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I Fail at the Afterlife
When you die and become an angel you don't expect there to be so much paperwork.
At age seventeen, David Garcia fell to his death and has spent the past ten years filing papers for dead people. His uneventful afterlife is thrown into chaos when he’s attacked by a pernicious demon called Malum. Frozen in terror, David does absolutely nothing to prevent the demon’s escape. Blaming himself, he joins a group of demon hunters intent on recapturing Malum before he destroys the world. Armed with ten years of receptionist training, mediocre fighting skills, and non-stop self-deprecating sarcasm, David soon learns he is in way over his head.
At age seventeen, David Garcia fell to his death and has spent the past ten years filing papers for dead people. His uneventful afterlife is thrown into chaos when he’s attacked by a pernicious demon called Malum. Frozen in terror, David does absolutely nothing to prevent the demon’s escape. Blaming himself, he joins a group of demon hunters intent on recapturing Malum before he destroys the world. Armed with ten years of receptionist training, mediocre fighting skills, and non-stop self-deprecating sarcasm, David soon learns he is in way over his head.
355 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Anni Sezate
7 books10 followersAnni Sezate is an elementary school teacher from Gilbert, Arizona. She received her education degree from Arizona State University, though she spent a semester living out her acting dreams as a musical theater major. Anni is your typical right-brained lefty who spends most of her time reading, writing, drawing, and singing way too loudly to Broadway soundtracks. Anni is a proud daughter, sister, aunt, and Ravenclaw
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 28, 2022
Such a good read! This religious fiction told from the view point of a dead protagonist is an incredible depiction of what life could be like on the other side of death. The author does a great job of painting what life could be when you die. There is still a life and with that comes moments of joy and sadness. I especially like the way that the concept of death is described differently from an angel’s perspective. The afterlife world that is created in this book is imaginative and the ending was such a great twist. Can’t wait for the next book.
December 18, 2022
Oh my gosh! This book was so good! One of the best endings I've read in a long time! Really leaves you wanting more! Its fun, it's sad, it's exciting and it's real. It really makes you appreciate failure and how hard ethical dilemmas can be. I can't wait to see what happens next, I really can't!
August 25, 2022
When you die and become an angel, you don't expect there to be so much paperwork. David Garcia fell to his death at age seventeen. He's spent his first ten years filing papers for dead people; boring in the extreme—until the arch demon of angels threw his uneventful afterlife into chaos. Inexperienced and frozen with terror, David could not prevent the demon Malum from escaping. Blaming himself, he joins a group of demon hunters' intent on recapturing Malum before he destroys the world. Armed with ten years of receptionist training, mediocre fighting skills, and non-stop self-deprecating sarcasm, David soon learns he is in way over his head.
Following the brilliant success of her first books, the Aurella Trilogy, Anni Sezate hits the ground running with book one of her new Afterlife Trilogy — "I Fail at the Afterlife." Weaving intrigue, world building, and fast-paced action with humor and a sense of realism through her first-person narratives, Ms. Sezate shows a firm grasp of what it's like being a teenager thrown into serious adult life and "death-like"*** situations. First person narrative is... hard to write; trust me. Sezate, however, writes it with ease and a style that demonstrates her talent to the fullest. Another hurdle for many authors writing in the YA genre is actually getting into the heads of the younger characters; and here again, the maturity of her writing skills shines through. Publication of "I Fail at the Afterlife" is January, 2023. Mark your calendars!
*** Readers of the book will understand.
P.S. January is a few months away. Check out Anni Sezate's blog and perhaps qualify for an advanced copy. https://annisezate.com/free-arc-for-b...
Following the brilliant success of her first books, the Aurella Trilogy, Anni Sezate hits the ground running with book one of her new Afterlife Trilogy — "I Fail at the Afterlife." Weaving intrigue, world building, and fast-paced action with humor and a sense of realism through her first-person narratives, Ms. Sezate shows a firm grasp of what it's like being a teenager thrown into serious adult life and "death-like"*** situations. First person narrative is... hard to write; trust me. Sezate, however, writes it with ease and a style that demonstrates her talent to the fullest. Another hurdle for many authors writing in the YA genre is actually getting into the heads of the younger characters; and here again, the maturity of her writing skills shines through. Publication of "I Fail at the Afterlife" is January, 2023. Mark your calendars!
*** Readers of the book will understand.
P.S. January is a few months away. Check out Anni Sezate's blog and perhaps qualify for an advanced copy. https://annisezate.com/free-arc-for-b...
August 28, 2022
(I'll try not to give any spoilers!) I Fail at the Afterlife is an unexpected mix of darkness and light, humor and heartbreaking drama. I love the story, not only because David is such a relatable, well-rounded, flawed-but-lovable character, (and his fellow characters are equally well thought out and real) but because the world that they all inhabit is beautiful (and terrifying.) I loved her concept of how the afterlife works, of the affects of good and evil, how angels and demons interact with the living, and how often the living are aided and comforted (or harmed) by those who have already passed on in ways that only they can. I also found how these ethereal beings still manage to maintain so much of their humanity was so beautifully expressed, with a fantastic balance of levity and seriousness. I can't wait to see how the series ends!
December 27, 2022
This book is a step away from the typical good vs evil story where the lines get blurred, for both the main character and the reader.
Self-deprecating humor makes the main character so likable and relatable. When you’re finished, you actually miss the main character. I can’t wait for the sequel to discover what comes next.
Warning: this is one of those books you don’t want to put down once you begin!
January 1, 2023
This was an excellent read. Much different from my usual books, but I really enjoyed this book.
What do you do after you've died and feel like you never made much of a difference? You try your best to change that in your death. David does just that. Trying to balance his regular angel duties with new demon hunter duties, David tries his best to maintain the rules of being an angel. Until he makes a decision that changes his afterlife.
I'm definitely excited for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What do you do after you've died and feel like you never made much of a difference? You try your best to change that in your death. David does just that. Trying to balance his regular angel duties with new demon hunter duties, David tries his best to maintain the rules of being an angel. Until he makes a decision that changes his afterlife.
I'm definitely excited for the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 5, 2022
Really liked the storyline of the book. It is a thoughtful read. No scripture to be found in. It will enhance your bible interpretations. A non preachy read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2022
Wow! I Fail at the Afterlife was a breath of fresh air. I’m not too sure what I expected from the book but I was blown away by what it delivered. This is completely worth reading and I’m really looking forward to the sequel.
The books take on guardian angels and demons felt new. Every time I believed I had a handle on the afterlife something happened to make me think again. The plot was exciting and I loved that I could not predict what would happen.
I Fail at the Afterlife would make a fantastic TV series. Descriptions were vivid, almost cinematic. The book has a real sense of style and suckered me in from the start. As for the ending, let’s just say that I didn’t see that plot twist coming - which is always the sign of a great writer!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The books take on guardian angels and demons felt new. Every time I believed I had a handle on the afterlife something happened to make me think again. The plot was exciting and I loved that I could not predict what would happen.
I Fail at the Afterlife would make a fantastic TV series. Descriptions were vivid, almost cinematic. The book has a real sense of style and suckered me in from the start. As for the ending, let’s just say that I didn’t see that plot twist coming - which is always the sign of a great writer!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 12, 2022
This was such a fun read. The main character is very relatable. I'd like to think that we all would react like he does. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book and would highly recommend giving it a read!
October 24, 2022
Excellent book. Just a good easy read. It very much enjoyed it!
October 8, 2022
Natural flowing humor with characters to love mixes with the dangers of demons and mundane tasks of the afterlife to create a read to enjoy.
David didn't mean to die at seventeen, and if he could go back and find a different way to pass over into the afterlife, he'd take the chance immediately. With that embarrassing part of his existence/non-existence in the past, he adds as much spice to his job in eternity as possible...even if it's mostly paperwork. But when an escaped demon uses him as a passing snack, David's had enough of not living up to his own expectations and does something almost as ridiculous as his initial death—he fills out an application form to join the task force, which will hunt the demon down. With absolutely no meaningful skills or experience, he doesn't believe he'll really be chosen...until he is.
This tale holds some of the most natural characters I've run across in young adult fiction in quite awhile. David is very hard not to like from the first page on. While the opening scene borders on ridiculous, it soon notches in perfectly with his character and attitude. But then, every character in the afterlife comes across with sparkling personalities, making them comfortable to meet and wish they were real...because it would be a wonderful bunch. (The good ones, of course) They have their problems, quirks, and are simply humans, who are now in the after life. This creates a very easy read, which (except for a couple bumps) speeds by smoothly from beginning to end.
While there are some tense moments, and David definitely is in over his head, this read (even in its darkest scenes) holds a deliciously, light undertone, mixed with action, darker moments, and even touching heartache. The demon hunting is also not a joke, and David is sarcastic and funny and uncomfortable in his own skin. There are woven secrets, turns I never saw coming, and twists, which flip in original and surprising ways. Still, it stays light-hearted and natural...and that's quite the feat.
I do recommend this one to anyone, who is ready for a new twist into the realm of the afterlife and a character to enjoy because it's definitely worth taking a peek at. I received an ARC and can't wait until the second book comes out now.
David didn't mean to die at seventeen, and if he could go back and find a different way to pass over into the afterlife, he'd take the chance immediately. With that embarrassing part of his existence/non-existence in the past, he adds as much spice to his job in eternity as possible...even if it's mostly paperwork. But when an escaped demon uses him as a passing snack, David's had enough of not living up to his own expectations and does something almost as ridiculous as his initial death—he fills out an application form to join the task force, which will hunt the demon down. With absolutely no meaningful skills or experience, he doesn't believe he'll really be chosen...until he is.
This tale holds some of the most natural characters I've run across in young adult fiction in quite awhile. David is very hard not to like from the first page on. While the opening scene borders on ridiculous, it soon notches in perfectly with his character and attitude. But then, every character in the afterlife comes across with sparkling personalities, making them comfortable to meet and wish they were real...because it would be a wonderful bunch. (The good ones, of course) They have their problems, quirks, and are simply humans, who are now in the after life. This creates a very easy read, which (except for a couple bumps) speeds by smoothly from beginning to end.
While there are some tense moments, and David definitely is in over his head, this read (even in its darkest scenes) holds a deliciously, light undertone, mixed with action, darker moments, and even touching heartache. The demon hunting is also not a joke, and David is sarcastic and funny and uncomfortable in his own skin. There are woven secrets, turns I never saw coming, and twists, which flip in original and surprising ways. Still, it stays light-hearted and natural...and that's quite the feat.
I do recommend this one to anyone, who is ready for a new twist into the realm of the afterlife and a character to enjoy because it's definitely worth taking a peek at. I received an ARC and can't wait until the second book comes out now.
May 10, 2024
This book… just wow. I was not anticipating the things it would make me feel.
A beautiful story about the desire to matter and to make a difference, but also about moving forward after having sustained losses, both of people and of opportunities. For anyone who’s experienced loss, this book will feel like home.
It’s funny and heartfelt and inspiring all in one. David is instantly likable and has a very fun self deprecating humor about him that is often so relatable to how each of us has felt at different stages of our lives.
Definitely recommend
A beautiful story about the desire to matter and to make a difference, but also about moving forward after having sustained losses, both of people and of opportunities. For anyone who’s experienced loss, this book will feel like home.
It’s funny and heartfelt and inspiring all in one. David is instantly likable and has a very fun self deprecating humor about him that is often so relatable to how each of us has felt at different stages of our lives.
Definitely recommend
May 29, 2024
“I Fail at the Afterlife” follows the spirited adventures of David Garcia, an adolescent Guardian Angel who is haunted by misplaced guilt after a visceral encounter with Malum, the Evil One. Never considering himself as heroic on earth, he decides to join a special spectral task force called the Demon Hunters as a way to atone for his earlier inaction. David’s soul-searching journey is relatable to many readers as an underdog do-gooder with occasional spells of cacoethes. His ragtag cadre of Demon Hunters move through celestial challenges while his relational dilemmas are kept down to earth.
The series opener takes on contemporary issues — gun safety politics and school shootings, life crises and family challenges, the tensions between morality and spirituality, and the urgency in learning how to trust, forgive, and love ourselves — all of which are handled in genuine ways that avoid preachiness. The worldmaking excellently amplifies these conversations and provides a generative context to explore one of the major themes in the book — the dialectics between agency and obedience.
Another theme is how Sezate brilliantly builds a world out of spaces and characters fraught with intense in-betweenness. From David’s cultural collisions as a “white Mexican,” to the antiheroic tactics deployed by Demon Hunters, from the reminder that even devils can be delightsome, down to the closing fate of our protagonist, the book captures the pains and profundities rooted in liminality. In different liminal spaces to varying degrees, David and Sandra’s pattern of feeling unaccomplished seems to transcend towards a deeper quandary — if youth is wasted on the young then is life wasted on the living?
Teens and young adults interested in fantasy, philosophy/spirituality, and (not-so) human relationships will relish in the devilish wit and angelic wisdom of “I Fail at the Afterlife.”
The series opener takes on contemporary issues — gun safety politics and school shootings, life crises and family challenges, the tensions between morality and spirituality, and the urgency in learning how to trust, forgive, and love ourselves — all of which are handled in genuine ways that avoid preachiness. The worldmaking excellently amplifies these conversations and provides a generative context to explore one of the major themes in the book — the dialectics between agency and obedience.
Another theme is how Sezate brilliantly builds a world out of spaces and characters fraught with intense in-betweenness. From David’s cultural collisions as a “white Mexican,” to the antiheroic tactics deployed by Demon Hunters, from the reminder that even devils can be delightsome, down to the closing fate of our protagonist, the book captures the pains and profundities rooted in liminality. In different liminal spaces to varying degrees, David and Sandra’s pattern of feeling unaccomplished seems to transcend towards a deeper quandary — if youth is wasted on the young then is life wasted on the living?
Teens and young adults interested in fantasy, philosophy/spirituality, and (not-so) human relationships will relish in the devilish wit and angelic wisdom of “I Fail at the Afterlife.”
February 6, 2023
David Garcia has only been an angel for ten paper-pushing years when he decides to become a demon hunter to the fight the incredibly strong demon Malum. This book shows his struggles to balance the Light and Darkness that comes with such a task, especially for someone whose never been much of a fighter. He has to do all this while still trying to be a guardian angel for his living family members and not missing shifts at his office job.
This book is filled with such great world building. Many people have ideas of what the afterlife may look like, and this book does a great job fleshing out this version. Along with setting, the moral dilemmas that inevitably come from books about angels and demons are well developed.
The characters are also well done. David is the most developed as someone who is awkward with low self-esteem, but he feels real, and you can't help but root for him. He trips all over himself, but he's doing his best. Other characters like his best friend Jake, his still-living high school friend Sandy, and the demon Sheila are incredibly interesting, and along with some other named but rather unknown characters (I'm so intrigued by Daisy!) we'll hopefully see more from them in the coming books.
This book is heartfelt and funny, while also portraying the very real danger that the characters are in. Honestly, the only negative is the frequent Harry Potter references, this book can hold its own weight. It's a great opening to a trilogy! It sets a strong foundation for the next books to come.
For fans of series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Artemis Fowl, I Fail at the Afterlife is a fun and easy read to pick up as your next book!
This book is filled with such great world building. Many people have ideas of what the afterlife may look like, and this book does a great job fleshing out this version. Along with setting, the moral dilemmas that inevitably come from books about angels and demons are well developed.
The characters are also well done. David is the most developed as someone who is awkward with low self-esteem, but he feels real, and you can't help but root for him. He trips all over himself, but he's doing his best. Other characters like his best friend Jake, his still-living high school friend Sandy, and the demon Sheila are incredibly interesting, and along with some other named but rather unknown characters (I'm so intrigued by Daisy!) we'll hopefully see more from them in the coming books.
This book is heartfelt and funny, while also portraying the very real danger that the characters are in. Honestly, the only negative is the frequent Harry Potter references, this book can hold its own weight. It's a great opening to a trilogy! It sets a strong foundation for the next books to come.
For fans of series like Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Artemis Fowl, I Fail at the Afterlife is a fun and easy read to pick up as your next book!
June 27, 2024
David dies. I completely adored that this event takes place at the beginning. This trilogy is based on David Garcia’s afterlife, so thank you for not making us sit through pointless riff-raff!
We are introduced to David’s afterlife in a type of holding place, where we are introduced to friends, family members, and the bad guys of the story. I felt tugs of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter throughout the wordage. I enjoyed David’s trials with his highs and lows. I felt his heart when he struggled. I enjoyed the friendships he made during the first book, and do hope those characters continue to make appearances in the next two.
Overall, a great summer read that was quick paced, enjoyable characters, and the underlying classic nod to looking for the Light.
I will also love to point out that, in an era where smut rains supreme, this book doesn’t have any!!!! I point this out because it’s a YA novel. The story line doesn’t need any of that to begin with. It was nice to be able to read a book that I didn’t have to worry about those moments popping up. Thank you for that peace of mind!!!
We are introduced to David’s afterlife in a type of holding place, where we are introduced to friends, family members, and the bad guys of the story. I felt tugs of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter throughout the wordage. I enjoyed David’s trials with his highs and lows. I felt his heart when he struggled. I enjoyed the friendships he made during the first book, and do hope those characters continue to make appearances in the next two.
Overall, a great summer read that was quick paced, enjoyable characters, and the underlying classic nod to looking for the Light.
I will also love to point out that, in an era where smut rains supreme, this book doesn’t have any!!!! I point this out because it’s a YA novel. The story line doesn’t need any of that to begin with. It was nice to be able to read a book that I didn’t have to worry about those moments popping up. Thank you for that peace of mind!!!
December 21, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, it was humorous, relatable, entertaining and alot of other things (good things). I really enjoyed the storyline and also the characters in this book. David is like a really relatable and funny guy, it was laughs while reading his dialouges. This was a really nice look into the afterlife, this book really made me think about, what it is like after someone dies? (the afterlife). It really was interesting reading this book and seeing what people may think the afterlife is like. Apart from that i really enjoyed reading this book and i can't wait to read the other book/books in this triology.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 19, 2025
A very fun and enjoyable story about life after life. David is a guardian angel who becomes a demon hunter on the side and struggles between light and darkness. I liked the training sessions he went through to become a demon hunter and the interactions with his family. I also enjoyed Sandra's ability to see the dead and her interactions with David were always so good. The ending was shocking and I really want to know what David will do next and how everything will be resolved. This story was an interesting take on how angels and demons work and what the afterlife is like.
January 1, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It is an interesting and fun take on the after life. The main character is funny, determined and relatable. He takes on everything with determination and a desire to do right by others. This book made me laugh and cry. A really good read. I can’t wait for the next book.
March 21, 2024
If you're looking for a "clean" YA book that doesn't have swear words, then you've come to the right place.
I'm still unsure of the workings of the angels and demons in this book, but it was perfectly fine read, albeit a little on the cheesy side.
I'm still unsure of the workings of the angels and demons in this book, but it was perfectly fine read, albeit a little on the cheesy side.
February 19, 2024
This was actually a fanfic titled “on my radar”. It started off good, but kinda fell off. At least it’s over now.
August 8, 2024
I enjoyed this clever story and the characters a lot. Shameless proud Aunt plug - the narrator is my nephew!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews