Published by Bloomsbury, Bloomsbury USA Childrens on November 7th 2013
Source: Publisher
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Eden Anfield loves puzzles, so when mysterious new boy Ryan Westland shows up at her school she's hooked. On the face of it, he's a typical American teenager. So why doesn't he recognise pizza? And how come he hasn't heard of Hitler? What puzzles Eden the most, however, is the interest he's taking in her.
As Eden starts to fall in love with Ryan, she begins to unravel his secret. Her breakthrough comes one rainy afternoon when she stumbles across a book in Ryan's bedroom - a biography of her best friend - written over fifty years in the future. Confronting Ryan, she discovers that he is there with one unbelievably important purpose ... and she might just have destroyed his only chance of success.
I’m absolutely loving this new trend of YA SciFi Novels in a Contemporary setting! I was so super excited when I got the opportunity to read After Eden by Helen Douglas, as it promised exactly what I’m craving right now!
Rescue Humanity! What’s a mission..
Without spoiling too much but the story and plot line itself was absolutely great! The mystery behind Ryan was something I was excited to figure out. When we figured out together with Eden why Ryan is here and what he has t accomplish I was still right there with them. It was very fast clear that we are actually dealing with Time Travel, which I find super fascinating but also sometimes super complex to understand.
Characters who were nice, but not outstandingly awesome
Eden was a nice girl, but that’s actually already all I can say about her as she didn’t leave the biggest impression. She did some stupid things where I would have liked to bang my head on the desk over, but over all she was a nice girl.
Then, there is Ryan – the mysterious boy who normally is totally and perfectly my type. Also here, I liked Ryan but he’s not my next Book boyfriend and I was not swooing over him.
Lack of Chemistry and convincing Love
One of my biggest complains was the lack of chemistry between Eden and Ryan, not that there wasn’t anything, but it wasn’t enough to convince me either. It was too strong too fast and I just couldn’t believe their undying love. Even more, at some point Ryan risked his how life to be with her. It didn’t add up for me. It was supposed to be this epic all-consuming romance, but I didn’t feel it. It was too intense, which wouldn’t be a bad thing unless you feel it,which I didn’t!!
The problem with Time Travel…
Here are coming a few and mild Spoilers so please avoid them if you want and skip below!
I had some problems with the details of the time travel mission. Without spoiling too much, but I was wondering why they didn’t choose something else to prevent earth from collapsing. I even had a few ideas and at least I would have wished them to be addressed. Also… if the planet wouldn’t be discovered, would Ryan still be born?
Time travel stories can be super confusing, which is why you definitely should think carefully about the outline of a story and that all loose ends connect easily. I do look over details easily as I understand it’s not easy for such stories to always make sense, but these where two details, that I didn’t truly got and should have been addressed in my opinion.
Don’t get me wrong. Even though I was most complaining I still liked the book. It was a fun and fast read, but it definitely had some points that I didn’t like too much. Still, I am looking forward reading the next book in the series!
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
After Eden by Helen Douglas was a a nice addition to the very popular and exciting Contemporary SciFI Genre. The lack of chemistry dulled a little my excitement and a few details were not flashed out too well. Still, I will not abandon the series and am looking forward reading the next book.
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Yay, time travel! I put up my review of All Our Yesterdays today so we’re both posting about time travel. Too bad their chemistry isn’t great and the time travel idea is imperfect. It still sounds very intriguing.
Alison (@AlisonCanRead) recently posted..All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
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I really like the premise of this, too. What great stakes! Too bad the execution lacked a little in certain areas. Great review!
Lexa Cain recently posted..IWSG – Finding Book Blogs
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Oh, boo on the lack of chemistry. I know how you love your romances to be very chemical-reaction-y! An intriguing concept, though I think I’d have the same reaction over Eden.
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Speed date and Blog Tour with Griffin: RUMOR HAS IT by Jill Shalvis
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I had almost the exact same response to After Eden. Fun but lacking a bit in a few areas. Wonderful, honest review!
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted..Review of After Eden by Helen Douglas
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Oooh, boo. This makes me sad, Danny! I’m still going to read it because I’m on a time-travel kick, but I’m sad you didn’t like it. =/
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This one sounds like an interesting read. Although I feel like the blurb is super spoiler-y. What’s up with that?!
Megan recently posted..Review: Anna Dressed in Blood
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I love that cover so much! I’m bummed the story doesn’t quite live up to it. And “nice” is kind of the kiss of death in character description isn’t it? Nice is just that – nice but nothing special or memorable and of course we all crave those books where the characters make themselves known and felt and remembered. I think I’ll pass on this one, especially since the romance didn’t grab you at all. We live for romance you and I!
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Great review!! The stupid things Eden did annoyed me too! But other than that I thought she was alright. But I also agree with you about the lack of chemistry between her and Ryan. As you said, it wasn’t horrible, but it just wasn’t great either!
Ashley recently posted..Review: Rook and Ronin Series by J.A. Huss
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I love a good Contemporary SciFI, and overall After Eden sounds like it’s off to a pretty good start. I wished the chemistry and SciFi element were better though. Still, it sounds like a promising new series I should check out. Thanks for the great review Danny!
Kim { Book Swoon } recently posted..ARC Review: Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel
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