Aftermath by Kelley Armstrong

May 15, 2018 Lola rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, high-school, friendship, 2018-publications

It is easy to blame the wrong person.

It is easy for people to blame Skye for her brother’s sins. It’s harder for them to look at her and put themselves in her shoes, to imagine what her life must be like and how hurt she must feel.

She lost her brother, after all, even if he did participate in a high school shooting.

I claim that it’s easy, because I once blamed the wrong person for somebody else’s mistake, too. I wasn’t thinking clearly. All that I knew was that my brother had done something unc ...more

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May 20, 2018 Chelsea Humphrey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: from-publisher, netgalley

4.5 STARS

"I didn't HAVE to," she says. "I chose to. Sometimes, showing compassion for others means doing things that are painful for us."

Folks, this is a book that will stay with me indefinitely. One of the more beautiful aspects of YA fiction is how it can completely take you by surprise by simultaneously sweeping you off your feet and doubling you over with a punch to the gut. This is such a book. I finished Aftermath days ago and my emotions are persisting in their wide range of feelings. Obv 4.5 STARS

"I didn't HAVE to," she says. "I chose to. Sometimes, showing compassion for others means doing things that are painful for us."

Folks, this is a book that will stay with me indefinitely. One of the more beautiful aspects of YA fiction is how it can completely take you by surprise by simultaneously sweeping you off your feet and doubling you over with a punch to the gut. This is such a book. I finished Aftermath days ago and my emotions are persisting in their wide range of feelings. Obviously the subject matter is delicate, but even the sub-stories within that deal with race, culture, and family dynamics proceed to dig their way below the surface. I felt the emotional equivalent of being struck by an arrow that pierces the skin and isn't able to be just pulled out, because it's head is unable to be reversed the way it went in. It was a beautiful, painful experience, and here's why you should read it...

This is a YA novel written for everyone. Yes, I'm aware that a good bit of YA novels, even ones I enjoy from time to time, are a bit cheesy and underwhelming to most adult readers. Whether the dialogue is trying too hard or the content is flat out unrealistic, these cliches can make-or-break a book for those wanting to dabble in fiction that is aimed at a younger audience. Aftermath is a well written character study with a tinge of mystery and suspense, one that bypasses lingo that's trying too hard and sticks to content that matters and is relevant to readers of all ages. I flew through this book as I grew connected to Skye and Jesse/Jasser, because they felt like real, tangible people rather than a glossy magazine spread meant to resemble such.

The content is unsettling and disturbing, but far from graphic. Yes, there are a brief handful of moments with insight into the shooting itself, but these were mostly tame and developed through the emotions of our protagonists rather than relying on shock value and gory flashbacks. I not only felt this was more effective than telling the story the horror route, but also made the story age appropriate for a wider audience, especially those who may be a more sensitive reader wanting to read about a relevant plot so crucial to our current events in America. Please be advised though that this book IS disturbing, unsettling, and horrifying and each reader should take note before choosing to pick this one up.

Jesse's mom is the hero of this story, and the diversity is natural. Without delving into spoiler territory, I want to give you insight into one portion of the story which deserves all the attention and credit due. One of our POVs is from Jesse, given name Jasser, who comes from a muslim family. His father is an engineer and his mother is a doctor, but his family still deals with racism and harassment on a regular basis. Armstrong noted in the acknowledgements that she developed this fictional family with the help of a similar one in real life, because she was so determined to have proper representation. Jasser's mom is, in fact, the glue that holds all of the broken people in this story together. She exudes love, support, grace, and understanding, even to those who do not deserve it. She is a classy, upstanding citizen with a wicked sense of humor and a burning deep in her soul to be involved in her children's lives. She is a protective mama bear, not only of her children but of those who don't have a mother to fight in their corner. The Mandals are a family that I grew to feel a part of, and I feel an odd sense of displacement now that the story is over because they felt so... real.

I feel I should mention that the mystery surrounding Skye's brother and the details of the shooting actually takes a backseat to the exquisite character study that exists here. We do get some answers at the end, but I was left unsure of the reason that the shooting happened in the first place. Regardless, we receive enough answers to put our detective cap aside and let it be. If you enjoy novels that bring forth a well of emotions, both happy and sad, this one's for you. This book is important and focuses on so many necessary themes, such as forgiveness, reconciliation, family bonds (both by blood and those that we choose), and many others I won't mention simply so that you can experience them first hand. Highly recommended and I can't wait to chat about this book with others once they've read it.

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley. ...more

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Dec 04, 2017 Laura rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, crime-mystery-thriller, read-in-2018

There’s grief, too, but I bury that even faster. You aren’t allowed to grieve for someone like Luka. It doesn’t matter if he was an amazing brother. Luka Gilchrist was a monster. Write it on the board a hundred times and don’t ever forget it.

I can't deny being apprehensive about reading this book due to the school shooting subject matter. I am happy I ended up giving it the shot the book deserved. Aftermath is an extremely relevant book handling a sensitive subject in an empathetic way.

Three ...more

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Jul 08, 2018 Kat rated it really liked it

Shelves: library-2

Interesting read that chronicles the “aftermath” of a school shooting and the effect on two teens, one the sister of the shooter, the other the brother of a victim. More a mystery/love story than anything psychological.

Trigger warnings: (view spoiler)

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

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May 29, 2018 ♥Rachel♥ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, thriller-and-or-action, mystery

Aftermath is a story that’s relevant to current times. Living in the States, school shootings are sadly becoming more and more frequent. I’ve often thought of the family of the shooter, how they’re affected when one of their own commits such a horrible crime. Often the family is shocked, blindsided and branded as villains as well.

Aftermath is a fictional story centering on Skylar, the sister of one of the school shooters of a shooting that took place three years ago. My heart went out to her. T Aftermath is a story that’s relevant to current times. Living in the States, school shootings are sadly becoming more and more frequent. I’ve often thought of the family of the shooter, how they’re affected when one of their own commits such a horrible crime. Often the family is shocked, blindsided and branded as villains as well.

Aftermath is a fictional story centering on Skylar, the sister of one of the school shooters of a shooting that took place three years ago. My heart went out to her. The brother she knew would never have done what Luka did, and with him gone she’s been left to bear the brunt of hate aimed his way. More now than ever when she’s forced to return to her hometown where the shooting took place. Skylar expects hostility, but not the sinister pranks, bullying and phone calls she experiences. Is someone trying to punish her for her brother’s crimes or question his guilt?

I’ve enjoyed Kelley Armstrong’s writing for quite some time, lately with her Casey Duncan series. Love that series! While I liked Aftermath, I can’t say it wowed me. Skylar was a likable and sympathetic character and I liked Jesse as well, but their romance was a bit underwhelming. It was sort of a second chance romance and they both had gone through so much, so of course I wanted them to be together, there just wasn’t really any spark to it, IMaO. Kelley Armstrong usually has me on the edge of my seat with suspense, and there were a couple of tension filled moments in this story, but I think the danger was downplayed by the characters when the panic button should’ve been pushed! They didn’t feel the urgency (stupidly, IMO) and so I think the story didn’t feel as suspenseful. Maybe this was because the story is Young Adult? I don’t know. Still, I was entertained, and felt the need to push on and find out what exactly was going on.

A copy was kindly provided by Crown Books for Young Readers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den. ...more

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May 09, 2018 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: net-galley, 2018-netgalley-challenge, reviewed, thriller, ya, 2018

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This book was truly great. I have to admit that when I first saw that this book would involve a school shooting I was really nervous about reading it. Did I really want to read a book about such a terrible event especially in the current climate? I really wasn't sure but I decided to add this book to my reading schedule because I wanted to see what Kelley Armstrong could do with such a terrible event. I haven't read too many books wr This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

This book was truly great. I have to admit that when I first saw that this book would involve a school shooting I was really nervous about reading it. Did I really want to read a book about such a terrible event especially in the current climate? I really wasn't sure but I decided to add this book to my reading schedule because I wanted to see what Kelley Armstrong could do with such a terrible event. I haven't read too many books written by Kelley Armstrong but I have really enjoyed the ones that I have read so I trusted that she would deliver a story worth reading. This book ended up being one of those books that are almost impossible to put down. I am so glad that I decided to give this one a try.

As previously mentioned, this book does involve a school shooting so I was really afraid that it would be one of those books that would break my heart to pieces. In some ways, I guess it did because I hated everything they had gone through but it wasn't the traumatic reading experience that I had feared it would be. The focus of this book is Skye, the sister of one of the teens responsible for the school shooting that tore her hometown apart just a few years earlier. Skye is forced to move back home with her Aunt and go back to the school with the same kids who knew her brother and what he did.

Jesse was Skye's best friend and was possibly becoming more when everything happened. His brother was one of the victims and his life is completely different than it was before the shooting took place. Jesse not only lost his brother but also his best friend when Skye's family quickly left town. Jesse isn't really sure what to think about Skye's return to their hometown.

This book was a whole lot about the characters. Spending time with both Skye and Jesse as they work through their thoughts and feelings about everything going on was very eye opening. This book was also a really well done thriller. I think I might have actually missed the fact that there was some new issues when I first read the book's summary but I was quickly caught up in the events surrounding Skye and Jesse. I had a few suspects but I was never quite sure who was responsible for all of the things going on and I found myself completely glued to the pages. I really liked how Skye and Jesse were able to reconnect as they worked to figure things out.

I would not hesitate to recommend this book to others. I found this to be a thought provoking page turner filled with wonderful characters. I can't wait to read more from this talented author.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Random House Children's - Crown Books for Young Readers via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
I really enjoyed this rather exciting book. This story wasn't what I thought it would be. It was a lot better than I expected. I had no idea this would be a thriller but once things started happening, I didn't want to put the book down. I liked Syke and Jesse and was really hoping that things would work out for them. I was able to guess a few things that happened in the book but I was still completely entertained. ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Stacee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2018, netgalley, doctor-who-reference

Oh man, this was amazing.

I loved Skye and Jesse. They’ve both gone through a horrible tragedy, but they’re at different sides of the event. I loved getting both sides of the story and reading them figuring out how to go forward. And Jesse’s mom was one of the best parts.

Plot wise, it was everything I wasn’t expecting. There were definitely some heartbreaking moments, but a major part of this story is a mystery and it’s absolutely delicious. There are a lot of creepy moments and I spent a good ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-book-read, kindle-books

There really isn't a whole lot that Armstrong can't write, in virtually any genre.

The very fact that she combined a very sensitive topic with a mystery and somehow made it both mysterious and heartfelt make it work, is truly a talent not a lot of authors have.

I love that this kept me on the edge of my seat wondering exactly if the main character wasn't slightly unhinged herself or if she really was being bullied and pranked by those that really didn't want her there.

Truly a great stand alone r ...more

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Jun 09, 2018 Abida's Book Adventures rated it really liked it

Loved this book!

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Jul 14, 2018 Paula Phillips rated it liked it

A theme of books that I have always been fascinated with is school shootings, I know that makes me sound creepy, but I'm not honest. I guess living in New Zealand, we only hear about the shootings. Kelley Armstrong's book was a different take on your usual school shooting novel which takes place leading up to the shootings. This one features the siblings of victims and shooters three years later. Skye and Jesse were the best of friends until one day changed their lives forever. There has been a ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 OutlawPoet rated it liked it

I had to give this one some thought prior to writing my review. I was conflicted.

I really like the author and I found the book was extremely suspenseful.

I also don’t know that I’m ready for the School Shooting YA sub-genre that seems to be on the horizon. My initial thought was…if it’s done well it should be okay.

This largely is. The focus isn’t so much on the shooting itself, but on the aftermath (hence the title). We see the turmoil for the friends and families of the victims, as well as the f ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 Christy rated it it was amazing

Picking up this book I expected it to be emotional, I mean, it is about the aftermath of a school shooting, so I was expecting to bawl my eyes out. What I was expecting was the other emotions that I would feel while reading this book.
.
Anger that no one would listen, fear about what was happening now, and sadness for how things turned out for a certain character that I wish I could’ve known better.
.
I know that all sounds kind of vague, but trust me, it needs to be that way. You need to go into t ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Stephanie ((Strazzybooks)) rated it liked it

*Thank you to the publisher/author/Netgalley for my copy.*

3.5/5. This book is different. I loved the characters of Skye and Jesse and ESPECIALLY JESSE’S MOM. ((Can we get a spin-off of her story? Because I’m pretty sure I love her.))
The characters were nuanced and believable as they deal with the ‘aftermath’ (3 years later) of a very personal school shooting.
Though the story does have a slight mystery/suspense angle to it, I appreciated it more for the characters and reading how they dealt with ...more

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Dec 19, 2018 Alex's Reads & Reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: tragic, wanttoreadmoreofthisauthor, iamnotokay

4.5*

This is, obviously, an incredibly tough novel to both read and review. It deals with such a prevalent and important topic, but it is a grievous one all the same, and - considering all of that - was brilliantly done.

This novel follows two characters. One, a boy who lost his brother in a school shooting, and who's life has since fallen off the rails. The other, a girl who lost her brother in the same school shooting. The two were best friends. Until the school shooting, because the girl's br ...more

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Jul 04, 2018 Didi rated it really liked it

One of my fave authors, and she's Canadian! Love her work. This was great, especially the flow, something KA is a genius at.

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Jul 01, 2018 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: most-anticipated-books-of-2018, favorites-2018, 2018-bnb-reading-challenge, coyer-summer-2018

4.5/5 stars

I love Kelley Armstrong. She is one of my favorite authors. I really had no idea what to expect from this book. But I absolutely loved it. Aftermath is a standalone YA suspense book. Skye (16) is the main narrator (1st person POV). This book takes place 3 years after a school shooting (her brother was killed). This book is really not so much about the actual shooting, but rather what life is like a few years later (for both the families of the shooters and the families of the victims) ...more

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May 12, 2018 K. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, poc-narrator, contemporary, own-it-hard-copy, thriller, audience-young-adult, difficult-topics, setting-usa

Trigger warnings: school shooting, gun violence, bullying, stalking, kidnapping, blood, drugging, fire.

3.5 stars.

You guys probably know by now that I'm total trash for Kelley Armstrong's books. And I've really enjoyed her YA thrillers over the past few years, so when I saw that she had a new one out, I immediately grabbed it.

I was pretty much hooked straight away by the concept of a girl having to return to the town and the school where her brother was a school shooter years earlier and the wa ...more

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May 24, 2018 Cindy ~ rated it it was ok

I didn't realize this was YA when I went into it and boy did it immediately show. For a book with the deep subject matter that this book is about, it only shows the adults (parents, teachers, cops) as stupid and making the type of mistakes people would lose their jobs over.

For me there was more wrong with this book than there was right. In light of another recent school shooting, the flaws are even more obvious.

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Apr 21, 2018 eilasoles rated it did not like it

I like Kelley Armstrong and even in this book, her writing is pretty flawless ... but the adult characters are all caricatures, and perhaps it's because I'm teaching American teenagers - I find her portrayal of Skye and Jesse rather unbelievable.

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Aug 01, 2018 Maggie61 rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-2018-aiming-high

Aftermath is the wreckage and devastation after a school shooting three years before. We all read about and hear about school shootings. But then it fades from the news and our lives go on without being greatly impacted. But what about the families of the victims? And the families of the shooters?
Skye and Jesse were 13, best of friends and on free cusp of being something more. And then the shooting happened. Skye’s brother Luka was involved, Jesse’s brother was a victim. In no time at all, Skye Aftermath is the wreckage and devastation after a school shooting three years before. We all read about and hear about school shootings. But then it fades from the news and our lives go on without being greatly impacted. But what about the families of the victims? And the families of the shooters?
Skye and Jesse were 13, best of friends and on free cusp of being something more. And then the shooting happened. Skye’s brother Luka was involved, Jesse’s brother was a victim. In no time at all, Skye disappeared and so did their friendship.
Three years later due to some family difficulties, Skye moved back to town to live with her aunt. Definitely not her choice, but her one stipulation was not having to go to the same school as Jesse as she can’t face his hatred. Skye has a lot of hatred to deal with upon her return. It didn’t matter that she had nothing to do with the shooting. She was guilty by association. And no one wanted her there. And to top it all off, Jesse did go to that school.
From the beginning it was obvious she wasn’t welcomed back. Strange things started to happen, someone was sending her dangerous messages and no one believed her. It seemed that so many people were connected to the shooting; they knew someone, they were related or they just plain didn’t want her there. As if she may pull out a gun at any given moment and start shooting. Whatever causes a school shooter to do what they do is controversial but it isn’t contagious. Ultimately it is still the shooter’s decision but many in that town hadn’t learned that lesson and who knows, maybe I would feel the same or not want a constant reminder in my face.
Not knowing who she could trust she laid a little low but received a little support from surprising sources.
Kelley Armstrong is such a good writer she can write teen/adult novels with equal talent no matter what the topic. While she writes both well, I actually do prefer the young adult novels she writes. This one deals with such a sensitive topic and she handles the emotion involved and gravity of the situation without being overly graphic.
It is very tragic and realistic except maybe some of Skye’s antics to get to the truth someone is wanting her to investigate. I thought Luka an odd choice from someone wanting inspiration for a child’s name from a song however I grew to appreciate how fitting it was. Awesome song, so tragic and I couldn’t get it out of my head every time I read his name. This book definitely tugged at my heartstrings.
Really enjoyed this, flew through the last half. Solid 4 1/2 for me. ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 Wendy rated it it was amazing

“Aftermath” an exciting YA standalone thriller opens three years after Skye Gilchrist’s brother was involved in a school shooting that took the life of four students at North Hampton High School. Feeling guilt, shame and remorse Skye returns to Riverside not only living with her aunt but attending the local collegiate where she faces harassment and bullying from kids who resent that she’s there.

At thirteen, Jesse and Skye were close friends ripped apart and shattered by the tragedy that stole th “Aftermath” an exciting YA standalone thriller opens three years after Skye Gilchrist’s brother was involved in a school shooting that took the life of four students at North Hampton High School. Feeling guilt, shame and remorse Skye returns to Riverside not only living with her aunt but attending the local collegiate where she faces harassment and bullying from kids who resent that she’s there.

At thirteen, Jesse and Skye were close friends ripped apart and shattered by the tragedy that stole their brothers’ lives. Struggling to get past that pain and guilt that changed their lives they slowly renew their friendship and begin searching for the truth behind that day, only to be stalked by a killer who wants it buried forever.

Fast-paced, intensity and suspense build as Skye receives dark texts and videos, her aunt’s apartment is broken into and she’s trapped in a fire in a room at the school. Told from Skye and Jesse’s perspectives the mystery deepens with flashbacks into the lives of their brothers; one an egotistical all-around athlete who’s shot fleeing the school and the other, thoughtful, geeky, and kind with a hatred for guns only to be shot carrying one out of the school bathroom. Well-developed Kelley Armstrong cleverly creates emotional tension with the vice principal’s suspicion of Skye and his condemnation of Jesse’s behaviour as events escalate that have her expelled. Yet amid the chaos as a killer stalks Skye, romance blossoms again between her and Jesse as they never stopped caring for each other.

Breathing life into this story are compelling, strong and complex characters like Skye Gilchrist who at thirteen was brash, bold and confident until the tragic shooting that shattered her family’s life. Vulnerable, reckless and impulsive she throws herself into a search for the truth of that day after she begins receiving dark texts and videos. Her friend Jesse Mandal at the same age was well-groomed, academically inclined, serious and good-humored but after his brother’s death became tardy and troubled. Trying to make up for his parents’ loss he becomes a star runner, taking steroids with a trainer’s approval to enhance his performance.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Aftermath” which blends murder, mystery and romance against a sensitive backdrop that includes underlying issues of harassment and bullying. Well-written and intense the story will keep you on the edge of your seat until finished. ...more

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Apr 28, 2018 PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. ***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of AFTERMATH by Kelley Armstrong in exchange for my honest review.***

3.5 STARS

After Skye’s brother Luka participates in a school shooting whose victims include her a crush Jesse’s brother, Skye and her mother leave town. Three years later she reluctantly returns. Now a junior, Skye faces bullying, threats and maybe more from classmates who don’t want her back. Or possibly, like the school principal suggests, she’s making everything up ...more

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May 23, 2018 NZLisaM rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, crime, mystery, drama, suspense, young-adult

Packs an emotional punch!

I thought the author handled a delicate topic with sensitivity and integrity. There were some upsetting scenes, however they were kept to a minimum and were as non-graphic as they could be, and there were no actual flashbacks to the shooting. Instead they focused on the characters before, so as to show just how much the school shooting had not only affected, but also altered the course of their lives irrevocably. The flashbacks also gave us insight into the personalities ...more

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May 03, 2018 Rose rated it it was amazing

Another great book written by Kelley Armstrong!

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May 05, 2018 ☕️Kimberly rated it liked it

3.5 Not quite what I expected. A solid suspense thriller

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Aug 07, 2018 Gabriel Ducate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Again Kelley Armstrong does not disappoint. I was a little iffy when reading the synopsis but I'm glad to say the was a fantastic book.

The different perspectives given between Skye and Jesse kept me on the feet... or rooted to be seat. And I liked how it was written in that you were constantly flipping between their perspectives.

The characters were well written and kept me gripped the whole way through.

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Jul 13, 2018 Siobhan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Kelley Armstrong is an author who made it onto my favourite author list at an incredible speed. I may not have read as many Kelley Armstrong books yet as I would like to be able to claim, but I’m certainly working my way through them whenever I can get my hands on another of her books. In fact, I’m planning to spend a bit of time over the next couple of months playing Kelley Armstrong catch-up, as I desperate need to dive into so many of her series.

Despite my rapid love of Kelley Armstrong, my r Kelley Armstrong is an author who made it onto my favourite author list at an incredible speed. I may not have read as many Kelley Armstrong books yet as I would like to be able to claim, but I’m certainly working my way through them whenever I can get my hands on another of her books. In fact, I’m planning to spend a bit of time over the next couple of months playing Kelley Armstrong catch-up, as I desperate need to dive into so many of her series.

Despite my rapid love of Kelley Armstrong, my reading so far has been limited to her adult releases. I’ve read both her paranormal work and her thriller work, and have loved both. However, her young adult books have continued to sit on my to-read list. When I saw Aftermath on offer in my local bookstore for the exact price of the number of book points I happened to have, I knew it was fate. The universe was on my side, telling me to buy the book (although, even without the points I would have grabbed it at the price it was).

If I’m being completely honest, a part of me was a bit tentative before starting Aftermath. I love Kelley Armstrong’s writing, I love mystery books, and I love young adult books. However, I avoid young adult mysteries for the most part. I often find them lacking in the depth that leaves me loving adult mysteries – something I blame on the fact I went straight into adult mysteries and never read any young adult mysteries until a much later date, when my head was already filled with much darker and more convoluted plots.

However, Kelley Armstrong gave us another winner with Aftermath. For someone who is not a big fan of young adult mystery novels, I found myself addicted to this one. Sure, there was some predictability to be found – however, it was at a higher standard than most of the young adult mystery novels I have read. I’ll gladly give Kelley Armstrong’s other young adult books a read now – both her paranormal books (books that were already on my to-read list) and mystery books.

The topic in Aftermath is one that is quite difficult to write and read about, meaning books can be very hit or miss when dealing with the topic. For the most part, I avoid books dealing with this topic for that very reason – knowing when it is done badly I find myself really annoyed. Fortunately, Kelley Armstrong more than does the topic justice. She writes a story that stands up well, one that could have used a variety of topic to create it, yet she mixes it with a topic that requires a lot of special attention. It really is a well-done story.

What we’re given is a mystery that will leave you turning the pages, friendship that will leave you desperate for more, and a story of growth that will leave you loving the characters. I really was sucked into their story, unable to put the book down once I had started. Kelley Armstrong always sucks me in deep, leaving me to devour a book, and Aftermath was no different. Well written, gripping, with wonderfully flawed characters, I found myself disappointed when the story was over.

Without a doubt, very much a book worth reading. ...more

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May 31, 2018 Joy (joyous reads) rated it really liked it

Shelves: for-review, penguinrandomhouse

Have you ever thought about what it was like for the families of the shooters who killed innocent people? Not in the way that they are victimized, but just how life goes on after one of their own shoot up a school and are labeled as murderers for the rest of their natural born life?

Kelley offers a fascinating perspective into the life of a victim in his or her own way. It was interesting, heartbreaking, and frustrating because this victim is the sister of one of the suspected murderers. She was Have you ever thought about what it was like for the families of the shooters who killed innocent people? Not in the way that they are victimized, but just how life goes on after one of their own shoot up a school and are labeled as murderers for the rest of their natural born life?

Kelley offers a fascinating perspective into the life of a victim in his or her own way. It was interesting, heartbreaking, and frustrating because this victim is the sister of one of the suspected murderers. She was shunned and was treated like she pulled the gun herself. On the other side of the coin is Jesse, whose brother was actually one of victims of the shooting itself. Once upon a time Jesse and Skye were the best of friends. But because Skye’s brother was one of the shooters, their friendship was just one of the many things that ended on that day.

Being back in the town that Skye left soon after the tragedy happened was in the list of things she’d rather not do. But with her mother’s deteriorating state of mind, and her grandmother’s recent stroke left her no choice but to move back in with her aunt. To nobody else’s surprise, the town did not give her the warmest of welcomes - especially in a school where most of the students knew her and of her brother. Everyone treated her like a pariah, even Jesse, her former best friend.

Everyday she’s faced with a reminder of the shooting. People haven’t moved on. Skye has known in her heart that Luka, her brother, was not the villain everyone had painted him to be. And as life in town and in school got even harder, she’d awaken a determination to get to the truth.

This was a hard read all around. I have read a lot of books by Ms. Armstrong but nothing as relevant a subject as school shootings. It’s a sensitive subject in it that senseless loss of lives is involved, and an author needs to paint a clear view of both sides. I feel that Kelley did the best she could in presenting a non-biased view. She invoked a sincere empathy that made the readers feel all the difficult struggles on both sides, post-shooting.

Kelley is the equivalent of M. Night Shyamalan in the book world. She knows how to plot a twist that will leave you breathless upon reveal. The same goes in this novel. She crafted a convincing story that is a thriller of a page-turner. Time and again, her characters are well padded, not necessarily wholesome; neither perfect, but the realest you’d ever read.

Once again, Armstrong the veteran knows how to give her readers something new, robust, and brave.
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May 25, 2018 Lisa Mandina rated it it was amazing

Once again Armstrong has proven to me that she is an expert at writing a page-turner in any genre. Personally I've only read her young adult books, but I've yet to find one that wasn't a winner. This one is another 5 star read for me. While the main subject of the story has to do with a school shooting, that isn't what the story is. We got parts of the story from both Skye and Jesse's viewpoints, although only Skye's chapters were told in first person, Jesses's chapters were third person, and th Once again Armstrong has proven to me that she is an expert at writing a page-turner in any genre. Personally I've only read her young adult books, but I've yet to find one that wasn't a winner. This one is another 5 star read for me. While the main subject of the story has to do with a school shooting, that isn't what the story is. We got parts of the story from both Skye and Jesse's viewpoints, although only Skye's chapters were told in first person, Jesses's chapters were third person, and there were not as many chapters for him. Both of them did the usual misunderstanding of the other's signals and reactions. But when you got the story of the night that Jesse went by Skye's house right after the shooting, you really understood what Skye had been thinking, even if it had been a misunderstanding.

The way the author set the story up, you are definitely given lots of clues and hints, but still kept guessing the entire way. I like that. Even though I get pretty turned around, I like being kept on my toes as I read, and not being able to figure it out right away. I like that even though you get the bullies like you'd expect, and the people who are still really upset, totally understandably, from losing family in the school shooting, you also get people who understand that it wasn't the sister's fault. I like that there were some points that are similar to real-life incidents. The boy who came out of the bathroom with the gun, but as far as anyone knew he may not have actually shot anyone. And what if they'd been able to get help to her brother before he died, maybe a lot of the information about the reasons behind the shooting would have been found out. I like that it is pointed out how sometimes the kids who are really talked about after a shooting tend to be the sports hero, the popular kid, and maybe, just maybe, they weren't as great of people as they are made out to be. Maybe they had their own problems. But maybe even with those problems, there is a point where it is realized that in that situation, everyone is human, and scared, and you must overlook what they may or may not have done.

Really I liked the characters, the good guys, the bad guys, the bullies, and the adults. This book was not really on my radar until the publisher reached out to me, but just like with the last book I read by Armstrong, I know I've got to make sure it is available for the students at my high school. ...more

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Apr 26, 2018 Jessica (a GREAT read) rated it really liked it

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Kelley Armstrong has pretty much proven that there is no book that she can’t write and it turning out to be totally amazing! Aftermath is the third YA thriller she’s written and it was just as chilling and eerie as I had hoped it to be! That it deals with a school shooting and in our current time was a little bold, but then I am reminded that books are written a goo I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Kelley Armstrong has pretty much proven that there is no book that she can’t write and it turning out to be totally amazing! Aftermath is the third YA thriller she’s written and it was just as chilling and eerie as I had hoped it to be! That it deals with a school shooting and in our current time was a little bold, but then I am reminded that books are written a good while before they publish and honestly, Kelley’s take on this real life matter (though told with a fictional story) was an interesting one for it dealt with the sister of one the shooters, and naturally, there was always something not right about what happened that day and our heroine, Skye is about to discover what her brother’s role really was.

Three years ago Skye’s older brother and two of his friends were involved with a school shooting where they were the actual shooters. Four people died and many more were injured, her brother was shot and killed by the police as well, but he wasn’t one of the four, that number was reserved for the victims. Skye had move away with her mother from the town she grew up in, trying to be able to find some normalcy but sadly, things were never quite the same for a lot of people viewed her in negative light. When she’s forced to move back to her old hometown once child services got wind that she was practically living on her own while her mother and grandmother were hospitalized she moves in with her aunt.

Naturally, she doesn’t receive a warm welcome and it seems someone is very upset that she has moved back as she starts receiving threatening messages. Then come the messages that aren’t so threatening but suggest that her brother might not have been one of the shooters after all, simply that there is more to the case that the police might have overlooked.

Joining Skye in her somewhat investigation is her old best friend and crush, Jesse. Though Jesse’s brother was one of the killed students, so she was afraid that he might resent her for what her brother and his friends did. Jesse however doesn’t hold such blame. There is a messy complication of feelings and whatnot going on between the two, but naturally, things get worked out sooner rather than later for Skye will need someone on her side in the thick of all this hate.

I’ll admit that the book might have had a few slow points, ones in which we’re left wondering what is going on. A lot of scary things start to happen to Skye and yet no one believes her, leading others to wonder if she might be going crazy and Skye starts to question things herself. When there’s the chance that a stalker or even killer is hounding you, making you go crazy is definitely a scary way to do it! There’s always these little things that happen to Skye and as the reader you almost wonder if there’s a logical explanation, then the events start to escalate and it’s pretty clear that someone is out to get Skye!

And what would this book be without just a little bit of romance? Skye and Jesse were childhood best friends who were on the cusp of being something more right before the shooting happen that tore apart their lives and it’s clear that some of those budding feelings still exist. Their romance was something that just started to form throughout the story, it in no way took over or even played a huge role. Which I really liked that since this is definitely more of a thriller mystery than a love story. The fact that Skye and Jesse were childhood friends before all this warmed my cold heart as I have a soft spot for those kinds of romances! Too many unrequited childhood crushes growing up I guess! Lol! Not that I’d ever actually admit to having said crushes now!

The final reveal of the whodunit kind of surprised me, which I liked! I guess in a sense, maybe it shouldn’t have. I can’t really recall if I suspected the perpetrator or not the first go around, maybe, but I know I dismissed it. I don’t think I ever really had a definite suspect, which tends to happen with me and mysteries! I get too wrapped up in things and I am forgetting to look for clues! Which makes the actual reveal even more fun because I get to be surprised right along with the characters!

Aftermath was yet another finely told thriller by Kelley Armstrong! There is pretty much nothing this woman can write that I will back away from! I’ve loved all her books to date and still have a few in my TBR pile to read because she simply writes way too fast sometimes! Lol! Will forever buy a book with her name on it, so if you haven’t read any of her books yet, you can easily take any recommendation from me for her! I recommend anything with her name on it in a heartbeat!

Overall Rating 4/5 stars

Aftermath releases May 22, 2018 ...more

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