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Hereafter
Border Patrol agent Lily Turnbow is fighting a terrorist for her life when everything around her dissolves into a maelstrom of light and thunder. Awakening one hundred years in the future, she finds a ruined world in which bands of mutants are at war with normal humans, and discovers she is as changed as her surroundings.
Resurrected into a society only now beginning to recover from the Event that almost wiped out humanity, Lily has become a Cross-up, acquiring powers she never had before. Driven by a bewildering set of circumstances, she uses these powers for the good of the O'Quinn clan, a horse society straight out of the Old West that has, against their better judgement, taken her in.
But with few exceptions, these people are not as appreciative of her help as one might expect. Even after killing one of her "own kind" the O’Quinn’s view her with fear and suspicion. Sent before the clan elders, Lily's alternatives are banishment into a lonely, friendless world where no one trusts anybody, or death.
But Lily isn't willing to die again.
Resurrected into a society only now beginning to recover from the Event that almost wiped out humanity, Lily has become a Cross-up, acquiring powers she never had before. Driven by a bewildering set of circumstances, she uses these powers for the good of the O'Quinn clan, a horse society straight out of the Old West that has, against their better judgement, taken her in.
But with few exceptions, these people are not as appreciative of her help as one might expect. Even after killing one of her "own kind" the O’Quinn’s view her with fear and suspicion. Sent before the clan elders, Lily's alternatives are banishment into a lonely, friendless world where no one trusts anybody, or death.
But Lily isn't willing to die again.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2012
59 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
C.K. Crigger
47 books25 followersC.K.Crigger, a native of the Inland Northwest, lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, dog, and reclusive cat. She is the author of eight published novels, some of which cross genres. Her short fiction story, Aldy Neals Ghost, was a 2007 Spur Award finalist, presented by Western Writers of America. BLACK CROSSING,a novel of the American West published by Amber Quill Press, is her newest work. It is the recipient of the 2008 Eppie Award in the Historical/Western category."
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 21, 2013
I’ve been hooked on post-apocalyptic fiction for so many years I can’t really remember when I took the bait (sorry for the bad pun). Many fads in fiction have come and gone and I tire of them after a while but I’ve never lost my love of this subgenre and, at this late date, I probably never will. I’m always interested to find a new twist, though, and C.K. Crigger has provided quite a few of those twists.
Besides the post-apocalyptic theme, Hereafter also offers time travel, magic, a potential for romance, a quest for truth and, perhaps most intriguing, it’s sort of a western. There are the obvious facts that the story takes place largely in the Northwest and transportation is by horse but it’s more than that. The latter part of the book reminds me very strongly of all the expanding frontier books I used to read—and still have a fondness for—such as the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross in which the reader follows the trail west with the characters. It is this element of a journey through history that intrigues me the most because it takes place in a future time and, yet, takes me back to our earlier times. Ms. Crigger has imagined a way to show us history repeating itself at the same time we see our possible future.
Finding herself in a new world one hundred years after the Event, possibly a scientist-driven catastrophe, Lily is a protagonist I like very much. She’s intelligent and strong, both physically and emotionally, and brave, very brave indeed. That bravery is not only a “macho”, take on the bad guys kind of thing—it really comes to the fore when Lily heads out on her lonely journey to find her own past. Being virtually alone and venturing into a dangerous unknown takes a level of fortitude many don’t have and, for Lily, it’s worse knowing her isolation is not by choice.
Other characters also grabbed my attention because they’re so carefully drawn that they stand out in the crowd, so to speak. Jacob, a 16-year-old with a bit of a crush, and Nate, the man that could potentially be a part of Lily’s life, are very appealing while her naysayers, Neila and Bannion, are completely understandable in their opposition to accepting this strange woman who simply does not fit in.
The last twenty percent of the book is the most gutwrenching in more ways than one and stands out in my mind as a shining example of what a post-apocalyptic novel can become in the right author’s hands. Fear of the unknown and the known as well as intense hope are precisely the emotions one would have in these circumstances and, while the story wraps up nicely and can be considered done, I do hope that Ms. Crigger will tell us more about Lily Turnbow and the people in her new world someday.
One last note—I had an ebook copy to review but, for some reason I can’t explain, I found I really wanted to listen to an audio edition, perhaps because audio gives the listener more of a storytelling effect which is in keeping with a primitive society. Rebecca Cook is an excellent narrator and, for the most part, I found it easy to distinguish between characters plus she handles male voices quite well. I’ll be more than willing to listen to her again.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2013.
Besides the post-apocalyptic theme, Hereafter also offers time travel, magic, a potential for romance, a quest for truth and, perhaps most intriguing, it’s sort of a western. There are the obvious facts that the story takes place largely in the Northwest and transportation is by horse but it’s more than that. The latter part of the book reminds me very strongly of all the expanding frontier books I used to read—and still have a fondness for—such as the Wagons West series by Dana Fuller Ross in which the reader follows the trail west with the characters. It is this element of a journey through history that intrigues me the most because it takes place in a future time and, yet, takes me back to our earlier times. Ms. Crigger has imagined a way to show us history repeating itself at the same time we see our possible future.
Finding herself in a new world one hundred years after the Event, possibly a scientist-driven catastrophe, Lily is a protagonist I like very much. She’s intelligent and strong, both physically and emotionally, and brave, very brave indeed. That bravery is not only a “macho”, take on the bad guys kind of thing—it really comes to the fore when Lily heads out on her lonely journey to find her own past. Being virtually alone and venturing into a dangerous unknown takes a level of fortitude many don’t have and, for Lily, it’s worse knowing her isolation is not by choice.
Other characters also grabbed my attention because they’re so carefully drawn that they stand out in the crowd, so to speak. Jacob, a 16-year-old with a bit of a crush, and Nate, the man that could potentially be a part of Lily’s life, are very appealing while her naysayers, Neila and Bannion, are completely understandable in their opposition to accepting this strange woman who simply does not fit in.
The last twenty percent of the book is the most gutwrenching in more ways than one and stands out in my mind as a shining example of what a post-apocalyptic novel can become in the right author’s hands. Fear of the unknown and the known as well as intense hope are precisely the emotions one would have in these circumstances and, while the story wraps up nicely and can be considered done, I do hope that Ms. Crigger will tell us more about Lily Turnbow and the people in her new world someday.
One last note—I had an ebook copy to review but, for some reason I can’t explain, I found I really wanted to listen to an audio edition, perhaps because audio gives the listener more of a storytelling effect which is in keeping with a primitive society. Rebecca Cook is an excellent narrator and, for the most part, I found it easy to distinguish between characters plus she handles male voices quite well. I’ll be more than willing to listen to her again.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, October 2013.
August 10, 2020
CK Crigger – Hereafter – Reviewed 8/8/20 – Read 8/5-6/20
What do you do when you are transported 130 years into the future???
Lily Turnbow was in the middle of a takedown, with many of the agencies that the Border Patrol usually works with, FBI, CIA, and local Sheriff. When it is time to rush the smuggler’s, she is astonished when she realizes that there are certainly some odd things happening with the men in her group. Is her boss involved with the smugglers?? She rushes into the fray of things to arrest one of them as he tries to take cover in a mausoleum. She takes him down but when she steps out, she realizes that there is another problem, she does not recognize where she is, things do not look right. There is a flash of light and thunder and she can no longer stand, passing out.
When she awakes, she finds that she is in another world where things are so different than they were before the light show. She knows that something is wrong but first things first. She is hungry! When a dog shows up and snatches up the bird that she was going to eat she follows him, trying to talk him into sharing. The dog leads her to an area that has some big barns and a few smaller ones. But the dog does not stop! Still hungry she follows, when an arrow flies out of a cave that the dog went in, she takes cover. As nothing happens and her hunger gets the best of her she enters the cave to find a man that has a spear buried into his chest. He is still alive but medical aid was not something that Lily knew that much about. She decided that she had to help him if nothing else but to make him more comfortable.
So now the story begins…
What did I like? Time travel, everyone knows that this is one of my favorite genres! Now, I have read a good many of them, but I do not think that I have read one quite like this one. I loved the fact that we have a badass female lead, but wow, what a turn! Nothing is like it was in her world and having to deal with the animosity all around her, in addition to being so sick. Just the fact that the world that she is facing is, in essence, one that had destroyed her world would be a major bummer!
What will you like? Well, taking into consideration that this is the future with really nothing left of the old world, the historical telling will be nothing short of amazing. The mystery of the great changes of the men and women, then push them forward for 100 years. In a way bringing them back to the cave days. Incredible action, amazing mystery, fascinating characters, emotional swings that capture the heart, throw in a little romance and you will have one heck of a read. The storyline was beautifully written and edited. The characters are beyond belief, with the descriptions bringing them into full view in your mind's eye. Follow Lily as she struggles with the place and the people in one heck of an amazing journey in the future.
• File Size: 4359 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing (August 5, 2020)
• Publication Date: August 5, 2020
• ASIN: B08DG8RLGV
• Genre: Old West History of the US, Western Science Fiction, Time Travel Science Fiction
What do you do when you are transported 130 years into the future???
Lily Turnbow was in the middle of a takedown, with many of the agencies that the Border Patrol usually works with, FBI, CIA, and local Sheriff. When it is time to rush the smuggler’s, she is astonished when she realizes that there are certainly some odd things happening with the men in her group. Is her boss involved with the smugglers?? She rushes into the fray of things to arrest one of them as he tries to take cover in a mausoleum. She takes him down but when she steps out, she realizes that there is another problem, she does not recognize where she is, things do not look right. There is a flash of light and thunder and she can no longer stand, passing out.
When she awakes, she finds that she is in another world where things are so different than they were before the light show. She knows that something is wrong but first things first. She is hungry! When a dog shows up and snatches up the bird that she was going to eat she follows him, trying to talk him into sharing. The dog leads her to an area that has some big barns and a few smaller ones. But the dog does not stop! Still hungry she follows, when an arrow flies out of a cave that the dog went in, she takes cover. As nothing happens and her hunger gets the best of her she enters the cave to find a man that has a spear buried into his chest. He is still alive but medical aid was not something that Lily knew that much about. She decided that she had to help him if nothing else but to make him more comfortable.
So now the story begins…
What did I like? Time travel, everyone knows that this is one of my favorite genres! Now, I have read a good many of them, but I do not think that I have read one quite like this one. I loved the fact that we have a badass female lead, but wow, what a turn! Nothing is like it was in her world and having to deal with the animosity all around her, in addition to being so sick. Just the fact that the world that she is facing is, in essence, one that had destroyed her world would be a major bummer!
What will you like? Well, taking into consideration that this is the future with really nothing left of the old world, the historical telling will be nothing short of amazing. The mystery of the great changes of the men and women, then push them forward for 100 years. In a way bringing them back to the cave days. Incredible action, amazing mystery, fascinating characters, emotional swings that capture the heart, throw in a little romance and you will have one heck of a read. The storyline was beautifully written and edited. The characters are beyond belief, with the descriptions bringing them into full view in your mind's eye. Follow Lily as she struggles with the place and the people in one heck of an amazing journey in the future.
• File Size: 4359 KB
• Print Length: 352 pages
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing (August 5, 2020)
• Publication Date: August 5, 2020
• ASIN: B08DG8RLGV
• Genre: Old West History of the US, Western Science Fiction, Time Travel Science Fiction
March 4, 2024
5 STARS,FROM 2021-2121 FUTURE DRAMA
Oh C. K. Crigger earned 5 STARS for this well written thought out intelligent interesting and exciting storyline. From reading C.K.'S novels set historically in 1890 then to jump to 2120 is definitely one giant leap for mankind. Had to borrow the saying or at least it's similar.
This is another one with great character development & landscape descriptions are amazing especially since they are for a land that had been ravished with terrible forces & had to rebirth itself in a strange manner of a way. People have had to start learning everything all over again & not everything is better .
Lily was a Border Patrol Officer & in the middle of making a major size bust when the world seemed to explode then in just it seems to her a little while after she is knocked unconscious she is awakened in an unbelievable situation. She thinks it all seems like a B Movie.
I love that C. K. has taken me far from pre years before the turn of the 20th Century to 2121 where the people are divided into different clans & war against each other without the use of modern machine technology which has been left behind when the world blew up.
If you want a fast paced guaranteed page turner action packed with some good ole shoot-em-up action in a different form than guns this is your chance. I loved it.
RECOMMEND
Oh C. K. Crigger earned 5 STARS for this well written thought out intelligent interesting and exciting storyline. From reading C.K.'S novels set historically in 1890 then to jump to 2120 is definitely one giant leap for mankind. Had to borrow the saying or at least it's similar.
This is another one with great character development & landscape descriptions are amazing especially since they are for a land that had been ravished with terrible forces & had to rebirth itself in a strange manner of a way. People have had to start learning everything all over again & not everything is better .
Lily was a Border Patrol Officer & in the middle of making a major size bust when the world seemed to explode then in just it seems to her a little while after she is knocked unconscious she is awakened in an unbelievable situation. She thinks it all seems like a B Movie.
I love that C. K. has taken me far from pre years before the turn of the 20th Century to 2121 where the people are divided into different clans & war against each other without the use of modern machine technology which has been left behind when the world blew up.
If you want a fast paced guaranteed page turner action packed with some good ole shoot-em-up action in a different form than guns this is your chance. I loved it.
RECOMMEND
January 23, 2022
Dang, Dang, Dang!
Do I like the way this lady writes, or what?
Her Western novels have had me entranced, but throw in a touch of the apocalypical with a touch of future fuction, wow!
Ms Crigger writes as smooth a story as can be written. Starting this one out with a scene that is so very possible, to include the treachery of a lawman gone bad, caught me totally off balance as Lily "woke up" hundreds of years in the future.
Another great Crigger book - if you like westerns, this book should satisfy. If you like Westerns, Apocalyptic stories and possible futures, you Need to read this!
Do I like the way this lady writes, or what?
Her Western novels have had me entranced, but throw in a touch of the apocalypical with a touch of future fuction, wow!
Ms Crigger writes as smooth a story as can be written. Starting this one out with a scene that is so very possible, to include the treachery of a lawman gone bad, caught me totally off balance as Lily "woke up" hundreds of years in the future.
Another great Crigger book - if you like westerns, this book should satisfy. If you like Westerns, Apocalyptic stories and possible futures, you Need to read this!
December 15, 2021
This is the only book I didn't like by this author . I didn't like the characters or the explicit violence. I have enjoyed the other stories I've read and will look forward to the next.
I wouldn't recommend this book. Sorry! I have recommended the other books by this author, however I just couldn't get past the repetitive bloody violence.
I wouldn't recommend this book. Sorry! I have recommended the other books by this author, however I just couldn't get past the repetitive bloody violence.
August 27, 2020
Hard to follow story line
I should have looked closer at author & avoided Woman author. Women have distorted view of life. And this is NOT a western book. I don't like fantasies. Witches& magic & stuff. Sorry. Very disappointed.
I should have looked closer at author & avoided Woman author. Women have distorted view of life. And this is NOT a western book. I don't like fantasies. Witches& magic & stuff. Sorry. Very disappointed.
October 27, 2020
Good combination
The book is a combination of PAW fiction, a Western, and a touch of Fantasy. Found it via a email offer, and was glad I did. Good quick read, hoping for multiple sequels.
The book is a combination of PAW fiction, a Western, and a touch of Fantasy. Found it via a email offer, and was glad I did. Good quick read, hoping for multiple sequels.
January 9, 2022
Far cry from Woman Who Built Bridge but great!
Apocalyptic tale of female Border Patrol agent sent 100 years into future after major event.
She has somehow acquired power a which help her survive.
Apocalyptic tale of female Border Patrol agent sent 100 years into future after major event.
She has somehow acquired power a which help her survive.
May 17, 2023
Believable story of what could be.
Amazing, thought full ,kept.my interesting the whole time. Logical and believable, it makes you think of what it would be like. Looking forward to more from this author.
Amazing, thought full ,kept.my interesting the whole time. Logical and believable, it makes you think of what it would be like. Looking forward to more from this author.
August 9, 2020
Rcsva13
This was a departure from what I usually read. I enjoyed reading this book and will be looking forward to reading more books by this author.
This was a departure from what I usually read. I enjoyed reading this book and will be looking forward to reading more books by this author.
November 14, 2020
New genre, great book!
Did not want to put down, an urban fantasy post apocalyptic that holds the attention. Waiting eagerly for next in series.
Did not want to put down, an urban fantasy post apocalyptic that holds the attention. Waiting eagerly for next in series.
November 24, 2022
If you like post-apocalyptic fiction, you will enjoy Hereafter. I hope Carol is planning a sequel or two or three or ...
September 4, 2018
Another interesting view on time travel and a post-apocalypse world from CK Crigger. I am very much liking her worlds the more I read about them.
August 5, 2020
this book is certainly different from the Authors other stories. If you like time travel stories you will like the book. It is well written and has action and a hint of romance.The main character, Lily has special powers and winds up in the furure where only a small portion of the people survive from some kind of a disaster. She is admired for her powers but more feared and finally driven away by the local people. I hope this book satisfies Ms Criggers urge to write a time travel novel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews