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After and Again
Centuries after a cataclysmic event drastically changed the world, fifteen-year-old Zack McQueen stumbles upon a cave filled with relics from a nearly forgotten era. Relics that could both reshape his destiny and forever change the future for all living things. Returning home, he finds his town in ruins and his loved ones missing. Vowing to find them, he embarks on an epic journey of danger, love, and self-discovery that will take him to places that he’d never imagined possible.
262 pages, Paperback
First published October 9, 2014
4 people are currently reading
1389 people want to read
About the author
Michael A. McLellan
7 books291 followersMichael A. McLellan is an American author of fiction. To date, Michael has published five novels, including three books in The Americans series: In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, The Scout of Wounded Knee, and Joe Little and the Indian School.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 13, 2019
Reading this novel, for me, felt like I was watching a movie. I could visualize every happening, every character, as well as the scenery the story takes place in. Michael McLellan is a very unique author with a well-paced style of writing that keeps his readers totally involved from beginning to end.
The only wish I have, now that I have finished ‘After and Again’, is that there will be a continuation of the story, like a sequel to a movie. There’s more to be told!
Highly recommended!
The only wish I have, now that I have finished ‘After and Again’, is that there will be a continuation of the story, like a sequel to a movie. There’s more to be told!
Highly recommended!
August 29, 2017
It has been a busy nine days, but every chance I got, I had to return to this book by Michael McLellan. I read it in what I like to call sips as if enjoying an evening glass of wine. I almost hated to finish as it was that good. Now my attempt to tell you how much I loved the book without publishing too many spoilers.
An incredible first novel and delightful read. I would say After and Again is a tale of a young man coming of age. Moreover, finding the metal within himself to risk everything for others. The true spirit of the American soldier willing to fight to the death to do the right thing. The main character Zack reminded me of Stephen Kings young Roland Deschain in Wizard and Glass. I am learning this author is unpredictable and I am ever so careful not to become too attached to any character for fear they may not live to see the end of the book.
As with, In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, Mr. McLellan created a villain, Desmond Trask, that is so easy to hate. Likewise, and in true McLellan fashion, Emily, Zack’s sweetheart, Max the wolf and Grace his trusty horse is very easy to love.
Set in the future this post-apocalyptic/science-fiction/western is a unique tale with something for all. Whether it is the pioneer spirit of a time traveler, future end of days or the horse riding gun shooting hero that appeals to you, Mr. McLellan does not disappoint.
Fans of Kings Wolfs of the Calla, Jack London’s, Call of the Wild and H. G. Wells, Time Machine would all enjoy this book.
I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that perhaps there is a sequel to After and Again as I believe the author left that door open. If so, I will definitely be purchasing the book.
An incredible first novel and delightful read. I would say After and Again is a tale of a young man coming of age. Moreover, finding the metal within himself to risk everything for others. The true spirit of the American soldier willing to fight to the death to do the right thing. The main character Zack reminded me of Stephen Kings young Roland Deschain in Wizard and Glass. I am learning this author is unpredictable and I am ever so careful not to become too attached to any character for fear they may not live to see the end of the book.
As with, In the Shadow of the Hanging Tree, Mr. McLellan created a villain, Desmond Trask, that is so easy to hate. Likewise, and in true McLellan fashion, Emily, Zack’s sweetheart, Max the wolf and Grace his trusty horse is very easy to love.
Set in the future this post-apocalyptic/science-fiction/western is a unique tale with something for all. Whether it is the pioneer spirit of a time traveler, future end of days or the horse riding gun shooting hero that appeals to you, Mr. McLellan does not disappoint.
Fans of Kings Wolfs of the Calla, Jack London’s, Call of the Wild and H. G. Wells, Time Machine would all enjoy this book.
I am going to go out on a limb and suggest that perhaps there is a sequel to After and Again as I believe the author left that door open. If so, I will definitely be purchasing the book.
June 17, 2020
This is my third read from Michael McLellan. I’m a big fan of this author and I’ve been waiting to read After Again. This is Michael McLellan‘s debut novel. What is really cool about reading a debut novel after reading more current work, is that you get to appreciate the author’s growth in writing.
After Again usna genre hopper, which sets it apart from other novels. I am really obsessed with the ‘new Wild West’ setting. Horses, guns, training posts, and of course, outlaws. This concept is mixed in with fantasy/scifi, which creates this really unique plotline that captivates its audience.
The characters felt real. I love when characters respond plausibly to events (even when the events are fantastical). It makes for a more relatable cast of characters.
Michael McLellan‘s debut novel, After Again, proves his talent as a writer. There are some flaws in this one, but given the fact that it’s a debut, that’s to be expected. And after reading his other two novels, it’s clear, Michael McLellan has a knack for writing in multiple genres, creating captivating plotlines, and crafting relatable characters. Check this one out!
*I received a free copy of this book from R&R Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
After Again usna genre hopper, which sets it apart from other novels. I am really obsessed with the ‘new Wild West’ setting. Horses, guns, training posts, and of course, outlaws. This concept is mixed in with fantasy/scifi, which creates this really unique plotline that captivates its audience.
The characters felt real. I love when characters respond plausibly to events (even when the events are fantastical). It makes for a more relatable cast of characters.
Michael McLellan‘s debut novel, After Again, proves his talent as a writer. There are some flaws in this one, but given the fact that it’s a debut, that’s to be expected. And after reading his other two novels, it’s clear, Michael McLellan has a knack for writing in multiple genres, creating captivating plotlines, and crafting relatable characters. Check this one out!
*I received a free copy of this book from R&R Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and unbiased.*
April 3, 2015
Centuries after a cataclysmic event drastically changed the world, fifteen-year-old Zack McQueen stumbles upon a cave filled with relics from a nearly forgotten era. Relics that could both reshape his destiny and forever change the future for all living things. Returning home, he finds his town in ruins and his loved ones missing. Vowing to find them, he embarks on an epic journey of danger, love, and self-discovery that will take him to places that he’d never imagined possible.
I enjoyed After and Again. It was reminiscent of a western but with just enough hints of a vanished world to take it away from John Wayne territory.
Zack is reasonably well written, he's not a superman and his reactions mirror that about himself. He has a very sweet relationship with his wannabee girlfriend and comes across as very sincere in all of his dealings.
The secondary characters are well drawn and understandable and I enjoyed reading about them. There wasn't a point where I rolled my eyes and put the book down for later.
With all that said however, this book does have some problems.
Trask ludicrously survives numerous, life threatening happenings (far too many to be believable) He's also single minded at kidnapping the designated chick (Zack's girl) for no real reason beyond, the Man says so. It seemed strange that he had to have 'that girl' when it would have been easier to find one from somewhere else.
Too much info-dump, the main character doesn't figure anything out, he gets told everything.
The 'paradise world' came from the left field and really derailed the last quarter of the book. No problem with time travel, really had an issue with other reality because it really had no impact. The plot would have been served a lot better without the Man
But despite the above, it's a well written, enjoyable piece of prose.
Recommend
I enjoyed After and Again. It was reminiscent of a western but with just enough hints of a vanished world to take it away from John Wayne territory.
Zack is reasonably well written, he's not a superman and his reactions mirror that about himself. He has a very sweet relationship with his wannabee girlfriend and comes across as very sincere in all of his dealings.
The secondary characters are well drawn and understandable and I enjoyed reading about them. There wasn't a point where I rolled my eyes and put the book down for later.
With all that said however, this book does have some problems.
Trask ludicrously survives numerous, life threatening happenings (far too many to be believable) He's also single minded at kidnapping the designated chick (Zack's girl) for no real reason beyond, the Man says so. It seemed strange that he had to have 'that girl' when it would have been easier to find one from somewhere else.
Too much info-dump, the main character doesn't figure anything out, he gets told everything.
The 'paradise world' came from the left field and really derailed the last quarter of the book. No problem with time travel, really had an issue with other reality because it really had no impact. The plot would have been served a lot better without the Man
But despite the above, it's a well written, enjoyable piece of prose.
Recommend
March 24, 2015
I received this book for free as a first reads book!!!!Absolutely loved this book! I wasn't sure I would be so into it, as the main character is 15 and I am in my 30s, but once I started it I couldn't put it down!! although it was a sort of futuristic story it still had an old west sort of feel and I really liked that! the characters were vivid in my mind as I was reading and I could definitely picture the scene as it was unfolding. There were many times I cried in the story as I felt the pain of those lost.Max was a beloved addition to the characters and I think Iloved him the most.it was a very realistic feel to a time that most certainly could happen if the world continues as it does!! Michael is a great writer and I am looking forward to reading more books by him!!!
August 28, 2015
A little less than a year ago I was commissioned to create cover art for a book titled After and Again. I received an advance copy to read in order to get ideas for the cover. I was blown away by this book especially coming from a first time author.
The story has a great mix of adventure, Sci Fi and western. A really fun read that's hard to put down. I look forward to the reading the rest of the After and Again series and anything else this author has planned for the future!
The story has a great mix of adventure, Sci Fi and western. A really fun read that's hard to put down. I look forward to the reading the rest of the After and Again series and anything else this author has planned for the future!
February 20, 2015
I was so excited to win a signed copy from the goodreads giveaway!! This book was just amazing! It actually exceeded my expectations. Throughout the beginning of the book, we can see how the author starts off with the protagonist, Zack, who discovers a cave with all these cool relics, such as clothing, food, and books from a previous time period. It is funny how in a way everything that happened to Zack was for a reason, as gruesome it may seem (well in the beginning anyway). If it wasn't for him not wandering around and eventually finding that cave, he wouldn't have gotten home later than it was expected, and he probably would have gotten himself killed or even kidnapped by the riders/kidnappers. I am just glad he was able to rescue some of the ladies/women that were captured; his heroic act was something very admired not only by the readers but also by the characters in the book. As the book progressed, I noticed how the author briefly switched perspectives, and I thought that was just a great thing to do, because it gave the reader a better understanding of the other person's point of view.
I don't want to give too much away, but this book did wanders for me. The book kept me up at night (trust me you will want to keep reading until you are done), and I just love it very much. The ending was a cliffhanger, and I am pretty sure there will be a sequel. Right? Like I need to know what happens next. I completely recommend this book and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars! If you love a bit of romance, adventure, and also unexpected twists in a book, you should go ahead and read this like right now!
I don't want to give too much away, but this book did wanders for me. The book kept me up at night (trust me you will want to keep reading until you are done), and I just love it very much. The ending was a cliffhanger, and I am pretty sure there will be a sequel. Right? Like I need to know what happens next. I completely recommend this book and I give it a 5 out of 5 stars! If you love a bit of romance, adventure, and also unexpected twists in a book, you should go ahead and read this like right now!
November 9, 2015
Michael shares my love for nature and so it makes sense that I thoroughly enjoyed his first novel, After and Again. The story is set in a time of simple, agrarian living. Despite the fact that the novel is post-apocalyptic, there is a feeling of hope and community in the characters. Of course, this is all shattered abruptly very near the beginning of the story. However, through Zack McQueen, the main protagonist, and a cast of rich and interesting characters, the respect for the land and the living pervades. Zack’s heroic adventures [and brutal encounters with adversaries that will make your blood curdle] are tinged with his love for life, the natural world and peace. It’s as if the apocalypse was meant to wipe the slate clean and bring us back to our humble and primal roots. Zack symbolizes this. After and Again will trigger a variety of emotions. Well- paced, with excellent character development and enough science to make the astonishing plot twist completely plausible [and a bit frightening to think it could actually happen as Michael imagines], this debut novel is an entertaining and provocative read.
June 1, 2015
I still can't believe I won this book on goodreads. It was beyond amazing!This book definitely surpassed my expectations because it was beyond amazing. The book starts off with Zack, the main character who finds a cool cave with artifacts in it. He finds drawings, food, clothes and books from a different time period. The beginning of the book happens to be gruesome, but in a way we see that this was supposed to happen to Zack. seeing as when he found the cave, it made him get home late which happened to be a good thing because then he would have gotten kidnapped or even killed. I was just so happy that he was able to save some of the people from his village like children and women. I found this part to be so awe-inspiring because it was such a huge courageous act. As the story goes on, the author switches perspectives and i loved this because you got the same story, but from different people.
I won't give away any spoilers because the whole book is definitely a good reads and a must read. I truly enjoyed reading it and so sad to end it!
I won't give away any spoilers because the whole book is definitely a good reads and a must read. I truly enjoyed reading it and so sad to end it!
January 20, 2015
It always seems like something military/war related that brings on the end of the world. In After and Again, we follow the trail of our hero Zack as he attempts to rescue those dearest to him. This book combined several different genres including adventure, romance, and even a western theme to the story, and did so quite nicely. I enjoyed the determination of our hero, and the fact that as the story played out we learned more about the blunders made in the past which helped explain why the world was as it was during Zack's present. One thing I did wish for was maybe more from the point of Zack's 'sidekick' Max. We get one snippet but it leaves me wanting to know more from him and his loyalty to our hero. With an ending that left me wanting to continue the tale, After and Again is a great read that probably has a little bit of something everyone loves
November 4, 2019
Not a bad book by any means just didn't spark any interest in me personally.
April 29, 2018
After and Again is a great story, but it started off super slow. I pushed through it because I wanted to see what the author had in store for his readers. When the main character, Zack, finds the recorder and listens to it, everything started dragging because there was a lot of dialogue. I started to ask myself if all of it was even necessary, and I even skipped a few paragraphs to finally get back into the story... (More via website)
February 13, 2020
This book was a really unique and interesting concept. I would love a sequel!
July 24, 2020
Interesting idea, but poorly written in both style and punctuation
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June 3, 2023just tosses you in and I couldn't figure out anything. My mom read and liked it though. ^_^"
June 17, 2015
It was hard to get into at first. It felt like the author left out a couple of chapters there was no background no build up. I would have been more invested in the characters if I knew who they were. Made it hard to cate what happened. I liked Max but would like to know where he came from, I mean a wolf shows up out of nowhere when they hadn't seen one in years. That being said I liked the idea behind the story and would like to know if the characters were able to complete their tasks. Overall ok.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews