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Afterworld
Dom is the youngest person ever to arrive in the Necropolis, the 'waiting place' between death and what comes after. And it isn't long before he catches the attention of Satarial, a cruel Nephilim from the beginning of time, who has grim plans to use Dom as entertainment in his vicious gladiatorial games. When Dom's still-living sister, Kaide, appears in the Necropolis too, Satarial has the leverage he needs, and the stage is set for the biggest shake-up the afterlife has seen in centuries.
Dom's only option is to compete in the Trials and attempt to win the chance to enter the Maze. In his favour he has an enigmatic young Guide, Eva, and a Guardian, Eduardo, who may not be what he seems. But will they be enough?
Dom's only option is to compete in the Trials and attempt to win the chance to enter the Maze. In his favour he has an enigmatic young Guide, Eva, and a Guardian, Eduardo, who may not be what he seems. But will they be enough?
409 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 5, 2016
This book was not the most demanding collection of words but I'd be damned to Hell if I said it was forgettable.
If this book was a stereotypical character from a 70's movie, I'd peg it as the stoner. We all have those books that demand to be read, but Afterworld was not one of them for me. I started reading this book in Feburary, it's now June. I really enjoyed reading Afterworld, but whenever I put it down, I'd forget to pick it up again. It's chill. Easy going. But that ending? Can I just say that was one of the most feel-good feel-goody ending I've ever read??
If this book was a stereotypical character from a 70's movie, I'd peg it as the stoner. We all have those books that demand to be read, but Afterworld was not one of them for me. I started reading this book in Feburary, it's now June. I really enjoyed reading Afterworld, but whenever I put it down, I'd forget to pick it up again. It's chill. Easy going. But that ending? Can I just say that was one of the most feel-good feel-goody ending I've ever read??
March 27, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Afterworld, although I can't normally claim to read young adult fiction and I really don't know what entertains and excites aficionado's of the genre. For me at least, there was a wealth of history, adventure, and a tasteful amount of spirituality to Lynnette Lounsbury's Afterworld that could probably fill more than one book.
Afterworld's main characters (Dom, Eva, Kaide) were all likeable, but I must confess to enjoying Eduardo the most, as he eventually reveals himself as someone with an abundance of wisdom and life experience. Similarly, I found that the 'Awe' was a refreshing take on the 'God' character which almost anyone could appreciate.
I do enjoy the odd bit of ancient mythology, and Afterworld definitely delivered on this, leading to an unhealthy amount of googling about the Nephilim part way through the book. The latter stage of the book known as the 'Maze' takes this even further with more ancient characters and spiritual beings added to the mix.
Clearly the author has a particular affinity with ancient history, and perhaps a slightly repressed personal experience with religious dogma, but either way, if the story that Lynnette Lounsbury has created in Afterworld was designed to make you think more about the afterlife, then I must admit to having succumbed to significant day-dreaming when I finished it.
Afterworld's main characters (Dom, Eva, Kaide) were all likeable, but I must confess to enjoying Eduardo the most, as he eventually reveals himself as someone with an abundance of wisdom and life experience. Similarly, I found that the 'Awe' was a refreshing take on the 'God' character which almost anyone could appreciate.
I do enjoy the odd bit of ancient mythology, and Afterworld definitely delivered on this, leading to an unhealthy amount of googling about the Nephilim part way through the book. The latter stage of the book known as the 'Maze' takes this even further with more ancient characters and spiritual beings added to the mix.
Clearly the author has a particular affinity with ancient history, and perhaps a slightly repressed personal experience with religious dogma, but either way, if the story that Lynnette Lounsbury has created in Afterworld was designed to make you think more about the afterlife, then I must admit to having succumbed to significant day-dreaming when I finished it.
February 26, 2014
See the original review, my interview with Lynnette (Lynnette's 1st ever interview!) and print the bookmarks on the blog!
Thanks to Allen & Unwin Australia for sending me a copy of this novel for review!
A riveting novel, showing us that even the youngest people can change the course of the world... scratch that, the Afterworld.
I really enjoyed this book! It is so different from the things that I have been reading, and it was really refreshing. Never before have I seen of something like the world that Lounsbury has created, it was everything that an Afterworld should be, including the added humorous bits from some of the things that happened (i.e Dinosaurs LOL!)
I did like this novel, but the start of the novel until the end of part 2 didn't hold my attention. I feel bad because I even felt like reading different books while reading this. But I didn't want to put this down and mark it as a DNF because I was so entranced by the actual world and wanted to know more about it, as well as what would happen! This curiosity overtook all else, and I kept going through the book. It wasn't until Dom entered the Maze that things became really interesting for me. I wasn't hooked, but I wanted to read this book and I was starting to really enjoy myself. Because I wasn't really interested much in the first half of the book, most references seemed to evade me. I didn't know what the Awe was (until it was explained when she visited Dom), yet it was like he already knew who she was before the visit seeing as he referred to her as that before.
I love the whole Dom and Eva coincidence. It was heartwarming, as well as made for a fantastic ending. These were two brilliant characters (including Eduardo) and I loved every moment of them, especially after the middle of the book when everything was really entertaining for me. It might be different for you all, you might love the start and not agree with me, but for some reason this happened to me. Even if it does happen to you, you will still continue the book because of how intrigued you are about everything. It's not like other books how if you don't like it, the unanswered questions just fade into nothing, these will haunt you if you don't continue reading this book. I haven't experienced this before in books, so it might sound strange to some.
I didn't really like Kaide. She got on my nerves a lot in this book. I know that it would have been weird if she wasn't included, especially from her personality. But it was just annoying sometimes. It wasn't until the battle at the end and getting to see her POV that I started to like her a little. Not a lot, but just a little. She seems to transform with death from some ditzy happy-go-lucky girl, and into someone who can see the good in people and make the right decisions for the community, not just herself. It was annoying when she was still in her ditzy stage (with Satarial) and I was glad that at that stage, she took a step back from the main story as we continued with Dom, Eva and Eduardo.
I really didn't expect what Diana was. Seriously, that came up under me and I didn't know what was happening until it hit us! I like this bit, because we find out who she is with the other characters.
I really liked the ending of this book. It was bittersweet and a kind of fairy-tale ending. I didn't expect what would happen after Dom and Eva saw the Awe, but then after they see her I got worried for a few moments at the end, but then there was a sigh of relief when I figured out what happened. (Yes, you're going to have to read it yourself to find out what I'm talking about!)
Thanks to Allen & Unwin Australia for sending me a copy of this novel for review!
A riveting novel, showing us that even the youngest people can change the course of the world... scratch that, the Afterworld.
I really enjoyed this book! It is so different from the things that I have been reading, and it was really refreshing. Never before have I seen of something like the world that Lounsbury has created, it was everything that an Afterworld should be, including the added humorous bits from some of the things that happened (i.e Dinosaurs LOL!)
I did like this novel, but the start of the novel until the end of part 2 didn't hold my attention. I feel bad because I even felt like reading different books while reading this. But I didn't want to put this down and mark it as a DNF because I was so entranced by the actual world and wanted to know more about it, as well as what would happen! This curiosity overtook all else, and I kept going through the book. It wasn't until Dom entered the Maze that things became really interesting for me. I wasn't hooked, but I wanted to read this book and I was starting to really enjoy myself. Because I wasn't really interested much in the first half of the book, most references seemed to evade me. I didn't know what the Awe was (until it was explained when she visited Dom), yet it was like he already knew who she was before the visit seeing as he referred to her as that before.
I love the whole Dom and Eva coincidence. It was heartwarming, as well as made for a fantastic ending. These were two brilliant characters (including Eduardo) and I loved every moment of them, especially after the middle of the book when everything was really entertaining for me. It might be different for you all, you might love the start and not agree with me, but for some reason this happened to me. Even if it does happen to you, you will still continue the book because of how intrigued you are about everything. It's not like other books how if you don't like it, the unanswered questions just fade into nothing, these will haunt you if you don't continue reading this book. I haven't experienced this before in books, so it might sound strange to some.
I didn't really like Kaide. She got on my nerves a lot in this book. I know that it would have been weird if she wasn't included, especially from her personality. But it was just annoying sometimes. It wasn't until the battle at the end and getting to see her POV that I started to like her a little. Not a lot, but just a little. She seems to transform with death from some ditzy happy-go-lucky girl, and into someone who can see the good in people and make the right decisions for the community, not just herself. It was annoying when she was still in her ditzy stage (with Satarial) and I was glad that at that stage, she took a step back from the main story as we continued with Dom, Eva and Eduardo.
I really didn't expect what Diana was. Seriously, that came up under me and I didn't know what was happening until it hit us! I like this bit, because we find out who she is with the other characters.
I really liked the ending of this book. It was bittersweet and a kind of fairy-tale ending. I didn't expect what would happen after Dom and Eva saw the Awe, but then after they see her I got worried for a few moments at the end, but then there was a sigh of relief when I figured out what happened. (Yes, you're going to have to read it yourself to find out what I'm talking about!)
April 29, 2014
I was so glad to pick this book up at the airport just before my flight to france. Through out the book i kept on thinking 'has anybody done something like this before? A teen fiction story about the afterlife in death'
I decide to pick this book up because it had a mix of other books.
Anyone fans of The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner should definitely read this book.
Lynnette has thought out of the box and brought out a brilliant book.
I was hoping for another book after the book finishes because i wanted to know happens after that but so far i think its just a one series book.
I decide to pick this book up because it had a mix of other books.
Anyone fans of The Mortal Instruments, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner should definitely read this book.
Lynnette has thought out of the box and brought out a brilliant book.
I was hoping for another book after the book finishes because i wanted to know happens after that but so far i think its just a one series book.
November 2, 2021
"Life and death are one thread, the same line viewed from different sides" - Lao Tzu
I've loved this book since the first time I first read it 7 years ago, and it has remained a firm favourite of mine all these years!
Overview
Dom is the youngest person to enter the city of the dead, Necropolis, after he and his sister Kaide have a car accident in India. In Necropolis, Dom finds he has a Guide named Eva and a Guardian named Eduardo, and that he has to earn minutes to saved up enough time to enter the Maze and depart on his next soul journey. It's not as easy as it sounds though, there are threats from the city's Nephilim population, the leader of which, Satarial, has taken a special interest in Dom, challenging him to take part in the Trials, at the risk of being incarcerated forever. The novel is split into 3 parts with The City, The Trials and The Maze respectively, each part focussing on the preparation for and engagement of each of these events. To thicken the plot, there are other forces at large in the Afterworld, and Dom must trust his own instincts and make his own decisions to follow through with his rightful path and not by swayed by other nefarious entities.
Themes Present
The Necropolis is said to be the result of all living beings (or at least humans, with some others such as the Nephilim) consciousness so the inspiration for many aspects of this novel are derived from different religious theories from all practices across the world. Ancient Greek and Egyptian Gods appear amongst mentions of mythical creations and biblical creatures alike. I really enjoyed this aspect of incorporating so many different aspects of human culture and religion, it really portrays the idea that we have all contributed to a collective consciousness. Lynnette Lounsbury is very considerate and aware of the different cultures and religions she weaves together, which gives Afterworld a very real-life feel, since our world is full of many different people from different walks of life.
Small Errors
The blurb of this novel almost doesn't give the full story justice, since it seems as though it's a Hunger Games-esque gladiator themed story, yet the gladiator style Trials are only one aspect of this book, and arguably the Maze is just as important as the Trials. Also, one small pet peeve I have with the writing style, is that the dialogue seems a bit clunky at times, as in it's a bit formal sounding but it's not too big of an issue really.
The Verdict
Overall, this novel really gave me hope about aspects of the human condition and perhaps even life after what we know, and the characters' journeys were all satisfying in how they were fulfilled. The ending of this novel was perfect! I don't think I've ever cried such happy tears for the fate of a character before reading this. I would highly recommend that anyone should read this book, I read it when I was 13 and I still find it relevant now that I'm in my early 20s :)
I've loved this book since the first time I first read it 7 years ago, and it has remained a firm favourite of mine all these years!
Overview
Dom is the youngest person to enter the city of the dead, Necropolis, after he and his sister Kaide have a car accident in India. In Necropolis, Dom finds he has a Guide named Eva and a Guardian named Eduardo, and that he has to earn minutes to saved up enough time to enter the Maze and depart on his next soul journey. It's not as easy as it sounds though, there are threats from the city's Nephilim population, the leader of which, Satarial, has taken a special interest in Dom, challenging him to take part in the Trials, at the risk of being incarcerated forever. The novel is split into 3 parts with The City, The Trials and The Maze respectively, each part focussing on the preparation for and engagement of each of these events. To thicken the plot, there are other forces at large in the Afterworld, and Dom must trust his own instincts and make his own decisions to follow through with his rightful path and not by swayed by other nefarious entities.
Themes Present
The Necropolis is said to be the result of all living beings (or at least humans, with some others such as the Nephilim) consciousness so the inspiration for many aspects of this novel are derived from different religious theories from all practices across the world. Ancient Greek and Egyptian Gods appear amongst mentions of mythical creations and biblical creatures alike. I really enjoyed this aspect of incorporating so many different aspects of human culture and religion, it really portrays the idea that we have all contributed to a collective consciousness. Lynnette Lounsbury is very considerate and aware of the different cultures and religions she weaves together, which gives Afterworld a very real-life feel, since our world is full of many different people from different walks of life.
Small Errors
The blurb of this novel almost doesn't give the full story justice, since it seems as though it's a Hunger Games-esque gladiator themed story, yet the gladiator style Trials are only one aspect of this book, and arguably the Maze is just as important as the Trials. Also, one small pet peeve I have with the writing style, is that the dialogue seems a bit clunky at times, as in it's a bit formal sounding but it's not too big of an issue really.
The Verdict
Overall, this novel really gave me hope about aspects of the human condition and perhaps even life after what we know, and the characters' journeys were all satisfying in how they were fulfilled. The ending of this novel was perfect! I don't think I've ever cried such happy tears for the fate of a character before reading this. I would highly recommend that anyone should read this book, I read it when I was 13 and I still find it relevant now that I'm in my early 20s :)
February 1, 2014
'Why will they notice me? I'm not trying to be modest or anything, but I am pretty average.'
Eduardo smiled at him. 'You are young. That is enough.'
First up, the blurb for Afterworld caught my interest straight away. I loved the promise of action and high stakes on the background of the afterlife, it sort of appealed to me as the love child of The Hunger Games and Blood Red Road. "Vicious gladiatorial games"? Count me in! I mean in real life (or even movies for that matter) I'm not the blood thirsty type but in books... sort of different. Grand scale fight scenes in books can be pretty darn epic and addictive to read, and thankfully in this aspect Lynnette Lounsbury delivered. However, the world building and character development, especially in the first part of this novel, left a lot to be desired.
Afterworld is a young adult fantasy novel centred around Dominic Mathers, a half-black, half-white 15 year old boy who was adopted by an American family, along with his half-white, half-asian sister, Kaide, and they live in Delhi, India where their parents have set up a clinic. There were so many ethnicities it reminded me a lot of my old maths textbook questions where the writers try so hard to be internationally inclusive, "Pedro, Amanda and Ming Lee went sea kayaking. Pedro is 430m from Amanda..." Besides the initial chuckle this gave me, I quite liked the diversity and that neither of Dominic nor Kaide were cultural stereotypes.
Dominic (Dom) dies in a car accident and arrives in the 'Necropolis', a place between death and whatever comes after. His story is divided into three distinctive parts: Part I- The City, Part II- The Trial and Part III- The Maze. I say distinctive because not only was the style of writing different in all three, but my reactions to each were definitely different.
Part I- The City is about when he arrives. Lynnette Lounsbury introduces this 'Afterworld', her own unique version which is a blend of every current religion. I really didn't like it. Dom is thrust into this new world and I found I constantly had questions about what was going on that weren't being answered. Just fundamental aspects of world building. He's the youngest at 15 years of age to enter the Necropolis, okay, WHY? doesn't seem likely when people who die go here, even if the Afterworld is huge. This incessant questioning of mine acted as a barrier to my enjoyment such that I couldn't immerse myself into the story. I also found Lounsbury's religious reasoning behind her version of the Afterworld too ambitious. She sort of shoots down every religion with a particular focus on Christianity by bringing in biblical characters such as Enoch and Noah, and advocated this Afterworld as a place created by belief, and everyone on Earth is wrong. And while I enjoy fictitious speculation as much as the next person, I couldn't help but think, 'what is this author trying to tell me, as an impressionable young teen reader? Does she really believe this, or is this purely for the sake of fiction?'
Also, the Necropolis is created by collective beliefs and yet there's no technology??? This allows for swords and the like, but come on, although I prefer sword fights over gun fights any day, there is zero logic to this. Needless to say, I didn't really bond with Dom or any of the characters at this stage. Dom copes a little too well to his move to the Afterworld, and it's not very convincing.
However, there were still some positives. In this version of events, the earth used to have dragons, and all these other majestic creatures that could communicate telepathically. I really liked this concept of not belittling the past, that it was actually more epic than we know, that it actually surpassed all the great sciences that we have today.
'Do you think we lived in a swap? Or a cave?' She laughed... 'You think we crawled out of the mud and wandered around for centuries trying to start a fire?'... 'We lived for hundreds of years, Dominic... We flew great distances... We had commerce across the entire planet.'
Part II- The Trials was actually pretty great. I flew through this section hardly putting it down. The Trials are these games where the participants fight to earn their 'minutes' to enter the maze (sort of complicated, if you're curious you'll have to read the book), but if they lose, they'll be locked in a container to drown for the rest of their eternal lives. While they don't fight other people, they fight through situations where they have to endure tremendous pain. To Lounsbury's credit, these scenes were very well written, the plot ruthless and the style incredibly cinematic. These arena scenes were gripping, surprisingly creative and addictive, and I felt, made up for where other aspects fell short.
These were such as the characters (again), and the romance. Kaide, Dom's sister, also arrives at the Afterworld, and finds out that Dom is being forced into the trials by Satarial (not a spoiler guys, it's in the blurb). Instead of being horrified at the truly horrific stakes of these cruel games where Dom would essentially be repeatedly tortured, she says to Dom, "oh calm down with the melodrama" ... ... ... REALLY?!?!?! The romance was equally as unconvincing. It sort of goes from zero to hero very very quickly, but I guess once it was there I just accepted it. The same goes to the fighting skills he gets, he just gets them transferred to him, and it was disappointing as often the journey is the most enjoyable part for the reader, like the awesome training montages in movies.
Part III- The Maze was different stylistically with the introduction of POVs from Kaide, and Eva (the love interest). It was a great move as the characters became more dimensional, and it was easier to like them or at least understand them. The section was a lot more mythical, but still had lots of action. The epilogue was unfortunately extremely disappointing, to me it made the whole novel seem sort of pointless but nevertheless, I still thought the book was okay.
The three distinctly different parts mean that if you do end up reading it and want to DNF, I would definitely recommend sticking with it because the plot, writing style and tone of each section are different and will appeal to different readers. It's sort of like a condensed trilogy. I would recommend this novel for lovers of action, it you're a chick-lit girl, this one is probably not for you because the romance isn't exactly outstanding. However, the fight scenes are well worth the read.
March 2, 2019
I really didn't enjoy this book. There was an attempt to cover too much and some of the subversion was a little to heavy-handed and predictable in places. Towards the middle-end of part two I started to get a little more invested, or at least somewhat interested, but still it never really hooked me. Some of it just didn't make sense. Like if the afterworld was created by the beliefs of people from all faith backgrounds, then why were all the deities they met ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman? One of the characters came from India.. surely some of the manifold Indian deities should have played a noticeable role in this afterworld? On a similar note, a lot of incidental (or maybe they were meant to be significant) characters - Noah, Enoch, nephilim - were taken from biblical mythology, but that was another deity who didn't make it into the realm of the afterworld, apart from a brief, almost scoffing remark by an angel about the belief in such a deity. I don't know, so much about the book's mythology seemed flawed. Anyway, I just felt that she was trying too hard to do too much, so I never cared about the characters or their struggles or their histories or the coincidences that brought them together. I would not have completed it if it hadn't been set as book club material.
Having said all that, some kids I know have enjoyed it - but only after they struggled through to part 2.
The epilogue should have been scrapped altogether as it detracted from what might have been a decent ending.
Having said all that, some kids I know have enjoyed it - but only after they struggled through to part 2.
The epilogue should have been scrapped altogether as it detracted from what might have been a decent ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2018
To me, this book seemed like it was written in a hurry. Everything just kept happening with no real breathing room, which I guess fits the setting of the Necropolis, but I didn't really feel connected to any of the characters. However, it was an interesting concept, and I did enjoy it when it really got to the main action. The descriptions were also quite nice, it's just a shame that I couldn't really connect to the characters or their story.
October 6, 2017
Awesome book! I found it exciting from start to finish as I don't usually read books like this. As a matter of fact, I have never read a book like this.
I really liked the whole concept of the book, everything was well though out and the Necropolis was well planned.
5/5 stars!
I really liked the whole concept of the book, everything was well though out and the Necropolis was well planned.
5/5 stars!
February 18, 2014
Unexpectedly poignant and philosophical, Afterword imagines existence after death and the trauma and challenges that go with it. Dominic is dead, but instead of finding heaven, he finds himself in the Necropolis, the City of the Dead, where he has to train and earn minutes to tackle the next stage of death, called the Maze.
The best thing about this book is the world-building. I found it extremely clever - an amalgamation of all of humanity's collective thoughts about life and death. Figures from all religions make appearances, and I love how the emphasis is on how all religions are correct, rather than just one or two. I think some readers will find this book confronting, because of how the issue of religion and the afterlife is handled, but I enjoyed this aspect and loved delving deeper into philosophies that are the backbone of this story. I enjoyed the appearances of the Egyptian deities the most, but also liked that figures from Greek mythology and the Old Testament played large parts.
I loved the three stages of the narrative: the introduction to the City, Dominic's Trials, and then finally the hectic journey inside the Maze. Each of these sections teaches Dominic something new, and the character development Dominic goes through is both natural and amazing. He initially struggles, as most would, to understand the history of his world and his place in it, and the nature of this afterlife. Each section is stylistically different and almost feels like a different book, with the last section even going as far as introducing new points of view. I think this is also a wonderful way to tell a story because the plot doesn't stagnate, and instead the challenges that the characters face and the very scenery of the book change periodically to keep things interesting.
In terms of characters, I found it difficult to connect with Dominic, and found myself preferring his sister Kaide, or his Guide Eva. Dom's outlook on life didn't sit well with me, I definitely have more in common with Eva and Kaide than I do with him. He is written very well, however, and I think he stayed true to himself throughout the narrative, by which I mean that I found his motivations and aspirations were consistent throughout the book. My favourite character is definitely Dom's mentor Eduardo - who brings lightness to the narrative with his sense of humour, but is also full of great advice. I'm so glad he got his happy ending!
I wasn't expecting Kaide to the large role that she did - Afterworld is sometimes more a story of the two siblings, rather than just about Dominic. She's the spark that gets people thinking, and eventually she manages to change the way a whole race acts. I like that she's so integral to the plot because I would have hated for the alternative: if she'd just been in the opening few chapters and then her memories held Dominic back in the afterlife.
I must confess that I did not like the way the book ended. Although it is a sappy happy-ever-after kind of deal, I was unsatisfied because it seemed anticlimactic after everything Dominic and Eva had been through and even seemed to render their journey as pointless.
I'd never heard of Afterworld before it was generously sent to me by the publisher, and it's been an absolute delight to read. The story-world captivated me, the characters are great, and the narrative is unique. I'm very glad to have read it, and think fans of the fantasy fiction will enjoy it.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
The best thing about this book is the world-building. I found it extremely clever - an amalgamation of all of humanity's collective thoughts about life and death. Figures from all religions make appearances, and I love how the emphasis is on how all religions are correct, rather than just one or two. I think some readers will find this book confronting, because of how the issue of religion and the afterlife is handled, but I enjoyed this aspect and loved delving deeper into philosophies that are the backbone of this story. I enjoyed the appearances of the Egyptian deities the most, but also liked that figures from Greek mythology and the Old Testament played large parts.
I loved the three stages of the narrative: the introduction to the City, Dominic's Trials, and then finally the hectic journey inside the Maze. Each of these sections teaches Dominic something new, and the character development Dominic goes through is both natural and amazing. He initially struggles, as most would, to understand the history of his world and his place in it, and the nature of this afterlife. Each section is stylistically different and almost feels like a different book, with the last section even going as far as introducing new points of view. I think this is also a wonderful way to tell a story because the plot doesn't stagnate, and instead the challenges that the characters face and the very scenery of the book change periodically to keep things interesting.
In terms of characters, I found it difficult to connect with Dominic, and found myself preferring his sister Kaide, or his Guide Eva. Dom's outlook on life didn't sit well with me, I definitely have more in common with Eva and Kaide than I do with him. He is written very well, however, and I think he stayed true to himself throughout the narrative, by which I mean that I found his motivations and aspirations were consistent throughout the book. My favourite character is definitely Dom's mentor Eduardo - who brings lightness to the narrative with his sense of humour, but is also full of great advice. I'm so glad he got his happy ending!
I wasn't expecting Kaide to the large role that she did - Afterworld is sometimes more a story of the two siblings, rather than just about Dominic. She's the spark that gets people thinking, and eventually she manages to change the way a whole race acts. I like that she's so integral to the plot because I would have hated for the alternative: if she'd just been in the opening few chapters and then her memories held Dominic back in the afterlife.
I must confess that I did not like the way the book ended. Although it is a sappy happy-ever-after kind of deal, I was unsatisfied because it seemed anticlimactic after everything Dominic and Eva had been through and even seemed to render their journey as pointless.
I'd never heard of Afterworld before it was generously sent to me by the publisher, and it's been an absolute delight to read. The story-world captivated me, the characters are great, and the narrative is unique. I'm very glad to have read it, and think fans of the fantasy fiction will enjoy it.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
You can read more of my reviews at Speculating on SpecFic .
September 6, 2016
I chose this as my February Book of the Month for the bookshop where I work.
In most cultures and religions, it is believed that the dead will be rewarded for their good deeds in life with an eternal afterlife in paradise. At 15 years old, Dom is disconcerted to find that the afterworld isn’t nearly as simple as that, when he becomes the youngest person to ever enter Necropolis, the city of the dead.
Though Necropolis is a city, it was only intended to act as a rather large and complex “waiting room” for the dead, a place in which they could work to earn minutes and train to prepare themselves for their next journey, through the Maze to be judged, and onwards. But the Necropolis’s purpose has been perverted over the centuries, largely by the Nephilim Satarial, who has transformed what used to be a training arena into a Colosseum where competitors’ afterlives hang in the balance for the bloodthirsty entertainment of the crowd. In the Arena, hand-picked competitors face unique challenges for the chance to win entry to the Maze with a full hourglass of minutes, but the penalty for failing is not so easy as death - an eternity of torment, because the dead can’t die again.
With the stern Eva as his Guide through the afterlife and the mysterious drunkard Eduardo his Guardian, Dom just wants to keep his head down, work hard to earn enough minutes to get him through the Maze, and maybe find out what happened to his sister, Kaide, who he believes died in the car crash with him. But the afterlife doesn’t give Dom a break, and Satarial soon shows a rather sinister interest in Dom, and, more unsettlingly, in Kaide, whose current status and whereabouts still remain a mystery. Furthermore, Satarial is insistent that he will have Dom compete in his Arena, and everyone keeps telling Dom that, in spite of his desire to quietly go about his business, he’s somehow going to give the afterworld the shake-up it sorely needs...
Afterworld presents a very interesting concept of what the afterlife might be like, taking into account the myriad of religions and cultures that have differing opinions on what happens to one’s soul after death. The plot was thrilling, engaging, full of adventure and also thought-provoking. The characters were also a strong point of the novel: each was fully-formed, relatable, and their motivations all too human (sometimes frustratingly so). I was easily hooked, and my mind kept returning to the story and trying to figure out what would happen next every time I had to put the book down.
In most cultures and religions, it is believed that the dead will be rewarded for their good deeds in life with an eternal afterlife in paradise. At 15 years old, Dom is disconcerted to find that the afterworld isn’t nearly as simple as that, when he becomes the youngest person to ever enter Necropolis, the city of the dead.
Though Necropolis is a city, it was only intended to act as a rather large and complex “waiting room” for the dead, a place in which they could work to earn minutes and train to prepare themselves for their next journey, through the Maze to be judged, and onwards. But the Necropolis’s purpose has been perverted over the centuries, largely by the Nephilim Satarial, who has transformed what used to be a training arena into a Colosseum where competitors’ afterlives hang in the balance for the bloodthirsty entertainment of the crowd. In the Arena, hand-picked competitors face unique challenges for the chance to win entry to the Maze with a full hourglass of minutes, but the penalty for failing is not so easy as death - an eternity of torment, because the dead can’t die again.
With the stern Eva as his Guide through the afterlife and the mysterious drunkard Eduardo his Guardian, Dom just wants to keep his head down, work hard to earn enough minutes to get him through the Maze, and maybe find out what happened to his sister, Kaide, who he believes died in the car crash with him. But the afterlife doesn’t give Dom a break, and Satarial soon shows a rather sinister interest in Dom, and, more unsettlingly, in Kaide, whose current status and whereabouts still remain a mystery. Furthermore, Satarial is insistent that he will have Dom compete in his Arena, and everyone keeps telling Dom that, in spite of his desire to quietly go about his business, he’s somehow going to give the afterworld the shake-up it sorely needs...
Afterworld presents a very interesting concept of what the afterlife might be like, taking into account the myriad of religions and cultures that have differing opinions on what happens to one’s soul after death. The plot was thrilling, engaging, full of adventure and also thought-provoking. The characters were also a strong point of the novel: each was fully-formed, relatable, and their motivations all too human (sometimes frustratingly so). I was easily hooked, and my mind kept returning to the story and trying to figure out what would happen next every time I had to put the book down.
July 25, 2014
Reviewed for Confessions From Romaholics
Afterworld explores the what if’s, if someone dies to too early and offers explanation for life after death. It’s an interesting concept that could be something amazing but you by know I call the book with very few emotions. Dom our hero is a teenager who is wise than then his years in a nutshell. Brought up in a diverse family, he and his sister Kaide are close despite both being adopted . Their relationship is probably one of the highlights of this book and what spurred me on to read this book to the finish as the book doesn’t have a lot going for it to make me love it.
Never have I sat down to write a review and go blank. Usually there is something to rave about or something that I didn’t like in a book. Well , Afterworld is a bit of puzzle with me. I get the idea of the book and like the characters because of their diversity but that is it! There is no emotions most of the time from these characters and if there is any emotions , it only because the characters are thinking about the past or before the lead dies.
I know it supposed to be exploring the Afterlife but you would expect to feel something with this book and be able to connect to the character this way. It something that we expect when it comes to reading a book. We expect to hate , love or something with a book. Well with this one I can’t say anything in that respect. I don’t love or hate it. It just a book I read that was okay and that was it …
This a massive disappointment for me as the blurb promised some entertainment and action and to be honest but time it got to the good part I was kinda over this book. The writing was solid but I could see the answer to questions and what was going to happen because the way the characters were heading along the journey in the Necropolis.
3 couples and I wished that I would had more emotions as there was a good story here that I would enjoyed a lot more if there was.
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Afterworld explores the what if’s, if someone dies to too early and offers explanation for life after death. It’s an interesting concept that could be something amazing but you by know I call the book with very few emotions. Dom our hero is a teenager who is wise than then his years in a nutshell. Brought up in a diverse family, he and his sister Kaide are close despite both being adopted . Their relationship is probably one of the highlights of this book and what spurred me on to read this book to the finish as the book doesn’t have a lot going for it to make me love it.
Never have I sat down to write a review and go blank. Usually there is something to rave about or something that I didn’t like in a book. Well , Afterworld is a bit of puzzle with me. I get the idea of the book and like the characters because of their diversity but that is it! There is no emotions most of the time from these characters and if there is any emotions , it only because the characters are thinking about the past or before the lead dies.
I know it supposed to be exploring the Afterlife but you would expect to feel something with this book and be able to connect to the character this way. It something that we expect when it comes to reading a book. We expect to hate , love or something with a book. Well with this one I can’t say anything in that respect. I don’t love or hate it. It just a book I read that was okay and that was it …
This a massive disappointment for me as the blurb promised some entertainment and action and to be honest but time it got to the good part I was kinda over this book. The writing was solid but I could see the answer to questions and what was going to happen because the way the characters were heading along the journey in the Necropolis.
3 couples and I wished that I would had more emotions as there was a good story here that I would enjoyed a lot more if there was.
For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
January 13, 2014
From the beginning the concept of Afterworld intrigued me as no one has ever written a story about the afterlife from the dead's point of view, let alone made it an adventure, I mean who knew that death could be just as busy or as chaotic as life? Lynette Lounsbury did! Her imagination brought about a fantastic story about the death a 15 year old boy, who is guided by a young girl (who he instantly falls for) and a Guardian (that he befriends) and puts a twist on our "living" history of characters from the Bible, Egyptian Gods, Angels and varying degrees of religious beliefs. There was plenty of action and mystery - why was Dom in Necropolis? Where was his sister? What was going to happen?
At every turn there was a twist that felt like I should have seen it coming all along because (after all) the moral of the story is that "things happen for a reason". But those twists were still surprising because I didn't know what to expect and when it happened, it just made sense. I loved how she managed to put words of wisdom about life and our choices into the story as well as it felt (in a way) that she was aiming to help those who read the book to find peace within themselves and the power of identity. She connects with the audience on an emotional basis in that respect.
When I finished the book, I also realised that I didn't have to stop and think about the plot or question its believability. It was easy to accept that this afterlife could actually exist because the story unfolded so smoothly and the interactions between characters was heartfelt and real. It was an adventurous ride that anyone wondering about what waits for us at the other "end" will find fascinating and even those that have never even thought about it will consider its possibilities.
Overall Lynette Lounsbury is a fantastic author whose imagination has sparked my interest and I look forward to many more books written by her!
At every turn there was a twist that felt like I should have seen it coming all along because (after all) the moral of the story is that "things happen for a reason". But those twists were still surprising because I didn't know what to expect and when it happened, it just made sense. I loved how she managed to put words of wisdom about life and our choices into the story as well as it felt (in a way) that she was aiming to help those who read the book to find peace within themselves and the power of identity. She connects with the audience on an emotional basis in that respect.
When I finished the book, I also realised that I didn't have to stop and think about the plot or question its believability. It was easy to accept that this afterlife could actually exist because the story unfolded so smoothly and the interactions between characters was heartfelt and real. It was an adventurous ride that anyone wondering about what waits for us at the other "end" will find fascinating and even those that have never even thought about it will consider its possibilities.
Overall Lynette Lounsbury is a fantastic author whose imagination has sparked my interest and I look forward to many more books written by her!
July 22, 2015
3.5 Stars.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/02/a...
Afterworld was slow to start, but provided a rich history and backstory into Dominic's life before he had crossed over. Dominic is from a blended family, his adoptive parents are white, his adoptive sister is Asian and Dominic himself is African American. Dom and Kaide have an easy rapport, teasing one another about their heritage. But where Kaide is happy go lucky, Dom is a deep thinker, emotional and mature beyond his fifteen years. An old soul in the body of a teenage boy. My favourite character was the drunken guardian Eduardo, who himself is hiding a secret. He begun as arrogant, and his less than impressive attitude was exactly what the slow, bland city of Necropolis needed. Satarial is a mild villain, making Afterworld perfect for the younger teen audience, especially teen boys. The Arena and deathly maze will enthrall them.
I loved how Lynnette Lounsbury created a mix of real mythology and make believe, it was enchanting. The Awe, the God representation, felt like a subtle creation to include all religions, making it a suitable read regardless of your own personal beliefs. Unlike so many young adult novels that include mythology, there aren't any long and boring speeches, thank goodness. I applause authors that can create a fantasy world, without turning it into a boring history lesson.
The real action begins when Dominic begins preparing for the arena. From there, it turns into an action adventure, even the sassy Ava gets riled up, especially at Dominic, who begins seeing Ava as more than his personal guide to Necropolis. Teens and even teen boys will really enjoy this one, especially those that enjoy a little Hunger Games style action and adventure.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/02/a...
Afterworld was slow to start, but provided a rich history and backstory into Dominic's life before he had crossed over. Dominic is from a blended family, his adoptive parents are white, his adoptive sister is Asian and Dominic himself is African American. Dom and Kaide have an easy rapport, teasing one another about their heritage. But where Kaide is happy go lucky, Dom is a deep thinker, emotional and mature beyond his fifteen years. An old soul in the body of a teenage boy. My favourite character was the drunken guardian Eduardo, who himself is hiding a secret. He begun as arrogant, and his less than impressive attitude was exactly what the slow, bland city of Necropolis needed. Satarial is a mild villain, making Afterworld perfect for the younger teen audience, especially teen boys. The Arena and deathly maze will enthrall them.
I loved how Lynnette Lounsbury created a mix of real mythology and make believe, it was enchanting. The Awe, the God representation, felt like a subtle creation to include all religions, making it a suitable read regardless of your own personal beliefs. Unlike so many young adult novels that include mythology, there aren't any long and boring speeches, thank goodness. I applause authors that can create a fantasy world, without turning it into a boring history lesson.
The real action begins when Dominic begins preparing for the arena. From there, it turns into an action adventure, even the sassy Ava gets riled up, especially at Dominic, who begins seeing Ava as more than his personal guide to Necropolis. Teens and even teen boys will really enjoy this one, especially those that enjoy a little Hunger Games style action and adventure.
January 3, 2014
Full review at: http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress...
4.5 stars
Ten second synopsis:
Dead-as-a-doornail Dom risks life (figuratively speaking) and limb (literally speaking) to bring hope to the waiting dead and gain access to the next stage of his soul's journey.
Afterworld is a strange beast - not your average, run-of-the-mill YA. Lounsbury has created a story with a vision of life after death that is both imaginative and believable. The characters are largely free of cliche and stereotype. The plot is well-paced and stacked to the gills with interesting ideas drawn from the beyond-death theories of many cultures and religious traditions.
For the citizens of the Necropolis, time is something that is available in spades. I feel that to get the best out of Afterworld, the reader has to be prepared to give it time. Not in the sense that the story is slow, but in the sense that the concepts and worldbuilding are interwoven with such complexity at some points that to put the book down at these points is helpful because it provides some time for better appreciation of what's going on.
This is going to appeal to older readers of YA who are looking for something with a bit of heft and depth - a launching pad for theories of "afterlife" to explore at one's leisure. A perfect book club choice, perhaps?
I received a print ARC copy of Afterworld from the publisher in return for an honest review.
4.5 stars
Ten second synopsis:
Dead-as-a-doornail Dom risks life (figuratively speaking) and limb (literally speaking) to bring hope to the waiting dead and gain access to the next stage of his soul's journey.
Afterworld is a strange beast - not your average, run-of-the-mill YA. Lounsbury has created a story with a vision of life after death that is both imaginative and believable. The characters are largely free of cliche and stereotype. The plot is well-paced and stacked to the gills with interesting ideas drawn from the beyond-death theories of many cultures and religious traditions.
For the citizens of the Necropolis, time is something that is available in spades. I feel that to get the best out of Afterworld, the reader has to be prepared to give it time. Not in the sense that the story is slow, but in the sense that the concepts and worldbuilding are interwoven with such complexity at some points that to put the book down at these points is helpful because it provides some time for better appreciation of what's going on.
This is going to appeal to older readers of YA who are looking for something with a bit of heft and depth - a launching pad for theories of "afterlife" to explore at one's leisure. A perfect book club choice, perhaps?
I received a print ARC copy of Afterworld from the publisher in return for an honest review.
April 4, 2014
Afterworld is far from shallow fiction for young adults. Lynette Lounsbury has given us a solidly researched and well crafted novel that provides insights for both young readers and adults into the difficult concepts of death and beyond.
It’s clear that Lounsbury has developed a deep understanding of teachings from several major cultures and their historical figures, which she presents clearly and evenly, ultimately suggesting that every traditional idea eventually becomes outdated and prompting us to reconsider the issue for ourselves.
Although there’s no great romance that Twilight readers may hope for, I suspect that's precisely the author’s intention, since the purpose of the book is to educate and challenge our firmly planted ideas about our own mortality. I was also a little surprised to find it only in the Young Adult section, as it would definitely appeal to a much wider audience.
As a parent myself, I imagine it's hard to write a book for young adults in a world that promotes shortcuts to information above finding true meaning, which can only be gained through solid education and slow contemplation. This book is also a valuable counterpoint to the exposure our children receive to some of the darker corners of our world, to which they’re eventually exposed.
I’m really looking forward to Lounsbury's next book and have also now bought her previous book "Jack lives here" to see what treasures that one holds.
It’s clear that Lounsbury has developed a deep understanding of teachings from several major cultures and their historical figures, which she presents clearly and evenly, ultimately suggesting that every traditional idea eventually becomes outdated and prompting us to reconsider the issue for ourselves.
Although there’s no great romance that Twilight readers may hope for, I suspect that's precisely the author’s intention, since the purpose of the book is to educate and challenge our firmly planted ideas about our own mortality. I was also a little surprised to find it only in the Young Adult section, as it would definitely appeal to a much wider audience.
As a parent myself, I imagine it's hard to write a book for young adults in a world that promotes shortcuts to information above finding true meaning, which can only be gained through solid education and slow contemplation. This book is also a valuable counterpoint to the exposure our children receive to some of the darker corners of our world, to which they’re eventually exposed.
I’m really looking forward to Lounsbury's next book and have also now bought her previous book "Jack lives here" to see what treasures that one holds.
July 12, 2015
Afterworld is smart adventure tale about what it’s like to be young and dead.
Beginning with an evocative look at modern day India, this story sees 15-year-old Dom take his problems with him into the afterlife. Dom’s an everyman protagonist from a family that is affluent, diverse, well-intentioned and completely dysfunctional. Now that he’s dead, he must learn to understand himself in the Afterworld; a place where dead souls prepare themselves for grace, reincarnation, oblivion or whatever they have coming to them. Dom no longer has to worry about death--perhaps now he can finally discover how to be alive.
Lounsbury’s afterlife is beautifully realized; seamlessly combining ideas and characters from a variety of different mythologies in a way that is logically consistent and original. Afterworld uses this setting to consider tough questions of about death and the differences between growing up and growing old.
The story never allows exposition to slow it down for long. It’s full of smartly choreographed action, moments of visceral horror, and romantic subplots that never becomes saccharine. This book is well deserving of its Aurealis award nomination. You should read it.
Beginning with an evocative look at modern day India, this story sees 15-year-old Dom take his problems with him into the afterlife. Dom’s an everyman protagonist from a family that is affluent, diverse, well-intentioned and completely dysfunctional. Now that he’s dead, he must learn to understand himself in the Afterworld; a place where dead souls prepare themselves for grace, reincarnation, oblivion or whatever they have coming to them. Dom no longer has to worry about death--perhaps now he can finally discover how to be alive.
Lounsbury’s afterlife is beautifully realized; seamlessly combining ideas and characters from a variety of different mythologies in a way that is logically consistent and original. Afterworld uses this setting to consider tough questions of about death and the differences between growing up and growing old.
The story never allows exposition to slow it down for long. It’s full of smartly choreographed action, moments of visceral horror, and romantic subplots that never becomes saccharine. This book is well deserving of its Aurealis award nomination. You should read it.
January 8, 2015
the descriptive powers of lynnette lounsbury are ,for lack of a better word, incredible, India, she takes you there effortlessly, so much description is packed in and you barely notice...
she does seem to have a thing for dogs dead or alive when describing india, both in the start AND the end.
one thing that kind of struck me as strange and,I have no idea why, was, through out the book she tears apart everything you though you knew about religion and beliefs, yet, on the very last page when thanking the Awe for sending both he (Dominic) and Eve back to life Dom looks up... UP!
If you're unpacking beliefs, atleast get rid of the wierd kind of is kind of isn't look up to find the place were all the dead go stereotype!
throughout all of this, these are just recommendations of what I would change, it was, in my opinion, one of the best books I have ever read... it renewed my wish from when I was 5 to be an angel.
she does seem to have a thing for dogs dead or alive when describing india, both in the start AND the end.
one thing that kind of struck me as strange and,I have no idea why, was, through out the book she tears apart everything you though you knew about religion and beliefs, yet, on the very last page when thanking the Awe for sending both he (Dominic) and Eve back to life Dom looks up... UP!
If you're unpacking beliefs, atleast get rid of the wierd kind of is kind of isn't look up to find the place were all the dead go stereotype!
throughout all of this, these are just recommendations of what I would change, it was, in my opinion, one of the best books I have ever read... it renewed my wish from when I was 5 to be an angel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2014
Wow...first chapter had me hooked and just wanted to keep reading. The book wasn't what I expected and did enjoy it. It was full of twists and turns, adventure and some romance.
The story was based in the present day and the Afterworld (where we go when we die). It is based on the adventures of a 15 year old boy Dom.
Loved how the author used real historical characters that we all know throughout the story from bibical figures like Noah, Egyptain gods, mythical creatures, Cleo Patra even got a mention. Also, some of the scenes reminded me of UFC fighting, gladiator/hunger games stadium and the minotaurs maze.
For a debut YA novel I quite enjoyed it and look forward to reading more Lounsbury books.
The story was based in the present day and the Afterworld (where we go when we die). It is based on the adventures of a 15 year old boy Dom.
Loved how the author used real historical characters that we all know throughout the story from bibical figures like Noah, Egyptain gods, mythical creatures, Cleo Patra even got a mention. Also, some of the scenes reminded me of UFC fighting, gladiator/hunger games stadium and the minotaurs maze.
For a debut YA novel I quite enjoyed it and look forward to reading more Lounsbury books.
March 16, 2014
A remarkable compilation of religious and spiritual beliefs in the afterlife, which some may find confronting. This tale is beautifully told in three parts, on Earth, in the Afterworld and in the Maze.
The author has done a great job of intertwining biblical and mythological characters with those who are living or passed on, as well as tapping into the current trend of fallen angels and Nephilum.
It will appeal to most teens, with a combination of realistic fiction, fantasy, action and paranormal.
Recommended for ages 13+
The author has done a great job of intertwining biblical and mythological characters with those who are living or passed on, as well as tapping into the current trend of fallen angels and Nephilum.
It will appeal to most teens, with a combination of realistic fiction, fantasy, action and paranormal.
Recommended for ages 13+
June 4, 2014
Dom and sister, Kaide are involved in a major car crash in India as a result Dom finds himself dead in a strange city called Necropolis. A guide and a guardian are there to help him through the "afterworld", but Dom attracts a lot of attention from the other dead humans for being the youngest person to reach Necropolis. Then he finds his sister is in the city too, but she shouldn't be as she's not dead. It's a rollicking read with non stop action, a love interest, strange beings, angels, and a labyrinth. The best bit is that it finishes in one book which makes a satisfying change.
August 7, 2016
Afterworld is a fantasy/action adventure.
Afterworld starts off a bit slow, but it picks up the pace after Dom enters the Necropolis. I really I loved the authors idea that there is no one right view of the afterworld. That it is actually created from a blend of everybody's beliefs.
I really enjoyed Afterworld, but I think it is mainly suited to a younger audience (teens/pre-teens) who I believe will love it. It would also make a good movie. 3.5/4.
Afterworld starts off a bit slow, but it picks up the pace after Dom enters the Necropolis. I really I loved the authors idea that there is no one right view of the afterworld. That it is actually created from a blend of everybody's beliefs.
I really enjoyed Afterworld, but I think it is mainly suited to a younger audience (teens/pre-teens) who I believe will love it. It would also make a good movie. 3.5/4.
July 4, 2014
i thought it was great book with cool characters and interesting stories that interconnected to create one big finale. It was cool how Lounsbury incorporated different religions and gods to create an unique interpretation of the afterlife.
i give it a 4.5 but seeing how there isn't one of those and it hasn't reached the 5, 4 stars it is.
i give it a 4.5 but seeing how there isn't one of those and it hasn't reached the 5, 4 stars it is.
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January 3, 2015Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
To be safe, I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
To be safe, I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
March 26, 2014
An interesting read that instantly drew me in. Loved the characters and found myself relating to small pieces of all of them. Enjoyed the sense of adventure and the race against time. Left me wanting to discover more and more about the "afterworld" and its characters. Gripping!
February 23, 2014
This book had a huge potential... But it was drowned out by lackluster writing and a boring character.
August 3, 2014
it was ok
October 1, 2014
like it
November 5, 2015
Quite the premiss. I enjoyed this in that way you enjoy an easy yet captivating read. The characters develop well through the storyline but it isn't obvious. I enjoy that type of subtly.
March 25, 2016
Read for the 2nd time. Kinda wish it had a sequel
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