Going where few living persons have ventured since Dante and John Bunyan, Louisa Mortain's spirit, while hospitalised in a coma, is brought down into Below, or Askeria, which under the rule of its Prince, has selected her to become its next Deputy, for the bereaved Queen of Death and Desolation; a fate which by ancient rule must be sealed by her own choosing.
Discovering Askeria’s true nature she rebels, seeking to return Above. Pursued by Askerian security, determined to bring her to her choosing, she is helped by Blaze, a cabby-horse, and by the prayers of the children of Jane, her best friend; and is mysteriously supported by the Lamb, as she encounters different forms of suffering; and aids some pre-teen children who have been kidnapped Below to provide virtues for its benefit, one of whom betrays her; while she and Blaze suffer constant temptation.
In this ingenious odyssey Nick leads us through the ways, aspects and workings of a modernised hell, as it aims to maximise its harvest from Above, defeat its Enemy's hold over Above and protect itself from internal rebels. A fascinating glimpse into what life after death may be like for those gathered Below. And it’s not juicy parties and fun-time – unless you are pressed into the juice and consumed in the fun. You have been warned.