Jaime's Review of Arise By Tara Hudson

Arise (Hereafter #2)

Tara Hudson

Hardcover: 416 pages

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

ISBN: 0062026798

Source: ARC from the San Francisco/Sacramento Book Review

Rating: Liked

From Goodreads. 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.

I really liked Hereafter and was excited to read Arise. I wanted to see what would happen in Amelia and Joshua’s relationship. How it was going to work out between a human and a ghost was my biggest concern; because I mean really I just didn’t think it would be possible. I felt so bad for Amelia, she didn’t ask to be a ghost but some of the choices she made; I just didn’t get at all. I know she was trying to protect the people she loves but, when her choices turned out wrong she should have asked for help.

I love Tara’s writing and her storytelling is absolutely beautiful, if you’re looking for a lot of action you won’t get it here; there’s some but not much. I almost didn’t need it though because I was so invested in the characters. Also I wouldn’t say that this is one of those love stories that rips at your gut or tears your heart out, it is a sweet story with a lot of “awww” moments I just wanted to hug both Amelia and Joshua! There were new characters in the story but they were really sideline characters and I didn’t find myself caring too much about them, the only two I really liked were Gabi and Felix.

I chose a cute and funny passage between Amelia and Joshua.

“Huh” Joshua said, staring down at the chain and then at the small opening between the gates. “Looks like the Voodoo girl made good on her word.”

“Oh. Yay.”

Those two unenthusiastic syllables just slipped right out of my mouth.

Honestly, I didn’t know which was worse: being locked outside, scared that Joshua might get stabbed, or going in and finding out exactly what Gabrielle could—or couldn’t do.

Hearing my lukewarm response, Joshua grinned back at me.

“Come on Amelia Ashley,” he teased. “Where is your sense of adventure?”

(I’ve had more “adventures” in the last three days than I care to ever have again.)

That’s what I should have said out loud. Instead, I conceded.

“Okay, okay. Lead the way, Captain Adventure.”

Joshua laughed quietly and then opened the gates farther. After we both stepped through the opening, he bent down to pick up the chain. As he threaded it back through the bars, he explained, “This will keep anyone from getting suspicious that people are in here.”

I snorted softly. “Captain Adventure also happens to be the captain of covert operations?”

“Yup,” he whispered back. “I’m an expert in both fields.”

Make sure to add Arise to your Goodreads shelves.

And make sure to pre-order your copy!