Pages: 288 Pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Date Released: July 1,2010
Series: Nay (N/A)
Source: Won
Synopsis: Everything changes for Dani and her family when a truck loaded with explosives detonates outside the AMIA building in Buenos Aires, Argentina, killing her beloved aunt and unborn cousin. Because of the ensuing political upheaval, economic hardship, and emotional toll, Dani's family moves to the U.S. It is a terrifying place--new school, new language, new hardships--and Dani's angry father is turning into a stranger, more so everyday. Just when Dani thinks she is about to lose it, she befriends Jessica, one of the girls who has been cruelly teasing her since she arrived.
It is the most unlikely of friendships. Jessica is wealthy, groomed, spoiled. But Jessica has a past that only Dani can understand. She lost her father in 9/11. It is a friendship that allows them both to heal in unexpected and surprising ways, and changes them and their families forever.
My Thoughts:
I was actually pretty disappointed with Life, After, but let’s start off with the good things shall we?
Sarah is an amazing writer, she has a great voice and there’s not a lot of info dumping you might see in other new author’s works. The character’s progress from Argentina to New York is quite stunning too. You see Dani as a stronger person in the end of all her struggles. She’s a strong character; she helps her Mom and Dad with a lot of things because she can tell that the moving and the crisis is worse for them than it is for her and her sister.
A thing I didn’t like about this story is that it starts about a year after Dani’s aunt dies. I would’ve thought that it would start a few days before her death so I could actually get to know her Aunt and then somewhat feel the pain they would go through, but I guess that’s just not how the author rolls. Also, most of the book is in the setting of Argentina. I was really hoping that most of it would be in the US with her showing more progress. Guess not.
Overall, Life, After was an OK book for me. I suggest you try it to see if you like it. It’s based around 9/11 so it’s a great 9/11-y read.
Writing: 8/10
Setting: 5/10
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Cover: 7/10
Ending: 3/5
36/55= 65% C+
Ooh, Argentina setting sounds really cool (sorry you didn't like it, tho). Thanks for the great, honest review and for highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of this one :)
ReplyDeleteI appreciate reading an honest review. Not everyone is going to like every book.
ReplyDeleteThat cover is beautiful, though!