The Afterliving

His Blood & Silver #1

by Fernando Rivera

A dutiful son to his single mother, Manny Stockton has spent the last twenty years harboring a grudge against his absentee father, Isidore. But after Isidore’s sudden passing, an obligatory homecoming to Devil’s Dyke reveals the truth behind their estrangement.

Manny’s father was not the man he thought he was. In fact, Isidore was no man at all. He was a Disciple, a divine being created from the blood of the Supreme Sire—what we, the Living, would call a vampire. Manny also learns Disciples like Isidore do not simply die. They must be slain.

With the help of Lucy, Manny’s childhood sweetheart, and a slew of suspicious relatives, Manny hunts down his father’s killer. But he soon discovers there is more behind Isidore’s mysterious death than mere hatred or vengeance. There is also faith; and hope; and love.

But will there be forgiveness?

The perfect marriage of sacred and sacrilege, The Afterliving will leave readers mesmerized as it dares to crucify and resurrect the world of vampire "fiction."

Genres: Supernatural

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 30, 2017

About the author

Fernando Rivera is a Mexican-American actor and writer living in Los Angeles, CA. He was born and raised in McAllen, Texas, and graduated magna cum laude with a BBA in Marketing from Texas A&M University, College Station. He has deep connections to his faith, family, and culture—which often serve as underlying themes in his writing—and he is never afraid to push the limits of convention, interweaving fact and fiction for a story that is sure to surprise any reader.

The Afterliving is Fernando’s debut novel and Book I of His Blood & Silver Series.

Reviews

[Amanda Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually prefer the vampire genre but categorizing this book under vampire would be a mistake. It’s so much more than that. This book raises vampires, “Disciples”, to an amazingly interesting level. It’s an entertaining read with plenty of action and plot questions, twists and answers that you will finish the book before you realize it. The themes in the book are fundamental to the human experience, but the story isn’t simple. Rivera really understands the complexities of life. People have to make tough choices in life where it isn’t as easy as right versus wrong, and in the end, everyone has their own version of the story. It’s creative and intriguing, and you won’t be able to guess what happens next.

[Sean Rabourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fernando does a very good job at blending a very popular mythology in horror/sci-fi with a powerful religious vision. A lot of readers might expect this to be campy but it's well written and there are plenty of surprises that don't push religion in your "face". The only area I'd work on is ranking and doing a better job presenting the series of powers. I look forward to book two.

[Fernando · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of vampire stories, but I have to say that I enjoyed this one very much.
The characters were interesting and varied and the story held my interest. I think the author (who shares my name) did a fine job of developing the plot and setting up more stories.
The action scenes were done particularly well.
A very fine effort, especially for a first timer.

[Darryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This book really had me on the edge of my seat. It had a number of twists and turns and was very well written. I can’t wait for the second in the series!

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

admirable effort to put a new spin on the vampire story, a little too much exposition and a little rushed in the end but would be interesting to see what Rivera writes in the future.

[pariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bible/occult fanfiction