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Extinction Crisis #0.4
Man-Eater
A plane crash forces one man to survive in the vast wilderness of Kodiak Island. Only, he’s not alone.
Paleontologist Charles Wilder travels to the island to help identify some unusual tracks found by a local guide. The tracks turn out to be fresh, not fossils. And when a plane crash leaves him lost and struggling to survive, he quickly discovers that freezing to death isn’t the only way to die.
He was supposed to get back home for his anxiously awaiting daughter. He assured her it would be a simple two-day trip. It doesn’t turn out that way.
Sole Prey is a prequel novella for the thrilling Extinction Crisis series. If you like non-stop action and suspense, then you’ll love this exciting series from William Oday.
* Sole Prey is a 22,000 word novella. It was previously titled Man-Eater. *
Paleontologist Charles Wilder travels to the island to help identify some unusual tracks found by a local guide. The tracks turn out to be fresh, not fossils. And when a plane crash leaves him lost and struggling to survive, he quickly discovers that freezing to death isn’t the only way to die.
He was supposed to get back home for his anxiously awaiting daughter. He assured her it would be a simple two-day trip. It doesn’t turn out that way.
Sole Prey is a prequel novella for the thrilling Extinction Crisis series. If you like non-stop action and suspense, then you’ll love this exciting series from William Oday.
* Sole Prey is a 22,000 word novella. It was previously titled Man-Eater. *
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2017
79 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
William Oday
34 books43 followersWant my FREE Starter Library? One novel, one novella and one short story, all for free. Get it at WWW.WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
I grew up in the red dirt of Oklahoma, the center of the states. I later meandered out to the West Coast and have remained off-center ever since. Living in Los Angeles, I achieved my Career 1.0 dream by working on big-budget movies for over a decade. If you’ve seen a Will Smith or Tom Cruise blockbuster action movie, you’ve likely seen my work.
The work was challenging and fulfilling… until I got tired of telling other people’s stories. I longed to tell my own. So, now I’m pursuing my Career 2.0 dream—a dream I’ve had since youth—to write stories that pull a reader in and make the everyday world fade away.
I’ve since moved to a small town in Northern California with my lovely wife, vibrant children, and a dog that has discovered the secret to infinite energy. His name is Trip and he fits the name in four unique ways.
You can find out more about me and my stories at WILLIAMODAY.COM.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 7, 2017
Review: MAN-EATER by William Oday [Sole Survivor #1]
WOW! I literally raced through this novella; if I'd been reading in print, the pages probably would have ignited. We've got cryptozoology, covert government projects, a terrifying inescapable predator, local color characters, a scenic setting among the most beautiful on this green earth--and a father-daughter pair whose incredibly strong bond makes most of us envious, and delighted. I cannot wait till the next in the series: I just hope it's soon.
WOW! I literally raced through this novella; if I'd been reading in print, the pages probably would have ignited. We've got cryptozoology, covert government projects, a terrifying inescapable predator, local color characters, a scenic setting among the most beautiful on this green earth--and a father-daughter pair whose incredibly strong bond makes most of us envious, and delighted. I cannot wait till the next in the series: I just hope it's soon.
April 19, 2018
First of all this book is now published as Sole Prey a prequel novella in the Recovering Eden Series.
This book is not in my usual genre but I had picked up the short story prequel and book 1 in the series, so I figured I needed to read this one for the next one to really make sense for me. I'm glad I did. It was a really good read. I know a couple of reviews have stated that it was too far-fetched, but the basic idea that the protagonist is going to Alaska to look at some "really unusual tracks" should give you a clue that this is not going to be a nonfiction book. Now, I will agree that it does push some boundaries (Charles manages to escape from the "bear" when well-armed military men were unable to do so, and a few other incidents that I won't talk about because it will give away too much. That being said, I definitely like the way Mr Oday writes and I look forward to getting started on Sole Survivor. Oh, and so you don't think everything was sunshine and roses with this read, I did have one issue. I wish I had known it was previously published under the title Man-Eater. I already had that one in my library and wouldn't have bought this copy. But it's a good investment...:)
This book is not in my usual genre but I had picked up the short story prequel and book 1 in the series, so I figured I needed to read this one for the next one to really make sense for me. I'm glad I did. It was a really good read. I know a couple of reviews have stated that it was too far-fetched, but the basic idea that the protagonist is going to Alaska to look at some "really unusual tracks" should give you a clue that this is not going to be a nonfiction book. Now, I will agree that it does push some boundaries (Charles manages to escape from the "bear" when well-armed military men were unable to do so, and a few other incidents that I won't talk about because it will give away too much. That being said, I definitely like the way Mr Oday writes and I look forward to getting started on Sole Survivor. Oh, and so you don't think everything was sunshine and roses with this read, I did have one issue. I wish I had known it was previously published under the title Man-Eater. I already had that one in my library and wouldn't have bought this copy. But it's a good investment...:)
January 26, 2019
This Book Made Me Appreciate Being Comfy and Warm!
The central character, Charles Wilder, was very likable, I had a lot of sympathy for him and for the young daughter he left behind, for what should have been a brief trip.
The location where the action takes place was a big part of why the book interested me. Survival in such harsh conditions is so challenging that the elements and terrain were almost as scary as the predator.
The author has great pacing, not getting overly bogged down in descriptions, yet conveying a perfect sense of the environment and the character's thoughts and actions. Mr. Oday spent only a short time in setting up the story and then the life-or-death action set a heart-stopping pace.
My only complaint about this book is that it ended. I wanted to read more! But, I'm consoled by knowing that the storyline continues in Sole Survivor, the next book in The Extinction series.
Here's a great quote to give you an idea of the author's style: "...it was raining hard enough to knock the spots off a Dalmatian." He's a great writer and this is a great prequel. I want to know what happens next!
The central character, Charles Wilder, was very likable, I had a lot of sympathy for him and for the young daughter he left behind, for what should have been a brief trip.
The location where the action takes place was a big part of why the book interested me. Survival in such harsh conditions is so challenging that the elements and terrain were almost as scary as the predator.
The author has great pacing, not getting overly bogged down in descriptions, yet conveying a perfect sense of the environment and the character's thoughts and actions. Mr. Oday spent only a short time in setting up the story and then the life-or-death action set a heart-stopping pace.
My only complaint about this book is that it ended. I wanted to read more! But, I'm consoled by knowing that the storyline continues in Sole Survivor, the next book in The Extinction series.
Here's a great quote to give you an idea of the author's style: "...it was raining hard enough to knock the spots off a Dalmatian." He's a great writer and this is a great prequel. I want to know what happens next!
December 8, 2018
Liking the series
I like a good tale of survival, so far so good. I look forward to the next in the series. I am familiar with Kodiak Island from a TV show about homesteaders living in the Alaskan bush so I have a nice picture in my head as I read. Thank you author for providing me with a good tale.
I like a good tale of survival, so far so good. I look forward to the next in the series. I am familiar with Kodiak Island from a TV show about homesteaders living in the Alaskan bush so I have a nice picture in my head as I read. Thank you author for providing me with a good tale.
May 22, 2019
A WOD. SYFY. Novel (ECB. - 0)/A Man and a Bear
WOD. has. penned. A SYFY. novel. About a man with a list soul who is asked to come and see some tracks in the northern edges of Alaska. He arrives and they fly to the site only to find everyone gone. A storm begins, the plane crashes, man meets bear and the chase is on. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
WOD. has. penned. A SYFY. novel. About a man with a list soul who is asked to come and see some tracks in the northern edges of Alaska. He arrives and they fly to the site only to find everyone gone. A storm begins, the plane crashes, man meets bear and the chase is on. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
November 30, 2019
Wow I should have seen the emotionally charged tempo of this book coming after reading Sole Connection (which you should read first), but I didn't see it coming, and it kicked me in the chest. This book is masterfully written, intriguing, and at times horrifying. It is well worth the read.
Gore warning.
Gore warning.
October 4, 2018
It was good and halfway through the book did I realize it was a prequel of the sole survivor. I had read the first book and stopped because in my estimation it was getting out of control with too many monsters coming out of the woodwork.
August 3, 2019
Pulse-pounding book! Loved it.
This book had me hooked from the moment I started reading. I won't give away any of the plot, but I have to say I could not put it down. I read it all in one setting and my heart is still pounding wildly. Wonderful wonderful wonderful book,
This book had me hooked from the moment I started reading. I won't give away any of the plot, but I have to say I could not put it down. I read it all in one setting and my heart is still pounding wildly. Wonderful wonderful wonderful book,
February 1, 2017
An excellent edge of your seat read! Fast paced and entirely believable, makes television shows look like a walk in the park! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
October 6, 2017
Fun read
Light and fun
Quick read and interesting. Enjoyable on a quiet afternoon. Would take the opportunity to
T
Read the next in the series
Light and fun
Quick read and interesting. Enjoyable on a quiet afternoon. Would take the opportunity to
T
Read the next in the series
October 31, 2017
Can't wait for the next one!
September 21, 2018
Enjoyed
Wasn't what I expected when I first started reading. But I was surprised has i got into the story enjoyed
Wasn't what I expected when I first started reading. But I was surprised has i got into the story enjoyed
October 14, 2019
Interesting read. Made me want to know what happens next.
September 3, 2025
Excellent prequel
Really sets up a storyline and character history for future books. Really waiting to see where the story goes from here
Really sets up a storyline and character history for future books. Really waiting to see where the story goes from here
March 17, 2017
Don't waste your time
Don't waste your time if your looking for a book that has an ending. I hate being left hanging. If your going to hint at recreating extinct species, please explain the how and why of the undertaking.
Don't waste your time if your looking for a book that has an ending. I hate being left hanging. If your going to hint at recreating extinct species, please explain the how and why of the undertaking.
September 7, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book a bit different from the normal run of the mill. William Oday has some imagination.
March 8, 2017
This was a great story. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The descriptions were great.
I live in a national forest with lots of bears. Maybe I shouldn’t have read this. haha
I live in a national forest with lots of bears. Maybe I shouldn’t have read this. haha
March 2, 2017
I can sense another "chapter" of this saga coming! I really liked the characters and the linear storyline. Can't wait for the next one!!
Read
February 3, 2017This book starts off quite innocuously describing a single father of a 10 year old daughter preparing to go on a trip to look at some strange fossil footprints that have been found in Alaska, this is set in 2008.
However, from there on in the adventure and tension builds very satisfyingly,he encounters some great eccentric characters, with brilliant thumb-nail sketches of each telling us all we need to know about them. He soon discovers that the footprints are fresh, not fossils, and then he encounters the beast that made the footprints, a giant bear.
The descriptions of the landscape, the storm he encounters, the bear, and the main character's desperate struggles to escape are all written exceptionally well and really draw the reader into the story.
So, why only 4 stars then, well for one thing, it really is quite a short book but my main gripe is that in the last chapter, it quite shamelessly starts on the daughter's story with her arriving in Alaska herself, but then just finishes. I don't mind series of books covering a particular person or people in a connected set of events, but they should each be able to be read alone, and should be self-contained and be complete stories in their own right, not almost forcing the reader to buy the next book to find out what happens to the character.
However, having said that, I suspect that I will actually get the next book in the series.
I did receive a free copy of this book, but I have no other affiliation with the author and voluntarily wrote this review based on my own opinions.
However, from there on in the adventure and tension builds very satisfyingly,he encounters some great eccentric characters, with brilliant thumb-nail sketches of each telling us all we need to know about them. He soon discovers that the footprints are fresh, not fossils, and then he encounters the beast that made the footprints, a giant bear.
The descriptions of the landscape, the storm he encounters, the bear, and the main character's desperate struggles to escape are all written exceptionally well and really draw the reader into the story.
So, why only 4 stars then, well for one thing, it really is quite a short book but my main gripe is that in the last chapter, it quite shamelessly starts on the daughter's story with her arriving in Alaska herself, but then just finishes. I don't mind series of books covering a particular person or people in a connected set of events, but they should each be able to be read alone, and should be self-contained and be complete stories in their own right, not almost forcing the reader to buy the next book to find out what happens to the character.
However, having said that, I suspect that I will actually get the next book in the series.
I did receive a free copy of this book, but I have no other affiliation with the author and voluntarily wrote this review based on my own opinions.
February 2, 2017
A tease for a future release…That is what you’re thinking after reading Oday’s new novella, Man-Eater. As in his previous publications, Oday does an excellent job of describing the surroundings, the characters, and the creatures of Man-Eater. The story is based in Alaska…from what he describes, you can envision the landscape like a travel brochure…and the people…the characters have very close relationship ties, establishing history so the reader can “feel” for them…and the foe, an extinct short-nosed bear. I thought at first he was over-playing the size of the beast, and Googled it. But sure enough, as big as he describes, and as fierce as Oday’s mind can conjure…which is pretty gruesome (just take a gander at his Last Peak Series for more gruesome Oday!!!!). The survival description throughout the story winds you up, but then leaves you with expectations for the rest of the story…because this is only a short book…something to entice, something to lure the reader back for another sample of Oday.
February 3, 2017
Read this with the lights on
What would you do if you were alone on an island with a creature out of a nightmare? This is the premise for Maneater. It's a story of man against nature and what a story. Charles Wilder is a paleontologist invited to help identify some unusual tracks found in a remote region of Kodiak Island, Alaska. Trapped on the island as the result of a plane crash, he finds himself alone with a pocketknife, a bag of chips, and a few other odds and ends. Oh, yes. And one creature that would like to have him for a snack. If you enjoy "hair-raising adventures," set aside a couple of hours and enjoy this novella. If you decide to read it at night, definitely keep the lights on.
What would you do if you were alone on an island with a creature out of a nightmare? This is the premise for Maneater. It's a story of man against nature and what a story. Charles Wilder is a paleontologist invited to help identify some unusual tracks found in a remote region of Kodiak Island, Alaska. Trapped on the island as the result of a plane crash, he finds himself alone with a pocketknife, a bag of chips, and a few other odds and ends. Oh, yes. And one creature that would like to have him for a snack. If you enjoy "hair-raising adventures," set aside a couple of hours and enjoy this novella. If you decide to read it at night, definitely keep the lights on.
February 4, 2017
"Stay away from bears."
An enjoyable action thriller which packs a lot into its short length, this is an easy to read book, well written and with good early character development. A paleontologist leaves his little daughter at home to go look at an unusual footprint located on Kodiak Island. Predictably,. he encounters more than just an impression in the ground.
The book opens the way for a new series, which promises to be an exciting read. My only concern was a small discrepancy along the way: after the destruction of one of his two phones, Charles Wilder still was trying to get a signal on both much later. Mmmm. I am, however, still looking forward to the new book.
An enjoyable action thriller which packs a lot into its short length, this is an easy to read book, well written and with good early character development. A paleontologist leaves his little daughter at home to go look at an unusual footprint located on Kodiak Island. Predictably,. he encounters more than just an impression in the ground.
The book opens the way for a new series, which promises to be an exciting read. My only concern was a small discrepancy along the way: after the destruction of one of his two phones, Charles Wilder still was trying to get a signal on both much later. Mmmm. I am, however, still looking forward to the new book.
February 8, 2017
I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!! I got the impression that there was some loose ends for the next part of the story to evolve into and I cannot wait to find out what they are, just wish the last chapter didnt end the way it did... GREAT WRITER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 1, 2017
William Oday's latest novella Man Eater is an engaging read, and the prelude to his new Sole Survivor series.
This story combines anthropology, adventure, the hint of intrigue, and a family's experience with loss. From the first page to the last Man Eater keeps the reader looking forward to what the main character - Charles Wilder -will encounter next and how his scientific specialty might assist him as the story unfolds.
If you are looking for and engaging action/adventure story this is one to read. I looking forward to the Sole Survivor series.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
This story combines anthropology, adventure, the hint of intrigue, and a family's experience with loss. From the first page to the last Man Eater keeps the reader looking forward to what the main character - Charles Wilder -will encounter next and how his scientific specialty might assist him as the story unfolds.
If you are looking for and engaging action/adventure story this is one to read. I looking forward to the Sole Survivor series.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review.
February 1, 2017
Really good book. Kept you in suspense, so that you couldn't put it down, and had to read the next chapter.
February 2, 2017
I loved this book. It reminds me of Jurassic Park. I can't wait for the next installment. You just don't want to put it down.
April 23, 2017
Interesting concept insufficiently developed. More of a NOVELLA than a novel. But, I might read the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews