Alive

by Andreas Christensen

From the author of the Exodus Trilogy comes a bleak vision of life after the end. When the world ends, what do you do when you realize you are still alive? In a world devastated by natural disaster, only the most stubborn refuse to lay down and die. But with dwindling resources, time is running out. When Ed Walker learns that others have been preparing for the disaster for years, he begins to realize finding them may be his only shot at survival. In a dying world one man makes a choice to keep going, hoping against all odds there might be a future after all. Alive is a 10.000 word story loosely based on events in Exodus, but can also be read as a stand alone

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 30, 2013

About the author

Andreas Christensen is a Norwegian science fiction and fantasy author. His most recently published work is Frostfall, an epic fantasy.

His popular series the Exodus Trilogy received rave reviews in both the U.S. and the U.K. and has been compared to classics such as Heinlein and Asimov. The Rift Saga is set approximately two centuries after the events of Exodus, and a reviewer described it as "Hunger Games on steroids". In a good way...

He is currently working on new projects, including a "second generation" story set in the Aurora universe, in addition to the Legionnaire Series.

Andreas Christensen has a degree in Psychology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and his professional background is mainly from public service. He has a weakness for cats, coffee and up until recently, books so heavy he'd need a separate suitcase in order to carry them every time he traveled. Luckily, the world has changed, and the suitcase has now been replaced by an e-reader.

You can find Andreas Christensen here:
Website and blog: christensenwriting.com
Twitter: @achr75
Facebook: facebook.com/christensenwriting

Get your FREE copy of ALIVE, the Exodus companion novella. Just go to christensenwriting.com to get started!

Reviews

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short story

This was an impressive illustration of life after a cataclysmic event that has destroyed life as we know it. Remnants of a rogue planet gave crashed into the Earth and devastated the planet. Now, some months afterward, a nuclear winter has begun to chill the planet and make survival even tougher for those who lived through the initial disaster. This the story of one man who hopes to find a way to survive.

It's well worth reading. Written well, and seems accurate as far as what I'd expect the world to look like.

You might want to read The Exodus Trilogy first to get an idea of what has been going on. At least the first book of the trilogy should give the necessary background.

[Al Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bleak post-apocalyptic tale somewhat akin to Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," the short story tells of the adventure of a lone man as he seeks a reason to stay alive in a world that is dying. I'm intrigued to see where the author takes this with his "Exodus" series, which he alludes to every so briefly here.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

First-> I read "Exodus" the 1st in the series of how the preparations are made to select and send 1600 people off-planet before the impending collision impacts earth. This begins the story of those left behind on earth that somehow survive the impact's devastation. "Alive" is an easy read-> my only complaint is that just when I started to get into the story: the book ends!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unbelievable story. The world has been devastated by a natural disaster. Ed realizes that some people expected this and prepared for this day. He decides to survive and do what he can. Intriguing.

[Joe Price · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the story links with others, it seems a bit unfocused, unsure of what it's trying to tell. With the short length, it could become part of a full book, but it's not enough to stand alone. Obviously, I was disappointed in it.

[Kavita Favelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could be interesting but 28 pages is just so brief, too brief for me to connect more fully.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

an interesting aside from the Exodus Trilogy

[Wayne Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent short story that wants to be continued.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is essentially a novella about the survivors left behind on earth. I found that I disliked the main character but the story line is quite probable.

[Randy Grossman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay for a short story, A couple language blips.. but mostly stayed civil. It leads into another series leading into life after a world changing event. It might be interesting for some to follow...I may I may not.

[Steve Pillinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

(See review of the first book in the series, "Exodus".)

Similar in many ways to "Impact", the other Rift saga prequel.

[Randy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This very short novella describes one man's adventure on Earth after a major part of the rogue planet described in "Exodus" strikes. The novella is 28 pages long and certainly not worth paying $2.99 for. It seems to me that Mr. Christensen should have written a complete book on the issue of surviving the impact and not have a "teaser" published like this one.

I enjoy his writing style but was disappointed with the content of this book. I would be even more upset if I had paid for the book. After reading "Exodus" I was invited to join an e-mail list for future books from the author and was given this novella as a download for free. This was the correct price for the book.

[Douglass Gaking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Exodus, Alive is shorter than it should be. Christensen has great ideas, but comes up short on both the quality and quantity of his delivery. I may read more of his work because I like the concept of the Exodus Trilogy a lot. I hope that Christensen's writing improves with his later works. This novella was already a step above Exodus in my opinion.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am disappointed that this book is only 30 pages. I was really 'into' it, when it just ended. Please finish this story Mr. Christensen!

[Margaret A Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want more

Is there a novel about earth after Devastator? Reminds me of the Ashfall trilogy in a way. I guess I am a sucker for survival stories.

[Sherri Moorer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting! The fact that there were survivors after Devestator hit opens up a realm of possibility.

[paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Short

This is a short book, but it's a book that I didn't want to put down.
I enjoyed it a whole lot

[Barry Edstene · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never read Andreas Christensen's work, do yourself a favor and spend an hour reading Alive. I have read a few of his books and hope to complete them all as they keep coming. Cristensen has a style that just works for me. action, suspense, keeping you on the edge while developing characters with empathy grit and a bit of wisdom. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.