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Survivors #0.1
Alpha's Tale
A sixty-page novella set in the world of the bestselling Survivors series by Erin Hunter! Since the first action-packed Survivors novel, readers have been clamoring for more of the dogs and the world they love. In this original prequel, readers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the story of Alpha, the fierce half-wolf who leads the Wild Pack.
Long before the Big Growl struck, Alpha was born the only half-dog in a pack of wolves. The other wolves made him suffer for it—until he swore he would never be the runt of a Pack again. . . .
Alpha's Tale also includes a teaser chapter to Survivors #5: The Endless Lake.
Long before the Big Growl struck, Alpha was born the only half-dog in a pack of wolves. The other wolves made him suffer for it—until he swore he would never be the runt of a Pack again. . . .
Alpha's Tale also includes a teaser chapter to Survivors #5: The Endless Lake.
60 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2014
111 people are currently reading
1671 people want to read
About the author
Erin Hunter
279 books10.9k followersErin Hunter is the pseudonym of five people: Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, Tui T. Sutherland, Gillian Philip, and Inbali Iserles, as well as editor Victoria Holmes. Together, they write the Warriors series as well as the Seekers and Survivors series. Erin Hunter is working on a new series now called Bravelands.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
Erin Hunter is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having a great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior, shaped by her interest in astronomy and standing stones.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 29, 2014
2.5
It was okay, but I didn't really learn much about Alpha's character, just his backstory. I don't know why he hates Fierce Dogs so much - he seemed to have a decent experience with them. I don't know why he praises the wolves when he hates them. I don't know why he despises Lone Dogs because he was one. It was just confusing. I didn't feel like I was reading from Alpha's perspective.
It was okay, but I didn't really learn much about Alpha's character, just his backstory. I don't know why he hates Fierce Dogs so much - he seemed to have a decent experience with them. I don't know why he praises the wolves when he hates them. I don't know why he despises Lone Dogs because he was one. It was just confusing. I didn't feel like I was reading from Alpha's perspective.
October 31, 2017
Alpha's story is a surprise
Learning the dark secrets of Alpha brings this epic adventure new light. Alpha's past haunts him more than you realize in the Survivor's series. After Reding this story, one can feel the turmoil that rages within the leader of the pack.
Learning the dark secrets of Alpha brings this epic adventure new light. Alpha's past haunts him more than you realize in the Survivor's series. After Reding this story, one can feel the turmoil that rages within the leader of the pack.
April 2, 2024
This made my dad cum back to life. Unlike that baby wolf that was found at the end, its dad. I hated this book more than I hate my toenails I feel hurt by this because be so for real. I'm the alpha. Justice for the people had to read this book I need to be hospitalized after that one baby.
May 20, 2022
man alpha is like an entirely different character
October 24, 2020
Alpha is certainly a dog of contradictions. He despises Fierce Dogs in the main series, but loves one here, and it didn't end badly; he had bad experiences too, but I don't understand why hate won out. He actually uses some of their brutal methods himself. He shows some courage here, as well as love and sympathy, though he's a hateful coward in the main series. He's undeniably a dog of self-loathing, whatever else.
January 17, 2018
Very good book!
Read
January 19, 2022Alpha's tale is an ebook exclusive. I read it. I started reading it yesterday and finished it today.
Spoiler Warning
Alpha's pup name is Pup, but when he has a Naming Ceremony, he can't choose a name for himself. The others are supposed to choose one for him but no one says anything until Quick ( His half brother ) says " Dog! ". Pup, now called Dog hates the name and thinks a name is everything, but he has to wear it until the Great Wolf takes his soul to sleep with him forever after. So, Dog goes hunting soon with the other hunters. They soon find a pen full of sheep! They attack the sheep, but Fierce dogs ( in this book called LONGPAW FANGS ) attack them. Everyone except Quick is fast enough, but Dog, with a good heart, turns back and saves Quick but the Longpaw Fangs capture him. The Rancher, the Fangs' Longpaw, decides to keep him in a Dog House and he has to wear a collar. In months of training, he comes to like The Rancher, but then in one hates him. But now he does what he orders. Sit, for example, meant he sat to go back onto his haunches on the ground, and heel meant to come next to me. Then he becomes a good friend of one of the Longpaw Fangs, called Calamity. Calamity calls him Wolf because he didn't tell his name. One day when, the Longpaw Fangs went wolf hunting, and then came back. They told him that the wolves ran away after they only had to kill one of them. They said they killed a wolf who yelped " Where is my pup?! " They told Dog that they told her that he is alright and begged to stay with them. They knew it was Graceful just as much as Dog. Graceful was Dog's mother-wolf. Then, one day when Calamity and Dog have to look after the sheep, they play chase but before eighter of them could win, a coyote attacked the chickens, and Dog hesitated to attack the coyote. This was his mistake. The coyote sprung for one of the chickens and almost killed it but Sundance, the Longpaw Fang alpha, attacked and killed the coyote. Then Sundance, In punishment, grabbed Dog's leg and almost broke it while Zorro and Bella, other Longpaw Fangs, were on him so he couldn't run away. With Calamity, she lay down knowing what would happen and Sundance bit her leg too, but by the crack sound and the whine she made, Dog thought maybe it broke. He was rewarded before this by being able to sleep with the others, without a collar... With a full way to escape. The next night he told Calamity that he was going and went away. Calamity, so she wouldn't be punished, barked the others awake but Dog had a big headstart. He jumped over the fence, free again. Then he found a Giantfur attacking a pup. The pup was a Bulldog. Dog scared the Giantfur away and made a pack with the pup. ( in the fifth book or fourth we find out that Fiery's pup name is snail ) The pup turns out to be called Snail. He asks what Dog's name. Dog thinks. Then after a while, he says " Call me Alpha "
Spoiler Warning
Alpha's pup name is Pup, but when he has a Naming Ceremony, he can't choose a name for himself. The others are supposed to choose one for him but no one says anything until Quick ( His half brother ) says " Dog! ". Pup, now called Dog hates the name and thinks a name is everything, but he has to wear it until the Great Wolf takes his soul to sleep with him forever after. So, Dog goes hunting soon with the other hunters. They soon find a pen full of sheep! They attack the sheep, but Fierce dogs ( in this book called LONGPAW FANGS ) attack them. Everyone except Quick is fast enough, but Dog, with a good heart, turns back and saves Quick but the Longpaw Fangs capture him. The Rancher, the Fangs' Longpaw, decides to keep him in a Dog House and he has to wear a collar. In months of training, he comes to like The Rancher, but then in one hates him. But now he does what he orders. Sit, for example, meant he sat to go back onto his haunches on the ground, and heel meant to come next to me. Then he becomes a good friend of one of the Longpaw Fangs, called Calamity. Calamity calls him Wolf because he didn't tell his name. One day when, the Longpaw Fangs went wolf hunting, and then came back. They told him that the wolves ran away after they only had to kill one of them. They said they killed a wolf who yelped " Where is my pup?! " They told Dog that they told her that he is alright and begged to stay with them. They knew it was Graceful just as much as Dog. Graceful was Dog's mother-wolf. Then, one day when Calamity and Dog have to look after the sheep, they play chase but before eighter of them could win, a coyote attacked the chickens, and Dog hesitated to attack the coyote. This was his mistake. The coyote sprung for one of the chickens and almost killed it but Sundance, the Longpaw Fang alpha, attacked and killed the coyote. Then Sundance, In punishment, grabbed Dog's leg and almost broke it while Zorro and Bella, other Longpaw Fangs, were on him so he couldn't run away. With Calamity, she lay down knowing what would happen and Sundance bit her leg too, but by the crack sound and the whine she made, Dog thought maybe it broke. He was rewarded before this by being able to sleep with the others, without a collar... With a full way to escape. The next night he told Calamity that he was going and went away. Calamity, so she wouldn't be punished, barked the others awake but Dog had a big headstart. He jumped over the fence, free again. Then he found a Giantfur attacking a pup. The pup was a Bulldog. Dog scared the Giantfur away and made a pack with the pup. ( in the fifth book or fourth we find out that Fiery's pup name is snail ) The pup turns out to be called Snail. He asks what Dog's name. Dog thinks. Then after a while, he says " Call me Alpha "
July 19, 2024
We first meet Pup, a young male born to a wolf mother and her second mate who happened to be a dog. He is looked down on and when he is finally given his real name, it is Dog. Pup, now dog is very angry because his half brother, a full wolf, is who gave him the name, Dog, and he sees it as a lack of respect for him and his mixed heritage.
His mother tries to calm him down, but he is too angry and lashes out at her for "doing this to him". However he works to prove himself as worthy as any other members of the pack and doeos reasonally well, until again his half brother leads them into a place that is guarded not only by a human but also by a pack of very determined guard dogs whch leads to some deaths in the Pack, and Dog left behind.
He finds a mate but then circumstances put him on the road alone again, and his name is changed twice and we see him at the end being called Alpha, a name he picks himself rather that either of his previous names Dog and Wolf. The later one he was given by the human beings guard pack.
He has grown into a greater level of self-accepance and might just be ready to form his own pack of those he WANTS to work with, and to protect those whom he wants to protect.
His mother tries to calm him down, but he is too angry and lashes out at her for "doing this to him". However he works to prove himself as worthy as any other members of the pack and doeos reasonally well, until again his half brother leads them into a place that is guarded not only by a human but also by a pack of very determined guard dogs whch leads to some deaths in the Pack, and Dog left behind.
He finds a mate but then circumstances put him on the road alone again, and his name is changed twice and we see him at the end being called Alpha, a name he picks himself rather that either of his previous names Dog and Wolf. The later one he was given by the human beings guard pack.
He has grown into a greater level of self-accepance and might just be ready to form his own pack of those he WANTS to work with, and to protect those whom he wants to protect.
November 7, 2017
Great book!It uses a mix of realistic and fantasy for a great combination.The chance to see what made the Wild Pack Alpha like he is was amazing.I'd always wondered why the Wild Pack's former Alpha was so mean,now I...you know what,I'm not gonna spoil the story for you.I'd advise you read The Empty City and A Hidden Enemy before reading this.Comes in Tales From The Packs with Sweet's Journey and Moon's Choice.
May 10, 2020
Enjoyable as a short story, but a bit of a confusion mess when it comes to connecting to the main arc.
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
Full review at: https://skybookcorner.blogspot.com/20...
February 25, 2019
I haven't read the books in years and I never read the Survivors and I'm glad I did ! It was good. It didn't really have much plot in it for a 90 page book in it but I really enjoyed it! ❤
February 1, 2024
Didn't explain as much as I'd hoped (actually I have more questions now), but I still read the entire thing in one sitting not being able to stop
September 18, 2024
4 stars
December 18, 2024
As a dog lover and especially a husky owner, I loved this cute little novella about a half-dog, half-wolf trying to find where he belongs in the wild.
March 25, 2025
This didn't add any real insight into Alpha's character. If anything, it contradicts what's already been established about him.
August 27, 2025
I remember it being pretty good. The only thing I can remember is one of the dogs’ jaws being ripped off though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2026
this was sad lowkey
January 7, 2024
Simple backstory sur Alpha, il me manque un truc... Pourquoi il est devenu aussi aigri comme ça dans le cycle 1?
November 30, 2015
if you love wolves and loves reading tales this might be the book you would like to read.
the way the wolves live in their pack different from what I learned about them.. I really think if you read this book you'd want to read more of his books the author wrote.. he has written a lot of cat and other animal books I bet the books at as interesting as this story!!
my opinion of this book, the book grabbed my attention more because of how he wrote the story and added the main characters parents.. and his parent past.. SPOLIER ALERT, I like how the wolf pup loved his dad the pasted away in a battle with another pack, Some people hate their parents because they did or had some thing in their life that they have to pay for at the end... the pup got his name every one called him that name because of his dad but he pup had no other chose then to prove to the pack more than what they think he is.. pup want to be part of the pack and excepted as what he is and he fells like he should prove to them how powerful he is.
the book was great and mostly how the author made the wolf talked and put movement in the story, even how the wolves talked and pups felling. In most chapters the author tell you what the surroundings look and how the weather is changing and how the things grow!!!
my favorite part is when the wolves try to bully pup and pup does care about what they think about him or say to him!! when he go his name he hated what he was and what they thought of him, I was surprised when the pack gave the pup his name to disrespect him and his father, but pup was better that what they thought.
I liked when the pup learns what and who he is and how to live with it, sad thing he mother was rarely there. the worst thing was the pack way of doing thing but all what happen to pup thought him lessons.
the way the wolves live in their pack different from what I learned about them.. I really think if you read this book you'd want to read more of his books the author wrote.. he has written a lot of cat and other animal books I bet the books at as interesting as this story!!
my opinion of this book, the book grabbed my attention more because of how he wrote the story and added the main characters parents.. and his parent past.. SPOLIER ALERT, I like how the wolf pup loved his dad the pasted away in a battle with another pack, Some people hate their parents because they did or had some thing in their life that they have to pay for at the end... the pup got his name every one called him that name because of his dad but he pup had no other chose then to prove to the pack more than what they think he is.. pup want to be part of the pack and excepted as what he is and he fells like he should prove to them how powerful he is.
the book was great and mostly how the author made the wolf talked and put movement in the story, even how the wolves talked and pups felling. In most chapters the author tell you what the surroundings look and how the weather is changing and how the things grow!!!
my favorite part is when the wolves try to bully pup and pup does care about what they think about him or say to him!! when he go his name he hated what he was and what they thought of him, I was surprised when the pack gave the pup his name to disrespect him and his father, but pup was better that what they thought.
I liked when the pup learns what and who he is and how to live with it, sad thing he mother was rarely there. the worst thing was the pack way of doing thing but all what happen to pup thought him lessons.
November 3, 2015
I thought it was a great book and it had a good plot twist with the fierce dogs in the book. The 1 fierce dog that cared had said no to leaving with him. I would recomend this book to any dog or Wolf lover! The detail of the book felt so real! This is not a waste of time people! If I could i would give it a 5 star rating! If you liked worriors I say, your ganna love survivors!
P.S. Before reading this read survivors the empty city.
[warning!! Spoiler!!] I loved the end of the book when Alpha found Fury as a pup! Just like lucky and mickey did with the 3 fierce dogs!
P.S. Before reading this read survivors the empty city.
[warning!! Spoiler!!] I loved the end of the book when Alpha found Fury as a pup! Just like lucky and mickey did with the 3 fierce dogs!
May 20, 2015
I found that the story was well written and interesting. I read it in one sitting. However, I was disappointed by the lack of backstory regarding his hatred towards fierce dogs? I don't really see where the deep seething hatred comes in, and why that would cause him such bitterness. I would think the conclusion with Snail would make him a more compassionate and understanding person, not a total jerk. So I am a bit confused in regards to that.
January 30, 2018
Wow
Ohmygosh That was the best book by Erin Hunter yet I loved this so muuucccccchhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo dog/wolf/alpha you rule! (No pun intended!) Yeah this was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!☺😊😀😁😂😃😄😅😆😛😝😋😚😘😙😗😍
Ohmygosh That was the best book by Erin Hunter yet I loved this so muuucccccchhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohoo dog/wolf/alpha you rule! (No pun intended!) Yeah this was awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!☺😊😀😁😂😃😄😅😆😛😝😋😚😘😙😗😍
January 4, 2015
It is okay
Yeah what the title says :/ Djokovic b.s. :-/ she she she she she :-/ she :-/ Shane she :-/
Yeah what the title says :/ Djokovic b.s. :-/ she she she she she :-/ she :-/ Shane she :-/
February 13, 2015
A nice introduction to the Alpha character, but I hope there will be more stories in this series. Worth it if you are a fan of the series.
March 3, 2015
Small
I finished it in one night. I think it's got a lot of detail, but it needs more pages and thickness.
(Physically and mentally)
I finished it in one night. I think it's got a lot of detail, but it needs more pages and thickness.
(Physically and mentally)
April 29, 2017
the ending was a bit eh.
January 4, 2016
It was sad.
April 14, 2020
Really good.
This book gave background information about the half wolf alpha in the first survivors series. This book had a good ending and story.
This book gave background information about the half wolf alpha in the first survivors series. This book had a good ending and story.
May 3, 2020
Great
Great!! Short but amazing! Total cliffhanger ending but a real page turner! I definitely would recommend if you love dogs and chapter books!
Great!! Short but amazing! Total cliffhanger ending but a real page turner! I definitely would recommend if you love dogs and chapter books!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews