Audio Book Review: War

War

By:  Mur Lafferty

Publish Date:  2009

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  5th of The Afterlife series; 1st Book ~ Heaven, 2nd ~ Hell, 3rd ~ Earth, 4th ~ Wasteland

Recommendation:  Oh my. Finish out the story line, yes.

Synopsis:
Kate and Daniel remain exiled in the new world they created, with the need to build an army to save Heaven. But the allies they need may not be willing participants, as they're trapped gods who blame Kate and Daniel for their imprisonment. As the dark power that traps Heaven begins to seep into Kate and Daniel's new world, they face new enemies and learn about a very old obstacle that blocks them from their goal.

First Sentence:
Barris lay on the temple's roof, watching the sun go down with half-lidded eyes.

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Listen For Free:
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*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kate and Daniel travel their second world to free the gods imprisoned on this world. They need all the help they can get to go to war to save Earth 1, Heaven, Hell, and even this world. But, no matter how hard you try, not everyone wants what they think. Kate and Daniel work to try and save the worlds they've created.

The story does start with a fellow voice friend giving a recap of the four previous stories, to bring us completely up to par for what this book has to hold for us. I really liked this reminder of where we started and what Kate and Daniel worked through to get here.

Mur has taken us everywhere through this series. This story; floating city, gear works, and to an under sea city. Never thought, in starting this series, that we would travel so far and create so much. Good and bad, as everyone - even gods - make mistakes and aren't perfect.

We face that there are peculiar storms in the Earth 2. I want to know about the Chaos storms as I think it has to do with Heaven and Hell war, or what's happening there. The anticipation grows with the story!

In the end we learn what has caused their journey from the beginning. The influence to why they were given their quests, in looking for the lost souls and leading them on their path of troubles. Why the souls were taken and what was stirring that they had no idea of. How far with Kate and Daniel go to save all?

This is the conclusion to the world and story of Kate and Daniel. It was one I got caught up in, and with all the gods that surface along the way. A blend of so many elements in one place. The story had moments where I had to re-listen to areas as I wasn't sure what was going on. Things happening a bit rushed, but at the end the world in in dire need of a rushed rescue.

I have found, I AM a Mur Lafferty fan. I will be watching this author for as much as she'll put out.

Audio Book Review: Wasteland

Wasteland

By:  Mur Lafferty

Publish Date:  2008

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd of The Afterlife series; 1st Book ~ Heaven, 2nd ~ Hell, 3rd ~ Earth

Recommendation:  Oh You've come this far. You have to follow them all the way now! You are dying to know what happens to Kate.

Synopsis:
Daniel has been forced from the afterlife to be exiled in the wasteland, with nothing but his misery and Kate’s dead body. But he is not without power entirely, and he begins to make his way in this world that looks less like a wasteland and more like another world. But the volatile power of the wasteland still touches this new world, and Daniel and his friends must not forget the trouble facing Heaven and Hell.

First Sentence:
"What do you want to do?"

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:
PodioBooks  /  iTunes

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Daniel is exiled with Kate to the wastelands after what happened to both Heaven and Hell at his mistakes. The battle is still being fought, but Daniel and Kate are removed from it. Daniel has lost Kate and the baby Earth. Or has he? What happens to the dead when they die in the Afterlife? If they are together they are stronger and can do what needs to be done....Earth. Things are changing in the Wastelands. Another Earth is created, unintentionally, but it could help in the end goal.

The story does include a quick thought and mention to where the worlds are at this point in the books. I like this refresher worked in. We go on with the story of our duo, but we make full circle in the end, there is still a war being waged between Heaven and Demons. And it seems we'll get back to it in the next story.

It is neat seeing the world they subconsciously created. The animals! Okay, dinosaurs! And the creation of the cities here. The neat influence of gears and steam. The religion that is picked up...oh boy. How Daniel and Kate respond to that Religion. Mur has ties weaved into the world that gives our duo help, and that the troubles are still out there to be tended too.

It seems this story to be where Daniel is revered more on this world. And Kate does the not so nice thing, in this Earth. Nice to see the shoe on the other foot for a bit. Daniel, being a god, deserves to feel some follower love for a bit. Help boost his confidence that I felt had faltered in the last book. He's not absorbed by the worship though. He's not fond of it. He does not let it go to his head and doesn't make Kate feel beneath him. He understands more than any and even jokes about the huge mess he's made.

This story has brought me full circle to worry of the war that's being battled. We might be on to find a few more allies, but we need to get back and help save the Earth along with Heaven and Hell. On to the last story to see how things balance out...

Audio Book Review: Earth

Earth

By:  Mur Lafferty

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  3rd of The Afterlife series; 1st Book ~ Heaven, 2nd ~ Hell

Recommendation:  Oh yes. Oh heavens! What happens when a human, slated for more since the beginning inherits Heaven and Hell? Yes, things get askew. And I think it's wonderful.

Synopsis:
After gaining the rule of Heaven and Hell, with all the power that promised, Kate and Daniel should be set for eternity, right? Well, sure, as soon as they get used to their god-like powers. And then they need to remake the Earth. And there's the matter of the major and minor deities who are not pleased with their ascension. Even now, the afterlife still isn't easy.

First Sentence:
There's a point when you're not cold anymore.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:
PodioBooks  /  iTunes

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kate and Daniel are still coming into their powers and getting use to their new positions. But they are not both adjusting well, or easily, to what they are to do. There are troubles as well. The weather is off, which shows they don't have full control of their powers. There is something chasing after Daniel in Hell, and even when not there. There are gods that are not happy with Kate and Daniel having control, even dead gods...where do they go? And, they need to create an Earth before everything is sucked away. All while trying to put the Afterlives back together.

We see new parts of Heaven. A part that doesn't get seen by others and even becomes a very important part of the story. Hobo Heaven.

What about the old gods? There are some that just up and left. There are others that are dead. Where do the dead gods go though? Is there even a death for the dead? We see how the energies and souls move here.

But what's interesting, seeing the rise of powers that are not happy with who's in charge, or who is. Kate and Daniel are in their new positions and struggling to figure out what they are to do, and how to do it. One adjusts better than the other. But it's a battle for them. And one that leads to a big battle and worry. Daniel and Kate are the center of the works and world here.

The responsibility they have on their shoulders. Wow. I am glad I don't have the weight of the world and afterlife on my shoulders. I can completely understand the struggling, and there's no handbook either.

What happens when a human, slated for more since the beginning inherits Heaven and Hell? Trying to learn along the way, without a handbook. Mur has twisted slightly the way things revolve here with the new coming of powers. I love it! Really has me thinking and I can follow the way things have turned and twisted for these characters. Just wow-ed. I'm growing more and more worried for our duo. They are amazing and I'm fully invested with them.

Dang! I'm thrilled at this moment of finishing that ALL the stories are out. So I can RUSH to the next story!

AudioBook Review: Hell

Hell

By:  Mur Lafferty

Publish Date:  2007

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series:  2nd of The Afterlife series; 1st Book ~ Heaven

Recommendation:  Oh yes. There is much more going on with our friends, Kate & Daniel. So much more. You'll feel the weight of it.

Synopsis:
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.

First Sentence:
I'd had no concept of time or self when I was a soul.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:
PodioBooks  /  iTunes

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
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!

AudioBook Review: Heaven

Heaven

By:  Mur Lafferty

Publish Date:  2006

Format:  Podiobook

Genre:  Fantasy

Series: 1st of The Afterlife series

Recommendation:  Oh yes. Quick listen with an interesting adventure in Heaven.

Synopsis:
Is perfection really an attainable goal? After their deaths, best friends Kate and Daniel learn that perfection is, well, boring.
Heaven is not their cup of tea, so to speak, so they leave and begin visiting the afterlives of other religions, other times, even other species. But turmoil keeps churning back on earth, and the friends discover secrets between themselves, and secrets about the world they left, and they begin to wonder if their wandering wasn't aimless after all, but part of a much bigger design.

Heaven is the first book in the epic Afterlife Series that began as a free podcast and remains one of the top five most downloaded podcast books. It will be followed by Hell, Earth, Wasteland, and War.

First Sentence:
My best friend Daniel and I died when we were twenty-four.

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles

Listen For Free:
PodioBooks  /  iTunes

*I listened to this story for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Kate and Daniel, best friends and roommates, come to an untimely end. They wake to find themselves in their Heaven, with what they most want. But when they start to question things they see more. Needing more God gives them a pass to travel the different Heavens. As travelers they come across different settings, and learn more than they expected. Yet, there is more behind the driving force of their journey. A mission.

We have two main characters, Kate and Daniel. They are the best of friends, and have been so for years. We start with seeing things through Kate's eyes. Getting to know her well. I like the questions she asks of Heaven and the illusions she feels here. Then about half way we get Daniel's view and journey. There is a reason for this, you have to listen so you get the affect. The things that drive Daniel to do what he does. Who he thinks of and why. It's interesting how the story comes to light as we go. As Kate's is a more lighthearted fun, Daniel has a bit of a different journey. He goes through some trials and tribulations to fulfill his assigned mission. Both have their stories to tell, and story to live out in the afterlife.

What they see in the different Heavens we visit. LOL! Oh my. We see different Gods and worlds. We also get to visit a dog heaven. Yes, dogs do go to heaven. And the fun humor Mur is so great at seeps through the journey. It's fun, yet as we go we learn there is more to the journey than meets the eye.

There is much, MUCH, more happening here than a simple journey. In the shortest episode we learn much that is a huge pivot point in the book. Interesting. Souls are going missing and mission bestowed upon Daniel is more than he knows. Maybe a way of putting things into order, after the chaos? We have to keep going to find out. Once I hit this episode, a little bit past half way, I was hooked. As much as I enjoyed the fun, the drop of what was happening cinched it for me. I will be following through this series to learn what is going on.

This is a fun glimpse at different thoughts of Heaven. This is a neat journey through Heaven. There are different thoughts conveyed and even through what Kate and Daniel go through. You'll feel the touches of Religion, but in no way feel as you are swayed to any specific aspect.

Mur does make me smile with her characters comments and happenings, even when things seem to get a bit dire.

I'm on to the next stories in this series. I want to see if Kate and Daniel can complete their next mission, to find the missing souls. And what Mur has in store for us in other aspects of the world she's created.