Today's read released a few days ago, but I'm going to stretch things and scream 'Happy Book Birthday' anyway. This one swings in the direction of the afterlife, while promising heart and romance. It's also a graphic novel, which adds a little reading fun to the month's list. I'm not really sure what to expect, so let's dive in and find out.
AFTERLIFE: THE BOY NEXT REALM
by Gina Chew
Illustrated by Nadhir Nor
Difference Engine
YA Fantasy / Graphic Novel
204 pages
Kyra’s younger brother is stricken with an ailment that has no cure. The last thing she needs is to find a mysterious boy lurking in the hospital. But where did he go, and why does she feel this inexplicable connection to him?
Spirit Keeper Eric isn’t prepared for this. He was just there to do his job and bring a soul into the Afterlife. Little did he expect to run into a too-familiar face from his past in the land of the living…
In this great expanse where what’s lost is found, fate, memories, and love intertwine as Kyra and Eric embark on a daring rescue mission to save a little boy from Death’s clutches. Afterlife: The Boy Next Realm is an epic Southeast Asian-inspired young adult fantasy graphic novel about one girl’s sacrifice as she fights to save what she loves.
Spirit Keeper Eric isn’t prepared for this. He was just there to do his job and bring a soul into the Afterlife. Little did he expect to run into a too-familiar face from his past in the land of the living…
In this great expanse where what’s lost is found, fate, memories, and love intertwine as Kyra and Eric embark on a daring rescue mission to save a little boy from Death’s clutches. Afterlife: The Boy Next Realm is an epic Southeast Asian-inspired young adult fantasy graphic novel about one girl’s sacrifice as she fights to save what she loves.
MY TIDBITS
Shadows of the Afterlife weave with a girl's determination, bravery, and heart to create a touching read with a lovely romance.
Kyra's brother is on the border of death, and there's nothing she can do about it. When she discovers a long lost friend, Eric, wandering the hospital halls, everything changes. Eric died and unlike the other dead, has maintained his memories. Especially the ones of Kyra. It's his job to escort souls into the Afterlife, and he is Kyra's key to bringing her brother back.
In many ways, this is a beautiful tale. Kyra's desire to save her brother is touching and already creates tons of emotional goodness, but meeting a boy she once adored, again, adds an extra layer. The relationship between Kyra and Eric flows very well and brings the sweetness and hope a touching romance needs. There's just enough bite and darkness thanks to their journey to the Afterlife and the obstacles they face to keep the tension high, too.
Then, there's the illustrations. These stick mostly to earthy tones. While seeming basic and simple, they hold intricate details where it counts and deliver an atmosphere fitting to the plot. These work well with the text to create a rich world.
With all of this goodness, it was a read to get lost in...almost. The two-hundred pages isn't enough. Richness would have been gained by showing more about Kyra's and Eric's past, or by diving into a little more depth surrounding reincarnation and the world. It was very engaging, and yet, left the desire to know more. But I'd still recommend it and can only hope that another book is on the way to develop those areas.
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