The Life Beyond

The Other Life #2

by Susanne Winnacker

Sherry’s dad is infected with the rabies mutation and his only chance at survival lies beyond the deadly fence separating the country: the antidote produced in the labs on the other side. And Sherry isn’t the only one who hopes to save a loved one; Joshua wants nothing more than to have his sister back, but after years as a Weeper she might already be beyond saving. Together with Tyler and Rachel, they set out on what might very well be a suicide mission.

Soon they realize that life beyond the fence is nothing like they had hoped it would be.

As they struggle to survive against brutal military forces, their strength won't be the only thing put to test. Can love survive in a hopeless world?

Genres: Young Adult, Zombies, Dystopia, Horror, Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy

183 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2013

About the author

Susanne Winnacker studied law before she became a full-time writer. She loves coffee (in every shape and form), traveling and animals.

Her YA thriller IMPOSTOR will be published on May 28, 2013. It has been optioned for TV by Warner Brothers!
I don't read messages on Goodreads. If you want to contact me, please send me an email to this address: books(at)susannewinnacker(dot)com
Here's my official Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/SusanneWinna...

Reviews

[Devon Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had many issues with this novel, but I'll just mention the main one for me. The Microbiologist in me would love to know how a guy managed to reverse engineer a drug he wasn't familiar with and quantify that drug with no real supplies or lab equipment. All in two to three days.



I've worked in biotech and pharmaceutical. Even if you scratch that lovely quality control and say the hell with sterility - which of course, you would here - it would still be a phenomenal feat to find everything you need and get it done. It's not like you need to simply raid the grocery store for some oregano and powdered mushrooms...

Sorry. I really loved the first novel, but the follow-up fell flat for me. Kids upturning a government by simply showing a video of testimonials? Sounds like the rebellion was gonna take off regardless. And there were too many situations throughout that just didn't seem that believable to me - like how they constantly managed to thwart the military and the weepers, not to mention how they miraculously always came upon their loved ones as weepers, whether running loose in the wasteland or caged by the military. Just not believable considering the number of weepers out there.

[Vicky]

2013 should just hurry up!!!

[Ashleyjo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book one started okay...

The Weepers book one was an okay read, & I knocked it out in four hours. It had some editing issues, but the writing style and flow itself wasn't horrible. It had a decent opening plot, a fairly well fleshed female lead, good action, meh world building, and a little sweet PG13 romance blooming. So, I didn't hesitate to continue to book two of the duo, expecting the plot and characters to push forward.

Sadly, book two bombed miserably...

Though the style and flow remained fair to good, the editing was worse. There were too many sentences like: "The first Weepers reached the wharf before we could fell them."

The plot, which had a decent start in book one, went into that dark place of just too convenient and outlandish . I get that this is a zombie book, but even in fantasy, I expect some degree of reality.

In other words, I don't expect that the mc's to think they can break into a guarded military facility to steal a cure with no prep, supplies, or assist.... I don't expect the coincidence of who helped them once they got there.... I don't expect the coincidence that they stumble upon a hacker... I don't expect the coincidence of living with a biochemical scientist.... I don't expect said scientist to be able to work without a lab and equipment to create\ reverse engineer potions .. I don't expect the coincidence of stumbling upon Bobby and Zoe.... And the list goes on, and on, and on, and on! Everything that advances the plot is pure coincidence of happening to be at the right place, at the right time, at the right point in the book.

The romance stalled. A kiss here, brooding argument there, hand hold here, and an "are you okay?" here and there.

The end. Oh, me! This is probably the most implausible ending I've read. All the threats from book one, that is the wreepers they'd been fighting and running from on the inside of the fence, I guess they disappeared or something since no one was worried about turning them loose for the ending to take place. And, shit if that's not the fastest I've EVER seen a rebellion be started, won, and changes implemented; a couple of days, really?

Ehh... A generous 1 1/2 stars

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original Review:

Fantastic book. As good as the first one in my opinion!

New Review:

I've been looking at this book on my read shelf for a while now and looking at the fact that i had said that it was a 'fantastic book' yet i had only given it 3 out of 5 stars makes me think that I may have really wanted to like the book because I absolutely loved the first one, but i may not have thought as highly of this one.

Looking back the book felt weird compared to the first one with the different atmosphere and it felt slightly forced because it was in such high demand for a sequel that I cant help but feel as though there was something missing and that the characters were portrayed differently.

It was a good conclusion however as it wrapped up the story line and gave the characters the send off they rightfully deserved but for me the first book was the one that caught my attention and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout whereas the sequel was just there to sum it all up.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was happy to revisit the lands of "The Other Life" with the Weepers and survivalism and such, but sadly, was even happier to leave it. This installment did not live up to the standard of the first book. This time I found Sherry a whiny selfish thing, with Joshua an insipid limp background teddy bear. Why anyone listened to them this time I do not know. But they do. They seem to agree with our *courageous* duo without so much as a counter-argument.
Anyway. I won't go on. In a way I'm glad that the series was finished properly, but it's sad that it fizzled so.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I waited for the release of this book and it was put back a few times but it was well worth the wait. It was just as asmazing as the first one and I was on the edge of my sit at times waiting to see what happened next with Sherry and Joshua. I loved it and although I really wanted to finish it to see what happened, I also wass sad to finish it.

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely didn’t hook me like the first one did, for sure, but still worth the read. Bear in mind that this is purely opinion though, so don’t let me discourage you from reading it, for all I know you could love it and get the last words of it tattooed on your forehead, although that’s probably not the wisest idea.

Happy reading!

[Holly Bryan]

WHOA! Great job on the cover, Hafsah!!!! Woot!

[Laura]

Unbelievably good !!

[Imogen Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I actually preferred it to the first one. It felt like it had a better pace to it with less fillers. I read it super quickly, feeling engaged at every chapter. The only reason why it lost out of 5 stars for me, was that the final fight scene just seemed too quick and easy for me. It seemed to only last a few pages and that seemed like a bit of an anticlimax for me. It seemed too simple and a bit disappointed. The rest of the book I really liked. It wasn't too predictable, it kept the plot from the first book going well, it had a heart-warming ending and it didn't seem too unrealistic.
There were a few plot holes but I'm really glad I read this book 😊.

[Susanne Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Ever After

I read the first book in the series years ago but couldn’t find the final book for years.
It was nice to reread the second and then dive into this book.

SPOILER UPCOMING



Understandably it ends in a happily ever after situation as it is a young adults book, but I felt like it was almost rushed to finish.
I feel like it could have been fleshed out a bit more.
I still did really enjoy this book and would recommend it.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit it has been a while since I last read this book, so for that I do apologise...However, this book from what I can remember sums up the first books ending really well and makes the plot tie up nicely.

[Zara · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this 2nd book
the story was good and well continued, fast paced and keeps you very entertained
sad and happy and intriguing and sometimes packed with action and some fear!

wished the ending would’ve been a little slower but still liked the outcome

[Taylor Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

After all these years I finally found a copy of this book. I can’t believe how much of a relief it feels to finally know what happened to everyone, still absolutely broke me to pieces when certain characters died but was so worth it. Wish there was a third book.

[Lakita Simmons]

The best yet

[Mansi Vora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The romance and chemistry between Sherry and Joshua definitely grew and matured....But some things just seem too convenient and rushed

[Abdullah Yasin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I initially found out that the publication date for this book was cancelled I could not BELIEVE it and was so gutted!
Was soo thrilled when I discovered it was being released as an ebook! And...after months of waiting and waiting for it to be released...this book definitely did not disappoint!
I absolutely loved The Other Life and i didn't think it possible but The Life Beyond was EVEN better than the first!!!! Insanely good! I was simply hooked!
More action, more danger, more romance and definitely more excitement!
I just love Sherry and Joshua! They are perfect! <3
It left me grinning like an idiot and reading the last page over and over and over again!
If you loved The Other Life I HIGHLY recommend The Life Beyond!!! Susanne Winnacker wraps up this thrilling YA dystopia novel perfectly and is guaranteed to leave you smiling and satisfied!
If you haven't read either of these books...YOU SIMPLY MUST! They cannot be missed!!!
Without question the other life saga is DEFINITELY my favourite duology OF ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!

[Headliner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Last part of review first book: I finished it and my first thought was; well, I have the second book, why not read it. Maybe it will be better...

Well, it wasn’t.

I hated the characters even more and thought about quit reading several times, but I am a strong headed person and decided to finish it. After I deciding that, I was to stubborn to put the book down. Even if it would have made me crazy. So I kept on going and hoping the end was near. Well the end came 183 pages to late.
The main character went from one fight to another and I missed a normal storyline beside the OMG we have to find the cure even if I am only 15 years old and clueless and don’t even really know this guy. I will follow him and make stupid mistakes all the time.
I can’t make more of this review and I am sorry to give it an one star rating. Did not like it doesn't even cover it.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this so much that I just went and bought it for my Kindle, omg. You know it's serious when I actually spend money on an e-book! Anyway it was definitely worth the $3.61 :P Bonus points for them going to Vegas as well... the mention of the now parched Bellagio fountains was so vivid to me, having just been there myself and seen those SO many times (usually from a distance although once we happened to be leaving the Bellagio JUST at the right time and it was amazing).

Um, what else. Well, this was another quick read which I really like - sometimes you just want to race through from start to finish in one go. A lot of deaths, some quite shocking and unexpected, but an actual ending and closure which was awesome.

[Simran · Rating 4 out of 5]

So i read this last year and i loved it. However, the first book was better without a doubt. I think i had very high expectations, that's why i didn't give it five stars. I loved the story line and how all the characters handled the apocalypse as well the emotional problems especially Joshua. When he finds out that his father is alive, it was so hard for him to handle. It was upsetting for me too :\. As well as Sherry loosing her father was emotional, i remember crying. I mean whyyyyyyyyyyyy did that have to happen especially when they came that far, getting the cure and everything; why did she have to shoot her father. The hate the author for doing that :( I really wished the author didn't do that!

[Alice Ridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars
so glad this book eventually got published. I found out it would be published today just yesterday. As soon as I woke up I bought the book on my kindle and I've stayed up to finish it.
Just like the first book it fills you with so many different emotions. There's so much action that it's almost impossible to put down.
I found it quite scary in parts as well and I really hope I don't have any nightmares tonight.

[Laura Prater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first book, I literally wasn't able to put this one down. It was so action-packed and full of suspense and everything else that I just loved getting caught up in Sherry's world.

The only thing I didn't agree with was how rushed the ending seemed. I kept expecting something to go wrong at the end but it was too cookie-cutter for my taste.

Otherwise, such an amazing book that I've been waiting so long to read. I really wish more people knew about this series.

[Amy McPherson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had two problems with this book. One: the author used the "word" alright. Not a word.
The second problem was that although this book was set in the American west (i.e., California) the author uses words like "kerb" and "aubergine." Perhaps the author is British and the editors didn't notice?

Otherwise a pretty good post-apocalyptic series.

[Teralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad that this book was finally published. I really enjoyed the first book and I was dying to know what was going to happen to sherry and her family. The life beyond was a great follow up and it ended the series perfectly.

[Isabell Berkowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so INTRUIGING! I was so glad "The Life Beyond" was finally published. I read it all in one day. It's not the best book in the entire world, but it was good, and just as good as the first one.

[SR · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was really interesting and action packed. The ending was kind of rushed and I didn't really like the romance, either. Joshua was very annoying especially when he was trying to play the "tough guy act."

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely end to an amazing 2-parter. This finished the story just how I wanted it to and it was a pleasure to delve into. More action packed than the usual books I read but I am definitely glad I picked up The Other Life which lead me into this book's world.

[Stephanie Willane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it but felt a little sad when sherry's father, Rachel and Larry died. I am depressed now as I finished it. I really want a third season!!!! But good work.

[T. Jackson · Rating 2 out of 5]

By far, the first book was better. This had the happy ending it should have. But I thought there was more in the story and characters in the first book.