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What if the only way to be loyal is to betray?

As an illegal citizen living Outside the Wall, Aleesha is used to surviving. Her cunning and willingness to trade sides where necessary has finally got her to a position of relative security. She has enough to eat, a bed to sleep in and her illegal status is still a secret.

Or so she thinks.

Aleesha thought she knew everyone on her gang's patch. But when a stranger accosts her on the street and tries to recruit her to work for his organisation, it's clear that he knows way too much about her past. Aleesha soon comes to realise that the fate of her gang, and herself, depends on the decision she's being forced to make. And she only has twenty-four hours to choose.

Enter the world of The Wall Series: a disturbingly realistic vision of a future London. This fast-paced novelette will appeal to fans of dystopian novels such as The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Maze Runner.

Download your free copy of Outsider (BookHip.com/PDRKRZ), today!

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Published September 7, 2017

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About the author

Alison Ingleby

25 books250 followers
I write dystopian, sci-fi and fantasy fiction for young adults and adults who are still young at heart. As a former emergency planner with an interest in climate change and sustainability, I spend a lot of time wondering what the future will be like.

Some of my favourite things: reading, Yorkshire Tea, exploring new places, feeling the wind in my hair, climbing mountains, being by the sea.

I live with my husband and our campervan, Sadie, in West Yorkshire, England.

If you’d like to find out more about what I’m working on, the inspiration behind my stories and special launch deals, you can sign up for my Readers' club on my website: alisoningleby.com

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5 stars
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12 (20%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for *❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆*.
414 reviews94 followers
February 21, 2018
Fabulous and a mysterious start to what sounds like an awesome series!

Boy does this novella really know how to keep you anxiously wanting to start the first book immediately!
From these five chapters, I can tell that our MC, Aleesha, is a fighter, a girl with a secret, hidden talents and a good attitude.
Having to survive on her own since her mother disappeared, she isn't a defenceless, frighten girl. Especially since she is an Outsider. Those who live on the outside of the Wall. The Outsiders mostly live in poor life, filled with drug addicts and gangs. While those who live inside the Wall, Insiders, have the privilege of living an easy and rich life.
As you can imagine, the upper and lower class do not mix, they don't even see each other. The Wall is to keep the Outsiders away from entering and corrupting the Insiders perfect world.

But Aleesha, isn't technically a Outsider, she is an illegal Outsider, someone who is unregistered. Technically, she doesn't exist, but there is a man who knows more about her life, than even her own boyfriend knows. She isn't as secretive as she thought she was, but what this man offers her, could give her more trouble or a chance of escape.
But if surviving alone as an Outsider has taught her anything, it is that you can't trust no one, even those closest to you.
What will she choose to believe?

By this short novella, I'm instantly intrigued! Eager to start this series! Cannot wait to read more about Aleesha's story.

Received a copy from the author, for an honest review, thank you!
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,977 reviews73 followers
February 17, 2018
Outsider - a review by Rosemary Kenny

17 year old Outsider Aleesha lives a twilight-world existence...she's a food-starved addict of 'tronk' and a renegade from the Insiders' side of the Wall. Unchipped as an illegal-citizen, she must hide from the Metz - the robot-like law enforcers who are always on the prowl - and hide the truth from her lover Jay.
As part of the Spitalfields Snakes she reluctantly plays along with Jay's plan to work with newcomer Peder, leader Dane and the rest of the gang to blow their way into a Depot and steal the food, weapons and supplies they all so desperately need.
But when Aleesha's intercepted by mysterious stranger Murdoch her world is turned upside down.

Can Aleesha find out more about why her mother abandoned her and vanished without trace over 11 years before?
How does Murdoch know her name and what happened to her mother?
Can she trust him or will he betray her - and who is he?

Once you pick up this exciting, brief novella you won't want to put it down until the frustrating cliff-hanger of an ending...hopefully the next book in the series will reveal all!
Profile Image for OldBird.
1,889 reviews
August 7, 2019
This, my friend, is how you do a prequel. It throws you into the dystopian world of The Wall series, teasing you with just enough info to really get into it while telling a short story and introducing a tough-as-nails character who you can root for. It's fast, it's furious, it's phenomenally good at reeling you in.

Meet Aleesha. She's an Outsider, scraping a living alongside other Outsider gangs as they fight amoungst each other for the meager offerings of the Insider government. What are they inside/outside of? The Wall. A big, beautiful, electrically charged wall that keeps out undesirables like Aleesha. Inside is where life is good. Not that she'd know. Life hasn't been good in a long time, and now she's being tailed by a strange man with an offer she can't afford to refuse...

Where do I start? World building, great main character, tension ramped up to 110%? Check. First person narration that feels natural and real? Check. Add in a killer hook at the end, giving both closure to the short story and providing a lead-in to the series, and you've got yourself the whole YA/NA sci-fi dystopian package. It looks incredibly promising.

-I received a free copy of this ebook via the author's newsletter-
574 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2017
Outsider is the beginning of Aleesha’s tale of trying to find her biological family while not betraying her current family, the Snakes. Aleesha is a strong girl who lives on her own illegally. Not knowing who her father is or where her mother disappeared to years ago, she finds a way to live on the outside as an outsider. She manages to use her brains and quick skills to live illegally through the help of her boyfriend, Jay.


One night she is approached and “convinced” to help another group. I feel for Aleesha. She does what she can to help others and though she is a member of the gang she does not approve of everything they do and tries to alter actions without being found out and punished herself.

This book is very symbolic of today's society and how some people feel they must do some bad to do survive while also trying whenever possible to do more good than they have done bad. I'm not saying they are right or wrong just that that is how some people view their options in life. I am excited to see what happens in Expendables.

I freely give this honest review of a free version given to me.
Profile Image for Meg Cowley.
Author 60 books201 followers
August 17, 2017
This was such a great read! I really don't read dystopian fiction, and I wasn't sure I would enjoy this, but I was blown away and read it in one sitting.

The plot is gripping, the world believable, and the characters so well constructed that it was easy to become invested in the gritty reality of life outside the wall with Aleesha. I wanted her to succeed, and at times, I couldn't put it down because my heart was in my mouth (no spoilers!) at what was happening.

Alison creates a world that is unapologetic about the realities of such a dystopia, and pulls absolutely no punches. She doesn't attempt to romanticise it, and you see first hand Aleesha's struggles to stay afloat in a hand-to-mouth and dog-eat-dog world. I really appreciated all the little details here and there that brought this rich world to life convincingly.

For a debut story by a new author, I was so impressed with the quality of storytelling throughout. I'm a convert to dystopian.. at least, dystopian written by Alison Ingleby. I can't wait for the first book in the main series!
Profile Image for Annabell Ison.
3 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2017
Brilliant and tantalising debut from a new author! This packs a great punch for a short story, the kind of slick storytelling that completely immerses you in the dystopian world world being described. My head was full of crumbling buildings, graffiti, rotting rubbish and dead rats in no time. Just the kind of atmosphere I love! Found this much easier to read and get into than a number of other highly rated dystopian books I've tried recently, Alison builds a gritty, believable, and gripping future London in a short space of time. Very much looking forward to reading more and seeing what secrets Aleesha has to reveal!

If you like Wool, Sand, The hunger games, Divergent, or anything else along those lines, you'll love this prequel from Alison.
1 review
September 10, 2017
VERY INTRIGUING
I didn't know until I signed up for Goodreads to leave a review that this book is by a debut author! I'm surprised actually and had to revise my review because this author, in her debut attempt, reads like a pro!! Well done!
This short little prequel held my attention from start to finish!
It gives you just enough information on the characters, setting and storyline to get you hooked, and then it won't let go.
I seriously can't wait for the first book in this series! I'm very much looking forward to reading the whole series and highly recommend that any post-apocalyptic, future -world, dystopian fans do the same!
Connie Carswell
@orcanut (Instagram)
@orcaloopy (Twitter)
Ottawa, Ontario
Profile Image for Beth Skye.
278 reviews41 followers
August 20, 2018
“Perhaps that’s why they created the Wall. To stop us seeing what life is like Inside. You can’t long for something that you don’t know exists. Or maybe it was so Insiders don’t have to look down on us. So they can forget we’re here.”

I loved this flashback prequel novella for The Wall series. Getting that real introduction to Aleesha’s character, finding out more of how she tics. Plus seeing the world crafted and explained more was amazing! This is a MUST READ series for fans of dystopian novels, especially fans of Ms. Ingleby’s gritty and adventurous writing. This was a great companion to the first novel, ‘Expendables’ -which you should go get right now! I can’t wait for the next book to be out, what a ride!
64 reviews3 followers
January 26, 2019
It is set in an dystopian world where the rich and privileged live inside a protected wall and the dregs of humanity are left to fend for themselves outside the wall. Gangs run the outside and this short story stars the highly intelligent Aleesha, who has to try and live below the radar so as not to seem to be a threat to the gang leader, whilst being blackmailed by a mysterious stranger into spying on the various gangs - a killing offense if she gets caught!

I enjoyed this short novella and am very curious to find out if Aleesha finds out the truth about her parentage and if she ever gets to see the inside of the wall. The prequel is good so I would surmise that The Wall series would be just as good.
124 reviews
September 17, 2018
This short story sets the scene for the author's intended saga. The world is reduced to the have's and the have-not's with the main character being a have-not with the further disadvantage of not being recognised by the government as she was not registered at birth and is not microchipped. She is getting by as a hanger-on of one of the gangs created by those in power excluding those without any power. It sets up the classic conflict of survival as those without strive to survive by taking from those who have. The premise and characters are interesting and I will be looking for more in this story.
Profile Image for Steve.
30 reviews1 follower
September 2, 2018
I am thankful the offer for a free prequel came my way. I have not yet read any of the full books, but this introduction to them whet my appetite sufficiently. In these few chapters I formed a bond with the main character, I need her to get the answers to the questions she has. What happened to her mother, who is her father, why does she not have an ID chip and has to be an outsider even amongst outsiders? I can’t wait to find out, give me more now! Seriously, give this author a try, you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Dick.
8 reviews
September 23, 2017
It's always my hope when I pick up a new author, particularly when the book or story is free, that he or she knows how to write and has a good proofreader. Ingleby writes well and Outsider is free of the frequent typos, etc., that plague so many works by independent authors. The story moved along well, and the protagonist's actions seemed right for the setting. So all in all, it's a promising start to the series.
5 reviews
January 12, 2019

I just finished reading Outsider, and I love it!!! And then I read the first chapter of Expendables, the first book in the wall series (at the end of the Outsider book) and I'm even more intrigued!
Not many books can keep me glued to the pages.. but this Outsider wall series is unputdownable! Finding a book that's beautifully written and able to capture my mind is rare. I am so thrilled that I stumbled upon this one.
Profile Image for TaniaRina.
1,589 reviews118 followers
November 12, 2022
Off the radar isn’t always out of sight

Aleesha’s got this stalker dude trying to recruit her for some “organization”. He’s already done his homework on her and she’s totally freakin’ out:
‘Who is this guy and how does he know so much about me?’

NOBODY can be trusted in this world – the rewards of betrayal are too high:
‘If he did ask, I’d never admit it. It’s best not to trust anyone. Even the people you care about.’


I *definitely* want to find out more in the ‘Expendables’.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,378 reviews47 followers
November 25, 2017

This is the prequel to the Wall Series and is a fast paced book full of suspense, action and danger. Well written with a strong storyline and complex characters. This book was dystopian fiction which is a genre that I don't usually read. This was a good book that I actually enjoyed. I read an advance copy and voluntarily chose to write a review
286 reviews5 followers
December 12, 2017
I really enjoyed this book... it did what a prequel is supposed to do... made me want to read more!It's fast moving and action filled, set in a realistic dystopian future, with believeable characters, including an addicted central character, who made me root for her! and a mystery! It is also very well edited, didn't find a single typo!!
Profile Image for Bridget.
19 reviews2 followers
December 30, 2018
Hooked! I just spent the last hour reading this prequel and immediately began reading Expendable. I love nothing more than a book, in a series, that makes me crave the next book. Ingleby capture my attention within the first paragraph and never stopped. I cannot wait to follow these characters on their co tinting journey. Well worth the read. Now on to Expendable.
3 reviews
September 5, 2019
Now look what you've done Alison, now I've got to go out and buy the series. That's the problem with reading the prequel. Just kidding, it was excellent, and I'm excited to get the series. It was a good introduction to the story line and some of the characters, it is an excellent read. Well I would write more, but I've got to go get the rest of the books. You probably should too.
678 reviews11 followers
August 3, 2019
The Outsider was an interesting read. Although very short it did the main theme of the following books. The heroine is a knife throwing expert with a smart mind. I would recommend the full version of the book because the preview was excellent.
139 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2019
A great start to the series, Outsider is chock full of life on the outside, mysteries and action. The characters are so well portrayed its like looking into their hearts and souls. I can’t wait to read the next in series.
Profile Image for Sam.
2,633 reviews44 followers
November 23, 2019
I enjoyed this exciting prequel from The Wall series by Alison Ingleby! Something a bit different! Should appeal to anyone that likes end of dystopian stories! Looking forward to reading more by this writer!
Profile Image for Lizzie.
373 reviews34 followers
May 24, 2020
I liked the actual series. This was a short story prelude that introduces the main character. If I had read this first, I would not have felt encouraged to read the series. It just didn't excite me or pull me in. It didn't set it apart from any other P/A type of science fiction.
2 reviews
September 4, 2017
Wonderful book! Imagination starts working overtime that this could one day be the future.
Read it in one sitting. So looking forward to Alison's sequels.
1 review
October 28, 2017
This book is awesome. I've read a lot of books in my life. But this one makes you think. This could really happen.
Profile Image for Tina Cyphers-Hubler.
45 reviews1 follower
November 1, 2017
This short prequel definitely had me hooked. Very different from the dystopian stuff I've read before. I am looking forward to reading the next part of the series.
1 review
December 2, 2017
This story is a good taster gets you interested enough so that you want to see what happens next give it a go then get the next book
17k reviews170 followers
December 9, 2017
i live outside the wall and i have to find everything i need but then a stranger appears. do i trust him. a great story which i couldnt put down
Profile Image for Ole Gunderson.
2 reviews
November 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I have always been interested in reading different author's view on what a "Dystopian" world would appear to be. this is one of the best.
95 reviews2 followers
February 9, 2019
The story pulls you in and keeps you wanting to read more. If the rest of the series is as good as this one I will be in for a treat.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews