I voluntarily read an ARC of Aftermath!

First Thoughts:

The first thing that came to my mind after reading the last word was; Wow. This was such a wonderful and awesome read. The first half really had me near tears while the last half was empowering. This dealt with a difficult topic while adding some action to keep the book moving. A lot happened and I'm still struggling to pick up the pieces. There were so many different emotions I felt while reading this book; so many feels. While there may have been some overly-dramatic moments, in the end it wowed me.

Goodreads Summary:

Three years after losing her brother Luka in a school shooting, Skye Gilchrist is moving home. But there's no sympathy for Skye and her family because Luka wasn't a victim; he was a shooter.

Jesse Mandal knows all too well that the scars of the past don't heal easily. The shooting cost Jesse his brother and his best friend--Skye.

Ripped apart by tragedy, Jesse and Skye can't resist reopening the mysteries of their past. But old wounds hide darker secrets. And the closer Skye and Jesse get to the truth of what happened that day, the closer they get to a new killer.

Plot:

This was about a sensitive subject but this book didn't really start until three years after the incident occurred. But in the beginning of the book there is a short moment of the day of the shooting itself, like when Skye learned of what happened.The book focused on showing us a victim of bullying and dangers of being a sister of someone who is supposedly dangerous. This was definitely a mystery thriller because someone was after Skye and things kept happening to keep the story flowing. This was such a fast paced book that I literally had a hard time putting it down. I stayed up past 3 am just because I couldn't put it down. The story literally had me captivated. Most of this book was about trying to find peace within oneself. The bullying that Skye was put through was heart-breaking and I would hate to think someone would ever have to endure that an intense bullying. Also, there were moments in this book that took you back to when Skye and Jesse were 13. And one or two times of Skye and Luka. What I would have liked was to see those past explanations in italics or a different font so I knew when she was going back. Other than that the plot was really worth reading.

Romance:

The romance was okay, though it took me awhile to adjust to Skye and Jesse's relationship. They definitely didn't click right away after being apart for 3 years. Jesse was more aloof and standoffish and Skye was more apprehensive. But as the story progressed the two formed and from there things went in their own direction. So yes there's romance and yes I'm glad there wasn't really a love triangle (thank goodness!!) but I still hated how Jesse treated Skye in the beginning. If you love someone you don't treat them the way he treated her at first (and yes I know the history!).

Characters:

I liked Skye, she was the main protagonist. She had a lot on her plate and considering what she had to endure she was really strong. If it were me I'd hate to think what it would've done to me. Jesse was an unlikable character but by the end I was satisfied with him, just wished I could've of liked him a bit more. Skye's mom didn't make an appearance really (maybe at the end?). She was a weak character to me and I think if the author would've made her stronger maybe things could've been different. Aunt Mae was interesting but she fell kind of flat to me. Some of the other characters were well placed but there's too many to name. The characters were pretty well thought out to me. I could really feel what they were feeling.

Transformation of the Character:

Skye definitely transformed in this book. She changed from some taking crap to wanting to put it all behind her and stand strong. I really loved seeing her transformation because it gave hope to all of us. Jesse transformed in this book too. I liked seeing him become someone I didn't despise. Aunt Mae did some transforming herself, though her's was less noticeable. But she changed from a distracted character to someone who was worth looking at. She kind of was uncaring in an uncanny way. Not in a way of not loving Skye but one overlooking the little details.

Description:

I loved the description in this book. I loved the eerie way the author allowed us to feel as she described some scenes. It gave the book a chilled way that really allowed the reader to feel on edge but feel safe at the same time. Ms. Armstrong had a way with words when it came to describing Skye's emotions. The bullying was betrayed realistically and so emotionally that for a moment I forgot it wasn't real.The mystery was written in a way that allowed the reader to keep guessing who was the real person behind each threat. For one moment you were sure it was this person but in the end it totally ended up being someone unexpected. So the description definitely was portrayed perfectly in this book.

Style:

This was written in first person and in two POV's (point of views). This being written in first person allowed the author to really dig deeper into Skye and Jesse's psych. I loved being in their mind and exploring their thought processes. Skye's especially allowed me to know how it felt to be on the edge of everything you loved but not being able to touch it. This being in Skye and Jesse's point of view allowed the reader to go back and forth to see different views of the story itself. I thought it was an excellent idea to use these two main characters. They really allowed the story to expand. I loved the author's writing too. This isn't my first book by Ms. Armstrong. She has a way with words that really allows the reader to get attached to the story-line and characters.

Quote of the Book: (This is an ARC this is subject to change, but let's hope not!)

"I see their expressions, and I crumple to the floor. I hear this scream, this terrible scream, and I realize it's coming from me."

Last Thoughts:

This was a fantastic read; one of my favorites by the author actually. So many feels and moments on the edge of my seat. This had me guessing till the very end. Loved the thriller part of it but also the transformation part of it too. This was definitely one thrill ride I loved to ride and sad to see the end. I am definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. I totally recommend that you pre-order this book; you won't be disappointed!!

I had to give this one some thought prior to writing my review. I was conflicted.

I really like the author and I found the book was extremely suspenseful.

I also don’t know that I’m ready for the School Shooting YA sub-genre that seems to be on the horizon. My initial thought was…if it’s done well it should be okay.

This largely is. The focus isn’t so much on the shooting itself, but on the aftermath (hence the title). We see the turmoil for the friends and families of the victims, as well as the friends and families of the assailants. It’s horrible and heart-rending and you realize how terrible it is for both sides involved.

But…

The story dissolves into a romance, complete with the brooding hero. And our heroine is prone to utter stupidity. A good third of the book could have been avoided if she only had a brain.

Ultimately, the book left me just a little unsatisfied as it turned what could have been strong and powerful commentary into a popcorn teen romantic suspense novel.

Skye doesn't allow herself to miss her brother Luka. Three years ago, Luka participated in a school shooting and was killed by police. Even though he never took a shot, Luka is not one of the victims. When Skye returns home and attends school with people she knew before the shooting, it doesn't take long before the harassment begins. Despite the fact that Skye had no knowledge that the shooting was to occur, nearly everyone in town blames her. As the bullying escalates, Skye needs to figure out who the aggressor is before she ends up dead.

A touchy subject given current events, but Aftermath turns into a well written mystery. I didn't love how Luka's character was handled, but I think his character makes the book slightly less painful to read. This book will appeal to both realistic and mystery readers, but may be uncomfortable for some.

With school shootings becoming all too heart-breakingly common, this novel may not be for everyone.  I will say the content is more about the aftermath (hence, the title), and focuses more on the grieving loved ones left behind.

With hints that the details of the shooting may not be entirely truthful, this book kept me turning the pages - and also because of Jesse and Skye.  Both are well-developed characters who struggle to reconnect and revive their friendship years after a horrendous tragedy.  Their relationship depicts what a strong friendship should be built on - support, humor, common interests, shared experiences, and steadfast loyalty.

Although the author offers several suspects, I guessed who the 'villain' was before the halfway point, but never really bought into this person's motives and actions. Things still seemed a little unclear when all was said and done.  The behavior and actions, or lack of action, of a couple of adult characters also required me to suspend my disbelief a bit.      

Aftermath deals with sensitive subject matter and handles it respectfully, but don't look for commentary on the politics surrounding gun control.  This is a straightforward YA thriller with an intriguing mystery.    

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Sensitive subject; and I was looking forward to read about the aftermath of a school shooting (with all the shootings that go around nowadays, 22 so far?). Anyways, I was expecting this book to be less annoying with the obvious bullying and patheticness that Skye goes through. Can't she stand up by herself? At 22% I was wondering if the standing up for herself was being saved for the last.

Also, what's up with all this hate? Are rural kids that vicious? And her brother didn't even shoot anybody! He was holding a gun when the police shot him. I just want to see if by the end of the book it would turn out that he was holding the gun because he took it from his friend (the real shooter) so he wouldn't kill anybody. Because that would be total bullshit.

So Jeese is hurt Sky left without saying good buy, and Skye thinks that Jesse hates her because his brother died... an obvious misunderstanding that reminds me of the pitiful attempt at love in <i>Not if I save you first</i> by Ally Carter.

And I am not the author, but, is Jesse acting up because he is actually glad that his asshole brother is dead but feels guilty about it and don't know who to handle the feelings? Or am I super smart for catching this so early into the story?

Skye keeps being locked up in school. School staff leaves but they forget that Skye is in detention... a law suit right there! And how the fuck did students got Skye phone number to send her anonymous vicious texts and videos? And, hello! After the first message you could change the number too. But nope, it looks like her number is public domain.

And Skye was almost burned down in a room! Really, why are these students going so far? But the best part? That she thinks she saw Jesse! So, obviously, he hates her so much that he tried to kill her. Oh my! Isn't this crap totally unbelievable? So now she is convinced that Jesse is the one sending her all those hate texts.

So far, Skye is constantly hearing conversations (about her, duh!) and hearing footsteps and shit. I am soooo bored. Does anything actually rational happen here?

And just out of the blue, shouldn't victims of shooting participate in some type of counseling? Hmmm... But I'm just up to 22% and although I don't like the story I will finish it to see if the above hypotheses are proved right.

at 47% and still more of the same lame thing. I think that what this story really is about is about Skye and Jesse getting back together! They obviously "love" each other but we need to read a lot of nonsense before they confess and kiss.

77% Skye and Jesse are friends again! He told her he wasn't the one trying to kill her and now everything is good. What's left? the 'L' word. Oh! Also, Skye and Jesse figured out what the police couldn't: Luka wasn't one of the shooters (even I got that right).

Okay, I'm going to stop reading now. I'm at 80% and Skye knows his brother was just another victim/hero and she and Jesse will end up together (probably). Moving on!

***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of AFTERMATH by Kelley Armstrong in exchange for my honest review.***

3.5 STARS

After Skye’s brother Luka participates in a school shooting whose victims include her a crush Jesse’s brother, Skye and her mother leave town. Three years later she reluctantly returns. Now a junior, Skye faces bullying, threats and maybe more from classmates who don’t want her back. Or possibly, like the school principal suggests, she’s making everything up for attention.

Kelley Armstrong created an intricate plot involving friends and relatives of school shooters and victims who are still struggling in the AFTERMATH. I has many theories throughout the book an didn’t guess the outcome.

Skye and Jesse were complicated, characters, easy to root for, even when I suspected their involvement in past and current events. At times I didn’t like their behavior, but I understood and it made psychological sense. While I didn’t feel an emotional connection to either Skye or Jesse, I cared abiyr their outcomes. The minor characters were less developed and required more telling (vs showing) to explain their actions and motivations. My favorite character was Jesse’s mother.

The conclusion of AFTERMATH didn’t live up to the rest of the story due to complexity that needed too much dot connection, a perp who wasn’t central to the storyline, no logical reason for hapless cops and a clueless principal.

The steady, even pace made AFTERMATH a very enjoyable reading experience. Additionally, the romance felt organic to the story and progressed logically to both the characters’ arcs and the plot.

Readers who enjoy action, suspense, light romance and mystery will enjoy AFTERMATH.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Kelley Armstrong has pretty much proven that there is no book that she can’t write and it turning out to be totally amazing! Aftermath is the third YA thriller she’s written and it was just as chilling and eerie as I had hoped it to be! That it deals with a school shooting and in our current time was a little bold, but then I am reminded that books are written a good while before they publish and honestly, Kelley’s take on this real life matter (though told with a fictional story) was an interesting one for it dealt with the sister of one the shooters, and naturally, there was always something not right about what happened that day and our heroine, Skye is about to discover what her brother’s role really was.

Three years ago Skye’s older brother and two of his friends were involved with a school shooting where they were the actual shooters. Four people died and many more were injured, her brother was shot and killed by the police as well, but he wasn’t one of the four, that number was reserved for the victims. Skye had move away with her mother from the town she grew up in, trying to be able to find some normalcy but sadly, things were never quite the same for a lot of people viewed her in negative light. When she’s forced to move back to her old hometown once child services got wind that she was practically living on her own while her mother and grandmother were hospitalized she moves in with her aunt.

Naturally, she doesn’t receive a warm welcome and it seems someone is very upset that she has moved back as she starts receiving threatening messages. Then come the messages that aren’t so threatening but suggest that her brother might not have been one of the shooters after all, simply that there is more to the case that the police might have overlooked.

Joining Skye in her somewhat investigation is her old best friend and crush, Jesse. Though Jesse’s brother was one of the killed students, so she was afraid that he might resent her for what her brother and his friends did. Jesse however doesn’t hold such blame. There is a messy complication of feelings and whatnot going on between the two, but naturally, things get worked out sooner rather than later for Skye will need someone on her side in the thick of all this hate.

I’ll admit that the book might have had a few slow points, ones in which we’re left wondering what is going on. A lot of scary things start to happen to Skye and yet no one believes her, leading others to wonder if she might be going crazy and Skye starts to question things herself. When there’s the chance that a stalker or even killer is hounding you, making you go crazy is definitely a scary way to do it! There’s always these little things that happen to Skye and as the reader you almost wonder if there’s a logical explanation, then the events start to escalate and it’s pretty clear that someone is out to get Skye!

And what would this book be without just a little bit of romance? Skye and Jesse were childhood best friends who were on the cusp of being something more right before the shooting happen that tore apart their lives and it’s clear that some of those budding feelings still exist. Their romance was something that just started to form throughout the story, it in no way took over or even played a huge role. Which I really liked that since this is definitely more of a thriller mystery than a love story. The fact that Skye and Jesse were childhood friends before all this warmed my cold heart as I have a soft spot for those kinds of romances! Too many unrequited childhood crushes growing up I guess! Lol! Not that I’d ever actually admit to having said crushes now!

The final reveal of the whodunit kind of surprised me, which I liked! I guess in a sense, maybe it shouldn’t have. I can’t really recall if I suspected the perpetrator or not the first go around, maybe, but I know I dismissed it. I don’t think I ever really had a definite suspect, which tends to happen with me and mysteries! I get too wrapped up in things and I am forgetting to look for clues! Which makes the actual reveal even more fun because I get to be surprised right along with the characters!

Aftermath was yet another finely told thriller by Kelley Armstrong! There is pretty much nothing this woman can write that I will back away from! I’ve loved all her books to date and still have a few in my TBR pile to read because she simply writes way too fast sometimes! Lol! Will forever buy a book with her name on it, so if you haven’t read any of her books yet, you can easily take any recommendation from me for her! I recommend anything with her name on it in a heartbeat!

Overall Rating 4/5 stars


Aftermath releases May 22, 2018

Love all things Kelly Armstrong, this book is no exception. Love the opening, the characters and the plot. I think that Jesse's mom is the best character in the book. Writing is captivating. Not quite done reading but cannot wait to see how it ends!

Kelley Armstrong creates wonderfully strong female characters, has an unerring ear for realistic dialogue, and is great at romance. I’m happy to see this latest foray into the young adult market because she is also impressively good at channeling the way teens think and behave.

Skye Gilchrist is 16, and about to begin school in her old hometown again, which she is dreading. Three years earlier, Skye’s older brother Luka was killed in a high school shooting. Four kids died and ten were injured. Hundreds suffered from PTSD afterwards. The horrible truth for Skye, however, was that Luka wasn’t a “victim”; he was one of the shooters. Meanwhile, Jesse Mandal, a “school pal” at first until hormones kicked in for both of them, lost his older brother Jamil, who was a victim. Two days later, Skye’s grandmother came to take her mom and her away from the town, the memories, and the surprising onset of bullying.

Recently, her grandmother had a serious stroke and her mom sunk deeper into depression, and Skye had no choice but to return to town to live with her Aunt Mae back in Riverside, the scene of the crime. Mae councils her to “buck up” but she has no idea what Skye faces when she returns. Skye doesn’t just get the cold shoulder. She is hated because of her brother. She receives anonymous notes saying she should leave, and worse. Someone even forwards videos of the dead kids to her.

She only has a few people on her side. One is Chris Landry, cousin of one of the dead victims. One is Tiffany Gold, girlfriend of one of the shooters. And Jesse is at the school too. At first, they avoid each other, but before long, they clear up their miscommunications, and Jesse becomes Skye’s staunchest defender. She will need all the support she can get. On the one hand, someone wants her to question the accounts of what happened that day, to find out what *really* happened. And on the other, someone clearly wants her either to go insane, or to die - preferably both.

Evaluation: I can’t even think of any book by Kelley Armstrong I haven’t really liked. This suspenseful book is a standalone, so if you are looking for an introduction to her books, it just might fill the bill.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read through the eyes of the shooter’s family, but it is the first that has had multiple shooters involved, and took place so much after the actual incident. I think the story starting with a bit of what happened on the day of the shooting, while the rest go the book takes place years later, was a great way to pull us in. I feel like the author handled an extremely sensitive situation with empathy. I thought that having not just the focus on one situation a great way to make this story unique.

I think having duel points of views (Skye, one shooters sister, and Jesse, brother of one victim) works really well in this case. You get a look into how each of the families are handling things. Throughout the book you see how some people are cruel in nature, and some are extremely kind. It shows how differently people deal with tragedies and are affected in much different ways. I really grew to like like Sky’s aunt Mae, she was blunt but very protective and only wanted the best for Skye. I had a lot of mixed feelings about Jesse, but ultimately like his character.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is curious as to what goes through the mind’s of a school shooter’s family, while also seeing how a victim’s family is handling the situation years later. I found this whole story very unique in that it took place so long after the tragedy and had other storylines as well. It was definitely a heavy book, but one worth reading in my opinion.

Picking up this book I expected it to be emotional, I mean, it is about the aftermath of a school shooting, so I was expecting to bawl my eyes out. What I was expecting was the other emotions that I would feel while reading this book.
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Anger that no one would listen, fear about what was happening now, and sadness for how things turned out for a certain character that I wish I could’ve known better.
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I know that all sounds kind of vague, but trust me, it needs to be that way. You need to go into this book not knowing what to expect. You need to feel all those emotions like I did. It makes this story that much more powerful.
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Aftermath was a book that I had a feeling I would like, but I ended up loving it. It’s a powerful book that will stay with me for a long time.

I don’t have any quips or fun anecdotes to lead this review so we’re just going to jump into it!

“Aftermath” starts hopeful as we meet Skye a girl in middle school with an absentee dad, forgetful mother and a brother who promises to make her breakfast before school before taking off and starting her day and getting asked out on her first ever date by the boy she likes when her life is ripped apart upon learning that there was a shooting at the high school and not only was her brother involved but Jesse, her crush, lost his brother to the carnage. Jumping ahead three years later we see Skye struggling to deal with the aftermath of her brother’s actions and Jesse trying to cope with the grief of losing his brother while trying to make sense of their complicated relationship when they meet again and it doesn’t take long for the threats against Skye to go from bullying to criminal and they decide to work together and uncover who is behind the plot to make her suffer before it becomes deadly.

So story time, on a Wednesday night when I was a sophomore in college the PA system in the dorms went off to tell us that there was an active shooter on campus and we were in lockdown, I can’t describe the thoughts that go through your head in that moment everything from shock and fear to determination to survive despite your shaking body as you listen to the alarms and cries from the people in the next room and down the hall as you watch the National Guard and SWAT storm your campus like it’s a battle zone and wait for any news of a conclusion.

Thankfully the only victim here was the shooter himself, but at the time you have no idea what’s going on the other floors let alone outside your building and all you can do is sit and wait and for what you’re not entirely sure, so to say this book hit home would be an understatement. I recognize that in my case it could have been a lot worse but the moments in this book where we hear the final moments of some of the victims I felt the weight of every second of it and though these are tiny moments in a larger plot it may be hard to stomach for some readers, especially when looking at current events when these things play out in the news and the live content shared through social media.

That being said I really enjoyed this book, there’s so much to it that creates a great discussion piece in terms of the aftermath (no pun intended) for tragedies such as this where there are plenty of victims of the crime as well as the unspoken few who grieve in the shadows because their loss is the perpetrator. It’s easy to connect with Jesse and Skye who both lost brothers to the same act though they played different roles in it, and you can understand where the kids are coming from when they feel upset and Skye’s return to school because it is a natural reaction to place blame on the only person you can in relation to said tragedy even if they didn’t commit it themselves.

In contrast to that we have the mystery surrounding who is after Skye now and the lingering questions surrounding the shooting and her brother’s involvement and though I liked how that played out on a who done it standpoint there are some moments when you have to suspend you disbelief because of course few adults take them seriously and there’s some fancy tech work that really amps the drama but I was already so far into this to really care about any of that.

All in all this is a great book that will not be for everyone and though I really hope people read it because there is something here in terms of healing and moving forward, I understand if they choose to pass in favor of something a bit brighter.

**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!**