Afterlight

Longlisted for the Davitt Awards From the acclaimed, internationally bestselling author of the Mercy series and The Astrologer’s Daughter comes a chilling ghost story linked to the compelling Mercy universe. Since her parents died in a freak motorbike accident, Sophie Teague’s life has fallen apart. But she’s just enrolled at a new high school, hoping for a fresh start. That’s until Eve, a beautiful ghost in black, starts making terrifying nightly appearances, wanting Sophie to be her hands, eyes and go-to girl. There are loose ends that Eve needs Sophie to tie up. But dealing with the dead might just involve the greatest sacrifice of all. Dark, thrilling and unrelentingly eerie, Afterlight will take you deep into the heart of a dangerous love story, revealing the otherworldly—and deadly—pull of past wrongs that only the living can put right. ‘As in her triumphant The Astrologer’s Daughter, Lim carefully unspools her tightly plotted fantastical mystery with a reluctant, socially maladroit heroine and an unlikely partner at the center. Her insistent focus on murders of people at society’s fringes and the ability of teen girls to right truly foul injustices are both most welcome…Readers will hold out hope for a second installment set in Lim’s richly imagined world.' - Kirkus ‘Lim’s murder mystery is much more than its tightly constructed plot, with rich character development, intriguing concepts about the afterlife, and profound depictions of grief…But it’s Sophie’s narrative tone that stays with the reader; this courageous and believably flawed outcast is a memorable heroine.’ - Booklist ‘Afterlight has all the ingredients that make up an enthralling read...For those who just like an exciting read that pulls at the heartstrings and ensures some terrifying moments, Lim has ensured that the action is fast paced and the characters are really believable.’ - ReadPlus ‘Rebecca Lim has crafted a tense and eerie tale, complete with a demanding ghostly apparition and a stirring romance.’ - Readings ‘I am 85% sure Rebecca Lim is not of this world.’ - Steph Bowe, author of All This Could End

From School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Shortly after Sophie Teague's parents are killed in a motorcycle accident, a ghost visits her in the night. Eve, a beautiful ghost dressed in black, returns nightly seeking Sophie's help. It starts with visions that send Sophie off around Melbourne to find a school, a car, and a boy. She ends up saving the boy from being kidnapped. Eve continues to visit Sophie at night and impart images to her that help Sophie find and tie up loose ends. The only other person who can see Eve is "the most seriously beautiful guy in year 12," Jordan Haig. The novel is told from the first-person point of view of Sophie, a self-deprecating, insecure teenage girl with a sarcastic sense of humor. This is a story of grief, as well as a mystery thriller with supernatural aspects and some romance. Due to some profanity, this book would be best for mature teens. The ending leaves readers wanting more, but it is unclear if there will be a sequel or if this is a stand-alone. Fans of Meg Cabot's "The Mediator" series (HarperCollins) will enjoy the similar story line of a teen girl who is a liaison between the living and the dead. VERDICT This quick read will have teens rooting for Sophie to save the day, help Eve, and make them believe ghosts exist.-­Morgan O'Reilly, Riverdale Country School, NYα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About the Author

Rebecca Lim is a writer, illustrator, editor and lawyer based in Melbourne. She is the author of over nineteen books, including The Astrologer's Daughter (a Kirkus Best Book of 2015 and CBCA Notable Book for Older Readers), Afterlight and the internationally bestselling Mercy. Her work has been shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award, Aurealis Award, INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award and Davitt Award, and has also been longlisted for the Gold Inky Award and the David Gemmell Legend Award. She is a co-founder of the Voices from the Intersection initiative to support emerging young adult and children's authors, illustrators and publishing professionals who are Indigenous, people of colour, LGBTIQA or living with disability, and a co-editor of Meet Me at the Intersection, a groundbreaking anthology of YA #OwnVoice memoir, poetry and fiction.

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