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Reich
Reich (SciFi Novella)
In the 158 years after Hitler’s death (AH158), Germany has become the utopian state that he had originally envisioned. The Aryan Dynasty has conquered the free world at the cost of billions of lives. Hitler has become the patriarch of a new religious fervor, one that even he did not see coming. The wastelands that surround Germany are the only threat awaiting the German citizens. That is at least what everyone is taught. This is a story of how misplaced power can lead to tyranny, but it could be Germany that falls victim to a new Reich.
In the 158 years after Hitler’s death (AH158), Germany has become the utopian state that he had originally envisioned. The Aryan Dynasty has conquered the free world at the cost of billions of lives. Hitler has become the patriarch of a new religious fervor, one that even he did not see coming. The wastelands that surround Germany are the only threat awaiting the German citizens. That is at least what everyone is taught. This is a story of how misplaced power can lead to tyranny, but it could be Germany that falls victim to a new Reich.
- GenresScience FictionEbooks
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2014
7 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Drew Avera
95 books167 followersDrew Avera is a Navy veteran, musician, and the bestselling author of the Dead Planet series and the Alorian Wars.
He was born and raised in rural Mississippi and grew up with a deep affection for comic books and science fiction movies and television shows. At one point he boasted a comic book collection with more than 1,000 issues. His love for comics inspired him to pursue a career as a comic book artist, but an injury to his hand ended that dream permanently.
Still, he was inspired to create in one medium or the other. He picked up a guitar at fifteen years old and began writing songs almost immediately. That “obsession” as his parents called it put him on the path to rock stardom…in his bedroom.
It was when he turned sixteen and bought the novel “What Savage Beast” by Peter David (The Incredible Hulk) that he caught the bug to be a writer. Unfortunately, it would not come to fruition until fourteen years later.
Drew enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Electricians Mate at seventeen years old. He served twenty years and deployed on four combat deployments to the Persian Gulf. During those deployments he would spend his free time reading books. He loved reading books in a series and that inspired his journey to becoming a fiction author.
In November 2012, at the age of thirty, Drew began his journey as an author by participating in national Novel Writing Month (NANoWriMo). He published his first book in March of 2013 and the rest, as they say, is history. With more than twenty books published in the space opera, military science fiction, cyberpunk, and dystopian genres, he has built a backlog with something for everyone who enjoys science fiction adventures.
After retiring from the Navy, he began an exciting new career in the simulation field. Drew is now focusing his efforts on building upon what he learned in his first eight years of publishing. He has plans for an all-new space opera and military science fiction series as well as new collaborations with other writers.
The best is yet to come!
To learn more about Drew and his books, visit www.drewavera.com.
Subscribe to Drew’s newsletter for updates on new releases, or follow his Amazon Author Page to receive updates directly from Amazon.
The Alorian Wars (Space Opera/Military Science Fiction Series)
Broken Worlds
Deadly Refuge
Mutiny Rising
Shadow Empire
Regime Change
The Dead Planet Series (Cyberpunk/Dystopian)
Exodus
Verity
Endgame
The Syndicate Series (Cyberpunk)
Rise of the Syndicate
Eye of the Syndicate
Other books
Traitor
Skye Byrn
He was born and raised in rural Mississippi and grew up with a deep affection for comic books and science fiction movies and television shows. At one point he boasted a comic book collection with more than 1,000 issues. His love for comics inspired him to pursue a career as a comic book artist, but an injury to his hand ended that dream permanently.
Still, he was inspired to create in one medium or the other. He picked up a guitar at fifteen years old and began writing songs almost immediately. That “obsession” as his parents called it put him on the path to rock stardom…in his bedroom.
It was when he turned sixteen and bought the novel “What Savage Beast” by Peter David (The Incredible Hulk) that he caught the bug to be a writer. Unfortunately, it would not come to fruition until fourteen years later.
Drew enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Electricians Mate at seventeen years old. He served twenty years and deployed on four combat deployments to the Persian Gulf. During those deployments he would spend his free time reading books. He loved reading books in a series and that inspired his journey to becoming a fiction author.
In November 2012, at the age of thirty, Drew began his journey as an author by participating in national Novel Writing Month (NANoWriMo). He published his first book in March of 2013 and the rest, as they say, is history. With more than twenty books published in the space opera, military science fiction, cyberpunk, and dystopian genres, he has built a backlog with something for everyone who enjoys science fiction adventures.
After retiring from the Navy, he began an exciting new career in the simulation field. Drew is now focusing his efforts on building upon what he learned in his first eight years of publishing. He has plans for an all-new space opera and military science fiction series as well as new collaborations with other writers.
The best is yet to come!
To learn more about Drew and his books, visit www.drewavera.com.
Subscribe to Drew’s newsletter for updates on new releases, or follow his Amazon Author Page to receive updates directly from Amazon.
The Alorian Wars (Space Opera/Military Science Fiction Series)
Broken Worlds
Deadly Refuge
Mutiny Rising
Shadow Empire
Regime Change
The Dead Planet Series (Cyberpunk/Dystopian)
Exodus
Verity
Endgame
The Syndicate Series (Cyberpunk)
Rise of the Syndicate
Eye of the Syndicate
Other books
Traitor
Skye Byrn
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 1, 2015
This story changes from multiple perspectives, giving an alternate outcome of WWII. It's been 158 years since Hitler's death and a young German citizen Mikael discovers that the country is surrounded by a holographic shell. Mikael's mother is the leader of the rebellion group who planet to overthrow the Enforcers who wipe the memories of any German citizen who gets too close to the truth.
I found out about this novel on a group here on goodreads and downloaded a free copy from Amazon. There were some interesting things about the story, but it failed to hold my interest. Perhaps if it had gone more into the characters and their stories i would have been able to connect more.
I found out about this novel on a group here on goodreads and downloaded a free copy from Amazon. There were some interesting things about the story, but it failed to hold my interest. Perhaps if it had gone more into the characters and their stories i would have been able to connect more.
July 2, 2013
"Reich" by Drew Avera is a cleverly told story with intrigue and some surprises. Told from changing viewpoints we get to see different perspectives of what has become of Germany 158 years after Hitler's death.
I was hesitant to read yet another 'what-if' scenario about post-WWII Germany but let me assure you that there is much more to the story than just that one idea and narrative and characters are expertly done.
It is a fast paced, well plotted and gripping thriller that surprised me throughout and made it difficult to stop once I had started. The futuristic set up is well explained in the first action packed scenes that see a young boy run from the authorities. Chapter 2 moves across to the law enforcer who pursues the young man and ultimately the perspective shifts to the young man's mother. This accomplished set up allows for the story to remain centre stage, which I felt was one of biggest achievements in a book that I feared might rely only on one particular idea.
Not what one might expect, but actually much better.
I was hesitant to read yet another 'what-if' scenario about post-WWII Germany but let me assure you that there is much more to the story than just that one idea and narrative and characters are expertly done.
It is a fast paced, well plotted and gripping thriller that surprised me throughout and made it difficult to stop once I had started. The futuristic set up is well explained in the first action packed scenes that see a young boy run from the authorities. Chapter 2 moves across to the law enforcer who pursues the young man and ultimately the perspective shifts to the young man's mother. This accomplished set up allows for the story to remain centre stage, which I felt was one of biggest achievements in a book that I feared might rely only on one particular idea.
Not what one might expect, but actually much better.
August 5, 2023
Audiobook: This was an interesting take on a historical event as it described a world in which "The Aryan Dynasty" has come to power. The author added a creative spin in which nothing was as it seemed. I liked the creativity. I appreciated that the characters were also unusual for the "new" society and the roles that each portrayed. Keith L O'Brien's narration was fantastic. His performance kept my attention and added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
June 29, 2020
Interesting alternate history
Very well written. It is an interesting look at “what if” and what is fitting or what is too far.
Very well written. It is an interesting look at “what if” and what is fitting or what is too far.
March 9, 2017
Good grounding, however, the book could've been longer, and more detail in the run up to the time the story is set.
August 31, 2014
Set roughly ~150 years after Hitler’s death, the citizens of Germany still live under the Reich, the Aryan Nation reigning supreme within her borders. Life is orderly, a little too orderly, and plenty of people stomp around in big boots and ill-designed uniforms. The average citizen of Germany lives in a tyrannical hell, and those that keep the order abuse it. Without giving away a huge plot twist, this book is more than the back cover description gives it credit for.
We open with a boy who runs afoul of authority. I have to say that the first three jumps, or was it four?, in point of view through me in a creeped-out-by-the-viciousness-of-authority-gone-astray kind of way. Folks die in this book people, hence some of the shifting POVs. Yet, everyone is a hero in their own heads. I definitely enjoy a tale where everyone believes that they aren’t really all that bad. So it was good to show that through the shifting POVs.
At under 2 hours, the plot has to move along pretty quickly. So we start with the view of the average citizen born and raised this in this new Germany, then learn the BIG SECRET, which is followed by a rebellion of the citizens. A young mother ends up leading this rebellion and we end up following her for most of the book. While I found her character a bit lacking in military leadership skills (she is chaperoned around everywhere by chivalrous men), I can see her as a very efficient administrator of a country.
There wasn’t much in the way of character development once the character was established, but then, this isn’t a very long piece. I was more fascinated with the plot and the idea of a world where Hitler and/or the Reich are worshiped and carried on in some way. Other than that very questionable movie about Nazis setting up a long-term camp on the moon (oh and it was short story from the 1950s too, I think), I have never really contemplated this. Toss in Avera’s twist (which has something to do with misplaced authority on a very large scale) and you have an ever deeper level of contemplation.
All in all, Drew Avera is an author to keep an eye on, specifically his writing pen, to see what he turns out next.
Narration: O’Brien did a good job narrating this story. His German accent and little bit of German was well done (to my ears which have only had 2 years of school German). His little kid and female voices were believable and each character was distinct.
We open with a boy who runs afoul of authority. I have to say that the first three jumps, or was it four?, in point of view through me in a creeped-out-by-the-viciousness-of-authority-gone-astray kind of way. Folks die in this book people, hence some of the shifting POVs. Yet, everyone is a hero in their own heads. I definitely enjoy a tale where everyone believes that they aren’t really all that bad. So it was good to show that through the shifting POVs.
At under 2 hours, the plot has to move along pretty quickly. So we start with the view of the average citizen born and raised this in this new Germany, then learn the BIG SECRET, which is followed by a rebellion of the citizens. A young mother ends up leading this rebellion and we end up following her for most of the book. While I found her character a bit lacking in military leadership skills (she is chaperoned around everywhere by chivalrous men), I can see her as a very efficient administrator of a country.
There wasn’t much in the way of character development once the character was established, but then, this isn’t a very long piece. I was more fascinated with the plot and the idea of a world where Hitler and/or the Reich are worshiped and carried on in some way. Other than that very questionable movie about Nazis setting up a long-term camp on the moon (oh and it was short story from the 1950s too, I think), I have never really contemplated this. Toss in Avera’s twist (which has something to do with misplaced authority on a very large scale) and you have an ever deeper level of contemplation.
All in all, Drew Avera is an author to keep an eye on, specifically his writing pen, to see what he turns out next.
Narration: O’Brien did a good job narrating this story. His German accent and little bit of German was well done (to my ears which have only had 2 years of school German). His little kid and female voices were believable and each character was distinct.
September 27, 2015
This book had a lot of promise. A lot. The author has a lot of potential, but I have to say that potential is far from reached with Reich. The concept was intriguing, but most other elements were lacking, making for an overall poorly presented package. I wanted this story to be good. I wanted it to grab me, but I'm afraid it did not. We barely even see what the utopia is like before things are getting torn down, and events, pacing, and characters are far from believable.
There was a lot I had issue with as far as believeability. Apparently millions die, but the biggest the strike force ever gets mentioned as being is like 67 people. Granted, there's mention of uprisings all over Germany, but when the main force is that tiny, there's no way things will succeed. The battles we see are pitifully fast and far too easy despite the characters freaking out about the odds and whether they're going to survive. There's really no sense of risk here. Partly, I was unable to care about any of the characters. They seemed to be cardboard cutouts with names.
That and the ending didn't resolve anything. The book was far from finished, and it just stopped.
I apologize if this seems harsh or cruel. I really do. The fact that I read to the end speaks for Avera's potential as an author.
There was a lot I had issue with as far as believeability. Apparently millions die, but the biggest the strike force ever gets mentioned as being is like 67 people. Granted, there's mention of uprisings all over Germany, but when the main force is that tiny, there's no way things will succeed. The battles we see are pitifully fast and far too easy despite the characters freaking out about the odds and whether they're going to survive. There's really no sense of risk here. Partly, I was unable to care about any of the characters. They seemed to be cardboard cutouts with names.
That and the ending didn't resolve anything. The book was far from finished, and it just stopped.
I apologize if this seems harsh or cruel. I really do. The fact that I read to the end speaks for Avera's potential as an author.
July 22, 2013
As someone who love history and has studied 20th Century history quite a lot throughout school, college, and uni, the idea of this book instantly appealed to me.
AH158 (year 158 After Hitler) and the Germans are in a bubble that protects them from the rest of the post war world. I honestly thought that this was going to be a little like the novel (and film) Fatherland by Robert Harris in that it was going to provide an alternate history to WW2. I was a little wrong, and in such a great way.
I don't want to give spoilers, but this story gave me chills in the same way a film by M. Night Shymalan (not saying which) did.
The only reason this story annoyed me was that it wasn't longer. I could see so many points that could have be expanded on and made this book into a full length novel. I just wanted MORE! Also, from the ending, it makes me wonder if Avera is possibly planning a sequel.
I devoured the book in a matter of 2 hours yesterday, and I am still thinking about it which is a sign of a brilliantly written and executed book. I highly recommend this novella to anyone, be they a history nut or not.
For this and more reviews, visit my blog: http://michbookreviews.wordpress.com/
AH158 (year 158 After Hitler) and the Germans are in a bubble that protects them from the rest of the post war world. I honestly thought that this was going to be a little like the novel (and film) Fatherland by Robert Harris in that it was going to provide an alternate history to WW2. I was a little wrong, and in such a great way.
I don't want to give spoilers, but this story gave me chills in the same way a film by M. Night Shymalan (not saying which) did.
The only reason this story annoyed me was that it wasn't longer. I could see so many points that could have be expanded on and made this book into a full length novel. I just wanted MORE! Also, from the ending, it makes me wonder if Avera is possibly planning a sequel.
I devoured the book in a matter of 2 hours yesterday, and I am still thinking about it which is a sign of a brilliantly written and executed book. I highly recommend this novella to anyone, be they a history nut or not.
For this and more reviews, visit my blog: http://michbookreviews.wordpress.com/
January 6, 2015
This is a must read short story. This short story which has several twist to it and believe me you will not expect them .They will blow your mind ...We wonder about the what ifs in life and this book gives an insight of an alternative scenario of what if Germany won the war and how the world be now...then there is a switch..This book makes you really think of all the what ifs, especially if you know you own history and wining the war against Hitler. It shows how the rest of World could be just as bad as the Evil they fought so hard to get rid of....The whats ifs are very dark and chilling and a reminder and a lesson for all..Even though this is just a short story.. It sends out a very loud message .. It is a shame it is a short story. if the characters were more develop and more history and events added to the story line and the ending not so abrupt. I could see this short story being a best selling Novel... Hats off to the imagination of this author and to his twist on what ifs and lessons that all of us should be reminded about especially in the world we live in today...
August 6, 2016
A ripple in the sky
( Kindle Edition)
There is much to like about this novella, such as the expectation of the WWII victors being the German nation, the way the opening chapter is succeeded by two others which fill out and continue the storyline before surging forward into the main action and the reversal of anticipated evildoers through to the final climax. But, unfortunately, it was poorly executed, the protagonists not believable and all was too rushed, too centred on a violent upheaval. Even the interesting possible outcome lost the shock impact which could have been.
I have read several of Mr.Avera's other works and know him to be a very able, even poetic, and thought provoking writer. But with Reich he seems to have lost his way
( Kindle Edition)
There is much to like about this novella, such as the expectation of the WWII victors being the German nation, the way the opening chapter is succeeded by two others which fill out and continue the storyline before surging forward into the main action and the reversal of anticipated evildoers through to the final climax. But, unfortunately, it was poorly executed, the protagonists not believable and all was too rushed, too centred on a violent upheaval. Even the interesting possible outcome lost the shock impact which could have been.
I have read several of Mr.Avera's other works and know him to be a very able, even poetic, and thought provoking writer. But with Reich he seems to have lost his way
April 29, 2017
In the future German is how Hitler envisioned it a utopia for the people all though it is a just a illusion, and when some of the people find out there is a revolution.
This was quite a different take on history and how it could have possible proceeded, I found the characters interesting and as well developed as you can get in a novella. I think this would have been a much better full size book as the novella leaves you clamoring for more. Narrator Keith O'Brien does a awesome job with the audiobook version keeping all of the characters separate and the level of action up throughout. This was a good book, it just leaves you asking the author for a sequel, please.
This was quite a different take on history and how it could have possible proceeded, I found the characters interesting and as well developed as you can get in a novella. I think this would have been a much better full size book as the novella leaves you clamoring for more. Narrator Keith O'Brien does a awesome job with the audiobook version keeping all of the characters separate and the level of action up throughout. This was a good book, it just leaves you asking the author for a sequel, please.
July 7, 2013
Another excellent read by this extremely talented author. Thoroughly drawn in from the first few lines. This is the second book by this author and I have enjoyed them both. He has a knack to hit you in the gut when you least expect it. A captivating story told through the eyes of three characters with twists and turns in it, a fast read, full of action and intrigue. I don't want to give the story away, but it opens up the whole 'what if' scenario after World War 2. Extremely clever and well thought out. Will certainly recommend this story to suspense, action and thriller lovers.
May 2, 2015
A good short story undone by an awkward choice for the first few chapters. And by that I mean telling, re-telling, and then re-telling again the same scene from different viewpoints. That works sometimes, but rarely does it work when the author changes very little in each version.
Aside from the main character, Mrs. Richter, the others were a bit one-dimensional - very hard to tell them apart and really offer not much to the story overall.
But I did enjoy the plot despite the drawbacks I listed. It could have been fleshed out a bit more to hold interest, but it is a short after all.
Aside from the main character, Mrs. Richter, the others were a bit one-dimensional - very hard to tell them apart and really offer not much to the story overall.
But I did enjoy the plot despite the drawbacks I listed. It could have been fleshed out a bit more to hold interest, but it is a short after all.
July 7, 2013
Reich is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat sci-fi dystopian novella. I love how the points of view change from a kid being chased by a General, to the General's pov, to the boy's mother's pov. It reminded me of The Hunger Games meets Escape from New York after the third chapter. As a conspiracy nut, this also puts to mind of the FEMA/Concentration Camps in a much larger scale. This is a must-read!!!
July 16, 2014
Nice story! A fictional experiment about an alternative future, where the german people is keeped in a fake world, and they believe Germany won ter II WW, and Hitler is the founder of a new civilization. A short stoy, but it is interesting.
July 4, 2014
This is a short story or novella. It is also alternate history. I found 3 errors.
July 29, 2014
Not too bad
Not too bad
This book wandered a bit and the ended abruptly. It had a lot of potential. I wish it had some better finalization.
Not too bad
This book wandered a bit and the ended abruptly. It had a lot of potential. I wish it had some better finalization.
to-read-own
March 18, 2015Kindle free, add Audible for $1.99
January 11, 2016
Not a great book. Shame as interesting idea
August 5, 2016
An OK story although I found the premise a little unlikely.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews