***This book combines the quirky dark humor of Wednesday (Netflix show), the found family adventure of Harry Potter, and a fantasy world steeped in mythology like Percy Jackson***
Lucidia Whitman has woken up screaming every night since her twin brother died. Her parents and counselor think it’s from the guilt of having been the one who accidentally killed him, but that’s only part of the truth. She knows her nightmares of him being tortured in the afterlife are more than that. They are visions. And Lucidia won’t rest until she knows he’s okay.
Lucidia Whitman has woken up screaming every night since her twin brother died. Her parents and counselor think it’s from the guilt of having been the one who accidentally killed him, but that’s only part of the truth. She knows her nightmares of him being tortured in the afterlife are more than that. They are visions. And Lucidia won’t rest until she knows he’s okay.
After her plan to “visit” the afterlife goes wrong (it’s complicated), Lucidia is told she has a 50/50 chance of eternal suffering to look forward to. Not liking her odds, she strikes a deal with the powerful and charming If she brings him the Book of Fates, he will use it to resurrect her and her brother. With two new friends by her side, Lucidia braves monster-guarded labyrinths, sets fire to the gothic weigh station of souls, and engages in a high-stakes board gameagainst the Grim Reaper in her quest for a cosmic do-over.
It turns out, though, that the Book of Fates can also be used for sinister purposes. And as order in the afterlife begins to fall into chaos (not entirely her fault), Lucidia is faced with the choice of either fulfilling the deal to get her brother back and avoid going “downstream,” or saving her new friends and countless others from a terrible fate.
“Worst. Afterlife. Ever. Zero stars. Would not recommend”
Wow, what a debut! Lucidia: Book of Fates combines elements reminiscent of Tim Burton, Goosebumps, and an extensive bit of mythology.
Lucidia Whitman is responsible for her twin brother’s death. With a guilty conscious, and a string of nightmares that lead her to believe he is not at peace, she is determined to find him and set things right no matter what it takes.
While this is YA, don’t let that stray you away from reading. This first installment packs a punch and explores many dark topics. I was also very impressed by the amount of research and creativity that went into creating this unique take on the afterlife.
This was well written and pulled me in from the very beginning, I’m excited to see what direction the rest of the series will go in
This was a great story…fun, I was entertained throughout.
Interesting story and premise with a unique spin on and an amalgamation of what may await us in the afterlife.
The main character, Lucidia, is a twin who is responsible for her brother, Milton’s, death. She experiences nightmares for months about Milton’s current state of unrest in death, and makes a plan to rescue him—since it’s her fault he’s there. Lucidia’s own fate comes in to question on her journey to save Milton. With the help of a young devout girl, Magdalene (Mags), and a high school football star, Dom, this small Scooby gang try to crack what’s gone amiss in the afterlife and try to save themselves (their souls, their own eternities) in the process.
The banter is top-notch. Fun pop-culture and historical references and jokes. Medium to fast-paced throughout. Story does get a little darker about 75-80% in, but still remains in teen (14-15+)/YA realm.
Like that the story had twists and kept me guessing and some surprises.
This was a lot of fun. The characters were fantastic, the pop culture references were perfect, and the book kept me wanting more. I can't wait for book 2.
4.5⭐️- Lucidia wants to help her brother in the afterlife after she is having visions that something is wrong. However, it isn’t as easy as it seems. Lucidia goes on a huge adventure!
This is the second book that I have read by BP Christy! The reason for the 5 stars is because once I picked up this book, I could hardly put it down until the end. Lucidia is the typical punk/goth teenager but she is well known because her brother is the popular jock. Due to a chain of events, her brother meets and untimely demise. Plagued with grief and nightmares, Lucidia comes up with a plan to temporarily go into the afterlife to make sure he is ok. From there we get a unique story of what actually happens in the between life and eternity.
I enjoyed Lucidia's quirky personality and how she interacts with the people she meets along the way. This book had me laughing out loud while also being creeped out by the dark themes of the underworld. I look forward to reading more books by this author!
Lucidia feels like Alice in Wonderland in a Tim Burton world. The afterlife that B.P. Christy has created is quirky and dangerous. This was such a fun read!
In Lucidia, B.P. Christy has crafted an exquisite work of dark fantasy that resonates with the emotional intensity of contemporary fiction, creating a rare hybrid that is as thrilling as it is affecting. With echoes of Dante, Neil Gaiman, and Alice Sebold, this novel follows a girl who refuses to let death have the final word, navigating an otherworldly landscape that tests her resolve, redefines her morality, and challenges the very nature of fate. Christy’s prose is at once cinematic and introspective, offering breathtaking visuals alongside intimate character moments. Whether she’s setting fire to soul-weighing chambers or outwitting the Grim Reaper in a surreal game of chance, Lucidia remains a deeply relatable character whose pain and love shine through the darkness. This is a must-read for anyone seeking fantasy with heart, horror with depth, and stories that matter.
Lucidia is on a mission to help her twin brother in the afterlife until things go a stray. Are there any good guys in the afterlife? Can you still make friends? Can you change your fate? BP Christy gives us lovable and a descriptive cast of characters along with an adventure in the afterlife. You will find yourself engrossed in his writing and left wanting more What can I say....teens will be teens. 4.5/5
This is a great story about loss, grieving, forgiveness, determination, and betrayal. Lucidia has a very colorful personality with many snarky remarks. Question 1: does she save her brother or not? Question 2: Is Medusa a heroine or a villian? Yes you heard that right Medusa is in the book. If these questions got your curiosity going you will have to read the book to find out.