The Halfway In

by Sean Guzman, Abby Hale (Editor), Anaz Arzaq (Illustrator)

A whimsical, and dark, adventure that mixes Alice in Wonderland and Disney's Soul.

Imagine a world in between this life and the next. A purgatory of sorts, filled with strange creatures and equally strange human inhabitants. After making the worst mistake of her life, Ryan finds herself in an in-between place known as "The Halfway In”. It's there that Ryan meets a young girl named Bea who is in a similar situation. After riding the Long Black Train to The Halfway In, Ryan is stuck between moving on into the afterlife or aiding the young girl in her quest to return home to her mother in the land of the living. The problem is that an evil man known as Vicar Vicioso has moved into the Halfway In and established a tyrannical rule of government. The Vicar and his wicked minions, known as “scissor men," stand between Bea returning home and Ryan discovering her self-worth.

"The Halfway In" is a young adult novella that mixes fantasy and action/adventure with an eccentric cast that resembles the strange happenings in movies such as "Beetlejuice" and "Alice in Wonderland". It explores death and loss in a family-friendly way, similar to Disney's "Coco" and "Soul". It shares a comparable plot to the novel "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig.

CONTENT
Contains vague descriptions of death (including suicide), usually implied rather than described. Contains Disney-level fighting violence.

PARENTS - This book does NOT
Any foul language, any sexual content (implied or otherwise), any mention of drugs and/or alcohol, any blood/guts/gore, any political agenda (implied or otherwise)

133 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 28, 2025

About the author

Sean is the kind of guy who has his hands in just about everything. He was born in Vermont but raised in Virginia, where he stayed until he joined the United States Air Force at age 19. He spent the next six and a half years rummaging around the country in different places as a fire truck mechanic in the military. He’s been stationed in a few places in the States, such as North Carolina, Arizona, and Mississippi. He also spent a year in South Korea making terrible choices like the rest of the GIs overseas.

Currently, Sean resides in Southern Arizona with his wife, two children, and two dogs. Since getting out, he’s been discovering one hobby after another. So far, he’s done gun restoration, motorcycle restoration, vehicle maintenance in his garage, painting, 3D printing, playing tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, building computers, bicycling, Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, and now writing.

As a child, Sean used to do a lot of writing but hadn’t reconsidered it until recently. A short time ago, he had a surprise trip to visit his parents and friends back home in Virginia. He had not visited his parents’ house in about eight years, so the trip was long overdue. While there, he remembered to grab an old box of memories from his time growing up. Inside was a manuscript of a story he’d typed up as a child. The story was twenty-three pages long and the longest story he’d ever written to date. Until now.

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Halfway In is a captivating story of a world caught between this life, and the next ad is a mash up of Alice in Wonderland and Disneys Soul and The Polar Express.
We follow Ryan, who, after making a huge mistake, ends up caught in the in-between place the book is set in. She meets Bea who's looking to find a way home to her mother in the land of the living and Ryan becomes caught in a dilemma of what to do - find her way out into the afterlife or help her new friend get home to the land of the living.
This book does stir up many thoughts and emotions as it explores life and death, loss and grief, compassion and kindness, and right and wrong, all the way through.
I enjoyed the quirky characters and Ryan's journey of discovery during the story. I did feel the story jumped about a little and could have been made longer to fill in some of these jumps within the book.

[grey ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Victory Editing for this ARC!

5/5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Captivating. Haunting. Devastating.

How do you know when a story will stay with you forever? For me, it’s when I find myself crying over and feeling for the villain.

My first impression: the cover art is beautiful and I look forward to the rest of the illustrations in the published edition! The title of the book also drew me in.

This really is the Alice in Wonderland meets The Polar Express of purgatories, but much darker. What I particularly enjoyed about this novella was the structure. It was the perfect way to tell this story. While this is a very quick read, you get very attached to the characters. Bea, Sebastian, and dare I say Vicar pulled at my heartstrings the most. Ryan is a wonderfully flawed FMC that I think anyone who is terrified of making mistakes (ME!) will be able to relate to. And Lozenge is absolutely precious. 🐰

While this novella is about death, the dark humor is right on the money. I found myself laughing and smiling during this cryptic adventure so much, even though I was also feeling scared and heartbroken for the characters.

Some quotes that I found inspiring:

“Words matter.”

“Even if I were to die tonight during this little raiding party, know that I will die with a smile on my face. I have lived a life worth living, loved a woman worth loving, and will sink to the bottom of the ocean in exultation and irreplaceable joy."

“He swears for a moment he can hear each snowflake.”

and of course…

“Ka-boom?”

Highly recommend. 🖤

[Spinds❤ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Halfway In is about Ryan who is in some sort of purgatory (there was an incident that lead Ryan to this predicament) and in this purge she meets Bea and a whole group of people from different walks of life and stages in their life.

This book read a lot life a children’s book (9-13 age range) rather than the young adult it claims to be, the main characters, their situation and the way in which they went about dealing with the different situations just seemed very juvenile. It seems miscategorized to me.

The story was good and I feel like it has a lot of potential to be a full novel so that the characters can be really fleshed out and the world can be expanded and we can really dig into each character, their life story and how they ended up in the halfway in. There was not that much room to really do that because the book was so short, so we got a snippet of the characters background and then boom it was back to the action.

Overall I did enjoy the book.
Thank you so much to Booksirens for the Arc in exchange for an honest review

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me hooked by the 10th page! There was something nostalgic and familiar about the premise, reminding me of reading Elsewhere as a child. "The Halfway In” is of course quite different, as our main character Ryan isn’t quite dead, just halfway. The only things keeping me from giving this the fifth star is the cadence of the story sometimes was jarring, jumping between the characters pasts and the present, as well as some occasionally jarring vocabulary that doesn’t seem to fit the characters personalities and ages. I’ve been in and out of reading slumps, but this one was easy to breeze through once I met Bea like a bumble bee, her character captured my heart and truly made this story a great read. I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chinis · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 ⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first thing that caught my attention was the cover and then it was the blurb. As a fan of Disney movies Coco and Soul, I couldn't skip this book and wanted to read it.

I really like books and movies that talk about the life in between and the afterlife and found this book really entertaining, emotional and, in some level, nostalgic.

Even though I enjoyed the book, I wished it was longer because I really wanted more world building and to know more about The Halfway In.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the digital ARC for review.

This was a cute little read that had a lot going on at all times. I did enjoy reading it, but it just didn’t quite grip me as much as I was hoping it would. I think that I just didn’t have enough time to really connect to any of the characters to therefore care about their fates. We also know from the beginning of the story who survives and that kind of takes the thrill out of it to me.

With that being said, I still enjoyed this one. I think this would be great for a middle grade reader who wants something a little more deep as this deals with death and the afterlife.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page-turner. Feeling like I had been dropped into a conglomeration of The Polar Express, Alice in Wonderland, and The Corpse Bride, this story really shined in its supporting characters and their own stories. As each one joined the story, I could picture them, imagine them talking to the main character, and see how they fit into the place where Ryan and Bea found themselves. The unfortunate circumstances of how they ended up at “The Halfway In” were unique and touching. The author skillfully wove humor, bravery, and a sense of sadness throughout the story that makes it truly engaging for the audience. Would recommend!

[Maria Baker]

The Halfway In is a beautifully imaginative and heartfelt story that captures the wonder and poignancy of life, death, and everything in between. Sean Guzman crafts a world that feels both whimsical and profound, like Alice in Wonderland filtered through the soul-searching tenderness of Coco or The Midnight Library. Ryan’s journey through the strange purgatorial world of The Halfway In feels deeply human, exploring regret, redemption, and the courage it takes to forgive yourself. A moving and visually rich tale that young readers and adults alike will treasure.

[fin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book intrigued me as soon as I saw the cover, and after reading the blurb I knew I had to read it, and I’m glad I did.

We are on an adventurous journey with Ryan and Bea, as they navigate ‘the halfway in’, a place between life and the afterlife. This story talks about the afterlife in a way that is so heartfelt and emotional, yet hopeful.

Whilst this was a short and quick read, there were many beautiful moments, and topics touched upon. I particularly enjoyed Ryan’s journey, and her fears and doubts made me emotional. I do wish it was a bit longer, because I would have loved to see more of the halfway in, but overall it was a great read. I think readers who enjoy stories that are hopeful, yet emotional, would love this.

Many thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC of this book, I leave this review voluntarily and these opinions are my own.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting read! The story takes themes of grief and loss and transforms them into something heartfelt and hopeful. I only wish it had been longer. Though the pacing was quick, the world and characters were compelling enough that I wanted there to be more. I think middle schoolers would enjoy this!

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...It was short but sweet magical whimsy all packed into a neat package. The in between life seem cozy if reflective. If I read the narrative while i was about to go to sleep I probably get a different kind of wonder mood versus reading this during the day.

[Mikala · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Halfway In is a dark, fast-paced fantasy that dives straight into heavy life themes, and it reminded me a lot of Herrick’s End in the way it blends emotional pain with a strange, unsettling otherworld. While it felt a bit short for the character depth I wanted, the momentum of the plot and the way the story opens on a pivotal moment kept me fully engaged through the end.

[Jennifer Haughton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting short story and an interesting take on life after death.

I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a super short and, at times, funny story.

I felt pretty conflicted about the ending, not sure I like how it went but I guess you can't win them all.

[Rowan Creech · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark and twisty tale delves into death and an entire purgatory reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland but set in a gothic world. It’s truly a unique read.

[Nina Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this book thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op, and Booksprout

This was a cute book, but I do think this leans towards middle grade more than YA. At least, that's the impression I got.

The story is overly fantastic. It's a fun story with an unexpected plot. It almost reminds me of the Polar Express, where you aren't always sure what is going to happen next.

Unfortunately, I struggled eith the story a little. I think my expectations for the age range was part of it, but also, I didn't get enough information about some of the characters, especially the main two, to really care about what happened. That being said, I would die for Lozenge.

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I think the author has a good idea here. It just needs some refinement. There are some grammatical inconsistencies and incorrect tenses used. I didn’t understand why some real names from pop culture are used and others are edited to be fake. I also don’t understand the use of oneteen and twoteen for chapters 11 and 12. Thirteen says thirteen. I think that then beginning kind of spoils it, and it could definitely be slightly rewritten to be a bit more mysterious.

I do like the premise and some of the moral of the story. I found the explanatory chapters to be more interesting than the base chapters often. Maybe this could work as a graphic novel instead or as well.

[Severine Bambang · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea and world building is interesting, but I wish it could be longer. The story pace is very fast, sometimes I think you could elaborate the background deeper.

I can understand the others (Leslie, Sebastien, etc) story, but Bea's and Ryan's way of "death" were not clear enough in my opinion.

And from the beginning, we've already known who would survive, but the ending is quite flat.

I receive an ARC from booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I went into this book expecting something more magical, more fantastical. Instead, what I found was something that leaned heavily into a dystopian, unsettling tone. The Halfway In takes place in an in-between world, a liminal space you may end up in after death. You’re no longer part of the living world, but you also haven’t moved on. And this place is not pleasant.

Although this is a middle grade novel, I found it genuinely disturbing as an adult. Nothing is graphic, but the atmosphere is deeply uncomfortable, and there are moments involving sacrifice that linger in an uneasy way. Because of that, I would strongly recommend that parents read this themselves before handing it to a middle grade reader. It isn’t a bad story, but it goes to places that may not be appropriate for every child.

I suspect the author’s intention was to explore the value of self-sacrifice, and that theme is clearly present. Still, I’m not convinced that this is a lesson most middle grade readers need to grapple with at this stage. Perhaps that will change in the future, but right now it feels heavy for the intended audience.

That said, the book is well written. The pacing flows smoothly, and the world-building is effective. The liminal setting is vividly realized, and honestly, the fact that it creeped me out is proof that it succeeds on a technical level. My disappointment largely comes down to expectations. I don’t think I fully understood what kind of story the publisher was presenting, and that mismatch affected my reading experience.

Overall, this is a good book with clear strengths, but also significant caveats. I wouldn’t discourage a younger reader from picking it up outright, but I do think it’s important for parents to make an informed decision before sharing it.

[Theenrichmentoffiction1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐛ARC Book Review🐛

The Halfway Inn

Release date November 28th 2025

By Sean Guzman

Genre- YA contemporary fantasy
(But a wonderful read for older adults as well:-)

This was such a cute read and so refreshing to take a break from the usual.

As we get older it is so hard to see with our imagination as we did growing up, with how the world is today and worrying about life itself we need help tuning into our mind, seeing the color and wonder we can feel ourselves go back for a little while feeling the wonder from the child in all of us.

This book does exactly that and so much more!


Ryan is tired of being sick , her parents always fighting she feels like nothing will ever be good again and sees no future for herself.
She wakes up in a beautiful train with a passenger already on board, Bea and her cute stuffed rabbit Lozenge.

Together they go on an adventure, making new friends on the way that keeps them as safe as possible and learning things about themselves that will help them on their journey as they discover what life can really be about.

[BooksbyBarnlight · Rating 2 out of 5]

**ARC Review**

I really enjoyed some of the concepts of this world such as some people are still tethered to their earthly bodies and have a way to go back, discussing some of people who have died and have chosen not to continue on out of fear, and even some of the magical components. I also appreciated the growth of the main character (although rushed) and the way the story began/concluded.

However, I struggled heavily with the plot of this book. In a world where you can harvest wishes, adult characters should be able to find a way to take down the villain or at the very least protect themselves. Instead, they wait for a young child and teenager to come to their realm to save them all. It truly is hard to grasp a concept of two girls and a stuffed bunny being the savior they all needed when they could have collectively changed their fates.

The other area of the story I struggled with is some of the characters. The characteristics of some of the evil characters as well as the large stuffed rabbit seem quite juvenile for a Young Adult book (which is the intended audience), while the context of the story seems too mature for children, leaving me a tad confused at who this should be for.

Overall, it was a quick read and had some interesting ideas, but the plot (holes), pace and character development were not as strong as I wished they would have been.

[Theediscerning · Rating 1 out of 5]

So there's a girl and an unlikeable older girl, on a train to the afterlife – except it stops off first in a kind of neon purgatory. They can purloin a mahoosive butterfly thing to get back to life, or go onwards, or stay there, but a baddy is killing all the larvae off so getting back is awkward. The train conductor tells the girls this, and then tells them to go yonder and meet a guy, and when they meet the guy he says he has to rescue a person and get them to meet another person, after which the UOG does a bit of casually racist piss-taking of how people speak, after which I gave up.

Not once did this really engage, the UOG is definitely on the unlikeable side, the blurb admits the plot is heavily involving someone else's plot, and we're told one of the lasses is dead on Page One. It staggers me this has had such a welcome from other reviewers – and I'm glad it did, as it clearly failed to land with me. No, it won't take too many hours of anyone's time, but stubbing your toe takes a microsecond and that isn't fun, either. One and a half stars.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

After an unfortunate accident, Ryan finds herself in the in between world, a place between life and the afterlife, not quite dead but definitely not quite alive either.
Here she meets up with Bea, pronounced as Bee like a bumblebee. Bea and Ryan go through quite the journey to return Bea to her mother. The descriptions in the book reminded me of Alice in Wonderland or The Nightmare Before Christmas, also somewhat of the movie What Dreams May Come. The author wove courage, sadness, and humor into the story and a sense of finding one's self worth. Loved all the different characters and their back stories. This is a perfect read for a middle schoolers and above.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[A J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young Ryan has a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Unhappy with her home life, she is startled to wake up on a beautiful train she discovers is transporting her in a realm between life and death. During the journey, she meets an effervescent little girl named Bea and her blue rabbit, Lozenge. Bea is anxious to get to the Halfway In to accomplish whatever task is required to return to her Mother and life in the land of the living. Although Ryan is reluctant to return to her old life, she is determined to help Bea get back home and joins her on a wild adventure, fighting villains along the way.

A captivating story that paints a picture of what might happen in that space before death. As a child, the stories about purgatory were extremely anxiety-inducing for me. The Halfway In has no resemblance to what I imagined but still echoes the message that good deeds must be accomplished to move on from this place. Ryan is petulant and brooding, where Bea is sweet and good-natured. Before long, Ryan sees that things happen more easily for Bea in this new world and begins to understand the power of “please and thank you.” This is a touching story with important life lessons that is a great read at any age.

This review is based on a free advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Many thanks to BookSirens for providing the ARC and to Sean for the opportunity to review this creative and colorful story.