Hereafter by Kate Brian

Series: Shadowlands (bk. 2)

Genera: Paranormal Romance/Mystery

Subjects: supernatural, death, afterlife, islands, souls

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 307 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Hyperion

Summary/ product description: “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.”

My Review: Ever since I read Shadowlands, I’ve been dying to read this sequel. Now I’m dying to read the final book, Endless, which doesn’t come out until July next year. Hereafter was a mysterious sequel full of great characters. At the end of Shadowlands, we find out that Juniper Landing is a kind of purgatory for souls and is definitely not part of South Carolina like visitor seem to think.

In Hereafter Rory finds out that she’s a Lifer and will live on Juniper Landing for the rest of her afterlife, helping usher souls on to their final resting places. I found this to be a unique take on an afterlife story. I love the island setting and the fact that everyone thinks they’re still alive except for Lifers. It’s a well-developed world, yet very simple.

Rory is a really awesome main character. She’s very scientifically minded and a problem solver. She has a great relationship with her sister and is finally spending time with her dad. She’s having a hard time keeping the secret of what this island really is from them. They don’t know that they died, and she does, and if she tells them, they could be banished to the Shadowlands.

Tristan is the “Golden Boy” of the island. We get to find out about his past and how long ago he died. He’s not someone I trusted in this book. Joaquin becomes my favorite male Lifer. He becomes the one that Rory trusts because he backs her in her belief the Aaron didn’t belong in the Shadowlands. Krista is my other favorite side character. She really became a true friend to Rory and a confident. Bea was also pretty awesome and I think Lauren OCDish way of organizing things is pretty funny. Nadia really seemed to hate Rory.

I liked how we got to see the perspective of someone else in some chapter. This other person’s name is never mentioned, but I started to guess who it was. They were the reason why all the souls were going to the Shadowlands. It seemed pretty obvious to me who is was, but then I changed my mind for a while, and then went back to my original idea, which I’m sure I was right about I’ll know for sure when I get to read Endless. I hate having to wait almost a year for it. This plot for this book in general was pretty good. I don’t think these books could standalone on their own because they both have ended in cliffhangers. This definitely is a thrilling and exciting series and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.

Cover Art Review: I love the cover as much as the first boos. I love how the text is set and the doves and clouds. The girls at the bottom don’t look how I picture Rory and Darcy. Rory would have a dark blond braid and Darcy has dark hair. I don’t understand why there are mountains on the cover.