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Extant
ONE OF HISTORY'S GREATEST MYSTERIES. In 524 BCE, Cambyses II, King of Persia, dispatched his forces to the Siwa Oasis to destroy the Oracle of Amun, whose priests refused to legitimize his claim to Egypt. According to historical records, 50,000 soldiers marched into the desert from Luxor and vanished into a sandstorm. NEVER TO BE SEEN AGAIN. Hoping to discover the lost army’s fate, a team of scientists utilizes satellite archeology to locate ancient ruins hidden beneath the dunes. Subsequent excavation reveals a temple devoted to Sekhmet, warrior goddess of destruction. Hidden within it are chambers filled with bones. THEY NEVER STOOD A CHANCE. The scientists quickly realize that they’re not alone. Something is hunting them inside the buried tomb, a creature that has evolved to live in complete darkness, an extant species that will stop at nothing to make sure that no one ever learns of its existence, because in the end… NATURE ALWAYS FINDS A WAY.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2021
110 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Michael McBride
122 books480 followersMichael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller to horror to science fiction...and loves every minute of it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 27, 2022
At the beginning I was very interested in the mysterious Egyptian cult place found in the desert and the background story. But then the story somehow turned into a predator vs archaeologists tale with confusing locations. Eerie details, okay, some intriguing moments too but I'd expected more from the actual story. Started strong and turned a bit common. Not bad, bad nothing to extraordinary either.
April 30, 2021
As Much as I like Michael McBride's novels, his novellas are so much better and this one does not disappoint. It moves with a speed that never seems to lets up, even when he is getting into ancient Egyptian history and archeological techno babble (which i don't mind, as long as it's not written like a
dry history text).
So another great read by an author who is sadly not is well known in the horror and thriller genre as he should be.
dry history text).
So another great read by an author who is sadly not is well known in the horror and thriller genre as he should be.
April 30, 2021
When I was a kid, there was nothing I wanted more than to become an archeologist. Of course, that was back when I thought the profession was all Indiana Jones shit 24/7, a life of derring-do and high adventure with a smidge of dude's getting their hearts ripped out by crazy priests. As I got older, of course, I realized I'm really not cut out for that kind of crap, but damn if it's not entertaining to watch! Or, in this case, read about.
Michael McBride recaptures a lot of the Indy magic across a number of his titles and makes that inner-fedora-wearing and rope-carrying (because my lame-ass parents wouldn't let five-year-old me have an actual bullwhip) kid in me sit up and take notice. There's just something about these kinds of stories, from McBride but also from authors like James Rollins and to a degree Matthew Reilly, that grab me. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself even an armchair archeologist these days, but I'm certainly a fan of those authors who are, and McBride has a proven track record with me going back to his DarkFuse days.
In Extant, an ancient Egyptian tomb has been discovered buried deeply beneath the shifting sand. While the bones discovered inside are millennia old, something still lives within - something that should have stayed buried.
Extant is a super-brisk creature feature novella, with much of the first half devoted to the excavation of this archeological find as seen through the perspective of Rana Ratogue. We get some neat details on ancient Egyptian beliefs, their relationships with their gods and the animals they shared their corner of Earth with, and the disappearance of the army of Cambyses II in 524 BCE. It's compelling stuff, and provides just enough gristle for armchair history buffs to latch onto while we wait for the archeological team to make the worst discovery of their lives because this is, after all, a horror novella.
Roughly the second half of the book is focused on survival and death. Given the book's slim page count, though, there's not much in the way of characterization and the bulk of the dig team are little more than just names. We don't get to know any of them very deeply and they exist simply to be fodder for the things lurking in the sand. The creatures, however, are thoughtfully developed and have a nifty bit of speculative reasoning behind them, which is certainly appreciated. They make for a fun discovery (for the reader, anyway; not so much for the archeologists...), but I do with the story was longer so we could see a bit more of them and the havoc they generate.
Extant is a fun way to kill a few hours, and given the cheap price tag on the Kindle ebook it costs less than a new movie rental and will keep you entertained for longer. I say go for it.
Michael McBride recaptures a lot of the Indy magic across a number of his titles and makes that inner-fedora-wearing and rope-carrying (because my lame-ass parents wouldn't let five-year-old me have an actual bullwhip) kid in me sit up and take notice. There's just something about these kinds of stories, from McBride but also from authors like James Rollins and to a degree Matthew Reilly, that grab me. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself even an armchair archeologist these days, but I'm certainly a fan of those authors who are, and McBride has a proven track record with me going back to his DarkFuse days.
In Extant, an ancient Egyptian tomb has been discovered buried deeply beneath the shifting sand. While the bones discovered inside are millennia old, something still lives within - something that should have stayed buried.
Extant is a super-brisk creature feature novella, with much of the first half devoted to the excavation of this archeological find as seen through the perspective of Rana Ratogue. We get some neat details on ancient Egyptian beliefs, their relationships with their gods and the animals they shared their corner of Earth with, and the disappearance of the army of Cambyses II in 524 BCE. It's compelling stuff, and provides just enough gristle for armchair history buffs to latch onto while we wait for the archeological team to make the worst discovery of their lives because this is, after all, a horror novella.
Roughly the second half of the book is focused on survival and death. Given the book's slim page count, though, there's not much in the way of characterization and the bulk of the dig team are little more than just names. We don't get to know any of them very deeply and they exist simply to be fodder for the things lurking in the sand. The creatures, however, are thoughtfully developed and have a nifty bit of speculative reasoning behind them, which is certainly appreciated. They make for a fun discovery (for the reader, anyway; not so much for the archeologists...), but I do with the story was longer so we could see a bit more of them and the havoc they generate.
Extant is a fun way to kill a few hours, and given the cheap price tag on the Kindle ebook it costs less than a new movie rental and will keep you entertained for longer. I say go for it.
April 17, 2024
It was ok. I wasn`t much impressed, but it`s short, so no (big) complaints here.
December 1, 2021
Decent Read
I enjoyed this. Its not up there with my favorites but definitely a talented writer. It took a little too long to get to the action but once we got there it didnt disappoint. I would have liked a little more character development and a little less of the technical descriptions. I skipped alot of that.
I enjoyed this. Its not up there with my favorites but definitely a talented writer. It took a little too long to get to the action but once we got there it didnt disappoint. I would have liked a little more character development and a little less of the technical descriptions. I skipped alot of that.
September 12, 2022
Egyptian tombs and temples have been done to death.
Still they happen to be the biggest draw for any kind of storyline which deal with doom and death. The Sahara is a very difficult place for survival and its sheer expanse and the continuously shifting dunes make it a difficult place to map and keep track.
The story of the lost army is itself suspect with Herodotus, the only person who has written about it and not all that he has written stands the test of time.
But we digress, this story which falls short for a novel, starts with a novel idea. The fate of an army of 50,000 whose fates remain a mystery lost in the desert. The fate which one would attribute to nature, sand storms, shifting dunes, etc. is naturally changed on its head by McBride an author who writes horrific science fiction, mind the pun.
The story is taut and crisp with the punches coming low and fast but the book lets down on many points.
First the length makes it an hourly read at best but leaves a lot of character development carcasses on the wayside. The trip to discover the area using scans is not new and our primary mover the Professor's career interest in uncovering the fate of the army drives the story.
The other characters are best forgotten because they are like Hollywood extras in monster sets, to be trampled rather than eaten as the latter would require a close up shot.
Intertwining legends and myths is great to continue the story and ancient Egyptian Gods and demons really have descriptions and images that would inspire horror thrillers. Here we have the goddess Sekhmet and serpopards as the animals of terror.
The mythical animal here is an inspiration from sand lizards which are able to swim in sand, diving to stay hidden and can travel through sand.
The story wastes no time in getting to destruction mode but the worst part is that you feel outside the story and there is no sympathy for any character, no rooting for a character and with the enemy barely seen till all is lost you have no passion to see its destruction.
I have loved McBride's books and read them with passion, this one came across as a story that wanted more involvement from him. I don't know whether it was a pressure to deliver a book within a deadline that caused this because all his books are meticulous in their shaping and creation of the story aura.
3 stars for this effort. Recommend to treat this as a short story.
Still they happen to be the biggest draw for any kind of storyline which deal with doom and death. The Sahara is a very difficult place for survival and its sheer expanse and the continuously shifting dunes make it a difficult place to map and keep track.
The story of the lost army is itself suspect with Herodotus, the only person who has written about it and not all that he has written stands the test of time.
But we digress, this story which falls short for a novel, starts with a novel idea. The fate of an army of 50,000 whose fates remain a mystery lost in the desert. The fate which one would attribute to nature, sand storms, shifting dunes, etc. is naturally changed on its head by McBride an author who writes horrific science fiction, mind the pun.
The story is taut and crisp with the punches coming low and fast but the book lets down on many points.
First the length makes it an hourly read at best but leaves a lot of character development carcasses on the wayside. The trip to discover the area using scans is not new and our primary mover the Professor's career interest in uncovering the fate of the army drives the story.
The other characters are best forgotten because they are like Hollywood extras in monster sets, to be trampled rather than eaten as the latter would require a close up shot.
Intertwining legends and myths is great to continue the story and ancient Egyptian Gods and demons really have descriptions and images that would inspire horror thrillers. Here we have the goddess Sekhmet and serpopards as the animals of terror.
The mythical animal here is an inspiration from sand lizards which are able to swim in sand, diving to stay hidden and can travel through sand.
The story wastes no time in getting to destruction mode but the worst part is that you feel outside the story and there is no sympathy for any character, no rooting for a character and with the enemy barely seen till all is lost you have no passion to see its destruction.
I have loved McBride's books and read them with passion, this one came across as a story that wanted more involvement from him. I don't know whether it was a pressure to deliver a book within a deadline that caused this because all his books are meticulous in their shaping and creation of the story aura.
3 stars for this effort. Recommend to treat this as a short story.
November 1, 2022
I made a two-week trip to Egypt early this year and explored up and down the Nile, growing more and more fascinated with Egyptology and the rich history. And I'm usually pretty engaged with Michael McBride's work, which reads like less wordy Michael Crichton books. I also was looking for something quick and easy to read while I'm in the middle of a big job, so when I discovered this novella, it ticked all the boxes. But, like eating a bag of chips in the middle of the desert, it was a bit of a waste and left me wanting something more satisfying.
An expedition team in the Siwa Oasis searches for the final resting place of the army of Cambyses II that vanished thousands of years ago. When they discover mysterious underground ruins, they also discover that they're being stalked by deadly creatures that have survived millennia.
I was left pretty dry with this one. It felt like the most generic parts of every creature-feature I've read all thrown into 90 pages. It's nowhere near as entertaining or scary as books like the fantastic Sunblind or Snowblind. There's nothing actively bad about this book, it's simply just not that memorable and terribly bland. That's it. There's not much else to say.
An expedition team in the Siwa Oasis searches for the final resting place of the army of Cambyses II that vanished thousands of years ago. When they discover mysterious underground ruins, they also discover that they're being stalked by deadly creatures that have survived millennia.
I was left pretty dry with this one. It felt like the most generic parts of every creature-feature I've read all thrown into 90 pages. It's nowhere near as entertaining or scary as books like the fantastic Sunblind or Snowblind. There's nothing actively bad about this book, it's simply just not that memorable and terribly bland. That's it. There's not much else to say.
February 11, 2024
This was my first book by Michael McBride and I enjoyed the story very much. However I found it to be a fast and frantic listen. One that needs 110% of your attention as it is packed with tons of what to me was pertinent historical and technical information about the geography and people of the region. I kept having to stop and rewind because my attention would wane or stray as outside interferences would get in the way. At the end I feel that this story would be best read rather than listened to!!
But in that I give this story a rating of 4 because of the authors ingenious ideas of what should reside and be an ancient guardian of the tomb. In my wildest dreams I couldn’t have seen that coming. That literally blew me away! 🤯
But in that I give this story a rating of 4 because of the authors ingenious ideas of what should reside and be an ancient guardian of the tomb. In my wildest dreams I couldn’t have seen that coming. That literally blew me away! 🤯
February 27, 2022
Spellberg is proud
You think the story is long but it8s actually a short story below a hundred pages do with sound world-building and unique chacthers traits to give life to and find detail in expressing the details to give the read an image of what’s happing and let look like was to-notch.
Positive- the chacthers matter, accurate facts in historical things, and creative monster
Negative- No notice that the story is a short story when compared to the price when most books of a similar price are at least 200 pages, and no hint on what will happen to the temple location.
You think the story is long but it8s actually a short story below a hundred pages do with sound world-building and unique chacthers traits to give life to and find detail in expressing the details to give the read an image of what’s happing and let look like was to-notch.
Positive- the chacthers matter, accurate facts in historical things, and creative monster
Negative- No notice that the story is a short story when compared to the price when most books of a similar price are at least 200 pages, and no hint on what will happen to the temple location.
July 23, 2025
Read this story closely. Every word, every detail has meaning. Such phenomenal writing! McBride used the setting, the 5 senses, character emotions, and other literary tools to create a thrilling story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The reader knows only as much as the characters do, causing an immersion effect for the reader. The threat in the story remained a mystery to the end, causing more fear and anticipation from the characters and readers alike. Extant was very well written and 100% worth reading.
May 1, 2021
I can feel the sand while reading this Book
This book is pretty amazing. The storyline has so much potential that it can easily be 350-400 page novel. But I appreciate the author who tried to tell a story in less than 100 pages. Few readers might have a problem imagining the geographical surrounding in the storyline. I really wish this could have been a bigger novel. Otherwise a nice short read.
Cheers
This book is pretty amazing. The storyline has so much potential that it can easily be 350-400 page novel. But I appreciate the author who tried to tell a story in less than 100 pages. Few readers might have a problem imagining the geographical surrounding in the storyline. I really wish this could have been a bigger novel. Otherwise a nice short read.
Cheers
May 17, 2022
CHIRP AUDIOBOOK NOVELLA
Raptor-like creature’s living below ground in the Egyptian desert seeking to devour any living thing? It’s like a desert version of Jurassic Park.
Character development was not great, as the reader needs to connect with someone in the storyline… unfortunately, that often happens in a novella. Perhaps if the book was longer, then the characters would have had more depth?
(3 stars is a generous assessment)
Raptor-like creature’s living below ground in the Egyptian desert seeking to devour any living thing? It’s like a desert version of Jurassic Park.
Character development was not great, as the reader needs to connect with someone in the storyline… unfortunately, that often happens in a novella. Perhaps if the book was longer, then the characters would have had more depth?
(3 stars is a generous assessment)
August 24, 2022
Scientist locate ancient ruins hidden underground and excavation uncovers a temple deep down filled with bones. Something is down there and it is something that doesn’t want to be discovered. A short and fairly entertaining sci-fi horror thriller, but one in which the characters remain no more than names, which always weakens a story for me. Read in a couple of hours, enjoyed, yet will soon be forgotten.
March 9, 2023
Received as an audio copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Narrated amazingly by Joe Hempel as he turns Michael McBride's Extant into a haunting tale where the secrets buried an ancient tomb are about to leave the scientists unraveling the truth of a vanished army traumatized by their experience... discovering some secrets should remain silenced. Fast paced and witty and smartly intense. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2025
A decent, but short, creature horror novella
Extant is a short, but well composed creature feature taking place in the desert, at the excavation site of an ancient temple. The pace. Is fast, the action coming fast and furious. The characters are as well constructed as one can expect from a 100 page novella, especially Rana. 4/5 stars! Recommended for horror fans looking for a fun, fast read!
Extant is a short, but well composed creature feature taking place in the desert, at the excavation site of an ancient temple. The pace. Is fast, the action coming fast and furious. The characters are as well constructed as one can expect from a 100 page novella, especially Rana. 4/5 stars! Recommended for horror fans looking for a fun, fast read!
April 29, 2021
Thrilling and enduring, yet somewhat lacking
It would have been even better if the detailed adventure and plight of the ancient army of 50k had been narrated parallel to the main storyline. As in some other of your novels.
It would have been even better if the detailed adventure and plight of the ancient army of 50k had been narrated parallel to the main storyline. As in some other of your novels.
May 14, 2021
Edge of your seat thrilling!
Michael McBride has done it again. He has created a situation and a creature to exploit it. Like all of his creatures, this one is totally unbelievable yet possible. I recommend this book highly!
Michael McBride has done it again. He has created a situation and a creature to exploit it. Like all of his creatures, this one is totally unbelievable yet possible. I recommend this book highly!
June 24, 2023
When an archeology team find a long lost site, they soon realise they have found more than a tomb, something is very much alive and is hunting. Fast paced short story, as the team is soon picked off, the race for survival begins.
April 30, 2021
Over too soon!
Great story, as always👍 love Michael's stuff. A real page turner, not giving anything away! Bring on the next book Michael.
Great story, as always👍 love Michael's stuff. A real page turner, not giving anything away! Bring on the next book Michael.
June 2, 2021
A good read, but felt like a short story.
In all it was pretty good, but it seemed to short.
And unless you're familiar with Egyptian gods, be ready to search for descriptions.
In all it was pretty good, but it seemed to short.
And unless you're familiar with Egyptian gods, be ready to search for descriptions.
June 13, 2021
Good read
Edge of your seat book. I enjoy this author’s books. Will watch for more of his books. And recommend him.
Edge of your seat book. I enjoy this author’s books. Will watch for more of his books. And recommend him.
August 5, 2021
Interesting story
The storyline is very interesting and definitely reeked me in but it was so short that just as I was getting engrossed, it was over.
The storyline is very interesting and definitely reeked me in but it was so short that just as I was getting engrossed, it was over.
August 29, 2021
Good read!
For a short story, really quick fast acting intense tale. Really enjoyed the book! McBride has a good sense for the horror genre!
For a short story, really quick fast acting intense tale. Really enjoyed the book! McBride has a good sense for the horror genre!
November 11, 2021
Good
This was an excellent, short read. It was a good thriller. It does have some gore. It will not be what you expected.
This was an excellent, short read. It was a good thriller. It does have some gore. It will not be what you expected.
November 22, 2021
Hum?
Too much or not enough
Needed to be longer for sure
Could have a little more descriptive on the bad critters another rainy day read
Too much or not enough
Needed to be longer for sure
Could have a little more descriptive on the bad critters another rainy day read
January 6, 2022
This was an exciting and suspenseful book. I enjoyed reading it from the very beginning!
March 27, 2022
A good short creature feature, B movie type book.
May 29, 2022
Exciting !!!
Definitely action and adventure so descriptive that you were right there digging and discovering artifacts Of history that are found in reading books
Definitely action and adventure so descriptive that you were right there digging and discovering artifacts Of history that are found in reading books
January 4, 2023
One of the things that makes McBride so readable is the gradual build up of tension until the monsters start shredding flesh. This one's honestly just too short to let that tension cook until done.
September 30, 2023
wowwww
I need more please. What a movie this would make. I along with the other liters believe it should’ve been much longer.
I need more please. What a movie this would make. I along with the other liters believe it should’ve been much longer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews