Review: A terrific, exciting read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 29, 2014
For some reason, Trey Copeland’s book, ‘Known Afterlife’ reminds me so much of the best aspects of David Mitchell’s ‘Cloud Atlas’ (recently made into a film by the Wachowskis), but only in how it masterfully intertwines parallel worlds in order to juxtapose the meaning simmering underneath its two realities: the moral challenges that we all must overcome and solve, regardless of the world we live in.At its heart, ‘Known Afterlife’ is an incredibly entertaining yarn, in which the two threads of narrative—set thousands of years in the past and the other thousands of years in the future—provide the perfect vessels for author Trey Copeland’s morality play. In one thread, where men live in a world called the Provider (which uncannily rings of the Gaea myths I’ve read as a child), where the most important goal is enlightenment, men live each day both as a celebration of their ancient triumph over their oppressor, the Deagron Maker. Juxtapose that with the other world, Antium, a bleak place where men stew in the utter lack of aspiration and dreams and where corruption holds sway. Against these two backdrops are the stories of two heroes, Stalling and Steffor, who grapple with the challenges of their time just to do what they know in their hearts is right.Let me suffice it to say that I had goosebumps while reading the book—it is a narrative that will sweep you off your feet, The suspense, the excitement mounts perfectly, thanks to the author’s fine literary craftsmanship. Even reading the first few sample chapters will show you what I speak of.Overall, ‘Known Afterlife’ is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it—richly imagined, intricately textured, and deeply provocative, it is a well-crafted story that is as laden with meaning as it is entertaining. Both fans and non-fans of the genre will find this a delightful read. It fully deserves all the five-star ratings it eventually gets.