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Afterimage
A horrific explosion levels part of the city and Camryn Kingfisher is the sole survivor.
Amidst controversy, conspiracy theories, and threats from government officials, Camryn longs for the truth. But the only person who she can turn to is a transparent boy in a lab coat named Quint. Unsure whether he’s a hallucination or a ghost, Camryn has no choice but to trust him as they become embroiled in a plot that is bigger than either of them realize.
In a race where the fabric of time and space is at stake, they must figure out who caused the explosion before the culprit comes back to finish Camryn―and her city―off for good.
Amidst controversy, conspiracy theories, and threats from government officials, Camryn longs for the truth. But the only person who she can turn to is a transparent boy in a lab coat named Quint. Unsure whether he’s a hallucination or a ghost, Camryn has no choice but to trust him as they become embroiled in a plot that is bigger than either of them realize.
In a race where the fabric of time and space is at stake, they must figure out who caused the explosion before the culprit comes back to finish Camryn―and her city―off for good.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2018
3 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Hughes
10 books437 followersHi! I'm Naomi Hughes, writer of quirky young adult sci-fi and fantasy. I write #ownvoices mental health representation into everything I can, because I want my readers to see that people with mental illnesses are main characters, too. I live in the Midwest US, a region I love even though it tries to murder me with blizzards every winter. When not writing, my hobbies include reading, gaming, watching anime, and traveling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 19, 2018
I don't read a lot of sci-fi, but after reading the synopsis of this gorgeous book, I just had to check it out! I'm so glad I did! From the very first page, I was hooked, and I found myself reading this gem of a book in almost one sitting. All of my theories were completely wrong and as the story unraveled, I found myself on the journey to discovery and truth along with the main character--it was quite a ride! I'm a huge Doctor Who fan, so the best way I can really describe my enjoyment of this book is to say this: There is A LOT of Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey stuff and it's AWESOME!
Naomi Hughes's debut is not one to miss! A true page-turner that will keep you guessing the whole time! I loved it and highly recommend!
Naomi Hughes's debut is not one to miss! A true page-turner that will keep you guessing the whole time! I loved it and highly recommend!
September 19, 2018
THIS. BOOK.
I was obsessed with this book from about 10 pages in. The story is thrilling and there may in fact be a new twist in every single chapter. Our main character Camryn deeply loves her mom, dad, and brother Kyle. She deals with true Panic Disorder and works so hard for that not to run her entire life. Quint is a mysterious guest that Camryn finds herself tied to after a huge explosion causes the death of Camryn's mom- along with thousands of other people. Camryn deals with guilt, grief, anxiety, and panic attacks in this absolute adventure thriller.
I'm still having trouble forming coherent thoughts around this novel, so I'll do it this way. Here are a few things I loved about this story/characters/concept:
-Hughes describes grief in SUCH an authentic way. The guilt, the remorse, the 'what ifs'...they all resonated deeply with me.
-I won't say much on this but the romance developed through the storm these characters fight through is lovely.
-The Panic Disorder- WOW. Again, it is so realistic. Readers who have suffered through this will immediately identify and be inspired. Hughes didn't write a character who somehow miraculously overcomes her Panic Disorder to save the day at the end. She created a character who bites and claws and fights her way through the panic that gnaws on her at every moment. She wrote a character who gives hope to those who also face this challenge.
-Camryn and Kyle's relationship- So I'm a sucker for a sibling relationship 100% of the time. This one is rocky with the highest of highs and some pretty intense lows. It's beautiful.
-There IS a science fiction element to this story. Sci-Fi is absolutely not my cup of tea, and Hughes still brought me along throughout the entire novel. Even a complete novice to the genre can access this story without feeling lost.
-Did I mention there's a twist every time you turn a page?? Maybe not quite that frequently, but this story kept me on my toes the entire time.
- THE. ENDING. - Go ahead. Try to predict how she will end this novel. You will be wrong! The ending is more perfect than anything I could have hoped for. It's...please just read this book.
-The imperfections are so perfect. Every single character is so complex and deep and well developed. I loved that even the characters I was meant to fall for weren't perfect. OH! And nobody escapes this story without significant scarring. Again, the imperfections in each character just make this story so authentic and relatable.
In short, BUY this book. READ this book. SHARE this book. I've never read anything like it- I devoured it in about 4 hours! My library WILL hold multiple copies of this special new author.
Alright, Naomi. When's the next book coming out???
I was obsessed with this book from about 10 pages in. The story is thrilling and there may in fact be a new twist in every single chapter. Our main character Camryn deeply loves her mom, dad, and brother Kyle. She deals with true Panic Disorder and works so hard for that not to run her entire life. Quint is a mysterious guest that Camryn finds herself tied to after a huge explosion causes the death of Camryn's mom- along with thousands of other people. Camryn deals with guilt, grief, anxiety, and panic attacks in this absolute adventure thriller.
I'm still having trouble forming coherent thoughts around this novel, so I'll do it this way. Here are a few things I loved about this story/characters/concept:
-Hughes describes grief in SUCH an authentic way. The guilt, the remorse, the 'what ifs'...they all resonated deeply with me.
-I won't say much on this but the romance developed through the storm these characters fight through is lovely.
-The Panic Disorder- WOW. Again, it is so realistic. Readers who have suffered through this will immediately identify and be inspired. Hughes didn't write a character who somehow miraculously overcomes her Panic Disorder to save the day at the end. She created a character who bites and claws and fights her way through the panic that gnaws on her at every moment. She wrote a character who gives hope to those who also face this challenge.
-Camryn and Kyle's relationship- So I'm a sucker for a sibling relationship 100% of the time. This one is rocky with the highest of highs and some pretty intense lows. It's beautiful.
-There IS a science fiction element to this story. Sci-Fi is absolutely not my cup of tea, and Hughes still brought me along throughout the entire novel. Even a complete novice to the genre can access this story without feeling lost.
-Did I mention there's a twist every time you turn a page?? Maybe not quite that frequently, but this story kept me on my toes the entire time.
- THE. ENDING. - Go ahead. Try to predict how she will end this novel. You will be wrong! The ending is more perfect than anything I could have hoped for. It's...please just read this book.
-The imperfections are so perfect. Every single character is so complex and deep and well developed. I loved that even the characters I was meant to fall for weren't perfect. OH! And nobody escapes this story without significant scarring. Again, the imperfections in each character just make this story so authentic and relatable.
In short, BUY this book. READ this book. SHARE this book. I've never read anything like it- I devoured it in about 4 hours! My library WILL hold multiple copies of this special new author.
Alright, Naomi. When's the next book coming out???
August 26, 2018
To me, the hardest part about being a book blogger is when you find a book that feels like it could have worked for you, but somehow, it just didn’t quite make it—and then trying to review that book in actual, coherent words and phrases, when all you really know how to do is kind of shrug and go, “Eeeeehhhh…?”
That’s my issue with Afterimage in a nutshell. It isn’t a bad book by any means—I didn’t find it to be hurtful, or problematic, or even poorly written—it just didn’t do anything for me! So, I’m going to try to be as fair and just as possible in this review, because it’s absolutely the sort of book that has an intended audience who could probably love this a lot more than I did.
I want to get the negative aspects of this review over with: first and foremost, I know the synopsis even mentions a time/space issue, but it felt so forced and out of place. The book starts off as what feels like it should be a solid government conspiracy thriller/mystery, but when the sci-fi aspects were thrown it, it totally lost me. Even though I like space/timeline plots, in this instance, I would have enjoyed the story so much more without any of that. The other, smaller complaint that I have is the character writing. Camryn, the narrator, is annoying: she’s a jerk and doesn’t think things through at all for the first 100 pages or so, but she does progress as the story goes on. The side characters, however, really felt flat and uninspired from start to finish, so I couldn’t seem to connect with anyone.
On the other hand, let me just say that I genuinely enjoyed the representation of Camryn’s panic disorder. As a reader with an anxiety disorder and panic attacks as a real aspect of my own mental health, I was able to relate to a solid amount of what she described. In particular, there’s a scene in the beginning where she explains that because she had a really bad panic attack at this one location, she now gets anxious when she tries to return there, because she’s scared she’ll trigger herself into a repeat event—that is such a legitimate fear that I struggle with, and I’ve never seen it put so specifically into words in a story, so I definitely related to that and appreciated Naomi Hughes adding it in!
So, yeah—all in all, not a bad read, it just didn’t work for me. That said, if the synopsis sounds interesting to you at all, I would one hundred percent suggest picking this one up and giving it a try, because I honestly believe Naomi Hughes’ writing has major potential to thrill a lot of people, and I would definitely be willing to check out future releases from her.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Page Street Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Like an afterimage: the ghost of light that’s left behind when you’ve been staring at something too bright for too long.
That’s my issue with Afterimage in a nutshell. It isn’t a bad book by any means—I didn’t find it to be hurtful, or problematic, or even poorly written—it just didn’t do anything for me! So, I’m going to try to be as fair and just as possible in this review, because it’s absolutely the sort of book that has an intended audience who could probably love this a lot more than I did.
I want him to hurt the way I’ve been hurt. I know it’s not really his fault, I know he might not even be real, but at the moment he’s all I’ve got.
I want to get the negative aspects of this review over with: first and foremost, I know the synopsis even mentions a time/space issue, but it felt so forced and out of place. The book starts off as what feels like it should be a solid government conspiracy thriller/mystery, but when the sci-fi aspects were thrown it, it totally lost me. Even though I like space/timeline plots, in this instance, I would have enjoyed the story so much more without any of that. The other, smaller complaint that I have is the character writing. Camryn, the narrator, is annoying: she’s a jerk and doesn’t think things through at all for the first 100 pages or so, but she does progress as the story goes on. The side characters, however, really felt flat and uninspired from start to finish, so I couldn’t seem to connect with anyone.
Panic Disorder: a self-fulfilling prophecy of suck.
On the other hand, let me just say that I genuinely enjoyed the representation of Camryn’s panic disorder. As a reader with an anxiety disorder and panic attacks as a real aspect of my own mental health, I was able to relate to a solid amount of what she described. In particular, there’s a scene in the beginning where she explains that because she had a really bad panic attack at this one location, she now gets anxious when she tries to return there, because she’s scared she’ll trigger herself into a repeat event—that is such a legitimate fear that I struggle with, and I’ve never seen it put so specifically into words in a story, so I definitely related to that and appreciated Naomi Hughes adding it in!
So, yeah—all in all, not a bad read, it just didn’t work for me. That said, if the synopsis sounds interesting to you at all, I would one hundred percent suggest picking this one up and giving it a try, because I honestly believe Naomi Hughes’ writing has major potential to thrill a lot of people, and I would definitely be willing to check out future releases from her.
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Page Street Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 2, 2018
**I received an ARC of this - thank you so much to Page Street Publishing but it didn't change my opinion at all**
There was nothing really wrong with this book, but I think a lot of things compiled together to make it a bit messy and cliche and something that I wasn't vibing with. There were some good parts, but there were a lot of parts that I wasn't feeling and it kind of put me in a slump since I didn't want to pick it back up.
I have to say that I was really feeling the twists and turns. They were for sure my favorite thing of the novel. There was a big twist/reveal that happened about halfway through the story, and I vibed it hard. I thought it was super cool, and it was really the big thing that kept me going. Let's just say, there are a lot more things going on then you realize and when you realize it, it becomes super cool and intriguing. I really didn't count on it being a thing, and I loved the little twist that brought this book to another level for me.
