What a complete disappointment. I had high hopes for Afterlife. Particularly because I really enjoyed the third book in the series, Hourglass. I am an original fan of the first book and I eagerly awaited each book's release. However, for me, Afterlife fell flat. 
 Afterlife picks up exactly were Hourglass left off: we are waiting for Lucas to arise as a Vampire. And right off the bat, I had a sinking feeling I wasn't going to like this book very much. Why? After Lucas rises, he immediately takes on the role as (what I consider) the "tortured soul" character. And Bianca turns into, more or less, his psychiatrist. Lucas spent almost the entire book loathing his existence, while Bianca constantly kept telling him, "You are stronger than this," "It will get better," "It's going to be ok." It's weird, because even though this book is told through Bianca, it seemed to be all about Lucas' personal struggle with himself. I didn't need to be constantly reminded about it. It got old very fast mostly because it was the same dialog over and over. 
 Another thing would have to be the grudge Bianca held against Balthazar. Literally, in almost every chapter (until Balthazar confronts Bianca) Gray mentions something along the lines, "And wasn't it Balthazar who lead Lucas to his death?" It almost seemed forced. Either way it annoyed me. 
 This book also seemed to be very anti-climatic too. There were a few revelations, but nothing that blew my mind. It pretty much gained the reaction of, "Oh, really? Ok." 
 **SPOILERS** 
 However, my biggest problem with the book would have to be the ending. First off, it seemed rather rushed. Secondly, I would have liked to have seen the reunion of Christopher and Mrs. Bethany. I was actually looking forward to that part and it pretty much happened off scene. There was a small glimpse if them, then the cabin burns down and they die. Wow. 
 There were so many open ends for the characters. What happens to Vic, Randolf, and Maxie? I guess they just went home. *shrug* What was the whole thing with Skye? Her being able to sense the wraiths. I really thought Gray was going somewhere with that. But she just goes home too. Dana and Raquel just go back to their motel? Balthazar goes to tend the Evernight stables? Lucas decides to pretty much forget about his mom? 
 The biggest upset? Lucas is mortal and Bianca remains a wraith. They briefly have a conversation about the future knowing he will one day die and she will continue to live on. Bianca says she will cross that bridge when she gets to it and that she would rather have him for 50-60 more years then mourn him for all eternity. So he says something wack like, "You will live forever and being remember for eternity by you is all the immortality I need." Ummm...what?! Is that supposed to be comforting? What an awful way to end a book. 
 I wish I could have loved it, but I didn't. I found myself wanting to stop reading it several times and take it right back to the public library.