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The War for Heaven
Damian Hartter expected death to be the end.
After a fatal car accident, Damian awakens in a bureaucratic Afterlife where faith is irrelevant and souls can perish again. Reunited with his wife and best friend, he tries to settle into a perfect existence, taking a job in the Embassy's Department of Satanic Investigations. But the Afterlife isn’t as peaceful as he imagined.
Whispers inside the Embassy warn of a growing conspiracy that threatens all of Creation. Damian and his allies are locked in a race to secure the Sphere of Doom and stop an evil soul from infiltrating the Celestial City. The dangerous relic is creating a pattern of destructive havoc around the city, paving the way for a full-scale invasion by Satan and the Fallen.
As Damian navigates office politics, bureaucracy, and ancient secrets, he's forced to confront lingering memories from his time on Earth. His past urges him to question his faith, his choices, and the kind of person he truly is. And as he gets closer to the truth, he realizes the true enemy might be someone he trusts with his life—and his afterlife.
The War for Heaven blends bureaucratic fantasy with cosmic intrigue in a gripping tale of afterlife, betrayal, and redemption you won’t want to miss.
After a fatal car accident, Damian awakens in a bureaucratic Afterlife where faith is irrelevant and souls can perish again. Reunited with his wife and best friend, he tries to settle into a perfect existence, taking a job in the Embassy's Department of Satanic Investigations. But the Afterlife isn’t as peaceful as he imagined.
Whispers inside the Embassy warn of a growing conspiracy that threatens all of Creation. Damian and his allies are locked in a race to secure the Sphere of Doom and stop an evil soul from infiltrating the Celestial City. The dangerous relic is creating a pattern of destructive havoc around the city, paving the way for a full-scale invasion by Satan and the Fallen.
As Damian navigates office politics, bureaucracy, and ancient secrets, he's forced to confront lingering memories from his time on Earth. His past urges him to question his faith, his choices, and the kind of person he truly is. And as he gets closer to the truth, he realizes the true enemy might be someone he trusts with his life—and his afterlife.
The War for Heaven blends bureaucratic fantasy with cosmic intrigue in a gripping tale of afterlife, betrayal, and redemption you won’t want to miss.
- GenresFantasy
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2026
About the author
Isaac Grisham
5 books33 followersIsaac Grisham hails from the Midwest and currently lives in Austin, TX. By day, he works for a college, and at night he crafts engaging tales across the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror - at least, when the two resident shelties allow him (they're good boys). When not spinning stories, Isaac enjoys creating new dinner recipes with his partner. The Brass Machine, a fantasy trilogy, is his first completed work.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 27, 2026
The War for Heaven, by Isaac Grisham, begins with Damian Hartter dying in a car accident and waking up in an afterlife that is not the serene, doctrinally tidy heaven he half-feared and half-wanted. Reunited with his dead wife, Alena, he enters a Celestial City full of strange rules, alien souls, bureaucratic departments, uneasy Guardians, lost children, and old fractures in Creation. What first feels like a second chance at domestic peace soon becomes something larger and darker: a mystery about the architecture of eternity, the politics of salvation, and the war still smoldering between Heaven and Hell.
I liked how the novel refuses to make the afterlife merely luminous. Grisham gives Heaven kitchens, libraries, orientations, traffic, work, committees, and petty cruelty; the result is funnier and more unsettling than a paradise made of harp music. Damian’s skepticism is the book’s best instrument. He's grieving, sarcastic, wounded, and often ill-prepared for the cosmic scale of what he discovers, which keeps the story human even when the canvas stretches into multiversal theology. The humor works because it's slightly mordant rather than flippant, and the worldbuilding has a pleasingly ornate quality: diamond walls, bureaucratic embassies, soul logistics, and infernal loopholes all clicking into place like celestial machinery.
What surprised me most was how emotionally grounded the book remains beneath its speculative abundance. Damian and Alena’s reunion could have become sentimental, but their marriage still has texture: old disagreements, unspoken losses, love complicated by memory. The subplot involving children in the Afterlife gives the story a genuine moral ache, and Damian’s shifting relationship to fatherhood feels earned rather than pasted on for softness. The book’s explanations are expansive. I found myself admiring the ambition. Grisham isn't simply asking what Heaven looks like; he's asking whether perfection can survive contact with institutions, fear, grief, and desire.
I think The War for Heaven is best suited for readers of speculative fiction, afterlife fantasy, theological fantasy, supernatural adventure, metaphysical mystery, and character-driven fantasy who enjoy big ideas delivered with wit and emotional ballast. It may appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman’s mythic playfulness or readers who liked the cosmic irreverence of Good Omens, though Grisham’s novel is more earnest in its grief and more invested in the architecture of its world. The War for Heaven turns eternity into a place worth questioning, defending, and finally loving.
I liked how the novel refuses to make the afterlife merely luminous. Grisham gives Heaven kitchens, libraries, orientations, traffic, work, committees, and petty cruelty; the result is funnier and more unsettling than a paradise made of harp music. Damian’s skepticism is the book’s best instrument. He's grieving, sarcastic, wounded, and often ill-prepared for the cosmic scale of what he discovers, which keeps the story human even when the canvas stretches into multiversal theology. The humor works because it's slightly mordant rather than flippant, and the worldbuilding has a pleasingly ornate quality: diamond walls, bureaucratic embassies, soul logistics, and infernal loopholes all clicking into place like celestial machinery.
What surprised me most was how emotionally grounded the book remains beneath its speculative abundance. Damian and Alena’s reunion could have become sentimental, but their marriage still has texture: old disagreements, unspoken losses, love complicated by memory. The subplot involving children in the Afterlife gives the story a genuine moral ache, and Damian’s shifting relationship to fatherhood feels earned rather than pasted on for softness. The book’s explanations are expansive. I found myself admiring the ambition. Grisham isn't simply asking what Heaven looks like; he's asking whether perfection can survive contact with institutions, fear, grief, and desire.
I think The War for Heaven is best suited for readers of speculative fiction, afterlife fantasy, theological fantasy, supernatural adventure, metaphysical mystery, and character-driven fantasy who enjoy big ideas delivered with wit and emotional ballast. It may appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman’s mythic playfulness or readers who liked the cosmic irreverence of Good Omens, though Grisham’s novel is more earnest in its grief and more invested in the architecture of its world. The War for Heaven turns eternity into a place worth questioning, defending, and finally loving.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Rating 3.75 Rounded up
The War for Heaven is an ambitious, concept-driven novel that merges afterlife fantasy with conspiracy and philosophical inquiry. I went in expecting a familiar clash of angels and demons, but instead found a version of heaven that operates more like a vast bureaucracy and surprisingly, that’s what kept me hooked.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its core idea. Portraying heaven as structured, political, and potentially flawed creates a persistent tension and an underlying sense that something isn’t quite right. The world-building stands out as well. Grisham takes the traditional imagery of heaven, hell, and angels and discards it, rebuilding the afterlife into something that feels organized, modern, and subtly unsettling
That said, while the system is fascinating, it isn’t always clearly defined. The rules governing the afterlife can feel vague at times, and the story leans heavily on setup, dialogue, and exposition. As a result, the middle section drags somewhat, delaying the payoff.
Overall, The War for Heaven feels like a novel where the scope of its ideas outpaces the execution but those ideas are compelling enough to carry it. If you enjoy afterlife stories with a twist and philosophical sci-fi or fantasy, there’s a good chance you’ll find this one worthwhile.
The War for Heaven is an ambitious, concept-driven novel that merges afterlife fantasy with conspiracy and philosophical inquiry. I went in expecting a familiar clash of angels and demons, but instead found a version of heaven that operates more like a vast bureaucracy and surprisingly, that’s what kept me hooked.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its core idea. Portraying heaven as structured, political, and potentially flawed creates a persistent tension and an underlying sense that something isn’t quite right. The world-building stands out as well. Grisham takes the traditional imagery of heaven, hell, and angels and discards it, rebuilding the afterlife into something that feels organized, modern, and subtly unsettling
That said, while the system is fascinating, it isn’t always clearly defined. The rules governing the afterlife can feel vague at times, and the story leans heavily on setup, dialogue, and exposition. As a result, the middle section drags somewhat, delaying the payoff.
Overall, The War for Heaven feels like a novel where the scope of its ideas outpaces the execution but those ideas are compelling enough to carry it. If you enjoy afterlife stories with a twist and philosophical sci-fi or fantasy, there’s a good chance you’ll find this one worthwhile.
May 22, 2026
First, I’d like to thank NetGalley for this ARC!
This book was the definition of a three star book for me. Inoffensive, but not super incredible. I thought the premise was intriguing, but not well-executed. The writing itself was fine, but the plot lines/continuity could’ve been better.
In this book, a man named Damian dies and finds himself in the afterlife. However, there’s a bunch of secret plotting going on that he ends up right in the middle of. Twisty and traitorous activities ensue. The whole “afterlife isn’t cut and dry” aspect of it was really cool for me!
One of the biggest issues I had was with the writing itself. Specifically, the dialogue. It felt stilted and almost awkward. The characters were all super individualized, which I loved, but the way they spoke to each other was a bit odd for me.
Also, there was a single plot point that was hinted/teased throughout the entire book, but never actually touched upon. I was so curious and so sad to not find out.
HOWEVER, I realize writing a book is a HUGE endeavor, and I love that this book got to be put out into existence. I’m so honored to have been able to read it, even if it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea!
This book was the definition of a three star book for me. Inoffensive, but not super incredible. I thought the premise was intriguing, but not well-executed. The writing itself was fine, but the plot lines/continuity could’ve been better.
In this book, a man named Damian dies and finds himself in the afterlife. However, there’s a bunch of secret plotting going on that he ends up right in the middle of. Twisty and traitorous activities ensue. The whole “afterlife isn’t cut and dry” aspect of it was really cool for me!
One of the biggest issues I had was with the writing itself. Specifically, the dialogue. It felt stilted and almost awkward. The characters were all super individualized, which I loved, but the way they spoke to each other was a bit odd for me.
Also, there was a single plot point that was hinted/teased throughout the entire book, but never actually touched upon. I was so curious and so sad to not find out.
HOWEVER, I realize writing a book is a HUGE endeavor, and I love that this book got to be put out into existence. I’m so honored to have been able to read it, even if it wasn’t exactly my cup of tea!
Did Not Finish
May 8, 2026Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. DNF'ed at ~50% (as well as reading the last chapter or so), so I will not be leaving a star rating.
This book really didn't click with me. The prose felt clumsy. Most of the world building was done through characters in the world explaining things to Damian, via conversations and a literal intro session. Most of what I found interesting about this world building was stuff that this novel was never going to play with, because I was hoping that we would delve into the horror of being unable to feel anger at things due to that part of the afterlife, but we seemingly do not. The afterlife is fine! There are maybe some problems, but we can fix them! I also didn't particularly like Damian. He felt very much like the "some average guy (who is so normal! so normal! you relate to him!) gets to be very special through circumstance", and I just simply didn't care about him. I also really disliked the way that the narrative expected me to be in any way sympathetic to Damian's mother trying to 'save' Colin from being gay.
Very much not for me.
This book really didn't click with me. The prose felt clumsy. Most of the world building was done through characters in the world explaining things to Damian, via conversations and a literal intro session. Most of what I found interesting about this world building was stuff that this novel was never going to play with, because I was hoping that we would delve into the horror of being unable to feel anger at things due to that part of the afterlife, but we seemingly do not. The afterlife is fine! There are maybe some problems, but we can fix them! I also didn't particularly like Damian. He felt very much like the "some average guy (who is so normal! so normal! you relate to him!) gets to be very special through circumstance", and I just simply didn't care about him. I also really disliked the way that the narrative expected me to be in any way sympathetic to Damian's mother trying to 'save' Colin from being gay.
Very much not for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A bureaucratic afterlife fantasy, working through some big questions and possibilities.
I enjoyed the build-up of the story -- love a good conspiracy -- and working out exactly how 'good' Heaven is. The world-building handles its information-drops without a lot of dumping, and I felt I learned enough to know what was going on, without being overwhelmed.
I would have loved a bit more character interaction, though; we follow a single MC, Damien, and I didn't feel like enough time was passing to settle into him / see his relationships developing. The parenting themes in particular I would have liked to see a bit more from.
Still, the plot bounces along at pace, and overall I enjoyed this.
Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
I enjoyed the build-up of the story -- love a good conspiracy -- and working out exactly how 'good' Heaven is. The world-building handles its information-drops without a lot of dumping, and I felt I learned enough to know what was going on, without being overwhelmed.
I would have loved a bit more character interaction, though; we follow a single MC, Damien, and I didn't feel like enough time was passing to settle into him / see his relationships developing. The parenting themes in particular I would have liked to see a bit more from.
Still, the plot bounces along at pace, and overall I enjoyed this.
Rating: 14/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5🌟 rounded up.
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.
I found this book interesting but I would not say I was entirely hooked by the story. I was invested enough to finish the book.
I can't quite pinpoint why. The premise of the story was great but I didn't feel like I really connected with any of the characters apart from the MMC. The little twists and turns in the story were just enough to keep me going but at times it did feel a little overcomplicated.
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC.
I found this book interesting but I would not say I was entirely hooked by the story. I was invested enough to finish the book.
I can't quite pinpoint why. The premise of the story was great but I didn't feel like I really connected with any of the characters apart from the MMC. The little twists and turns in the story were just enough to keep me going but at times it did feel a little overcomplicated.
June 21, 2026
In terms of this story, I wasn't able to resonate at all with the plot (which at times felt too overly complex) and whilst I did like the MMC I couldn't relate to the side characters at all.
A miss for me but it was an interesting and unique concept- the execution could have been a lot better and more developed.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.
A miss for me but it was an interesting and unique concept- the execution could have been a lot better and more developed.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews