After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel (Review & Giveaway!)

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Move over, pixies-bestselling author Carrie Jones is exorcising ghosts in a new paranormal romance

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

Review:

I had been looking forward to reading After Obsession for a while. I adored the cover and the premise sounded delightfully creepy. Plus I’m always game for a book told in alternating prospective. Thankfully, After Obsession turned out to be a decent and quick read, even though I will admit I had a few problems with it.

Aimee has always been the “good” girl: she has perfect grades, great friends, and she never ever asks questions about neither her mother’s surprising death nor the horrid nightmares she constantly faces when she sleeps. However, everything changes when her best friend Courtney’s dad dies. Suddenly, Courtney is acting strange. Gone is the sweet and bubbly personality Aimee knew, instead it’s replaced with a cunning, secretive one, one that suggests one thing and one thing only: her best friend is being possessed by a demon, one that may have been involved in Aimee’s mother’s death. Teaming up with Alan, Courtney’s swoon worthy cousin, Aimee is ready to fight this demon off for the last time. However, is there enough time, or will she, Alan, and Courtney be gone before the show’s already over? Only time and more pages can tell in this supernaturally laced tale.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the alternating perspectives, because not only did they show two sides two the story (Alan and Aimee) but they also blended together perfectly: never going so far as to sound alike but still being able to transition with ease. Moreover, it didn’t hurt that they Aimee and Alan were both very likable. Aimee was the typical good girl. However, what separated her from the rest was the fierceness she showed throughout the novel. All I can say is she certainly is someone you want on your side if a demon possession with involved. Alan was the same way, but the thing I liked most about him was the addition of Native American heritage. It’s something you don’t see too much in YA books (or at least the ones I read) but it certainly was something I enjoyed seeing and reading.

The plot in this was decent as well. From the first page, everything was set to reveal around Courtney’s dealing with the demon as well as Alan and Aimee’s budding romance. I really enjoyed the Courtney plot. I felt it was well done, and even though I had most of it figured out from the beginning, I managed to be surprised and even creped out once or twice. On other hand, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about Alan and Aimee’s relationship. I never really saw the chemistry between them, nor was it developed that fully, and to be honest, for most of the book it seemed like they were friends more than anything else.

The writing in this was good though. As mentioned above, Carrie and Steven were able to create great alternating perspectives as well as a decent plot overall. However, the only aspect I wasn’t too wild about was the lack of development in some sub plots, such as the weirdness surrounding Aimee’s original boyfriend as well as Aimee’s mother and family unit all together.

However, After Obsession is still a read I’m sure paranormal and supernatural fans will enjoy. Lastly, only one question remains: will I be reading more Steven and Carrie books? Yes, because while this book did have its faults, I can still see a high level of potential in this writing duo.

Grade: C+

After Obsession (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Thanks to Bloomsbury/Walker Books, I also have ONE copy of After Obsession to giveaway.

To enter, please fill out the following form.

Official Giveaway Rules:

~ Must be 13 years or older
~ Must have a US mailing address
~ This giveaway will close on October 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm EST


*This giveaway is now closed.*