What do you think?
Rate this book
Find Me After - Welcome to the world between life and death...
Where do you go when you're not quite gone? After suffering an epileptic seizure, Kyle finds himself in a world that looks like ours but where nothing feels the same. This is the Stillness: an eerie, liminal alternative reality populated by those who are caught between life and death.
Here, he meets his real-world crush, Farah, who is also unconscious back home. But as they get to know each other in the Stillness, they must face the possibility of forgetting each other in the real world. The way back to life is fraught with danger, and time, for both of them, is running out...
A. Connors was inspired to write this novel based on his own experience with epilepsy A slow-burn romance at the centre of the story that is perfect for anyone who loves BookTok tropes #forcedproximity and #friendstolovers The Stillness is a wildly imaginative world that will appeal to fans of Erik J Brown, Patrick Ness and Netflix's Stranger Things
Praise for The Girl Who Broke the Sea, A. Connors' debut novel:
"An atmospheric, satisfying YA sci-fi thriller" - Guardian
“An ominous, evocative science-fiction thriller” - New Scientist
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
8 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
A. Connors
3 books22 followersA. Connors is a former physicist and former child who likes writing stories and building unlikely, poorly thought through gadgets.
His favourite bio tidbits include: spending his PHD underground at CERN, helping design one of the detectors for the Large Hadron Collider; teaching physics in Sudan; selling encyclopedias in Chicago and fitting Wi-Fi in the refugee camps in Greece.
In his spare time he manages an engineering team for Google Health, a project that aims to use big data and machine learning to improve the quality of healthcare. He lives in Hertfordshire with his partner, two boys, and a dog.
His debut transformative and spine-tingling teen novel, THE GIRL WHO BROKE THE SEA, will be published by Scholastic UK in Feb 2023.
His favourite bio tidbits include: spending his PHD underground at CERN, helping design one of the detectors for the Large Hadron Collider; teaching physics in Sudan; selling encyclopedias in Chicago and fitting Wi-Fi in the refugee camps in Greece.
In his spare time he manages an engineering team for Google Health, a project that aims to use big data and machine learning to improve the quality of healthcare. He lives in Hertfordshire with his partner, two boys, and a dog.
His debut transformative and spine-tingling teen novel, THE GIRL WHO BROKE THE SEA, will be published by Scholastic UK in Feb 2023.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 3, 2024
A really enjoyable read, had me gripped for a couple of nights!
August 11, 2025
Coolest concept for a book ever? Easily the best YA I think I’ve ever read? Definitely the best YA I’ve read this year and in a long time. A brilliantly original concept with some excellently imaginative details and world-building. Great characters and a plot that had me gripping onto every word and page. If I had to criticise I’d say I just wish there was an epilogue, and again that just proves the level of investment I had in these characters and the overall plot. So cool and this definitely deserves more attention!!
July 1, 2025
One of my favourite books!!!
It was a perfect blend of mystery and horror!
The concept of the book was incredible and makes you ask questions which may or not be answered.
All the characters were great, added value to the story!
Can't tell you how much I loved this book! Awesome plot, amazing concept (which you should totally read and find out yourself!)
It was a perfect blend of mystery and horror!
The concept of the book was incredible and makes you ask questions which may or not be answered.
All the characters were great, added value to the story!
Can't tell you how much I loved this book! Awesome plot, amazing concept (which you should totally read and find out yourself!)
June 20, 2024
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
FIND ME AFTER is a genre-bending exploration of illness and consciousness.
This book straddles a lot of genres - sci-fi/dystopia, horror, romance. It's a really nice mixture, weaving an eerie world between life and death that's just a little off, enough to be unsettling as it's not quite familiar enough. Then there's the post-zombie-apocalypse feel of the world that lets you know something is about to go wrong, and the warmth of the budding relationship.
The Stillness and the three characters' journey through it is a really nice metaphor for severe and chronic illness. The uncertainty of what will happen when they get to the end or if they even will. The sense of isolation from the rest of the world because you are going through something those not ill can't fully understand.
This set up let the book probe questions of consciousness and perception. What is real and how can we certain of that? What are thoughts? There are all sorts of references to real theories throughout, using the setting to explore them without the need for technical jargon.
There is an exploration of "Christian" sects, the way they prey on the desperate. It also looks at the harm done by people who see illness as a manifestation of evil and inflict that belief on the vulnerable. It shows exactly how Bible verses can be twisted into something malign.
The ending is fun - action! explosions! show down! And then a big beat of uncertainty that leaves the reader with lots of questions they have to pick their own answers to. It plays so well into that metaphor about the uncertainty of illness, but with enough hope to be warming.
FIND ME AFTER is a genre-bending exploration of illness and consciousness.
This book straddles a lot of genres - sci-fi/dystopia, horror, romance. It's a really nice mixture, weaving an eerie world between life and death that's just a little off, enough to be unsettling as it's not quite familiar enough. Then there's the post-zombie-apocalypse feel of the world that lets you know something is about to go wrong, and the warmth of the budding relationship.
The Stillness and the three characters' journey through it is a really nice metaphor for severe and chronic illness. The uncertainty of what will happen when they get to the end or if they even will. The sense of isolation from the rest of the world because you are going through something those not ill can't fully understand.
This set up let the book probe questions of consciousness and perception. What is real and how can we certain of that? What are thoughts? There are all sorts of references to real theories throughout, using the setting to explore them without the need for technical jargon.
There is an exploration of "Christian" sects, the way they prey on the desperate. It also looks at the harm done by people who see illness as a manifestation of evil and inflict that belief on the vulnerable. It shows exactly how Bible verses can be twisted into something malign.
The ending is fun - action! explosions! show down! And then a big beat of uncertainty that leaves the reader with lots of questions they have to pick their own answers to. It plays so well into that metaphor about the uncertainty of illness, but with enough hope to be warming.
August 2, 2024
This book has to be one of the most unique that I have ever read. It's more of a 'slow burn' as I feel it takes some time to get into it, however, the plot unravels nicely and the final few chapters had me at the end of my seat!
I was drawn to this book, because of it's original storyline and the novel itself was a bit different to what I was used to.
The book includes religious imagery throughout and Conners does a good job of encapsulating the feelings of 'Kyle' - the main protagonist in the story.
Furthermore, the story also beautifully embeds a romance between 'Farah' (the other protagonist in the novel) and 'Kyle' which I really enjoyed reading, due to the fact that both characters have such different personalities, with 'Farah' being loud and confident, and 'Kyle' being perceived as more timid and quiet.
The story begins, with 'Kyle' an epileptic teenager, who after waking up from a seizure, feels as if something isn't quite right, so he gathers his strength to walk to the hospital where he eventually comes across 'Farah' a girl whom he knew from high school and later a boy called 'Chui', he ends up befriending them both when they realise that they're not actually living but not quite dead...
Overall a good novel I would recommend to fans of thrillers and y/a books in general!
I was drawn to this book, because of it's original storyline and the novel itself was a bit different to what I was used to.
The book includes religious imagery throughout and Conners does a good job of encapsulating the feelings of 'Kyle' - the main protagonist in the story.
Furthermore, the story also beautifully embeds a romance between 'Farah' (the other protagonist in the novel) and 'Kyle' which I really enjoyed reading, due to the fact that both characters have such different personalities, with 'Farah' being loud and confident, and 'Kyle' being perceived as more timid and quiet.
The story begins, with 'Kyle' an epileptic teenager, who after waking up from a seizure, feels as if something isn't quite right, so he gathers his strength to walk to the hospital where he eventually comes across 'Farah' a girl whom he knew from high school and later a boy called 'Chui', he ends up befriending them both when they realise that they're not actually living but not quite dead...
Overall a good novel I would recommend to fans of thrillers and y/a books in general!
February 9, 2025
A wonderfully intense and deeply involved read that explores a dark and mysterious world between life and death.
The story centres around Kyle who enters a strange liminal space - the Stillness - after suffering an epileptic episode. Whilst trying to make sense of his new world, he runs into Farah, his real-life crush who is also unconscious back in the real world. They then encounter Chui, a young coma casualty with a brilliant mind who seeks an understanding of their world and a route of escape. Whilst the Stillness is portrayed as unsettling from the outset, it plunges into new depths of darkness as the three venture on a mission to return to the real world. Sinister characters are drawn into the story which make for some disturbing scenes. This is certainly a gripping read from start to finish that’s told at a phenomenon pace.
The dark elements of the story are beautifully balanced by the warmness of the friendships between the three central characters and particularly the love story that develops between Kyle and Farah. Kyle is an endearing protagonist - a gentle realist that grows and blossoms in character as the book progresses. The story ends with the hope of more from A Connors. Another instalment is surely necessary! This is a powerful and moving story, and at the same time deeply thought-provoking on the nature of consciousness and reality.
The story centres around Kyle who enters a strange liminal space - the Stillness - after suffering an epileptic episode. Whilst trying to make sense of his new world, he runs into Farah, his real-life crush who is also unconscious back in the real world. They then encounter Chui, a young coma casualty with a brilliant mind who seeks an understanding of their world and a route of escape. Whilst the Stillness is portrayed as unsettling from the outset, it plunges into new depths of darkness as the three venture on a mission to return to the real world. Sinister characters are drawn into the story which make for some disturbing scenes. This is certainly a gripping read from start to finish that’s told at a phenomenon pace.
The dark elements of the story are beautifully balanced by the warmness of the friendships between the three central characters and particularly the love story that develops between Kyle and Farah. Kyle is an endearing protagonist - a gentle realist that grows and blossoms in character as the book progresses. The story ends with the hope of more from A Connors. Another instalment is surely necessary! This is a powerful and moving story, and at the same time deeply thought-provoking on the nature of consciousness and reality.
July 9, 2024
What an incredible novel.
I cried, I had my jaw open, I was scared, excited... the lot. I had every emotion in the book through all of this and could not put it down.
It had a fantastic equal mix of character development and plot, and the scientific evidence in here was mindblowing. After experiencing tonic clonic seizures myself, and being diagnosed with epilepsy, I can resonate so well with each feeling that the MC goes through, and the narrative was perfect at reeling the readers into an emotional, fast-paced storyline. There are aspects of religious exploration and vulnerability if practised incorrectly, which I thought was unique.
What is real? What is the world if we are seeing what we are supposed to see, not imagine? Waking up and thinking everything was normal, then all of a sudden, chucked into an unknown dead man's wasteland? Questioning your own sanity and understanding that time is different when you are in 'The Stillness'
Have you ever wondered what happened when you're unconscious? When you're in a coma? You'll be questioning your own existence after reading this. Trust me 👀😫🙌
I cried, I had my jaw open, I was scared, excited... the lot. I had every emotion in the book through all of this and could not put it down.
It had a fantastic equal mix of character development and plot, and the scientific evidence in here was mindblowing. After experiencing tonic clonic seizures myself, and being diagnosed with epilepsy, I can resonate so well with each feeling that the MC goes through, and the narrative was perfect at reeling the readers into an emotional, fast-paced storyline. There are aspects of religious exploration and vulnerability if practised incorrectly, which I thought was unique.
What is real? What is the world if we are seeing what we are supposed to see, not imagine? Waking up and thinking everything was normal, then all of a sudden, chucked into an unknown dead man's wasteland? Questioning your own sanity and understanding that time is different when you are in 'The Stillness'
Have you ever wondered what happened when you're unconscious? When you're in a coma? You'll be questioning your own existence after reading this. Trust me 👀😫🙌
July 22, 2024
When Kyle has an epileptic seizure he wakes up somewhere else. He wakes up in the Stillness, a place where those who are between life and death are and happens to meet Farah. But as Kyle realises the Stillness is not what he thinks and could be dangerous.
I would describe the storyline as dystopian, fast paced and including the found family trope. It captured my attention from the beginning. I found the idea of the Stillness very intriguing and it did feel like time passed quicker there. Although the Stillness looked like Kyle’s world (ordinary world as it was called) it was very different. I would describe the Stillness as a cross between The Upside Down in Stranger Things and the world in The Walking Dead.
I really liked the characters and they are what I would describe as typical teenagers who are all dealing with something. I thought the dynamic between Kyle, Farah and Chiu was brilliant. They are three characters who go to the same school but who don’t really interact or consider themselves as friends. They each find themselves in the Stillness for a different reason and are coming to terms with their new reality. I loved how they form their own little group and take care of each other, forming their own little family. Initially when they meet in the hospital they appear to be protected in their own little bubble. However, when they venture outside they realise that things aren’t as they seem and there is a threat that is trying to keep them in the Stillness. So they have to work together and form a plan to escape the Stillness and get back to the ordinary world.
It was interesting to watch Kyle’s character develop throughout the story. Kyle talks very freely about his epilepsy and the impact that it has on him. As we learn he has had to change his lifestyle, understand his triggers, it has impacted on his studies and he started to spend more time at home, rarely leaving the house. Kyle gains a lot of confidence while he’s in the Stillness and he starts to realise that his epilepsy has defined both him and his life for too long. Kyle has a big crush on Farah but has never told her that but he makes these feelings known when he’s in the Stillness which is something he wouldn’t have done in the ordinary world. One of the things I wanted to know more about was what triggered Kyle’s epileptic seizure and through flashbacks we learn what happened.
When I read the last sentence of the book I was quite sad to see the story end because I wanted to know what happened to Kyle, Farah and Chui next.
I would describe the storyline as dystopian, fast paced and including the found family trope. It captured my attention from the beginning. I found the idea of the Stillness very intriguing and it did feel like time passed quicker there. Although the Stillness looked like Kyle’s world (ordinary world as it was called) it was very different. I would describe the Stillness as a cross between The Upside Down in Stranger Things and the world in The Walking Dead.
I really liked the characters and they are what I would describe as typical teenagers who are all dealing with something. I thought the dynamic between Kyle, Farah and Chiu was brilliant. They are three characters who go to the same school but who don’t really interact or consider themselves as friends. They each find themselves in the Stillness for a different reason and are coming to terms with their new reality. I loved how they form their own little group and take care of each other, forming their own little family. Initially when they meet in the hospital they appear to be protected in their own little bubble. However, when they venture outside they realise that things aren’t as they seem and there is a threat that is trying to keep them in the Stillness. So they have to work together and form a plan to escape the Stillness and get back to the ordinary world.
It was interesting to watch Kyle’s character develop throughout the story. Kyle talks very freely about his epilepsy and the impact that it has on him. As we learn he has had to change his lifestyle, understand his triggers, it has impacted on his studies and he started to spend more time at home, rarely leaving the house. Kyle gains a lot of confidence while he’s in the Stillness and he starts to realise that his epilepsy has defined both him and his life for too long. Kyle has a big crush on Farah but has never told her that but he makes these feelings known when he’s in the Stillness which is something he wouldn’t have done in the ordinary world. One of the things I wanted to know more about was what triggered Kyle’s epileptic seizure and through flashbacks we learn what happened.
When I read the last sentence of the book I was quite sad to see the story end because I wanted to know what happened to Kyle, Farah and Chui next.
December 3, 2024
Wow.. that was crazy! First of all Kyle and Farah, my gosh they are so cute and I hope they remember each other. Jonah, don't even get me started, why is he so annoying I just felt like throwing the book everytime he popped up. He's so controlling and manipulative and it's just the matter of if I can't have anything neither can you! I'm so glad Ose actually wasn't as cold hearted as the rest were. I felt like Kyle and Farah could've done so many other things to Jonah but atleast they managed to get away. I felt well bad for Chiu like a 12 year old who's missing his family like he's just too young to live like that. I thought they were all going to die like no especially Farah, I needed her to stay alive. I gave it 3 stars because it just doesn't feel right giving 5, like the author not introducing why and how Jonah was there in the first place made no sense to me and it took ages just to get to the fact that they escaped! To be honest, the starting made no sense to me at all but like the more I read, the more it made sense but at the same time it didn't! 😭
December 11, 2024
unfortunately this wasn’t for me 😔
this was a strange one. i feel like there were so many conclusions that were randomly jumped too that i didn’t fully understand, and some weirdly philosophical parts that i was just like ‘um okay’ to. sure there were things happening but i had no idea why they were happening. there were names for random concepts that came out of nowhere and were used like twice. nothing really made sense.
didn’t really understand the romance either or why everyone automatically assumed the main character was head over heels in love with a girl he barely knew after saying the most non-romantic things. i mean sure he was in love with her but it didn’t make any sense why ?
the language is quite easy to follow though and this is pretty a short book so was a quick read – any longer and this definitely would have been a dnf.
the ending felt kinda rushed with a lot of things not being properly explained and a ‘twist’ that i saw coming right from the start. i just felt very unsatisfied.
this was a strange one. i feel like there were so many conclusions that were randomly jumped too that i didn’t fully understand, and some weirdly philosophical parts that i was just like ‘um okay’ to. sure there were things happening but i had no idea why they were happening. there were names for random concepts that came out of nowhere and were used like twice. nothing really made sense.
didn’t really understand the romance either or why everyone automatically assumed the main character was head over heels in love with a girl he barely knew after saying the most non-romantic things. i mean sure he was in love with her but it didn’t make any sense why ?
the language is quite easy to follow though and this is pretty a short book so was a quick read – any longer and this definitely would have been a dnf.
the ending felt kinda rushed with a lot of things not being properly explained and a ‘twist’ that i saw coming right from the start. i just felt very unsatisfied.
July 22, 2024
I absolutely loved A. Connors debut novel The Girl Who Broke The Sea, so was incredibly eager and happy to be given the opportunity to read and review their newest novel. This book did not disappoint in the slightest!
Connors has a fantastic way of writing that just grips you and has you wanting more. The world building in this one is fantastic and I honestly loved the mixture of genres such as horror and romance! This book and the whole premise of it is so thought-provoking and I haven't stopped considering a alternative reality between life and death.
The characters were really well written and felt incredibly realistic and authentic. Their journey through the Stillness was so tense with the level of uncertainty but I also think it reflected the chronic illness these characters suffer from. I loved watching these characters develop over the book, especially Kyle who steps completely out of his comfort zone and routine.
I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend picking this one up along with Connors debut! I cannot wait to read whatever they write next!
Connors has a fantastic way of writing that just grips you and has you wanting more. The world building in this one is fantastic and I honestly loved the mixture of genres such as horror and romance! This book and the whole premise of it is so thought-provoking and I haven't stopped considering a alternative reality between life and death.
The characters were really well written and felt incredibly realistic and authentic. Their journey through the Stillness was so tense with the level of uncertainty but I also think it reflected the chronic illness these characters suffer from. I loved watching these characters develop over the book, especially Kyle who steps completely out of his comfort zone and routine.
I really enjoyed this one and definitely recommend picking this one up along with Connors debut! I cannot wait to read whatever they write next!
October 19, 2024
This was definitely unique.
I thought the premise of 'Find Me After' sounded really interesting - a kind of limbo/purgatory between life and death that Kyle finds himself in after an epileptic seizure - but I wasn't expecting the interrogation of the nature of reality that goes with it, nor the genuinely creepy atmosphere that A. Connors conjures up in 'the Stillness'.
Kyle and his real-world crush Farah (who has been fighting a brain tumour) and younger pupil Chiu (in a coma after an accident at school) find each other in a blank canvas of a hospital, where no one can see them, and time seems to pass faster than in real life.
There are others there too and not everyone is pleasant.
The end was a bit abrupt in my opinion after quite a slow burn book but otherwise it was decent.
I thought the premise of 'Find Me After' sounded really interesting - a kind of limbo/purgatory between life and death that Kyle finds himself in after an epileptic seizure - but I wasn't expecting the interrogation of the nature of reality that goes with it, nor the genuinely creepy atmosphere that A. Connors conjures up in 'the Stillness'.
Kyle and his real-world crush Farah (who has been fighting a brain tumour) and younger pupil Chiu (in a coma after an accident at school) find each other in a blank canvas of a hospital, where no one can see them, and time seems to pass faster than in real life.
There are others there too and not everyone is pleasant.
The end was a bit abrupt in my opinion after quite a slow burn book but otherwise it was decent.
June 7, 2025
Interesting read and an interesting concept but at times I did find myself a bit bored - I would skim over pages enough to not lose the plot but filter out some of the repetitive fluff. The last climax of the book from when they get the hospital onwards I found really engaging. I would have liked an epilogue to see if he remembered and what was happening in the real world while all this happened - but maybe that’s the romance fan in me wanting more from that. I found the storyline with the mum and the priest all a bit pointless when it didn’t really link in with any of the revelations at the end.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to persevere with at times and isn’t one I’d be eager to recommend.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but it was hard to persevere with at times and isn’t one I’d be eager to recommend.
October 30, 2025
Hm, not really sure how to sum up this book. I really enjoyed the characters and the concept of The Stillness but couldn’t work out why Jonah was trying to kill Kyle, or Farah or Chiu. I’d have preferred a clearer ending, too. However, it was pacy and I was rooting for the main characters all the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2025
Ummm what the heck.!!!! First of this started off slow for me, but then about 45-50% in it was getting interesting. But what the Hannah was that ending your joking right. I give this a 2.5 star. I want to give it more cause the concept was different and intriguing but unless you tell me you’ve got a sequel coming out I can’t get behind it. It’s incomplete.
October 10, 2024
It wasn't bad, I liked the setting, it just felt a bit unfinished? For the story to be complete there needs to be another book, when it could've been a few extra chapters. The title is find me after and we never get an after which is very annoying. It's too simple to be open ended like this
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2025
It was so good but the ending was not as good because not only do we not find out if the machine worked but we also don’t find out if Kyle keeps his memory and how are they supposed to write a sequel Because they escaped the stillness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2025
3.5 because while the premise of this story is quite admirable, I feel it drags on a bit. There's not much plot and it's not very exciting. Furthermore, the ending could be improved by perhaps showing him confronting the adults, and maybe asking out Farah
November 25, 2025
A great, unique concept and good pacing balancing action and world-building. Loved the authentic diversity of characters and their personalities.
Finishes abruptly though, this almost made me mark it down to 3*
Finishes abruptly though, this almost made me mark it down to 3*
October 22, 2024
This book was so boring and the ending was so anticlimactic
Read
January 26, 20253.25 ⭐️
February 11, 2025
what the fuck
March 19, 2025
An accomplished YA with such a unique concept! Intriguing, unsettling and very original, it was almost impossible to put down. Great job.
March 22, 2025
A really good book with an amazing storyline but the ending left a lot of unanswered questions
April 2, 2025
A very unusual perspective but I enjoyed it. Something different and very real.
November 28, 2025
YA story for book group - really struggled to ket into this one.
May 27, 2025
decent but kinda predictable ish
June 30, 2024
*First off I want to start by saying HUGE thank you to Scholastic who has gifted me a pre-proof ARC copy that I read as soon as I got it. I feel very lucky to have recieved this. Made my week.*
Do you feel nervous when you love the first book of author so much and wonder what their second book will be like? That was me. As soon as I got this book, I dropped everything to read it and just like last time, I couldn’t put it down. I love a book that completely consumes you, that invades you every thought process. To give you a book hangover. It will be no surprise if you follow me that I devoured and loved The Girl Who Broke the Sea last year and it’s now one of my all time favourite books. I believe I said ‘This book is impossible to put down’ and ‘This book is genuis’ and this was exactly the same for Find Me After.
Kyle is epileptic, but what happens during a seizure, what happens if you find yourself in fragment of the ordinary world. That’s exactly where Kyle find himself, on the opposite side of his seizure, into the Stillness. It feels wrong but right at the same time. His journey through this world, he meets Farah a mean girl from school who he had a crush on and little boy name Chui. Together they explore and play Uno a lot whilst searching for a way a back to the real world.
Adam’s books are epic combination of character and plot driven. But what I love about his writing is the character development. Kyle is shell of who he is in the ordinary, real world. He’s hidden at home as his eplisesy consume him and his life. It stops him from being who is but in this world, in this Stillness he’s able to do things he always wanted to. A way to see the best version of himself and that there is hope and not let epilepsy define him. This world has given Kyle a second chance especially with Farah. His bravery, courage is held no bounds in this existence, he was able to right his mistakes he didn’t have the courage to make including asking a Farah out.
You really empathise with the characters. I loved the relationship between Kyle and Farah developed, the slow burn romance and found friendship they built especially when they brought Chui into the fold. It’s almost like the outcasts of the real world had become the hero’s of the Stillness.
A. Connors is a very unique writer. Find Me After is YA book that is inspired by real and personal experiences. I loved the change in direction in this book and I was pleasantly surprised by how different the plot-line was. His books are founded on real if a little horrifying scientific research that gave me goosebumps just thinking about it. It feeds off it. The atmosphere reminded me of War of the Worlds, with the desolate landscape and world building, the world itself doesn’t play by the rules. You can’t help but be sucked into the book. His writing style is movie quality for me and what I found that makes his books such an immersive experience.
Find Me After is another incredibly compelling book that I couldn’t put down. I read and devoured this book and it’s easily my new favourite of the year. Imaginative and hauntingly real. Inspired by true experience. A page turner. Still to this day it gives me goosebumps.
Thank you again to Scholastic UK for sending me a pre-proof in exchange for a review.
Do you feel nervous when you love the first book of author so much and wonder what their second book will be like? That was me. As soon as I got this book, I dropped everything to read it and just like last time, I couldn’t put it down. I love a book that completely consumes you, that invades you every thought process. To give you a book hangover. It will be no surprise if you follow me that I devoured and loved The Girl Who Broke the Sea last year and it’s now one of my all time favourite books. I believe I said ‘This book is impossible to put down’ and ‘This book is genuis’ and this was exactly the same for Find Me After.
Kyle is epileptic, but what happens during a seizure, what happens if you find yourself in fragment of the ordinary world. That’s exactly where Kyle find himself, on the opposite side of his seizure, into the Stillness. It feels wrong but right at the same time. His journey through this world, he meets Farah a mean girl from school who he had a crush on and little boy name Chui. Together they explore and play Uno a lot whilst searching for a way a back to the real world.
Adam’s books are epic combination of character and plot driven. But what I love about his writing is the character development. Kyle is shell of who he is in the ordinary, real world. He’s hidden at home as his eplisesy consume him and his life. It stops him from being who is but in this world, in this Stillness he’s able to do things he always wanted to. A way to see the best version of himself and that there is hope and not let epilepsy define him. This world has given Kyle a second chance especially with Farah. His bravery, courage is held no bounds in this existence, he was able to right his mistakes he didn’t have the courage to make including asking a Farah out.
You really empathise with the characters. I loved the relationship between Kyle and Farah developed, the slow burn romance and found friendship they built especially when they brought Chui into the fold. It’s almost like the outcasts of the real world had become the hero’s of the Stillness.
A. Connors is a very unique writer. Find Me After is YA book that is inspired by real and personal experiences. I loved the change in direction in this book and I was pleasantly surprised by how different the plot-line was. His books are founded on real if a little horrifying scientific research that gave me goosebumps just thinking about it. It feeds off it. The atmosphere reminded me of War of the Worlds, with the desolate landscape and world building, the world itself doesn’t play by the rules. You can’t help but be sucked into the book. His writing style is movie quality for me and what I found that makes his books such an immersive experience.
Find Me After is another incredibly compelling book that I couldn’t put down. I read and devoured this book and it’s easily my new favourite of the year. Imaginative and hauntingly real. Inspired by true experience. A page turner. Still to this day it gives me goosebumps.
Thank you again to Scholastic UK for sending me a pre-proof in exchange for a review.
March 30, 2025
I went into Find Me After expecting it to be similar to They Both Die at The End, but it wasn't. I was well and truly engaged from the first word and just wanted to be reading it every minute.
The story and characters kept my attention, but I was really curious about the 'Stillness', the place some people go to when they are unconscious, the place between life and death, and where Kyle goes to when he has an epileptic fit.
It was different to what I was expecting, but still really good. I was left with so many questions, however, and that made it feel a bit unresolved, but that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed it.
The story and characters kept my attention, but I was really curious about the 'Stillness', the place some people go to when they are unconscious, the place between life and death, and where Kyle goes to when he has an epileptic fit.
It was different to what I was expecting, but still really good. I was left with so many questions, however, and that made it feel a bit unresolved, but that didn't take away from how much I enjoyed it.
September 30, 2024
Ooh, now this is something different! I thought the premise of 'Find Me After' sounded really interesting - a kind of netherworld/purgatory between life and death that Kyle finds himself in after an epileptic seizure - but I wasn't expecting the interrogation of the nature of reality that goes with it, nor the genuinely creepy atmosphere that A. Connors conjures up in 'the Stillness'. Kyle and his real-world crush Farah (who has been fighting a brain tumour) and younger pupil Chiu (in a coma after an accident at school) find each other in a facsimile of a hospital, where no one can see them, and time seems to pass...differently. But they're not alone, and they're drawing attention...
Intelligent sci-fi with a star-crossed lovers romance? I can definitely imagine watching this on Netflix in a few years time!
Intelligent sci-fi with a star-crossed lovers romance? I can definitely imagine watching this on Netflix in a few years time!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews