Connie is running out of time. With only months left to live, she’s consumed by worry for her daughter and father. But everything changes when a mysterious man offers her a shocking choice: to save the planet from humanity’s destruction—by wiping out most of the human race.
Caught in a battle between environmental salvation and moral sacrifice, Connie is faced with an impossible decision. Can she release a deadly virus that will eradicate millions, sparing only a select few—including her loved ones—if it means the survival of Earth itself?
In this gripping, morally complex tale, Connie must confront her deepest fears and question what it truly means to save the world.
Will she be able to live with the consequences of her choice? Or will the weight of humanity’s fate crush her under the pressure of a decision no one should ever have to make?
Sabina Green writes soft science fiction and low fantasy which are her forever love. She has an inner old lady who longs to stay home to read and write books. There is no social life, only THE WORDS.
She is a self-proclaimed book hoarder, tree-hugger, and animal lover.
She grew up in Prague, Czechia and now lives in Perth, Western Australia with her son.
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The author of this self published novel sent me a copy for review.
First of all I'd like to say that writing a novel and publishing it is an amazing effort that I applaud anyone for. I'm sure with all the positive things in this story that the author will only get better with time.
The concept of 'Less Than Little Time' was good. I became invested in the characters and how the story was going to progress. The themes of a pandemic and environmental issues are timely and interesting.
My only problem with it is that it seems to not have been edited at all which I believe is a necessary step. There were occasions where the tense changed mid sentence or things didn't quite make sense which got in the way of my enjoyment.
This book was recommended to me by a friend of mine. It is a brilliant book. I was hooked right from the first sentence. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in one sitting. A provocative outlook on what might be or indeed could be. Which makes it all the more of an amazing and sometimes disturbing read. Makes you think about lots of issues relevant in the world today. And for that alone this book is brilliant. The characters in the book are honest and real. This is the first time I have read anything by this author, it definitely wont be the last.
I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of this novel to read by the author herself, so thank you Sabina! and thank you for writing such an amazing story! Less Than Little Time follows Connie, who after receiving a terminal diagnosis and given months to live finds out about a plot to wipe out the majority of the human race by releasing a deadly virus, thus saving the planet and restoring nature! Connie has some difficult decisions to make to ensure the safety of her daughter Ruby and her father Frank. The story is told from the points of view of Connie, Frank and Mark (someone involved in the planning of the scheme). I could not put this book down... I read it in two days straight!! It is completely captivating! The characters are so real feeling, Green has given them such depth they are incredibly relatable, everyone's back story is well thought out and completely absorbing! The relationships too are well fleshed out, feel genuine and are amazingly touching! It's always a bit strange to read about a pandemic when we're currently still dealing with one, but in a way it makes it hit home so much more, that line between "Sci-Fi" and reality is completely blurred now! This novel is full of emotions... love, grief, kindness, cruelty, despair and overwhelming hope! This one should definitely be on your 'must read' list for 2021!
REVIEW of Less than little time by Sabina Green. The first instalment of the Between worlds series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
About the book: Shortly after receiving a terminal diagnosis Connie finds out about a plot to save the planet and eliminate most of the Human race by releasing a deadly virus. The only protection from the virus is a vaccine which is provided to just a small amount of people. Connie has to make some tough decisions in order to protect her loved ones. The story follows Connie, her father Frank and Mark.
My thoughts: I was lucky to be sent a copy of this novel to read and my god I’m so glad because it was SO good. I planned to read this along side another book but ended up just focusing on this one because I couldn’t stop reading it! It was strange reading about a deadly virus when we are currently in a pandemic but this was such a page turner, was so well written and took me on one hell of an emotional rollercoaster. The story follows the perspectives of Connie, Frank and Mark. The author went into so much depth with the characters, that they felt very real and relatable. I liked the back stories especially Mark’s as it makes you understand the reasons behind his decisions. I admired Connie’s strength, compassion and willingness to do anything to protect her loved ones even if it meant sacrificing herself to keep them safe. I loved the relationship between Frank and his granddaughter Ruby it was very heartwarming to read whilst all the chaos was happening around them. The story really pulls on your heartstrings all the way through, gives you hope and then rips it away. I desperately wanted Connie to somehow make it out okay. I’m glad that the very real issue of how humans are impacting the planet and the treatment of animals was discussed in the book. It really opens your eyes and makes you think long after you’ve read it. Highly recommend. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Im now eagerly waiting for the next book!
I can’t get enough of the apocalyptic, speculative genre at the moment. These days ‘speculative’ seems almost moot. Less Than Little Time has chapters from the perspective of each character. It begins with Connie as she relapses with a cancer diagnosis. Connie is very ecologically aware and was into activism quite heavily until starting to work for the police. She’s approached by a man who gives her a crazy choice to have the power to wipe out the majority of the human race, leaving a chosen few to live. Without wishing to spoil anything, all I’ll say is this is an easy read and very current. My only criticism is that the depth of the characters feelings aren’t explored after the first half of the book. A hugely monumental event happens but it seems to be taken in the characters’ strides as though nothing big occurred. Great story and I look forward to the next instalment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Excellent book! The story sucked me so much so that I needed to read it in one sitting. I was so excited when the story was coming to the end because I couldn’t guess where it was going. I thought I had it figured out but then author played with me so well. Highly recommend to other readers, it’s a fantastic book!
Couldn't put this book down, had to keep turning the pages to know how the story ends. Speculative fiction at its best! Looking forward to read more from this author.
Environmental extremists engineer the end of the human race: humans have done enough damage to the world and each other. The Collective decides to end it all by means of a pneumonic plague. Sabina Green has created an too-believable apocalyptic scenario, and then takes the reader along for a page-turning ride as events unfold.
What I most admired about this novel was its exploration of human emotions in the face of harsh decisions and circumstances, especially the seesawing of these feelings. As for my reservations, while the apocalyptic scenario was believable, I couldn't quite accept the concept of a 100% fatal plague or that The Collective could carry their plan through on a worldwide scale without the conspiracy being exposed. Finally - spoiler alert! -I wasn't a fan of the last quarter of the book. After the apocalypse, the pace dropped drastically. There was little tension and no surprises, and I wasn't particularly attached to Frank as a point-of-view character. I feel that the plot needed something of a twist in this section - The Collective's plan continued to work just perfectly throughout. I feel that the novel would have been stronger if an unexpected complication arose to keep the tension tight to the end.
You don't have to be a lover of science fiction or post-apo literature, and yet you will enjoy this novel perfectly, from start to finish. It is heartbreaking and exciting at the same time, full of different kinds of love and deep thoughts and questions. I guarantee you will think completely differently about the world after you read this thrilling story.
The story revolves around the central character Connie who works in the Police Force. Her life revolves around her daughter Ruby and father Frank. One unfortunate day she gets a terminal diagnosis and while she is still trying to make sense of things, she comes across a deadly plan that will change the world forever. A group of people on a mission the save the planet have decided to wipe the out the human race with a deadly virus. Only a few chosen ones will survive. What will Connie do to save everyone and her family?
The story is told from point of view of Connie, Frank and Mark. A lot of thought and detail has gone into developing each character. Every one of them have their own story and that makes it so easy to connect with them and understand where they are coming from. This makes it such a wonderful read because you could relate to them so well.
This book also gives us food for thought – Our environment. We humans have destroyed our environment in so many ways. Even though a lot of us are getting conscious about the damage we have done and trying to change our ways; but it is still not enough in comparison to the people and organisations who are creating a negative impact.
This is the first book in the series, and I can’t wait to get my hand on the next instalment. Highly recommended!
Less than little time. It is difficult to find a book whose title would better match the content and at the same time would not reveal anything. Each time I thought I had deciphered the name, I had to reconsider it. In each chapter, a surprise awaited me, and as soon as I predicted the end, I turned the page and everything was different. The author played with my mind, made me suffer, showed me emotions that I had no idea they existed. Emotions are the writer's strength, and that's why I love her books, but this was a complete whirlwind. I am going to read one chapter a day, I will enjoy it. The resolution lasted until three o'clock in the morning, after I have read the last page. And then it started. A finished book does not mean a book completed, experienced, absorbed. For the next two weeks, I could not sleep, I was looking for solutions and loopholes, coming up with alternative endings, but no use. Less than little time, the book is absolutely brilliant, genius, wonderful and highly contagious. Does it have any weaknesses? Um, maybe the use of the word Fall instead of Autumn, but I haven't found anything else. I can highly recommend the book, while I’m waiting with a pounding heart for the next one.
It is said that truth is stranger than fiction but what about when the two merge? What about when something that seems utterly fanciful becomes all too scarily real. In her first English language book Czech-Australian writer Sabina Green had this exact experience. In Less Than Little Time, Green speculates about a dystopian world in which a movement emerges which sees the only hope of saving the planet is to eliminate most of the human race and start again. The method they choose is to create a deadly virus from which the only protection is a vaccine which is provided to just a small cohort of selected individuals! Green creates a small but beautifully developed group 0f characters - Connie, who stumbles into the plot, Mark who is a committed but uneasy mentor, Andrew, a dark background figure, Connie's father Frank and daughter Ruby - whom she intimately follows as the plot sweeps them up. It is a gripping and deeply moving narrative seen through the eyes of each main character. It is speculative fiction but only a few steps from reality. This is the first part of a trilogy. Can't wait for her next book.
What a great book! Could not put it down, one chapter after another until I reached the end. It is a story that touch your heart and make you think and wonder....Unpredictable story of human kind, the world of unexpected life full of emotions, love, kindness, disappointments, cruelty with sadness and unfairness. Highly recommend to all readers! Amazing author! I cannot wait to read another of her books.
There are some misguided people making bad decisions with disastrous consequences here and while some of the characters do horrible things, the big takeaway for me is the relationship between Ruby and Frank. It's adorable and sweet and Frank is such a stoic character. Their relationship and the love shown by Connie, the mother brings a soft, warm and heart-breaking quality to the book.
A brilliant book! Exciting and fast paced, it’s difficult to put down. A story with both heart and conscience that will leave you thinking long after you finish it. A highly recommended read!
What can I say? I just loooooove this book! I love the construction of the characters from chapter to chapter, her narrative, the plot. I can't read a book if I don't identify myself with the characters and with this book it's being a great journey of recognition. I am still reading it but can't wait to see if Connie's morality dilemma will keep heading the way I imagine, or a twist??? Sooo worth reading!!
What can I say ... WOW! Such depth with the characters. I love how relatable the author made each one. This story really does play on the heart strings and makes you really think. What a gripping and interesting story. This book is a real page turner. Highly recommended!
I was thrilled to be able to read an ARC copy of Sabina Green's debut novel Less Than Little Time.
Connie's world is turned upside down when she receives a terminal diagnosis and shortly after discovers a plot to wipe out the human race. The story follows three characters Connie, Mark and Frank each giving their own unique perspective.
The start of the novel sent me on a roller coaster of emotions, I could feel Connie's despair and panic. If put in the same situation, I wondered if I would do as Connie did or if I would make different choices.
I love this book and would highly recommend. A cleverly written page turner that will not disappoint.
I really enjoyed this book. It is told between three different point of views: Connie, her farther Frank and Mark. All three of these characters were great and their story developed so well, especially Frank's. I very quickly got hooked in this book. I loved how it still managed to focus on the real world issue of the environment whilst still telling a great story. It was very easy to put myself in the main characters shoes and wonder what I would do if I was in that situation. I recommend picking this book up if you get the chance, it's a great read!
Thanks to Sabina for sending me a copy of her book Less Than Little Time in return for an honest review.
This story follows police officer Connie, who after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer, starts to ponder the future she will leave for her father and her daughter. Then a secret company called The Collective get in touch to discuss their plans for a new world. They will release a new virus which will kill 8 Billion people, including the members of the collective. Only 300 people in the entire world will be chosen to be given a vaccine which will make them immune. Connie has to decide if she can assist in the death of nearly the entire global population, if it means keeping her family safe.
Being faced with your own mortality presents a number of questions: what becomes important to you? Could you actively infect another person just because they’re in the wrong? What life is worth more - the one you know or a strangers? Do you save two lives because they’re your family, or eight billion, but they’re strangers?
There’s enough characters in the book to give you variation and keep you interested and entertained, but not enough to get confusing and make you need a notepad to keep on top of everyone. Each person is their own clearly defined character with all their flaws and triumphs.
I did find some of it, especially the details of the actual virus, made me very uncomfortable but I guess that’s probably the idea, and therefore, Sabina has achieved her goal.
It is a very timely book. Okay I’m not saying that COVID was released deliberately for population control, that’s a bit of a stretch. But there are definitely a lot of similarities:
⁃ Infecting people unknowingly - Cancelling flights and shutting borders - Distrusting coughs - Face masks - 6 feet distance - Social distancing - Small gatherings - Closed schools
It’s quite obvious to me what influenced this plot, and at first it was very subtle, but I did feel it became more and more obvious, and I just felt that was a bit stilted and clunky, especially as we’re still in the eye of the storm. Some readers may feel this is a positive point about the book, but for me, those parts were just a bit much.
It didn’t pull at my heartstrings too much, maybe I’m cold hearted, maybe it’s because pandemics are our day to day now, but an almost blank page with just “grampa, where’s mummy?” is enough to wet anyone’s eyes.
Overall I did enjoy it and felt it was very well written. I’m also glad to see it’s the first book of a future series. It’ll be interesting, once our current fight is over, if this will have any effect on the sequels.
I could only read this novel in small chunks which was infuriating, at the same time I was glad to have something to look forward to. This is an adventurous story with a lot of sadness, each page left an imprint on me, I was always in suspenders, and on an absolute emotional roller coaster. The author knows how to pull her readers in. I cried at times, imagining I too have to say goodbye to my own child… I cannot get this story out of my mind. I felt like I knew all the beautifully crafted, believable characters who were all very relatable. I was living the story with them, it just gets under your skin. Although of course you’re wishing that you never have to live what they went through. I admire the author for such well thought through concept. Like the virus which is at the center of the novel, it will grab you and won’t let go. The only difference is that there is no vaccine against disliking this story, I don’t believe that’s even possible. You will be dying to know how it all ends. Congratulations to the author! Wonderful job ❤️
I have no words!!! But I’ll find some. This book destroyed me. It ripped my heart out in the first few pages then proceeded to stomp on it every chapter until the end. It’s a bit dystopian and involves a virus that wipes out most of humankind. It's incredibly smart and thought-provoking. And the emotional content is fantastic. So well written. I stayed up late reading one night because I just could not put it down.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book for review purposes. I loved it!!
Brilliant story including love for her daughter and dear father, her passion to do something good for the world, her work challenges, her tragic health story, the bravery to save earth and do what must be done, finding beauty in NZ, the writer having backpacker it personally years before. Sabina Green is an amazing writer, the story captivates you from the start. So talented. Where did she get this idea from? Originally written well pre Covid times. Now look at the world. What's next Sabina?
Sadly this book didn't work for me. I liked the concept the author was trying to write about but it got lost in sentences that didn't make grammatical sense. I did think the end of the world scenario was creative and well thought out. I just wanted the writing to flow better.
I liked the book and will continue the series. Editing got a little sloppy as the book progressed but it wasn't too distracting. Looking forward to the continuation of the saga.
This was a Goodreads Giveaway win. It was good but because it’s part of a series, you don’t really get an ending that explains everything. It sets things up for the next book.