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After the Curtain Falls
Erik never had to be anything other than a freak...until now.
Two hundred fifty-three days is a long time to fake being normal when night after night you perform miraculous feats on stage in a freak show. Thousands have paid to witness the miracle, suspecting nothing more than a hoax. But it is very real and it is slowly destroying him. Erik is weakened to the point where he'll stop performing and start going to school for the first time ever—in his senior year. His only goal is to rebuild his strength so he can return to the stage and perform doing what he loves most in this world. What he didn't plan for was the appearances of beautiful Addison and mysterious Naya. Now, unfamiliar feelings and bizarre new friendships threaten to unbalance Erik's future as a miracle-performing freak.
Two hundred fifty-three days is a long time to fake being normal when night after night you perform miraculous feats on stage in a freak show. Thousands have paid to witness the miracle, suspecting nothing more than a hoax. But it is very real and it is slowly destroying him. Erik is weakened to the point where he'll stop performing and start going to school for the first time ever—in his senior year. His only goal is to rebuild his strength so he can return to the stage and perform doing what he loves most in this world. What he didn't plan for was the appearances of beautiful Addison and mysterious Naya. Now, unfamiliar feelings and bizarre new friendships threaten to unbalance Erik's future as a miracle-performing freak.
- GenresYoung AdultParanormal
272 pages, Paperback and eBook
First published January 28, 2014
1 person is currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Ainsley Shay
24 books45 followersAinsley Shay avoids insanity by living mostly in the fiction world. She believes surrounding herself with positive people, and strives for balance in everything. She owns more jeans with rips and holes than without; and has recently found the magic of patches. For her, reading or writing the perfect sentence is better than the smoothest piece of dark chocolate melting in her mouth. She is a deltiologist for pure enjoyment, not for the study of. She longs to move north one day, even though she hates the cold. (Go figure!) So, for now, she continues to live in warm south Florida with her incredible husband, three beautiful daughters, and two lazy cats. (We won’t mention the dog.)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 7, 2014
I've never really loved a dragonfly as much as I do because of this book. The dragonfly was the perfect symbolism to this book. Dragonflies have 3 stages of life, "...the egg stage, then the nymph stage- this is when they can live under water for up to two years-and finally their adult stage, when they can fly, and then they usually live for about three months, just long enough to find a mate." This perfectly sums this book up now I reflect back on it after completing this book. The basis of the book is about Erik and his sister CeCe living/working in a carnival, Erik the 'freak' can bring back the dead, however it's starting to drain him. His parents decide to send both kids to school for a 'normal' life, while there he meets a variety of different characters, each adding something unique to this story. I don't want to give you the all the details of the characters because I want you to discover them as I did... But the ending, ah I can not say more but wow. This author did a beautiful job with this book, I wanted to quote it all! This is the perfect find, it envelopes you into the world that the author has created and never wants to let go. I'll miss these characters and story and maybe now I'll get a dragonfly tattoo to remind me of how life and death can be so closely related, remind me am I living or really living? It's a fantastic and brilliant book, make sure to pick this book up.
April 11, 2024
Whilst this is a YA book, it does have some romance in it. And as someone who has young adults of my own, I still very much enjoyed this. Don't let the age genre put you off.
The book is entirely written from Erik's POV and follows a few difficult months of his life , where all his expectations for the future are challenged.
The characters in the book are well written and I found myself quickly drawn into Erik's world. He has a paranormal gift but the book is set in the realm world and he has to hide this gift.
I was gripped almost from the off and, whilst most of the time I had no idea where the plot was heading, I enjoyed every twist and development. The book is written with such honest and raw emotion that you can't help but care for the characters.
Well done Ainsley Shay on a well written book that can be enjoyed by most ages.
The book is entirely written from Erik's POV and follows a few difficult months of his life , where all his expectations for the future are challenged.
The characters in the book are well written and I found myself quickly drawn into Erik's world. He has a paranormal gift but the book is set in the realm world and he has to hide this gift.
I was gripped almost from the off and, whilst most of the time I had no idea where the plot was heading, I enjoyed every twist and development. The book is written with such honest and raw emotion that you can't help but care for the characters.
Well done Ainsley Shay on a well written book that can be enjoyed by most ages.
September 7, 2017
I received this book in return for a review.
this book is a stand alone - interesting topic what does someone go through after being forced to take a break from carnival because the "trick" Erik preforms is wearing him down. Forced to finish his senior year at a public school -for the first time- its sure to be a story. Dealing with normal people - trying to keep low profile (keep history a secret) and get well enough to join to the carnival again has all the makings of a good tale. The only thing keeping me from really enjoy this book were a few unexplained holes in the overall story and that certain aspects of story that took a back seat. This is understandable for stand alone book and still weaves a story you need to see through.
this book is a stand alone - interesting topic what does someone go through after being forced to take a break from carnival because the "trick" Erik preforms is wearing him down. Forced to finish his senior year at a public school -for the first time- its sure to be a story. Dealing with normal people - trying to keep low profile (keep history a secret) and get well enough to join to the carnival again has all the makings of a good tale. The only thing keeping me from really enjoy this book were a few unexplained holes in the overall story and that certain aspects of story that took a back seat. This is understandable for stand alone book and still weaves a story you need to see through.
August 30, 2017
It was so good I found myself crying when I finished.
And I'm not emotional fast.
The dragonfly will help me remember to read this book again.
Amazing, truly amazing!
I received a free copy and this is my honest review.
And I'm not emotional fast.
The dragonfly will help me remember to read this book again.
Amazing, truly amazing!
I received a free copy and this is my honest review.
September 14, 2016
Ainsley Shay is such a talented writer, i love reading her work, she is able to write in a way that is so seamless, so imaginative and set in a world that feels so realistic, like it could really happen.
This story is such a unique read, i can guarantee that you will have never read anything like this tale and never will again. The story is filled with mysticism, supernatural elements, along with pain, fear and love. It is a unique tale filled with surprises and twits and turns, making it an extremely exciting read! The way that this story is written is so compelling and an addictive read, it is a major page turner, you find yourself obsessively turning the pages just to find out what happens next in this unique and memorable tale.
I love Erik's character, just like his audiences when he performs i was hooked and enthralled by his character from word go. There is something so real about him and his personality.... he is written like a real person not like a fictional character, his pain, loneliness, fears , you feel all of these emotions with him. His talent is something so different to read about in a supernatural aspect and i think thats one of the things that makes this book so good! You follow him and his feeling about his family, he is so protective, especially of his little sister and those that he cares about. He is full of love and i also think that is due to how it was written that he was brought up, in a community that everyone is equal and different trom each other, making them a family instead of focusing on their differences. I really enjoyed reading about Addison and how different she is from the average teenager in high school, she is very much herself and doesn't care what people think of her, this really endears her to me. Both of these characters are also different to anything else i have ever read! Then there is Naya and she is a strange one to me, you never seem to know what her motivation is, she is a complete curveball who holds a lot of secrets. There are many other characters in this book that i loved such as Oli and Rob...They were written so well but i dont want to say too much to reveal the surprises in the book!
This is a brilliant book that i would recommend to anyone and everyone, it is a read that you definitely would regret getting this and reading it, an awesome read that will definitely stay in your mins!!!
This story is such a unique read, i can guarantee that you will have never read anything like this tale and never will again. The story is filled with mysticism, supernatural elements, along with pain, fear and love. It is a unique tale filled with surprises and twits and turns, making it an extremely exciting read! The way that this story is written is so compelling and an addictive read, it is a major page turner, you find yourself obsessively turning the pages just to find out what happens next in this unique and memorable tale.
I love Erik's character, just like his audiences when he performs i was hooked and enthralled by his character from word go. There is something so real about him and his personality.... he is written like a real person not like a fictional character, his pain, loneliness, fears , you feel all of these emotions with him. His talent is something so different to read about in a supernatural aspect and i think thats one of the things that makes this book so good! You follow him and his feeling about his family, he is so protective, especially of his little sister and those that he cares about. He is full of love and i also think that is due to how it was written that he was brought up, in a community that everyone is equal and different trom each other, making them a family instead of focusing on their differences. I really enjoyed reading about Addison and how different she is from the average teenager in high school, she is very much herself and doesn't care what people think of her, this really endears her to me. Both of these characters are also different to anything else i have ever read! Then there is Naya and she is a strange one to me, you never seem to know what her motivation is, she is a complete curveball who holds a lot of secrets. There are many other characters in this book that i loved such as Oli and Rob...They were written so well but i dont want to say too much to reveal the surprises in the book!
This is a brilliant book that i would recommend to anyone and everyone, it is a read that you definitely would regret getting this and reading it, an awesome read that will definitely stay in your mins!!!
March 12, 2014
After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay
After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay is a story about a boy named Erik who is part of the Carnival. Each night he takes the stage and allows a concentrated energy to build within himself. The energy then comes forth as an intense heat which he then expels from his body into the dead animal or insect which brings it back to life.
During one of his shows, after he was finished and the curtain closed, he passed out because he was exhausted. His parents decide that it is time for him to take a break and let his body recover. They decide that Erik and his sister CeCe are to go and live with their Grandmother Oli and Erik would finish his senior year and Graduate High School. Once Erik graduated, he could return to the Carnival and start performing again.
Erik is not happy about the situation but goes along with his parent’s plans to rebuild his strength. Erik wants to do this as fast as he can so he can return to the only life he knows, (the Carnival life) and bringing things back from the dead. Once at his Grandmothers, he tries to blend in, become a regular teenager (and not a Freak) make friends and possibly fall in love.
After the Curtain Falls is an original and creative story. Shay’s style of writing flows freely. The story is paced well and there is never a dull moment. The main character is not your typical teenager, which defiantly helps grab your attention and makes the story all the more engaging.
Definitely worth your time to read.
3.7 Stars
*I won this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway. In no way has this influenced my rating or opinion of this book.*
After the Curtain Falls by Ainsley Shay is a story about a boy named Erik who is part of the Carnival. Each night he takes the stage and allows a concentrated energy to build within himself. The energy then comes forth as an intense heat which he then expels from his body into the dead animal or insect which brings it back to life.
During one of his shows, after he was finished and the curtain closed, he passed out because he was exhausted. His parents decide that it is time for him to take a break and let his body recover. They decide that Erik and his sister CeCe are to go and live with their Grandmother Oli and Erik would finish his senior year and Graduate High School. Once Erik graduated, he could return to the Carnival and start performing again.
Erik is not happy about the situation but goes along with his parent’s plans to rebuild his strength. Erik wants to do this as fast as he can so he can return to the only life he knows, (the Carnival life) and bringing things back from the dead. Once at his Grandmothers, he tries to blend in, become a regular teenager (and not a Freak) make friends and possibly fall in love.
After the Curtain Falls is an original and creative story. Shay’s style of writing flows freely. The story is paced well and there is never a dull moment. The main character is not your typical teenager, which defiantly helps grab your attention and makes the story all the more engaging.
Definitely worth your time to read.
3.7 Stars
*I won this book through Goodreads First Reads giveaway. In no way has this influenced my rating or opinion of this book.*
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January 4, 2017Ainsley Shay is a great writer, she writes the characters in a way that makes you love them and makes you pull for things to work out in their favor. At least that is how I felt reading this story. Usually I like reading when I am in a girls POV or alternating POV's but this one was strictly in Erik's head but I loved it. She made his character pop out and be awesome in this wonderful magical ride.
Erik has a special gift and it is a miraculous gift but it's taking a toll on him so off he is shipped away from the life he has only ever known in an attempt to have a normal life. He is counting the days until he can go back but along the way he meets all sorts of people, ones that change and threaten everything for him.
Erik is a character that you can't help but love he is kind to all people whether they are liked by the in crowd or not. He has a genuine caring spirit. He feels the need to help even when he can't. I just love the freshness of his spirit. They emphasize on the life a dragon fly and it is perfect in this story. It is a beautifully written story that takes what is unexplainable and turns it into something beautiful.
Erik has a special gift and it is a miraculous gift but it's taking a toll on him so off he is shipped away from the life he has only ever known in an attempt to have a normal life. He is counting the days until he can go back but along the way he meets all sorts of people, ones that change and threaten everything for him.
Erik is a character that you can't help but love he is kind to all people whether they are liked by the in crowd or not. He has a genuine caring spirit. He feels the need to help even when he can't. I just love the freshness of his spirit. They emphasize on the life a dragon fly and it is perfect in this story. It is a beautifully written story that takes what is unexplainable and turns it into something beautiful.
February 1, 2017
OMG, what a book.....page turner all the way
This book has it all, carnival ,freak show ,mystical things you wonder if its possible.....Erik thinks he's a freak, but he loves the life of a performer and he misses the carnival... When he meets a girl and falls for her he wants to be normal but he's torn....A very good read 5 star all the way
This book has it all, carnival ,freak show ,mystical things you wonder if its possible.....Erik thinks he's a freak, but he loves the life of a performer and he misses the carnival... When he meets a girl and falls for her he wants to be normal but he's torn....A very good read 5 star all the way
March 15, 2014
I was lucky enough to win a copy if this book through a Goodreads giveaway! I thought I would enjoy the male POV, but I felt like it didn't add much to the story. The overall plot was ok, but I didn't really love any of the characters.
January 30, 2014
Really enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it highly.
March 26, 2014
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway! The book was an quick easy read and enjoyable from beginning to end. I definitely recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews