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Immunity
Imagine Earth, a world ravaged by disease, the HVC virus. Imagine it empty and devoid of life, with one girl remaining: immune to, both, the virus and the absolute loneliness the world offers her. And then imagine that, from Scotland, another survivor has travelled to the coastal town of Polperro in England, to meet her. When the two begin to bond and a new hope for the future embraces both of them, tragedy strikes and threatens to destroy everything. Will they remain immune to the oncoming danger or ultimately fall beneath and lose everything?
- GenresFictionYoung Adult
124 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2020
5 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Killworth
9 books8 followersAlexandra Killworth is a UK bestselling independent author. After publishing her first book in 2018 at just 16 years old, she has gone on to publish more young adult novels varying from dystopia to romance, including her best-seller ‘A Shot in the Dark’. Alongside writing she’s also an avid reader and artist.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 5, 2020
This may be a novella but it definitely packs a punch!
We follow Charlie, a teenage girl and who happens to be the only person immune a virus sweeping the population. She finds herself alone and desperate and possibly the only person remaining. Until she meets a stranger out scavenger. Could this be the answer to her prayers or are things too good to be true?
I really felt for Charlie throughout, being the last person she has been through so much trauma including burying her own family. She lives with so much guilt so it was lovely to see regain hope and live a little.
The ending was really heartbreaking but it felt right. I really hope the author goes back to revisit Charlie with a follow up story.
I definitely recommend this as a fast paced dystopian!
We follow Charlie, a teenage girl and who happens to be the only person immune a virus sweeping the population. She finds herself alone and desperate and possibly the only person remaining. Until she meets a stranger out scavenger. Could this be the answer to her prayers or are things too good to be true?
I really felt for Charlie throughout, being the last person she has been through so much trauma including burying her own family. She lives with so much guilt so it was lovely to see regain hope and live a little.
The ending was really heartbreaking but it felt right. I really hope the author goes back to revisit Charlie with a follow up story.
I definitely recommend this as a fast paced dystopian!
May 7, 2020
Immunity was such an emotional story with characters that drew me in completely. I found this book a bit more difficult to read than I had originally thought it would be. The topic of a virus that wipes out humanity hits quite close to home in today’s COVID-19 environment. It was, however, a very well-written book that I truly enjoyed.
The story introduces the reader to Charlie, a teenage girl who has been living on her own for three years. All alone. Three years ago a virus wiped out every other human being on the planet. Even wildlife seems to have been depleted. Charlie, the sole survivor, seems to be immune to the disease. She is ravaged by the emotional damage of watching everyone around her die, however.
She’s set up a little home in a shed and has her daily routines that keep her busy. Then, one day, Laiton appears, and it seems that the world has two survivors now, not just one. Laiton has a secret though that could shatter Charlie’s world all over again.
This book was written in a way that just, honestly, blew me away. I really enjoyed the way the story was told. I immediately connected to Charlie. I appreciated her routines and choices on how she chooses to live in the aftermath of all the loss.
I liked that Immunity didn’t give me all the answers. It’s a novella, so at 100 pages, there are some details left up to the reader, and I kind of liked that. I’m not entirely sure how Laiton managed to find Charlie, it seemed like he knew she would be there, but I didn’t understand why. Other details, however, were perfect. I can vividly picture Charlie’s shed and her surrounding “neighborhood”.
Overall, I really enjoyed Immunity. I read this in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. I just needed to know where the story was going and what was going to happen.
Content Warnings:
Immunity is a post-apocalyptic book that describes, in detail, the MC’s memory of the deaths of people as well as the state of the bodies in the present. There are descriptive scenes with gory details as well as descriptions of children. Please note that this is a story of a virus that kills off almost the entire human race and may not be a subject for some readers during the current pandemic.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Immunity for readers that enjoy a post-apocalyptic story that focuses on relationships and emotions.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 5/13/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
The story introduces the reader to Charlie, a teenage girl who has been living on her own for three years. All alone. Three years ago a virus wiped out every other human being on the planet. Even wildlife seems to have been depleted. Charlie, the sole survivor, seems to be immune to the disease. She is ravaged by the emotional damage of watching everyone around her die, however.
She’s set up a little home in a shed and has her daily routines that keep her busy. Then, one day, Laiton appears, and it seems that the world has two survivors now, not just one. Laiton has a secret though that could shatter Charlie’s world all over again.
This book was written in a way that just, honestly, blew me away. I really enjoyed the way the story was told. I immediately connected to Charlie. I appreciated her routines and choices on how she chooses to live in the aftermath of all the loss.
I liked that Immunity didn’t give me all the answers. It’s a novella, so at 100 pages, there are some details left up to the reader, and I kind of liked that. I’m not entirely sure how Laiton managed to find Charlie, it seemed like he knew she would be there, but I didn’t understand why. Other details, however, were perfect. I can vividly picture Charlie’s shed and her surrounding “neighborhood”.
Overall, I really enjoyed Immunity. I read this in less than 24 hours because I couldn’t put it down. I just needed to know where the story was going and what was going to happen.
