Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Pages:  416
Genre:  YA/ Teen
Source: Book It Forward ARC Tours 

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.  [via GoodReads]

Ameila has been a wandering soul since her death.  She doesn't know how she died nor does she remember anything from before she death.  Her life... or whatever you'd call her in her ghostly state is emotionless and numb.  But that all changes the day she saves Joshua.  When Joshua awakens from his near death experience he can suddenly see and even touch Amelia.  Their feelings for one another begin to grow and through their encounters Amelia begins to see glimpses of her life.  Riddled with seers and evil ghosts, Hereafter, is more than just a story about a girl trying to solve the mystery of her death.

When I first read the synopsis of Hereafter, I was intrigued about this story of star-crossed lovers.  He's alive - she's dead... how can they make it work?  And, although I found that the story was primarily a love story, I also enjoyed the mystery of it all.  I was instantly taken in by Ms. Hudson's writing - her vivid descriptions of the dark and tumultuous waters beneath High Bridge, the black wraiths hovering and even the creepy encounters with Eli (a ghost who keeps harassing Amelia about becoming his apprentice).  To further  make things interesting, you also have Eli's grandmother, Ruth, who feels that Amelia is evil and wants to exorcise her ghost.  

Ms. Hudson's debut will leave you feeling haunted.  It will have you sighing one moment and all goosebump-y from the creepiness the next instant.  I truly enjoyed the romance, the chilling evil creeping around its corners and the mystery of who Amelia was and what happened to her.  This is the first installment in the series so be forewarned - although its conclusion will leave you satisfied it will also leave you pining for more.

My Rating: