The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Walker Books
Age 14+
Chillers Adventure Stories, Science Fiction Horror & Ghost Stories
Shortlisted for the 2021 CrimeFest Award for Best Crime Novel for Young Adults
Shortlisted for the 2022 Grampian Children’s Book Award
“Lauren James is a genius.” SFX Magazine
“Lauren James isn’t just headed for the stars – she’s already there.” Samantha Shannon, author of The Priory of the Orange Tree
What if death is only the beginning? When Harriet Stoker dies after falling from a balcony in a long-abandoned building, she discovers a world of ghosts with magical powers – shape-shifting, hypnosis, even the ability to possess the living. Felix, Kasper, Rima and Leah welcome her into their world, eager to make friends with the new arrival. Yet Harriet is more interested in unleashing her own power, even if it means destroying everyone around her. But when all of eternity is at stake, the afterlife can be a dangerous place to make an enemy.
Creators
Lauren James is the twice Carnegie-nominated author of The Quiet at the End of the World, The Loneliest Girl in the Universe, The Starlight Watchmaker and The Next Together series. She sold the rights to her first novel when she was twenty-one. Lauren teaches creative writing for Coventry University, WriteMentor and Writing West Midlands, and has written articles for numerous publications, including the Guardian and the Children’s Writers' and Artists' Yearbook. She is a passionate advocate of STEM further education, and all of her books feature scientists in prominent roles. She lives in the West Midlands and you can find her on Twitter at @Lauren_E_James or her website http://www.laurenejames.co.uk
Reviews
wonderfully original and fantastically compelling … There are a multitude of blindsides that will stun even the most genre-savvy readers and will make this a pleasure to re-read to pick up on the hidden clues seeded throughout the story.
Dreaming of Cats
In love with this fabulous book … It’s tense and exciting seeing her toe the line between innocent misunderstanding and wilful villainy … Highly recommended!
BorgPrincess - Instagram
This book was beyond fun, dark and a little eerie; which was perfect! … James has a captivating writing style that blends so well with the twists and eeriness of this story, and I was hands down here for it!! … 5/5
Blue Fairy Tales
dark and brilliant and so much FUN
Book Book Owl
I just adored this – it hooked me right away, it was hard to put down, and I have been thinking about it since I finished. If you are looking for something smart and sassy, a bit creepy and really unique I can’t recommend it highly enough
Bookish Bron
