What do you think?
Rate this book
Afterlands #1
After the Harrowing
A half-feral scavenger, a once-celebrated warrior, a fearsome and fearful fire-starter, and a haughty wounded marsupial band together in the aftermath of a Harrowing that has ended Order in their civilization. It’s not a choice they would have made before the cataclysm, but for the sake of their own happily-ever-afters, can they support each other now in spite of their collapsing world?
Afterlands is a love letter to people who need hope, a novella series for lovers of redemption stories who ask “now what?” after the heroes ride into the sunset.
Afterlands is a love letter to people who need hope, a novella series for lovers of redemption stories who ask “now what?” after the heroes ride into the sunset.
Paperback
First published December 18, 2021
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 2, 2022
In After the Harrowing, the long fought war is over, the countryside is ravaged, the future is uncertain. Four very different characters travel together to find refuge on the far side of the country, each in their different ways searching for peace, family, and love. This is a character driven story rather than action, and the author’s prose is a delight to read. My only complaint is that the story is too short for my liking, I would like to have read on. I am also intrigued to see where the story will go next.
The author has four prequels available free of charge on her website and I recommend you read them first. The prequels introduce the characters and the events leading immediately to the harrowing and the end of the war. Like After the Harrowing, they are beautifully written, with fantastic world-building and complex characters with tragic pasts. Worth reading in their own right, in my view by providing the characters’ back stories, they will add hugely to your enjoyment of After the Harrowing.
Highly recommend this charmingly written dark tale.
The author has four prequels available free of charge on her website and I recommend you read them first. The prequels introduce the characters and the events leading immediately to the harrowing and the end of the war. Like After the Harrowing, they are beautifully written, with fantastic world-building and complex characters with tragic pasts. Worth reading in their own right, in my view by providing the characters’ back stories, they will add hugely to your enjoyment of After the Harrowing.
Highly recommend this charmingly written dark tale.
January 19, 2022
"The most difficult part about finally being free is that we have to accept responsibility for the choices we make."
So many fantasy books are all about the journey toward battle, but this amazing tale is about the aftermath of war -- and how those who wage it reckon with the actions they took. Boots weaves a fantastic story full of characters who aren't all good, aren't all bad, but are all worth rooting for. This book is a rare gem and I'm so happy it's getting a sequel. (The artwork within is great, as well.)
So many fantasy books are all about the journey toward battle, but this amazing tale is about the aftermath of war -- and how those who wage it reckon with the actions they took. Boots weaves a fantastic story full of characters who aren't all good, aren't all bad, but are all worth rooting for. This book is a rare gem and I'm so happy it's getting a sequel. (The artwork within is great, as well.)
June 25, 2022
A sweet and light story for all its moments of darkness! I liked the natural flow of the plot and the relationship development between each character.
This is the first in this series I've read but I never felt like I was lost or confused. The drawings were adorable too! I'm excited for more from this author.
This is the first in this series I've read but I never felt like I was lost or confused. The drawings were adorable too! I'm excited for more from this author.
December 19, 2021
sweet character driven story
A devastating war has ended, but what of the important players in the aftermath? Four disparate characters come together to help heal their past traumas. Juba, abused and used and gifted with fire. Hyrhyn, who raised herself and is despised by most who meet her. Laria, a former soldier. And Nix, perhaps the most brutally abused of all.
I really enjoyed the Beforetimes stories that the author offers free on their website and encourage you to seek them out to learn more about the world and the characters.
The terrible scars of trauma are well depicted in this novella, and it shows how friendship and love is not enough to heal the wounds of abuse, but they help.
I love the world this story is set in, full of animal people and bird messengers, and I wish there had been a bit more of the world shown in this book. However, this is a character driven piece. The prequels tell about the war, but this book is about how these four characters build themselves after the fighting is over. If you like character driven stories, you’ll love this.
This book is also illustrated by the author, and I absolutely love the pictures of the characters.
A devastating war has ended, but what of the important players in the aftermath? Four disparate characters come together to help heal their past traumas. Juba, abused and used and gifted with fire. Hyrhyn, who raised herself and is despised by most who meet her. Laria, a former soldier. And Nix, perhaps the most brutally abused of all.
I really enjoyed the Beforetimes stories that the author offers free on their website and encourage you to seek them out to learn more about the world and the characters.
The terrible scars of trauma are well depicted in this novella, and it shows how friendship and love is not enough to heal the wounds of abuse, but they help.
I love the world this story is set in, full of animal people and bird messengers, and I wish there had been a bit more of the world shown in this book. However, this is a character driven piece. The prequels tell about the war, but this book is about how these four characters build themselves after the fighting is over. If you like character driven stories, you’ll love this.
This book is also illustrated by the author, and I absolutely love the pictures of the characters.
December 19, 2021
A devastating war has ended, but what of the important players in the aftermath? Four disparate characters come together to help heal their past traumas. Juba, abused and used and gifted with fire. Hyrhyn, who raised herself and is despised by most who meet her. Laria, a former soldier. And Nix, perhaps the most brutally abused of all.
I really enjoyed the Beforetimes stories that the author offers free on their website and encourage you to seek them out to learn more about the world and the characters.
The terrible scars of trauma are well depicted in this novella, and it shows how friendship and love is not enough to heal the wounds of abuse, but they help.
I love the world this story is set in, full of animal people and bird messengers, and I wish there had been a bit more of the world shown in this book. However, this is a character driven piece. The prequels tell about the war, but this book is about how these four characters build themselves after the fighting is over. If you like character driven stories, you’ll love this.
This book is also illustrated by the author, and I absolutely love the pictures of the characters.
March 21, 2022
I really liked this story! AFTER THE HARROWING is an emotional tale following four messy, exhausted, and somewhat traumatized characters as they try to figure out what comes next after their world has been shattered. I loved the classic fantasy elements in this book, and each of the characters was distinctly likeable in their own way. It was also refreshing, I'd say, to read a story of the aftermath of what would typically be the climactic ending to a fantasy novel. And I enjoyed that it wasn't just a "ride off into the sunset and return to normalcy" type of after-story. With solid worldbuilding, a strong cast, and so much potential for many more stories, this is a series that will draw you in and keep you wanting more.
January 7, 2022
I was already completely drawn into Boots' story-world by the “Beforetimes' short stories on the “lookingland” website. With these depicting the horrors of a painfully traumatised land in the throes of civil war, it was no surprise to find that “Afterlands” plunges readers straight into the aftermath of the horrific harrowing - an end to the war but a terrible cost. Into this setting the main characters from “Beforetimes” emerge: Hyrhyn, “The Lostling”; Laria, “The Imperator”; Juba, “The Harrower”; Nix, “The Broodthrall”. These are four who have suffered and, somehow, survived. Each is compelling in a different way, drawing readers into a desolate world and, all the time, posing those deeply searching questions which have to be answered in this post-war landscape. “Can the Harrower find redemption, self-forgiveness and love? Can Nix ever recover from years of sexual abuse and find the children snatched from his body? Can Laria, former soldier, forget her prejudices and relearn love and trust? Can Hyrhyn in her innate wisdom and innocence hold the four together? I loved this first step on the journey to find out and I’m looking forward, immensely, to the next two books.
In keeping with the tradition of “19th century nickel weeklies” (see Boots’s website) there are clever and skilful illustrations even within the ebook (which is the version I’ve just read). These enhance the tale and reveal the variety of origins of the characters. They should not be taken as any suggestion of trauma-free content, but enjoyed as an enrichment of an unusual and somewhat unique book.
In keeping with the tradition of “19th century nickel weeklies” (see Boots’s website) there are clever and skilful illustrations even within the ebook (which is the version I’ve just read). These enhance the tale and reveal the variety of origins of the characters. They should not be taken as any suggestion of trauma-free content, but enjoyed as an enrichment of an unusual and somewhat unique book.
December 4, 2025
I love the Afterlands series! The prose, worldbuilding, setting, and most importantly, the characters are all so lovely and believable. Laria and Nix are a perfect match to Hyrhyn and Juba, the former who are icy and aggressive, where the latter are soft, gentle, and in Juba's case, anxious and shy.
I wished I could read more, but I found the length to be just right. It's an easy read, and I enjoyed every chapter. A fantastic read for those who love stories made specifically for their characters.
I wished I could read more, but I found the length to be just right. It's an easy read, and I enjoyed every chapter. A fantastic read for those who love stories made specifically for their characters.
January 22, 2022
An absolute gem of a book, the characters grip you from the start, and you walk with them in these after war lands. Imperfect, prone to their own demons, the characters are nevertheless all hoping to find peace. Soft like a rose's petals, the story still has hidden thorns, and one gets pricked by them from time to time. A delicious little ache that makes you yearn for more.
I am awaiting the sequel with soft impatience.
I am awaiting the sequel with soft impatience.
March 8, 2022
I absolutely love Afterlands! After The Harrowing and the prequel short stories, the Beforetimes, are easily some of my favourite reads and I know I will revisit them many, many times. Boots has created such a compelling and immersive world, recovering from the trauma of war, and filled with incredible characters trying to navigate it. And as they both antagonize and support each other, their journeys are, though at times heart wrenching, endearing, captivating, and comforting to read.
All four of the main characters brought me so much joy while reading and I adore them all — but especially the whimsically optimistic Hyrhyn and the stubborn and somewhat abrasive Nix. I genuinely cannot wait to read more and I eagerly await the sequel! With its wonderful storytelling, impeccable cast of characters, and amazing illustrations — I loved everything about this book!
All four of the main characters brought me so much joy while reading and I adore them all — but especially the whimsically optimistic Hyrhyn and the stubborn and somewhat abrasive Nix. I genuinely cannot wait to read more and I eagerly await the sequel! With its wonderful storytelling, impeccable cast of characters, and amazing illustrations — I loved everything about this book!
January 20, 2022
Very intriguing world-building and fascinating characters in this entry in a fantasy series that explores what happens when a cataclysmic war ends and those left alive must pick up the pieces. The tale of the war that precedes these events is available for free through the author's website and I think it would probably be advisable to read those before jumping into this one. Although I had no problem following the plot and picking up enough of what had gone before to enjoy this, I think the character arcs would have had even more impact with a more detailed background knowledge of what they had been through previously. That said, this is still an exciting and emotional read, quietly adventurous and tender in its exploration of the aftermath of trauma. The text is also accompanied by completely charming illustrations. I think the entire world this author is creating is well worth exploring, both through their website which has a lot of fascinating information about the series and the thinking that went into creating it, and through this published work. Recommend for readers looking for thoughtful, creative and emotional fantasy.
January 30, 2022
A delightfully well-written, imaginative work!
Enjoyed this story from start to finish! Would definitely recommend reading the prequel novellas on the author’s website, too; they really flesh out the characters’ backstories.
So loved the author’s fresh writing style. The imagery is rich and vivid without being meandering or wordy. Feels like every single word is in the exact right place, each sensory detail precisely chosen. A delight!! The characters are very compelling and the word building is incredible.
Highly recommend!!
Enjoyed this story from start to finish! Would definitely recommend reading the prequel novellas on the author’s website, too; they really flesh out the characters’ backstories.
So loved the author’s fresh writing style. The imagery is rich and vivid without being meandering or wordy. Feels like every single word is in the exact right place, each sensory detail precisely chosen. A delight!! The characters are very compelling and the word building is incredible.
Highly recommend!!
October 6, 2022
”I’m angry at the world this war has left us. I’m angry at the anger in it. I’m angry that what you want is so hard. … It’s a cycle without end.”
I really enjoyed this fantasy tale. In AFTERLANDS, we follow four characters after a terrible war has already been waged. We are shown glimpses of what has happened prior to the book during the bloodshed, and then left to fill in the rest through our imaginations. The characters bear the scars. What I especially liked about these four is that none are perfect, but all of them made me want to keep reading because each of them and especially the relationships between the four were so interesting. Hyrhyn made me want to know more about her story from the outset, especially with her need to connect. Laria is a former soldier. Nix, the former broodthrall, has been horribly abused. Juba, the Harrower, is very afraid of contact. With each chapter, as they traveled together, bickered and fought and made up and forged deeper relationships within their traveling group, this group of broken heroes wound their way around my heart. I particularly found myself drawn to Hyrhyn and Juba and their tentative fledgling relationship. 5/5 stars
I really enjoyed this fantasy tale. In AFTERLANDS, we follow four characters after a terrible war has already been waged. We are shown glimpses of what has happened prior to the book during the bloodshed, and then left to fill in the rest through our imaginations. The characters bear the scars. What I especially liked about these four is that none are perfect, but all of them made me want to keep reading because each of them and especially the relationships between the four were so interesting. Hyrhyn made me want to know more about her story from the outset, especially with her need to connect. Laria is a former soldier. Nix, the former broodthrall, has been horribly abused. Juba, the Harrower, is very afraid of contact. With each chapter, as they traveled together, bickered and fought and made up and forged deeper relationships within their traveling group, this group of broken heroes wound their way around my heart. I particularly found myself drawn to Hyrhyn and Juba and their tentative fledgling relationship. 5/5 stars
January 8, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! The world is bleak and it reflects in the characters but they have a real human tenderness and trueness that shines through in spite of their situation. Hyrhyn in particular was the light of my life during the read, and her unending hope for a better future is endearing and a wonderful juxtaposition to the aftermath of war. Reading through the characters coming to understand each other even as they are of conflicting personalities is fun, and the pay off of the end is a great note to end on. Boots really hooked me in with this book, I can't recommend it enough!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews