Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Darcy Patel  is 18 years old and has just landed her first book contract. She packs up to move to NYC to finish editing her novel and start writing her next. 

Instead of sitting in college classes, Darcy find herself enjoying life on the author circuit, attending YA parties, making new friends and sleepless nights while she struggles with re-writes and finding a new ending.  Dary is "finding" herself and struggling to make her way in a world that might just be too adult for her.

Darcy's novel, is interweaved in the book and told in alternating chapters. Darcy's novel is based upon a young teen girl named, Lizzie who is the soul survivor of a terrorist attack. Darcy's brush with death has given her access to the afterworld. The afterworld is made up of lost spirits who walk the earth, one who lives in her home and has a special connection to her!  Lizzie alternates between the "real" world and the afterworld as a  reaper, or psychopomp. 

This book is creative, interesting and thick! It's a hefty 2.6 pounds and 599 pages. Despite this being longer than the average YA book you will turn the pages at a furious pace and be propelled to keep on reading long after you should have gone to bed. 

I am not the biggest fan of Darcy and find her to be a rather annoying character but I loved the characters and storyline in the book she is writing. I was actually left wanting to know/read more about her book instead of the her life. 

In fact, I would have been happiest just reading Darcy's book and forgoing Darcy's life however it works because it is rather interesting to explore the life of a YA author and the process that goes along with it. 

If you have some time to kill and enjoy Westerfeld's work -- you might find yourself enjoying this book.