The A-Virus

The A-Virus #1

by Xander Williams

Will Batchelor hates his new life in London, the private school his father forces him to go to. He misses Brighton. He misses his friends. He misses home.

But little does Will realise that his problems are about to pale into insignificance. That lurking on the horizon is a threat like no other. Unseen. Contagious. Deadly.

As his world crumbles, is there anything he can do to save it?

Or will he lose everything he loves, and everyone?

Episode one in The A-Virus series, three short reads that weave a thrilling, post-apocalyptic tale!

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2023

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the main character, and the first part of the book was really great. My interest kind of fizzled in the last 1/4th of the book though.

[Elaine and Tess the Springer. I won’t be on GR for a bit. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book.

So very good. I totally loved it. Our character Will is only 16, he's not an immature boy, and the story through his eyes is refreshing. A Thoroughly enjoyable read. I'm looking forward at reading the next book, The Girl on the Wall.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. I liked that it takes place in England and even though the main character is just sixteen, he is a likeable character in a terrible situation, though the shortness of the book made this a challenge. However, I rarely care for an entire story written in present tense...it is too much like reading stage directions in a play. Either the maths of the government was wrong or they were deliberately misleading, but a 10% mortality rate would not have killed so many people that quickly. It is also not feasible for even a respiratory vector virus to have spread and killed in such a short time. A lot of people were standing in line for anti-inflammatory drugs?? What about oxygen, broncho-dilators? Something to actually help you breathe? I am mildly interested to see what happens next so may give book 2 try.

[cathryn baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catches your interest from the start

A well written, thoughtful story that grabs you from the start, can't wait to read book 2 .
Great to read from a teens point of view, he's seems a nice ordinary boy whose coping well with the terrible deaths around him including his parents, I hope it goes on so we can grow up with him and how he changes to cope with the new world as it changes around him.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another type of book dealing with a major pandemic. Will is at the Clifford School for Boys and he hates it. Before long he has a more important problem to deal with and that is his parents are dying from the pandemic.

He leaves his home and starts wandering. More dead people everywhere yet he's not ill. How will he survive and will he manage to find any other living people? It's the first of a series and is a good introduction to what is happening.

[Missy~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little Apoc story

Very short story, but packed with a lot of happenings.
Will is sixteen, miserable in his new school, missing his old friends.
Everything changes literally overnight, with flu like symptoms, with nearly all the people dying within hours.
When his parents are sick and dead in less than a day, Will just starts walking.
And so ends episode one.

[Pamela Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Book is one of The A -Virus Book Series.

This was an interesting take on the Covid virus and I have truly enjoyed Wills's journey so far. Although this is so tragically heartbreaking I'm glad that Will has hope now.

[Babetta Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A-Virus

After recent world events, I think it’s more likely that everyone refuses to “stay home & be safe” as well as wash their hands. However, the story does grab you quickly from the beginning and you’re really pulling for this kid.

[Kgparkhurst Parkhurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting.

Story moves quite slowly. I got this first book for free but do not think I will $2.99 too continue with this series. Have not checked any libraries to see if they have.

[Don Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A virus good book, enjoy reading

Enjoyed reading the book. Some things weren't that clear to me but still it's the school that I'm not familiar with.

The reaction of Will and his family were so good. I wish I could do as well.

[Paula K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storyline could happen anywhere .. this is in the UK. A lot for a 16 year old kid to go through.. kept my interest mostly.
I am interested to see where the virus storyline goes so I will read the second book.

[Justine Biddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but decent read, kept my attention and went straight on the next book

[Verna Woolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t even read half of it too many F words. Spoiled it for me

[Sena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Fun to read
Ready to read book 2. Part of my summer apocalypse reading binge. Never a dull moment. Fun

[Mélody Bourgeault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pour vrai, j’ai adoré! Je voulais me sortir de ma série d’avant avant d’en commencer une autre. C’est trois petits livres 85-95 pages et je sens que je vais les dévorer!

[AngryPixi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok enough I'll read book 2 then see how I feel.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this quick read, nothing too new but the character is likeable and I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.

[Lover Of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Bad

This is a really short read and enjoyable. My only issue was trying to understand some of the terms in the book since the writer is from the UK.

[Jaime Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well written for such a short story! On to episode 2

[Pauline Frater · Rating 2 out of 5]

not worth the effort

I gave up after the first few chapters as it’s padded out with non-important words, and there are too many grammatical errors to ignore.

[Jessica Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was well written for such a small book I’ll be moving onto episode 2, it was kind of sad.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short story, apocalypse style virus end of the world type book. More than readable but missing something, not sure what…

I might read the rest if I sign up to kindle unlimited again!

[Christa Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t good. Writing was not it and the main character made questionable decisions. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this.

[Mick Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Really enjoyed episode 1 looking forward to reading the next episodes 👏👏it is very realistic and very like Covid virus