Review: Sebastian and the Afterlife by William J. Barry
IN A GLANCE: A great book about a hard topic, but it's topic isn't as hard to take when we look at it the way this story depicts. Sebastian and the Afterlife is a good read!
Title: Sebastian and the Afterlife
Author: William J. Barry
Publisher: TWCS Publishing
Date Published: Feb 23, 2011
Format: Ebook (provided by the publisher)
ISBN #: 978-1612130187
Buy This: TWCS * Amazon * Barnes and Noble *
Sebastian awakes to find himself in a mystical realm somewhere between the living and the dead. Unspeakable dangers lurk in this realm. The Grim Reaper and his loyal agents work to maintain the law, as the threat of soul pirates (the wicked harvesters of spirit energy) has been on the rise. The infamous leader of the pirates, Axis Red, has a treacherous plan to take over the realm and set himself as the supreme authority.
While Sebastian and his new-found friends learn to cope with the wonders and perils of this strange spirit realm, Sebastian finds himself longing for his lost love Sarah, who is still alive in the mortal world. Some things are forbidden; some lines cannot be crossed. What will Sebastian risk to be close to her again? Join them on the journey of a lifetime and beyond
Review:
Sebastian and the Afterlife deals with a very intriguing concept. It's story plot revolves around people that have passed away from our world, but enter another, only souls that have unfinished business in our world can enter.
This world is controlled by the Grim Reaper himself and his Agents. The main danger in this story is the Soul Pirates. Pirates that are around and try to steal your soul! (insert evil laugh)
For me the idea of a place you go after you die, like the one in this book, is very intriguing way of thinking of it. In this place you can still see your family and friends and you can still travel to their world.
Sebastian and the Afterlife is a great supernatural middle grade book that will help kids/teens cope with the idea of death and losing someone.
I also really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this story, even though all their names were a bit over whelming at times. As for Sebastian and his small group of friends, I fell for them all and was rooting for each of them to find their peace with what had happened to them. I especially was rooting for the main character Sebastian to find peace in leaving his family and girlfriend behind. I also really enjoyed how strong these characters are and the bonds they build in the group.
I enjoyed reading this story, one where the Grim Reaper is a good guy and there is a such thing as Soul Pirates who are out to steal your soul. I really never pictured the Grim reaper as a good guy, have you? So this book is really different way of seeing the Grim Reaper. I always pictured him a very creepy bad guy! Overall Sebastian and the Afterlife is a great story.
My Recommendation:
I recommend this great book to any middle grade or teenager coping with death or one that is just wanting something great to read. I will say that this is a very clean read and easy one as well. I will stick with saying this is more of a middle grade book!
Rating:
Plot: 20/20
Characters: 15/20
Creativity: 19/20
Writing: 13/20
Cover: 10/10
Ending: 7/10
84 Out of 100 = 3 Puppies!
