A Review for Arise (Hereafter #2) by Tara Hudson

Posted by Donna

Release Date: June 5th, 2012

Finished Date: April 22nd, 2012

Publishers: HarperCollins 

Source: ARC For Review

Format: Kindle  

Pages: 416
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Amelia—still caught between life and death—must fight for every moment of her relationship with the human boy Joshua. They can hardly even kiss without Amelia accidentally dematerializing. Looking for answers, they go to visit some of Joshua’s Seer relatives in New Orleans. But even in a city so famously steeped in the supernatural, Amelia ends up with more questions than answers…and becomes increasingly convinced that she and Joshua can never have a future together.Wandering through the French Quarter, Amelia meets other in-between ghosts, and begins to seriously consider joining them. And then she meets Gabrielle. Somehow, against impossible odds, Gaby has found a way to live a sort of half-life...a half-life for which Amelia would pay any price. Torn between two worlds, Amelia must choose carefully, before the evil spirits of the netherworld choose for her.

The Review: Hereafter was one of my favourite reads of 2011, so I was super excited to finally get started on Arise, and I have to say author Tara Hudson has done a great job with this haunting sequel and I can't wait for more. 

In Hereafter we saw Ameila and Joshua meet and form a relationship and now in Arise, we see them try and battle to save their relationship - because really, how can a ghost and a human have a future together? As all the odd's seem against them, Ameila seeks help elsewhere, but somehow finds herself in more trouble than ever where she has to choose between two worlds. 

I really enjoyed Arise. It was a completely different read from Hereafter because this time we're seeing Ameila trying to enjoy her life, however it doesn't last long because of the evil that's after her. It was darker than the previous book because we see a lot of interaction with the netherworld and voodoo magic that is introduced. It wasn't predictable nor was it dragged out and Tara Hudson gave us readers a gripping and thrilling read - one that she didn't let up until the very last page. 

We also see the arrival a few new characters who I thoroughly enjoyed. They all have different personalities and they all bounce of one another, that gives this book the humour it needed. Some characters quickly became my favourites and others I hated instantly but overall, I enjoyed them all and thought they we're great additions into the story. 
Now Ameila and Joshua don't get it easy through the story. Their put through the ringer and their relationship is tested to the highest level. I love them together. Their a very sweet couple that you can't help root for but they also have that forbidden romance that you can't help think, how it's all going to end? I hope they get their happy ending and I'm eager how Tara Hudson plays that out. 

All in all, Arise is a sequel that won't let you down. It's just as beautiful and enjoyable as Hereafter and has huge twists and turns that you won't see coming. A must read!