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After the Woods by Kim Savage is an incredibly fast-paced book that really surprises and keeps the reader guessing. It is definitely not a horror novel, for those who are hesitant to give it a go. There is also a super heroic (literally) and brave main character that the reader will just fall in love with, making After the Woods an enjoyable and thrilling read.
Title: After the WoodsAuthor: Kim Savage
Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
Genres: Thriller, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: February 26, 2016
Rating:
Would you risk your life to save your best friend?
Julia did. When a paroled predator attacked Liv in the woods, Julia fought back and got caught. Liv ran, leaving Julia in the woods for a terrifying 48 hours that she remembers only in flashbacks. One year later, Liv seems bent on self-destruction, starving herself, doing drugs, and hooking up with a violent new boyfriend. A dead girl turns up in those same woods, and Julia’s memories resurface alongside clues unearthed by an ambitious reporter that link the girl to Julia’s abductor. As the devastating truth becomes clear, Julia realizes that after the woods was just the beginning.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: After the Woods by Kim Savage
❀ Fast-Paced and Unpredictable
After the Woods is so fast-paced and genuinely unpredictable! The reader is slowly fed information as the main character, Julia tries to remember what happened in the woods, where she was abducted. There are so many “Oh my god!” moments as the story all comes together and make sense. This is the ultimate thriller novel.
❀ Not an Overly Scary book
I definitely wouldn’t say After the Woods is a horror. This book is way more of a thriller, and about solving a mystery. The cover does make the book seem frightening, but I promise you, there is no gore or anything overly scary in the book. The first few chapters mention the main character’s abduction, but it is not written in a way that is terrifying, for the reader at least.
❀ Julia is a Hero
I really liked Julia in After the Woods. One of the reasons why is because the she is a literal hero. She put her own life in danger to save her friend from a kidnapper. That right there is enough for me to love her. Julia is also so strong as she struggles to link the body in the woods to her own abduction. The reader will really feel for her as she comes closer and closer to figuring out the truth.
❀ Thrilling Novel
After the Woods by Kim Savage is a thrilling novel that is more thriller than horror. There is a heroic main character who is very strong and likeable. If you are a fan of thrillers, you definitely have to give this book a go.
About Kim Savage
KIM SAVAGE is the author of three critically acclaimed young adult novels, After the Woods, Beautiful Broken Girls (named by Kirkus as one of the 10 Best YA of 2017), and In Her Skin (releasing April 17, 2018), all with Farrar, Straus, Giroux/Macmillan. Her novels have been published in Spain, Brazil, and Turkey, and have been optioned for TV. Kim presents at conferences and book festivals nationwide; has been featured on NPR, Herald Radio, and on local cable stations; and she reads from her novels at bookstores across the country. A former reporter with a Master degree in Journalism from Northeastern University, Kim's stories are based in and around Boston. She lives with her family near Boston, not far from the real Middlesex Fells Reservation of After the Woods. Kim and her husband have three children, each of whom beg to appear in her books. They shouldn't.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
This book looks great – I’m glad it’s as good as it looks.
This is the first time I heard about this book, but I saw the cover and I was so intrigued. After reading your review I definitely want to read it. I’m adding it to my tbr list. Great job!
Sofia @ Bookish Wanderess
The cover is so intriguing! I hope that you enjoy it as well. <3
I love reading YA thrillers and this book has caught my eye but I never gave it a try due to all the mixed reviews. I’m glad that you liked it! Great Review! 😀
It has had some mixed reviews. I guess it is one that you will have to decide upon for yourself! 🙂
Omg this book seems so good
I am usually pretty good at guessing the mystery in a story pretty early on, but this one got me. And I loved it. It wasn’t my favorite book ever, but I loved Julia so much!
I’m glad this is not a horror novel because I’m not a big fan of the genre but the blurb really did get me hooked and wanting to know more! I have heard some other positive comments about this book so I’m sure to give it a read!
I love the cover of this novel, it’s what caught my eye when searching on Goodreads for new books and the plot sounds great! I’m glad you enjoyed and I can’t wait to read!!
Sounds a real thrilling read! Lovely review.
I just read a review from someone about this who didn’t like it at all. Hm. I think she said the pacing was off and she maybe couldn’t connect with the characters. The strange thing is, I read this a couple of hours ago, but that’s enough to make me struggle to remember what they said oi 🙁 It’s interesting it’s got such different reactions!
It is interesting when we have differing opinions on books. I think that this book was paced perfectly, but I am probably more relieved that it wasn’t frightening. Maybe fans of thrillers and horrors will expect more?
The cover reminds me of Alpha Girl. I’m going to have to read it.
The cover is BEAUTIFUL!! Thank you so much for your honest review, I am definitely adding this book to my TBR list!
Betul E.
I’m going to read this soon! I’m just waiting for my copy to arrive. I love thriller books and thanks for sharing your review 🙂