In The After by Elisa Dane

I started this book without knowing much about the plot and I have to say that is best way to go into this book. The more I read, the more involved and committed, I become to the characters and the storyline. I read this book in three sittings and that’s only because work commitments got in the way. If I had the free time I would of easily managed to read this in a single sitting because its so easy to get lost in the book. If I’m honest I was disppaointed when I actually did finish it because it was over to quick. Looking back I should of paced myself because I did genuinely miss the characters once I had finished, especially Sadie and Hayden.

In The After is about Sadie, who is part of the town’s popular kids called the Atwood Elite. Sadie does not like being part of the group because they go around bullying other students, and she doesn’t do anything to stop the bullying. Sadie starts to have serious doubts on whether to stay with the AE when she meets a boy called Hayden, who is from a town the AE dislike. She must make a choice between staying with a group of people she doesn’t like or try and make something work between a boy she has only just met. The only problem is that if Sadie does decide to leave the AE, the leader Britt wont let her go quietly and will make Sadie’s life a living hell.

This is a very emotional read throughout, by the time I got to the end of the book I was very emotional. Not just with tears but as you read the book you go through a range of emotions with Sadie. Whether she feels loved, scared, angry or annoyed, you always feel the same way and its very difficult to not feel involved and connected with her. Sadie is a very complex character who has had an horrific past and is now caught up in something else that could end up in disaster. The character of Sadie definitely makes you continuing reading because she is so interesting and realistic. She is very self aware and knows what she is doing with the AE is wrong, she isn’t frightened to admit she has done wrong and knows she has to makes things right.

The writing is superb, its realistic, heart-breaking and addictive. I felt a bit guilty when I had to put the book down, but even when I wasn’t reading the book, the story and characters where always on my mind. In The After does deal with some strong subjects such as bullying and Elisa Dane manages to write this with ease but full of emotion. You can go from a hot and steamy scene to a really intense edge of your seats scene. This is the first book I’ve read by Elisa Dane, but it wont be the last.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a great coming of age contemporary book, but be aware it does contain heavy going topics. In The After is a book I think everyone should read because its something different and original. I know I haven’t read anything like it before and I did really enjoy it and I know this book will stick with me for many years.