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The Root
All around the world, a sudden and shocking event strikes the human race. Thick black roots shoot up through the ground and attach themselves to the feet of every man, woman and child, locking them in place so that they can no longer move. Nobody is safe. The roots reach up through buildings, into vehicles, even up into planes. All of humanity is now stuck exactly where they were when the disaster occurred.
For Andy Riley, that means being out in the car park of a London hotel, right next to a woman he'd happened to be walking past. Andy and Marie had never met before, had never even noticed one another in the hotel's conference center, but now they're stranded together in a fight for survival. And when night falls, another side of the disaster becomes apparent, as mysterious creatures roam the dark city.
The root feeds on blood, and now it has all of humanity connected to its feeding system. As Andy and Marie struggle to survive, however, they begin to realize that they might be the only two people on the whole planet who have a chance of defeating the root and saving the human race.
For Andy Riley, that means being out in the car park of a London hotel, right next to a woman he'd happened to be walking past. Andy and Marie had never met before, had never even noticed one another in the hotel's conference center, but now they're stranded together in a fight for survival. And when night falls, another side of the disaster becomes apparent, as mysterious creatures roam the dark city.
The root feeds on blood, and now it has all of humanity connected to its feeding system. As Andy and Marie struggle to survive, however, they begin to realize that they might be the only two people on the whole planet who have a chance of defeating the root and saving the human race.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2020
106 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,686 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 27, 2025
Terrific concept! How freaky would that be if all of a sudden you couldn’t move? And everything and everyone around you was in the same position. I don’t know about all of you out there, but that is a terrifying thought to me. So the story starts out there, with a bunch of people all stuck in place, trying to figure out what was going on. This was a little jumbled with every other line by a different person as they’re all panicking. But, on the flip side, it was very anxiety-producing, which pulled you right into the mindset of our eventual main characters, Marie and Andy. They figure a way out and begin their journey in trying to save the world. Now the roots…oh those dastardly roots…just an emotionless, instinctive entity. And there were a few points in the story where the point of view shifted to It, which was great. It may have been beneficial to include maybe a few more of these instances to keep it as an active character of sorts. Nothing long and drawn out, but rather just a few more tidbits about what it was feeling throughout, to be a perfect parallel to Andy and Marie. Now the ending also could have been expanded upon and not so rushed. But I really enjoyed this experience and thoroughly enjoyed the extremely different type of horror that Amy Cross was aiming for. And how was its aim, you ask? A near bullseye.
September 22, 2021
This is a high-concept, world-ending, “big-screen” horror novel that is well worth checking out. You have to forgive the unlikely setup but, let’s face it, that’s the same for a LOT of fiction. Of course, something like this is impossible, yet if you can get past that you end up with a focused, fast-paced horror-adventure.
People - all the people, all over the world, including those on airplanes - are skewered through the feet from below by the titular “Root” as the organism seeks to drain the life from humanity in order to sustain itself. Now, it might not seem like a particularly exciting scenario, given that, due to the nature of the threat, the characters are stationary. But the intrigue and solutions, and the buildup, make this a very satisfying read.
Yes, I gave it five stars. Is it Stephen King or Dean Koontz? No, not even close. But I tend to ask what it’s trying to achieve, and IMHO this book isn’t trying to be high literature. It’s a pulpy, fast-paced, schlocky joyride, and it delivers just that.
People - all the people, all over the world, including those on airplanes - are skewered through the feet from below by the titular “Root” as the organism seeks to drain the life from humanity in order to sustain itself. Now, it might not seem like a particularly exciting scenario, given that, due to the nature of the threat, the characters are stationary. But the intrigue and solutions, and the buildup, make this a very satisfying read.
Yes, I gave it five stars. Is it Stephen King or Dean Koontz? No, not even close. But I tend to ask what it’s trying to achieve, and IMHO this book isn’t trying to be high literature. It’s a pulpy, fast-paced, schlocky joyride, and it delivers just that.
July 9, 2020
Forgetaboutit
Silly, silly and silly for emphasis . Couldn't wait to finish so I could start on a real thriller. You make me sorry for you with this one. Bye, bye
Silly, silly and silly for emphasis . Couldn't wait to finish so I could start on a real thriller. You make me sorry for you with this one. Bye, bye
August 11, 2020
Its just a childish one dimensional story
July 13, 2020
Hmmm
Andy and Marie are strangers stuck in the parking lot by a root through each foot. Across from them is a Gardner who was called to the motel for information about whether he can save the trees or take them down.
In the motel everyone is stuck just as Andy and Marie.
When darkness falls, the rootmen men come out to feed. The gardener had found out that not even a chainsaw can kill these monsters before they killed him.
Earlier, the gardener showed Andy how to work his drone. So Andy power's the drone up which is able to run off his cell phone. He takes it into the van where he and Marie find a mini flamethrower. Through trial and error Marie is able to cut through the roots beneath their feet, then they both go in the motel to see if anyone there has survived.
Read the book to find out what happens next. It's a sci-fi that you won't be able to put down!
The author Amy Cross has a very vivid imagination, and when ahe writes it draws you into her mind!
Andy and Marie are strangers stuck in the parking lot by a root through each foot. Across from them is a Gardner who was called to the motel for information about whether he can save the trees or take them down.
In the motel everyone is stuck just as Andy and Marie.
When darkness falls, the rootmen men come out to feed. The gardener had found out that not even a chainsaw can kill these monsters before they killed him.
Earlier, the gardener showed Andy how to work his drone. So Andy power's the drone up which is able to run off his cell phone. He takes it into the van where he and Marie find a mini flamethrower. Through trial and error Marie is able to cut through the roots beneath their feet, then they both go in the motel to see if anyone there has survived.
Read the book to find out what happens next. It's a sci-fi that you won't be able to put down!
The author Amy Cross has a very vivid imagination, and when ahe writes it draws you into her mind!
July 26, 2020
Decently written short story with an interesting premise that is better for not being overly explained. The main characters are one dimensional but serve the purpose of moving the plot along as they attempt to rescue others from the otherworldly threat of the the root.
I would have liked more human moments and possibly a look at the effects of the root on others. The ending fits with the rest of the story but I would have appreciated a more definitive end with the characters rather than what we got.
I would have liked more human moments and possibly a look at the effects of the root on others. The ending fits with the rest of the story but I would have appreciated a more definitive end with the characters rather than what we got.
May 12, 2021
i got this book for free on amazon, if i had knew it would be like this i would have skipped it T_T it was a chore to read, and didnt amaze me nor distract me... i keep looking for my phone or my pc while reading this.... the characters were meh, i can not recomend it but i know that i have read things of Amy Cross before and i did like it... i am really sorry that i cant give a better review
July 8, 2023
Kinda' reminded me of Phantoms
A quick, action packed short story that reminded me of Phantoms by Dean Koontz. A fun story which has been in my TBR pile for a while now. I'm glad I took the time to sit down and read The Root.
A quick, action packed short story that reminded me of Phantoms by Dean Koontz. A fun story which has been in my TBR pile for a while now. I'm glad I took the time to sit down and read The Root.
June 26, 2020
This is my first book of the authors. I love the different take on a “apocalyptic “ story. Roots coming after mankind.
I’ll read more from this author.
I’ll read more from this author.
Read
July 1, 2020Meh!
Seemed more like a teen book to me.
Nothing scary about it. Not very realistic at all. But, she had no mistakes in this one. First time ever!
Seemed more like a teen book to me.
Nothing scary about it. Not very realistic at all. But, she had no mistakes in this one. First time ever!
July 9, 2020
Loved it!
Always a great read if it's written by amy cross.Thank for sharing your talent with us.Keep it going.we will be waiting.Thank you.
Always a great read if it's written by amy cross.Thank for sharing your talent with us.Keep it going.we will be waiting.Thank you.
August 18, 2020
Enjoyable read
Engaging characters with a good story. Who could ask for more and a couple of days to read. Great read
Engaging characters with a good story. Who could ask for more and a couple of days to read. Great read
September 7, 2020
Pretty good. The guy in it was irritating though. Such a whiny pusillanimous twit. But the women was great. Very short, only took me around 6 hours to read. Never read this author before.
September 17, 2020
Sometimes its fun to read apocalyptical story that deals with something way out there.
Very enjoyable.
Forget the science and enjoy the tale.
Very enjoyable.
Forget the science and enjoy the tale.
October 1, 2020
Great
The storyline is unlike anything I’ve read before.
This is a short read. Characters are great and story fab. I would recommend
The storyline is unlike anything I’ve read before.
This is a short read. Characters are great and story fab. I would recommend
October 9, 2020
This book reads like a fun B movie.It's like a guilty pleasure in book form.
November 1, 2020
Weedy
Took me an hour to read rather light weight and I guessed the answer of how to kill the root well before the hero's do. A quick easy read.
Took me an hour to read rather light weight and I guessed the answer of how to kill the root well before the hero's do. A quick easy read.
November 11, 2020
Not her best.
The root is just not very believable. Roots shooting up to flying aircraft just NO! I would not recommend you read this one.
The root is just not very believable. Roots shooting up to flying aircraft just NO! I would not recommend you read this one.
November 24, 2020
I wish I had avoided this
ok so it is short, and had a fun premiss, a real "what if" idea but it is so damn hammy
ok so it is short, and had a fun premiss, a real "what if" idea but it is so damn hammy
Read
August 30, 2024Very interesting book, and it makes you think what you do if you was determined to help other, it's amazing how Amy cross writes, she draws in to the stories, a short but really amazing read
October 8, 2025
loved the concept of this book how people were walking one minute and stuck in place the next. Great read
November 4, 2023
Interesting story!
In the center of the earth something lives. It’s hungry and wants to reach out for blood. This is a story of what could happen if it did
In the center of the earth something lives. It’s hungry and wants to reach out for blood. This is a story of what could happen if it did
July 26, 2022
4.5 stars. High rating for its original premise and because I was glued to it. Minus half a star for the ending. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews