“The Afterward” is a delightful novel by E. K. Johnston where she follows the premise of what happens after the “happily ever after” of noble adventurers.
After a perilous and epic quest to save the world (which is also presented in the book as a series of flashbacks), we see the heroines return to their former lives and we see them struggling with their obligations, their debts and the pressures of the society they live in.
Nimble thief Olsa forged a bond with knight-to-be Kalanthe while they were in the quest, but now their worlds take them into separate ways, and Olsa is heading a self destructive path where death can be the only end. Meantime Kalanthe must agree to a marriage in order to pay her debts, and no one can save her, not even her friend, the Queen.
As if it was not enough, a new peril emerges in the form of the magical gemstone they used to defeat their enemy during the quest. Keeping the stone safe is not as easy as it sounds, not even for the great Mages of the kingdom, and our warriors, almost ten years later, must ride again in order to save the kingdom again.
The novel is really captivating, showing the characters at different points in life and learning from each other, the forging of a long last friendship between all the members of the quest party, and a love relationship between our main characters. The pressures the society impose on them will strain all relationships, but in the end they must agree to a common goal to settle their lives.
Extremely recommended!
Korpilandia 