The characters were okay? I mean, I didn't hate them or anything. They just felt...like...Idk nothing? I mean, I really had nothing for Quint and I'm really grappling here, trying to think of something that could describe our main character and narrator, but I've got nothing. There was no traits that I could really pull out to describe them other than...strong? Mentally, emotionally, and more? That's all I got.
Romance was eh. I thought for the longest time that we weren't going to have a romance, and I was totally down with it, but it did pop its head up at the end that had me rolling my eyes. It felt a little forced and I was good with it not happening at all.
The plot had a pretty fast pace, and I was into it for parts. It got really intriguing and everything was always moving, but it did have parts where it would slow down and I wouldn't want to pick it back up. There were also parts where it was so unbelievable that I was giving major side eye to it. Like, really, how cliched shady was this government agency really was? And like, how easy she was able to slip into said secret government agency??? Like, I can't even sneak out of my own house, so how was she able to sneak into a top secret government agency with the random mysterious boy in her head's help. And this part of the plot seemed way too cliched for me. I felt like I was watching a Bourne movie with a little sci-fi twist.
Overall, there wasn't anything really terrible about this book, but it just really was lacking for me in certain parts. I thought the characters were okay, and I was HERE for the twists and turns that Hughes created, but overall, I wasn't vibing this book too much. 2 crowns and a Cinderella rating!
There was nothing really wrong with this book, but I think a lot of things compiled together to make it a bit messy and cliche and something that I wasn't vibing with. There were some good parts, but there were a lot of parts that I wasn't feeling and it kind of put me in a slump since I didn't want to pick it back up.
I have to say that I was really feeling the twists and turns. They were for sure my favorite thing of the novel. There was a big twist/reveal that happened about halfway through the story, and I vibed it hard. I thought it was super cool, and it was really the big thing that kept me going. Let's just say, there are a lot more things going on then you realize and when you realize it, it becomes super cool and intriguing. I really didn't count on it being a thing, and I loved the little twist that brought this book to another level for me.
The characters were okay? I mean, I didn't hate them or anything. They just felt...like...Idk nothing? I mean, I really had nothing for Quint and I'm really grappling here, trying to think of something that could describe our main character and narrator, but I've got nothing. There was no traits that I could really pull out to describe them other than...strong? Mentally, emotionally, and more? That's all I got.
Romance was eh. I thought for the longest time that we weren't going to have a romance, and I was totally down with it, but it did pop its head up at the end that had me rolling my eyes. It felt a little forced and I was good with it not happening at all.
The plot had a pretty fast pace, and I was into it for parts. It got really intriguing and everything was always moving, but it did have parts where it would slow down and I wouldn't want to pick it back up. There were also parts where it was so unbelievable that I was giving major side eye to it. Like, really, how cliched shady was this government agency really was? And like, how easy she was able to slip into said secret government agency??? Like, I can't even sneak out of my own house, so how was she able to sneak into a top secret government agency with the random mysterious boy in her head's help. And this part of the plot seemed way too cliched for me. I felt like I was watching a Bourne movie with a little sci-fi twist.
Overall, there wasn't anything really terrible about this book, but it just really was lacking for me in certain parts. I thought the characters were okay, and I was HERE for the twists and turns that Hughes created, but overall, I wasn't vibing this book too much. 2 crowns and a Cinderella rating!
November 24, 2018
I very much have a “what did I just read” feeling about this book but I still think I enjoyed it. I’m happy where it ended even though the middle was confusing as hell.
August 7, 2018
A cataclysmic explosion destroys Camryn's world; she survives when she's not supposed to, and the only constant in the chaos is a bespectacled boy who may or may not actually exist.
AFTERIMAGE, Naomi Hughes' debut sci-fi thriller, is a page-turner with twists and turns that will leave you racing through the pages way past your bedtime to find out what happens next. Hughes demonstrates incredible mastery over plot and pacing; subtle hints are peppered throughout the story, which add layers as the reader delves deeper into the mystery of Camryn's ability to alter the past--and the future.
Hughes excels at interiority, handling first-person present POV with deft skill. We feel what Camryn feels, but it never comes across as melodramatic. Camryn also struggles with panic disorder, which makes her especially empathetic and relatable to readers who deal with anxiety. The supporting cast is also great: Camryn's brother leaves a memorable imprint, and an unexpected romance unfolds without slowing the pace as the plot hurtles forward at roller-coaster speed.
This is one of my favorite books this year, and I eagerly look forward to more from this author!
AFTERIMAGE, Naomi Hughes' debut sci-fi thriller, is a page-turner with twists and turns that will leave you racing through the pages way past your bedtime to find out what happens next. Hughes demonstrates incredible mastery over plot and pacing; subtle hints are peppered throughout the story, which add layers as the reader delves deeper into the mystery of Camryn's ability to alter the past--and the future.
Hughes excels at interiority, handling first-person present POV with deft skill. We feel what Camryn feels, but it never comes across as melodramatic. Camryn also struggles with panic disorder, which makes her especially empathetic and relatable to readers who deal with anxiety. The supporting cast is also great: Camryn's brother leaves a memorable imprint, and an unexpected romance unfolds without slowing the pace as the plot hurtles forward at roller-coaster speed.
This is one of my favorite books this year, and I eagerly look forward to more from this author!
July 24, 2018
I loved this YA thriller! Calling it a thriller is oversimplifying. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories and the paranormal, a science-fiction fan, or a reader of conspiracy thrillers, this book is for you. A very original take on the YA thriller genre, very smart, and full of unanticipated twists. I highly recommend this.
September 9, 2021
Rated 2.5 really.
Fast-paced and full of turns, this one would make a great adult sci-fi book set in a distant future (minus the weird-instalove part). The problem is, as a teen's adventure set in our time-frame, and in our good old reality, it doesn't hold. Both the science and the conspiracy are over the top, and there's no way that a single teen "prodigy" (not our lead) could make such a huge scientific breakthrough. The romantic plot is unsettling for at least two reasons. And while I enjoyed reading about a main character with panic disorder, I didn't buy that she would get crippled by it one moment and be able to play hero the other (though I don't know how it really feels to have a panic disorder, and I'm probably not the best judge). Kudos for being entertaining though, and for dealing with familial relationships (though they mostly got skimmed).
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later, and of course I don't plan to reread this book).
Fast-paced and full of turns, this one would make a great adult sci-fi book set in a distant future (minus the weird-instalove part). The problem is, as a teen's adventure set in our time-frame, and in our good old reality, it doesn't hold. Both the science and the conspiracy are over the top, and there's no way that a single teen "prodigy" (not our lead) could make such a huge scientific breakthrough. The romantic plot is unsettling for at least two reasons. And while I enjoyed reading about a main character with panic disorder, I didn't buy that she would get crippled by it one moment and be able to play hero the other (though I don't know how it really feels to have a panic disorder, and I'm probably not the best judge). Kudos for being entertaining though, and for dealing with familial relationships (though they mostly got skimmed).
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later, and of course I don't plan to reread this book).
May 29, 2018
Oh, my gosh - this book.
I had the pleasure of reading an early version of AFTERIMAGE and it killed me dead.
Then I got to read the ARC which also killed me dead.
The ghost of my ghost is writing this review for you.
AFTERIMAGE is teeming with fast-paced, heart-pounding action and adventure. Any time you manage to catch your breath, you'll be busy screaming at the latest twist, turn, or reveal.
The voice of Camryn leaps off the page, drawing you into the crumbling world she's desperate to save. It's a book that you instantly want to start reading again once you finish because you know you'll get even more out of it the second time around.
I don't want to say much else for fear of spoilers so just read it, join me in the ghostly realm, and we'll chat.
I had the pleasure of reading an early version of AFTERIMAGE and it killed me dead.
Then I got to read the ARC which also killed me dead.
The ghost of my ghost is writing this review for you.
AFTERIMAGE is teeming with fast-paced, heart-pounding action and adventure. Any time you manage to catch your breath, you'll be busy screaming at the latest twist, turn, or reveal.
The voice of Camryn leaps off the page, drawing you into the crumbling world she's desperate to save. It's a book that you instantly want to start reading again once you finish because you know you'll get even more out of it the second time around.
I don't want to say much else for fear of spoilers so just read it, join me in the ghostly realm, and we'll chat.
February 14, 2020
I follow Naomi on twitter and had been lusting after this book for a long time. Despite reading the blurb I honestly had no idea what to expect. I certainly didn’t expect a sci-fi adventure. I know, I know
Put simply, I loved it. Go read this book.
Put simply, I loved it. Go read this book.
May 16, 2018
I absolutely loved this book! I read it through an ARC program and will definitely be buying myself a copy when it comes out.
The storytelling and writing style captures the reader and draws you in. Because neither Quint nor Camryn know what is happening, and the suspense and life or death scenario surrounding their situation, the reader is desperate to know what's going to happen next. When you do find out, not only is it a satisfying explanation, it one that makes you only more invested in the plot.
The same goes for the ending, I loved it and yet I crave more. When I finished I was speechless and could only gush to my friends about this book and how much they needed to read it.
The way scenes, characters, and thoughts are described makes them, not only a delight to read, but also paint a crystal clear picture in your head.
When I started the book, I wasn't a big fan of the characters, but soon they grew on me. From Kyle's snark to Quint and Camryn's bluntness, I fell in love with them all. They all felt real.
The level of thought and effort Naomi Hughes poured into Afterimage is highly apparent and definitely make it worth the read and then some. This book is not only on my list of favorite books I've read this year but possibly of all time, with the author ranking high also among my favorites.
The storytelling and writing style captures the reader and draws you in. Because neither Quint nor Camryn know what is happening, and the suspense and life or death scenario surrounding their situation, the reader is desperate to know what's going to happen next. When you do find out, not only is it a satisfying explanation, it one that makes you only more invested in the plot.
The same goes for the ending, I loved it and yet I crave more. When I finished I was speechless and could only gush to my friends about this book and how much they needed to read it.
The way scenes, characters, and thoughts are described makes them, not only a delight to read, but also paint a crystal clear picture in your head.
When I started the book, I wasn't a big fan of the characters, but soon they grew on me. From Kyle's snark to Quint and Camryn's bluntness, I fell in love with them all. They all felt real.
The level of thought and effort Naomi Hughes poured into Afterimage is highly apparent and definitely make it worth the read and then some. This book is not only on my list of favorite books I've read this year but possibly of all time, with the author ranking high also among my favorites.
September 6, 2019
What I loved:
My favorite thing about the whole book was the accurate portrayal of anxiety disorder. At the end, the main character isn’t just suddenly cured of her illness because she went through some life changing adventures, as sometimes happens in stories that are written by people who don’t actually know what it’s like or what it means to have a disorder. By the end of the book, Camryn has grown and learned how to better cope with her condition, but it hasn’t just magically disappeared, and that goes to show that you can be strong and suffer from a disorder at the same time.
What I didn’t love:
The characters themselves were likable and admirable, but not personable or believable. I’m a bit tired of the typical hero-type main character who always manages to make it out of saving the world without really getting any blood on their hands, and I’m tired of these characters who are more concerned with whether or not they’ve got blood on their hands than saving THE ENTIRE WORLD.
For example, had Camryn pulled the trigger on that agent that 1. Had just murdered her brother and 2. Was about to call more agents and ruin her world-saving plan, I would have completely understood that decision and then I would have regarded Camryn as a much more flexible character who actually is as desperate as she says she is.
Also, I disliked that Quint’s manipulative tendencies were played up like some kind of cute quirk. Manipulation is never cute.
All in all, the story was action packed, never a slow moment, and had wonderful turns with an ending I didn’t expect. I loved the way Camryn talked about her mom, and the role her mom played in her life. (Kind of wished more of a spotlight had been put on the moment she is finally reunited with the family she just spent the entire book trying to save, but it gets completely glossed over?)
Fun, super suspenseful, unique science fiction (leratonium- very cool!) and over all a good read.
My favorite thing about the whole book was the accurate portrayal of anxiety disorder. At the end, the main character isn’t just suddenly cured of her illness because she went through some life changing adventures, as sometimes happens in stories that are written by people who don’t actually know what it’s like or what it means to have a disorder. By the end of the book, Camryn has grown and learned how to better cope with her condition, but it hasn’t just magically disappeared, and that goes to show that you can be strong and suffer from a disorder at the same time.
What I didn’t love:
The characters themselves were likable and admirable, but not personable or believable. I’m a bit tired of the typical hero-type main character who always manages to make it out of saving the world without really getting any blood on their hands, and I’m tired of these characters who are more concerned with whether or not they’ve got blood on their hands than saving THE ENTIRE WORLD.
For example, had Camryn pulled the trigger on that agent that 1. Had just murdered her brother and 2. Was about to call more agents and ruin her world-saving plan, I would have completely understood that decision and then I would have regarded Camryn as a much more flexible character who actually is as desperate as she says she is.
Also, I disliked that Quint’s manipulative tendencies were played up like some kind of cute quirk. Manipulation is never cute.
All in all, the story was action packed, never a slow moment, and had wonderful turns with an ending I didn’t expect. I loved the way Camryn talked about her mom, and the role her mom played in her life. (Kind of wished more of a spotlight had been put on the moment she is finally reunited with the family she just spent the entire book trying to save, but it gets completely glossed over?)
Fun, super suspenseful, unique science fiction (leratonium- very cool!) and over all a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2018
Thank you to Page Street Publishing for a copy of the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Camryn is working through her panic disorder, and her mom is talking it her through it when she finally makes it on base to pick her mom up from work. However, Camryn never makes it into the building. A massive explosive happens and before Camryn falls unconscious she sees a boy who is shocked that she can see him.
She spends weeks asleep before finally waking up and realizing that she is the only survivor. The agency threatens her by telling her if she doesn't cooperate they will imply that she had something to do with the bombing just like her mother. Camryn knows something is off, especially when Quint tells her the password to the Agent's tablet.
Camryn is determined to prove that her mother is innocent. Soon she is caught up in a conspiracy and a massive cover up. She keeps seeing a boy that no one else sees, but it becomes clear that she has to work with him in order to save space and time.
This really wasn't on my radar until I received the book. I was pleasantly surprised, I don't read too much sci-fi anymore, but this appealed to me. There is something about time travel, wormholes, and ghostly boys that is extremely interesting. I found that Camryn was compelling and interesting, not sure I completely understood how everything that happened, but it was different from anything I have read lately.
I also tend to read a lot of series, so it is super nice to read a good standalone, even if I did want more by the end of the book.
Camryn is working through her panic disorder, and her mom is talking it her through it when she finally makes it on base to pick her mom up from work. However, Camryn never makes it into the building. A massive explosive happens and before Camryn falls unconscious she sees a boy who is shocked that she can see him.
She spends weeks asleep before finally waking up and realizing that she is the only survivor. The agency threatens her by telling her if she doesn't cooperate they will imply that she had something to do with the bombing just like her mother. Camryn knows something is off, especially when Quint tells her the password to the Agent's tablet.
Camryn is determined to prove that her mother is innocent. Soon she is caught up in a conspiracy and a massive cover up. She keeps seeing a boy that no one else sees, but it becomes clear that she has to work with him in order to save space and time.
This really wasn't on my radar until I received the book. I was pleasantly surprised, I don't read too much sci-fi anymore, but this appealed to me. There is something about time travel, wormholes, and ghostly boys that is extremely interesting. I found that Camryn was compelling and interesting, not sure I completely understood how everything that happened, but it was different from anything I have read lately.
I also tend to read a lot of series, so it is super nice to read a good standalone, even if I did want more by the end of the book.
May 10, 2018
This one had me from the first page. The standout for me was the character of Camryn, who has some real obstacles to both overcome and manage, but confronts each of them with gusto and spirit and a touch of vulnerability. Loved the writing--again, Camryn's voice!--but the plot was equally engaging. Each turn of the page totally kept me guessing. I started the book mid work-week, but once I reached the weekend I inhaled it in a matter of hours. If you love YA with an awesome but real heroine and a complex, twisty plot, definitely read Afterimage!
January 22, 2019
I have mixed feelings about this book.
On one hand, for all that the book was nonstop action, sometimes it still felt like not a lot was actually happening. Also, the science was sometimes hard to understand (but then it always is for me in sci-fi books that deal with alternate timelines), and I predicted the major twist. On the other hand, I love how that twist totally turned the story on its ear, the author's sometimes poetic writing style, and Ms. Hughes' observations about redemption and the good and bad in all of us.
Bottom line: I'm glad I read it.
On one hand, for all that the book was nonstop action, sometimes it still felt like not a lot was actually happening. Also, the science was sometimes hard to understand (but then it always is for me in sci-fi books that deal with alternate timelines), and I predicted the major twist. On the other hand, I love how that twist totally turned the story on its ear, the author's sometimes poetic writing style, and Ms. Hughes' observations about redemption and the good and bad in all of us.
Bottom line: I'm glad I read it.
November 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this book and actually finished it last week -- I thought I had added it here, but apparently not. Afterimage was one of those books for me that sucked me in from the first chapter and held my attention to the very end. It was different, exciting, and the overall story felt unique.
I highly recommend it!
I highly recommend it!
July 27, 2018
I really loved this book. The story kept me on my toes, every time I thought I knew what was going on, the author took a turn I did not expect. I was intrigued straight through to the end. It's an imaginative original story with a great, believable protagonist. Highly recommend!!
July 1, 2019
Hey! I'm the author, Naomi Hughes. Nice to meet you! I'm so honored you're interested in (or have already read) Afterimage. In case you haven't yet read it, I wanted to use this space to include a few notes and trigger warnings that I didn't get the chance to include in the book.
First: this book is ownvoices for panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder in which a person has panic attacks which then generate a deep-seated fear of having more panic attacks, which leads to--you guessed it--actually having more panic attacks. It's exactly as sucky as it sounds.
Camryn, my main character, is lucky. She's got a therapist and a supportive and well-informed family. She was diagnosed soon after the cycle of panic attacks began. Many real-life people aren't nearly so fortunate; it can take years or decades for anxiety disorders to be properly diagnosed and treated, and even then sometimes they're hard for family and friends to understand. It's my hope that by portraying panic disorder in my story, readers with anxiety will feel seen and everyone else will understand this type of disorder a little bit better.
Now, on to the trigger warnings! This book can get intense but isn't particularly dark or gritty, and maintains a hopeful tone throughout. However, there are some scenes and events that might cause some people anxiety. Some of these will contain spoilers and I'll mark those as such. A quick note before we get started: although this list is as comprehensive as I can make it, it's likely I'll miss some things, either through oversight or simply because I miss something that doesn't trigger me but might trigger others.
Trigger warnings:
-Explosions that result in massive casualties
-Death of family members by
-Deep grief related to the above
-Protagonist has potential hallucinations (completely unrelated to her anxiety disorder)
-Political protestors who threaten violence
-Blackmail
-Characters using CPR
-Gun violence
-Hand-to-hand violence
-A villain who commits and attempts to justify
-Violence via sci-fi technology
-Government
-Protagonist being forced to consider
-Characters nearly drowning
-
-Characters being arrested
-
-
That's it! Thanks so much again for your interest in this story; it was a lot of fun to write, and I hope you enjoy it. If you do enjoy it, maybe check out this other book I wrote--a standalone YA sci-fi titled Refraction, which features OCD, bromance, and creepy monsters that crawl out of mirrors.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask over in the "ask the author" section of my author page on Goodreads.
Best,
Naomi
First: this book is ownvoices for panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder in which a person has panic attacks which then generate a deep-seated fear of having more panic attacks, which leads to--you guessed it--actually having more panic attacks. It's exactly as sucky as it sounds.
Camryn, my main character, is lucky. She's got a therapist and a supportive and well-informed family. She was diagnosed soon after the cycle of panic attacks began. Many real-life people aren't nearly so fortunate; it can take years or decades for anxiety disorders to be properly diagnosed and treated, and even then sometimes they're hard for family and friends to understand. It's my hope that by portraying panic disorder in my story, readers with anxiety will feel seen and everyone else will understand this type of disorder a little bit better.
Now, on to the trigger warnings! This book can get intense but isn't particularly dark or gritty, and maintains a hopeful tone throughout. However, there are some scenes and events that might cause some people anxiety. Some of these will contain spoilers and I'll mark those as such. A quick note before we get started: although this list is as comprehensive as I can make it, it's likely I'll miss some things, either through oversight or simply because I miss something that doesn't trigger me but might trigger others.
Trigger warnings:
-Explosions that result in massive casualties
-Death of family members by
-Deep grief related to the above
-Protagonist has potential hallucinations (completely unrelated to her anxiety disorder)
-Political protestors who threaten violence
-Blackmail
-Characters using CPR
-Gun violence
-Hand-to-hand violence
-A villain who commits and attempts to justify
-Violence via sci-fi technology
-Government
-Protagonist being forced to consider
-Characters nearly drowning
-
-Characters being arrested
-
-
That's it! Thanks so much again for your interest in this story; it was a lot of fun to write, and I hope you enjoy it. If you do enjoy it, maybe check out this other book I wrote--a standalone YA sci-fi titled Refraction, which features OCD, bromance, and creepy monsters that crawl out of mirrors.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask over in the "ask the author" section of my author page on Goodreads.
Best,
Naomi
January 8, 2019
Dit is een heel apart verhaal. Er is geen bladzijde rust en bijna alle mogelijke sci fi kenmerken worden gecombineerd. Dit zorgde er wel voor dat dit boek alles behalve saai was! Lastig weg te leggen maar net iets te onrustig om door te lezen. Erg lastig :p
3.7/5 (of een 4- maar net hoe je het wilt zien).
3.7/5 (of een 4- maar net hoe je het wilt zien).
June 10, 2018
This book had me intrigued from the very beginning. It is full of action, twists and turns. I just kept needing to know what would happen next. I also loved the mystery surrounding Camryn and Quint.
September 14, 2018
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Afterimage is a science fiction book with a lot of heart, intrigue, and a fantastic main character. Camryn has this wonderful resilience in her. She suffers from panic attacks, but she's able to be the star of her own book. She becomes the main character in a wonderfully written book about ethics and choices.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Afterimage is a science fiction book with a lot of heart, intrigue, and a fantastic main character. Camryn has this wonderful resilience in her. She suffers from panic attacks, but she's able to be the star of her own book. She becomes the main character in a wonderfully written book about ethics and choices.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
September 25, 2018
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher/Saichek Publicity in exchange for a honest review.
I had high expectations for Afterimage but it fell short when the story took a turn towards Sci-Fi. I’m all for Sci-Fi but the synopsis promised a Dystopian novel, and that was what I was expecting…I felt mislead. The book started with a bang, literally, when an explosion rocks a research/government facility wiping out the entire area within the 10-15 mile radius. The only survivor is our heroine Camryn and another boy, Quint, who may or may not be a figment of her imagination.
The government blames Camryn’s mother for the accident and she sets out to prove her mother’s innocence and investigate the shady organization that her mother worked for. The surprise twist, when things turned into a Sci-Fi was about halfway through the book and where we also find out why she was the only person able to see Quint. I thought it was a cool twist but the plot development seemed clunky and ill-defined. It could have been a great idea if it was executed better.
I also wasn’t feeling the characters. Camryn and Quint were pretty one-dimensional. I’m sure Camryn is supposed to be this beyong brave girl, breaking and entering buildings, fending off multiple attacks/attempts, and outsmarting the shady agency but it wasn’t the least bit believable…less believable than the Sci-Fi twist. It makes me sad to admit this but I never felt invested in the characters and found myself caring less and less as the story progressed.
Afterimage had a cool concept but it never went further than that. It had potential though. I just wished I enjoyed it more than I did. However, they are way more positive and glowing reviews for Afterimage, and although I didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t. I’d recommend checking out a sample excerpt before reading and/or purchasing.
I had high expectations for Afterimage but it fell short when the story took a turn towards Sci-Fi. I’m all for Sci-Fi but the synopsis promised a Dystopian novel, and that was what I was expecting…I felt mislead. The book started with a bang, literally, when an explosion rocks a research/government facility wiping out the entire area within the 10-15 mile radius. The only survivor is our heroine Camryn and another boy, Quint, who may or may not be a figment of her imagination.
The government blames Camryn’s mother for the accident and she sets out to prove her mother’s innocence and investigate the shady organization that her mother worked for. The surprise twist, when things turned into a Sci-Fi was about halfway through the book and where we also find out why she was the only person able to see Quint. I thought it was a cool twist but the plot development seemed clunky and ill-defined. It could have been a great idea if it was executed better.
I also wasn’t feeling the characters. Camryn and Quint were pretty one-dimensional. I’m sure Camryn is supposed to be this beyong brave girl, breaking and entering buildings, fending off multiple attacks/attempts, and outsmarting the shady agency but it wasn’t the least bit believable…less believable than the Sci-Fi twist. It makes me sad to admit this but I never felt invested in the characters and found myself caring less and less as the story progressed.
Afterimage had a cool concept but it never went further than that. It had potential though. I just wished I enjoyed it more than I did. However, they are way more positive and glowing reviews for Afterimage, and although I didn’t enjoy it doesn’t mean you wouldn’t. I’d recommend checking out a sample excerpt before reading and/or purchasing.
September 9, 2018
I feel like this is one of those books that's hard to talk about without giving too much away. I really enjoyed the book as a whole, there's a lot going on and when you start getting to the twists it just amps it up. The science and way things go is really intriguing, and the characters are pretty fascinating. There were just a few things missing for me though, so I didn't have full buy in.
The good: Literally the entire storyline. It gets convoluted, but when you find out what's actually happening, and when they go to fix things, that's when it gets good. It's a lot to keep up with, but it's worth it. Also, I loved Quint's character developments toward the end, the resolution was particularly nice.
The bad: Again, there's a lot to keep up with, which could be a little tricky.
The ugly: Panic Disorder. This aspect of Camryn drove me up the wall. On one hand, I kept waiting for more. For an explanation or something. The book lets you know it's a recent development, and with the way those clues were dropped I was sure it stemmed from something and was sure we'd find out why she developed it. No. Instead we just have a girl that panics about literally everything. But on the other hand, she doesn't. She pushes through so much, and with relatively few consequences, that half the time I forgot she was supposed to be panicking. Then, when she did panic, sometimes it didn't make sense on how she was supposed to be mid panic attack but still functioning as well as she did. If the panic disorder had been taken away, or reduced to anxiety over 1-3 specific things, I'd have believed in her character much more than I did.
The good: Literally the entire storyline. It gets convoluted, but when you find out what's actually happening, and when they go to fix things, that's when it gets good. It's a lot to keep up with, but it's worth it. Also, I loved Quint's character developments toward the end, the resolution was particularly nice.
The bad: Again, there's a lot to keep up with, which could be a little tricky.
The ugly: Panic Disorder. This aspect of Camryn drove me up the wall. On one hand, I kept waiting for more. For an explanation or something. The book lets you know it's a recent development, and with the way those clues were dropped I was sure it stemmed from something and was sure we'd find out why she developed it. No. Instead we just have a girl that panics about literally everything. But on the other hand, she doesn't. She pushes through so much, and with relatively few consequences, that half the time I forgot she was supposed to be panicking. Then, when she did panic, sometimes it didn't make sense on how she was supposed to be mid panic attack but still functioning as well as she did. If the panic disorder had been taken away, or reduced to anxiety over 1-3 specific things, I'd have believed in her character much more than I did.
December 14, 2021
Allow me to preface this review by saying that I wouldn’t usually go for this title of story. However at the time of purchasing I was going through withdrawals from not being able to find the second book in the Firebird Trilogy (#1 A Thousand Pieces of You) and the little blue sticker saying that I could by this as a hardcover for $6 was too much to resist. My need to impulse spend won out and therefore, this book was purchased.
If you’re the type to pay attention to read dates, which should be visible, you’ll know that I finished this book in one sitting. Really, I devoured all 320 pages like I was starving. For an impulse buy I really did love the story and was thrown into things right off the bat. Then there was the time travel aspect, and god did I love it. Was I confused? Yes. Did I mind it at all? No. (Well maybe a little bit because it was 2am and I really did need to sleep.) Moral of the story is that you cannot simply pause this novel after a chapter unless you have a godly amount of self control.
I noticed some reviews saying that they didn’t like Camryn initially, and that the characters were flat but I honestly didn’t mind the characterization. I definitely disagree with those reviews. Camryn is thrown into this world of pure chaos, and she suffers from a realistically written panic disorder. As I’ve said in previous reviews I love my characters with a little struggle, and Camryn’s got that aced. Her hesitation in crucial moments due to her panic disorder cause actual consequences and I love to see that.
For overall feel I found myself relating this book to the Firebird Trilogy (mentioned above), Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris or Tempest by Julie Cross.
If you’re the type to pay attention to read dates, which should be visible, you’ll know that I finished this book in one sitting. Really, I devoured all 320 pages like I was starving. For an impulse buy I really did love the story and was thrown into things right off the bat. Then there was the time travel aspect, and god did I love it. Was I confused? Yes. Did I mind it at all? No. (Well maybe a little bit because it was 2am and I really did need to sleep.) Moral of the story is that you cannot simply pause this novel after a chapter unless you have a godly amount of self control.
I noticed some reviews saying that they didn’t like Camryn initially, and that the characters were flat but I honestly didn’t mind the characterization. I definitely disagree with those reviews. Camryn is thrown into this world of pure chaos, and she suffers from a realistically written panic disorder. As I’ve said in previous reviews I love my characters with a little struggle, and Camryn’s got that aced. Her hesitation in crucial moments due to her panic disorder cause actual consequences and I love to see that.
For overall feel I found myself relating this book to the Firebird Trilogy (mentioned above), Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris or Tempest by Julie Cross.
November 17, 2019
Dealing with severe panic disorder is hard, but what if your inability to cross through a gate because of it, results in losing your mother? This is what Camryn faces at the start of this story. The government facility where her mother works as the top research psychiatrist, explodes, killing thousands. As one, if not the only survivor, Camryn's suspected of being part of the plot, or at least having knowledge of it. Then, there's the blonde haired dude only she can see, who cannot get further than ten feet from her. What follows involves more violence, she and the ghost like guy trying to figure out what really happened, and who wants her dead. There is a recurring situation with maze-like properties. Unlike most mazes where getting lost is part of the experience, getting lost in ths is deadly and every time it happens, the demoralization is stronger. This is a dandy what if? sort of story, but near the end readers are going to need to be distraction-free if they want to stay on top of all the sudden changes.
October 12, 2021
This book is well written with an interesting plot, lots of action, and a bit of angsty romance. It explores themes of death, grief, bravery, mental health and resilience, family bonds, trust, and the thin line between choosing to be a good person or a terrible one, with a dash of soul stealing and multiverse for good measure. It's not hard science by any means (detractor for me). While there are many sciences included by way of characters, plot points, and exposition (psychologists, doctors, physicists) I felt it did seem to be casting it under a mildly abrasive tone by making the main scientists and uses of science, if not outright psychopathic, at least assumed to be bad (which is resolved, sort of). "Science gone wrong" is fairly popular as a concept so it's not unique there though. It also has an implied religious view that surfaces, unexpectedly, maybe 2/3 of the way through the book, although it wasn't overbearing. I just accepted these premises to see where it would go and it was enjoyable if you accept all of the above in stride. I finished it in one sitting.
January 3, 2023
i got to say reading wise i’m starting the new year out right. i’m not going to lie i picked this book up at goodwill like 6 months ago on a whim after realizing that i do sometime enjoy a good science fiction book and have like 2. i then started reading this one because it was my shortest book on my shelf that was unread. and the start of this book made me nervous i was confused nothing seems right and the characters were just there. and then i got about 30 pages in and i didn’t want to stop reading. once the plot starts moving it doesn’t slow down. thankfully not in a way that leaves you confused. quint and camryn develop and grow in such a good way. the “villain” was something i was but wasn’t expecting. and i think the best quote this book on to have an understanding of these characters and their development is “i’ve always believed it’s choices that make a person who they are. and you still have at least a few of those”
March 4, 2019
Camryn suffers from panic/anxiety disorder. One day she is trying to overcome it and go inside the science facility where her mom is waiting for her when a horrible explosion occurs. The explosion kills her mom and many other people and also leaves Camryn seeing an after image of a young man in a white lab coat who only she can see and hear. She ends up calling him Quint. Together they start trying to figure out what caused the explosion and if they can do something to fix/change what happened.
Lots of action/adventure in a sci-fi setting. Weaker readers may get a bit confused by some of the plot twists. I never got truly attached to any of the characters or the world setting.
Lots of action/adventure in a sci-fi setting. Weaker readers may get a bit confused by some of the plot twists. I never got truly attached to any of the characters or the world setting.
October 31, 2018
Afterimage is a YA science-fiction thriller that includes a major plot line regarding alternate timelines. The problem that I had with the book was, from the outset, blame was placed on a certain individual with no explanation as to how the authorities arrived at their conclusion. By using the alternate universe to explain all of the plot points, the legitimacy of the story was diminished. The reader is never given a chance to connect with Camryn and I personally did not feel that her character was fully developed. Afterimage was a fast read, but it just did not come together for me.
December 20, 2018
See full review here: https://wordpress.com/posts/booksinth...
Overall, Afterimage by Naomi Hughes was a nonstop adventure with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. While the writing is decent, it was really the story that swept me away. The buildup of the characters was done in a refreshing, unique way that helped enhance this thrilling story. This was a great debut novel and I am looking forward to more novels written by her. I highly recommend this book for those who like thrilling, twists, and conspiracy stories.
Overall, Afterimage by Naomi Hughes was a nonstop adventure with twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. While the writing is decent, it was really the story that swept me away. The buildup of the characters was done in a refreshing, unique way that helped enhance this thrilling story. This was a great debut novel and I am looking forward to more novels written by her. I highly recommend this book for those who like thrilling, twists, and conspiracy stories.
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