This compendium takes a crack at answering the hard to answer question; what happens when we die? For middle schoolers filled with the morbid fascination of this question, this book will provide plenty of information for them.

It can be hard to discuss what a group thinks happens after we die without getting too deep into tenets of faith and deities but Hawkins handles this well. For each belief system we get a little about the people who follow(ed) that belief, what their afterlife looked like, and who would end up there. It is perhaps a niche area of interest but understanding a people's views on death tell us a lot about how they live. Additionally, the sections are well illustrated and artistic, making this a book worth reading and simply leafing through.

Book Review: An Atlas of Afterlives by Emily Hawkins

⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

An Atlas of Afterlives by Emily Hawkins takes readers on a fascinating exploration into the various realms believed in by cultures around the world. With its stunning illustrations and informative content, this book provides a captivating journey into the afterlife.

The book is organized by continent, allowing readers to delve into the various mythologies and beliefs from different cultures. From the gloomy kingdom of Hades in ancient Greece to Valhalla, the mead hall of fallen Norse heroes, and from the ancient Egyptian River of Death to Jannah, the beautiful Islamic garden of heaven, readers are offered a comprehensive look at the diverse afterlife beliefs.

One of the standout features of this book is its visually striking illustrations. The eye-catching cover sets the tone for what lies inside. Each two-page spread is lavishly illustrated, bringing these mythical realms to life. The illustrations not only enhance the reading experience but also serve as a visual feast for the eyes.

Beyond its visual appeal, An Atlas of Afterlives also delivers on the historical information. Each spread is filled with informative facts and mythologies, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the cultural context behind these beliefs. The book strikes a perfect balance between presenting real historical facts and maintaining the magical atmosphere of the unknown.

However, there is one small issue that I found with this book. Some of the text is quite small, which may pose a challenge for younger readers or those with visual impairments. It would have been beneficial to have larger font sizes to ensure accessibility for all readers.

Despite this minor setback, An Atlas of Afterlives is sure to be a hit among mythology enthusiasts and those interested in exploring different religions. It offers a unique and accessible way to engage with a fundamental question that has fascinated humanity for centuries.

In conclusion, Emily Hawkins' An Atlas of Afterlives is a visually stunning and informative book that takes readers on an enchanting journey into the depths of world mythology. With its beautiful illustrations and engaging content, it provides an unforgettable departure from our everyday lives.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

While I might not be the intended audience, I learned SO MUCH from this book. It was intriguing and I can't wait to share it with my children. It is such a thorough look at beliefs surrounding the afterlife. A great cooperative analysis with a respectful look at each. This book doesn't present one as better than the other and doesn't show a bias in page space for one belief over another. This is a great book for both religious families taking the time to understand the views of others and secular families introducing the beliefs of others. You won't be disappointed by this beautiful book that shows respect to all beliefs.

As with An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms, the only thing I took issue with here are the unprofessionally thrown together pages, with high-quality illustrations contrasting with the low-quality graphic design. This series is still such a cool concept, and I know that kids won't mind, but the discrepancies really stand out to the adult eye!

When I say this is a map of heaven and hell, we're not shown the Pearly Gates and the roads around it, and the like. No, this is a book showing where on our real, proper, live Earth the multitude of concepts of the afterlife have existed. From Valhalla to Hades, and even to Vyraj, which I'd happily admit to not having heard of, this takes us around all the continents and gives us some nice little details about the many eternities we've come up with. The Kalunga Line is as far as the eye can see into the Atlantic from Africa, and marks the land of the dead's border with our realm – not for us to willingly cross, like the Styx or perhaps the Sanzu River. If we're not being tested with a list of names and a feather on the scales, we cross the Chinvat Bridge – carefully. Torres Strait Islanders expect their spirits to be clubbed over the head to firm them up.

Here then are places we visit willingly, places we find much reason to avoid, and places we might want to go to if we decide to gain mythological status and/or catch up with a loved one (or four). Cultures that very rarely get a mention in books for this age range (the older half of primary school up to pre-GCSEs, in British terms) are here, as well as the major religions. Visually we're doing quite well – at least until we see the leader of the Wild Hunt not so much riding his beast, but, er, well, riding it. That aside, this has to be thought of as a success – I dare say this category has quite a few entrants aimed at the school library, but every world religion section will need something very much like this. So very much like this, they might as well choose this for want of better. A strong four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Death (and what happens to us after we die) is not always an easy topic, especially with kids. This is a great resource to encourage this discussion and hopefully make the topic less taboo! This book tackles the afterlife by location, examining the beliefs held by different cultures. Full of lush images and palatable information, this is a great pick for someone interested in diving into the absolutely fascinating topic of the afterlife.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

An Atlas of Afterlives is one of the best non-fiction, historical information books for children about ancient times and afterlives from around the globe. Each afterlife story has a two page spread full of fantastic illustrations and packed full of easy but informative facts and information too. I enjoyed how this book seemed to be on an even keel in relation to areas such as religious beliefs and treated each religion as an individual and not showing influence or favouritism towards any in particular - each was held in equal regard.
Any fans of ancient Egypt and Greek mythology will be sure to devour this book! I wish I'd had this as a child it would have become a very treasured read for me!

This book offers a beautiful and thought provoking journey through the realms beyond, offering young readers a glimpse into the diverse tapestry of human beliefs about the afterlife. With meticulous attention to detail, the author takes us on a captivating expedition across continents, presenting an array of underworlds, heavens, and otherworlds that have captivated cultures throughout history. The book's organisation by continent provides a structured exploration of each culture's interpretation of the afterlife,

The gorgeous illustrations that adorn each page are stunning, transporting readers to realms both known and unknowable. The balance of historical accuracy and the mysteries of the unknown are cleverly maintained throughout. From the gloomy kingdom of Hades to the resplendent Valhalla, each depiction is a testament to the author's dedication to presenting these concepts within their cultural contexts.

"An Atlas of Afterlives" deftly navigates the delicate subject of the afterlife with sensitivity and respect, offering a unique and accessible perspective for curious young people. The book's informative prose, combined with its visually captivating presentation, ensures that it provides an interesting exploration of the questions that have intrigued humanity for millennia.

I would have been obsessed with this book as a child and have already pre-ordered my own copy!

This is a fascinating and gorgeously illustrated look at the different afterlives believed in around the world, present and past. I was intrigued by how similar all of the afterlife myths are. There are a few main themes and many ideas that seem to be near-universal.

I especially liked how each story was treated with equal gravity. Christianity wasn't given extra weight, none of them were made out to be "lesser" or "more primitive" or "backwards." The style was very similar to books on Greek mythology that I read as a kid: matter-of-fact renditions of stories.

Each depicted afterlife story was laid out on a beautiful two-page spread full of color and whimsical detail. The informative text was scattered around the page in blurbs that draw the eye around and keep the information in easily digestible chunks.

I would definitely recommend this to any kid who loves stories about Greek mythology or Ancient Egypt.

*Thanks to NetGalley, Quarto Books, and Wide Eyed Editions for providing an early copy for review.

Though the primary audience age of this book is 9-12 it is an extremely informative and enjoyable read for adults as well with all the lesser-known afterlife legends from around the world.

The book dedicates a fully illustrated double page to each of the featured mythic places with snippets of information are scattered through the scenic illustrations. The legends are organized by continents with a double page map at the beginning of each section featuring not only the legends elaborated later but mentions examples from a lot of other cultures.

I really liked the variety of legends featured from a cultural and geographical point of view as well as their approach to the afterlife. I think apart from some myths and legends from Europe and Asia, most concepts and stories are unfamiliar to the average reader. Also, it's not just heavens and underworlds but there's a nice variety of legends about ghost ships, phantom rides and even the terracotta army is featured. Also it spans through time from the very first ancient cultures to modern day voodoo and having sources spanning from indigenous myths to Dante.

A glossary at the end of the book helps younger audiences to understand words and concepts they might be unfamiliar with.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC.

An Atlas of Aferlives is a lovely illustrated guide to afterlives, underworlds, and death worldwide and through cultures. It includes details of mythological afterworlds, including Hades from Greek mythology and Valhalla from Norse mythology, to practices revolving around the dead such as Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries. It's interesting, educational and includes incredible illustrations to go with the stories from worldwide.

It is always fun to read about other cultures and how others view life, and in this case, death. While many may be aware of some of the stories, (perhaps Greek Underworld, Heaven, or Valhalla) there are still so many more that may be new to read about. Vyraj and the Otherworld sounded particularly beautiful. While the Land of No Return was especially bleak. It was interesting to note some of the differences and similarities between cultures. Never realized how much water is mentioned in relation to crossing to the afterlife. The added stories for some of the sections was a nice touch.

Amazing! A stunningly illustrated journey into the lands of the unknown, as visioned by peoples and cultures from all around the earth. Glimpses of eternity with captivating and vibrant examples of spirituality and humanity 🪽✨ 🌈

An Atlas of Afterlives is truly a magnificent journey through the underworlds of different cultures from around the world. It starts with the Greek and Nordic ideas of the afterlife, which most of us are familiar with, then touches on other European cultures. After that, we move to more (generally) unfamiliar territory to Africa, Asia, the native cultures of the Americas, and finally, Oceania.

The illustrations and storytelling in this book are phenomenal. Excellent resource for adults and kids alike who are interested in learning more about the ideas of the afterlife and underworlds of different cultures! Fascinating!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review on the book!

I found An Atlas of Afterlives fascinating. Set out by continent, each page covers a different culture and their view on what happens when you die. Each page is beautifully illustrated and engaging with succinct summaries of key characters and beliefs. It’s enough to get you interested without being overwhelmed, so the perfect balance for children. I found it fascinating how many similarities there were between different cultures, even if they were at opposite ends of the earth. This book belongs in any classroom or coffee table.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is amazing! I've had so many children in my class this who had questions about the afterlife following our studies in history and this book will answer so many of them and no doubt prompt so more. I love how the book is organised into different regions of the world as this makes it perfect for dipping in and out of. Many of the familiar religions and cultures are covered along with some which are less familiar which makes this ideal for curious children. There is just the right amount of information on each double page which is set out in sections making it even more accessible. The illustrations and use of colour just add to the delight you experience as you turn over each new page.
This is definitely going on my to-buy list.

It appeared to be a book with intricate illustrations and unusual information. Instead, it’s a very straightforward presentation of the standard religious afterlives.

Stunning! A fascinating look at life and death through the eyes of people and cultures around the world.

The previous book, An Atlas of Lost Kingdoms, was so delightful I just had to grab this one as soon as I saw it.

And I am so grateful I did! The absolutely gorgeous art continued in this book, and the airy watercolor style really lends itself well to the portrayals of various afterlives.

The locations are grouped by continent and each area is treated with respect. There is no raising up of any culture’s belief over another as the correct way to believe.

In addition, this is a heavy topic and death and what can come after was treated with dignity and a gentleness that I really appreciated. The afterword was particularly lovely.

I will be adding this to my library of books to share with my nephew as soon as it comes out!

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and to NetGalley for this advance reader’s copy!