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The Leaven
Earth is marked for destruction after the assassination of a powerful alien ruler unleashes a vengeful force from beyond the stars.
Only Calla Shepherd—a teenage outcast with a hidden power—stands between humanity and extinction. But saving the world means defending the very people who rejected her, while the alien beings closing in offer a different future—one that may cost her everything.
With two worlds on the brink of ruin, Calla must choose where she belongs before both are lost.
Only Calla Shepherd—a teenage outcast with a hidden power—stands between humanity and extinction. But saving the world means defending the very people who rejected her, while the alien beings closing in offer a different future—one that may cost her everything.
With two worlds on the brink of ruin, Calla must choose where she belongs before both are lost.
286 pages, Paperback
Published October 9, 2022
About the author
Andrew Alonso
2 books4 followersAlonso is an entrepreneur, author, and sculptor who runs his own statue and collectibles company. Balancing writing with his artistic ventures, he is driven by an unrelenting passion for creation and craftsmanship. He lives with his wonderful wife, brilliant son, two insane cats, two aloof dogs, and a house overflowing with creepy crawlies. When he’s not working, which is rare, you’ll find him enjoying lemon pepper chicken wings while watching his favorite show, Tales from the Crypt, or re-watching Aliens for the six-hundredth time. A workaholic to the core, Andrew is determined to leave behind a legacy, hoping to be remembered for any one of his creative endeavors.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 15, 2024
Extremely minor spoilers, everything I talk about is mentioned in the first few chapters! I do have an ending remark with a spoiler at the bottom.
I am blown away with how packed this book is with such exciting and interesting ideas! This book took a unique turn on Alien invasion, except instead of the Aliens(the Kil'Durians) trying to dominate the Earth- what if the aliens brought world peace, cures for illnesses, and perfected cloning so you could bring back your loved ones? This book really makes you think "Who is the true enemy" and in the main character's case- what happens when you're stuck in the middle of these two species?
This book almost felt like Game of Thrones all over again, Andrew Alonso is brutal and shocking in the best possible way. Just when you think something will go one way, Alonso throws a curveball which usually has my jaw on the floor. The character development in this book is also a fantastic achievement. Throughout the book you do jump between a few characters, but Wow does he do a fantastic job interweaving these viewpoints together until they eventually collide into one incredible story. Each character has such a unique and well developed personality you can't help but love All of them in their own way even with their flaws. And lets not forget, between all the battles and craziness, I laughed my ass off. The dialogue is witty and and I don't think I've ever laughed out loud as many times as I did than with this book.
This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotion- you will laugh, you will be heartbroken, you will fall in love with these characters, you will empathize with aliens, and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. I could not put the book down. I think my favorite thing about this book is how much love you can feel between characters. You can truly feel the love Lance (one of the characters) has for his wife and vice versa, and I can only assume that comes from the love the author shares for his family. Finishing this book, I felt extremely satisfied and wanting more. Alonso really brought this Alien species to life and executed everything to such a high quality it'll be hard to beat. The Leaven left on a minor cliff hanger- which I am so excited to read his next book Noodle, which I hope is just as exciting as The Leaven! I also recommend listening to the audiobook as well, Rebecca Stern does an incredible job narrating this book and speaking in the alien's language!
**SPOILER**
While I probably should have the opposite response, I'm team Alien all the way!! I absolutely love Acean. And to be honest, if I were in Vulgrell's shoes and what happened to Unda happened to my husband, I'd destroy everything too.
I am blown away with how packed this book is with such exciting and interesting ideas! This book took a unique turn on Alien invasion, except instead of the Aliens(the Kil'Durians) trying to dominate the Earth- what if the aliens brought world peace, cures for illnesses, and perfected cloning so you could bring back your loved ones? This book really makes you think "Who is the true enemy" and in the main character's case- what happens when you're stuck in the middle of these two species?
This book almost felt like Game of Thrones all over again, Andrew Alonso is brutal and shocking in the best possible way. Just when you think something will go one way, Alonso throws a curveball which usually has my jaw on the floor. The character development in this book is also a fantastic achievement. Throughout the book you do jump between a few characters, but Wow does he do a fantastic job interweaving these viewpoints together until they eventually collide into one incredible story. Each character has such a unique and well developed personality you can't help but love All of them in their own way even with their flaws. And lets not forget, between all the battles and craziness, I laughed my ass off. The dialogue is witty and and I don't think I've ever laughed out loud as many times as I did than with this book.
This book will take you through a rollercoaster of emotion- you will laugh, you will be heartbroken, you will fall in love with these characters, you will empathize with aliens, and you will be on the edge of your seat the whole time. I could not put the book down. I think my favorite thing about this book is how much love you can feel between characters. You can truly feel the love Lance (one of the characters) has for his wife and vice versa, and I can only assume that comes from the love the author shares for his family. Finishing this book, I felt extremely satisfied and wanting more. Alonso really brought this Alien species to life and executed everything to such a high quality it'll be hard to beat. The Leaven left on a minor cliff hanger- which I am so excited to read his next book Noodle, which I hope is just as exciting as The Leaven! I also recommend listening to the audiobook as well, Rebecca Stern does an incredible job narrating this book and speaking in the alien's language!
**SPOILER**
While I probably should have the opposite response, I'm team Alien all the way!! I absolutely love Acean. And to be honest, if I were in Vulgrell's shoes and what happened to Unda happened to my husband, I'd destroy everything too.
December 31, 2023
#ad I received a gifted copy of this book. Many thanks to the author.
A riveting 5-star journey into a world torn by the aftermath of the Qhan of Kil'Dur's assassination. The narrative skillfully unfolds as Calla Shepherd, an 18-year-old with an unassuming yet pivotal power, becomes the focal point amidst a devastating alien onslaught.
The story weaves through chaos, bravery, and unexpected alliances as Calla strives to protect her loved ones. The harrowing moral dilemma she faces adds layers to the narrative, prompting a gripping exploration of identity and choices.
With bloodcurdling horrors and unexpected showdowns, the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance, making this a must-read for those seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.
A riveting 5-star journey into a world torn by the aftermath of the Qhan of Kil'Dur's assassination. The narrative skillfully unfolds as Calla Shepherd, an 18-year-old with an unassuming yet pivotal power, becomes the focal point amidst a devastating alien onslaught.
The story weaves through chaos, bravery, and unexpected alliances as Calla strives to protect her loved ones. The harrowing moral dilemma she faces adds layers to the narrative, prompting a gripping exploration of identity and choices.
With bloodcurdling horrors and unexpected showdowns, the fate of two worlds hangs in the balance, making this a must-read for those seeking a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.
December 8, 2022
This is not my typical genre. That being said, I loved The Leaven! I was hooked right from the beginning! I love how intertwined and connected Andrew had all of the story lines written. I found myself so connected with Calla and her unlikely group that I found myself audibly gasping, laughing and "omg"ing! I can't wait to read more from this talented author!
November 26, 2022
A must read!
Wow- what a great read! Held my interest from beginning to end and that's saying something. Vivid descriptions and colorful characters to keep you engaged from beginning to end. Can't wait for the next book!
Wow- what a great read! Held my interest from beginning to end and that's saying something. Vivid descriptions and colorful characters to keep you engaged from beginning to end. Can't wait for the next book!
November 26, 2022
I couldn't put this book down from start to finish. If you're looking for a book that keeps you on your toes, then look no further than The Leaven! I really hope there is a second installment soon!
August 15, 2026
I picked up The Leaven by Andrew Alonso at a book fair about an hour from me awhile back, where I actually got to meet the author. I told him I had been looking for more creature horror, and the horror aspect of the book immediately caught my attention.
Having finished it, I liked it. For the most part.
Alonso has some really interesting ideas here. The clone storyline in particular was probably my favorite part, especially what that eventually developed into.
At the same time, there is a lot going on for a book that's less than 300 pages. Aliens, clones, different storylines, different factions, Calla and everything surrounding her... sometimes it felt like the book needed a little more room to breathe. I understood the purpose of Calla's character and why she was important to the story, but I never really connected with her.
I went into this expecting creature horror, and I don't think I would really describe The Leaven as horror after reading it. There are creatures and certainly some horrific things happening, but it felt much more like speculative sci-fi than horror.
Still, I enjoyed it. There are some interesting concepts, and even where I thought some of those concepts could have used more development, I was interested enough to keep seeing where Alonso was going with them.
Having finished it, I liked it. For the most part.
Alonso has some really interesting ideas here. The clone storyline in particular was probably my favorite part, especially what that eventually developed into.
At the same time, there is a lot going on for a book that's less than 300 pages. Aliens, clones, different storylines, different factions, Calla and everything surrounding her... sometimes it felt like the book needed a little more room to breathe. I understood the purpose of Calla's character and why she was important to the story, but I never really connected with her.
I went into this expecting creature horror, and I don't think I would really describe The Leaven as horror after reading it. There are creatures and certainly some horrific things happening, but it felt much more like speculative sci-fi than horror.
Still, I enjoyed it. There are some interesting concepts, and even where I thought some of those concepts could have used more development, I was interested enough to keep seeing where Alonso was going with them.
December 5, 2022
You don’t need to be a sci-fi fan to appreciate how well this story is written. It’s a perfect combination of all the best and most intriguing genres from love, suspense, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, mystery and so much more. Andrews imagination is phenomenal and his characters are those you quickly become attached to. The next Chronicle can not come soon enough! Alonso is sure to become a quick bestselling author with this continued literary dynamic.
December 10, 2022
This hooks you from the beginning with imagination and curiosity, then keeps you guessing throughout its entirety. It's full of rich characters and is so detailed that readers will have zero problems relating and visualization. This is a book that you will no doubt re-visit multiple times from your shelf and I can't wait to read the next installment. Loved it. Highly recommend!!
July 15, 2026
The Leaven is an incredible sci-fi horror trip that follows Calla Shepherd, and her complicated relationship with both humans and aliens. After an assassination prompts a dangerous alien threat, only Calla has the power to save humanity, but she must decide if they're worth saving.
I loved this book! A compelling premise drew me in, and a character driven, well developed storyline kept me turning each page in anticipation of what will happen next. Its unpredictable and tense; there are actions you won't see coming and characters you will mourn for. The end of this story just makes you want more. On a side note, the author's use of onomatopoeia adds the perfect amount of emphasis to the scenes; I felt like I was really "in the action"!
I cannot wait to start Andrew Alonso's novel Noodle, so I can continue Calla's journey.
I loved this book! A compelling premise drew me in, and a character driven, well developed storyline kept me turning each page in anticipation of what will happen next. Its unpredictable and tense; there are actions you won't see coming and characters you will mourn for. The end of this story just makes you want more. On a side note, the author's use of onomatopoeia adds the perfect amount of emphasis to the scenes; I felt like I was really "in the action"!
I cannot wait to start Andrew Alonso's novel Noodle, so I can continue Calla's journey.
November 26, 2022
I had the pleasure of reading this book before it was formally published. It is phenomenal. Love, action and horror with a touch of dystopia. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys horror and science fiction because it encompasses both beautifully. This book will keep your attention and make you thirsty for more. You will not be disappointed. If I could give it 10 stars, i would. #horrorislife
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews