The Everafter by Amy Huntley

Madison Stanton doesn't know where she is or how she got there. But is sure of one thing - she is dead. She's alone, in a vast, dark space (a/k/a "is" - because it just "is") - and the only things around her are objects that turn out to be things that Maddy lost while she was alive.

Through some quick thinking - she soon discovers that by grabbing hold of these items, she can re-experience—and sometimes even change—moments from her life.

Her first kiss. A trip to Disney World. Her sister's wedding. A disastrous sleepover.

In reliving these moments, Maddy learns illuminating and sometimes frightening truths about her life—and death.

This story was hauntingly beautiful - it was just one of those books that once your done with it, you put it down, and then will think about it over and over again.

I loved Ms. Huntley's take on the after-life. A dark space with objects that you lost and being able to relive those moments - possibly even altering an event... just genius. Through these instances we learn of Maddy's life - her family, friends, boyfriend. You really get to know and love Maddy, and you are saddened since you know from the start that she is dead. There are also some wonderful supporting characters, her boyfriend, Gabe, her best friend Sandra.

But what really made this book fantastic was the suspense - I mean, the pages were flying as I quickly devoured this in the hopes of finding out exactly what caused Maddy's death. How she got where she is? Why she was there? And boy, was I caught off guard with the ending. It was heartbreaking.

This is a haunting but ultimately hopeful novel that makes you appreciate the things we take for granted in our daily lives and will leave you pondering life after death. This was a wonderful debut for Ms. Huntley and one that I highly recommend.