Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike
Moving to a new high school sucks. Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms. But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto.
No one can see or hear Kimberlee except Jeff, so--in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history--he agrees to help her complete her "unfinished business." But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice.
Clash meets sass in this uproarious modern-day retelling of Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Publishes in US: April 30th 2013 by HarperTeen
Genre: paranormal
Source: Harper Teen for review
Series? No.
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So, the whole only one person can see the ghost book has been done, but I enjoyed the plot then and I enjoyed it this go round as well. This one does have the unique twist that the ghost is a rich girl. Who stole. A lot. And Jeff, our main character, the only one around who can see her, is guilted into helping her and makes a new, if at times annoying, but funny ghostly friend, Kimberlee.
I will be honest, I almost didn't read this one because I thought it would be soo much drama and I guess when I first got it, I just dismissed without fully reading the synopsis, but once I got a chapter in, I was hooked.
I liked being in Jeff's head. There just aren't as many male POV although they are becoming more popular as a dual narrative, but here it is all boy, all the time. I liked the way that he interacted with her, and that he was skeptical. At first he thought it was all some big joke. But I really appreciated his line of thought, and while he had his flaws, that he was just a good person, and had a desire to do the right thing.
I felt for Kimberlee and despised her, sometimes all at once. I understand that it was a compulsion, her stealing, and that she desperately wants to cross over. But just some of her attitudes turn me off. I know that she is covering up pain, but still. But she made such amazing character development and growth, and that left me smiling when the book was over. The inherent goodness of Jeff really changed her and how she looked at (after)life. And I like that it wasn't a romantic thing with them.
Khail and Sera are great secondary characters. I really enjoyed the in some instances unexpected roles they play in the book.
I liked how everything tied up and the ending was *just* open enough to picture them going on with their lives in a good way.
Books similar to Life After Theft: (links go to my review) The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade, , The Deepest Cut by J.A. Templeton,
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you would feel obligated to help a ghost if only you could see them?
I would definitely feel obligated to help the ghost no matter how much of a jerk they were.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I really liked about this book was that the romance wasn't between human and ghost-I like those love stories too but it's better to have two live humans fall in love.
I don't think I would like the romance human-ghost
DeleteI think that's in the rule book; if a ghost appears to you and you only you are obligated to help.
ReplyDeleteLol, haven't read that rule book. It would be hard with the personality of Kimberlee
DeleteIts always such a bonus when a book we didn't think we'd enjoy has us hooked. Hearing lots of positive things about this, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI know, I love to be pleasantly surprised
DeleteMale POV seems to be increasingly popular lately, and I'm kind of conflicted about it. When done right, I'm over the moon, but it's so easy to mess it up and write two girls instead of a girl and a boy.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this sounds super interesting, although my first reaciton was much like yours.
I know, I like it well done
DeleteI definitely want to read this. Kimberlee sounds like a complicated character. Similar yet also different to Alonna in Ghost and the Goth.
ReplyDeleteYep, I liked that one a bit better than this
DeleteI saw THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL on Broadway ages ago. And judging by your review, this seems like a cute modern uptake on a classic story.
ReplyDeleteI have never actually seen it.
DeleteI don't think it's an obligation to help a ghost even if I were the only one able to see... but I like that Kimberlee learned from Jeff and changed for the better. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI would feel awfully guilty if I didn't but I don't know if I would have Jeff's patience and keep helping
DeleteDon't know... don't know... I was so disappointed by Wings.
ReplyDeleteI actually never read that one
DeleteI think it would definitely depend on what the ghost wanted! I just read a seriously strange ghost book and have no idea what to make of it!
ReplyDeleteShe wanted him to help return stuff she stole.
DeleteGreat review and kimberlee sounds like an interesting ghost I like that you loved/hated her. Did you read the novella prequel? I read a review that recommended it, they said you would understand her better. just curious.
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't. I should though
DeleteI kind of dismissed this one myself Brandi, to be honest. Is there a romance between the guy and the ghost. If there is, it would be a definite no no. I'm really not in the mood for that kind of thing right now. Otherwise, it might not be too bad. Great review Brandi :)
ReplyDeleteNope, the romance is human-human. Kimberlee is just a friend, if you could call her that.
DeleteIt did make me laugh a lot
ReplyDeleteThis one sounds cute. I wouldn't have gone for it, but might have to try it now. I still have to read a book by this author. Might have to try this one. :D
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty cute
DeleteI didn't realize this one had a male POV, how awesome! Sounds like a fun story to read.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
It was well done, his voice was good to read
DeleteThis story sounds like something I'd enjoy, thought I'd have a hard time liking Kimberlee. I'm sure I'd probably try to help a ghost if I was the only one who could see him or her. :-) Great review!
ReplyDeleteI would too...
DeleteKimberlee is a little hard to take, but I think that is part of the whole point
I've heard some pretty good things about this :) Jeff sounds like a pretty great character and the ghost aspect has me really intrigued! Awesome review.
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchonized Reading
THe ghost aspect is really well done
DeleteI think I might like this one cause I tend to like the lighter ghost stories. Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteSo far I've been seeing pretty mixed reviews for this one. While I'd love to read a light and fun ghost story, I doubt I'd actually get into it much! Jeff does sound exceptional, though, seeing as he's one of the very few male protagonists around and that you enjoyed reading things from his point of view. Hmm, I'm still pretty much undecided about this. Great review all the same!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't as prep school spoiled people as I thought it would be. Thats why I didn't pick up to start with. But it was sent as arc, so I always feel bad at least not giving a shot
DeleteIf that's the only way to get them out of my life, YES! I would do whatever it takes!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by this author yet. Maybe I'll start with this one.
Heather
I would too,
DeleteI've read a few similar reviews for this one. It wasn't really on my radar anyway, but I would definitely be wary since the reviews are saying the second half is just okay.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Brandi!
Hmm, it did slow some, but I still enjoyed overall
DeleteI've just recently figured out that this has ghost in it. I always though it was a contemporary. I'm glad you liked it :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, so funny how we can just be wrong about a book based on cover or perception. I do it all the time
DeleteI think I might feel like I need to help, but not necessarily obligated. Glad you enjoyed this. Kimberlee was a little hard to like sometimes. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
Indeed she was.
DeleteI guess I would help them, if I was the only one who could and what they wanted to do was a good thing
ReplyDeleteIt would be a good thing
DeleteI just won this one through an Epic Reads Tea Time giveaway, and I'm very excited to read it! And yay for a male POV all the way through the book! It's so refreshing to read those. And I love the fact that you had so many mixed emotions towards the characters--I think that shows a skillful author. Great review, Brandi!
ReplyDelete