Review: Aftermath by Clara Kensie

Aftermath

Charlotte survived four long years as a prisoner in the attic of her kidnapper, sustained only by dreams of her loving family. The chance to escape suddenly arrives, and Charlotte fights her way to freedom. But an answered prayer turns into heartbreak. Losing her has torn her family apart. Her parents have divorced: Dad's a glutton for fame, Mom drinks too much, and Charlotte's twin is a zoned-out druggie. Her father wants Charlotte write a book and go on a lecture tour, and her mom wants to keep her safe, a virtual prisoner in her own home. But Charlotte is obsessed with the other girl who was kidnapped, who never got a second chance at life--the girl who nobody but Charlotte believes really existed. Until she can get justice for that girl, even if she has to do it on her own, whatever the danger, Charlotte will never be free.

Aftermath is such a good title for this book, because it is such a good book about the Aftermath of a life changing event, like being held captive for four years. The actual abduction took up a tiny bit of the book and the majority of the book covers Charlotte adapting to life afterwards. It's a life she never imagined.

Charlotte spent her days in the attic dreaming of her family. She imagines them without her, living their lives and it's a comfort so for her to get away and see her family now broken is a shock to the system. Her twin - one half of her whole - is now a troubled rebellious teen and her parents are divorced and cracking. It's tragic and it's awful and Kensie writes the emotions so realistically and raw. 

The most heart breaking moment of this book comes when Alex and Charlotte break down their emotions and Alex realises just why Charlotte stayed. It's so heartwrenching and beautiful and this real moment or epiphany in the book.

Aftermath is not a book that I will read again. Not because it's a poorly written book, or because the characterisation is bad. Because of the opposite - because it's so good and so raw and so painful that my heart could not bear to read this book again.



Book released 1st November 2016 by Merit Press
Book received from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review

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