ALA Booklist (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Lyga's foray into the popular genre of dystopian romance seems tailored to be a blockbuster (especially since his collaborators are actor Peter Facinelli and producer Robert DeFranco). Though it hits genre conventions hard, it's well written and unusual enough to stand out. In earth's future, long after the planet's ruin and mass species extinction, people live in cramped, perpetually warring Territories. After a hard childhood in an orphanage, Deedra is proud to be supporting herself with factory work building air scrubbers and going on scavenging forays into the crumbling cityscape called the Wreck. One day she rescues a boy struggling to cross a poisoned river. He calls himself Rose, and everything about him is strange: he is too pretty and perfect, without a Territory brand, and inexplicably living off the denuded land. He thinks differently from everyone else, too, which puts him and Deedra in danger. Rose's true genetic nature is unexpectedly novel, and that mbined with striking imagery, thrilling action, and adolescent true love kes this a sure bet. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Best-selling Lyga gets his mitts on dystopian romance? Better get two.

School Library Journal (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Gr 9 Up-Facinelli, aka Dr. Carisle Cullen from the "Twilight" movies, and producer DeFranco team up with YA author Lyga to create a powerful postapocalyptic novel. This particular version of the future is so far post the apocalypse that no one can remember how exactly they got there, though theories abound, most of them involving a "red rain" that may or may not have killed half of the world's population. The main character, Deedra, was raised in an orphanage and now leads a plodding, government-controlled existence working in a factory and scavenging on her days off. It is on one of these trips that she meets the oddly named Rose, a boy her age who seems to have come from nowhere and is completely different from anyone she's ever met. When Rose's true nature is revealednot a vampire or robot but something far stranger and more interestingDeedra realizes that he may be the key to saving their dying world. She just needs to save him first. The story moves along without feeling rushed, and with the exception of the scenery-chewing magistrate, characters are fully formed and subtly drawn. VERDICT Not just another dystopia: strong characters and adept world-building make this work stand out from the crowd. Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Voice of Youth Advocates

In a postapocalyptic Earth, where billions attempt to eke out some kind of existence amid the ruins of the previous civilization, Deedra is just one of countless others. An orphan and former ward of the state, she exists by working in the local factory, making what she thinks are air scrubbers. When she is not in the factory, she scavenges the ruins, exploring long-vacant buildings and daring to hold onto the glimmer of a dream that things might be different. All of this changes when, on one of her scavenging trips, she encounters a mysterious boy named Rose, who appears to have strange abilities far beyond her understanding. As she is drawn to Rose, she begins to discover the mysteries that surround him, mysteries that could lead to a fundamental change in the way the world runs.This story is told from a variety of perspectives. Although Deedra and Rose are the most prominent, the reader also gets to experience the perspectives of an absent-minded scientist, an abusive magistrate, an inspector trying to do his job, and others. The postapocalyptic setting treads no new ground, and would be familiar those who have read works like Divergent or The Hunger Games. The plot is somewhat formulaic; astute readers should be able to figure out most of the major points long before the characters do. Nonetheless, the story is well written and manages to engage the reader throughout. The book deals with issues of friendship, love, and rebellion against authority. The conclusion leaves the door open for further installments. Overall, it is solidly written and would be a decent addition to most high school libraries.Jonathan Ryder.After the Red Rain is very exciting and entertaining to read. The mystery behind each character's individual story keeps readers motivated to read throughout the whole novel. Readers may have a hard getting into the story in the beginning, but after learning about the important settings of the story, readers will be focused on the plot, which is really interesting. The end leaves many questions unanswered, but that just leaves readers wanting more. 4Q, 4P.Christina Chau, Teen Reviewer.

Horn Book (Mon Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2016)

On a scavenging run, orphaned teenager Deedra saves an unusual boy named Rose from drowning. Rose soon influences all aspects of Deedra's life, including her factory job and government-bred beliefs, and she grapples with his mutant-like powers and status as a murder suspect. The relationship between the protagonists is unconvincing, but the authors enliven a believable post-apocalyptic dystopia with moments of blockbuster action.