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Afterparty
by
Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything E
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Hardcover, 416 pages
Published
January 7th 2014
by Simon Pulse
(first published December 31st 2013)
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DNF page 112.
I really really tried with this one. I noticed fairly early on that the writing was not my favorite but I still kept going another 100 pages, and I just can't get into it. The writing style keeps me too detached and distracted. I found a lot of sentences were unnecessarily long, filled with parenthetical expressions and/or endless rambles that made it exhausting to read. Few examples:
"The skin on my fingers wrinkles in exact inverse proportion to the unfolding of the furrows in m ...more
I really really tried with this one. I noticed fairly early on that the writing was not my favorite but I still kept going another 100 pages, and I just can't get into it. The writing style keeps me too detached and distracted. I found a lot of sentences were unnecessarily long, filled with parenthetical expressions and/or endless rambles that made it exhausting to read. Few examples:
"The skin on my fingers wrinkles in exact inverse proportion to the unfolding of the furrows in m ...more

Spoiled girl is tired of her daddy being overprotective so of course she has to rebel. So spoiled girl starts a toxic friendship with a very toxic girl who talks spoiled girl into making some very toxic decisions. Now spoiled girl has to deal with the consequences and she can't believe how her life became so toxic.
I think I'm getting to old for this stuff. Reading this book felt toxic and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. ...more
I think I'm getting to old for this stuff. Reading this book felt toxic and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. ...more

Recycling book covers:

Actually two versions, in here "After Dark" or in here "After Dark"
and

One Night That Changes Everything
Not really complaining, since I love this picture, but...
...more

Actually two versions, in here "After Dark" or in here "After Dark"
and

One Night That Changes Everything
Not really complaining, since I love this picture, but...
...more

Whoop! So I'm excited that Ann asked me to review her book and so glad I said yes! This book was sooooo good. Ann is a kick-ass writer.
So in Afterparty we follow this chick Emma who is coming from Canada to California. She is a pretty cool girl once we really get to know her. So far she has been know as a goody good girl. The kind that can't watch a movie unless she is the right age for it. Dresses her age, doesn't break rules, doesn't kiss boys, doesn't sneak out, etc. Well we shall see if tha ...more
So in Afterparty we follow this chick Emma who is coming from Canada to California. She is a pretty cool girl once we really get to know her. So far she has been know as a goody good girl. The kind that can't watch a movie unless she is the right age for it. Dresses her age, doesn't break rules, doesn't kiss boys, doesn't sneak out, etc. Well we shall see if tha ...more

I read this book lightning fast – couldn’t get through it fast enough! It’s a great, fast read. By great I mean well-written, interesting, and captivating. It’s like a train wreck – you know it’s not going to end well, but you just can’t look away. You have to see what happens.
Characters … they were interesting. I liked Emma, most of the time. Didn’t like Siobhan much at all, especially not as the story progresses. It’s clear this girl is unstable, at best. My guess? Bipolar. Read the book and y ...more
Characters … they were interesting. I liked Emma, most of the time. Didn’t like Siobhan much at all, especially not as the story progresses. It’s clear this girl is unstable, at best. My guess? Bipolar. Read the book and y ...more

In her signature style, Ann Redisch Stampler does it again! She writes with such honesty, beauty and conviction, it is practically impossible to put this book down. Is it as good as her debut, Where It Began? Yes! Perhaps even a little better! Even more captivating, suspenseful and filled with so many feelings, you'll be mesmerized and addicted, and turning the pages like a Stampler junkie.
Emma's mother was a drug addict and she died from overdose. Her death affected Emma's life in more than ju ...more
Emma's mother was a drug addict and she died from overdose. Her death affected Emma's life in more than ju ...more

Afterparty was a read which was an uphill sort of struggle read, there were aspects which were fantastic and I found myself really caught up in the lives of these characters and concerned about what could happen to them. But then there were parts which left me with a bewildered look on my face or parts which were just put in which seemed to me for no reason. But the mind funks and slower series in the end were worth it, as Afterparty was a really dark and gritty read than I was expecting it to b
...more

So. Much. Awesome.
What? You can't just trust me an read it? You want details? Fine.
First of all, it was such a relief to read a contemporary YA. I've been stuck in the land of dystopia for so long, and I just wanted out. This is Gossip Girl meets... well, L.A., I guess, and one of the girls actually starts out pretty innocent. Other than that, it's very Gossip Girl-esque.
Emma is tired of being good. She convinces her dad to take a job in Los Angeles so she can try and experience some normal teen ...more
What? You can't just trust me an read it? You want details? Fine.
First of all, it was such a relief to read a contemporary YA. I've been stuck in the land of dystopia for so long, and I just wanted out. This is Gossip Girl meets... well, L.A., I guess, and one of the girls actually starts out pretty innocent. Other than that, it's very Gossip Girl-esque.
Emma is tired of being good. She convinces her dad to take a job in Los Angeles so she can try and experience some normal teen ...more

You can also find this review at http://girlinthewoodsreviews.blogspot...
Detailed Review: I was pretty much wasted after I finished Afterparty. I just felt like it had worn me out: a feeling I always seldom get from a book unless it was a) so bad that I felt it was a waste of time reading it or b) so good that I couldn't stop reading at all. But the whole process of reading just got better and better, and I found it harder to stop when I reached the halfway point; the further I got, the more int ...more
Detailed Review: I was pretty much wasted after I finished Afterparty. I just felt like it had worn me out: a feeling I always seldom get from a book unless it was a) so bad that I felt it was a waste of time reading it or b) so good that I couldn't stop reading at all. But the whole process of reading just got better and better, and I found it harder to stop when I reached the halfway point; the further I got, the more int ...more

Dec 19, 2013
Susan Francis
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
ya,
my-faves,
ya-five-star,
books-reviewed,
rom,
r2r,
ya-contemporary,
thought-provoking,
rom-no-fluff,
five-star-reads
Afterparty reads like a cross-over of genres into psychological thriller territory - a sort of YA Gone Girl.
The writing is smart and perceptive and I am sure there are many out there who will be able to relate to much of what occurs in this book, be they YAs with the experiences still current or adults looking back on past experiences.
Redisch Stampler does that thing I like; she does not over-explain things. A lot is left unsaid and it is up to the reader to think about the text (and context) an ...more
The writing is smart and perceptive and I am sure there are many out there who will be able to relate to much of what occurs in this book, be they YAs with the experiences still current or adults looking back on past experiences.
Redisch Stampler does that thing I like; she does not over-explain things. A lot is left unsaid and it is up to the reader to think about the text (and context) an ...more

Well what can I say about Afterparty but what a ride. This one was for sure a take me back to high school kind of read and one that touched on some topics that I know for sure would be great for the high school fans.
The story follows two main characters, Siobhan and
Emma. These two girls are poplar opposites in ever way but in this crazy journey of two girls trying to function in the world of High school issues you will you will get a book full. Theses two girls meet in the start of the school ...more
The story follows two main characters, Siobhan and
Emma. These two girls are poplar opposites in ever way but in this crazy journey of two girls trying to function in the world of High school issues you will you will get a book full. Theses two girls meet in the start of the school ...more

A snippet of the full review, below. Full review here: http://prettylittlememoirs.blogspot.c...
I was intrigued right from the first page. I mean, when on the first page when it starts with an ending one-liner as enthralling as that, I think everyone is going to turn that page and keep going.
The book opens and introduces Emma and her father to us. They're moving from Canada to California and right away the difference in lifestyle is a big change for both of them, but people tell them that they'l ...more
I was intrigued right from the first page. I mean, when on the first page when it starts with an ending one-liner as enthralling as that, I think everyone is going to turn that page and keep going.
The book opens and introduces Emma and her father to us. They're moving from Canada to California and right away the difference in lifestyle is a big change for both of them, but people tell them that they'l ...more

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON INKBITTEN.COM
Characters make the story, for me. I can read any genre, and truly enjoy any genre, as long as I like the characters. Thankfully, one of use strongest points of Afterparty is the characterization. Take Emma, the main character. If you're like me, you spend your Saturday nights at home, in sweat pants, writing stupid biology papers and cursing the class under your breath. While I might not want to be out there breaking the rules, taking risks, etc. etc. I certai ...more
Characters make the story, for me. I can read any genre, and truly enjoy any genre, as long as I like the characters. Thankfully, one of use strongest points of Afterparty is the characterization. Take Emma, the main character. If you're like me, you spend your Saturday nights at home, in sweat pants, writing stupid biology papers and cursing the class under your breath. While I might not want to be out there breaking the rules, taking risks, etc. etc. I certai ...more

I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone under the age of High School (I know that wasn't numerical; I couldn't decide on a good age).
Afterparty takes place in Los Angeles, California and revolves mainly around two main characters: Siobhan & Emma. Emma is a good girl from Canada who turns bad with the help of her newly found friend Siobhan. Siobhan is a wild child who has done pretty much everything you can think of.
Afterparty is the name of the big party that happens each year at t ...more
Afterparty takes place in Los Angeles, California and revolves mainly around two main characters: Siobhan & Emma. Emma is a good girl from Canada who turns bad with the help of her newly found friend Siobhan. Siobhan is a wild child who has done pretty much everything you can think of.
Afterparty is the name of the big party that happens each year at t ...more

I received this as a review copy and I'm so glad I did!
The story follows Emma as she moves from Canada to California with her father. Her mother dies earlier in her life and her father has raised Emma on his own. The move proves to be a huge culture shock for both of them. Emma has always been a "good girl". She prides herself on following the rules and doing her best in any way she can.
She begins her first few days at her new school and meets a new and exciting friend, Siobhan. Siobhan is basi ...more
The story follows Emma as she moves from Canada to California with her father. Her mother dies earlier in her life and her father has raised Emma on his own. The move proves to be a huge culture shock for both of them. Emma has always been a "good girl". She prides herself on following the rules and doing her best in any way she can.
She begins her first few days at her new school and meets a new and exciting friend, Siobhan. Siobhan is basi ...more

Full review on Reader's Dialogue: http://readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2...
I already knew that I love Ann Redisch Stampler's style from her book Where It Began. With Afterparty, the narrator's voice, Emma's voice, is so clear and so sharp. In fact, that sharpness becomes so important in the pivotal scene where Emma is drunk and high and who knows what else, and her voice actually loses some of that sharpness. To me, it highlighted the way that even as Emma categorized herself as "Bad Emma" throug ...more
I already knew that I love Ann Redisch Stampler's style from her book Where It Began. With Afterparty, the narrator's voice, Emma's voice, is so clear and so sharp. In fact, that sharpness becomes so important in the pivotal scene where Emma is drunk and high and who knows what else, and her voice actually loses some of that sharpness. To me, it highlighted the way that even as Emma categorized herself as "Bad Emma" throug ...more

Loved this story. But what I loved most was the author's writing style. There was just something so appealing to me in the author's voice throughout.
While I couldn't wholly relate to Emma's oppressive/restrictive father I could totally understand how and why she did what she did and why she remained friends with Siobhan. The story was interesting and sad and beautifully written and throughout, until the end, the pacing was perfect.
But I felt that right at the end before the epilogue the pacing w ...more
While I couldn't wholly relate to Emma's oppressive/restrictive father I could totally understand how and why she did what she did and why she remained friends with Siobhan. The story was interesting and sad and beautifully written and throughout, until the end, the pacing was perfect.
But I felt that right at the end before the epilogue the pacing w ...more

Very cool. Going into this, I read a review that said a YA version on Gone Girl. I loved Gone Girl, so I was like was like "Sure, why not!" Honestly, if we're comparing to anything it was a Mean Girls all the way through to the end. So, besides being sorta let down in a way, I still really enjoyed this book.
Definitely recommend it if you don't mind severely angsty high school drama with lots of family money and bored kids. ...more
Definitely recommend it if you don't mind severely angsty high school drama with lots of family money and bored kids. ...more

Afterparty ended up being one of those books that I thought was one thing, but turned out to be something else, entirely. The writing and dialogue in this book charmed me, and while I know it won’t be for everyone, I thought that Emma’s inner dialogue and sense of humor brought a lot to the story. I liked Emma, and I could relate to her, so I guess I was drawn in by her obvious need to get out from her her father’s watchful eye and her strong inner conscience that with which she is always at war
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Don't read it unless you are mature enough to know to not do the stuff she does in the book. lol jk.
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I really enjoyed After Party. In fact I read it in a single sitting, well lying down since I started reading Emma's adventure with Siobahn just before going to bed. By the time I finsihed, the sun was coming up and I'd forgotten to go to sleep.
Ann Stampler is a wonderfully funny writer andthat comes through in Emma's voice and the many laugh out loud assides about the West LA private school set and its excesses. In addition, there's a very compelling plot with the blonde boy magnet, Siobahn, as ...more
Ann Stampler is a wonderfully funny writer andthat comes through in Emma's voice and the many laugh out loud assides about the West LA private school set and its excesses. In addition, there's a very compelling plot with the blonde boy magnet, Siobahn, as ...more

Can I just? It's really good. It's my second time reading it (read most of the ARC then the finished copy cover to cover). I already know some will object (Drinking! Drugs! Sex & questionable music!) but I love Emma, may she be Good, Bad, or Somewhere in Between.
I'm not kidding, someone slap some awards on this baby.
Full review at http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/2014...
...more
I'm not kidding, someone slap some awards on this baby.
Full review at http://www.readnowsleeplater.com/2014...
...more

The intensity and tension in this book is incredible. It's a breathless read that nevertheless feels startlingly real as you rush through the pages. Don't start reading this late at night, because you won't be getting a lot of sleep. Every time I started to put the book down, I ended up picking it back up again. And I'm still thinking about the characters days later. My favorite kind of read!
...more

Nose Graze — Young Adult book reviews
Afterparty has one hell of an opening paragraph! It starts with the end (near the end of the school year) and then backtracks back to the beginning of the school year. That REALLY pulled me in. See for yourself:
HOLY SHIT, right??? I wanted to consume this awesomeness NOW.
After the explosive beginning, Afterparty slowly winded down for me. On the one hand, the tension was slowly building, but on the other han ...more
Afterparty has one hell of an opening paragraph! It starts with the end (near the end of the school year) and then backtracks back to the beginning of the school year. That REALLY pulled me in. See for yourself:
Good girls don't usually kill their best friend.
HOLY SHIT, right??? I wanted to consume this awesomeness NOW.
After the explosive beginning, Afterparty slowly winded down for me. On the one hand, the tension was slowly building, but on the other han ...more

Jan 25, 2018
Shany Larouche
marked it as did-not-finish
DNF at page 72. It was just a painful waste of time. Didnt care about the characters and the plot... so, adios~

Afterparty is a really wonderful novel with an incredible opening paragraph that I’m sure will grab anyone’s attention. I often found myself giggling whilst reading this novel, as Ann Stampler’s writing is really funny and I loved how our main protagonist had a ‘moral compass’, which was always trying to point her in the correct direction. I did find myself confused on many different occasions throughout Afterparty. It seemed like it would go off track completely for a few paragraphs and then be
...more

Originally posted at City of Books
I'll start this off by saying I wanted to like this book. I really did. It seemed intriguing and thrilling, but unfortunately it was nothing like that for me. The characters fell flat, and I pretty much hated most of them... In fact the only reason I finished this book is because I wanted to know what happens at the end. That disappointed me, too! Afterparty has a cool concept, and I feel like it could have been carried out a lot better.
Emma is used to moving ci ...more
I'll start this off by saying I wanted to like this book. I really did. It seemed intriguing and thrilling, but unfortunately it was nothing like that for me. The characters fell flat, and I pretty much hated most of them... In fact the only reason I finished this book is because I wanted to know what happens at the end. That disappointed me, too! Afterparty has a cool concept, and I feel like it could have been carried out a lot better.
Emma is used to moving ci ...more

Ann Redisch Stampler has written a wonderfully engaging and equally compelling follow up novel to her shining debut,
Where It Began
.
Afterparty
is an explosive young adult book full of tragedy, betrayal, and complicated romance.
It was incredibly easy for me to get sucked into this story right away, because the Stampler's writing style just flowed really well and I found myself enjoying the book quite a bit, although there were moments where I cringed a bit at a couple of things that wer ...more
It was incredibly easy for me to get sucked into this story right away, because the Stampler's writing style just flowed really well and I found myself enjoying the book quite a bit, although there were moments where I cringed a bit at a couple of things that wer ...more

Review originally posted on www.fictitiousdelicious.com on 01/08/14:
When I read the synopsis of Afterparty, I just knew it had to be mine. I've become quite the fan of all things contemporary and I love reading stories about difficult relationships, which this one has plenty of. As a matter of fact, the relationship between Emma & her BFF Siobhan skyrockets outside of the realm of difficult into OMG slash WTF territory.
I wouldn't say I was expecting a light, fluffy read when I picked up Afterpar ...more
When I read the synopsis of Afterparty, I just knew it had to be mine. I've become quite the fan of all things contemporary and I love reading stories about difficult relationships, which this one has plenty of. As a matter of fact, the relationship between Emma & her BFF Siobhan skyrockets outside of the realm of difficult into OMG slash WTF territory.
I wouldn't say I was expecting a light, fluffy read when I picked up Afterpar ...more
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Ann Redisch Stampler is the author of the young adult novels Afterparty and Where It Began as well as half a dozen picture books. Her work has garnered an Aesop accolade, the National Jewish Book Award, Sydney Taylor honors, the Middle East Book Award, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year mentions. How to Disappear (Simon Pulse, 2016), her first young adult thriller, will be released in June. An
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“Was there supposed to be a moment of blinding clarity when the path through the thicket appeared, brightly illuminated, and Good, Bad, and Morally Neutral all sorted themselves out, slightly messy but completely unambiguous, like egg yolk and egg white and shell?
If so, I missed it”
—
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If so, I missed it”
“Was there supposed to be a moment of blinding clarity when the path through the thicket appeared, brightly illuminated, and Good, Bad, and Morally Neutral all sorted themselves
out, slightly messy but completely unambiguous, like egg yolk
and egg white and shell?
If so, I missed it.”
—
0 likes
More quotes…
out, slightly messy but completely unambiguous, like egg yolk
and egg white and shell?
If so, I missed it.”