Review: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel

Title: After Obsession
Author: Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication Date: 5 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.

REVIEW:

Written in first person narrative but with alternating perspectives of Aimee and Alan, providing depth and insight into the motivations and interactions of the central characters. The dual narrative voice worked really well in this case, where one trails off the other picks up, quite brilliant writing achieved with two different authors working together to form one whole. I have to say that the chapter headings are visually dramatic adding to the atmosphere before reading begins.

The inclusion of the Native American myth/legend really added depth to the story. It really made me wonder as to the origins of these myths/legends and if there isn't a grain of truth in them *scary thought*.  I find it amazing how many similarities there are with natural healing practices all over the world, re-enforcing the point that we are all the same really. One that really stood out for me was the use of sage for purification. The use of soul-mates and destiny woven into the narrative was astounding (you know I love that stuff) so it really swept me into the story.

The way in which Aimee and Alan's abilities were depicted made me realise that although I might think that it would be wonderful to be able to have these abilities that there is a responsibility that comes with them which can weigh heavily on someone as young as Aimee and Alan. As well as being frightening to be able to see such things. it made me wonder how I would deal with it; would I think I was crazy or special - yes you know crazy would win [ ; D ]

I adored how peace, love and healing were shown as creating positivity while anger, hate and destruction create negativity. The example of swearing fuelling anger made me giggle as the only time I do use bad language is when I am very, very angry lol.

The imagery created was just amazing and I commend the writing skill involved. The bedroom scene brought to mind The Exorcist and gave me complete chills, you know what a complete wuss I am.

I cannot go through this review without mentioning the CHEETO - ohh how I laughed at that cheeto and the way it was incorporated into the story. It really provided a wonderful way of lightening the plot and providing a wonderful culmination of the story. See you have to read it now.

Wonderful use of myth and legend alongside a wonderful dual narrative voice make this book an excellent read. I have been recommended it highly in the library.