Hereafter by Tara Hudson

 

 Title:         Hereafter

Publisher:   HarperCollins
Imprint:     HarperTeen
Pub Date:  06/07/2011
ISBN:       9780062026774
Author:     Tara Hudson

Book Description:

For Amelia, time has all but slowed to a stop as her spirit remains stranded alone in the dark waters of a mysterious river. She knows she’s died, but with no recollection of her past life--or her actual death--she’s trapped in one long continuous nightmare, in which she cannot feel anything or interact with anyone. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a teenage boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in a moment of connection, he looks in her eyes and becomes the first person in the world to see that she still exists.

When he touches her, Joshua sparks strange and wonderful sensory feelings in Amelia--at first just momentary flashes, then pulses that become ever stronger as he leads her out of the river and into his life. As Amelia and Joshua uncover who she was and the strange circumstances of her death, new problems arise: somehow, Joshua’s grandmother seems to know exactly what is going on between them, and Eli, a ghost enforcer, is hell-bent on destroying their happiness and dragging Amelia back into the spirit world.

With every touch and the growing feelings that come with them, Amelia and Joshua begin to wonder if there’s something special not only about Joshua but also the dark river that held her captive for so long. Can there truly be love after death?

This is a beautiful story, a beautiful love story between a ghost and a human. After seeing Amelia during his near death accident, Joshua couldn't help but attracted to her. And that's made everything change for Amelia. She was no more wondering around aimlessly. She started to get flash back memories on her past life. She gained back some of the senses that she had lost after her death. Together with Joshua, she found out who she was. Though she did not harm Joshua, but Joshua grandmother's Ruth who was a seer did not trust her and wanted to exorcize her. At the same time, the evil spirit Eli wanted to claim Amelia as his apprentice. Despite all these, Joshua and Amelia's feelings to each other did not change. And I believe it is their innocence love that brings out the power hidden inside Amelia. I admire her courage and strong will to defense herself from surrender to the evil spirit. How many of us can really deny to gain power and take control? Not all ghosts are evil. Just like not all human are good people. 

I enjoy reading this book very much. Both Amelia and Joshua's characters are well defined. Amelia's thoughts and emotion are well presented throughout the whole story. And the story is very attractive and intriguing.

I rate it 4 out of 5 stars. 

Book Trailer:

Note: I receive the ARC of this book from the publisher via Net Gallery. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.