Symbol of the Dead

The Afterlife Chronicles #1

by James Paradie

Luke Hawkins is not a popular teenager. His parents think he's an odd one; he has no friends and has seen many shrinks. When his parents go on vacation, they leave him with his estranged sister, Samantha. What looks to be a terrible week turns out quite differently than expected. Luke never knew that he and his sister share a passionate interest in the paranormal, specifically in spirits. Luke finds an old book that gives instructions on how to get to the other side--the Afterlife ... and Luke and Sam embark on an otherworldly adventure. Breaking laws they didn't know existed, they become "most wanted" by Afterlife authorities. Their only help is from a whacky scientist and a king from a world of Afterlife rejects, and the Afterlife's most notorious, rebellious bad-boy spirit. For Luke and Sam, nothing is ever quite what it seems to be in the dimensions beyond the Symbol of the Dead.

***This edition of the book is NO longer available.***

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2013

About the author

**IMPORTANT NOTICE**

If you have a review site and would like a free copy of my book, just send me a message with your info (just a link to your review site is fine) and I will be more than happy to send you a copy. I'm looking for more reviews of my work and I love to hear what people think!

Hello, fellow readers and authors. How's it going? I am a brand new author, very proud to say. My first book, The Afterlife Chronicles: Symbol of the Dead (Book 1) came out on December 6th, 2013. It is on Good Reads, so look it up, or maybe it will be on my profile somewhere.

What got me into writing?

My grandfather, who sadly passed away a year before my book came out, used to tell me true stories of when he was a kid, teenager, and etc. And I just loved hearing his stories and how it grasped not just me, but other people. I loved that attention to entertain people. Sure, other books, TV shows, and movies have influenced me, but he was the biggest influence.

A Little Bit About Me:

I was born in Franklin, NH. I grew up with my mother and her parents (my Pops and Nana). I had a pretty boring childhood. Quite the shy kid in school, kept to myself. Left school, nothing happened for a while (I know this is so riveting!) and in January of 2009, I started writing for various small newspapers with my column called Scared Sheetless. It was a column about my experiences with the paranormal, as I am a real life Ghostbuster if you will, just without the Proton Packs, of course. And since then, the paranormal and writing has engulfed my life. Can't complain. Having a good time with it.

More to come. Feel free to add me as a friend and give me suggestions for great reads. Take care, guys.

Reviews

[NickReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 RIGORY STARS!

I can't say I didn't enjoy this.It was a great read.And one of the funniest books I have ever read.Also is one of the most unique books ever written.There were some moments I couldn't stop laughing because of some dirty jokes and there were thrilling moments too.Also the characters are hilarious and funny.The ending was quite good and it clarified some things I didn't understand about the story and the characters.I couldn't put the book down.

However I have some critics about this book:

The beginning was somehow unclear and fast.There are some great characters in this book and I think the author should have described them more because I really wanted to get to know them better.Even after reading the book I still can't imagine some of the characters' appearance.
Also I think there are a lot of things going on on this book.I know it is a fantasy novel but that was to much.And the story moves really fast, like very fast and it was hard to imagine the situation because one moment something happened and the next another.And maybe this is just me but I had some problems with the book being written in third person.

Okay... let's move with the story :

This book is about boy called Luke,an odd, not so popular teenager who is staying with his sister Sam because his parents are going on vacation.He barely knows his sister and heard some pretty weird stuffs about her.After their parents leave Luke start to explore the house he's staying and sees some the work of his sister on some magazines and the wall.He's very excited because he and Sam share the same interest in the paranormal,spiritual stuff.After a tour his eyes catch a book called "The Afterlife Codex".He opens it and learns about the the Afterlife.He's thrilled to know about this place so without hesitation he draws a symbol known as the symbol of the dead and the next moment he finds himself in a whole new world.Everything changes for Luke but also for Sam who's trying now to save her brother.And here starts this epic story.

The characters:

Luke

I liked this character.I can relate so much him.He is so curious about things and likes to explore and also is smart and determined.

Sam

As cold as Sam seems she actually takes responsibility and cares for people she loves.She is also a smart girl and I like her dark side.

Rigor

Rigor is my favorite character.His humor is hilarious.I like his dirty jokes and the way he talks to people.It's so funny and exciting.Also behind that carefree and emotionless ghost is someone who actually cares about his friends.

I highly recommend this book to readers who like children/teen paranormal fiction.It's a great and unique book and it gives you a lot of laughs , believe me!

[Vlada · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads*
James, thank you very much and sorry for the following poor English :)

Well, that was really entertaining! The book is full of humor, adventures and fascinating characters. I enjoyed every page of it, the plot was like a roller coaster, most of the time I couldn't predict what would be happening next.
What's lacking a bit (to me personal) is a more close description of the Afterlife and the Hollow Hill, would love to know more about these two worlds. Though the story is enthralling it seems like everything is happening in some hypothetical places. I hope that author will elaborate and make them more real in the following book which I'll definitely read:)

[Spookylady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Hawkins receives the much-dreaded task of watching her estranged younger brother, Luke, while their dad and stepmother go on vacation. What’s most ironic to Sam is that Luke is 18 years old but their parents don’t trust him enough to stay at home alone. After all it was only a couple of weeks ago he set the staircase on fire.

Neither sibling is thrilled with the arrangement but they soon begin to connect over Sam’s job as a writer/photographer for a paranormal investigation magazine. When Sam goes to take a nap Luke comes across a very intriguing book called The Afterlife Codex.

Luke’s curiosity gets the best of him and he reads the book, following instructions for how to open a portal to the Afterlife. “It’s just a book,” he scoffs. But Luke discovers he really HAS opened a portal – and before Sam can react he disappears into it. This means Sam has to open the portal too and follow Luke through it in order to rescue him from whatever might be on the other side.

Sam finds herself in Hollow Hill where she meets folklore icon Dr. Vigor Venktor, who might just be able to help her and Luke get back to the living world. That’s if she can find Luke, who’s in a whole different part of the Afterlife.

In the more dangerous side of the hereafter Luke carefully navigates through the strange world he’s been thrown into. He hears about someone who might be able to help him get home, but help isn’t exactly what Luke will find when he looks up the Afterlife’s most atrocious bad boy: Rigor Mortis.

The most dangerous part of Sam and Luke ending up in the Afterlife is that their life isn’t after – they’re both still alive. And the living aren’t exactly welcome in the world of the dead…

I immediately adored both Sam and Luke. When they were in trouble I found myself worrying about them and when they were achieving successes I cheered them on. Though they start out in different parts of the Afterlife the parts blend together seamlessly to create one heck of a fun and crazy voyage.

Readers will likely have a l0ve-hate rapport with Rigor; he’s flat-out obnoxious, hilarious and ridiculous all at once. The benevolent and persevering king Jack Relick has enough patience to deal with Rigor when no one else can. The colorful citizens of the Afterlife and Hollow Hill carry the story along: vampires, ghosts, werewolves, witches and more.

Anyone who’s read books by Claire Chilton or Christopher Moore will really enjoy this book. Horror-comedy isn’t a widely recognized genre but with books like James’s I’m sure it soon will be.

[Eccentric Editions · Rating 3 out of 5]

***3.5 ***
I was given the copy in exchange of honest review.
I liked the story. The afterlife sounds good. The journey was cool and the life in afterlife being same as life.
The beginning was good but it didn't connected with me. In some place the I felt Rigour's being pervert was unnecessary; well I guess it's his character. I started liking more after him helping Sam with her job and got to know him, why he is like he is.
Rigour Mortis is a dork, he is an idiot perv, which made me laugh some time. Luke and Sam who haven't known each other, other than they exsist gets to know each other and care for each other.
Then Jack, Dr. Vigour, Katrina and their daughter, are cool, they all made story more good.
Overall I liked it and would love to know what happens next.

[Daen Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, James Paradie, takes an interesting twist on the standards that have developed for paranormal fiction. His characters do not behave as I expected from the current crop of paranormal fiction. If you are looking for another version of Twilight, don't look here. This book is a humorous look at what our experiences could be like. This refreshing read was a good break from 'mainstream' (read repetitive) paranormal fiction. It doesn't just stand out from the crowd, it's light years ahead.

If you are looking for a unique novel, this book is a must read!