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The Impact Series
The Aftermath
Lured to a strange hotel populated by stranger guests, Tia unwittingly finds herself at the center of a conspiracy.
It's been almost five years since a wrathful extraterrestrial called Rex perpetrated a mass shooting that caused hundreds of millions of people to take their own lives. The world has mourned its losses and moved on, trying to adhere to The Pledge to save themselves from more violence. But when a solar storm conceals the dangerous activities being done at the hotel, Tia must figure out who these strangers are and what they are doing before the shooting's anniversary.
Are these strange and beautiful people adhering to The Pledge? Or are they creating their own violent and nefarious rules in order to change the world? Tia has only days to determine whose side they are on-not to mention, whose side she is on-but first, she must stay alive.
Westbrook crafted a world that feels both post-apocalyptic and very real to the present. And oh man, when that big reveal hits... watch out. - P.C. Nottingham, sci-fi author of the Earthquake War series
Westbrook has created an imaginative and surprising post-shooting world with suspenseful twists, while providing fascinating commentary on society through the revelations and choices Tia, the main character, confronts. - Chelsea Henderson, author of Glacial, The Inside Story of Climate Politics
Westbrook’s books are spellbinding and enchanting. - Karyne Messina, Ed.D. author, psychoanalyst, and podcast host for The New Books Network
It's been almost five years since a wrathful extraterrestrial called Rex perpetrated a mass shooting that caused hundreds of millions of people to take their own lives. The world has mourned its losses and moved on, trying to adhere to The Pledge to save themselves from more violence. But when a solar storm conceals the dangerous activities being done at the hotel, Tia must figure out who these strangers are and what they are doing before the shooting's anniversary.
Are these strange and beautiful people adhering to The Pledge? Or are they creating their own violent and nefarious rules in order to change the world? Tia has only days to determine whose side they are on-not to mention, whose side she is on-but first, she must stay alive.
Westbrook crafted a world that feels both post-apocalyptic and very real to the present. And oh man, when that big reveal hits... watch out. - P.C. Nottingham, sci-fi author of the Earthquake War series
Westbrook has created an imaginative and surprising post-shooting world with suspenseful twists, while providing fascinating commentary on society through the revelations and choices Tia, the main character, confronts. - Chelsea Henderson, author of Glacial, The Inside Story of Climate Politics
Westbrook’s books are spellbinding and enchanting. - Karyne Messina, Ed.D. author, psychoanalyst, and podcast host for The New Books Network
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a cross between a sci-fi mystery and an environment drama. I loved seeing the world thru Tia’s eyes (the main character) as she marvels at the restoration of the planet and tries to understand what the strangers at the hotel are up to. I also learned a lot about solar flairs and their impact on our planet. And of course there are strong relationships between some of the characters (no spoilers). The book has a strong and explosive ending. Give it a try.
I received an ARC of this book.
I received an ARC of this book.
May 10, 2024
Another winner from CK Westbrook. The Aftermath is a suspenseful sci-fi novel where the main character tries to determine who can be trusted and what is going on in a world that is a mix of utopia and dystopia. There is a twist in the middle that I did not see coming.
I received an ARC of this novel.
I received an ARC of this novel.
July 3, 2024
The Aftermath by CK Westbrook
Coming soon! The Aftermath, which will be available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble on Friday, September the 13th, is well worth your wait.
CK Westbrook’s books are spellbinding and most enchanting. Just when you think you are reading a sci fi book filled with fantastical stories about extra-terrestrial characters who can control all things earthly, it dawns on you that the author is trying to convey something very important about our planet.
A woman of many talents—a mystery writer, an environment expert on space and space debris and someone with a superb imagination—CK Westbrook knows how to tell a story which is what makes her books come to life.
As she begins introducing new characters in The Aftermath who were not known to readers previously, I felt as though I knew what Tia was experiencing as she walked down the street with rowhouses in a neighborhood that was reminiscent of her childhood or was it? Where did she grow up and what does growing up mean in Tia’s world? As the story unfolds these questions become very relevant.
Will there be a fifth book? Will readers have an opportunity to learn more about Rex, Kate, Sinclair, Tia and Ian? I hope with great anticipation that there will be other “teachers” CK Westbrook introduces us to so we can learn more about ourselves, space and her fantasy world that is peppered with truth and fiction.
Karyne Messina, Ed.D. is an author, psychoanalyst, podcast host for The New Books Network and chair of the scholarship and writing committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association’s department of psychoanalytic education.
Coming soon! The Aftermath, which will be available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble on Friday, September the 13th, is well worth your wait.
CK Westbrook’s books are spellbinding and most enchanting. Just when you think you are reading a sci fi book filled with fantastical stories about extra-terrestrial characters who can control all things earthly, it dawns on you that the author is trying to convey something very important about our planet.
A woman of many talents—a mystery writer, an environment expert on space and space debris and someone with a superb imagination—CK Westbrook knows how to tell a story which is what makes her books come to life.
As she begins introducing new characters in The Aftermath who were not known to readers previously, I felt as though I knew what Tia was experiencing as she walked down the street with rowhouses in a neighborhood that was reminiscent of her childhood or was it? Where did she grow up and what does growing up mean in Tia’s world? As the story unfolds these questions become very relevant.
Will there be a fifth book? Will readers have an opportunity to learn more about Rex, Kate, Sinclair, Tia and Ian? I hope with great anticipation that there will be other “teachers” CK Westbrook introduces us to so we can learn more about ourselves, space and her fantasy world that is peppered with truth and fiction.
Karyne Messina, Ed.D. is an author, psychoanalyst, podcast host for The New Books Network and chair of the scholarship and writing committee of the American Psychoanalytic Association’s department of psychoanalytic education.
May 5, 2024
CK Westbrook has created an imaginative and surprising post-shooting world with suspenseful twists, while providing fascinating commentary on society through the revelations and choices Tia, the main character, confronts. Westbrook's fourth installment of The Impact Series is as fast-paced and thrilling as the others. I highly recommend The Aftermath. (I received an ARC of this book.)
August 7, 2026
The Aftermath (The Impact Series Book 4) by CK Westbrook is a gripping post-apocalyptic science-fiction thriller that combines conspiracy, psychological suspense, and social commentary.
Nearly five years after the devastating actions of an extraterrestrial named Rex triggered a mass catastrophe and the deaths of hundreds of millions, humanity has attempted to rebuild. Society now lives according to The Pledge, a commitment designed to prevent another outbreak of violence. But beneath this fragile sense of stability, something sinister may be developing.
Tia becomes unexpectedly drawn into the mystery when she arrives at a strange hotel filled with equally strange, and unusually beautiful, guests. What initially seems like an ordinary encounter quickly becomes something much darker. A solar storm provides cover for suspicious activities taking place inside the hotel, and with the anniversary of the devastating shooting approaching, Tia realizes she has only a limited amount of time to uncover the truth.
The central mystery keeps growing: Are the hotel’s inhabitants genuinely committed to The Pledge, or are they secretly preparing to reshape society according to their own dangerous rules? As Tia searches for answers, she is forced to question not only the people around her but also her own loyalties and beliefs.
What makes the story particularly compelling is its combination of a futuristic setting with recognizable social and psychological concerns. The novel explores how societies respond to collective trauma, how fear can influence behavior, and how easily the desire for security can become entangled with control.
Nearly five years after the devastating actions of an extraterrestrial named Rex triggered a mass catastrophe and the deaths of hundreds of millions, humanity has attempted to rebuild. Society now lives according to The Pledge, a commitment designed to prevent another outbreak of violence. But beneath this fragile sense of stability, something sinister may be developing.
Tia becomes unexpectedly drawn into the mystery when she arrives at a strange hotel filled with equally strange, and unusually beautiful, guests. What initially seems like an ordinary encounter quickly becomes something much darker. A solar storm provides cover for suspicious activities taking place inside the hotel, and with the anniversary of the devastating shooting approaching, Tia realizes she has only a limited amount of time to uncover the truth.
The central mystery keeps growing: Are the hotel’s inhabitants genuinely committed to The Pledge, or are they secretly preparing to reshape society according to their own dangerous rules? As Tia searches for answers, she is forced to question not only the people around her but also her own loyalties and beliefs.
What makes the story particularly compelling is its combination of a futuristic setting with recognizable social and psychological concerns. The novel explores how societies respond to collective trauma, how fear can influence behavior, and how easily the desire for security can become entangled with control.
November 11, 2026
C.K. Westbrook’s The Aftermath is an imaginative science-fiction thriller that explores a world still living with the consequences of an extraordinary extraterrestrial catastrophe. Nearly five years after Rex’s devastating attack, humanity has attempted to rebuild by embracing The Pledge, a commitment intended to prevent further violence. Against this uneasy backdrop, Tia becomes entangled in a dangerous mystery after being lured to a hotel filled with unusual guests.
The novel builds suspense around the hotel’s hidden activities and the uncertainty surrounding its occupants. With a solar storm concealing what is happening, Tia has only days to discover the truth before the anniversary of the original tragedy. Her investigation raises compelling questions about loyalty, morality, and whether the strangers are genuinely following The Pledge or pursuing a more dangerous agenda.
One of the book’s strongest features is its combination of speculative storytelling and social commentary. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere feels connected to recognizable concerns about violence, collective trauma, and the choices people make when society is under pressure. The mystery and promised revelations add further intrigue, making the story appealing to readers who enjoy suspenseful science fiction with thought-provoking themes.
Overall, The Aftermath offers a gripping exploration of survival, conspiracy, and human uncertainty. It is a compelling choice for readers who appreciate imaginative dystopian worlds, unexpected twists, and science fiction that encourages reflection beyond the story itself.
The novel builds suspense around the hotel’s hidden activities and the uncertainty surrounding its occupants. With a solar storm concealing what is happening, Tia has only days to discover the truth before the anniversary of the original tragedy. Her investigation raises compelling questions about loyalty, morality, and whether the strangers are genuinely following The Pledge or pursuing a more dangerous agenda.
One of the book’s strongest features is its combination of speculative storytelling and social commentary. The post-apocalyptic atmosphere feels connected to recognizable concerns about violence, collective trauma, and the choices people make when society is under pressure. The mystery and promised revelations add further intrigue, making the story appealing to readers who enjoy suspenseful science fiction with thought-provoking themes.
Overall, The Aftermath offers a gripping exploration of survival, conspiracy, and human uncertainty. It is a compelling choice for readers who appreciate imaginative dystopian worlds, unexpected twists, and science fiction that encourages reflection beyond the story itself.
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September 14, 2025I went into The Aftermath with high expectations, but the book left me disappointed. The plot, while promising at the start, quickly became confusing and predictable. Instead of feeling like a gripping post-apocalyptic thriller, much of the narrative dragged with unnecessary detail and uneven pacing.
The characters are supposed to be complex, but they often come across as inconsistent or unconvincing, which made it difficult to stay invested in their struggles. Dialogue that should have revealed depth or advanced the plot sometimes felt forced or repetitive.
Overall, the book lacks the tension and polish needed to truly hold a reader’s attention. For a story that should have been thrilling, it fell flat. I can’t recommend this one.
The characters are supposed to be complex, but they often come across as inconsistent or unconvincing, which made it difficult to stay invested in their struggles. Dialogue that should have revealed depth or advanced the plot sometimes felt forced or repetitive.
Overall, the book lacks the tension and polish needed to truly hold a reader’s attention. For a story that should have been thrilling, it fell flat. I can’t recommend this one.
May 23, 2024
Tia's predicament made me eager to keep returning to the book. Westbrook crafted a world that feels both post-apocalyptic and very real to the present. Lots of sci fi forces the reader to ask millions of what if questions to the point where it almost becomes inaccessible, but The Aftermath only has one, so even people who don't normally enjoy sci fi can pick this up and love it as much as the typical sci fi reader.
And oh man, when that big reveal hits... watch out.
This is a book 4 in a series, but my first time reading any of them. I never once had to scratch my head about the previous books' events: all the explanation and recap felt natural and relevant.
And oh man, when that big reveal hits... watch out.
This is a book 4 in a series, but my first time reading any of them. I never once had to scratch my head about the previous books' events: all the explanation and recap felt natural and relevant.
May 30, 2024
I love this story. Much of the inspiration for The Aftermath came from readers of the first three books in “The Impact Series”, The Shooting, The Collision, and The Judgment. Readers had thoughts and questions about what the world would be like after a global mass shooting. What would the world be like without guns? Would it be dystopia? Would it be paradise? This book, The Aftermath, takes place five years after the mass shooting and attempts to answer some of the questions, in a creative, suspenseful, and thought-provoking way. I hope people enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
May 27, 2024
A totally unexpected and thrilling story following the Impacts Series trilogy. A must read and a page turner.
When we thought the people on Earth had finally come to terms and were adhering to The Pledge, living a better life of togetherness. A fearless young woman uncovers a conspiracy and starts to learn who she is and who she wants to be.
When we thought the people on Earth had finally come to terms and were adhering to The Pledge, living a better life of togetherness. A fearless young woman uncovers a conspiracy and starts to learn who she is and who she wants to be.
September 29, 2024
I really enjoyed The Aftermath. Real life issues…CK Westbrook brings these issues to the surface. Imagine if we had a Pledge to sign. The world would be a much better place.
October 7, 2024
What a page turner! Loved the new characters and the twist on the story and world created in the first three Impact books. It kept me guessing right up until the last chapter.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews