After

The Neverway Chronicles #1

by Savannah Jezowski

“Some people might say that there are worse fates than death. In some worlds, perhaps that may well be the case. But in mine, it would be a lie. There is no greater horror than that which comes after death.”

On the streets of an ancient city, with creepers wandering at will and a mysterious assassin leaving corpses all over Pandorum, a young Spook with a dark secret will do anything to keep his brothers safe, even from forces that threaten to tear them apart from within. While others are searching for impossible cures from outlawed Spinners, Conrad Ellis III does not believe in fairy tales and miracles. But when he discovers a strange girl with shrouded ties to the Assassin, Eli is forced to leave the streets he loves and travel into the very heart of Pandorum in order to save a member of his family. With his health failing and the danger escalating, there is no escaping the inevitable truth. Today, he may hunt creepers.

Tomorrow, he just might be one.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

381 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2015

About the author

Savannah lives in a drafty farmhouse in Amish country with her Knight in Shining Armor, who is no less shiny after eight years of matrimony, and a loyal brigade of kitties, who may or may not sleep on the job. Her work has been published in Ray Gun Revival, Mindflights and in the student publication of Fountains at PCC. She is also an author in the Five Enchanted Roses collection. She likes books, faeries and writing hats. Quite recently, dragons were spotted having tea on her estate.

Reviews

[Kellyn Roth · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

I'm reading so slow recently, so I'm glad this was a quick read! Not that it was short, but that it was a quick read. *that's difficult to understand* *but y'all know what I mean* Like, it was ... not difficult to get through. xD This is a compliment in case you can't tell!

I definitely enjoyed this book! I am not a zombie person for sure, lol, at least insofar as I've never read a book with zombies in it and the only zombies I've seen in movies are like joking parody-of-something-else zombies. (James, my little brother, has apparently watched a lot of The Walking Dead, though. What???)

Anyways, I found this story intriguing! The "creepers" are essentially zombies only with a Christian allegorical twist, and I found it fascinating! (and creepy) (like, I walked out of my room last night just after finishing this book and heard a noise and I was like, "Here, Amy, Amy, Amy ...") (Someone tell me they get that reference!) (Also, "MY MOTHER WAS KILLED BY A DANDELION COVERED IN FABRIC SOFTENER.")

This novel is the Victorian era + zombies + awesome magic powers + male lead who isn't dramatic or immature while still being gruff (<3 <3 <3 reminds me of myself ... except I am immature ...) + misty smoky scary London + intrigue + lost princess cliche at its best + awesomesauce.

Negative Content:
-Lots of violence, but none of it was particularly gory. Well, a little gory, I suppose, but it never bugged me even a bit. I have a high tolerance, but I really think it was minimal.
-No language, I don't think.
-No sexual content. There was a bit of a romance towards the end, but it was beyond squeaky clean: it barely existed. (If anything, I'd have liked more!)

I'd recommend this from teens 13+ just because I think it could be a little disturbing with the magic and the creepers, but it didn't bug me, and overall it was an exciting story.

Overall, I'd recommend it to lovers of fantasy + steampunk-ish-I-guess-I-don't-know + horror-ish-but-not-super-bad-and-it's-clean ... okay, I don't know who I recommend this book to, but I do recommend it. ;P Sorry, y'all ... this is out of my usual genres!

ALSO ... yes, I don't usually read fantasy-ish stories, but I do love them ... I need to read more. This was fun! And heartbreaking. That, too.

And I think that's about it for now.

~Kellyn Roth, Reveries Reviews

[Tammy Lash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi. I’m Tammy and I have a confession. I don’t read fantasy. *Gasp* Hang on. Before you flog me with the hairs from a unicorn’s tail, let me clarify and say that I do read fantasy… I just don’t read-read it. There’s nothing wrong with fantasy—most of my favorite movies are fantasy-based (When a Monster Calls, Jungle Book, Lord of the Rings…)—it’s just not the area that I have ever hit first in Barnes and Noble. It’s the love and adoration that I have for my fantasy author friends that has taught me to backpack through unfamiliar landscapes, and it’s my love of story—good stories—that gives me the boldness to explore. I know that good stories can come from every genre, and After, by Savannah Jezowski, is one of those good stories.

My backpack didn’t feel heavy at all in the world of After—I hiked happily through it three times—and I didn’t get lost wandering the cobblestone streets of the Neverway. The warm glow of the street lamps, and the clippity-clop of horses’ hooves made reading this fantasy historically familiar. I felt comfortably at home. To me, I was visiting the grimy, Victorian world of Oliver Twist. The first chapter warned me, however, that I would have to watch my step. Orphans aren’t the only ones who zig zag through the streets of the Neverway—the undead do, too. The undead shadows of the Creepers stretch over the story and they give it a thrilling, gloomy dark. They aren’t the focal point of the story, however. It’s the Spinners/Spooks who carry the torches here and light the story.

After is an elegantly, dark Christian allegory that shows the power of our Christ to save. Savannah Jezowski built a strong world with themes important to the Christian walk: friendships, brotherhood, forgiveness, redemption…family…, but where Mrs. Jezowski’s pen has done its best work is the artistic flourishes and swoops she created towards character development. Never have I seen male characters so strong in modern literature. The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton, will forever be my measuring stick towards proper character sculpting and painting, and Eli (Conrad Ellis the Third), Ivan, and Victor stand as tall as Pony Boy, Darry, and Soda Pop. Eli is hands down my most favorite male in Indie literature. Brooding, strong, sacrificial…Conrad is the masterpiece of After. Ivan, the handsome, lighthearted chatterbox with the cool hat, and Victor, the sweet little brother with the nightmares and mysterious friend, are both brilliant, supporting characters.

It’s hard to believe that After is outside of my usual reading genre. What a wonderful lesson for us all to exercise our reading muscles daily by venturing outside of our preferred world. You may be missing out on a new favorite if you stay inside yours. I know for me, I’m glad I have a broken-in backpack. After will be one that I will take off the shelf to enjoy for years to come.

[J.M. Stengl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already a fan of Ms. Jezowski after reading her novella "Wither," from Five Enchanted Roses, but this full-length novel was even better! Darker, richer, more heart-rending, with deep characterization and a vividly written Neverway world.

For a while there I just didn't see how anything could end well, but oh--it did! Not without ripping my heart out, but still it was so good, so . . . right. I love Conrad and would love to read more about him. He is an intriguing viewpoint character, for sure. The romance was subtle yet sweet, and quite believable for a character who struggles to express any emotion.

I can hardly wait for Specter to release. I really want more of this world!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was a very unique fantasy story! I greatly enjoyed the opening because it started with a spook and him looking for creepers (even though I won't deny I first thought of Minecraft). I hadn't read anything like that before, and as the story progressed, I can honestly say I haven't read a *book* like this before. The premise was extremely interesting.

However, even though I loved the premise, I especially loved Eli and Ivan's relationship! (Well, maybe not all of it, but a lot of it.) It's apparent they strongly care for one another despite their differences. Seeing them grow and be more open made my heart so happy. <3

I will admit that the ending tore me up. Hugs to all the characters!

At the end, the author wrote a note concerning the story and I appreciated that. It brought a new depth to the characters and different situations that were eye-opening. (Not saying it was shallow before, just that certain things took on a new meaning).

Overall, this was a really good read and one I would recommend to fantasy readers who are looking for a slightly darker feel, but with a unique story and fantastic characters.

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

After

Two grand slams in one month!

I’m going to start out by saying that I’ve never been a fan of zombie stories.

Just, keep that in mind.

When I first read the complete Five Enchanted Roses collection, one of my favorite stories was Wither by Savannah Jezowski.

Now... After is a kind of prequel story to Wither. It is set in the same world, and there is even a pretty big cameo by the characters who feature in Wither, but the story itself follows a different set of characters and their story.

When I first read Wither, I really liked the chilling setting and sort of creepy flavor it had. But when people started talking about “the zombie story” in Five Enchanted Roses, I was honestly extremely confused. See, it went straight over my head that “creepers” were, actually, her version of fantasy-themed zombies. Totally missed that!

But these are not zombies like you’ve ever seen them before. They bear all the hallmarks you’d expect... they are people who have died, but have not stayed buried like they’re supposed to. In the fantasy world of Pandorum, this strange epidemic is a problem people live with, and accept as something they can’t solve. The creepers wander aimlessly, existing somewhere between life and death, and are usually fairly placid, though loud noises can get them “riled” which makes them more dangerous.

Eli, the main character in After, is a “spook” who basically guards his section of town against creepers and helps transport them outside the city gates when he finds them.

But this is not a story about creepers. They are part of the story, but they are not the focus... in many respects, they’re not even on the main stage.

After is a story about a man and his brothers. It is a story about family and forgiveness and faith. In the Author’s Note, Ms. Jezowski says that the Neverway Chronicles are a sort of picture of what the afterlife might look like in a world where the Savior has not yet come. And that is where this story takes a hard left turn away from what a classic zombie story normally looks like. It is this lens through which the story is written that allows it to be stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful.

Seven Things I Loved About After:

Conrad Ellis the Third. Also known as “Eli,” is the main character and he is the heart and soul of this book. Most of the story is told from his perspective. Eli is my favorite thing about this book, and I just want to hug him... though he certainly wouldn’t appreciate that at all. The main bread-winner for his family, he shoulders far more than he should, and keeps everyone at arm’s length. He rarely shows his true emotions or says the things he’s thinking. He actually cares — with a deep, extravagant, fiercely loyal love — for those he’s let into his heart... but, of course, he doesn’t tell them that! Brooding, sarcastic, and grumpy, and with no patience for anything that he feels is impractical, Eli is an eminently likable character, despite his dour moods.
Ivan. Ivan is Eli’s younger half-brother by seven years. He is almost the complete opposite of Eli in every way. Cheerful to a fault, and with an eye for extravagant, impractical things, you can’t help but love Ivan. The interactions between him and Eli are constantly entertaining, but there is a deeper story of respect and love between them that builds throughout the story... beneath all the little digs and jibes and sarcastic comments... and it is lovely to watch it unfold.
The world-building. Pandorum is extremely well thought out. The way that the city is structured, with each section separated by guarded gates, until you reach the center of the city where the rich and powerful are located, was easy to follow and see. It was also neat to follow with Eli as he journeyed to the heart of the city on his assignment and see him realize that the golden heart of Pandorum was just as afflicted by problems and corruption as the Quarter, his home section of the city.
The humor. Did I mention this book is funny? I know that might seem weird to find in a story of this nature, but it really is. There is a sarcastic, witty sense of humor lacing its way through the book, and Eli himself has a rather dark sense of humor that I found highly entertaining.
Brothers... the brotherly relationships throughout this book are fantastic. They are just so very real and deep and multi-faceted. There were multiple spots in the second half of this book that had me in tears. Not because the story was sad (though there are moments of that, as well), but because what was happening in the story was so perfectly beautiful and RIGHT for the story in that moment. There is a moment between Eli and Ivan where they’ve been sniping back and forth at one another and Eli realizes that he has wounded his brother deeply, and ... I can’t tell you any more because: SPOILERS, but it is my favorite moment in the entire book and I couldn’t read for a bit because the pages were too blurry to move on.
Mystery. I’ve noticed, as I’ve now read three different stories by Ms. Jezowski, that she has a habit of writing a good amount of mystery into her stories. She tends to set you down in the middle of her worlds and then race off, leaving the reader to pick up the clues of how the world works as the story unfolds. I love this habit of hers. I love exploring with the characters and having these little “Aha!” moments throughout the story as things click into place. The mystery is fun and exciting, but it isn’t so central to the story that you wouldn’t want to re-read it... if that makes sense. Knowing the answers to the mysteries doesn’t ruin the story.
The allegory. I like allegories. Not all the time, and not when they’re too over-the-top, but when they are subtle and poignant, then I love them. This book is everything an allegory should be. It’s not a representation of our world, and it isn’t meant to be. But it asks an interesting question, and then strives to answer it, and does so with a fascinating story full of incredible characters that you will absolutely fall in love with.

Honestly, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has completely stolen my heart, and I can’t wait for the author to write more books in this world so I can journey there again. It releases tomorrow, so you should definitely go grab a copy!

Five dragon eggs!

[Susan Peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy is not normally a genre I go for, and zombie stories even less, but I've always had a soft spot when it comes to stories about brothers. So it was with a mixture of hope and doubt that I picked up this novel by Savannah Jezowski. I'd seen some glowing reviews about it on several websites and was curious to find out if it would live up to all the enthusiastic things other readers were saying about it.

All I can say is -- WOW! It went over and beyond my expectations. From the very first page, Jezowski yanked me by the arm and pulled me straight into the gloomy, foreboding Neverway, where she introduced me to the two main characters, twenty-five year old Conrad Ellis the Third and his seventeen year old stepbrother Ivan Jenks, both of whom would soon steal my heart. The brothers are "spooks", whose job it is to escort "creepers" (the roaming dead) out of the city walls and into the wilderness beyond. That alone could make a compelling, and somewhat chilling, story, but the author doesn't stop there. In fact, the creepers aren't even the main focus of the plot. They linger almost in the background, like a silent threat to keep you on edge through the rest of the enthralling tale.

I admit the first few chapters were a little slow, as the author built her fantasy world and established the characters, but even with a slower pace it held my interest on every page. Once the plot really got going, it was very difficult to put down and kept me up reading into the wee hours for several nights in a row. The last quarter of the book is absolutely un-put-downable. Most of the story is told by Conrad, as he and Ivan are pulled into a life-and-death search for their kidnapped youngest brother Victor. The author has added a fantastic and realistic cast of supporting characters, including Conrad's identical twin Roman and his wife, a disguised princess fleeing for her life, her gentle guardian, a holy healer, a lovable soldier towards the end, and, of course, villains that will make your blood run cold. Their desperate journey to find and rescue Victor, while at the same time keeping the young princess safe, is the main plot, but in a certain sense, the more heartrending conflict is Conrad facing his own inner demons and his relationship with Ivan. More than once I found myself reaching for the tissue box, and the end -- oh my goodness! The end left me with so many mixed emotions, a handful of soppy kleenex, and a new author to add to my list of favorites.

I'm really glad I tried this book. It's clean, enjoyable, exciting, and haunting. Highly recommended.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conrad Ellis the Third, or Eli as he was known, was a spook. Spooks assisted the Royal Guard by turning the creepers loose in the Neverway and keeping them outside the city. But Eli had an uncanny sense when it came to them, he could smell the, sense them coming long before anyone else could. He was happy to earn his keep and support his stepfather and brothers. Long had he given up hope on his twin, Roman, obtaining a marker for any of them so they could live a better life deeper in the city. Eli had enough on his plate with supporting the family and hiding the fact he was afflicted, but when the same brother who had abandoned them came calling for a favour he knew he was in trouble. Roman was on assignment but a new injury left him unable to see it through. Failure would mean more than loss of status for Roman, it could cost him his life. How could Eli refuse? but with the hand he had already been dealt, perhaps he should think twice before accepting his brother's burden too.

After is the first book in Savannah Jezowski's The Neverway Chronicles series. Within this gripping tale you will find pages of rich and vivid descriptions, and wonderful scene setting. You really start to get a feel for the city and the Neverway, a place filled with creepers who were once the loved ones of those within the city. The characters are not only well developed as individuals, but their relationships have been given due thought and attention making it a real pleasure to read as you get to know about the characters, with small aspects and history revealed through such interactions. There is a very fleshed out feel to the world, and it is a growth I expect would continue in subsequent books. Pick this up of you want to lose yourself in a heart-wrenching tale where things seem to progress from bad to worse, but where glimmers of hope can sometimes light the darkness.

[Michelle VanDaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dark and creepy story. It was unlike any tihre book I have read and I loved that. The twists and engaing characters had me reading well into the early morning hours. A great book for ny fantasy fan

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this story, something a little different; which lost me in the world were the book is based! Well written & looking forward to the next in the series!

[Hannah Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book from Savannah Jesowski! I've never seen a plot quite like this, and I've never read an ending quite like the one this book held. But, I must say, I enjoyed the ride.

I think what I loved the most about this story are her characters. Most books I've read with a huge amount of characters lose me. I get names and identities mixed up something terrible. But not with the characters in this tale. I felt I knew each one personally, felt their realness crawling through the page. And, I love male lead stories. I grow weary of independent females all the time; I found Conrad refreshing.

All in all, it was a great read.

[Claire Self · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received After by Savannah Jezowski in exchange for an honest review. I have given this book three out of five stars ⭐⭐⭐
At first, I found it quite difficult to get into the story of After, but as soon as you get to grips with the characters and the world that they live in, it soon becomes a book that’s hard to put down.

I really adored a lot of the characters that have been created in The Neverway Chronicles and can only hope that in the next book, more likeable characters join us on their journey. One of the characters that I adored in After was: Ivan. Ivan is the handsome, very talkative stepbrother of Eli’s who I thought was a fantastic character who I enjoyed learning about. I thought the characters were all well-developed and thoroughly enjoyed the relationships between each of them, especially Eli and Fen.

I loved the concept of this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series! Some of the things that threw me slightly off was when Jezowski uses the terms creepers, spinners and spooks and incorporated them into dialogue as well, such as “creeper-loving”. I felt as though I didn’t learn as much as I would’ve liked to about spinners and spooks, but I may have to re-read After to read over parts of the book that didn’t sink in as much as other parts did.

One particular quote stood out to me in this book which was: “Why did nightmares have to linger so? Why could they not fade away like pleasant dreams that deserted you the moment you awoke but left a warm feeling behind as a reminder?” – this quote spoke so many words to me! I’ve never been able to put it into words properly but I completely related to this quote as it ALWAYS happens to me!

I have never read one of Jezowski’s books, however I thoroughly enjoyed her writing and look forward to reading the rest of The Neverway Chronicles when they are published!

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to start out by saying that I’ve never been a fan of zombie stories.

Just, keep that in mind.

When I first read the complete Five Enchanted Roses collection, one of my favorite stories was Wither by Savannah Jezowski.

Now... After is a kind of prequel story to Wither. It is set in the same world, and there is even a pretty big cameo by the characters who feature in Wither, but the story itself follows a different set of characters and their story.

When I first read Wither, I really liked the chilling setting and sort of creepy flavor it had. But when people started talking about “the zombie story” in Five Enchanted Roses, I was honestly extremely confused. See, it went straight over my head that “creepers” were, actually, her version of fantasy-themed zombies. Totally missed that!

But these are not zombies like you’ve ever seen them before. They bear all the hallmarks you’d expect... they are people who have died, but have not stayed buried like they’re supposed to. In the fantasy world of Pandorum, this strange epidemic is a problem people live with, and accept as something they can’t solve. The creepers wander aimlessly, existing somewhere between life and death, and are usually fairly placid, though loud noises can get them “riled” which makes them more dangerous.

Eli, the main character in After, is a “spook” who basically guards his section of town against creepers and helps transport them outside the city gates when he finds them.

But this is not a story about creepers. They are part of the story, but they are not the focus... in many respects, they’re not even on the main stage.

After is a story about a man and his brothers. It is a story about family and forgiveness and faith. In her Author’s Note, Ms. Jezowski says that the Neverway Chronicles are a sort of picture of what the afterlife might look like in a world where the Savior has not yet come. And that is where this story takes a hard left turn away from what a classic zombie story normally looks like. It is this lens through which the story is written that allows it to be stunningly, breathtakingly beautiful.

Seven Things I Loved About After:

- Conrad Ellis the Third. Also known as “Eli,” is the main character and he is the heart and soul of this book. Most of the story is told from his perspective. Eli is my favorite thing about this book, and I just want to hug him... though he certainly wouldn’t appreciate that at all. The main bread-winner for his family, he shoulders far more than he should, and keeps everyone at arm’s length. He rarely shows his true emotions or says the things he’s thinking. He actually cares — with a deep, extravagant, fiercely loyal love — for those he’s let into his heart... but, of course, he doesn’t tell them that! Brooding, sarcastic, and grumpy, and with no patience for anything that he feels is impractical, Eli is an eminently likable character, despite his dour moods.- Ivan. Ivan is Eli’s younger half-brother by seven years. He is almost the complete opposite of Eli in every way. Cheerful to a fault, and with an eye for extravagant, impractical things, you can’t help but love Ivan. The interactions between him and Eli are constantly entertaining, but there is a deeper story of respect and love between them that builds throughout the story... beneath all the little digs and jibes and sarcastic comments... and it is lovely to watch it unfold.- The world-building. Pandorum is extremely well thought out. The way that the city is structured, with each section separated by guarded gates, until you reach the center of the city where the rich and powerful are located, was easy to follow and see. It was also neat to follow with Eli as he journeyed to the heart of the city on his assignment and see him realize that the golden heart of Pandorum was just as afflicted by problems and corruption as the Quarter, his home section of the city.- The humor. Did I mention this book is funny? I know that might seem weird to find in a story of this nature, but it really is. There is a sarcastic, witty sense of humor lacing its way through the book, and Eli himself has a rather dark sense of humor that I found highly entertaining.- Brothers... the brotherly relationships throughout this book are fantastic. They are just so very real and deep and multi-faceted. There were multiple spots in the second half of this book that had me in tears. Not because the story was sad (though there are moments of that, as well), but because what was happening in the story was so perfectly beautiful and RIGHT for the story in that moment. There is a moment between Eli and Ivan where they’ve been sniping back and forth at one another and Eli realizes that he has wounded his brother deeply, and ... I can’t tell you any more because: SPOILERS, but it is my favorite moment in the entire book and I couldn’t read for a bit because the pages were too blurry to move on.- Mystery. I’ve noticed, as I’ve now read three different stories by Ms. Jezowski, that she has a habit of writing a good amount of mystery into her stories. She tends to set you down in the middle of her worlds and then race off, leaving the reader to pick up the clues of how the world works as the story unfolds. I love this habit of hers. I love exploring with the characters and having these little “Aha!” moments throughout the story as things click into place. The mystery is fun and exciting, but it isn’t so central to the story that you wouldn’t want to re-read it... if that makes sense. Knowing the answers to the mysteries doesn’t ruin the story.- The allegory. I like allegories. Not all the time, and not when they’re too over-the-top, but when they are subtle and poignant, then I love them. This book is everything an allegory should be. It’s not a representation of our world, and it isn’t meant to be. But it asks an interesting question, and then strives to answer it, and does so with a fascinating story full of incredible characters that you will absolutely fall in love with.

Honestly, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It has completely stolen my heart, and I can’t wait for the author to write more books in this world so I can journey there again.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conrad (Conrad Ellis the Third or as he prefers Eli) is a Spooker, along with one of his step-brothers, Ivan Jenks. They both work keeping Creepers, those recently dead, who refuse to stay dead (basically Zombies to you and me!) and have to escort them out of town and into the Neverway. The Neverway is a region between towns, lawless and extremely dangerous for unescorted travellers. The Creepers are drawn to noise and movement and can get quite agitated trying to carry out whatever task it is that is keeping them in this world! The two young men also have another younger brother, Victor, who Eli has kept out of the trade so far, but who is getting to an age, that her needs to start working.

The Creeper epidemic is completely random and can attack anyone at any time. There is no knowing who the next victim may be. In addition to Spooks and Creepers, there are also those called Spinners, people with a form of magic, which has been outlawed for years under their current ruler. Anyone suspected of being a Spinner at an early age is taken away and never seen again. Whether the ruler of the kingdom has put them to their own uses or they have been executed is never made clear. The boys all live with Eli’s step-father and the other boy’s real father, an old and worn out drunk, who can no longer work due to injury, but uses most of their earnings to buy alcohol and drugs for his pain! Eli hates living with him, but sees Ivan and Victor as his true brothers and will do everything to keep them safe and to look out for them.

Eli is living with secrets of his own and is the main voice telling the story, although towards the end we also hear the story from his step-brother Ivan. Eli is trying to keep the brothers together as a family since the death of their mother and the useless father they have to look after instead of have looking after them. He and Ivan normally work nights, as this is when the Creepers are most active, but the story starts with their job being bodyguards for a well off lady travelling to see the King as a possible suitor. There is more to her as you will find out in the book and her companion is silent but deadly. The king is looking for a new wife and more power.

Most of the book is about Eli and his brothers and what he is doing to keep them together. Yes, they have to escape from Creepers at times and guide them out of the way, but that is not the whole premise behind this book and the author’s notes give you a good look at what the author was trying to show readers. Eli’s long absent twin brother, Roman and his wife, turn up at their door, Roman is injured and likely to die unless a healer can be found and paid for. He took his wife with him out of the danger they are under, from his latest job for the king’s guard. He had taken on a new job for the King and is to return with his daughter and the woman who allowed her to escape from a secret and safe location. The king’s previous wife and others had been killed by people labelled as Spinners in the Spinner War. He then outlawed them.

If Roman doesn’t return to the inner city and the palace with the two in tow, his life and that of his wife will be forfeit! There are many after this young princess and most want her dead and others want the king dead as well. It seems Spinners may be uprising from the shadows and want to live among the rest of society, not be hunted down and killed. To reach the city centre and the palace and homes of the rich and powerful, people have to travel through different gates and can only travel through gates they have the correct paperwork and tokens for. Before Eli can take his place, their youngest brother Victor is taken and Eli and Ivan are determined to find him and get him back.

Unknown to Eli, some in his family have powers, linked to those of Spinners, yet never discovered at an early age. Is this why Victor has been taken? He was always the one in the family, unlike all the rest. Now Eli and Ivan must find the missing princess, long thought dead as a child and the woman sent to keep her safe, and take them both back to the palace, one with a definite death sentence awaiting her, the other with an unknown future, which doesn’t sit well with Eli, but he has no real options left. If he can survive that long and find his brother, his life will be complete. This book is so much more than you first believe, from the start of the story, right through to the end. I absolutely loved it! I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story, although I had trouble getting into it in the beginning by about the midpoint it had me hooked. I keep seeing reviews refering to it as a zombie story, but really that is such a minor element, more of a background/ motivation element, than a true focus of the story.
When we first meet the main character Eli (or Conrad Ellis the Third to be precise), he is a Spook, a member of the guard responsible for catching the undead and returning them outside of the city walls to the Neverway. He has a nose for the job and more often than not he can smell a creeper before he can see it, which works out really well in his line of work. Eli works to free the city of creepers all the while concerned about becoming a creeper himself as he is marked for death by the "affliction", a secret he tries desperately hard to keep to himself. Eli works along side his step-brother Ivan and he is determined that his younger step-brother Victor, will be able to remain free of adult responsibility for as long as possible. His twin brother Roman, was able to secure a marker and leave the lower city and become a member of the high city guards. ( I don't know why but I imagine this world/city like being tiers on a cake, big and large where the poorer people live then progessively getting smaller the more gates you go through and the closer you are to the Emperor.)
It wasn't until the storyline of Eli and Roman collided that I fully became engrossed in the storyline and the world in which it existed. Victor is kidnapped and the ransom required is the girl that Roman has been sent back to the lower city to find, and there is an assassin on the loose who is sucking people dry (and magic is outlawed making this transgression twice as serious) who is also seeking the girl, the Emperor's daughter.

So are there zombies in this book, yes. Is the book focused on zombies, no. It is a book about brotherly love and about what one brother is willing to do to protect and/ or save the life his other brothers. It is believing yourself to be one thing, only to find out you are something completely different. It's about realizing that while love doesn't conquer all, it is a really great motivator.

I received this book free from Hidden Gems

[Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Five Enchanted Roses which introduces you to the Neverway world with a beauty and the beast short retelling from Savannah Jezowski. It was a very cleverly done retelling which was unique and it made me intrigued about digging deeper into that world. I was happy to find out that there was a book that came before the short and one that continues on after. I highly recommend taking a chance on this series.

AFTER is a story that pulls you into brotherly bonds, mystery, a man's journey to find himself, light romance and some grisly fighting with creepers (zombie like beings). I found the main character Eli's story to be compelling. He does not have an easy life and he has done the best he knows how to keep his family safe while sacrificing a large part of himself in the process. His journey throughout the book is powerful. You feel his pain, his fears, his uncertainties and his hope that he buries deep inside. There is much self discovery that he goes through.

I loved the relationship between the brothers even though there is not always easy relations. They are all so different yet alike with their loyalty to each other. I also really liked the relationship that developed between Fen and Eli. They each have their pasts but it was a beautiful thing to watch their character growth and the walls that were slowly taken down.

It is a hard but really good story. It is filled with hope for what can be, a hope to change, a hope of becoming a better person and a hope of putting your best into creating a better world. There is also a large focus on when to hold on and when to let go. This book definitely lays the foundation for the ones to come. A world rife with magic, dark mysteries, facing your fears, personal sacrifice and avoiding or fighting creepers and other strange beings. I look forward to the continuation of Victor's story though I am sad to leave Eli behind.

This book does contain violence, some grisly images and death. It also contains some spelling or grammatical errors but it does not detract from the writing.

Please give this book a chance. If nothing else, try out this author. She has a fabulous imagination and a creative way of telling a story.

[R.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

After is a fantasy adventure fraught with danger, mystery, suspense, and a race against the clock.

The storyline is tense from the very first page, and though the action may die down in some places, the suspense and mystery never leaves us. It truly is a page turner on all accounts.

I loved Eli. As an eldest child myself, I could feel the responsibilities that he bestowed on himself, the fear and protection he shouldered on behalf of his family, and even the choices he made. He was a very real character and I was very pleased with how he handled his unfortunate turn of events.

The story, though excellently paced, did seem to be confuse me a lot of times. We open with detailed descriptions of the Creepers (undead/zombie-like people) which made me think that they would play a bigger role in the story than they did. They didn’t disappear, but about a third of the way through the book, the story turned from Eli’s job as a Spook (someone who captures Creepers) to an epic adventure filled with deception and disguise. I loved the concept for sure, but the transition was just very sudden and I felt the mood of the book shift from dark and mysterious to almost a Tolkien-like quest. Like I said, still a wonderful story, just a bit choppy in the transition.

The content is clean though a bit dark. There is no cursing or sexual content, however the blood and gore is decently high. As are the descriptions of the Creepers. So overall, I really enjoyed After and I do look forward to reading the next book in the series, Specter. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.

This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.

[Stephanie Gillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. This book took me a long time to get through this one. It's a grimdark, fairly slow build up and while I enjoyed most of it I can't say it really stood out. I didn't really understand the magic system shown nor exactly the function of the creepers and spooks. Like they're kind of a zombie but a zombie they want protected? For what reason I still can't really grasp. The romance is slowburn but doesn't really have any payoff, it's just one moment at the end there's confession and then the epilogue they're already married but there was no satisfaction there because it's all off-page. I also hate the trope of someone's purpose in life being to die for someone else. Hate that. Especially when it was the only character I actually liked. There were a few overused tropes (like the main character never able to recognize a woman in disguise, twice he's fooled) and his constant brooding must sacrifice myself to feed my family. just tropes I'm not a huge fan of but others might be. Writing style was good though but overall I just couldn't really connect and I don't think the sequel is ever actually coming out since this came out in 2015 and Specter is out but that's considered 1.5 and not a true sequel? So, not going to hold my breath for it.

[David Justiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kind of story I like reading, especially recently: dark, but with sure light. The setting and tone, especially in the first half of the story, reminded me of a fantasy version of Charles Dickens in the way it was dreary and gritty but still with some humor and heart, right and wrong, grays and unknowns. Looking forward to book 2.
(OT: Just having creatures called "creepers" and explosions in the same story made me think of Minecraft. ...Sorry, that has nothing to do with what I thought about the story, but I had to spoiler-mark it because of the explosion bit...)

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I can't stop thinking about it! I have to say at the beginning I was finding it hard to connect with the main character, though I think it was mostly having just finished reading Savannah other book 'Wither' I was so attached to those characters from that story, that I wasn't giving these new ones a chase. And, to honest, there was a point in the story that I was wondering were this was all going. But as I got deeper in the tale of 'After' I was drawn deeper and deeper, that I could not stop! I fell in love with all of the characters and was heart broken with one of the out comes. I really love Savannah writing style and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I receive this book free as an ARC reader for review.

Yes, this book has zombies (creepers), and it has secret magic (spinners), and it has lots of murdered, mummified bodies, but really, it’s a book about family.

Conrad Ellis the Third (Eli) is a spook (creeper hunter) by night. He does it to provide for his family and to protect his spinner brother from any harsher life than the death he dreams at night. Now Eli has “the affliction” and knows it’s just a matter of time before he becomes a creeper himself, but strange murders, intriguing women, and a royal wedding all have to be dealt with first.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Dark Fairytale like stories?

The tone of this book fits the cover. Enter into a story of flawed characters, spooks and creepers and find out who the true enemy is. Magic is outlawed with immediate death and the Emperor is looking for a new Empress. There are weird deaths in the lower quarter and a terrified witness. Follow the spook Eli as he finds himself embroiled in a much bigger mystery than a hidden creeper.

[Addyson Huneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't like Victor. How dare he make Conrad suffer like this? As if Conrad wanted Ivan to die for him. How dare Victor run away, nursing his hurt, when poor Conrad wants to make up with him?

[Amy Kneeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eli is exceptionally good at hunting creepers, the zombie like corpses that roam aimlessly outside the city but occasionally wander in. His job is to protect the city and sometimes travelers from creepers. While most people hate and fear them, Eli feels a deep sympathy for them, probably because he is secretly harboring the disease that will eventually turn him into one but he is resigned to his fate. When an assassin turns up in the city, Eli’s job is to track it down, leading him on a journey that forces him to consider that the value his family and friends place on his life is enough for him to fight for it.