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megdot23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
postitsandpens's review against another edition
3.0
After really enjoying Shadowlands, I was eager to finally continue the series and see how things would progress from the cliffhanger at the end of the first book. However, this installment was not nearly as exciting imo, even if it did have its own twists and turns. The dual perspectives here, with the very sinister POV added to Rory's own 1st person narrative just didn't work for me. And while I'm willing to bet there's another twist coming with who that sinister POV actually is, the way it was placed into the book makes it obvious the author is wanting you to assume it's a particular person, which comes full circle with the end of the book. I also can't help but roll my eyes at teenagers exchanging "I love you"s after knowing each other all of a handful of days. 2013 YA was really something, wasn't it?
Nonetheless, this was still a quick, engaging read, and I will be checking out the last book just to complete the series. But I'm definitely tempering my expectations.
Nonetheless, this was still a quick, engaging read, and I will be checking out the last book just to complete the series. But I'm definitely tempering my expectations.
sqeeker's review against another edition
3.0
- This wasn't as good as the first one, but I still liked it.
- Without the impending danger for a serial killer, the book wasn't as suspenseful. There was still some mystery, but it didn't have the same thrill and intrigue.
- I'm glad there were several questions answers, but there are still questions, lots of questions.
- I'm still not a big fan of any of the characters, especially Darcy and Tristan.
- Without the impending danger for a serial killer, the book wasn't as suspenseful. There was still some mystery, but it didn't have the same thrill and intrigue.
- I'm glad there were several questions answers, but there are still questions, lots of questions.
- I'm still not a big fan of any of the characters, especially Darcy and Tristan.
cstoeger's review against another edition
4.0
ARC received from NetGalley.
Hereafter is the second book in the Shadowlands trilogy. The series itself is great, but the middle books always leave something to be desired for me. It's all about building this momentum for the final book, and it doesn't satisfy the reader as much as it should have.
Hereafter definitely ended on a cliffhanger, with Rory's dad crossing over to the Shadowlands. Someone is going against the creed of being a Lifer, and the reader will not find out until the last book. Of course, I do have my own suspicions' but they're just that: suspicions.
Needless to say, I am eagerly awaiting Book 3.
Hereafter is the second book in the Shadowlands trilogy. The series itself is great, but the middle books always leave something to be desired for me. It's all about building this momentum for the final book, and it doesn't satisfy the reader as much as it should have.
Hereafter definitely ended on a cliffhanger, with Rory's dad crossing over to the Shadowlands. Someone is going against the creed of being a Lifer, and the reader will not find out until the last book. Of course, I do have my own suspicions' but they're just that: suspicions.
Needless to say, I am eagerly awaiting Book 3.
heather4994's review against another edition
3.0
So, I know a lot of people didn't enjoy the first novel in this series as much as I did. But I read purely for joy and happily overlook plot holes and other things if the novel entertains me. Most of the time, this is easy. Not as easy in this novel. ****If you haven't read the first novel, there will be spoilers from that novel***. So, who is the bad guy or what do you do with your characters when you kill off the bad guy in the first book? Well, you have to come up with something even more sinister, and it is. It's a good idea.
This novel is once again told from Rory's point of view with the exception of several one page interruptions of someone writing from their own point of view. This person doesn't reveal their identity. It is creepy and you'd almost believe Steven Nell was alive if you hadn't seen him killed in the last novel. But the author leads you heavily along as to who it is. And at the end of the novel - What? Oh no, not him! Of course, with such heavy pointing towards him being the bad guy, I'm sure in the next novel we will come to find out he is not the bad guy. However, it does make me wonder who the villain is???
Rory is herself as she was in the last novel. She knows a huge secret about her life as well as that of everyone else's on the island but if she tells it will harm them all, including herself. So yeah, that's kind of heavy. But she is also tip toeing around the boy she likes, Tristan, because he's very mysterious. (blech) Darcy, Rory's sister, is still an insecure, jealous child. She sees Rory with the guy Darcy liked and the one she likes currently and automatically Rory is trying to steal both. What? Do they really hate each other so much? And Darcy is described as the beautiful one. If it weren't for where she'd go I'd say kick her off the island.
As I read through this time, I did some serious eye rolling. The love declaration after ten days. One. The mean girl plotting against Rory. Two. A secret society that Rory can be a member of which only makes her sister even more jealous. Three. Mysterious things happening only after Rory appeared on the island. Four. And the final one was for who the obvious bad guy was. We are led by the nose to him throughout the novel with glaring clues. He screams "It's me!" without actually saying it.The final eye roll.
But despite the eye rolling, I read it in a couple of hours and while it wasn't as good as the first one to me, I do still want to find out what is going on. So yes, I will read the last book. And I think it could be very interesting depending on what Kate Brian decides to write. She left things precarious at this point. Rory is in a very bad state right now and when I say that, I mean she is taking no prisoners as she beats her way to the answers. THAT could be fun. I like ticked off Rory. She does something very symbolic at the end that leads me to believe, whether he did it or not, the guy we all think did it better look out because I don't think Rory is going to stop for explanations!
If you've already started the series, I'd say read this one because the first one could very well have been a stand alone. This one could be a companion novel where you already know the characters and how the island seemingly works. This one gives you the instruction manual and lets you know the defects. The next novel should be, if written really well, like a hurricane sweeping over the island, taking all the bad with it, and waking up to a freshly washed over island that can be rebuilt from the ground up like it was intended.
I say give it a try if you've started the series. Be prepared for some obvious things in the novel. Don't let it derail you. See if you can find out what's really going on, who the real bad guy is. If I'm wrong, if it is really him, then I'll be really disappointed. But we won't know for awhile, will we?
Thanks to the publisher Disney-Hyperion for an e-ARC supplied through NetGalley for review. The opinions expressed are my own.
This novel is once again told from Rory's point of view with the exception of several one page interruptions of someone writing from their own point of view. This person doesn't reveal their identity. It is creepy and you'd almost believe Steven Nell was alive if you hadn't seen him killed in the last novel. But the author leads you heavily along as to who it is. And at the end of the novel - What? Oh no, not him! Of course, with such heavy pointing towards him being the bad guy, I'm sure in the next novel we will come to find out he is not the bad guy. However, it does make me wonder who the villain is???
Rory is herself as she was in the last novel. She knows a huge secret about her life as well as that of everyone else's on the island but if she tells it will harm them all, including herself. So yeah, that's kind of heavy. But she is also tip toeing around the boy she likes, Tristan, because he's very mysterious. (blech) Darcy, Rory's sister, is still an insecure, jealous child. She sees Rory with the guy Darcy liked and the one she likes currently and automatically Rory is trying to steal both. What? Do they really hate each other so much? And Darcy is described as the beautiful one. If it weren't for where she'd go I'd say kick her off the island.
As I read through this time, I did some serious eye rolling. The love declaration after ten days. One. The mean girl plotting against Rory. Two. A secret society that Rory can be a member of which only makes her sister even more jealous. Three. Mysterious things happening only after Rory appeared on the island. Four. And the final one was for who the obvious bad guy was. We are led by the nose to him throughout the novel with glaring clues. He screams "It's me!" without actually saying it.The final eye roll.
But despite the eye rolling, I read it in a couple of hours and while it wasn't as good as the first one to me, I do still want to find out what is going on. So yes, I will read the last book. And I think it could be very interesting depending on what Kate Brian decides to write. She left things precarious at this point. Rory is in a very bad state right now and when I say that, I mean she is taking no prisoners as she beats her way to the answers. THAT could be fun. I like ticked off Rory. She does something very symbolic at the end that leads me to believe, whether he did it or not, the guy we all think did it better look out because I don't think Rory is going to stop for explanations!
If you've already started the series, I'd say read this one because the first one could very well have been a stand alone. This one could be a companion novel where you already know the characters and how the island seemingly works. This one gives you the instruction manual and lets you know the defects. The next novel should be, if written really well, like a hurricane sweeping over the island, taking all the bad with it, and waking up to a freshly washed over island that can be rebuilt from the ground up like it was intended.
I say give it a try if you've started the series. Be prepared for some obvious things in the novel. Don't let it derail you. See if you can find out what's really going on, who the real bad guy is. If I'm wrong, if it is really him, then I'll be really disappointed. But we won't know for awhile, will we?
Thanks to the publisher Disney-Hyperion for an e-ARC supplied through NetGalley for review. The opinions expressed are my own.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
4.0
wow
a surprised and explosive book 2. I can't believe all the information that is revealed, and what a full out sprint this book is to get to each new chapter.
The hints of chapters inbetween Rory's really do set this book on a fast pace.
I loved it. I can't wait for book 3.
a surprised and explosive book 2. I can't believe all the information that is revealed, and what a full out sprint this book is to get to each new chapter.
The hints of chapters inbetween Rory's really do set this book on a fast pace.
I loved it. I can't wait for book 3.
bookishnicole's review against another edition
4.0
This book helped to make Shadowlands actually make sense. In case you missed my review of Shadowlands you can check it out here. When I first finished the book, I was a little bit outraged because I was confused by the ending and I felt like the book had no purpose, and it was really upsetting. I was also pissed off because I thought that this book was a stand alone. What shocked me was finding out that the book was actually part of a trilogy.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked getting pulled back into the world of Juniper Landing. I liked coming back into Rory's life as she struggled with this new knowledge that she was dead, which I so don't blame her her, knowing that you died is a big deal. It was sad realizing that the nightmare she had on her way to Juniper Landing was actually how she died.
There were new people that we met in this book which was really interesting and we also got to learn more about how the entire community worked. Best of all we get to see her and Tristan together more, including him coming to her rescue again which was completely magical and swoon worthy. While I get to know more about these other characters we see less and less of her family. One thing that did irk me? Books one and two span two weeks total. Two weeks! And we have Tristan and Rory falling all over themselves "In Love" with each other.
All in all, I cannot wait to get my hands on the final installment of this series to see what is going to happen and where everything will end up.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked getting pulled back into the world of Juniper Landing. I liked coming back into Rory's life as she struggled with this new knowledge that she was dead, which I so don't blame her her, knowing that you died is a big deal. It was sad realizing that the nightmare she had on her way to Juniper Landing was actually how she died.
There were new people that we met in this book which was really interesting and we also got to learn more about how the entire community worked. Best of all we get to see her and Tristan together more, including him coming to her rescue again which was completely magical and swoon worthy. While I get to know more about these other characters we see less and less of her family. One thing that did irk me? Books one and two span two weeks total. Two weeks! And we have Tristan and Rory falling all over themselves "In Love" with each other.
All in all, I cannot wait to get my hands on the final installment of this series to see what is going to happen and where everything will end up.
mary_r_m's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to netgalley for allowing me access to this title.
I have always enjoyed Kate Brian as an author and while this is different kind of plot than the other books of hers I've read, it did not disappoint.
I did not realize when I picked it up that it was the second novel of the series, but as Kate Brian is such an amazing author I do not feel as though I missed anything big from the first book. I feel she was able to give enough clues during this story as not to leave the reader lacking.
I will be looking to track down the first and third books of this series.
I have always enjoyed Kate Brian as an author and while this is different kind of plot than the other books of hers I've read, it did not disappoint.
I did not realize when I picked it up that it was the second novel of the series, but as Kate Brian is such an amazing author I do not feel as though I missed anything big from the first book. I feel she was able to give enough clues during this story as not to leave the reader lacking.
I will be looking to track down the first and third books of this series.
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
I don't even know what to say about this book without giving everything away. However, I do want to say that the second book is completely different than the first and certainly not as awesome. The resolution of the first book forced the second book to be something totally different. Rory is stuck on this island with the other weird teenagers, but eventually her family will have to leave. Rory is looking for justice and needs to know why the island is acting weirder than normal. I am out after this book. I almost didn't finish this book.
the_cover_contessa's review against another edition
5.0
I want to thank Disney Hyperion for providing me with an ARC of this book at BEA to read and give an honest review. It was so great to see Kate Brian once again and chat with her a bit about things. Receiving this book for free has in no easy influenced my opinion or review.
Blurb from Goodreads:
Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan.
But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, you might want to stop before moving on as there will be spoilers for the first book. And, since the first book lands a huge cliff hanger, then you might be totally disappointed when I tell you what happened!
This book picked up immediately where the last book left off. At the end we are given the shocking conclusion that everyone on Juniper Landing is dead. That Juniper landing is not the vacation island Rory and her family thought it to be.
Once again I am in love with the cover of a Disney book. It's just utterly beautiful with the colors and the girls on the front. It's simple and yet conveys an important message with the birds flying around.
Rory continues to be her inquisitive self as she was in the first book. Her mind is always working, always trying to find the truth. So once she finds out that the island is a place where the dead come, she needs to find out the truth of why she and her family are there and what their purpose is. Once Rory is told that she's a Lifer, things come more into focus. But she's having a hard time accepting the reality that she may soon be separated from her family for good. And she wants to try and do everything she can to stop this from happening. But the evil that lurks on the island is changing things for the Lifers and things are slowly starting to deteriorate. When Rory realizes things are not right, she has a hard time getting people to listen, especially Tristan, who she has felt a connection with since landing on the island. Rory continues to be quite a fearless and kick butt character, but you do see her emotions come through quite a bit in this book.
Tristan himself is quite mysterious. He certainly seems like he's attracted to Rory, but when things start to heat up he backs off and throws her into total confusion. Slowly we learn that Tristan has been on the island for a long time, and that most if not all the Lifers listen to what he has to say because he has the most experience. I have to say that I would have liked to see more character development with Tristan. He's a bit flat. I do understand the reasoning behind us not getting too deep into his mind, but it bothered me a bit.
We do get a bit more of Juoquin in this book; more of a look into who he is and why he is the way he is. And Brian fleshes out some of the other minor characters as well. We don't get much more from Rory's father or sister, which is a bit annoying. They are just kind of in the background. And we also meet some new characters, one of whom seems to have huge chip on her shoulder for Rory from the very beginning. It's a bit annoying not understanding the reasoning for this until closer to the end of the book.
And interesting twist is the unknown POV that Brain includes in the book. It's not often that we see it, just a few chapters, but it's a look into the evil that lurks on the island. I tried my hardest to figure out who it was throughout the boo, but I couldn't. And even in the end, when things are "revealed" I still don't think it's who it appears to be. The voice creates a feeling of mystery and suspense and definitely left me with an unsettled feeling in my stomach!
Brian has amazing pacing, as she did in the first book. I finished this in one sitting. There's action and adventure and mystery and it keeps you wanting to read from chapter to chapter. The book definitely leaves you with a heart pounding that propels you to want to know what will happen next. It's intense for sure. And Brian's writing is spot on. It's easy to follow and flows well. I also loved how Brian built more of the world, showed us more of the island and all it's intricacies, although there still seems to be a bit of mystery that I hope is cleared in the next book. And the romance does not overpower the book too much. Sure, Rory does some pining, but what average teenage girl doesn't. And there's just a hint of a love triangle given, although it's not fleshed out and I wonder if it will go anywhere in the next book.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book as much as the first. I love the story telling and the premise. It's totally different from anything else I've ever read. And, while the ending is wrapped up enough not to leave you with your jaw hanging, you still want the next book yesterday so you can see where things end up!
Blurb from Goodreads:
Rory Miller thought her life was over when a serial killer set his sights on her and forced her into witness protection. But a fresh start on Juniper Landing Island was exactly what she and her family needed. For the first time in years she and her sister hang out at the beach, gossip about boys, and party together. She's also made friends with a local clique--including a magnetic and mysterious boy named Tristan.
But Rory's world is about to change again. Picturesque Juniper Landing isn't what it seems. The truth about the swirling fog that rolls in each morning, the bridge that leads to nowhere, and those beautiful locals who seem to watch Rory's every move is more terrifying than being hunted by Steven Nell. And all Rory ever wanted was the truth. Even if it means learning that she can never go home again. From the best-selling author of the Private and Privilege series comes the second novel in a heart-stopping trilogy about a girl who must pick up the pieces after the only life she's ever known ends.
If you haven't read the first book in this series, you might want to stop before moving on as there will be spoilers for the first book. And, since the first book lands a huge cliff hanger, then you might be totally disappointed when I tell you what happened!
This book picked up immediately where the last book left off. At the end we are given the shocking conclusion that everyone on Juniper Landing is dead. That Juniper landing is not the vacation island Rory and her family thought it to be.
Once again I am in love with the cover of a Disney book. It's just utterly beautiful with the colors and the girls on the front. It's simple and yet conveys an important message with the birds flying around.
Rory continues to be her inquisitive self as she was in the first book. Her mind is always working, always trying to find the truth. So once she finds out that the island is a place where the dead come, she needs to find out the truth of why she and her family are there and what their purpose is. Once Rory is told that she's a Lifer, things come more into focus. But she's having a hard time accepting the reality that she may soon be separated from her family for good. And she wants to try and do everything she can to stop this from happening. But the evil that lurks on the island is changing things for the Lifers and things are slowly starting to deteriorate. When Rory realizes things are not right, she has a hard time getting people to listen, especially Tristan, who she has felt a connection with since landing on the island. Rory continues to be quite a fearless and kick butt character, but you do see her emotions come through quite a bit in this book.
Tristan himself is quite mysterious. He certainly seems like he's attracted to Rory, but when things start to heat up he backs off and throws her into total confusion. Slowly we learn that Tristan has been on the island for a long time, and that most if not all the Lifers listen to what he has to say because he has the most experience. I have to say that I would have liked to see more character development with Tristan. He's a bit flat. I do understand the reasoning behind us not getting too deep into his mind, but it bothered me a bit.
We do get a bit more of Juoquin in this book; more of a look into who he is and why he is the way he is. And Brian fleshes out some of the other minor characters as well. We don't get much more from Rory's father or sister, which is a bit annoying. They are just kind of in the background. And we also meet some new characters, one of whom seems to have huge chip on her shoulder for Rory from the very beginning. It's a bit annoying not understanding the reasoning for this until closer to the end of the book.
And interesting twist is the unknown POV that Brain includes in the book. It's not often that we see it, just a few chapters, but it's a look into the evil that lurks on the island. I tried my hardest to figure out who it was throughout the boo, but I couldn't. And even in the end, when things are "revealed" I still don't think it's who it appears to be. The voice creates a feeling of mystery and suspense and definitely left me with an unsettled feeling in my stomach!
Brian has amazing pacing, as she did in the first book. I finished this in one sitting. There's action and adventure and mystery and it keeps you wanting to read from chapter to chapter. The book definitely leaves you with a heart pounding that propels you to want to know what will happen next. It's intense for sure. And Brian's writing is spot on. It's easy to follow and flows well. I also loved how Brian built more of the world, showed us more of the island and all it's intricacies, although there still seems to be a bit of mystery that I hope is cleared in the next book. And the romance does not overpower the book too much. Sure, Rory does some pining, but what average teenage girl doesn't. And there's just a hint of a love triangle given, although it's not fleshed out and I wonder if it will go anywhere in the next book.
Overall I truly enjoyed this book as much as the first. I love the story telling and the premise. It's totally different from anything else I've ever read. And, while the ending is wrapped up enough not to leave you with your jaw hanging, you still want the next book yesterday so you can see where things end up!