Afterlife by Stephanie Hudson - Where Everything Began

Some books find you at the exact moment you’re ready to fall in love with something bigger than yourself.

Afterlife was one of those books for me.

I found it the same way I’ve found some of my most meaningful reads, in a Facebook group, completely by chance. I hadn’t heard of Stephanie Hudson. I had no idea what kind of universe I was about to walk into. But I picked up the first book, met Keira, met Draven… and everything changed.

Since then, I’ve had the genuine pleasure of meeting Stephanie in person, and she is every bit as kind, grounded, and real as you’d hope. She writes at a pace that honestly feels inhuman (in the best way), and she’s always been transparent about the life that exists behind the pages: the health challenges, the family priorities, the exhaustion, the love. So yes, I get a little defensive when people try to rush her. This woman builds worlds. Give her time.

Afterlife - A Love Story with a Universe Attached

At first glance, Afterlife looks like a paranormal romance. But it’s so much more than that.

It’s the beginning of a massive, interwoven saga, a world where Kings search for Queens across dimensions, timelines twist through the Janus gates, and fate has far more planned than anyone realises.

Keira is the emotional anchor that starts it all: strong, flawed, stubborn, incredibly human. And Draven… well. Let’s just say if you know, you know.

Stephanie Hudson doesn’t write delicate love stories. She writes ones that scream, that fight, that bleed and burn and break and rebuild. And yes, let’s be honest, they’re also spicy (Very spicy). These books don’t hold back emotionally or romantically.

Stephanie knows how to pack a story, with pain, prophecy, humour, heartbreak… and a whole lot of heat. It’s part of the experience, and why so many readers are so desperate for more.

From Keira to Kings: When the World Expands

What makes this series so special isn’t just the original Afterlife Saga, it’s the way it spirals outward. You start with Keira and Draven. Then there’s Pip. Adam. Jack. The Kings. (Sigurd, for those wondering, my personal favourite, even if I still spell his name wrong the first three times.)

And while the books aren’t written in a straight line, every thread matters. Every book adds something to the wider world. And for me, it was The Quarter Moon that really did it, that moment where I felt the threads tighten, and the scale of it all truly hit me. You can feel Stephanie’s mind spinning with possibilities, and somehow… she never loses the heart of it.

This Story, and What It Gave Me

I read Afterlife before I ever found Dark Secrets (from my last book review), and while the two series share some surface traits, vampires, trauma, love that doesn’t come easy, they go in such different directions emotionally. Dark Secrets is about grief, complexity, redemption. Afterlife is about faith, fate, and holding on, even when everything around you tells you to let go.

It’s hard to explain what these books meant to me at the time. I’m not sure I’m in that same emotional place anymore, but that doesn’t take anything away from it. Afterlife was one of those stories that changes something in you, even just slightly, but enough that it earns a place in your personal history.

I once got tattoos to honour the stories that shaped me. Kingdom Hearts. Harry Potter. The Hunger Games. Sherlock. Doctor Who. Assassin’s Creed. Books, games, and shows that left a mark. If I could’ve kept going, Afterlife would’ve absolutely earned a place among them.

Even if I can’t wear it on my skin, I carry it in me. And that’s enough.

Cover of Afterlife (Book 1 of the Afterlife Saga) by Stephanie Hudson

Image used for review purposes only. © Stephanie Hudson.

Ready to Start the Journey?

If you haven’t read Afterlife yet, you’re in for a wild, emotional, and completely addictive ride. Stephanie Hudson has built an entire universe of interconnected stories, each filled with magic, miscommunication, myth, and some of the most loyal fan love you’ll ever find.

Start with the book that began it all:

Afterlife (Book 1 of the Afterlife Saga) introduces Keira, a young woman with a tragic past and Draven, a mysterious man who turns her world upside down. What begins as a dark, gothic romance slowly unfolds into something much bigger… something destined.

🔗 Where to find Stephanie Hudson’s work:

🌍 Official Website:

www.authorstephaniehudson.com/afterlifesaga

🛒 Start Reading on Amazon:

Afterlife (Book 1) on Amazon

Disclaimer: This blog post is written purely from personal love and admiration for the author’s work. I am not affiliated with the author or publisher in any way, and I do not receive payment, commission, or free products. All opinions are my own, and any links provided are shared purely to help others discover these incredible stories.