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Aftermath

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Life goes from bad to worse for Lyla Langston. When she was just a baby, dark creatures invaded, killing most of the world’s population and forcing the rest into hiding. Her mother was killed in the process, so she was raised by her grandparents. Now, her grandmother is dead, her grandfather has been taken, and her supposedly dead father shows up at her door, revealing the most irrational secret of all time. She is a witch from the realm of Armoria.
Coping with her situation becomes easier when she meets Thomas, the love of her life, but this also complicates matters, as he unintentionally distracts her from what is truly important. With the help of her twin sister, Lilly, she is refocused, and ready to defeat Damien, who sits on his throne and wishes to rule not only the realm of Armoria, but earth as well.
In the meantime, Lyla’s nightmares of her mother’s death become increasingly strange as Damien intervenes to mess with her head. Soon enough, she finds out that her nightmares may just be the key to saving them all.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 10, 2017

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723 people want to read

About the author

Courtney Beals

4 books31 followers
Courtney currently lives in Illinois with her boyfriend and two loving dogs. When she is not writing or working she spends most of her time reading young-adult novels. Aftermath: The Armorian Chronicles is her first published novel.

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Chiara | wordsbychiara.
698 reviews347 followers
November 18, 2020
Aftermath is a story that unites many elements that I love with others that I’m always a bit iffy about. Together, however, everything worked really well!

Reading this story, I couldn’t help but be reminded of dystopian settings such as The Hunger Games The story follows twins sisters, Lyla and Lilly, who live in what we could consider a dystopian version of our Earth, now conquered by dangerous beings from another realm that they call Takers. The twins have lost their mother during the conquest, and now live with their grandparents, learning to fight and living off scraps to survive. The balance of their life is tipped when the twins discover their grandmother’s corpse and that their grandfather has gone missing. But what’s more is that they are visited by their father, whom they believed dead, who tells them of another dimension from which the villain of the story, the one who murdered their mother and destroyed the world as they knew it, comes from. Furthermore, Lyla and Lilly also hail from this world, being half witches. These events set off the story, taking the sisters into the world of Armoria to train alongside those who are building a resistance against the Demorites (aka the Takers).

Though I’m not always 100% sold on dystopian novels, this sort of setting really worked well for Aftermath and created a great atmosphere. I really enjoyed the world-building and was very fascinated by the concept of the two dimensions.

The characters were really well-rounded. I especially loved the bond between the twins, Lyla and Lilly. Their personalities balanced well and it really reminded me in ways of my bond with my sister, with whom you most likely know I’m very close. It’s always a nice treat to find strong familiar bonds in a story, something that we don’t find enough in books nowadays.

I was very intrigued by Lyla’s mysterious dreams. She recurrently dreams about the night of their mother’s death at the hands of Damien, the story’s villain. Damien, who is able to communicate with Lyla in her dream state, and wants her for her powers. Now, I bet you know where this is going *wiggles finger at you* But I cannot disappoint you. Yes, I was very intrigued by the mysterious and dangerous Damien. Dark hair, bright eyes…you know me, I have a weakness, and I was reminded of one of my favorite villains reading about him. (In this household we venerate the Starless Saint, the one and only Darkling from the Grisha trilogy). I really want to know all there is to know about this character!

The thing I didn’t enjoy much was the romance, specifically that between Lyla and Graham. Yes, Graham was very handsome, but I was not sold on his Prince Charming aura, and though he and Lyla don’t immediately act on their attraction, the immediate lovestruck thoughts she had for him really didn’t impress me with everything else that was happening—which sometimes seemed to come second in her mind to her romantic feelings. I’m more than happy to have an instant attraction between characters, but I always prefer feelings to progress slower and I would have liked to see that in this book.

Apart from the little romance incident, I really enjoyed the story! I can’t wait to see what else this world has in store for us in the next book. I recommend Aftermath to lovers of YA fantasy and dystopian. Thank you to the author for sending me a copy!
Profile Image for Maria Elena | pagesofmaria.
787 reviews236 followers
November 18, 2020
This book reminded me why it’s so fun to read dystopians.

Aftermath is the first book in The Armorian Chronciles. It follows two twin sisters, Lyla and Lilly, who live in a version of our world that has been conquered by these mysterious and dangerous beings they call the Takers. In this world, they have to live off of scraps and train in combat to survive. The twins live with their beloved maternal grandparents, and everything is well, all things considered. At least they’re alive and they have a roof over their heads, until one day their world is turned upside down. Their grandmother is killed, their grandfather is missing, and their father returns out of the blue after a lifetime spent thinking he was dead. Above all that, they discover that they are witches coming from another dimension, Armoria, and that the villains who had destroyed their home came from this world.

This would be a lot to take in for anyone, but Lyla and Lilly manage not to be broken by this series of events. Between the two sisters, Lilly is the one who accepts the truth about their father and their origins a lot better than Lyla, who at first is very reserved and doubtful, despite Lilly is the one who is more pragmatic when it comes to other things, like romance and boys. I really liked how the two sisters sort of balanced each other out, keeping each other grounded when it came to it. The sisterly bond was my favorite aspect of this story. I loved reading the scenes of the two sisters together.

There is also a bit of romance in this novel, which I found to be very adorable. Graham is hawt! *hides in a corner* I do think Lyla’s considerations of him were a little rushed at first. The attraction is understandable, but I felt like she was focusing too much on her crush on Graham and not enough on the fact that she needed to find a way to find and save her grandfather. Lilly as well seemed very invested in her new life in Armoria, and neither of the twins seemed to give much thought about their grandparents once they left Earth.

I was really intrigued by this book and its epilogue, which has me second-guessing every character I’ve encountered in the story. I’m curious to know how the story continues! I recommend this to all lovers of dystopians. The mood was very reminiscent of how I felt while watching The Hunger Games. (Not “reading” because I haven’t read those *hides in a box of shame*)
Profile Image for Thais • tata.lifepages •.
632 reviews1,064 followers
November 21, 2020
Aftermath was an addictive read, the author really knows how to pull you in with force! We follow the story of twin sisters, Lyla and Lilly, who live in the aftermath period after the invasion and destruction by the "takers", or as we come to learn later, the Demorites.

These girls are so mature and independent. From early age they have learned how to hunt, scavenge, journey through the woods, fight and protect themselves. They are so connected to each other, their dynamics is amazing! It even made me long for a sister, they divide tasks and responsibilities, share each others burdens and troubles and understand each others weakness. I was heartbroken at the scene they discover their dead grandma in the woods, and at the same time I was impressed how they were able to focus and keep going. These girls are no ordinary girls after all, they are half witches!

I really enjoyed the fact that there was also romance alongside the main plot, although I do have a darkness in my heart I think because I am always rooting for the bad guy to get the girl! Damien was a very intriguing character and I am excited to see more of him in the sequel. Overall I am really impressed with the way the author writes, it is an captivating read with immersive plot twists and a great plot development!
Profile Image for thebookish_maze.
192 reviews17 followers
December 3, 2020
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★.5

Aftermath is a very captivating and addicting read that makes you feel so many emotions and keeps you hooked the entire time. I had so much fun reading this one especially since I haven’t read dystopia in a while. I loved the fast paced plot and I loved the characters so much!

This is a story about two twins, Lyla and Lilly who live with their grandparents because their parents are dead and the story gets a twist when her grandmother dies and her father, who is supposedly dead, shows up and tells her she’s a witch from the realm of Armoria.

Lyla is a very strong character but I love Lilly more, she’s super sweet and adorable. Lyla gets an amazing character development throughout the book and I love how strong and fierce she becomes. Thomas is also a super sweet guy she falls in love with.

The writing style is so beautiful and fun to read. It’s not too complicated and that makes the story so easy and relaxing. I absolutely loved everything about the story in general, it was so well done and reminded me of the time I read Divergent and The Hunger Games. So if you’re a fan of these two, you should definitely check this one out! Highly recommend it!

Note: The author sent me a copy or this book in exchange for an honest review so my opinion is 100% real and not affected by that.
Profile Image for Ve (ve_xo).
672 reviews112 followers
October 6, 2020
I enjoyed this one! Aftermath is the story of two sisters in search for their freedom and their identity.
Lilly and Lyla have been on the run from the Demorites ever since they killed their mother and invaded earth. The Demorites now have the land for themselves whiles still hunting for humans.

Let's dive in!


I loved the wittiness of the characters. Although this is a story about survival, the girls still had it in them to show a sarcastic side. The dynamic between the two reminded me a lot of the bond I have with my sisters. I love when a story has a strong connection with a certain loved one!



There was a little bit of everything! The sisters go thru some trials with their new found identity, witches.. yup! what better way to bring me on board than with magic. There were parts of their training where it kind of reminded me of camp half blood from Percy Jackson, lol, I know I know... how is that possible? well there's a part in the book where the girls meet all these kids around their age and they are training together.



Oh yea did I mention that there's romance? umm yea there is. I love a book that includes romance, it definitely pulls me! This was definitely a great start for the author, the story kept me stuck to the book. I hope to read more about the Armorian Chronicles!

Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy of Aftermath!

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review
August 27, 2017
This is the best novel that I have read in a while. I picked it up and I couldn't put it down! The strong female characters inspired me. Even though there is destruction all around them, they always stick together, and they know what to do next because of that. They kept each other going. The reader quickly learns that even though the twins are dealing with chaos, they also have to deal with what any young woman deals with--boys. Although not many women have to go through war, they can relate to Lyla (or Lilly) when it comes to this aspect of this story, whether it's being distracted because of a cute boy, or being annoyed by boys who can't take a hint. However, just because there is love in this novel, that doesn't mean it's only for girls to read. For the guys, there are epic fights and battles throughout this novel as well. The author did an amazing job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, and I cannot wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Ere Reviews.
199 reviews72 followers
December 13, 2020
4.5🌟
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was truly amazing and the story very captivating.
I really connected to the characters and and I can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Shreya Vijay.
Author 5 books31 followers
April 4, 2021
Aftermath
Courtney Beals

Aftermath is a story of twin sisters Lily and Lyla who are the descendants of a long lineage of witches. With her parents dead, they reside with their grandparents. However, when one unfortunate day, their grandmother dies & grandfather is captured, their lives turn upside down. To make matters even more confusing, their father, who was supposed to be dead, show up at their doorstep, telling them about their lineage and takes them to Armoria, the place where the people like them live.

It had been a while since I read a decent Dystopia novel. I mostly shy away from it since they end up disappointing me, always. However, this time, I was pleasantly surprised. The novel was highly engaging and captivating. The storyline was distinctive and the author struck the perfect balance between dialogue and description. Whilst reading I found myself transported to the mystic lands of Armoria and I could feel everything the girls were feeling.

The characters were penned with an impressive prowess. They were amiable and seemed real. I adored the bond between Lyla and Lilly. Graham was one character which I struggled to understand a bit.

However, there were certain things which dimmed the brightness of the novel. For instance, the climax is very rushed and seemed a little abrupt to me. I saw it coming but the way it was presented could’ve been a little better. However, I still look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I would recommend this book to you if you would like to read a dystopia novel with a tinge of Fantasy.

“𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒑𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.”
Profile Image for Kim Radatz.
114 reviews3 followers
October 22, 2020
This young adult dystopian novel is full of magic, thrills, and suspense. I really enjoyed this one!

It’s been eighteen years since dark creatures concealed underneath black hoods invaded the world. The surviving population was forced into hiding to avoid the dark creatures. Twin girls named Lyla and Lilly Langston, along with their grandparents are among the few that survived the invasion.

When their grandmother is killed, and their grandfather is taken captive by the dark creatures, Lyla and Lilly set off to locate their grandfather. While on their quest the girls realize that they have unique, magical abilities.

The story that unfolds is action-packed, intriguing, and unique. Just when you think you have things figured out a perfectly timed plot twist changes everything.

I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, especially if they also enjoy the fantasy quest trope.

I got vibes that this may become a series, and I hope that is the case because I really enjoyed this book and would like to see what the future holds!
1,178 reviews14 followers
January 6, 2018
Sisters Lily and Lyla must come together to fight the Damien and his evil warriors so that Armorian may live free. Paranormal and supernatural powers both help and hinder the sisters in their quest. Since this is book one of the Amorian Chronicles, there are Demorites scattered throughout the world just waiting to battle the sisters. The story revolves around family, friendships, and sovereign control. Although the two strong are at the center of all the action, a mixture of young men and woman supported the sisters in their quest. It is a quick read and sets the tone for the series.

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. Although encouraged, I was under no obligation to write a review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
37 reviews
February 9, 2021
Aftermath: The Armorian Chronicles caught my eye as a Dystopian fan. The elements of fantasy mixed in made for a nice blending. I loved that there were two main characters, the twins Lyla and Lilly, as it was a refreshing change. They were both strong young women, who stayed true to their characters. And, I think this is a good base story that will lend itself nicely to sequels and parallel stories about the other main characters too.
Profile Image for Eltona.
130 reviews
July 1, 2021
Do you know that feeling when you finish a book and a part of your soul is still there?
When after you finish it you realize how it affected in your life, and suddenly you think how was your life without it, a book that keeps you away from reality.
This is that kind of book that makes you believe that no matter what , no matter how bad you are , what people think of you,family will be there for you anytime .
Lyla and Lilly twin sister’s , i love their friendship, the way they talked about everything , i love how they support each other and love each other.After everything this book makes me realize how important family is.
Above all this book made my imagination live another life.
Profile Image for Vesta Croy.
41 reviews
August 6, 2018
For a new writer, she is very skilled. The book goes in to depth in all the right places and gives in to your imagination where it should be. I couldn't put it down after I read the first few pages, they say that's all it takes right? If you read it, you won't be disappointed and you'll always want more!
Profile Image for Whitney Brandenburg.
1 review33 followers
December 3, 2019
This is a very good book! I love the adventure and magic incorporated into it. This book keeps you hooked in the whole time and makes you want to read more. Highly recommended!!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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