Content Warnings:
Immunity is a post-apocalyptic book that describes, in detail, the MC’s memory of the deaths of people as well as the state of the bodies in the present. There are descriptive scenes with gory details as well as descriptions of children. Please note that this is a story of a virus that kills off almost the entire human race and may not be a subject for some readers during the current pandemic.
To Read or Not To Read:
I would recommend Immunity for readers that enjoy a post-apocalyptic story that focuses on relationships and emotions.
I was provided an advanced reader's copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
My full review of this book will post to my blog on 5/13/20. All of my reviews can be found at https://shejustlovesbooks.com/all-boo...
January 9, 2021
Charlie is the sole survivor of a disease called HVC, the only human left. The only one immune to it. As a young girl, she has spent the last three years fending for herself, surviving, despite all that she has been through. Whilst out exploring, she bumps into another survivor and her world turns on its head.
This book is not your typical dystopian novel. Whilst there are certainly moments where you find out about what happened to those that had HVC through Charlies exploration of the town and through her memories, I believe this book focuses more on how Charlie is trying to be a "normal" person in an abnormal world. It is about how everyday she deals with her emotions as she tries to live a life that she never expects. And when she finds someone else, is it a story of a normal teenage friendship. Two people finding a connection and finding strength and happiness whilst surrounded by grief.
I cannot believe at 16 Alexandra wrote this novella and am excited to watch her writing develop and grow in the future.
This book is not your typical dystopian novel. Whilst there are certainly moments where you find out about what happened to those that had HVC through Charlies exploration of the town and through her memories, I believe this book focuses more on how Charlie is trying to be a "normal" person in an abnormal world. It is about how everyday she deals with her emotions as she tries to live a life that she never expects. And when she finds someone else, is it a story of a normal teenage friendship. Two people finding a connection and finding strength and happiness whilst surrounded by grief.
I cannot believe at 16 Alexandra wrote this novella and am excited to watch her writing develop and grow in the future.
November 24, 2020
It is very rare that a book will leave you with a feeling of satisfaction at a story told in full and leave you in tears. The ability to leave you both happy and sad, yet still hopeful is one that has been achieved by those who I consider to be the very best.
I can count the number of these authors on one hand.
Miss Killworth has just joined this number IMO.
I can count the number of these authors on one hand.
Miss Killworth has just joined this number IMO.
November 6, 2020
“I’ve become a queen of the dead.”
A haunting and beautiful read. Immunity envelops you in the quiet and lonely silence brought on by the HVC virus.
Charlie has been left by the world to fend for herself, she is immune to the virus that has ravaged and taken all around her. The animals, the people, any semblance of life are all gone and yet Alexandra plays upon making you feel tense.
Every noise, a slight disturbance in what Charlie has been accustomed to worry you and you can’t help but worry something sinister may come out of the darkness to join her. But the main terror of this book is quite simply, the silence.
Charlie has been alone for a very long time. She’s buried her family and their neighbours, seen descriptive horrors of the illness the virus brings on and yet she has to cope with all that alone. All by herself, mentally trying to keep surviving.
I definitely want to read more by Alexandra and can imagine that she’ll only improve with age and experience. Your words are beautifully written and the ending especially really gripped me and invoked strong (and sad!) emotions that made me want to read Immunity all over again!
I think I’ll go buy myself a box of Scrabble now.
Thank you to Alexandra for allowing me the opportunity to honestly and enjoyably review her words.
A haunting and beautiful read. Immunity envelops you in the quiet and lonely silence brought on by the HVC virus.
Charlie has been left by the world to fend for herself, she is immune to the virus that has ravaged and taken all around her. The animals, the people, any semblance of life are all gone and yet Alexandra plays upon making you feel tense.
Every noise, a slight disturbance in what Charlie has been accustomed to worry you and you can’t help but worry something sinister may come out of the darkness to join her. But the main terror of this book is quite simply, the silence.
Charlie has been alone for a very long time. She’s buried her family and their neighbours, seen descriptive horrors of the illness the virus brings on and yet she has to cope with all that alone. All by herself, mentally trying to keep surviving.
I definitely want to read more by Alexandra and can imagine that she’ll only improve with age and experience. Your words are beautifully written and the ending especially really gripped me and invoked strong (and sad!) emotions that made me want to read Immunity all over again!
I think I’ll go buy myself a box of Scrabble now.
Thank you to Alexandra for allowing me the opportunity to honestly and enjoyably review her words.
December 6, 2020
✨Immunity - Alexandra Killworth✨
This book is so eery and haunting in the best way possible. Following the life of a young girl as the sole survivor of an apocalypse, as she wades her way through an empty and soulless world. I find that the protagonist Charlie really reminds me of Kya from ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens, as they share a lot of qualities such as having to mature at a young age, being independent, and being sceptical about accepting help from others. A heart-wrenching, emotional, and gripping story that had me hooked from start.
⭐️4/5
This book is so eery and haunting in the best way possible. Following the life of a young girl as the sole survivor of an apocalypse, as she wades her way through an empty and soulless world. I find that the protagonist Charlie really reminds me of Kya from ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ by Delia Owens, as they share a lot of qualities such as having to mature at a young age, being independent, and being sceptical about accepting help from others. A heart-wrenching, emotional, and gripping story that had me hooked from start.
