Sunday, May 7, 2017

BOOK REVIEW | World After by Susan Ee


Title: World After
Author: Susan Ee
Pages: 314
Publication Date: November 19, 2013
Publisher: Skyscape
Source: I checked this out from my local library!
In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister, Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

World After is the second book in Susan Ee's trilogy that follows Penryn, an ultimate badass that teams up with the angel Raffe (who should be her archnemesis, as angels have come down and decimated Earth) to defeat the ACTUAL bad guys and save her sister, Paige. I read the first book, Angelfall, in 2015 and then never got around to reading the sequel because I was so scared that it wouldn't live up to the first book. Well let me tell you, this did not disappoint at all! 


Since it had been so long (two years!!) since I read Angelfall, I was a bit wary going into this. Was I going to remember everything? Would I be in a constant state of mild confusion? Luckily, what I forgot was easily recalled and I was almost never confused. When I didn't get something, I was able to just take a couple seconds and figure it out. 

What I love about this book is...everything? There is literally nothing that I don't like about the book. There is a great, strong, kickass protagonist in the shape of Penryn whom I absolutely adore, a HOTT (with two t's, yes) love interest, fleshed out secondary characters, character development, and a unique plot, and more. Basically, this series has (so far!) been near perfect for me. So instead of me going on and on about what I adore about, I will just quickly touch on what made this book not perfectly perfect. 

My main complaint about World After is the first 40ish pages. The story opens with Penryn, Paige, and their mom living at this compound. The action starts to really happen after they leave this compound, and I just couldn't wait for them to get out and for the plot to really get going. It's not that this part of the book was bad, it just paled in comparison to the later parts. 

My last complaint is really one a complaint per se, but a worry. This trilogy was actually supposed to be a five book series. From what I know, Susan Ee wrote this book with the intention of the series being five books long. I'm worried that once I read End of Days, the book will seem a bit rushed, because it is essentially three books mashed up into one. 

Nevertheless I cannot wait to read World After! The world is so intricate and well-built. All the characters, even ones that aren't present that much, are fleshed out and actually seem real. Susan Ee writes simply, but addictively. When reading this book, I could not and did not want to put it down. Even if you aren't a big fan of fantasy, I urge you to read this book. Angelfall was one of the first fantasy I read, and since then I have been hooked to the genre. 

With that, I give this book
4.5 out of 5 Stars! 
 



Have you read Angelfall or World After? What did you think?

Thanks for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read! 

12 comments:

  1. I found the trilogy in some second hand bookshop somewhere in Brussels, and I bought them and read all 3 of them within the week!
    Love the series :) Got me started on Fantasy!!

    Glad you enjoyed.

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    1. That's awesome! I think this is a great series to introduce someone to fantasy. It's easy to understand, and it so well done. :)

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  2. So I haven't read Angelfall, but I see around the book world every now and then. The characters sound interesting. And that cover!! :) Fantasy books are the best too. Great review! I might give it a try next time I see it in the library.

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    1. I hope you do Ashley! I think Angelfall is one of those books that everyone sees and eventually read, but isn't hyped too much. If that makes sense, that is! Thank you. :)

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  3. I love this series, but for some reason I haven't read the finale yet. Great review!

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    1. I'm the same way with series that I love as well! Thank you!

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  4. I'm going to a hazard a guess and say that you enjoyed this book? :D I liked this one but didn't love it - book one was amazing and I loved book three as well. Somehow, this one didn't quite do it for me, though I did like it overall. The series in general is such a good one. I hope Ee is writing something new for us!

    Great review, Genni! Have a fantastic week. =)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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    1. How did you come to that conclusion?? I obviously despised it. :D Well that's good to hear that you loved the third! That quells my nerves a bit. I hope so too! I went on website and didn't find anything though. Maybe she is taking her time for something epic.

      Thank you Alyssa! You as well. :)

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  5. I recently reread this series and I loved it so much! Glad you enjoyed it too. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on book 3.

    - Poulami @ Daydreaming Books

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    1. Ah I'm so glad to hear that!! Here's hoping that I absolutely adore it. :)

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  6. I read this series a year or two ago, and I absolutely loved it. It was dark and gritty, and there was seemingly nothing overly special about Penryn apart from her determination to keep on living. I'm glad you enjoyed this one, and hope you'll enjoy World After!
    Erika @ Books and Stars

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    1. I completely agree with you. Penryn isn't a special snowflake, she's just a normal girl with a lot of determination! Here's hoping!

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