A.F. Harrold’s books always explore a parallel, often creepy world that looks at love, loyalty and loss. The Afterwards is no exception, portraying a tight friendship between Happiness (Ness) and December (Ember). They share a joyous closeness and then, one day, Ness is gone after a simple but disastrous playground mishap, and Ember struggles to understand a life without her best buddy. One day she becomes aware of an in-between world where the dead appear to be waiting. She finds a way to enter this world and plans to bring her friend back; but if that fails maybe she will have to join her. Naturally, such monumental predicaments are never simple and as she comes to understand this netherworld the tussle between her love for her friend and those she will leave behind becomes an unbearable dilemma.

The Afterwards is a gorgeously presented hardback with atmospheric illustrations by Emily Gravett and will suit readers who enjoyed Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book and its ilk. For ages 9–12.

Alexa Dretzke is the assistant manager and children’s book buyer at Readings Hawthorn.