After the Fall

by Ellen Parent

So much is forgotten in the the way the seasons used to turn like pages in a book, the technology that once made life easy for everyone, even the art of reading. For fifteen-year-old June, the forgetting goes even deeper, ever since a mysterious accident six years ago stole her mother and her memory. When a strange circus with ties to her family comes through town, she follows them without a second thought. In the outside world, June has to navigate a landscape and society pushed to the edge by the powerful forces of climate change, and to decide who she can trust in a world where everyone seems to have secrets. Can she believe the grizzled deputy who somehow knows more about her past than she does? What about the circus performers, who push her away even as they beguile her best friend? Only when she finally uncovers a truth that threatens to change the Republic forever, will she know who her true family is— and whose life is worth saving.

Genres: Young Adult, Audiobook, Post Apocalyptic

270 pages, Paperback

Published December 3, 2024

Reviews

[Robyn Dabney · Rating 5 out of 5]

AFTER THE FALL presents a poignant narrative of resilience, exploring the depths of courage, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the indomitable spirit that refuses to give up hope.

Six years after a devastating fire stole her memories and separated her from her family, June clings to the belief that her mother will one day return. When a traveling circus arrives in town, June seizes the opportunity to uncover clues about her forgotten past, bringing her "adoptive" brother along for the journey. However, a violent storm strikes and the circus mysteriously vanishes, snatching her brother away.

Driven by an unyielding determination to reunite her fractured family, June sets out on a quest through the rugged hillsides of the Republic—a dystopian remnant of what was once Vermont, trapped between enemy Americans to the north and south. Caught between the pursuit of her mother, a need to rescue her brother, and a plot to overthrow the Republic, June is faced with choices that test her loyalties and push her to make sacrifices.

Through lyrical and heart-wrenching prose, debut author Ellen Parent explores the complexities of family, interweaving the unbreakable ties of blood with the bonds of kinship forged through shared experiences and unwavering loyalty. Courage emerges as the defining force that shapes June's path—the courage to pursue her loved ones and the equally formidable courage to let them go.

[Cynthia Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

June, a young woman left scarred by a barn fire and abandoned there by her mother, sets out on a quest to find answers to questions that have been haunting her for six years. Above all, she hopes to track down her mother, who seems to have mysterious ties to a traveling circus that roams the barren landscape of the Republic of Vermont, which has been destroyed by climate change. Along the way, she encounters Jacob, a lawman whom she remembers as the one who rescued her from the fire and who becomes central to her journey to recover her memories and her home.

Ellen Parent’s background as a poet shines through in the lyrical and precise language she uses to create the world she builds to house a cast of remarkable characters. The urgency with which June desires to escape her sheltered life as an “orphan” cared for by her foster parents is palpable. June calls to mind Dorothy of Oz—except that Parent creates a much more well-rounded character whose flaws often propel her into serious trouble but whose virtues ultimately redeem her. Even the minor characters are each unique and unforgettable.

Though classified as young adult fiction, After the Fall would appeal to readers of all ages who enjoy beautifully crafted stories that combine a riveting thriller, a journey filled with disappointments and discoveries, and deep insights into human longing for family—all contained in a truly believable post-apocalyptic future world.

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! June is our 15 year old FMC and she is looking for her mom. June lives in the Republic with no memory of how she got there 6 years ago, except that she was in a fire with the scars to prove it. A circus comes to her town and she feels right at home with them in a way and they seem to know a bit about her family. And then her 'brother' Thomas disappears with the circus one stormy night while June runs off with a man named Jacob. The rest of the story is about June's journey to find her memories, her mom, and where she belongs. I loved how the author wrote an interesting world where everything is very different from the current modern world:)

I think that the author did a great job with her writing the story overall. She wrote a compelling first YA book that really engages the readers. I needed to finish June's story, and I really want to know if there will be a second book after the ending in the first book!

[Victoria Brinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

June is one of those characters you root for and want to win. You want her to get the answers she is searching for. She has lost her memories, her mother, and her life. In a world overtaken by climate change, she has to maneuver safely to find out what is going on. The circus coming to town added a sub plot that kept the pages turning. I really enjoyed reading about the circus and about June. This was a fast read for me and was different from most YA apocalyptic stories I normally read about. I wish there was a chapter after the last line of the Epilogue. I would have liked dialogue between the characters. I can not wait to read the next installment! I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy, all opinions are my own.

[Cherelle Iman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Parent’s After the Fall is a memorizing journey through a fractured world that feels all too possible. Parent skillfully intertwines mystery, family bonds, and survival into a compelling narrative. Fifteen-year-old June’s quest to reclaim her past is as poignant as it is gripping, navigating a world teeming with secrets and shifting loyalties. The enigmatic circus and vividly rendered Republic of Vermont create a mesmerizing backdrop for this post-apocalyptic tale. After the Fall is a page-turner brimming with heart, courage, and an unyielding hope for redemption.

[Gelbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the Fall is an original post-apocalyptic story about a girl called June who is looking for her mother. I loved the layers of world-building in this novel, and as a New England girl myself, it was fun to see the author imagine how this region could look after a political and environmental disaster. June's character growth and the overall mystery is believeable and intriguing; the author weaves different plot lines together skillfully. It captivated my interest throughout. In short, a great story!

[Jame_EReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

👦🏻reviews: it is an unforgettable book about dysfunctional relationships and dystopian societies that came together in a strange way. The book went from one period to another while searching for answers. A little bit of realistic fictions full of emotions yet I get a little mystery feeling during in between the story. I feel like the story’s Vermont’s climate change is also the Wizard of Oz’s Kansas. It’s dark and fast-paced. A great YA book.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Parent gives us a near future that is both familiar and strange. It’s a post-apocalyptic America that is more rooted in possibility than books like The Hunger Games, and that makes it all the more compelling. June’s quest to gather loved ones close to her kept me turning the pages, and the answers she finds, both heartbreaking and hopeful, are the most satisfying ending I’ve encountered in several years.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of speculative and dystopian YA novels, you have to read this book! Ellen creates a chilling and intricate dystopic world that has you on the edge of your seat as you follow June's journey to find her brother. 10 out of 10!

[THOMAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book builds and builds until you can barely breathe. Great world building!

[Kattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

8hr 41min