I'm not into games at all, and this book was basically an RPG video game come to life. However, The Aftermath was a surprisingly enjoyable read!Characters were likable enough,the main heroine was badass (I'm all for girl power),and the plot was fast-paced and engaging. I got a bit confused at the beginning,had no idea what was going on, but once I read further and got into the story I couldn't flip the pages fast enough. The plot had plenty of action and the plot-twists and surprising revelations made me eager to know how the story played out.
Now let's talk about Declan *swoon. I KNEW IT I KNEW IT
I'm a sucker for romance, so anything with romance I will read. Declan+Claudia definitely made the story more enjoyable for me. Their relationship isn't the main focus of the plot, mind you. That girl's fighting for her freedom. Their relationship wasn't instant love (a couple of punches and threats were thrown here and there), but that made the relationship more realistic and therefore made the characters more believable since they ARE game characters
B-b-but, that ending though D;
Like, I can't even.
I think I care for him too much.
Anyway, I'll definitely continue reading this series, so bring on the second book!
I need to know how this series plays out.
January 15, 2019
Interesting concepts here. A real-life video game through meat puppet proxies being used as a substitute for therapy is certainly a great start. Unfortunately, the book ends on a cliffhanger, and it's kind of looking like the second book might not materialize.
Honestly, I read this just because it was set in Nashville, which I'm fairly familiar with. It's an unusual enough setting for any book that isn't about the recording industry, much less a dystopian. I have to say, though, I was a little disappointed with the implementation. This is probably picky, and people who don't know Nashville fairly well won't pick up on it, but I got the impression that Alexander isn't familiar with Nashville, either. There are a few landmarks scattered here and there, but nothing is used in a meaningful way, and a few times the pieces just didn't fit together. Example: early in the book, the main character mentions that the football stadium (almost certainly Nissan stadium, where the Titans play) has been taken over by cannibals. Ok, that works. But later on, she also mentions crossing the pedestrian bridge. One end of which is literally in the parking lot for the stadium. Also, it's east of downtown proper, and she's supposed to be coming from the west. Add that to missed opportunities (generic mansion instead of Belle Meade or the Hermitage, generic mall instead of Opry Mills or Green Hills or Antioch). Nobody who doesn't know this stuff will care, but if you're looking for familiar locations in a new context, this is not exactly what you're looking for.
Honestly, I read this just because it was set in Nashville, which I'm fairly familiar with. It's an unusual enough setting for any book that isn't about the recording industry, much less a dystopian. I have to say, though, I was a little disappointed with the implementation. This is probably picky, and people who don't know Nashville fairly well won't pick up on it, but I got the impression that Alexander isn't familiar with Nashville, either. There are a few landmarks scattered here and there, but nothing is used in a meaningful way, and a few times the pieces just didn't fit together. Example: early in the book, the main character mentions that the football stadium (almost certainly Nissan stadium, where the Titans play) has been taken over by cannibals. Ok, that works. But later on, she also mentions crossing the pedestrian bridge. One end of which is literally in the parking lot for the stadium. Also, it's east of downtown proper, and she's supposed to be coming from the west. Add that to missed opportunities (generic mansion instead of Belle Meade or the Hermitage, generic mall instead of Opry Mills or Green Hills or Antioch). Nobody who doesn't know this stuff will care, but if you're looking for familiar locations in a new context, this is not exactly what you're looking for.
August 28, 2014
It all started with a dream the native NC author had one night. Although The Aftermath by Jen Alexander is a YA dystopian novel, I almost hate to classify it as that because it’s also a sci-fi novel, a psychological thriller, a technological thriller, an adventure novel, and an RPG novel with a bit of horror thrown in for good measure. In other words, it crosses genres so much it’s hard to classify as any one kind of read…and I think that’s a good thing because it actually works and it makes for one hell of a read. If you’re a video-game junkie, you’ll feel right at home; however, this novel will also appeal to sci-fi, dystopian, and thriller fans. Sound interesting? Read the rest of my review at http://popcornreads.com/?p=7658.
October 19, 2014
This book just wasn't my cup of tea. From the confusing beginning to the muddled end, I simply was not a fan. It took days of laborious reading to reach the end, and I normally read quite quickly. I preferred to do anything rather than read!
Basically this book seems to have everything. Long lost twins, instalove, dystopian, cliffhanger ending. Yeah, no. There are so many scenes that end up meaningless to the point of the book, but then I never really saw the point anyway. I'm just tired. This book has exhausted me and I need to move on. Obviously I don't recommend this book. Yawn.
Basically this book seems to have everything. Long lost twins, instalove, dystopian, cliffhanger ending. Yeah, no. There are so many scenes that end up meaningless to the point of the book, but then I never really saw the point anyway. I'm just tired. This book has exhausted me and I need to move on. Obviously I don't recommend this book. Yawn.
September 14, 2014
I wanted to read this book because of the post apocalyptic aspect. I am not a gamer so I wasn't drawn in by that - but also not turned away because of it. All in all this book is unlike any other I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Will I read future books in the series? Yes, without a doubt. And there will be future books - this is the first. If you enjoy Dystopian Thrillers - this is definitely a book to add to your collection.
August 25, 2014
ARC Review
Very cool concept & plenty of twists & turns. Bit of a cliffhanger though :(
Very cool concept & plenty of twists & turns. Bit of a cliffhanger though :(
December 12, 2018
Opening line:
"Frigid air gasping against my skin yanks me awake."
I think teens and adults who enjoy gaming will really enjoy this story. Olivia and Claudia are the main characters but one is real and one is not...or one is in a game and one is the gamee?
Set in a different time--2039--the reader is taking on a journey between worlds and people and landscapes. Claudia is in a post apocalyptic world where food and water are essential to life. The people of this world have to steal or raid for those supplies. It's a dangerous world.
Olivia lives in the total opposite world, where she has money, comfort and plenty of food. Somehow, Claudia is able to merge with Olivia to the outside words and she comes to realize her life is not what she thought it was, nor are the people.
There are some good twists and will keep the reader wanting to know what will happen.
Thanks to netgalley for the early read.
"Frigid air gasping against my skin yanks me awake."
I think teens and adults who enjoy gaming will really enjoy this story. Olivia and Claudia are the main characters but one is real and one is not...or one is in a game and one is the gamee?
Set in a different time--2039--the reader is taking on a journey between worlds and people and landscapes. Claudia is in a post apocalyptic world where food and water are essential to life. The people of this world have to steal or raid for those supplies. It's a dangerous world.
Olivia lives in the total opposite world, where she has money, comfort and plenty of food. Somehow, Claudia is able to merge with Olivia to the outside words and she comes to realize her life is not what she thought it was, nor are the people.
There are some good twists and will keep the reader wanting to know what will happen.
Thanks to netgalley for the early read.
July 9, 2018
It was enjoyable. I think it could have benefitted from a bit more worldbuilding. And while I understand dropping us in at the time Claudia is beginning to become sentient, it meant I struggled a bit with the idea she was always saying things she didn't understand, etc.
The ending is a cliffhanger so reader beware on that part.
The ending is a cliffhanger so reader beware on that part.
May 11, 2018
What do I think?
SHOOT THAT'S AWESOME, AND
man, I feel bad about my characters now that my eyes are opened...
I vow to always not make them suffer too much, but hey, I always gave them good food, at least.
Great book, but the darn cliffhanger, I walked right into the air again.
SHOOT THAT'S AWESOME, AND
man, I feel bad about my characters now that my eyes are opened...
I vow to always not make them suffer too much, but hey, I always gave them good food, at least.
Great book, but the darn cliffhanger, I walked right into the air again.
January 17, 2018
a very intriguing world, set in a not- unfamiliar future. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.
January 25, 2019
This book was different than I expected, but I really enjoyed it. I would love to read the sequel, but it appears that it is out of print and not available. That is a huge disappointment.
February 19, 2019
This book was kind of hard to get into at first but ended quite nicely.
November 24, 2020
a surprisingly interesting read, mostly for the premise, though the pacing was strange and the ending a little messy
February 4, 2021
This book was outstanding. I am on a hunt for book 2.
November 8, 2023
This book is amazing! I finished it faster than any book in my life. I’m trying to find the 2nd one everywhere and can’t. I NEED the second one asap.
May 30, 2017
Review posted on Kindles & Wine
The Aftermath starts with an introduction of the main character, Claudia, and her boyfriend, Ethan. Claudia has been hardened by the world around her – a world that has a lot of challenges, where food is so scarce that some humans turn to cannibalism (ugh). Don’t worry, the cannibalism is never described in a lot of detail, thank goodness! Water is also a rare commodity, and the weather can vary greatly from day to day – one day it’s a sweltering 100 degrees and the next day is freezing. Combining forces with friends is one of the only ways to survive, and Claudia is the leader of a group of 4.
Claudia begins as a strong decisive character who seems to be in a solid relationship with Ethan, but very soon in the story, she comes across as disjointed and confused. Her words don’t match her actions or her thoughts – like she would think she wants chocolate ice cream but she verbalizes vanilla instead. WTH? I honestly nearly set the book aside because I was having trouble following everything. I’m glad I hung in there though, because things improved drastically!
Claudia soon figures out that she’s just a pawn in a game and someone else is controlling her. This sounds like a spoiler, but it’s actually the premise of the book, so don’t worry – I’m not giving anything away by sharing this with you! This I’m-controlled-by-someone-else thing had me creeped out for a while. Imagine being in your body but someone else takes over your mouth and your actions!? Eek, no thanks. Totally creepy.
Once I got over the “eek” factor, I actually appreciated watching Claudia grow in her awareness of her surroundings. The confusion diminished as I started to understand, along with Claudia, what was going on. Matching her intelligence was her badass physical strength – think Buffy the Vampire Slayer but without the cute quips (aw, Buffy, we hardly knew you…). I admired Claudia’s street smarts too. This is a girl who’s a survivor and can quickly assess her environment’s risks so her group can survive.
From a writing perspective, I enjoyed the descriptions of this future version of Nashville. The right amount of detail was described so I could easily picture the bleak, run-down city. Despite my initial confusion in the story, the imagination of the plot was incredible. The suspense was strongly built up so that I read past my bedtime more than once. The reader in me was demanding answers to my questions. Who was controlling Claudia? Why was someone else in control of her? And most importantly, is it possible to escape being someone else’s pawn?
There were a few things that frustrated me about the story. Without revealing too much, I didn’t understand the mechanics behind the premise. Details are revealed that prompted a lot of questions – too many, really – so that I was pretty confused again at the end of the book. I felt like I was left wanting too much more and wished I had just a few more answers. And this muddiness at the end was different than the confusion at the beginning. At least in the beginning, it felt intentional as part of Claudia’s first-person perspective. Not understanding the “how” behind the premise left me frustrated.
Since I’d mentioned Ready Player One, I better share how the two compare! I was really worried that The Aftermath would feel like a knock-off of the fantastic Ready Player One. All I knew at the beginning of this book was that there would be a deep virtual game involved, and apparently that was enough to cause me concern. If that raises your eyebrows too, there’s no need to worry. Everything is different – the worlds, the main character, the game, and why it’s there.
If you’re confused :) at this point as to whether to read this book, I understand! Let me just say that there were a few jaw-dropping twists in the story that I loved. The premise was unique enough for me to give a lot of credit to the author for their imagination, and the suspense was worthy of this book’s location in Kindles & Wine‘s Thriller Week. Some of the confusion in the book felt intentional, and I guess the unanswered questions will have me tuning into book #2 to see if they get answered (and they better be!).
Bottom Line
If you’re intrigued by virtual environments or mind-bending plots, this book’s for you!
Rating: B
Review copy provided courtesy of the publisher
The Aftermath starts with an introduction of the main character, Claudia, and her boyfriend, Ethan. Claudia has been hardened by the world around her – a world that has a lot of challenges, where food is so scarce that some humans turn to cannibalism (ugh). Don’t worry, the cannibalism is never described in a lot of detail, thank goodness! Water is also a rare commodity, and the weather can vary greatly from day to day – one day it’s a sweltering 100 degrees and the next day is freezing. Combining forces with friends is one of the only ways to survive, and Claudia is the leader of a group of 4.
Claudia begins as a strong decisive character who seems to be in a solid relationship with Ethan, but very soon in the story, she comes across as disjointed and confused. Her words don’t match her actions or her thoughts – like she would think she wants chocolate ice cream but she verbalizes vanilla instead. WTH? I honestly nearly set the book aside because I was having trouble following everything. I’m glad I hung in there though, because things improved drastically!
Claudia soon figures out that she’s just a pawn in a game and someone else is controlling her. This sounds like a spoiler, but it’s actually the premise of the book, so don’t worry – I’m not giving anything away by sharing this with you! This I’m-controlled-by-someone-else thing had me creeped out for a while. Imagine being in your body but someone else takes over your mouth and your actions!? Eek, no thanks. Totally creepy.
Once I got over the “eek” factor, I actually appreciated watching Claudia grow in her awareness of her surroundings. The confusion diminished as I started to understand, along with Claudia, what was going on. Matching her intelligence was her badass physical strength – think Buffy the Vampire Slayer but without the cute quips (aw, Buffy, we hardly knew you…). I admired Claudia’s street smarts too. This is a girl who’s a survivor and can quickly assess her environment’s risks so her group can survive.
From a writing perspective, I enjoyed the descriptions of this future version of Nashville. The right amount of detail was described so I could easily picture the bleak, run-down city. Despite my initial confusion in the story, the imagination of the plot was incredible. The suspense was strongly built up so that I read past my bedtime more than once. The reader in me was demanding answers to my questions. Who was controlling Claudia? Why was someone else in control of her? And most importantly, is it possible to escape being someone else’s pawn?
There were a few things that frustrated me about the story. Without revealing too much, I didn’t understand the mechanics behind the premise. Details are revealed that prompted a lot of questions – too many, really – so that I was pretty confused again at the end of the book. I felt like I was left wanting too much more and wished I had just a few more answers. And this muddiness at the end was different than the confusion at the beginning. At least in the beginning, it felt intentional as part of Claudia’s first-person perspective. Not understanding the “how” behind the premise left me frustrated.
Since I’d mentioned Ready Player One, I better share how the two compare! I was really worried that The Aftermath would feel like a knock-off of the fantastic Ready Player One. All I knew at the beginning of this book was that there would be a deep virtual game involved, and apparently that was enough to cause me concern. If that raises your eyebrows too, there’s no need to worry. Everything is different – the worlds, the main character, the game, and why it’s there.
If you’re confused :) at this point as to whether to read this book, I understand! Let me just say that there were a few jaw-dropping twists in the story that I loved. The premise was unique enough for me to give a lot of credit to the author for their imagination, and the suspense was worthy of this book’s location in Kindles & Wine‘s Thriller Week. Some of the confusion in the book felt intentional, and I guess the unanswered questions will have me tuning into book #2 to see if they get answered (and they better be!).
Bottom Line
If you’re intrigued by virtual environments or mind-bending plots, this book’s for you!
Rating: B
Review copy provided courtesy of the publisher
July 11, 2015
Claudia Virtue does the best that she can to survive in an apocalyptic society where she and a few friends battle the elements and flesh eaters to just stay alive. When Claudia is injured on a supply run, her world becomes something very different than what she knows. Claudia needs to determine what is real and what she is willing to fight for.
I felt like I was reading a mash-up of the movie The Gamer with Gerard Butler and a random teen dystopian. On one hand I thought this book was very unique in the respect that I had not read anything like this, but on the other hand it had a similar concept of the gaming as the movie did with people being videogame characters for other humans in order to serve a punishment/treatment. It was challenging at first for me to get involved with Claudia since everything was so choppy and void of emotion. But the farther I read, everything about Claudia began to become clearer. I thought the story was a new take on teen dystopian, even with the same general theme of a destroyed world, an over-indulgent elite and a game to be completed.
I had a little trouble still with the world and the dynamic of everything. My take on the story is that people are tested for a specific violence gene and if it is present they must take part in an expensive rehabilitation program that is in the form of a violent game simulation. The wealthy who can afford treatment become gamers, and the poor must give themselves as characters to receive treatment. The book ends with a cliffhanger and confusion about pretty much everything, so I feel a little bit up in the air about my feels toward the book. I am intrigued enough to pick up the next book whenever it comes out, because I have a lot of unanswered questions about the setting that the book takes place in. I don’t understand Claudia or Olivia’s purpose or relationship, Declan’s intentions, the science used to keep the characters going, or anything having to do with the gaming program and reasoning. I felt like every step forward caused me to take 2 steps back in what I understood. If the next book does not clear things up early on, I don’t think I will be reading any more.
I struggled with Claudia. She in no shape or form is developed as a fully rounded person who you can root for. I feel for her on the level of nobody should be forced to commit acts they don’t agree with, but I don’t really care about her as a person. It makes perfect sense why she is not very developed because she has been nobody for at least 3 years. You can’t be yourself when you have no idea who yourself is and all you can remember is the blood spilled by your own hands. What I know for certain is that she does not want to kill anyone, yet she has violent impulses she tries to control, and emotional connections to people who are not real. She has a “boyfriend” but she doesn’t know if she likes his personality, actions or looks. And here comes some random Moderator in the game who threatens her, but is a real person with thoughts all his own and she is intrigued by him. I can understand the appeal, but I hate that the author made it into a romantic relationship between the two. They literally do not know anything about the other one and yet they touch and lust after each other sporadically. Pretty much everything they tell each other is a lie, and they both are aware of it. I am ok with them being friends/allies to help survive, but not the random romance that in my opinion came out of nowhere and had no substance to it. There was more passion between Claudia and Wesley than she and Declan, but whatever.
I found the setting of the book to be dark and intense, as well as full of twisty surprises that kept the story moving. What I found lacking was the characters and the relationships between them all. I need people that I can root for and like, and I did not really get that here. I will read the next book in the series and hope for more reveals since I am bursting with questions.
I received this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
I felt like I was reading a mash-up of the movie The Gamer with Gerard Butler and a random teen dystopian. On one hand I thought this book was very unique in the respect that I had not read anything like this, but on the other hand it had a similar concept of the gaming as the movie did with people being videogame characters for other humans in order to serve a punishment/treatment. It was challenging at first for me to get involved with Claudia since everything was so choppy and void of emotion. But the farther I read, everything about Claudia began to become clearer. I thought the story was a new take on teen dystopian, even with the same general theme of a destroyed world, an over-indulgent elite and a game to be completed.
I had a little trouble still with the world and the dynamic of everything. My take on the story is that people are tested for a specific violence gene and if it is present they must take part in an expensive rehabilitation program that is in the form of a violent game simulation. The wealthy who can afford treatment become gamers, and the poor must give themselves as characters to receive treatment. The book ends with a cliffhanger and confusion about pretty much everything, so I feel a little bit up in the air about my feels toward the book. I am intrigued enough to pick up the next book whenever it comes out, because I have a lot of unanswered questions about the setting that the book takes place in. I don’t understand Claudia or Olivia’s purpose or relationship, Declan’s intentions, the science used to keep the characters going, or anything having to do with the gaming program and reasoning. I felt like every step forward caused me to take 2 steps back in what I understood. If the next book does not clear things up early on, I don’t think I will be reading any more.
I struggled with Claudia. She in no shape or form is developed as a fully rounded person who you can root for. I feel for her on the level of nobody should be forced to commit acts they don’t agree with, but I don’t really care about her as a person. It makes perfect sense why she is not very developed because she has been nobody for at least 3 years. You can’t be yourself when you have no idea who yourself is and all you can remember is the blood spilled by your own hands. What I know for certain is that she does not want to kill anyone, yet she has violent impulses she tries to control, and emotional connections to people who are not real. She has a “boyfriend” but she doesn’t know if she likes his personality, actions or looks. And here comes some random Moderator in the game who threatens her, but is a real person with thoughts all his own and she is intrigued by him. I can understand the appeal, but I hate that the author made it into a romantic relationship between the two. They literally do not know anything about the other one and yet they touch and lust after each other sporadically. Pretty much everything they tell each other is a lie, and they both are aware of it. I am ok with them being friends/allies to help survive, but not the random romance that in my opinion came out of nowhere and had no substance to it. There was more passion between Claudia and Wesley than she and Declan, but whatever.
I found the setting of the book to be dark and intense, as well as full of twisty surprises that kept the story moving. What I found lacking was the characters and the relationships between them all. I need people that I can root for and like, and I did not really get that here. I will read the next book in the series and hope for more reveals since I am bursting with questions.
I received this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/
January 23, 2016
Book Info
Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
ISBN 0373211325 (ISBN13: 9780373211326)
other editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
Sometimes, I dream that I'm someone else.
A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger
or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist.
Since the spring of 2036, when the world changed forever, Claudia and a small clan of survivors have roamed the streets of a very altered Nashville: polluted and desolate, except for the ever-present threat of cannibal Hoarders. Together they must undergo punishing tests of endurance and psychological challenge sometimes with devastating consequences all just to live another day.
With food and water in dwindling supply, and with danger lurking around every corner, no one can be trusted. And as her world starts to make less and less sense, Claudia begins to realize something terrifying: she is just a pawn in some sort of game, and all of her actions are being controlled from afar by a mysterious gamer. So when she meets a maddening and fascinating outsider named Declan, who claims to be a game moderator, she must decide whether to join him in exchange for protection and access to the border.
If they play the game right, they are each other's best hope for survival and a life beyond the only world Claudia's ever known: the terrifying live-action game known as The Aftermath.
This sounds very straightforward doesn’t it but things are not always what they seem and in Claudia’s case what passes for the truth is not even close!
There is a lot of violent bloody action in this one, interspersed with a whole lot of introspection on Claudia’s part where she is learning that life as she and her friends know it is not exactly as it seems to be.
This really was a fascinating look into a unique type of dystopian tale, being that it was set far into the future of course the technology available was as amazing as it was disturbing.
The way in which we were introduced to the truth paved the way to setting up the bulk of the book which alternated between Claudia attempting to figure out a way out of the game and than with Declan’s help making the attempt after they finish the task he explained to Claudia was the reason for his being in the game.
Torn between what is real and what she now knows was based on lies Claudia must make some very painful decisions before the final twist that unveils just how many secrets and lies are being kept from her. Secrets and lies which are at the very core of her existence!
Despite being able to rapidly breeze through the story also found myself walking away throughout the day to take breaks to digest what I had read. Once picked back up there was no problem getting right back into the book.
Not an RPGer personally but the concept was utilized excellently and the execution for the final plot twist was well planned, even though hate cliffhanger endings.
Hardcover, 288 pages
Expected publication: August 26th 2014 by Harlequin Teen
ISBN 0373211325 (ISBN13: 9780373211326)
other editions (3)
Source:Netgalley EARC
Book Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Sometimes, I dream that I'm someone else.
A girl with dark hair who doesn't worry about hunger
or thirst or running from flesh-eaters.
In her world, those sorts of things don't exist.
Since the spring of 2036, when the world changed forever, Claudia and a small clan of survivors have roamed the streets of a very altered Nashville: polluted and desolate, except for the ever-present threat of cannibal Hoarders. Together they must undergo punishing tests of endurance and psychological challenge sometimes with devastating consequences all just to live another day.
With food and water in dwindling supply, and with danger lurking around every corner, no one can be trusted. And as her world starts to make less and less sense, Claudia begins to realize something terrifying: she is just a pawn in some sort of game, and all of her actions are being controlled from afar by a mysterious gamer. So when she meets a maddening and fascinating outsider named Declan, who claims to be a game moderator, she must decide whether to join him in exchange for protection and access to the border.
If they play the game right, they are each other's best hope for survival and a life beyond the only world Claudia's ever known: the terrifying live-action game known as The Aftermath.
My Thoughts
This sounds very straightforward doesn’t it but things are not always what they seem and in Claudia’s case what passes for the truth is not even close!
There is a lot of violent bloody action in this one, interspersed with a whole lot of introspection on Claudia’s part where she is learning that life as she and her friends know it is not exactly as it seems to be.
This really was a fascinating look into a unique type of dystopian tale, being that it was set far into the future of course the technology available was as amazing as it was disturbing.
The way in which we were introduced to the truth paved the way to setting up the bulk of the book which alternated between Claudia attempting to figure out a way out of the game and than with Declan’s help making the attempt after they finish the task he explained to Claudia was the reason for his being in the game.
Torn between what is real and what she now knows was based on lies Claudia must make some very painful decisions before the final twist that unveils just how many secrets and lies are being kept from her. Secrets and lies which are at the very core of her existence!
Despite being able to rapidly breeze through the story also found myself walking away throughout the day to take breaks to digest what I had read. Once picked back up there was no problem getting right back into the book.
Not an RPGer personally but the concept was utilized excellently and the execution for the final plot twist was well planned, even though hate cliffhanger endings.
[EArc from Netgalley in exchange for honest review]
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