Thursday, April 18, 2013

ARC Review: Life After Theft


Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike
4/5 stars
HarperTeen, 2013
352 pages
YA Paranormal Contemporary
Scheduled to release April 30

Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Before reading this, I discovered it was based on the classic novel The Scarlet Pimpernel and resolved to read that first. Hahahahahaha...I am so hilarious as that obviously did not happen. But I still enjoyed picking this book up. Why? Quite a few reasons in fact.

Let's review the plot real quick first. Jeff has just moved to a new school (sidenote for people who have read the book: I keep thinking "Phoenix; it's in Arizona" in my head for some reason. So far I have refrained from saying it to anyone but that's a distinct possibility) and is thrilled to see a hot girl upon arrival. Surprisingly she is thrilled to see him as well because, as it turns out, she is actually a ghost and no one else can see her. She asks (or more like badgers) him to help her atone for her misdeeds in life: a cave filled with items she stole as she suffered from kleptomania. As Jeff attempts to get Kimberlee (not a fan of that spelling) out of his life, he comes up against some secrets and learns some lessons.

First was the compelling male voice. I don't know that Jeff is a typical guy but I found him very sympathetic and I liked him as he tried to do the right thing even in somewhat bewildering circumstances. In a nice addition, Jeff's parents are present and pretty good people. They're maybe not as present as they could be but they're alive and involved in his life to a degree.

Second would have to be the ghost. Of all the possibilities for paranormal creatures, ghosts are at the top of my list (followed very closely by witches) and having one here definitely appealed to me. Kimberlee is not see-through and has the ability to somewhat sit on objects such as a beanbag chair where she doesn't sink to the floor but she doesn't leave an indent. She begins as not very repentant but due to Jeff's good and moral nature, she starts to confront some of the dark misdeeds of her past and make up for them.

Third was the easy writing style. This will come up again but I find that HarperTeen is an imprint that consistently publishes titles that I can easily devour. I don't always fall in love with the premise or the characters or the world building but I usually struggle to put their titles down and this was no exception.

Fourth would be the romance. No, Jeff does not fall for Kimberlee leading to some tortured human/ghost love shenanigans. Instead he falls for a living human being who had previously been bullied by Kimberlee and whose less than fond memories of her give Jeff trouble as he attempts to aid Kimberlee on her quest. This girl, Sera, got in to some troubles during her first years of high school and is also attempting to rehabilitate herself almost in parallel to Kimberlee.

Fifth is the fun twist on The Scarlet Pimpernel. I know I haven't read the book but I have seen a film adaptation (the one with Leslie Howard) and I know the basic story. I am also a sucker for YA retellings of classics and this one was new to me.

So there are my five big reasons for enjoying this book. Have you read this? Do you agree or disagree? If you haven't read this, do this make you want to give it a try?

Other Opinons:
Books Live Forever
Finding Bliss in Books
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics


20 comments:

  1. Great review!

    I also received this to review and I read it a few weeks back and loved it! I absolutely adored Jeff too! I didn't really like Sarah and throughout the whole book I just got a feeling that she shouldn't be trusted...I just didn't like her character for some reason :/

    I really liked Kimberlee and felt so sorry for her, even though she wasn't a good person when she was alive!

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    1. I really clicked with Jeff-he had a good voice and I was always eager to dive back into his world.

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  2. Jeff was just amazing, the things he put up in for Kimberlee was commendable. Glad you enjoyed this. Great review.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever

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    1. Jeff was amazing! I don't know how he put up with Kimberlee for so long.

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  3. Thanks for linking to my review. I did enjoy this -- love books with a male POV. And yes, I just kept wishing poor Kim's name could be spelled the normal way.

    You can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics

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    1. Jeff was such a great narrator-that really struck me after reading Crash and Burn whose male narrator I did not like.

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  4. This sounds so great! I'm so happy the writing is really good. Awesome review :)

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    1. I definitely recommend it to people who think it sounds interesting!

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  5. "This will come up again but I find that HarperTeen is an imprint that consistently publishes titles that I can easily devour. I don't always fall in love with the premise or the characters or the world building but I usually struggle to put their titles down and this was no exception."

    I could not agree more! I feel much the same way about Harper's books - I always devour them even if they don't blow me away. I had no idea this was based on The Scarlet Pimpernel, isn't Across A Star-Swept Sea supposed to be based on that as well? A lot of Scarlet Pimpernel action going on at HarperTeen:) I'm excited for this one, glad you enjoyed it!

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    1. Across a Star Swept Sea is supposed to be too-I'm really excited to see what twists it takes. Maybe there's a SP obsessed editor over there?

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  6. Haven't read it, but we love the premise and can't wait to check it out now that you've given it the stamp of approval! ;)

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    1. I definitely recommend it for a pretty light read that just sweeps you along.

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  7. I haven't read it, but it sounds nifty. I must admit, I hate the Kimberlee spelling too.

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    1. It annoyed me especially because one of my best friends is Kimberly, which is how the name should be spelled!

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  8. I love male POV books, first of all, and I also love ghosts in books! I have heard some mixed things about this book, not bad, but several who didn't really love it either. But I think this one sounds like a must read for me!

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    1. I thought it had a lot of great elements and since you like male POV and ghosts, you probably will too!

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  9. I loved The Scarlet Pimpernel so I am kind of interested in this one but the description leaves me confused as to how this is a retelling. I will have to give it a try and find out.

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    1. I think it has to do with the cards he includes when he returns the stuff. I'm not sure what else it might have in common.

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  10. This may not have been a favorite of the year, but I did thoroughly enjoy my time reading this! hahaha. I love how you mention that main character DIDN'T FALL FOR THE GHOST. I kept wondering if people would think that too? Damn, that would have added a horrible twist haha.

    I did love reading from a male perspective. I've read a few lately, actually. Freefall by Mindi Scott was great, and so was... manicpixiedreamgirl by Tom Leveen. :)

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    1. I've read some books with ghost/human love stories so I felt that was a pretty important point :) I think I've read Freefall and I've had manicpixiedreamgirl on my radar to check out when I have time.

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