Review: Level 2

Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

Synopsis (From Goodreads): Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).

'I pause to look around the hive - all the podlike chambers are lit up as the drones shoot up on memories ... I've wanted to get out of here before, but now the tight quarters start to choke me. There has to be more to death than this.' 

 Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her. Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. 

Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Felicia is trapped in limbo, an afterlife between heaven and hell, with nothing to do but replay memories of her family, friends, boyfriend and the boy she doesn't want to remember, Julian. When that very boy breaks into Level 2 to find her Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing and she might be the key to either its success or its failure. Now Felicia has to decide whether she can trust Julian enough to follow him, but also she has to find enough strength to replay those memories she has tried to avoid... not only the one of her death, but one far worse.

I didn't know much about Level 2 besides it was an afterlife story when I first picked it up, although the cover is what made me want to read this, and Lenore Appelans has created an original debut that gives a different take on what happens after death before one has a chance to move on. Appelhans presented a unique way to tell Felicia's story through all the flashbacks and memories she was viewing, which kept me engaged and wondering what was going to come next, and no they are not in linear order so it made it quite unexpected in places.

All of the characters were interesting and had personalities of their own. Felicia is a strong character and it was interesting to find out about her personality and her traumas through her flashbacks. Neil was so sweet and charming, it wasn't hard to fall in love with him, and Julian, well he acted like a douche at times, but at other times it felt like he really cared for Felicia. All the characters, together with the twists and turns of the story, made this an exciting adventure into the afterlife and I look forward to reading more of Felicia's story (Level 3).

Source: audible
2013 Debut Author Challenge: #2 of 12

2012 Audio Book Challenge: #2 of 25