⭐️4/5
November 9, 2019
This book is a really fun read, I had a great time reading it and it's also an emotional one. It has a great story too it and for such a young author she's done an amazing job at it. I defiantly recommend this book to any young adolescent, keep up the good work and thanks for the amazing read
July 23, 2020
This book was beautifully written and I loved the character developments of Charlie and Laiton. I will definitely be reading your other books!
The book started with a one of Charlie’s books going missing and someone keeps opening the curtains of her shed, which I felt threw you straight into the story because as far as you know there’s no one left on Earth.
We are then introduced to Laiton who is absolutely adorable. I felt so much that I just needed to protect him like a little animal. I liked how even though Charlie liked being alone, she accepted Laiton with open arms.
Around chapter 9, we are being hinted at that Laiton might have the disease but it's never explicitly said until chapter 17 which I liked as it made you question how far Laiton could go on.
In chapter 11, we see an example of allowing non-toxic masculinity which I really appreciated and I think this made me like Laiton’s character even more.
I also appreciated the inclusion of mental health in this book. It showed how a person can appear to be okay on the outside but you’ll never know what’s going on inside their head.
When Laiton died from the virus towards the end, I almost cried because I became so attached to his character and I NEVER cry at books.
I throughly enjoyed this book but I’m giving it 4.5 because I just wish it was longer and I found a typo. If you want to try a little dystopian novella that is similar to our current situation, then this is the book for you.
The book started with a one of Charlie’s books going missing and someone keeps opening the curtains of her shed, which I felt threw you straight into the story because as far as you know there’s no one left on Earth.
We are then introduced to Laiton who is absolutely adorable. I felt so much that I just needed to protect him like a little animal. I liked how even though Charlie liked being alone, she accepted Laiton with open arms.
Around chapter 9, we are being hinted at that Laiton might have the disease but it's never explicitly said until chapter 17 which I liked as it made you question how far Laiton could go on.
In chapter 11, we see an example of allowing non-toxic masculinity which I really appreciated and I think this made me like Laiton’s character even more.
I also appreciated the inclusion of mental health in this book. It showed how a person can appear to be okay on the outside but you’ll never know what’s going on inside their head.
When Laiton died from the virus towards the end, I almost cried because I became so attached to his character and I NEVER cry at books.
I throughly enjoyed this book but I’m giving it 4.5 because I just wish it was longer and I found a typo. If you want to try a little dystopian novella that is similar to our current situation, then this is the book for you.
April 21, 2021
The story is centred on Charlie, a girl who is naturally immune to a deadly and traumatic virus, and her relationship with interloper Laiton. Charlie has grown use to living in complete isolation until Laiton stumbles into her life and opens up feelings that she previously buried.
I love how Killworth doesn't follow the classic trope, instead focusing on the companionship between the two characters rather than treating them as romantic interests. She uses simple human contact as a method to allow Charlie to open up again.
I also appreciate the cyclic nature of the novella and the inevitable but realistic ending. It was sudden and, although expected, I was still caught off guard.
It's a really great novella and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick but meaningful read.
I love how Killworth doesn't follow the classic trope, instead focusing on the companionship between the two characters rather than treating them as romantic interests. She uses simple human contact as a method to allow Charlie to open up again.
I also appreciate the cyclic nature of the novella and the inevitable but realistic ending. It was sudden and, although expected, I was still caught off guard.
It's a really great novella and I would recommend it for anyone looking for a quick but meaningful read.
May 25, 2021
Immunity explores the human condition and psyche that isolation can trigger. I do love a dystopian novel, each story explores a different potential furture. This quite freakishly is about a virus that has ravaged the population. Charlie being a lone surivior, I alway find it fascinating the way each individual reacts to these extreme situations and the authors portrayal. Charlie have been surviving for some time alone, until one day she meets and another soul in the form of Lation. We experience a full myraid emotions death, despair with a pinch of hope. This is bittersweet novella you will thoroughly enjoy.
September 11, 2021
A great novella. Alexandra Killworth is an amazing young writer and this book took different turns. Some you expect but she introduces them to you unexpectedly. Would definitely recommend to anyone who loves maze runner ect.
The book had me hooked from the beginning. A sad and dark story but also rather eye opening at times. Life is too short, go and be out there in this world because you never know what will happen next.
During the last few pages of the novella, I had to stop reading to take a minute to fathom what is happening. Tears were definitely shed.
The book had me hooked from the beginning. A sad and dark story but also rather eye opening at times. Life is too short, go and be out there in this world because you never know what will happen next.
During the last few pages of the novella, I had to stop reading to take a minute to fathom what is happening. Tears were definitely shed.
May 10, 2020
Despite being pretty short I actually quite enjoyed this. It focuses more on the psychological aspect of how a post apocalyptic world influences relationships and personality. The descriptions are superb too.
February 18, 2023
A small a mighty book, couldn’t put it down
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews