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Beyond
For alternate cover see: B079GS8JN4
The future, ghosts, aliens, surprising twists, murder, love and beyond...
A nightly visitor isn't all that she seems. A woman's life draws strange parallels with a space probe. A man wakes up in a black void, with no recollection of how he got there. These are just a few of the stories in Beyond. Some explore life beyond death. Others were inspired by questions of existence beyond earth. Some just centre on human emotions and experiences which are 'beyond' normal.
The future, ghosts, aliens, surprising twists, murder, love and beyond...
A nightly visitor isn't all that she seems. A woman's life draws strange parallels with a space probe. A man wakes up in a black void, with no recollection of how he got there. These are just a few of the stories in Beyond. Some explore life beyond death. Others were inspired by questions of existence beyond earth. Some just centre on human emotions and experiences which are 'beyond' normal.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2018
10 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Alanah Andrews
22 books56 followersAlanah is an English teacher in Australia. She writes because her imagination overflows onto paper.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 27, 2018
Rating: 5 stars
Thoughts: I loved this collection, and it's hard to say which one had been my favorite since I had liked all of short stories. This collection has a lot of creepy short stories that really liked, a few sweet touching ones that had brought some tears to my eyes, and of course the strange futuristic ones with the technology to help us beyond reach.
I highly recommend this on a rainy day with your drink of choice, because you will want to read just another one.
Thoughts: I loved this collection, and it's hard to say which one had been my favorite since I had liked all of short stories. This collection has a lot of creepy short stories that really liked, a few sweet touching ones that had brought some tears to my eyes, and of course the strange futuristic ones with the technology to help us beyond reach.
I highly recommend this on a rainy day with your drink of choice, because you will want to read just another one.
September 8, 2018
I bought an ebook version of this anthology because it seemed intriguing to me with potential for unique storylines. I quickly found it doesn’t disappoint by any means. I enjoyed it so felt I should give it recognition with a detailed review of each story it contains below. Warning: Contains spoilers….
John Doe 3/5
A slightly gritty intro, what appears to be a straight forward arrest and interaction between cellmates turns into a time travel story. A little bit 12 monkeys in the casting of characters but a nice idea all the same. The ending that provides the twist was a little brief and skimmed the surface for me.
Written in the Stars 5/5
Alanah Andrews shows off her control of emotive appeal in this story of a man and woman who get together in their 60s. It’s not the type of story I’d normally read but it actually kept me glued and the heart wrenching ending stays with you. It takes you on a short journey with an opposites attract pattern and leaves you wanting more from their lives together. It’s a big reminder of how short and fragile life is. The characterisation is sublime and reflects that happiness can be in something we are unfamiliar with. Change is good, but hard, and definitely worth it.
Nightly Visit 5/5
a mother visited by her deceased daughter with a twist. A very moving piece again which portrays the long lasting feeling of loss.
Interrogation 5/5
A reverse story. Clever and inventive. Paints a direct opposite when read backwards. Close to poetry. This piece is genius.
Testimony 4/5
A clever take on the future’s problems with ethical decisions. Like a popularity or voting systems which could be related to today. It’s written well but highlights an important aspect of society that is becoming unjust and ignored.
Unnatural Twilight 2/5
nice descriptive piece but very short.
The Machine 4/5
A poem which I think portrays the suffering of of an Alzheimers patient or some sort of memory loss. It is nicely put together and describes well the anger and confusion of what it is to forget loved ones and the features of your own face. This poem saddens the heart of anybody who has known someone with these problems.
The Artefact 2/5
Seems like a great start to a mystery but cut away too short.
Coffee 1/5
Flash fiction on how a coffee can produce an array of memories. I’m sure it can. A well written Piece again but this one seemed quite pointless to me.
On Monday She Travelled to India 5/5
another heart string puller. A young boy has cancer and receives letters from a dear friend, Hope. Very well portrayed and despite a lack of movement it holds up so well in the thoughts and experiences of the unwell boy.
The Good Girlfriend 2/5
flash fiction, relatable to teenage life in a strange way.
Sweetie 2/5
Flash fiction. I find it hard to deal with flash personally because there is so much to cram into to so few words. This snapshot does it fairly well with a technological twist that connects with death. Although I could be wrong with my conclusion to this one as it is cleverly ambiguous with its suggestion.
Dark Cities 4/5
A touch of apocalypse with this one regarding how easy it would be to turn mankind over with the loss of electricity. It highlights some ‘what ifs’ while exposing how weak life has become without the need of constant provision. A nice idea standing up similarly to one of my own short stories.
Just a Dream 2/5
Todd has a strange dream. Quite descriptive, atmospheric and relatable.
22nd Century Jury 4/5
Another reverse story/prose. As good as the previous, but shorter.
A Fitting End 1/5
A short death scene with a twist. Very short, not enough to judge to be honest but works well enough.
Secrets 4/5
A strange epiphany for the protagonist who finds themself with her mother in a photograph mysteriously, however the debate is seen through brief emotional shock as to whether it is a complete lie. Another very short piece that has more punch than the others.
The Storyteller 3/5
A little story within a story. Nicely put together and simple concept with an essence of wonder thrown in.
Blue is my Favourite Colour 4/5
An unexpected dark turn takes hold in this what starts out as a light story told through a child’s eyes. Very well written and very well characterised along with the setting being drip fed until the penny drops with the reader. The sympathy level is off the scale by the end.
For Tommy 4/5
Another weird and wonderful tale of a hitman who is haunted by Tommy, the moral questioner approach who acts as the angel on the protagonists shoulder, as opposed to his own devil. I found this a little hard to read at first but it unfolded well as I read further. The ending seemed a little short but the suggestion of an entire backstory for novel sized work is there.
Sometimes It Takes Three 3/5
A story with a strong maternal presence. It is well put together mixing daily life struggles and relationship vibes, but wasn’t quite my personal taste.
Unconditional Love 3/5
Flash fiction. The boy’s success at concealing some kind of mental super power is the interesting subject of this story. A nice scene from another potential longer work.
Outside Arcadia 3/5
More of a discussion piece on gender identity. It raises interesting points about modern society and it’s views, weighing up exactly who’s perspective is distorted.
We Are All Mad Here 2/5
A strange piece of prose, possibly the strangest here, with a protagonist who seems to end up having a discussion with their own multiple personalities. Fairly unnerving but references Alice in Wonderland but is almost a little too obscure to relate to. It comes across as a little improvised despite the quality of the script.
The Sixth Planet 4/5
A poem of interstellar proportions with some nice phrases and techniques to pull off some thoughtful personification.
Android and Eve 5/5
Another fiction debating the social acceptances of humanity, this time in a near future setting of a bar. The interaction of characters is neat and the twist at the end is well told with the addition of transplanting the social problems of technology that removes jobs in the present day to the future.
Toom 5/5
This tale begins with a jumbo jet passenger plane landing through a highly accurate description which is then distorted into a tale of time travel and an intriguing look at a future we would be proud to call our own. The choice the protagonist has to adopt his new life in the future conflicts with the heartache of his long dead family, friends and girlfriend as he is thrown far into the future. He is introduced to a machine that can comfort his soul, but that comfort comes at a price. The strong emotive approach of the author leaves the reader empathetic for the character. This is one of my favourite stories in the book as it is so well constructed.
Gin & Tonic 3/5
A young man pines over a woman until it becomes too much. A neat little love/crime story that once again ends a little abruptly, but this is an enjoyable tale nonetheless. The authors description of scene is credited again here.
In the Dark, Calling 3/5
A chilling account of a life saving experiment which leaves the protagonist in a state similar to a coma or locked-in syndrome. It is cleverly written and the vocabulary is great as well as the feeling of fear described from the character’s numb and unconscious perspective. My only criticism of this story is that not a lot actually happens visually which I suppose could aid the fact that it holds up so well.
Eve of Eridu Ch.1
This is the first chapter of Alanah Andrews’s new novel. I haven’t rated it here as it is a far bigger story than this snapshot but it seems to be a well written intro that might leave the reader wanting more. It is set in a time where emotions seem to be forbidden. The protagonist who is seen as an icon of emotional control who has difficulty upholding the task. I think this author would do a good job with this character as her style is embedded with emotive and empathetic appeal. All the best on your future writing! Overall this book is well worth your time and you may even find yourself thinking about the world around you in a different light.
John Doe 3/5
A slightly gritty intro, what appears to be a straight forward arrest and interaction between cellmates turns into a time travel story. A little bit 12 monkeys in the casting of characters but a nice idea all the same. The ending that provides the twist was a little brief and skimmed the surface for me.
Written in the Stars 5/5
Alanah Andrews shows off her control of emotive appeal in this story of a man and woman who get together in their 60s. It’s not the type of story I’d normally read but it actually kept me glued and the heart wrenching ending stays with you. It takes you on a short journey with an opposites attract pattern and leaves you wanting more from their lives together. It’s a big reminder of how short and fragile life is. The characterisation is sublime and reflects that happiness can be in something we are unfamiliar with. Change is good, but hard, and definitely worth it.
Nightly Visit 5/5
a mother visited by her deceased daughter with a twist. A very moving piece again which portrays the long lasting feeling of loss.
Interrogation 5/5
A reverse story. Clever and inventive. Paints a direct opposite when read backwards. Close to poetry. This piece is genius.
Testimony 4/5
A clever take on the future’s problems with ethical decisions. Like a popularity or voting systems which could be related to today. It’s written well but highlights an important aspect of society that is becoming unjust and ignored.
Unnatural Twilight 2/5
nice descriptive piece but very short.
The Machine 4/5
A poem which I think portrays the suffering of of an Alzheimers patient or some sort of memory loss. It is nicely put together and describes well the anger and confusion of what it is to forget loved ones and the features of your own face. This poem saddens the heart of anybody who has known someone with these problems.
The Artefact 2/5
Seems like a great start to a mystery but cut away too short.
Coffee 1/5
Flash fiction on how a coffee can produce an array of memories. I’m sure it can. A well written Piece again but this one seemed quite pointless to me.
On Monday She Travelled to India 5/5
another heart string puller. A young boy has cancer and receives letters from a dear friend, Hope. Very well portrayed and despite a lack of movement it holds up so well in the thoughts and experiences of the unwell boy.
The Good Girlfriend 2/5
flash fiction, relatable to teenage life in a strange way.
Sweetie 2/5
Flash fiction. I find it hard to deal with flash personally because there is so much to cram into to so few words. This snapshot does it fairly well with a technological twist that connects with death. Although I could be wrong with my conclusion to this one as it is cleverly ambiguous with its suggestion.
Dark Cities 4/5
A touch of apocalypse with this one regarding how easy it would be to turn mankind over with the loss of electricity. It highlights some ‘what ifs’ while exposing how weak life has become without the need of constant provision. A nice idea standing up similarly to one of my own short stories.
Just a Dream 2/5
Todd has a strange dream. Quite descriptive, atmospheric and relatable.
22nd Century Jury 4/5
Another reverse story/prose. As good as the previous, but shorter.
A Fitting End 1/5
A short death scene with a twist. Very short, not enough to judge to be honest but works well enough.
Secrets 4/5
A strange epiphany for the protagonist who finds themself with her mother in a photograph mysteriously, however the debate is seen through brief emotional shock as to whether it is a complete lie. Another very short piece that has more punch than the others.
The Storyteller 3/5
A little story within a story. Nicely put together and simple concept with an essence of wonder thrown in.
Blue is my Favourite Colour 4/5
An unexpected dark turn takes hold in this what starts out as a light story told through a child’s eyes. Very well written and very well characterised along with the setting being drip fed until the penny drops with the reader. The sympathy level is off the scale by the end.
For Tommy 4/5
Another weird and wonderful tale of a hitman who is haunted by Tommy, the moral questioner approach who acts as the angel on the protagonists shoulder, as opposed to his own devil. I found this a little hard to read at first but it unfolded well as I read further. The ending seemed a little short but the suggestion of an entire backstory for novel sized work is there.
Sometimes It Takes Three 3/5
A story with a strong maternal presence. It is well put together mixing daily life struggles and relationship vibes, but wasn’t quite my personal taste.
Unconditional Love 3/5
Flash fiction. The boy’s success at concealing some kind of mental super power is the interesting subject of this story. A nice scene from another potential longer work.
Outside Arcadia 3/5
More of a discussion piece on gender identity. It raises interesting points about modern society and it’s views, weighing up exactly who’s perspective is distorted.
We Are All Mad Here 2/5
A strange piece of prose, possibly the strangest here, with a protagonist who seems to end up having a discussion with their own multiple personalities. Fairly unnerving but references Alice in Wonderland but is almost a little too obscure to relate to. It comes across as a little improvised despite the quality of the script.
The Sixth Planet 4/5
A poem of interstellar proportions with some nice phrases and techniques to pull off some thoughtful personification.
Android and Eve 5/5
Another fiction debating the social acceptances of humanity, this time in a near future setting of a bar. The interaction of characters is neat and the twist at the end is well told with the addition of transplanting the social problems of technology that removes jobs in the present day to the future.
Toom 5/5
This tale begins with a jumbo jet passenger plane landing through a highly accurate description which is then distorted into a tale of time travel and an intriguing look at a future we would be proud to call our own. The choice the protagonist has to adopt his new life in the future conflicts with the heartache of his long dead family, friends and girlfriend as he is thrown far into the future. He is introduced to a machine that can comfort his soul, but that comfort comes at a price. The strong emotive approach of the author leaves the reader empathetic for the character. This is one of my favourite stories in the book as it is so well constructed.
Gin & Tonic 3/5
A young man pines over a woman until it becomes too much. A neat little love/crime story that once again ends a little abruptly, but this is an enjoyable tale nonetheless. The authors description of scene is credited again here.
In the Dark, Calling 3/5
A chilling account of a life saving experiment which leaves the protagonist in a state similar to a coma or locked-in syndrome. It is cleverly written and the vocabulary is great as well as the feeling of fear described from the character’s numb and unconscious perspective. My only criticism of this story is that not a lot actually happens visually which I suppose could aid the fact that it holds up so well.
Eve of Eridu Ch.1
This is the first chapter of Alanah Andrews’s new novel. I haven’t rated it here as it is a far bigger story than this snapshot but it seems to be a well written intro that might leave the reader wanting more. It is set in a time where emotions seem to be forbidden. The protagonist who is seen as an icon of emotional control who has difficulty upholding the task. I think this author would do a good job with this character as her style is embedded with emotive and empathetic appeal. All the best on your future writing! Overall this book is well worth your time and you may even find yourself thinking about the world around you in a different light.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2018
Short stories with a slight dark twist
These short stories were cool. Perfect lengths for those moments when you don't have a lot of time to read. Nightly Visit was perhaps my favorite. It had an ending I wasn't expecting.
These short stories were cool. Perfect lengths for those moments when you don't have a lot of time to read. Nightly Visit was perhaps my favorite. It had an ending I wasn't expecting.
March 15, 2018
Alanah Andrews is one of the cleverest writers I have read in a long time. This collection of twenty short stories stands out for the intelligent innovation in their construction and narrative techniques. Among these outstanding pieces of writing, you’ll find some very short pieces, and some using a poetic structure. I would have called the latter poems, but that author doesn’t make this claim. The outstanding surprise for me however was the two ‘reverse stories’, which you read from top to bottom and then from bottom to top.
Innovation does not always mean good, but in this case it is relevant to the communication task and it goes with some solid and fascinating story telling. The ‘reverse story’ technique, for example, is used to great effect to illustrate two opposing views of the same issue. All the stories embody the essential elements of good short stories: economic use of words, instantaneous characterisation, and the little surprise twist at the end.
Under the headline of ‘Beyond’, the author manages to address and make insightful comments on a range of themes: death, justice, apocalypse, ecology, lost love, remembrance, the holocaust.
This is a little well-written book of exceptional variety. A book you can dip into again and again, just for a few moments at a time! A good buy for your bedside or coffee table!
Innovation does not always mean good, but in this case it is relevant to the communication task and it goes with some solid and fascinating story telling. The ‘reverse story’ technique, for example, is used to great effect to illustrate two opposing views of the same issue. All the stories embody the essential elements of good short stories: economic use of words, instantaneous characterisation, and the little surprise twist at the end.
Under the headline of ‘Beyond’, the author manages to address and make insightful comments on a range of themes: death, justice, apocalypse, ecology, lost love, remembrance, the holocaust.
This is a little well-written book of exceptional variety. A book you can dip into again and again, just for a few moments at a time! A good buy for your bedside or coffee table!
August 19, 2018
What an exciting collection of stories. I like them all in different ways. The length was great to fit into my busy days. I think these stories all had great moments in them. I loved that I couldn't guess all the endings. *This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.*
May 19, 2018
loved this book! each story left you wanting more.
February 3, 2018
I enjoyed reading this collection. The writing is good and solid technically. Some of the stories were lovely containing some lovely emotive tales (Written in the Stars; On Monday she travelled to India are two such) but some pieces are too short for me and seem to lack a point (or I'm missing it completely). I enjoyed reading it and will look to read more but perhaps don't go for the really short pieces.
February 8, 2018
I was apprehensive about reading it because of its length but for me it truly worked. Being a mother, a full time employee, martial artist and also writer, I find it hard to sit down to read an entire book without losing my place in it.
Yes, after I read the short story compilation, I wanted more. But that's the result of great writing. To want more, leaves the reader with much anticipation for the next series of stories.
Great job of engaging my short attention span. Great job, Ms. King!!!
Yes, after I read the short story compilation, I wanted more. But that's the result of great writing. To want more, leaves the reader with much anticipation for the next series of stories.
Great job of engaging my short attention span. Great job, Ms. King!!!
November 5, 2019
I've become a big fan of short story collections in recent years. They're fabulous to dip in and out of, and great for when you're tired and can't focus on a novel-length narrative.
Beyond, by Alanah Andrews, is aimed at YA level but is very enjoyable for adults as well.
The stories range in length - with some just a few paragraphs long - and genre. One story tells of the letters received by a young boy, hospitalised with cancer, which give him the hope to carry on. Others are set in post-apocalyptic wastelands or futures where AI robots share equal rights with humans.
One of my favourites was TOOM, which imagines an aircraft full of passengers reappearing 100 years into the future. The world has somehow manage to get its collective act together and come up The Three Truths, by which all decisions are made:
1) Technological advances are vital for improving human lives
2) Protecting the environment is essential for humanity to survive
3) An educated population is necessary for growth
On the back of these incredibly sensible revelations, the world has flourished: "Resources previously used for war and destruction were funnelled into education, technology and the environment. Healthcare was revolutionised. Methods of communication were vastly improved."
Some stories are pure fantasy, like the woman who seduces her long-time stalker with a lethal gin and tonic. Other stories are curious attempts at explaining the future. Some feel like pleas to the world for a sensible and constructive treaty, before it's all too late.
I'm a big fan of Alanah Andrews' writing and recommend Beyond to anyone who enjoys opening up their mind to greater possibilities than those we see right in front of us.
Beyond, by Alanah Andrews, is aimed at YA level but is very enjoyable for adults as well.
The stories range in length - with some just a few paragraphs long - and genre. One story tells of the letters received by a young boy, hospitalised with cancer, which give him the hope to carry on. Others are set in post-apocalyptic wastelands or futures where AI robots share equal rights with humans.
One of my favourites was TOOM, which imagines an aircraft full of passengers reappearing 100 years into the future. The world has somehow manage to get its collective act together and come up The Three Truths, by which all decisions are made:
1) Technological advances are vital for improving human lives
2) Protecting the environment is essential for humanity to survive
3) An educated population is necessary for growth
On the back of these incredibly sensible revelations, the world has flourished: "Resources previously used for war and destruction were funnelled into education, technology and the environment. Healthcare was revolutionised. Methods of communication were vastly improved."
Some stories are pure fantasy, like the woman who seduces her long-time stalker with a lethal gin and tonic. Other stories are curious attempts at explaining the future. Some feel like pleas to the world for a sensible and constructive treaty, before it's all too late.
I'm a big fan of Alanah Andrews' writing and recommend Beyond to anyone who enjoys opening up their mind to greater possibilities than those we see right in front of us.
May 20, 2018
I immensely enjoyed this collection of short stories by Alanah Andrews. They are very well-written and action-packed science fiction stories that explore the concept of ‘beyond’. I am impressed by her engaging and intelligent ideas, interesting storylines and emotive characters. Her writing style is concise and impactive. There were some ending twists which pleasantly surprised me, made me gasp and rethink what I’d just read. Alanah has an aptitude for imagining near-future technology, times and cultures with a backwards glance to our present time. I enjoyed the format - a mixture of flash fiction, longer stories, and reverse story poems in there which you can read one way to get one perspective and then backwards to get the opposite perspective. Very clever. Alanah is a talented writer and I can imagine her going far. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of her writing.
March 6, 2019
Another great book by Alanah. Such a variety of stories that are all enjoyable in their own ways. My favourite is 100% 'On Monday she Travelled to India'.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews