Afterparty

3.3

4.5 (2)

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Author(s)

Ann Redisch Stampler

Publisher

Simon Pulse

Genre(s)

Age Range

14+

Release Date

December 31, 2013

ISBN

978-1442423244

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A toxic friendship takes a dangerous turn in this riveting novel from the author of Where It Began.

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 Emma isn’t.

And it may be more than Emma can handle.

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It’s more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, a bash where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop...

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Not The Party I Was Expecting.

January 01, 2014

Overall rating

3.3

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My initial thoughts about this book were, Ann Redisch Stampler is way too smart for me, at least her writing is, and if this is what private school is like in L.A., that is some scary shittake mushrooms right there.

I didn't realize going into this, that this story has all the elements I generally try to avoid; crazy BFFs, cheating, mean girl drama and revenge. But I wanted to give it a chance and I finished it in one sitting.

Emma was a character I had a hard time liking. I can appreciate trying to figure out who you are apart from your family or faith, but she swapped her Dad's control for Siobhan's. Their friendship was messed up from the start and new girl or not, I would have run in the opposite direction of someone like Siobhan. Nothing about her would've drawn me in and made me want to friends with her. She is toxic and I didn't understand how Emma could keep going back for more or why she would want to.

The relationship between Emma and her Dad, while extremely overprotective, was generally a positive one. He was present, concerned and well intentioned and despite her many mistakes, things were in a much healthier place by the time the book ends.

And then there is Dylan. I wanted to like him, I did and I wanted to understand how his screwed up family could affect the choices he made. But here's the thing, there was no excuse for the choice he made after he and Emma broke up. None. To me, that would be almost unforgivable. I say "almost" because I like to believe I'm capable of forgiving anything, in time, but I don't understand how there can be any trust left. Ever. He does redeem himself somewhat at the very end but even that seemed too little too late.

Fans of Pretty Little Liars and The Innocents Series will enjoy this.

Jen Top 10 Reviewer 415 reviews

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User reviews

2 reviews

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

3.5(2)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

5.0(1)

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N/A(0)

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Very True Teen Voice

October 08, 2015

Overall rating

5.0

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Loved it! Afterparty had this great edge to it I wasn't expecting and is one of the best toxic friendship books I've come across. The relationship between Emma and Siobhan was fascinating and utterly realistic as were the romantic elements. I loved Emma's first person narration. It was one of the truest teen voices I've read in forever. I can really envision a teen thinking and talking just like Emma. Overall, loads of fun to read and a book I highly recommend!

T.A. Maclagan Top 500 Reviewer 5 reviews

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Disappointing Read

January 02, 2014

Overall rating

2.0

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Disclaimer: I received this e-ARC from Simon Pulse via Edelweiss.

Review:
I had such high hopes for this book. The cover was really pretty, kind of a dark ethereal theme if there is such a thing.The book started off really promising but unfortunately it spiraled downward very quickly.

Emma seems like a very normal girl when we first meet her. Yes, her dad is overprotective, but I really don't bat an eye at that. It's not until Siobhan sinks her teeth into the naive "good" Emma that things really start to unravel. It's not until Siobhan gets Emma into her clutches do we realize exactly how much of a doormat Emma is. I mean, I understand the idea to bust out of her father's overprotection, but Siobhan has this hold on Emma which apparently renders Emma incapable of saying no.

The dialogue was repetitive a lot of the time. Emma's morals are constantly talked about and rehashed. It was very frustrating to constantly have Emma talk about being the "good Emma" Siobhan was an absolutely terrible friend. Clearly she was troubled and she wanted to pull Emma down with her. Initially I felt bad for Emma, but then I realized that Emma didn't have to say yes all the time. She needed a backbone.

The character development was non-existent. I wanted to know so much about Siobhan's background and how she came to be such a troubled young lady. There were points & conversations that alluded to it, but nothing was explored in depth. Also I wanted to know more about Emma's mom. That storyline was basically swept under the rug.

The writing was weird too. It was a rambly style that really kind of drove me crazy. Sometimes the dialogue would feel kind of forced. I am big on dialogue so it really disappointed me to see that the dialogue wasn't smooth.

I really didn't enjoy this one at all. I cannot actually find anything about this book that I enjoyed. It had a lot of promise, but it just didn't deliver. That's why I have to give this book 1 star.