As a participant in Battle of the books I have to read four books. One of those books is Kendall Kulper’s, A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife.
The book is a dive into the golden age of Hollywood mixed with a supernatural twist. The main character is Henrietta Waverly, but she goes by Henri. She was a rising starlet but has a sudden death that throws her into the afterlife while still having consciousness. Incredibly confused, she seeks answers but receives more questions instead. The story uses vibrancy in the storytelling to capture the good and bad of the entertainment industry, utilizing historical fiction.
Set in the 1930s Hollywood, the book begins with a society where people’s humanity is often overshadowed by ambition. Henri has a sudden death very early on, but her demise doesn’t end the story. Instead, it begins a new chapter as she starts to unravel a conspiracy that shakes her world. From backlot betrayals to ghostly glamour, Henri goes through it all, filled with unexpected allies, bitter rivals, and potentially a chance at redemption. This premise is engaging, but unfortunately, the plot slows down several times and can feel like a slog, similar to a filler episode in an animated show.
The book tries to paint a picture of old Hollywood using smoky clubs, shimmering gowns, and, of course, politics. All this helps create a vivid description that readers can picture and truly immerse themselves in the world and environments of the book. However, it suffers from very excessive descriptions or prolonged introspection, which can again disengage readers, making it feel slow. Detail is nice, but not when it spans almost three to four sentences, essentially forming a paragraph. The story explores the dark side of fame and delves into themes of exploitation, identity, and the cost of ambition. Henri is a compelling, likable character, and her true-to-self personality, along with her wit, makes her someone to root for as she fights for justice in her life and the afterlife. However, supporting characters can lack depth, with their personalities and motivations feeling underexplored, making the relationships Henri forms with them less impactful or interesting.
The supernatural elements are blended with the historical setting, creating a fresh narrative at first, but the tone inconsistently switches drastically between lighthearted banter and dark, serious moments. This makes the story feel uneven at times.
A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife is a tale of resilience, courage, and the enduring quest for truth. The story captures vintage Hollywood and uses mysteries that may not subvert everyone’s expectations. The book has pacing issues, unexplained rules, and inconsistency in the tone it’s trying to create but features incredibly vivid art descriptions and an interesting story, even if seasoned readers aren’t completely subverted. The art style and world are incredibly captivating. It’s not a bad read at all, but it’s not recommended for those who want consistency.
