Elegy by Tara Hudson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 400pgs

The Story

A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.

Amelia fears she might really be doomed, until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.

Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.

The Review

ELEGY is the final book in the Hereafter trilogy and it concerns itself with Amelia, the ghost we all know and love who now has to face the consequences of many evil beings who want her to join them in Hell. However, if she does not, her current and very human boyfriend, Joshua, the one person she counts on more than anyone else and whom she would do anything for, will be the one next in danger.

Now like with anyone who has already read this series, I've always loved this one and how well it was written. It's just one of those rare book series where you get so invested in the storyline and with its characters and with everything else, and you don't even have to try  to like it . . . it's just awesome anyway and truly heart-felt to the core. But I have to admit, much like with what happened in Kendare Blake's Anna Dressed in Blood series, which this book reminds me so much of only with less gore and so on,  I knew from the very beginning that with the coupling between the ghost, Amelia, and the human boy, Joshua, that their relationship would be tested in several ways, not to mention it wouldn't be all sunshine and rainbows between them both in this particular book and I was right even though it displeases me so. 

Ultimately, this book was definitely not all sunshine and rainbows and I can guarantee you that. But in saying that, while I already knew how this book would end and why it took me a few moments or two to embrace my prediction that actually happened, in the end of it all, I thought it was all well-done for the final book and that all sacrifices that were made had this bittersweet kick to it . . . so even though I didn't totally love it . . . but it was the kind of ending that needed to happen one way or another, so yeah . . . it was an all-round good book. The same goes for the characters and in particular with Amelia and Joshua's characters. They might have made a few decisions that I didn't necessarily agree with even though they were the right things to do at the time, but in the end the choices needed to be made, so it was a real pleasure to meet with these colourful and sometimes dark characters. I'm definitely going to be missing them heaps!

Overall, ELEGY was a pleasant read and while it may have had its ups and downs, particularly with the conclusion it left for us readers, but ultimately and while you start to think about why the ending ended the way it did, you will soon embrace it in no time and understand that things happen for a reason even though it comes with a severe consequence.

The Rating

3/5 stars

Arise by Tara Hudson

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: HarperTeen

Pages: 404pgs

The Story

Amelia - still caught between life and death - must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua's Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers . . . and becomes increasinly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.

Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life . . . a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

The Review

The second installment of the Hereafter series, ARISE, continues the tale of Amelia, a teenage ghost who is currently living in-between the worlds of life and death along with a human boy named Joshua, a Seer, who can not only speak to Amelia in her ghostly form but he can also see and touch her as well. And he's dating her too! But as Amelia struggles with her natural state of being and trys fending off as many demons (and other spirits) as possible who want to claim her and her soul, and adding onto the fact that she is dealing with all sorts of new Voodoo magics, she will also need to question her future with Joshua - whether to stay with him forever and continue on with a lie or leave him behind for his own good?

ARISE was definitely a worthy sequel to live up to the most hyped up first book, Hereafter, a book that I adored so very, very much. While I still believe Hereafter remains to be my favourite book of the trilogy so far, because it was one of the best ghosts books I've ever read, but I still loved how the author dealt with this book this time round, making it much more thrilling, mysterious and completely dark and eerie which was then wrapped up neatly with familiar blends of the paranormal and a small romance . . . all into one. I really enjoyed it! With the characters being further developed as well as meeting some new additions to the cast as well, but probably my favourite part of all and the two things that had really stood out to me the most was the new setting and the new magics we were introduced to - that being New Orleans and Voodoo magics. There's something crazy about New Orleans and the Voodoo magics (which they are known for having) and I don't know about you guys, but I find it all so very fascinating! I mean, New Orleans is very spiritual in terms of ghostly spirits, the night of the dead and with their cemeteries too . . . so you know, I can't help but be fascinated by everything about New Orleans, so it totally fits in perfectly for a storyline such as this one and I'm really happy the author chose to write this because it was awesome to say the least!

Amelia, our ghostly main heroine, remains to be the strong but careful type which isn't exactly a bad thing because she's a ghost and everyone wants a piece of her in the afterlife - or what's left of it anyway. But it's more than that! Amelia is also the type of person who really and truly cares about everyone around her - even when if they're alive and she's dead - and I actually came to like her even more than I did from the previous installment, which surprised me. But in this sequel she has somehow . . . matured and she went with her gut instinct when it came down to the dangers in her "life" . . . so I really loved Amelia this time round!

As for Joshua's character, Amelia's human and living boyfriend, he was yet another character that stayed true to his character arc and he was still as swoon-worthy as always. Oh Joshua - how can you not feel for this guy? He loves Amelia and takes everything in their relationship so seriously, even if its the impossible love kind, and boy he's the sweetest thing ever in this sequel! *Squee* I admit, there is still plenty of scenes between him and Amelia, though I wished there was more of him in this sequel . . . still . . . what I did read of him was so worth the read!

Overall, ARISE was the perfect middle book and didn't disappoint me in the slightest way. With fantastic new characters being introduced and voodoo magic playing a major role in this entertaining sequel, I have to say I'm eagerly waiting to read what else Tara Hudson has up her sleeve for the final conclusion of the Hereafter series because I know it's going to be awesome!

The Rating

4 1/2 / 5 stars

Interview with Tara Hudson

Tara Hudson is the brilliant author of HEREAFTER. If you haven't read my book review you can read it here. I just want to say a big thank you to Tara herself for answering all of my questions and I hope you guys enjoy!

1. Hereafter includes my favourite elements - ghosts and the afterlife. Where did you get the idea for this story? Did you always intend for it to become a trilogy?

The idea for Hereafter came from a short story I wrote in college, told from the perspective of a young woman who does not yet realize she is dead. I set the original story in a place I only vaguely remembered - a Choctaw Indian cemetery to which my grandparents had taken me as a child. I could only recall how strangely quiet and overgrown the place was, and how I wondered whether anyone had visited those graves in this century. Only later did I learn this cemetery was my family graveyard.

The image of that place stuck with me for many years. So, I wrote a spooky story about it for a college-level fiction workshop, and then promptly forgot the whole thing. A decade passed, and after one too many work-related memorandums, I remembered how much I loved writing fiction. I started a number of different stories, but the rural cemetery kept returning to me. One rainy afternoon, I wrote the opening chapter of a ghost story for my two best friends, to distract them on their lunch break. Within twenty minutes, they both demanded more, and Hereafter was born.

As for the length of the series, I've always known how Amelia and Joshua's story would end and that ending certainly lends itself to a trilogy!

2. What i loved most about Hereafter was the intense relationship between Amelia and Joshua. Where did you get the inspiration for these two characters?

Amelia and Joshua have a unique connection that develops over the course of the novel. As I wrote HEREAFTER, I certainly let their relatonship build on its own, but I definitely drew upon some of the emotions I felt when I experienced my first love. I also infused a little bit of the trust and acceptance that I've learned throughout my marriage - acceptance of each others' quirks (including death!) is a key.

3. Tell us a little about your path to publication. Was it a wonderful experience as you hoped for?

Even better! I started HEREAFTER on April 14, 2009 (I still have the email I sent, the day I wrote the first chapter), and had an offer from HarperCollins on April 30, 2010.

The Official Publication Events happened after I'd been querying HEREAFTER for about two months. I decided to go for broke and query my dream agent, Catherine Drayton. When she requested the full manuscript, I honestly thought I'd have a heart attack. A few days later, she called me to ask if I'd work on some revisions before she agreed to represent me - I said yes, of course. Two days after that, I received the most exciting email from her: HarperCollins, one of the most amazing publishers ever, had contacted her requesting something in the vein of HEREAFTER. Eight days after that, we had a deal on the basis of nine chapters!

4. What is the most surprising thing you've learned since becoming a published author?

That it's not all sunshine and rainbows and unicorns? (Seriously, where are the unicorns?) In all honesty, a lot of writers' blogs helped me mentally prepare for the process, so nothing was a nasty surprise. But I've had lots of positive surprises. The way I felt when I got "The Call" is probably the best one - I had no idea just how awesome it would be.

5. Any advice to aspiring authors such as myself?

Keep at it! Whether you're on a first draft, a querying spree, or submission, there will be days when you feel like giving up; where it feels like wasted effort, or too much work. When those moments strike, remind yourself that unlike most "day jobs," writing is calling - oit's something you do for the sheer love of it. Take a break from it whenever you need to but make sure you stick with it; even if you never get published, hold tight to the fact that you're doing something you love. And thigns like that are always worth the effort.

6. And lastly . . . the sequel to Hereafter is called ARISE. What can readers expect to see happen? Can you give us a little teaser?

Only a little one! [I know I can't help it!] In ARISE, the stakes are a lot higher for Amelia and Joshua when the demons make a nasty reappearance. Amelia and Joshua travel to New Orleans [one of my favourite places people!] and participate in a dark ritual [I love dark rituals!], set in one of the creepiest places in the city: St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. And that's all I can say!

Thank you Tara for letting me interview you!

Be sure to check out her book and look out for her future sequels!

Follow Tara:

Website

@thudsonwrites

Facebook

Be sure to add Hereafter on goodreads

Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Release Date: 7th June, 2011

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 404pgs

The Story

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life - or her actual death - she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

The Review

Before I gush about this book - because you know I will - I want to say a big THANK YOU to Lara from HarperCollins Australia for sending me a finished copy of HEREAFTER. Now as a kid I always loved reading ghost stories, no matter how creepy they were, but over these last few years no ghost story has ever captured my attention nor my heart until I read this book. HEREAFTER is not only an interesting take on the "afterlife" but it also offered up a beautiful love story about a girl whose soul is dead and lost but wants to keep living and a boy who is actually living. I'm a sucker when it comes to these type of these stories and characters who are unforgettable.

The thing I loved most about Tara Hudson's writing is how she developed Amelia's character. From the very first chapter we were straight away introduced to the main character and we're only learning so little about her. Because she knows nothing about herself and her past life - not even how she died. She only knows two things: 1) she drowned and 2) she's obviously dead. For a number of years Amelia has been wandering in limbo . . . seeing everything without people seeing her. Her story is a very haunting one on its own. To lose everything you once lived for, to lose the only identity you've ever known, would be a very frightening way of living even in death. But once a boy enters the picture . . . everything changes. For her life and for his.

Joshua. Sweet, caring, boy-next-door and loveable Joshua Mayhew. After Amelia finds his body drowing in the river she once died in, there's an instant connection. As Amelia desperately tries to save him - even knowing she can do so little because she's dead and can touch nothing - there's something different about their first meeting. Joshua died briefly and in that time he could actually see her. After this near-death experience, a few days after the accident, Joshua returns to the scene, dying to learn more about his mysterious savior and then things begin to click into place. To be honest here, I've read A LOT of young adult books and love-at-first-sight relationships . . . but nothing can be compared to the honest and heart-felt relationship between Amelia and Joshua. From the intense touches they share to the life Joshua puts back into Amelia's hollow soul, all of it was so heartwarming and I want the sequel pronto!

Without giving the plot away, HEREAFTER is the perfect debut novel for young adult book lovers and a perfect start to an awesome series. For those - like me - who enjoy worlds of the living and of the dead colliding, for those who love intriguing mythology, for those who love touching romance, for those who love charming characters . . . then you'll love this book to death. No pun intended. HEREAFTER will lure you from its first page and bring you into the unknown as its story will haunt you forever.

The Rating

5/5 stars