I mostly liked this book and would like to read more about these characters and this world. There are parts I thought were confusing though. It had a superhero flair that was sometimes a little slow, but I kept reading and it got better as I read on and I was glad I did. Even though the story then started to feel like a roller coaster ride going too quickly not letting me adjust to what was happening I overall I enjoyed reading it. It was unique enough to keep me interested. I do look forward to another book with these characters.

While I feel like this didn't work as a stand-alone book, it definitely works as a setup to a series It feels more like a backstory, so I might have slipped it in as book 3 or so Instead of starting the series with it. I look forward to reading the next book, as I am a sucker for this type of SFF.

The was a great superhero story, that I really enjoyed going through. The characters were interesting and I really enjoyed the world that was created.

I received this book through NetGalley as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. I have mixed feelings about this book. There were some parts of it that I loved, some parts I didn't like, and some that were confusing. This book is sort of like Marvel meets Matrix and the rapid shifts between character viewpoints felt as if this had been intended as a script for a movie originally. The first quarter of the book was confusing, really slow and daunting to get through. I identified the most with Elaine and hers were the chapters that I most liked. Other chapters were too descriptive and too technical for my taste. I wanted to get the story going. After the 25% mark, the story became really strange for a while, but a third into the book I had adjusted to it enough to have started to enjoy the ride. However, about two thirds into the book things really became weird for me. Not to spoil the book for anyone, I won't say too much, but the reason was a reveal that I had a hard time adjusting two and it felt too rushed. When I was three quarters into the book I was able to go along with it. I came to terms with the book's message and enjoy the ending. Overall, it was an interesting approach. I've never read anything like it. I enjoyed more than half of it, but it almost got me into a reading slump because of the slow and confusing start. But I got through it and was satisfied in the end.

Now, to the spoilers.... (answering the questions in the Reader's Guide provided by the publisher):
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1. Which character do you most identify with and why?
Elaine, because she's the only one we're really able to get inside the head of long enough to connect with and understand.

2. If you were Elaine, would you stay in the realm as Arcadia or move on? Why or why not?
I would move on because I felt like the reason she became Arcadia was understated. I mean, I remembered here dreams in the beginning and all, and that she had transcended at this point, but why everybody else just transcended and moved on and she stayed behind to become this superhero for children. Apparently, in the end it was revealed that there was some kind of a prophecy about her, but it wasn't enough. Why did she have to be different?

3. If you were Christopher Dale, how would you have handled the situation with Lilit?
I think I would probably have handled it similarly. I was grieving and not thinking rationally while trying to rationalize with a lost spirit who refused to listen. He got himself in trouble in an attempt to save his sister and he would never abandon her if he still had an ounce of hope left in him.

4. Given the unknown dangers, would you have ventured down into the Lowers to find Samantha like Elaine did?
Yes, of course! That's what any parent or guardian would have done.

5. How did you feel about Ra'ul's history and what drove him to do what he did? Was it believable?
We all handle grief in our own ways and some ways are less constructive than others. I can understand his anger. I wouldn't have done the same myself, but it was believable.

6. If you knew with certainty there was an afterlife, how would that change the way you live?
I already know and it has changed me. I'm still just a human in a physical body and in a physical world, with all its limitations. I try to focus on making my body and spirit healthier and help others who wish to do the same.

7. If Sammie were your child, would you let her enter the Realm? Why or why not?
Yes, because it saved her life. Brain cancer in children is nearly impossible to cure. The kids went in there with an adult supervisor (usually) and it's better to live with the knowledge that some terrible things may exist in the Realm than not to live at all.

8. How did Elaine's transition into Arcadia make you feel?
It felt rushed and I didn't understand why she had to transform into another person when others who ascended stayed themselves. It felt too like a graphic novel superhero-trope, but I was eventually able to come to terms with it. Speaking of graphic novels, I think this series might suit well as graphic novels.

9. Did you expect Arcadia to save Lilit or destroy her?
I expected her to try to save Lilit, but I wasn't sure if she could. I was disappointed that she didn't try the same with Ra´ul.

10. What are some things you would like to see happen in Book Two?
I would like the book to be a little less all over the place (like it was in the first and third quarters of this one). I would like to see Arcadia focused on honing some newly acquired skills. In the first, she was great at everything, even after she ascended. In this book, her struggle was getting herself out of the illusion of herself and to come to terms with her guilt. Next time I want to see her struggle with her newfound role. I want to see some kids saved and not saved, some souls saved and some not saved, creating more guilt and see how that affects her then. I want to know more about Carlyle, that secret government agency working with the DuPrea Center, as well as more about Jessica and Samantha.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. This book was a little hard for me to get into when I first starting reading. I mean the world was neat and the characters where interesting. There were times the storyline seem a little jumbled and sometimes I felt some of the descriptions where on a little long. I was a little thrown by the name change for the main character. I understand all that she went through in the book. Loss is never easy for anyone.

Well, this started off boring and the writing style did no help. It was all telling all the time and it made it hard to get lost in the books and feelings and supposed nuances. The point by point writing made the fighting scenes boring. It felt very devoid of emotion when emotional connections were a large part of the story.

Also, this was very, very cluttered and convoluted. There were a lot of interesting concepts that didn't get introduced until 40% into the book, then then they were glossed over way too quickly. Nothing got the right amount of attention or too much attention. Plot elements seemed to come out of nowhere or go away after a brief only to be abruptly brought up again.

There were a few good scenes here and there, but I spent a lot of this confused and trying to figure out what exactly happened and I'm still not sure.

Although it took a little to fully get into this book, once inside, I was lost. These authors have painted a world where life after death is possible, and honestly, who doesn't fantasize about that? I loved the characters, especially Elaine. Her personal growth over the course of the story was both inspiring and gut-wrenching. I laughed, I cried, heck, I even cursed the authors, but I loved this book. I can't wait to read the next installment.

Afterlife by J.K. Ishaya & Kenneth Mader was a really great read! I enjoyed the characters and their development. An important thing to me is how their personal arc goes with the overall story. I give a solid 4/5 stars for this one! The world-building was well done. The story kept my attention the entire time. Thanks Netgalley!

This is another one for the DNF pile. I could not get into this book at all; it starts off with a murder and then dives into a disjointed story. I got about 40% into the book before I gave up. It may appeal to others but it was just not my thing.

A sci -Fi & Fantasy blend almost always invokes a bit of trepidation in me. Usually, an author is so overcome by the sci-fi gizmo's, he/she forgets the story or is so involved in the fantasy, the thread of continuity or believability is lost leaving the readers disconnected from the plot or the characters. Thankfully, After Life by J.K.Ishaya & Kenneth Mader balances all the aspects wonderfully.

There's the perfect blend of love, grief, science and fantasy to make a wholesome whole. Despite it being a Sci-Fi and a fantasy, relationships have been given importance which provides the soul for the book and which helps you to connect to the book.

The book begins normally without a hint on how it is going to unfold and I am quite happy to say, After Life keeps the 'unpredictability' factor intact until the last moment. Just when you think, you have solved the puzzle, you realize that it was just a 'piece' the puzzle as whole is still unsolved!

After Life begins slowly and gathers momentum from the middle. Once it gains momentum, the twists just take you by surprise, the nature of twists aren't just fantastical in nature or philosophical but it is also human. Be it the betrayal of the scientist or the man who wants to destroy everything for the sake of his lost son, the human quotient is intact making it warm and fuzzy instead of being a clinical prose.

The sci Fi element is present but they form part of the story. Though they are the crux, the Sci Fi element does not overwhelm the human emotions rather they enhance the connect.

However, I have mixed feelings about the 'fantasy' variable. There were some scenes that were unexpected and took you by surprise but the over all effect had the certain ' sameness' that's expected of a fantasy genre, for example: the badass solo heroine, the usual accouterments of monsters, the sidekicks , a clueless heroine who goes into denial when faced with fact but does a quick volte face and turns into champion etc ... Having said that, I will add that the way these usual 'fantasy' factor has been added is the SURPRISE and it actually elevates the whole segment by a notch.

The negative or the con of After Life is the fact, that one begins to suspect the real villain long before the reveal. There are too many clues scattered inside the book that helps a reader to deduce the villain of the book & the actual villain long before the spotlight beams on them. This leads to a lack of shock or 'O My God, I totally did not see this coming moment'.

Afterlife is the story of Elaine Ways, whose husband is brutally murdered on the night of their anniversary.
Her husband Derek, had been a key designer of a mysterious project that "treated" children with a very specific type of brain tumor. The tumor affected the children in a way that caused them to have psychic gifts. Halfway through the book, after the main character undergoes a transformation her name just "changes" to Arcadia because she dreamed it that way. Really?? Give me a break.

Those sentences pretty much sum up the first third of this very confusing and unclear book.
So much gobbledygook science here. Everything from astral projection to hypothermia to gyroscopes.
I'm sorry, but I AM actually a scientist by trade, and this book was just garbage to me.
If you can get past the first half of this nonsense, some of the action is OK, the interpersonal storylines are nice, however, there is a lot of description of various Asian weapons etc., so perhaps some explanation of what these are would be nice if this is intended to be a Book #1.
Be aware some of the descriptions of what is done to the children by the villains is very graphic and disturbing.
I cannot in all good conscience recommend this book, for me it was a hot mess.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinions which are my own.