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The Alpha Species
The electrifying sequel to the WW Mortensen bestseller, EIGHT.
2,000 years ago, something mysterious stalked the jungles of the Congo.
In Antarctica, a stunning discovery is made in 2,000-year-old ice.
Deep in the Amazon, two months have passed since the incident that nearly cost entomologist Rebecca Riley her life. Separated from her companions and still dealing with the fallout, she struggles to heal and to forget, finding solace in her work.
But when her research is seized, including evidence of the greatest discovery her field has ever seen, she is lured to the States and a top-secret military facility somewhere in Nevada. There, she uncovers a horrifying truth. They’ve brought something back. Something she hasn’t seen before.
Something terrifying.
A new species… a strange, new energy source… and a secret that will change human history. A secret others will kill for.
When the facility goes offline, overrun by a force of mercenaries hell-bent on sabotaging the project, Rebecca again finds herself in a desperate fight for survival… and a race to save the future. She’ll need help from old friends, because the jungle had been hiding something… and now it’s coming for them all.
TERROR HAS ADAPTED. AND ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE.
2,000 years ago, something mysterious stalked the jungles of the Congo.
In Antarctica, a stunning discovery is made in 2,000-year-old ice.
Deep in the Amazon, two months have passed since the incident that nearly cost entomologist Rebecca Riley her life. Separated from her companions and still dealing with the fallout, she struggles to heal and to forget, finding solace in her work.
But when her research is seized, including evidence of the greatest discovery her field has ever seen, she is lured to the States and a top-secret military facility somewhere in Nevada. There, she uncovers a horrifying truth. They’ve brought something back. Something she hasn’t seen before.
Something terrifying.
A new species… a strange, new energy source… and a secret that will change human history. A secret others will kill for.
When the facility goes offline, overrun by a force of mercenaries hell-bent on sabotaging the project, Rebecca again finds herself in a desperate fight for survival… and a race to save the future. She’ll need help from old friends, because the jungle had been hiding something… and now it’s coming for them all.
TERROR HAS ADAPTED. AND ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
129 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
W.W. Mortensen
4 books33 followersWW Mortensen is the international #1 bestselling author of EIGHT and other thrillers.
He draws his inspiration from a number of genres, and his stories are a high-octane blend of action, adventure, and sci-fi horror.
For more information about the writer and his books visit wwmortensen.com
He can be emailed at wwmortensen@gmail.com
He draws his inspiration from a number of genres, and his stories are a high-octane blend of action, adventure, and sci-fi horror.
For more information about the writer and his books visit wwmortensen.com
He can be emailed at wwmortensen@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 24, 2021
The Alpha Species is the follow-up to W.W. Mortensen’s debut novel EIGHT, and continues the story of Rebecca and Ed’s terrifying trip into the Amazon jungle from where the first book left off. Therefore, in order to fully understand this book, it’s recommended that readers are familiar with EIGHT before moving on to The Alpha Species.
Tagline: ‘Terror Has Adapted’
Having survived the prior events in the Amazon rainforest, scientists Owen Faulkner and Jess Baxter have both now been recruited by the military and have returned to the site of the pyramid in the forest, where the creatures that attacked them once lurked. But they soon discover that the deadly inhabitants have been driven out, and the military are leading an investigation into the site’s unusual properties, with surprising results.
Meanwhile, Rebecca has been manoeuvred to Nevada, where she expects to be continuing her research with the help of her mentor, Professor Francis Hayward. Unfortunately, things don’t quite go as planned and she finds herself embroiled in yet another terrifying situation, which could have dire consequences. Pushed to their limits, can Rebecca and her fellow scientists escape their predicament?
At 3 out of 5 stars I would only recommend The Alpha Species to those who enjoyed its predecessor, EIGHT. It’s not quite as nail-biting or tension-filled, but the story is enjoyable and fast-paced enough to be worth a read, for those who want to learn more about the spiders or their origins.
There is a distinct lack of these terrifying creatures from the first novel though, which is rather disappointing. When the spiders do eventually appear in the story, it’s late on and with very little in the way of excitement. The name Mortensen gives to these creatures is ‘Megarachne Amazonas’, usually shortened to the form ‘Megs’ which tends to throw-up images of ‘The Megalodon’ in my mind rather than giant spiders. As a result I don’t really care much for this name and feel that maybe it should have been changed to something a bit more apt.
Without the action and nervous tension of EIGHT, The Alpha Species comes across a bit lame in comparison. We don’t learn enough about the newer characters in this story, which leaves them a bit two-dimensional, so I found that I wasn’t really connected to or interested in them. Also the jumping around between locations becomes irritating, especially in the middle when the chapters no longer indicate which particular location we’re reading about.
Having loved EIGHT I really wanted to love The Alpha Species as well, however it’s fallen a little short of the mark for me. Certain situations weren’t fully resolved, clearly leaving the door open for a third book in the future. It will be necessary to continue reading future novels if the reader wants answers to the pressing questions left behind by the first two books, or for full closure to the story. Personally, I would have preferred the novel to remain in the Amazon, following the events of Owen and Jessy, instead of focusing primarily on Rebecca in Nevada, as I found those aspects of the plot much more intriguing.
Tagline: ‘Terror Has Adapted’
Having survived the prior events in the Amazon rainforest, scientists Owen Faulkner and Jess Baxter have both now been recruited by the military and have returned to the site of the pyramid in the forest, where the creatures that attacked them once lurked. But they soon discover that the deadly inhabitants have been driven out, and the military are leading an investigation into the site’s unusual properties, with surprising results.
Meanwhile, Rebecca has been manoeuvred to Nevada, where she expects to be continuing her research with the help of her mentor, Professor Francis Hayward. Unfortunately, things don’t quite go as planned and she finds herself embroiled in yet another terrifying situation, which could have dire consequences. Pushed to their limits, can Rebecca and her fellow scientists escape their predicament?
At 3 out of 5 stars I would only recommend The Alpha Species to those who enjoyed its predecessor, EIGHT. It’s not quite as nail-biting or tension-filled, but the story is enjoyable and fast-paced enough to be worth a read, for those who want to learn more about the spiders or their origins.
There is a distinct lack of these terrifying creatures from the first novel though, which is rather disappointing. When the spiders do eventually appear in the story, it’s late on and with very little in the way of excitement. The name Mortensen gives to these creatures is ‘Megarachne Amazonas’, usually shortened to the form ‘Megs’ which tends to throw-up images of ‘The Megalodon’ in my mind rather than giant spiders. As a result I don’t really care much for this name and feel that maybe it should have been changed to something a bit more apt.
Without the action and nervous tension of EIGHT, The Alpha Species comes across a bit lame in comparison. We don’t learn enough about the newer characters in this story, which leaves them a bit two-dimensional, so I found that I wasn’t really connected to or interested in them. Also the jumping around between locations becomes irritating, especially in the middle when the chapters no longer indicate which particular location we’re reading about.
Having loved EIGHT I really wanted to love The Alpha Species as well, however it’s fallen a little short of the mark for me. Certain situations weren’t fully resolved, clearly leaving the door open for a third book in the future. It will be necessary to continue reading future novels if the reader wants answers to the pressing questions left behind by the first two books, or for full closure to the story. Personally, I would have preferred the novel to remain in the Amazon, following the events of Owen and Jessy, instead of focusing primarily on Rebecca in Nevada, as I found those aspects of the plot much more intriguing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2022
The beginning is abit I’d a drag the first hundred pages but like a great rollercoaster it’s all build up for a sequels worth your time if you loved the first novel.
The story continues where the last one left off has the survivors try to readjust to how see the world. From learning that aliens are real and that world has secrets that can change for the better or worst has they are pulled into Government black budget projects try to understand the alien technology and use the megarachnid for bio-research. Has the story deepens where shown there many groups after they’s findings and till use what every means message to acquire them.
It’s a great sequel that follows a great story that shows its roots from the first put developes into wide ideas and leaves open to a third book I hope is made one day(fingers crossed).
The story continues where the last one left off has the survivors try to readjust to how see the world. From learning that aliens are real and that world has secrets that can change for the better or worst has they are pulled into Government black budget projects try to understand the alien technology and use the megarachnid for bio-research. Has the story deepens where shown there many groups after they’s findings and till use what every means message to acquire them.
It’s a great sequel that follows a great story that shows its roots from the first put developes into wide ideas and leaves open to a third book I hope is made one day(fingers crossed).
June 4, 2022
This is a remarkable sequel to a remarkable sci-fi thriller. Readers definitely need to read EIGHT first, as this book is a direct follow up. The book covers a lot of territory beyond the first book. It started slow, but then took off at breakneck speed. The main character starts off knowing only a small part of the overall story, and slowly picks up much more from other characters through the book. I really liked the main plotline in the US location. The parallel story in Brazil seems a little awkward. It reads like a plot device to keep more characters from EIGHT involved in this book. The ending seems a little incomplete. It could've given much more clarity to the various confusing plotlines and motives of the involved parties. Instead, it's a setup for a third novel.
August 6, 2021
Spiders
This book takes place right after EIGHT, and even though I read EIGHT a few years ago I followed along with this book. This book has the same characters and some new ones.
I recommend this book if you've read EIGHT, you won't be disappointed. There's a new area in Nevada along with the old area in South America and you can actually see how the government could come in and take over along with the separate sections and the need to know basis, but let me not give to much away.
One of the things you'll have to understand is that the author is Australian, so some of the words are spelt differently.
Happy Reading and Enjoy.
This book takes place right after EIGHT, and even though I read EIGHT a few years ago I followed along with this book. This book has the same characters and some new ones.
I recommend this book if you've read EIGHT, you won't be disappointed. There's a new area in Nevada along with the old area in South America and you can actually see how the government could come in and take over along with the separate sections and the need to know basis, but let me not give to much away.
One of the things you'll have to understand is that the author is Australian, so some of the words are spelt differently.
Happy Reading and Enjoy.
July 31, 2022
Although I read Eight, the first book in this series, I really was lost as far as the characters in this new book. Where the first book took place in a lost city in Amazon, this one is primary set in an underground research facility in Nevada. The first book outlines the baddy undiscovered spiders and of course they return here. I have to admit, I enjoy a fun horror story every now and then. The ending leads me to believe there'll be another book in this series. Not quite as good as Eight, but I like the story and where the series is heading.
June 26, 2022
3.5 stars but rounding up due to the expansion of the story.
The story tales off immediately after the first book which is a shame and that dragged the story.
Too much explain instead of show which took out a lot of the suspense. It had the potential to gradually reveal the different mysteries but never realised on it.
Not as much creatures as in the first book which was a shame. They took the background in a thriller setting instead.
However, the author has a good grip of his story.
The story tales off immediately after the first book which is a shame and that dragged the story.
Too much explain instead of show which took out a lot of the suspense. It had the potential to gradually reveal the different mysteries but never realised on it.
Not as much creatures as in the first book which was a shame. They took the background in a thriller setting instead.
However, the author has a good grip of his story.
August 8, 2024
A fascinating sequel
The survivors of Eight return in this fascinating sequel. The U.S. government is now in control of the pyramid and everything that was associated with it. But it's not safe from others who want to use the knowledge as weapons or money making technology. Another captivating story with so many ups and downs.
The survivors of Eight return in this fascinating sequel. The U.S. government is now in control of the pyramid and everything that was associated with it. But it's not safe from others who want to use the knowledge as weapons or money making technology. Another captivating story with so many ups and downs.
February 6, 2022
Get out your can of raid
The 2nd book is just as good as the 1st there's action drama roll is drama romance subterfuge subdiffused everything rolled up in one and it keeps you reading when you want to go to sleep you just can't put it down
The 2nd book is just as good as the 1st there's action drama roll is drama romance subterfuge subdiffused everything rolled up in one and it keeps you reading when you want to go to sleep you just can't put it down
May 15, 2023
I found the plot overly complicated and hard to follow, and it jumps between different locations and points of view without always making it obvious which you are reading at the time. However it is otherwise reasonably well written and still a decent read. You really need to have read Eight first.
December 16, 2023
Another good one
Again this is another extremely descriptive well written continuation in what appears to be a series of more than two books. Although this does have a sort of conclusion it is left with a puzzling question.
Again this is another extremely descriptive well written continuation in what appears to be a series of more than two books. Although this does have a sort of conclusion it is left with a puzzling question.
May 26, 2021
Great book. Kept be involved all the way. Love the connection with Eight. Kept me on my seat all the way
October 29, 2021
About the same as book one.
This is a continuation of book one. This time people travel all over the word, it's like a gigantic treasure hunt.
This is a continuation of book one. This time people travel all over the word, it's like a gigantic treasure hunt.
November 16, 2021
Science and action
I enjoy ed the science part of this book. The way the author blended science with action kept me focused and on the edge of my seat.
I enjoy ed the science part of this book. The way the author blended science with action kept me focused and on the edge of my seat.
November 23, 2021
I did not read the first book which is clearly must to get the most out of the story. However I still found myself drawn in, liking the characters and of course the spiders.
January 12, 2022
a page turner!
The characters were great, I really got to know them. But, they always did the unexpected. It is truly a exciting adventure. We need more!
The characters were great, I really got to know them. But, they always did the unexpected. It is truly a exciting adventure. We need more!
January 30, 2022
Not as fast-paced as the first one, but still enjoy these characters.
April 1, 2023
I found this one as "addictive" as the first, but something was missing in the story. It was an interesting read, but definitely not equal to "Eight"
October 10, 2023
Great
Enjoyable read was very happy with the book recommended to anyone. I will be looking forward to further works from this author
Enjoyable read was very happy with the book recommended to anyone. I will be looking forward to further works from this author
July 10, 2024
This one was not as good as the first one. A lot of characters and a lot of moving pieces to the plot that didn’t totally come together for me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews