Kill Switch

Spark #1.1

by Rachael Craw

Tommy’s sick. Really sick. Pins and needles, buzzing spine, seizures and vomiting. And it’s all because of that guy in the diner. Just one touch. That’s all it took. Now there’s only one thing on Tommy’s mind: Kill. Kill. Kill.

Kill Switch is a free short story, a heart-racing prequel to the award-winning young adult science fiction Spark series by New Zealand author Rachael Craw. Jump straight into the action with Spark (Book 1), Stray (Book 2) and Shield (Book 3), or discover more about the sinister Affinity Project in the short story Black Room. www.rachaelcraw.com

Genres: Young Adult, Ebooks, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action

5 pages, PDF

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Rachael is a reader, dreamer, joker, singer, believer, writer and lover of words.

Author of award winning Spark, Stray, Shield & TheRift (Walker Books Australia and Candlewick Press) and The Lost Saint (8th Note Press and Allen & Unwin NZ)

She lives in NZ and teaches part time while writing her next novel.

Find Rachael on Instagram, TikTok and Threads

Reviews

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a 5 page short story and I was almost squirming with the excitement and sensations described! This definitely sets up intrigue for Spark and sets the tone very nicely!

I love the word choices! So many of them are new and not so common in YA these days, but they fit and really help set the tone and feel of the world of Spark. Which I am about to continue reading!

So now I'm excited to keep reading Spark! I love the sci fi sense already and Kill Switch definitely gives a great introduction to the world!

5 out of 5 stars to the 5 page story!!! :)

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting look into the mind of a Stray... I can't really say much about it other than it's a really good short story!! XD

Oh I have a question? Is the Shield, Miriam?
Thanks for creating such a wonderful series Rachael!! Xx

[Sass · Rating 4 out of 5]

This look into the mind of a Stray has me so hyped for STRAY. Two (interminable, terrible) weeks to release day!

[Steph Cuthbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Only a few pages long, but my heart is pounding and the imagery was brilliant, like a film strip being pushed into my brain.

[Misha Krulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good to see the other side & a little sad. You only see a villain until you take a walk in their shoes. Makes you wonder if Evie had of been the shield in this instance - would she have saved him. HHMMMMM

[Jacqui Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to hear from the point of view from the Stray, makes you feel a little more sympathetic towards them despite their horrible impulses. A great insight into the other side of Miriam's story, well worth a read! Can't wait for the rest of the series Rachael :-).

[Cat Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. It shows that the strays really don't have a choice. That the people we thought were just straight off, twisted killing machines don't want to do these things. I love how it really added to a back story, all the people he left behind... It's quite touching.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved having the side of view from a Stray, especially the one that Miriam had to fight!

[Lulai · Rating 4 out of 5]

We don't really see a lot but i'm intrigued

[Rachel Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wee story! took me a while to figure out who Tommy was but i loved how it tied in with Spark

[Kailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naww, poor Tommy! But I loved the different side of view, it was different from looking at it from the other and it makes ya kind of feel for the poor guy...

[Elly · Rating 5 out of 5]

All my excitement for Stray has come bubbling up thanks to this story. Raaaaccchhhaaaaaeeeeel.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story which was only 5 pages from a different point of view. It was a dark look into the mind of a stray and sends sensations down your spine. This definitely sets the tone very nicely but was not as good as Spark itself.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a painful journey and short life as an activated Stray. It was a good little book that allowed us to see into the transitioning of a Stray and that they are not that different from a Shield - aside from the part that makes them want to kill.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

fast moving prelude but no sense?

prelude to the novels but no sense? fast moving action but no structure to to tie it too to understand what happened

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS!! I'd actually prefer if this whole series was written from the perspective of a Stray instead, so intriguing!

[Liv · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the biggest fan of short stories, but cool to get another perspective of Spark.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I like the story better from the Stray's POV

[Caity · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was short like I expected and I am just happy that there was more to one of my favourite series ever!!
I enjoyed this book!
It took me 20 mins to read
Here I come Black Room!!

[Kerryn (RatherBeReading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that's a just a bit sad really. Best read after finishing Spark in my opinion.