Heather’s Bookshelf: Afterthoughts
Author: Justine Alexi
Released: 01/13/25
Genre: Young Adult SciFi Thriller
“She should have known it would end this way.”
“Afterthoughts” is the first of the series of the same name. The story introduces Kanara jensen, a young woman convicted of killing her mother and sentenced to ten years at Zylen Mental Hospital.
Haunted by the circumstances around her mother’s death and the isolation from her sister, Jade, Kanara tries to settle in to her new surroundings. Some of the staff are a bit aggressive and the building certainly has its’ secrets, but some of the other patients don’t seem all that bad. And there’s this intern, Eliot, who is kind and understanding.
When Kanara finds a secret message that hints at freedom and discovers a voice in her head who somehow sees into the immediate future, she can’t help but think she’s part of something bigger.
Will Kanara and her friends be able to figure out the truth before it’s too late or will they succumb to the mysteries of Zylen?
Trigger Warning: violence, murder, reference to domestic violence, suicidal ideation/attempt/self-harm
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s a thriller, but wrapped within a bit of a mystery. Trying to figure out what exactly is going on within the walls of Zylen and piecing together what happened with Kanara’s mother kept me flipping the pages in this fast-paced novel. Kanara’s an intriguing protagonist. She’s intelligent, remorseful, and caring. Her pod 3 mates are just as distinctive and memorable - especially Isabella, Myles, and April. The emotion within those who lose within the book jumps off the pages. It’s easy to feel a connection there. However, some of the earlier dialogue and scenes are a bit more clunky and guarded. I enjoyed some of the tech twists including their Contax, almost a built in computer system accessed by lightly double tapping their eyelids. There’s also several reveals within the story that all make sense and add to each other. There’s still quite a few secrets left by the end of the book, but as this is a book one, it’s not unexpected and somehow the book still feels complete.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A creative thriller with mystery elements, an intriguing protagonist, and strong ancillary characters.
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