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Afterlife #3
Earth: The Afterlife Series III
Recently deceased friends Kate and Daniel have been promoted, and are now in charge of renewing the Earth for a New Age. However they haven't had a lot of training in their new jobs, they have several forces against them, and their own friendship is on the rocks as their attempts to work together makes things even worse.
ebook
First published January 1, 2007
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308 people want to read
About the author
Mur Lafferty
114 books1,785 followersNOTE- Goodreads mail is NOT a good way to get in touch with me. I don't get notifications of questions and I'm rarely here. Please contact me via my website, murverse.com.
Mur Lafferty is the author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Hugo and Nebula nominated novel Six Wakes, The Shambling Guides series, and several self pubbed novels and novellas, including the award winning Afterlife series. She is the host of the Hugo-winning podcast Ditch Diggers, and the long-running I Should Be Writing. She is the recipient of the John Campbell Award for best new writer, the Manly Wade Wellman Award, the Best Fancast Hugo Award, and joined the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, its inaugural year.
Mur Lafferty is the author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Hugo and Nebula nominated novel Six Wakes, The Shambling Guides series, and several self pubbed novels and novellas, including the award winning Afterlife series. She is the host of the Hugo-winning podcast Ditch Diggers, and the long-running I Should Be Writing. She is the recipient of the John Campbell Award for best new writer, the Manly Wade Wellman Award, the Best Fancast Hugo Award, and joined the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, its inaugural year.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 22, 2015
This feels like a transition story to be honest. Nothing much happens. Well, that's kinda unfair, lots of stuff happens I suppose, but nothing comes to any conclusion. Even in a series of stories like these, there has to be some conclusions in each story to make it a progression. Kate and Daniel are running Heaven and Hell respectively now they are gods. Kate seems to be having an easier time of it – at least her minions are being helpful and not trying to overthrow her. Daniel is struggling more. A lot more. But it's OK because Kate is cutting him pretty much zero slack (what did she ever see in him?). I can see the characters that Lafferty is trying to portray here: Kate is doing things the proper way and Daniel is a shortcut seeking corner cutter. Apparently when you're gods there is no excuse for shortcuts – at least in the opinion of the one having the easier time of things. It doesn't help Daniel's case that his shortcuts go drastically wrong, but it's not like he planned it that way.
At the end of the previous story the Earth was destroyed, causing a massive influx of souls to the heavens and hells. The missing Earth though is causing an imbalance in the universe and Kate and Daniel are charged with recreating the Earth ASAP. Recreating the Earth seems to also create three continents and a whole new religion. And this is where things start to get confusing. There's a new religion on Earth, plus all the gods in Kate's head, plus everybody else that they keep running into. The various heavens and hells appear to be running into each other. I was never sure quite how deliberate this confusion was. If it was something that Lafferty was going for as part of a transition from the first half of the story to the second; or if this was just the middle-story-confusion that often seems to hit otherwise excellent series?
At the end of the previous story the Earth was destroyed, causing a massive influx of souls to the heavens and hells. The missing Earth though is causing an imbalance in the universe and Kate and Daniel are charged with recreating the Earth ASAP. Recreating the Earth seems to also create three continents and a whole new religion. And this is where things start to get confusing. There's a new religion on Earth, plus all the gods in Kate's head, plus everybody else that they keep running into. The various heavens and hells appear to be running into each other. I was never sure quite how deliberate this confusion was. If it was something that Lafferty was going for as part of a transition from the first half of the story to the second; or if this was just the middle-story-confusion that often seems to hit otherwise excellent series?
June 9, 2013
This series just keeps getting more and more interesting. Our main characters have been elevated to the status of gods (essentially taking over from the last gods), and each of them is trying to sort out their various positions and duties. Earth is recreated, and it's interesting to see the developments of society and people from the gods' point of view.
The dynamic between the two main characters continues to get more and more interesting as they each seek to find themselves in their new roles. The gods of old continue to advise, but they each make their own mistakes and struggle to learn from them. The ending, without giving it away, is quite a cliffhanger, and I'm already digging well into the next in the series: Wasteland.
The dynamic between the two main characters continues to get more and more interesting as they each seek to find themselves in their new roles. The gods of old continue to advise, but they each make their own mistakes and struggle to learn from them. The ending, without giving it away, is quite a cliffhanger, and I'm already digging well into the next in the series: Wasteland.
February 22, 2013
The third book in the series and it goes from strength to strength.
So, they have traveled through heaven, fought their way through hell and now they had the huge task to rebuild and protect the Earth.
As with every book (that I've read) by Mur Lafferty, everything is delivered at the right time. There are two more books to go and though I can't wait to get to them, I shall wait a bit longer so I can keep it going for a bit longer.
I recommend that you look for the whole series and give it a go!
So, they have traveled through heaven, fought their way through hell and now they had the huge task to rebuild and protect the Earth.
As with every book (that I've read) by Mur Lafferty, everything is delivered at the right time. There are two more books to go and though I can't wait to get to them, I shall wait a bit longer so I can keep it going for a bit longer.
I recommend that you look for the whole series and give it a go!
May 22, 2012
An interesting continuation in this series. It's always hard to pick where the storyline is going.
July 8, 2013
Good story but depressing. I liked book 2 better than this one.
November 18, 2017
Mur Lafferty's Afterlife series continues. Hobo heaven (the Big Rock Candy Mountain) was a lot of fun. I liked that Native American trickster god Coyote appears in this one. Also, Kate and Daniel find Jesus.
June 17, 2017
Continuing this series, although losing interest. Now the characters are tasked rebuilding Earth, although with all kinds of drama. Feels like a prep story for the final.
October 12, 2020
Didn't love this one as much as the previous. But excited to start the next book.
August 22, 2019
I can't even finish this. It is absolutely dreadful. this is not my cup of tea
December 21, 2012
The third novella in the series suffers from being in the middle of the beginning (as told in Heaven and Hell) and the end (as told in War). It also suffers from the same thing as at the beginning of Hell: another decision taken that ends up having no consequences for the protagonists, further making this feel less like a journey shaped by their actions and desires and more like a sequence of random events happening to two objects that serve to take the reader through them.
All in all, this one's not as good as the preceding two, and I felt like I was slogging through it to get to the next installment.
All in all, this one's not as good as the preceding two, and I felt like I was slogging through it to get to the next installment.
November 1, 2013
Oh heavens! What happens when a human, slated for more since the beginning inherits Heaven and Hell? Yes, things get askew. And I think it's wonderful. Well, not necessarily wonderful in the world, but for me as a reader/listener.
****FULL REVIEW****
Kate and Daniel are still coming into their powers and getting use to their new positions. But they are not both adjusting well, or easily, to what they are to do. There are troubles as well. The weather is off, which shows they don't have full control of their powers. There is something chasing after Daniel in Hell, and even when not there. There are gods that are not happy with Kate and Daniel having control, even dead gods...where do they go? And, they need to create an Earth before everything is sucked away. All while trying to put the Afterlives back together.
We see new parts of Heaven. A part that doesn't get seen by others and even becomes a very important part of the story. Hobo Heaven.
What about the old gods? There are some that just up and left. There are others that are dead. Where do the dead gods go though? Is there even a death for the dead? We see how the energies and souls move here.
But what's interesting, seeing the rise of powers that are not happy with who's in charge, or who is. Kate and Daniel are in their new positions and struggling to figure out what they are to do, and how to do it. One adjusts better than the other. But it's a battle for them. And one that leads to a big battle and worry. Daniel and Kate are the center of the works and world here.
The responsibility they have on their shoulders. Wow. I am glad I don't have the weight of the world and afterlife on my shoulders. I can completely understand the struggling, and there's no handbook either.
What happens when a human, slated for more since the beginning inherits Heaven and Hell? Trying to learn along the way, without a handbook. Mur has twisted slightly the way things revolve here with the new coming of powers. I love it! Really has me thinking and I can follow the way things have turned and twisted for these characters. Just wow-ed. I'm growing more and more worried for our duo. They are amazing and I'm fully invested with them.
Dang! I'm thrilled at this moment of finishing that ALL the stories are out. So I can RUSH to the next story!
****FULL REVIEW****
Kate and Daniel are still coming into their powers and getting use to their new positions. But they are not both adjusting well, or easily, to what they are to do. There are troubles as well. The weather is off, which shows they don't have full control of their powers. There is something chasing after Daniel in Hell, and even when not there. There are gods that are not happy with Kate and Daniel having control, even dead gods...where do they go? And, they need to create an Earth before everything is sucked away. All while trying to put the Afterlives back together.
We see new parts of Heaven. A part that doesn't get seen by others and even becomes a very important part of the story. Hobo Heaven.
What about the old gods? There are some that just up and left. There are others that are dead. Where do the dead gods go though? Is there even a death for the dead? We see how the energies and souls move here.
But what's interesting, seeing the rise of powers that are not happy with who's in charge, or who is. Kate and Daniel are in their new positions and struggling to figure out what they are to do, and how to do it. One adjusts better than the other. But it's a battle for them. And one that leads to a big battle and worry. Daniel and Kate are the center of the works and world here.
The responsibility they have on their shoulders. Wow. I am glad I don't have the weight of the world and afterlife on my shoulders. I can completely understand the struggling, and there's no handbook either.
What happens when a human, slated for more since the beginning inherits Heaven and Hell? Trying to learn along the way, without a handbook. Mur has twisted slightly the way things revolve here with the new coming of powers. I love it! Really has me thinking and I can follow the way things have turned and twisted for these characters. Just wow-ed. I'm growing more and more worried for our duo. They are amazing and I'm fully invested with them.
Dang! I'm thrilled at this moment of finishing that ALL the stories are out. So I can RUSH to the next story!
May 23, 2012
Book number 28 in my 2012 Reading Challenge of 50 books is Earth by Mur Lafferty. Earth is the third installment in Mur Lafferty's The Afterlife Series presented via podiobook format.
In Earth, Kate and Daniel explore their powers and options as the deities who are destined to rule Heaven and Hell. Gods from all different cultural afterlives gather to aid Kate and Daniel as they struggle to keep Heaven and Hell from other gods wanting to overthrow them. Within this novel,
As per usual, Mur Lafferty truly engages the reader in her storytelling. I found myself sometimes confused and re-listening to chapters as they were quite complex. Listening to them in the car and dividing my attention between the road and the narrative was sometimes tricky, as proved by previous experience as well. However, Earth had to be my least favourite in the series so far. And I believe that it may have been tricky for Mur Lafferty as well. Earth was so different from Heaven and Hell and it is also very different from Wasteland
Earth is not my favourite installment within Mur Laffery's The Afterlife Series; however, it did seem that Earth was a necessary step so the series could move forward. Thrilled to have finished this book, I will be moving on to the fourth installment Wasteland.
Overall, I am rating Earth 2.5 out of 5 stars.
In Earth, Kate and Daniel explore their powers and options as the deities who are destined to rule Heaven and Hell. Gods from all different cultural afterlives gather to aid Kate and Daniel as they struggle to keep Heaven and Hell from other gods wanting to overthrow them. Within this novel,
As per usual, Mur Lafferty truly engages the reader in her storytelling. I found myself sometimes confused and re-listening to chapters as they were quite complex. Listening to them in the car and dividing my attention between the road and the narrative was sometimes tricky, as proved by previous experience as well. However, Earth had to be my least favourite in the series so far. And I believe that it may have been tricky for Mur Lafferty as well. Earth was so different from Heaven and Hell and it is also very different from Wasteland
Earth is not my favourite installment within Mur Laffery's The Afterlife Series; however, it did seem that Earth was a necessary step so the series could move forward. Thrilled to have finished this book, I will be moving on to the fourth installment Wasteland.
Overall, I am rating Earth 2.5 out of 5 stars.
March 23, 2016
Alright, the week is at an end and I was able to burn through one more book towards my 2016 Goodread Challenge. Continuing on with Mur Lafferty’s Afterlife series I’ve just finished Earth. By finished I mean trudged through. This was a rougher read than the other two books before.
Earth is about the continuation of Kate and Daniel as they’ve replaced God and the Devil over Heaven and Hell and now have to make a new Earth. As usual with these two protagonists, there is a plethora of bumbling around before the story throws the breaks suddenly for a cliffhanger.
So far, this is the worst book out of the series. The writing, structure, and flow were still sound much like the previous books, but the character growth, development, and even depth seemed to have been bled out in Hell and never returned. Daniel went from Joe Rogan to Hayden Christensen! This kind of sudden shifts is what ruined Bewitched.
. There was so much potential with this book instead of the reintroduction to the two protagonists’ awkward phase they had in Heaven. It’s almost as if Hell was supposed to be the true ending but someone else asked for more. I think if the story focused more on the vaguely mentioned characters in the new earth instead of the two whom had obviously ran out of gas they’d have been more sense of accomplishment. Instead, I feel that the story is right where it started.
In closing, Earth has caused me to pump the breaks on continuing with the series. My hope is that this book was just the preparatory phase before the story turns flipping awesome, but my common sense is telling me that Neil Gaiman’s used toys are falling apart and Season of the Mist version 2.0 is falling into its own mentioned black hole that was left in the wake of the first adaptation.
Earth is about the continuation of Kate and Daniel as they’ve replaced God and the Devil over Heaven and Hell and now have to make a new Earth. As usual with these two protagonists, there is a plethora of bumbling around before the story throws the breaks suddenly for a cliffhanger.
So far, this is the worst book out of the series. The writing, structure, and flow were still sound much like the previous books, but the character growth, development, and even depth seemed to have been bled out in Hell and never returned. Daniel went from Joe Rogan to Hayden Christensen! This kind of sudden shifts is what ruined Bewitched.
. There was so much potential with this book instead of the reintroduction to the two protagonists’ awkward phase they had in Heaven. It’s almost as if Hell was supposed to be the true ending but someone else asked for more. I think if the story focused more on the vaguely mentioned characters in the new earth instead of the two whom had obviously ran out of gas they’d have been more sense of accomplishment. Instead, I feel that the story is right where it started.
In closing, Earth has caused me to pump the breaks on continuing with the series. My hope is that this book was just the preparatory phase before the story turns flipping awesome, but my common sense is telling me that Neil Gaiman’s used toys are falling apart and Season of the Mist version 2.0 is falling into its own mentioned black hole that was left in the wake of the first adaptation.
July 25, 2012
This continued the wonderful world that Mur Lafferty started in the previous books. Very little is added to heaven but I love the imagery of hell's clerical department. I like the description of the creation of the earth. I really loved the little forays into the earth's history and how the events of heaven affected it.
Daniel was much less annoying in this than the other books. At first I was rolling my eyes at Kate for treating him like a divine faberge egg and letting him continue to be whiny but then she finally stood up to him and that kind of made it okay.
Why still the miserly rating? Why did I not say I really liked it? I think I did not give it 4 stars because I still did not like Daniel and Kate was a little less convincing as a character in this. I think I got an incling of where this series is going and I am not sure I like it. Weather or not this is where it goes will remain to be seen but regardless of the good story, this feeling of foreboding kind of left me with a bad taste. Also, the book felt like a bridge between the others, instead of something in it's own right.
I really do not want to bash the author or the books. I think this book has a good spark and shows she is on her way to becoming a great writer. As it is she is still struggling to break away from the pack. She is not there but I think she can get there if she keeps at it and tries to learn from one work to the next.
Daniel was much less annoying in this than the other books. At first I was rolling my eyes at Kate for treating him like a divine faberge egg and letting him continue to be whiny but then she finally stood up to him and that kind of made it okay.
Why still the miserly rating? Why did I not say I really liked it? I think I did not give it 4 stars because I still did not like Daniel and Kate was a little less convincing as a character in this. I think I got an incling of where this series is going and I am not sure I like it. Weather or not this is where it goes will remain to be seen but regardless of the good story, this feeling of foreboding kind of left me with a bad taste. Also, the book felt like a bridge between the others, instead of something in it's own right.
I really do not want to bash the author or the books. I think this book has a good spark and shows she is on her way to becoming a great writer. As it is she is still struggling to break away from the pack. She is not there but I think she can get there if she keeps at it and tries to learn from one work to the next.
May 28, 2012
Questo terzo volume della serie "Afterlife" non mi pare particolarmente riuscito.
Finito il viaggio in paradiso e inferno molte divinità se ne sono andate e alcune nuove sono nate; Kate e Daniel dovranno occuparsi di ricostruire la Terra (distrutta nella fine del mondo) e della nuova guerra per la gestione degli inferi.
Kate come personaggio risulta piuttosto piatto, e anche Daniel, che nel precedente volume sembrava avere consapevolezza del suo destino, qui perde ogni sicurezza.
Sotto l'aspetto della divinità creatrice per me ha detto tutto la puntata di Futurama in cui Bender diventa una divinità alla deriva nello spazio, mentre sulla perdita continua della vista niente può eguagliare Sirio dei Cavalieri dello Zodiaco; poco innovativo dunque.
Finito il viaggio in paradiso e inferno molte divinità se ne sono andate e alcune nuove sono nate; Kate e Daniel dovranno occuparsi di ricostruire la Terra (distrutta nella fine del mondo) e della nuova guerra per la gestione degli inferi.
Kate come personaggio risulta piuttosto piatto, e anche Daniel, che nel precedente volume sembrava avere consapevolezza del suo destino, qui perde ogni sicurezza.
Sotto l'aspetto della divinità creatrice per me ha detto tutto la puntata di Futurama in cui Bender diventa una divinità alla deriva nello spazio, mentre sulla perdita continua della vista niente può eguagliare Sirio dei Cavalieri dello Zodiaco; poco innovativo dunque.
April 5, 2012
Middle books in a series always have a tough go of it - they often feel like a bridge, moving the storyline along to get to the conclusion, rather than offering one of their own. That's a bit of the case here.
That being said, it's still a fun read; Lafferty remains an engaging and enjoyable writer, and there are some interesting points here. I was fond of the bits in hobo heaven, especially.
And the book does its bridging job, putting pieces in place for the apocalyptic afterlife battle that is to come at the end of the series.
That being said, it's still a fun read; Lafferty remains an engaging and enjoyable writer, and there are some interesting points here. I was fond of the bits in hobo heaven, especially.
And the book does its bridging job, putting pieces in place for the apocalyptic afterlife battle that is to come at the end of the series.
July 11, 2010
A very intersting view of the afterlife and I've really enjoyed the book so far. I was a littl like "really? A cliffhanger?" but I got over it.
March 1, 2016
This is where I checked out. I just could not get attached to the characters or the plot.
I feel bad saying it, but I kinda hated it.
I feel bad saying it, but I kinda hated it.
October 12, 2016
I really liked it at first, but its end was a letdown.
Still gets a 3, but just barely.
Still gets a 3, but just barely.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews