After the Sky

By: Milo James Fowler

Narrated by: Steve Campbell

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

The meek have not inherited the earth.

The world isn't how they left it. When the bunker airlocks release them after 20 years in hibernation, the survivors find a silent, barren world outside. But they are not alone. There is a presence here, alive in the dust - spirits of the earth, benevolent and malicious as they interact with the human remnant.

Milton is haunted by a violent past he's unable to escape, despite the superhuman speed the spirits give him.

Not interested in bearing the next generation, Daiyna is determined to destroy the flesh-eating mutants lurking in the dark, pierced by her night-vision.

Luther is a man of conviction who believes the Creator has offered humankind a second chance, yet he's uncertain they deserve it - and he's perplexed by the talons that flex out of his fingers.

Willard is a brilliant engineer-turned-soldier who refuses to leave his bunker, afraid of becoming infected and willing to destroy any obstacle in his way.

As their lives collide, the mysteries of this strange new world start unraveling, culminating in the ultimate life-or-death decision one survivor will make for them all.

Don't miss this post-apocalyptic adventure with a paranormal fantasy twist! It's perfect for fans of Stephen King, T. W. Piperbrook, and The Walking Dead.

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Aethon Audio

Masterfully written and performed!

Wow. Three letters that can’t even begin to express the depth and breadth of this book. From Campbell’s performance of Milton to the emotional heart-wrench that continually drags you through the series (sometimes, like me, sleeplessly for 15 hours), I can’t recommend it enough.

I’d only read Fowler one other time and it was a short story. It was well-written, but I was not expecting such a well-executed long-form from him.

I’ve listened to the narrator before, but I honestly think this might be his magnum opus.

8 people found this helpful

I Fell In Love With This Book

4.5 out of 5 stars

Normally when a book is this long I hesitate before picking it up.  Thankfully, I knew going into this that I already liked the narrator, so when I saw that it was a post-apocalyptic book with a bit of a twist... I was in. I didn't know what kind of twist and I didn't know just how in I was going to be, but Milo James Fowler's After The Sky sucked me in and wouldn't let me go.

Without diving into the plot, this book seemed to be a mash up of a post-apocalyptic thriller and a fantasy novel.  The Earth is basically decimated almost beyond recognition. People were put into vaults (very Fallout-like) to hopefully come out on the other side. It seems that some of the vaults weren't what they seemed (also Fallout-like) while others caused people to come out... different.

The story itself was a good one. Winding its way between different characters. Showing their points of view, how they thought and felt. And just going through how life was for them. Things weren't slow or boring though. Things keep happening so even if the book as a whole was a bit of a slow-burn that doesn't mean that it wasn't action-packed. Fowler took his time telling a methodical story about the survivors, the fantasy elements (trying not to spoil it here), and the Earth.

After The Sky was a book that I didn't know how I was going to feel about in the opening few chapters. But once I got into the meat and potatoes of the story I fell in love with it. Fowler's character building is top notch and this story really took me to another world (even though it's on a near-future Earth). It's rare that I find a book that surprises me as much as this one did, but I'm happy when it happens.

I couldn't finish my review without chatting about Campbell's narration. He does a great job.  In the beginning each character has their own voice and speech pattern and that doesn't really affect you, but as the story progresses there are scenes when two male characters are together and you wouldn't be able to tell them apart without his differentiation (that he set up chapters before). It was a great performance and took a good book and made it great. I'm interesting to see where the story goes and I hope that Campbell is along for the ride.

7 people found this helpful

good but frustrating

the story is great, but for some reason the author tries to make almost every character unlikable in some way
one is brash beyond belief, another arrogant and disregards others, a third is do weighed down by guilt it is his only real motivation and so on...
That is a very personal read though so you might have a very different experience.
the world and the lore surrounding it, the entire setting is fascinating and wonderful.
honestly if the blurb was even remotely interesting to you I would get this book.

the narration is on point and amazing.
it's a wide cast of characters, but Steve makes them each his own and give them all life.
when you can sense the characters emotions in the tone of voice, you know you got a great Narrator

3 people found this helpful

Reminds me a lot of Fallout

This was a pretty interesting read, reminiscent of Fallout and the book series "Wool", with a little X-men thrown in for good measure. When I got the book, I expected something else more akin to Apocolypse/survivor fiction based in a world similar to our own. This book departs from that and adds more science/magic to the world than I normally would have liked. However, all-in-all it was a good read and I look forward to listening to more books by Milo Fowler.

2 people found this helpful

Interesting and different

I don't follow a lot of post-apocalyptic fiction, but of the ones I've read/listened to this was probably the most unusual. Kind of a mash up of Book of Eli meets X-Men with a little The Shining thrown in. Took a little getting used to, but once I got further into the story, it really started to grow on me. At times, I wondered where it was going, but it all came together and I ended up really liking it. Will definitely get the next in the series when it comes out.

2 people found this helpful

It’s a whole new world!!!

I love this book. It has everything a post apocalyptic world would have. The hero and heroine are perfect the are the ting and yang of heroes. All the bad guys are what you would expect. The monsters are the perfect post apocalyptic zombies. I can’t wait for the next book. If I could give it 10 stars. I would. Get this book and read it!!!!!

2 people found this helpful

Not what I had expected

I didn't care for the confusing timeline. I found it hard to get the characters straight. I think this is a book better suited to the printed page so you can flip back.

1 person found this helpful

Interesting post apocalyptic concept

I felt that the concept was interesting as were the characters. I didn't rate higher because of the writing style. The author would write from different characters point of view during different periods of time. Jumping around from multiple perspectives made it difficult to follow the story at times and caused me at least to loose interest in something happening 4 long chapters back.

1 person found this helpful

New Favorite Post-Apocalyptic Book

First off this book blew me away. This is my new favorite book in this genre and I am so excited to see where this series goes. What happens when the world seems to be ending, but people are manifesting powers? Why is this happening? Where is the source of the powers? The writing and pacing are phenomenal. I loved that each chapter switched to focus on a new perspective from one of the main characters. It flowed so well. This was a fresh take on this genre and it was amazing. It has it all. End of the world, mystical powers, religion, suspense all masterfully crafted into one thrilling ride. Steve Campbell brought this story to life with his audio narration. He was the perfect choice for this book. I can’t wait to see where this series goes now!

Post apocalyptic Story.

I got this audiobook by the author for review.
This was the first time I’ve read a book by the author. This is post-apocalyptic adventure, The pace is a bit slow and lots of action. A definite page-turner. The narrative switches from now to then. I like trying to figure out what the lies were and who to trust. It is really twisty and just when you think you have it figured out another twist flies your way! But it is also confusing, and at the end, you are left off with questions. None of the characters are likable, they all have some trouble pass, but there are strong and there were too many point of views, but the author did a good job in developing them. This story mixes politics, mystery, intrigue, science fiction and a great narration.

Not what I was expecting

This was a new and different take what would happen in the apocalyptic world.
How would you cope in a bunker for 20 years?
What about those on the outside?
What would happen when you came out?
Looking forward to the next book.

You have nothing to fear.

This post apocalyptic story is unexpectedly different from most others in this genre. The United Government had made careful preparation to ensure the survival of the human race in the event of overwhelming catastrophe. Deep bunkers were built, provisioned, and inhabitants selected to keep safe assorted groups for twenty years, after which time it was anticipated that the world would again be fit for those survivors to emerge and rebuild the earth. Then the unthinkable occured: countless nuclear weapons were deployed and the bunkers duly filled and sealed. But when the All Clear rang out twenty years later, the emerging survivors found that things had not quite gone to plan.

The book essentially sees the post nuclear happenings from the points of view of four disparate survivors, told in the first person and moving not only between them but also over a limited period of time. This could be confusing but is not, instead building each section on the one which went before and giving a greater depth and sense of suspense than would have been achieved by a straightforward narrative. As well as the text being intriguing and well written, After the Sky is also narrated with skill by Steve Campbell. His voice has a pleasant, easy on the ear, timbre, his pacing is well timed and his excellent performance helps draw the reader into the story and hold their attention.

My deep thanks to the rights holder at Aethon, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy of After the Sky. This is the first of a new series by Milo James Fowler which can be read as a satisfying stand alone but also piques the reader's desire for more. I personally am very much looking forward to the next in series and can definitely recommend this unusual post apocalyptic tale to all who enjoy a good S.F. story, especially dystopian tales, unusual characters, and with just a touch of the paranormal.

good but frustrating

the story is great, but for some reason the author tries to make almost every character unlikable in some way
one is brash beyond belief, another arrogant and disregards others, a third is do weighed down by guilt it is his only real motivation and so on...
That is a very personal read though so you might have a very different experience.
the world and the lore surrounding it, the entire setting is fascinating and wonderful.
honestly if the blurb was even remotely interesting to you I would get this book.

the narration is on point and amazing.
it's a wide cast of characters, but Steve makes them each his own and give them all life.
when you can sense the characters emotions in the tone of voice, you know you got a great Narrator

Erm, where do I even start?

Erm, where do I even start? So many questions, so many different paths it could go. Do I want to write my own story in this world? Hell yes. Gods? Angels? Demons? I think you get my point.

Wow favourite book for a long time

I received this for free on the promise of an honest review.

Wow this book was great to the point I was gutted when it finished. It’s a bit confusing at first but when you get used to how it is structured and the various stories happening at the same time it is great.
The narrator was really good with both the male and female voices and easy to listen to.
I hope this is part of a future series as I have a credit on standby for the next one.

Very imaginative story. Good listen

Great story and characters. Imaginative story of a post appocoliptic earth. Has sort of a pre Marvel Avengers feel

Five star

very enjoyable
lots of action and a good story to keep you interested.
I am looking forward to book 2