Bel Reviews: Lynette Lounsbury's – “Afterworld”
The discussion of what happens to us after we die has long been one rife with anger, fear, hope, and supposition. In Afterworld, we get to see one woman’s brilliant idea of what the place between could be like.
Blurb (thanks to Goodreads):
“Dom is the youngest person ever to arrive in the Necropolis, the ‘waiting place’ between death and what comes after. And it isn’t long before he catches the attention of Satarial, a cruel Nephilim from the beginning of time, who has grim plans to use Dom as entertainment in his vicious gladiatorial games. When Dom’s still-living sister, Kaide, appears in the Necropolis too, Satarial has the leverage he needs, and the stage is set for the biggest shake-up the afterlife has seen in centuries.
Dom’s only option is to compete in the Trials and attempt to win the chance to enter the Maze. In his favour he has an enigmatic young Guide, Eva, and a Guardian, Eduardo, who may not be what he seems. But will they be enough?”
This marvellous novel begins in India, and I’ve always heard that the first thing that hits you when you walk off the plane is the smells, then the heat. So either this is true, or Lynette has heard the same thing I have.
She portrays the feeling of impending hopelessness in a way that had me gasping for breath. The differing levels of desperation with each character, each valid in their own rights, and the disconnect between Dom and his parents added to my discomfort.
All this made for a stark contrast when Dom transitioned into the Afterworld. It worked beautifully.
I felt as though Lynette worked hard to validate each belief system, or at least as many as could comfortably fit into the setting. Ringing true the saying, life is what you make it… apparently so is death.
I found the concept of time being the only currency, and having it resonate as the only thing in death that has any value, a little ironic.
Afterworld is unlike anything I’ve read in years and I loved every minute of it. The pages flew by quickly and though the themes make you think, it isn’t anything that will cause you a great deal of heartache or an attack of the worries.
https://www.facebook.com/authorLynnetteLounsbury
http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=94&book=9781743315101
Paperback, 409 pages
Published February 26th 2014 by Allen & Unwin
ISBN13 9781743315101
