Hell: Book 2 in The Afterlife Series

Afterlife #2

by Mur Lafferty

Kate and Daniel are reunited, but they have to return to their duties in traveling the afterlife. There are stolen souls suffering without cause in Hell, and only they can help. Kate is back in her corporeal body, but keeping memories of her time as pure soul energy, recently touched by the divine. Daniel carries the magic of an old god and the sword of a death goddess, as well a grudge against the deity who tricked him into losing nearly everything. As they search for the missing souls, Kate and Daniel have to come to terms with themselves and see if their friendship - not to mention the cosmos – can handle everything they've been through thus far.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction, Ebooks, Religion, Adventure, Speculative Fiction

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

NOTE- Goodreads mail is NOT a good way to get in touch with me. I don't get notifications of questions and I'm rarely here. Please contact me via my website, murverse.com.

Mur Lafferty is the author of Solo: A Star Wars Story and the Hugo and Nebula nominated novel Six Wakes, The Shambling Guides series, and several self pubbed novels and novellas, including the award winning Afterlife series. She is the host of the Hugo-winning podcast Ditch Diggers, and the long-running I Should Be Writing. She is the recipient of the John Campbell Award for best new writer, the Manly Wade Wellman Award, the Best Fancast Hugo Award, and joined the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015, its inaugural year.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mur Lafferty gives no quarter here – there is no backstory, no exposition, no previously on. The unwary reader will find themselves dropped straight into the action, continuing immediately from the events of Heaven . Kate and Daniel are still travellers in the afterlife, still hunting for God's lost souls, and still skirting around that whole uncomfortable relationship thing. This time however, rather than searching through the myriad of heavens they need to travel down to the hells (none of the books in this series have particularly obscure titles). Through Purgatory and onwards down to hells of queueing, cat Hell (of course) and on to the seven levels of Hell to hopefully, finally, find those missing souls.

Not recommended as a jumping-on point into the series. In fact, not even recommended if you read Heaven anything longer than six months ago. I read the previous story just over seven months ago and I was immediately struggling – how had Daniel lost his eye (twice), who was this Katsuko character, how had the previous story finished again? I resisted the urge to go back to Heaven and remind myself, and luckily there are some reminders littered throughout the later story. Effectively though, this is the second half of a single story rather than a sequel. Arguably this is a better book than the previous one in the series. Taken as a whole, it's better written, better paced, has better characterisation, even Daniel is significantly less irritating. But, while Heaven got a bonus star for the fascinating idea of multiple heavens and deities all kinda overlapping, we've seen it now and multiple hells seems like an obvious follow-up.

[Doc · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story of two souls exploring the afterlife looking for greater meaning after death. Kate and Daniel are very real characters with interesting motivations and honest flaws. The setting is interesting and compelling. The only real complaints I have about the book is 1) it is too short, there are lots of afterlives they could have explored, and 2) printing errors in my copy kept kicking me out of the story to try and figure out what the author meant to write. I hate to hold this against the author, especially after the other problems she had with this volume in the Heaven series, but it did impact my enjoyment of the story.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of Mur Lafferty's Heaven series is definitely worth the listen, and is thoroughly entertaining (albeit, not quite as good as Heaven: Season 1)

My only gripe is that they lingered a lot in the Christian Hell, and didn't really explore other religions' versions like they did in Season 1.

That said, I would still highly recommend this season to anybody that is a fan of religion-based and/or historical fiction.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In which Kate and Daniel go to Hell, on a mission from God.

Along the way, they visit the underworlds of several different religious systems, come to terms with where they've come so far, and learn more about the true nature of the mission that YHWH charged them with in the first book.

You really don't want to read this until you've read Heaven, the first book in the series, but I'd say this one was a more enjoyable read. It seemed a lot more focused, and Lafferty finishes it off with the most interesting of cliffhangers; I'm very curious to see where she takes the story next.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably mostfun in it's original serial format as a podcast. Surprisingly insightful and sweet portrait of the male protagonist without falling into the sappy trap and without diminishing the female protagonist. Well paced and Ms Lafferty does a great job of dribbling just enough character development to keep your heart engaged balanced by just the right amount of action and plot twist to keep your brain engaged. Love how she integrates the various traditions, and faiths into a world where her characters can develop.

[B. Barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fewer surprises that the previous book, and the bemused protagonist constantly saying "What the Hell" is beginning to annoy me. The mythological errors are increasing (Anubis does NOT consume the souls of the evil, Ammit does that. Anubis weighs the souls and Thoth RECORDS the results. Inner Mythology Geek is annoyed.)
The ending was a bit predictable.
That said I am giving it a 3 star rating. The authors voice is pleasant and the story fun enough to forgive the mounting flaws - but just barely.

[A M H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really unique story and cool, growing characters, the series so far is interesting. In this book there's also a special cameo of characters from one of the probably more well known audio book series. I won't spoil who they are, I myself got spoiled before I even started listening to the book, so I wouldn't want anyone else too either. Anyway the plot is interesting and makes leading up to the next books seem like they'll be going off good. Out of the first three book I like this one best.

[Jacalyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the end of days coming to the various Heavens, our heroes find themselves tasked to head to Hell and find some missing souls. What will happen as they travel through the various Hells? Listen and find out.

[Darrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up where Heaven left off, Kate and Daniel explore underworlds from various different mythologies. I liked that the clones from 7th Son make a cameo and also that cat hell and dog heaven are connected, because, of course they would be.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. The adventure continues. Destiny is revealed. Awesome.

[Mikey Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book more than the first. I think because I knew what was going on. Very imaginative and classic Mur.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started coming together a bit more in this book, looking forward to the next in the series.

[Modriem · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's actually crazy how much a series can improve from one book to another. Might even change my review of the first book to put it in comparison.

Well done.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love the book, nor the never-ending journey through the various Hells and interactions with gods. I really did like, however, the guest appearance of the John Michael Smith clones from the JC Hutchins 7th Son Trilogy.

[Roslyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Jen D. Fabico-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book number 26 to my 2012 Reading Challenge is Hell by Mur Lafferty. Hell is the second installment of the The Afterlife Series, which consists of five parts. This series cannot be found in physical format; however, it can be downloaded as a podiobook.

In Hell Kate and Daniel are reunited to continue their adventure in search of missing souls. With help from the divine, Kate and Daniel find themselves travelling to hell, encountering several souls --some unknown, others from ancient history, and some of them, a little too close and personal: Daniel's mother, who had died in an asylum after murdering Daniel's sister. Kate quickly learns that they have the power to decide the fate of these souls, at times absolving their sins after many centuries of waiting. Daniel and Kate continue to venture through hell with Daniel's bodyguard, Katsuko.

As we witness Kate and Daniel travel through the many different afterlives, we are able to experience the change in their character. Daniel, once known as the calm and positive good Samaritan becomes jaded and easily frustrated, while Kate soon inherits the past characteristics of Daniel.

At the conclusion of hell, Daniel is one of the souls to be judged by Anubis, an Egyptian god. And Kate is to be judged by Daniel. Once that final judgement is complete, all of Daniel's secrets are unravelled and the real adventure begins: on Earth. And after venturing through Hell, everything should have become easier for the pair. However, there is yet another stop to make and their triumphs, struggles and quest continues --with Earth.

Overall, I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. It took me a while to sink into this series once again and I'm finding that each installment has a different approach from the last one read. I enjoy that there is so much change and flux occurring to keep the adventure fresh. At times, I find that the narrative is very dialogue heavy and I wish there was more time spent in describing or exploring the small details of the places which they visit. However, I can understand that the approach changes as well because it is a podiobook and not a physical book.

I have already begun the next installment Earth and I am startled by the contrast in narrative. I'm excited to see where this goes! (As I have long forgotten where it leads and where it ends up.)

Until next time!

JFab

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella starts poorly – or, more accurately, starts at the end of its predecessor, which is a somewhat damp squib. One of the protagonists, Kate, dies at the end of the last novella, whereas Daniel regains his lost eye at the cost of his connection to the god Odin. In order to get her back, he loses his eye again, and becomes reconnected to Odin. What's the point in setting up a character death if you instantly reverse it with no ultimate cost to any of the principal cast? Nothing is gained by this.

The thing that bugs me about this novella is that it shouldn't have been a separate work. The five novella concept, with Heaven, Hell, Earth, Wasteland and War, is a good one in theory, but the first novella doesn't really end and the second one doesn't really begin; you could put this novella after the previous one as the next chapter and, other than the perspective change from Daniel to Kate (the two main characters), it would be completely unnoticeable. There might have been really good reasons to split them in the original, podcasted form of the story, but here it makes no sense for them to be in separate volumes. Having said that, J.R.R. Tolkien did something equivalent with The Lord Of The Rings, so it's not like Lafferty isn't in very good company here.

Hell is okay. It doesn't do anything that the predecessor doesn't, and it begins to become the very stereotype of the Chosen One trope (something which does start in the previous novella but really continues into this one). The relationship between God and the Adversary is cool, but doesn't seem to be a new idea. Kate and Daniel take the world from God and the Adversary, but as far as I can tell, the two of them don't encompass the same ideas as God/Satan when they do take over, so this felt completely bizarre and nonsensical to me. Kate becomes the goddess of life, and Daniel the god of death; this makes sense, in that it's the two sides of a coin; but the world isn't a coin, it's at the very least a d20.

All in all, again a somewhat fun read. If I were you, though, I would just treat this as a two-novella series and stop here.

[Melissa Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt the weight of something bigger, heavier, coming. It came. I was happy and teared up. A bit bitter sweet. Loved it! Now on to the next.

****FULL REVIEW****
Kate and Daniel, pick up their next journey with their ventures through Hell. They are now needed to save the souls that are missing from Heaven, and release those that shouldn't be in Hell. Along the way, they find things are in chaos, and they might be able to help restore some order to order of things. With the help of his guide and best friend, Daniel journeys through Hell to find his sisters missing soul and others.

We pick up exactly where Heaven ended.

Kate realizes Daniel's not the same as he was. He's changed, but in recognizing that she realizes she's changed as well. Kate has a slightly different view of things now as she had been an unborn soul. Daniel has realized he has the godlike power to douse flaming souls, and even help a few to return to Heaven. And so much more. I wonder if they are finding a faith. Seems to be Daniel's and Kate's adventure is what he and she needs for their heart and souls to heal.

We see many versions and levels of Hell. What people "think" should be Hell, even if not, depending on Religion. Very neat how Mur Lafferty does this. I feel I'm getting a small view of a large setting through an intriguing story. I want to see if they get through and what they learn on their journey.

There is fun mixed in with a bit more serious story. I feel there is more to this story and world than I realized. An underlying thread to what they are going through and where they will end up. The changes they go through to be who they are to be. I am very intrigued by this. I want to keep going as fast as I can to see and know! By the end I felt the heaviness and the weight of the story and why. Now I know, and it makes sense with all I felt earlier. Happy and yet bitter sweet ending. I love it. It brought tears to my eyes.

Oh, I'm hooked. I love the harsh journey and actions Kate and Daniel have gone through. I'm 100% invested now. I will be finishing this series!

[Damian Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since signing up for Goodread’s 2016 reading challenge I've been going through books like a junkie octopus who would slams dope in all of his arms. An much like said fiending Cephalopod,
Ive been getting desperate for my fixes.

While slumming around last week on Nook Books app for free books I found Mur Lafferty's Heaven which was good enough for me to roll my dimes together to buy the rest of the Afterlife series. This week I had the joy of reading The second book Hell.

Hell picks up where Heaven left off with Kate and Daniel trying to get their afterlife shit together. The world has ended and now they have to find all the lost souls in between their clumsy romance-ish crap that never got resolved in the first book.

The action of this book is set in overdrive. Things are happening almost every step of the way unlike Heaven where faffing about is completely acceptable. However, this action comes with a price; there is zero back story. If you missed the first book then it sucks to be you. There isn't as much as a quick blurb on the opening page. As a reader your hell is now reading Heaven just to know what In the Hell is going on in Hell.

Story construction and continuity was better. The author only followed Kate and her first person account instead of the musical protagonist game from the first book. This decision showed a better development of Daniel and the others as a character.

The big reveals were not a let down nor were the story’s twists as predictable as the last book. It all is still scrap notes from Seasons of the Mist but still a very fun read.

It just saddens me that it wasn't the end. The story wraps up so nicely it's really hard to justify four other books.

In closing, Hell is so far better than Heaven it's almost a shame you have to read one to understand the better book.

[Skeptigirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked Hell less than I liked Heaven. I liked it for all the same reasons as I liked Heaven. I loved the journey through the nether realms. It was exciting, even more exciting than Heaven was, in that respect.

What I hated? I hated Daniel. I hated, hated, hated him. I know I sound like a four year old throwing a fit but it is rare for me hope a character dies. Let me explain myself. Not only did I not care is Daniel lived of died, like in the first book, but as the book progressed I actively started wishing for his death and everytime he didn't, I was dissappointed. He was such a little bitch throughout. It almost completely ruined the book, the only reason I kept reading was because I wanted to know more about the world. I wanted to know what else could be discovered down there.

I know Daniel was dealing with some stuff but I really don't think it was an excuse. He was horrible and useless. He was the sword wielder and he figured out how to use it but that was all. Kate was the really useful one, she sensed stuff, found stuff, made stuff from her back pack and was all around awesome. She worried she was not awesome enough and useless but I think she just had low self-esteem from being in an abusive codependent relationship with her friend and crush.

I must reinstate at the end of this rather scathing review, that other than Daniel, I really liked this book. If it was not for him I would have given it four stars but he was just that bad. He was the only bad thing, but he was doozy.

[Lianne Burwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

For various reasons, it took a while after reading Heaven before I got to Hell, but I'm glad I did, even though I had to go back and skim through Heaven to remind myself of some of the plot elements.

Kate and Daniel are dead. And through their experiences as Travellers in the afterlife, they have led to the end of the world. Daniel wants to find his sister, who died as a child, and God has told him that souls have gone missing, so he and Kate are hunting through the Hell worlds to find those souls.

We get to see Purgatory, where Daniel has the ability to send people on to heaven. They also stop by to deal with the area of Purgatory where the Roman emperors are waiting. Then they go through areas of hell (including Buddhist hell, and cat hell, which is linked to dog heaven from the previous book). They collect lost souls along the way, meet more gods, like Hades and Anubis, before confronting God and Satan to find out just what *is* going on.

To be honest, the series almost could have ended here, but I'm looking forward to the next story to see what happens next now that the afterlife is under new management.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the "Afterlife Series" by Mur Lafferty. The two main characters were given a "mission from god" and were sent to hell to retrieve lost souls as the world was ending.

Just like in 'Heaven', they find that hell is made up of many different belief systems, each with their own idea of the afterlife and where people go when they are not deserving. The stakes are even higher this time around as the characters get into some serious scrapes with various people from the underworld, ending up in a place that I honestly did not expect.

The way the author melds different belief systems together is fascinating. We see these various elements through the characters' eyes as they wander through the various levels and versions of hell. The story is heavy on metaphor and symbolism, but I gathered that from the outset when I started this series. The pace moves along, not too quickly but not too slowly, as we unravel more layers about the central characters and find out just why they were sent on this mission.

I'm enjoying the series and at the time I'm writing this, I'm already well into 'Earth', which is the third.

[Saretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

La ricerca delle anime perdute prosegue; Kate, dopo essere stata ricomposta, e Daniel vanno all'inferno per cercarle accompagnati dalla formidabile Kazuko.
Sul loro cammino troveranno anche molte risposte e comprenderanno il senso del loro viaggio, perchè quello che conta spesso è proprio il viaggio in sè.
Ho leggermente preferito questo romanzo al precedente (che questa puntata conclude), anche se la lunghezza non consente una profonda analisi dei personaggi e molte svolte nella trama sono piuttosto brusche.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really review this book in isolation. I liked this one more than Heaven, it felt less like running down a hallway peaking in random rooms and more like a story with depth, and you get more of a sense of where the series is heading. The characters also felt more complex, but perhaps that was just because I've now spent two novellas with them? Now on to Earth....

[Lotta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5-ish. I really laughed at the 7th Son reference, since that series is still so fresh in my mind. It's a weave of different afterlife mythologies, and Daniel and Kate on top of that. The writing is good, but not gripping in that extra special way, which is probably more personal taste than anything else. I will definitely listen to the rest of the series, but for now I'm taking a little break.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, from my point of view, the author continues the mythological theme, which was rather boring, in comparison with the first book. The action is too slow paced for my liking, so I'll be taking a break from this series since it is no longer something that I find worthwhile.

[Simon C · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awful lot going and again found this rather hit and miss but some interesting ideas and nice characterisations along the way.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrated by the author, I like her narrative which I've heard many times on Escape Pod.