Stafford Betty, Ph.D.
Guardians of the Afterworld
GUARDIANS OF THE AFTERWORLD tells the story of Numen and Sephia, two powerful spirits who accept the responsibility of managing Earth's afterworld, the "Astral," where the dead go. This is not a religious book. Their adventures grow out of a secular research background that points to survival of death as a natural and near certain fact. One's character, not beliefs, is the only yardstick determining one's destiny, a destiny not written in stone, but open to change as one navigates the new environment.
Numen and Sephia, from different planets in our galaxy, learn to overcome their mutual strangeness and work effectively to improve conditions for the Earth's 9 billion astral citizens, all with histories on the planet that range from the saintly to the demonic and the wealthy to the destitute.
Our histories affect the Astral environment in many ways. War breeds violent death and overwhelms the receiving stations. Exclusivist religions lead to hostility and have to be reformed. Brutes and terrorists must be quarantined. Orphaned children cut off by death need to be loved and educated. Suicides must be nursed back to health. Spirits roaming the Earth and sewing confusion everywhere must be stopped. Aliens threatening invasion must be reasoned with. Music and the arts must be regulated to some degree.
These problems and many more confront the Guardians. Their powers are limited, but they were hero and heroine on their planets, and they have now accepted a more challenging role as servants to a planet not their own. A final challenge was learning how to love each other, their personalities as different as ice from ember.
Reviews
"Guardians of the Afterworld, the latest novel by Stafford Betty, masterfully blends science fiction with profound human drama. Although the main characters are otherworldly beings recruited from distant planets to govern Earth’s astral realm, the novel’s emotional depth and complexity make it compellingly relatable. These celestial leaders, tasked with guiding human souls who have “crossed over” to the afterlife, encounter an extraordinary variety of characters still wrestling with challenges like addiction, love, trauma, poverty, materialism, depression, political activism, and personal rivalries.
Betty’s exceptional writing breathes life into this fascinating universe, offering readers not only vivid storytelling but also a sense of hope and certainty that human existence transcends physical death. Grounded in his scholarly research on the afterlife, this fictional world feels as credible as it is imaginative, inspiring us to contemplate the immense opportunities for spiritual growth that might await us. As a dedicated fan of both Stafford Betty’s fiction and non-fiction, I’m always eager for his next work. Guardians of the Afterworld is no exception—an outstanding addition to his body of work that I wholeheartedly recommend."
- Beth L.
"I've been interested in where we go after we die for along time. This book is based on over 100 years of good research that the author has done on the subject of where we go when we die and the astral plane. His characters are fiction but it makes the stories most interesting to read. Besides being a good researcher, the author is an excellent writer."
- David Wright
"I ordered this book after hearing the author interviewed on ‘Coast to Coast’ radio. I was impressed with his knowledge and wisdom, which really shine through in the book. A ‘fictional’ novel about a couple who are appointed as regents on the Astral plane, to try to solve earth’s dilemmas. The explanation of such things as gender dysphoria, schizophrenia, and other issues surrounding life on earth are addressed and offer fascinating insights about their causes and solutions. This book is a must-read for spiritual seekers, especially for the open-minded who seek answers not found in conventional religions."
- Mary Ann Crysler
"Stafford Betty has gifted an amazing story to any of us who have ever pondered where we might have been before emerging from gestating in our mother’s womb and wondering where one goes when leaving an earthly body. Betty allows Numen and Sephia to take us with them as the leaders in an existence beyond our earthly lives. As you read, expect to smile, frown, laugh and wonder which of the possible afterlife experiences might be yours. Above all, expect to be both challenged and entertained."
- L B Robinson, Ph.D.