Review: Hereafter By Jennifer Snyder
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2013
Ro's take on this Journey:This novella is one of the most terrifying journey's into the unknown that you will ever take. This is the story of Rowan, her tragic death before her time, and her travels into the afterlife to get answers. This is an out of body experience that will definitely be a nightmarish dream of what lays beyond our time on earth. I, for one, have always wondered what lies on the other side of death, a realm that is unknown to the living, that no one dares to think about. As I read this novella, I found myself asking many times...If I too was presented with the choice, would I dare to venture beyond, not knowing what I may encounter in the tunnels of the unknown? What if I couldn't find my way back? I think the reader will be contemplating the same questions of themselves. The scenes will haunt you when Rowan visits her Dad after her passing, only to watch what has become of him, helpless, not being able to do anything to help him. She tries to communicate, but to no avail.This novella will tear at your heart, and rip your soul out, over and over again. The eerie silence of purgatory will be deafening. I felt like I was in the fog of purgatory, viewing the endless stone stairway beside Rowan and Jet, (her reaper). I was scared and panicking with them, afraid of where it would take me. As I journeyed through the passages of what felt like hell, it was as if the dirt walls were closing in and enveloping me also. Val, the tracker, is helping Rowan and Jet through the doors to Salenes, (Rowan's mother's) past. She is going to try to help Rowan find her mother, and tells her, "Things are not what they seem."Jet is a hauntingly sad character that will clutch at your heart.  He has his own agenda, though he doesn't consciously realize it. Jet has mesmerizingly, beautiful sapphire eyes. He is a 17 year old boy, who has passed before his time. He goes with Rowan on her journey. Rowan describes her feelings for Jet as, " love at first sight." You will feel the love that has linked these two young teenagers together for eternity.This novella will not disappoint! The prose were beautiful. I was swept away by the visualization of each and every new development that came to pass. I was mesmerized by Ms. Snyder's style of writing. I look forward to reading the first two novellas in the series, and reading much more of this wonderful author. This novella will stay with me for a long time to come. I give this hauntingly tragic novella 5 out of 5 gut wrenching, soul searching stars.