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Abby: Alone: A Short Story
Abby never expected life to be easy. The daughter of a father she's never met and a mother who works three jobs just to get by, she walks herself to her middle school in Chicago, fixes her own dinners, and keeps herself company. Despite all the disadvantages stacked against her, however, Abby manages to keep a smile on and even dedicates her time to helping others who have even less than her. But one July day, something happens in the city that causes a mass panic while she's out grocery shopping, and Abby's life is forever changed. She thought she knew how it felt to be alone...but she's about to learn the true, dark meaning of the word.The short story prequel to Peter Martuneac's full-length novel "His Name Was Zach".
40 pages, Paperback
Published June 20, 2019
About the author
Peter Martuneac
13 books54 followersHusband, father of two, Boilermaker alum, and former United States Marine. Ever since reading The Lord of the Rings at a young age, Peter has wanted to be an author, and writing stories continues to bring him no small amount of joy.
Peter's writings tend to share a theme that focuses on PTSD and the different ways people cope with trauma, some healthy and others not. He also writes about redemption, and not being chained to your former self.
P.S. Martuneac is a Romanian name, and is pronounced "Mar-TOO-knee-ack", for all those wondering.
Peter's writings tend to share a theme that focuses on PTSD and the different ways people cope with trauma, some healthy and others not. He also writes about redemption, and not being chained to your former self.
P.S. Martuneac is a Romanian name, and is pronounced "Mar-TOO-knee-ack", for all those wondering.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 29, 2019
Upon a reread
4.25 stars
The audiobook really enhances the text, bringing emotion and inflection to words that I originally didn't connect to.
Original
3.75 stars
Her Chicagoan middle school and her mother keeps Abby on her toes.
But then...the unthinkable happens. And Abby finds herself in a situation she never would have thought to prepare for - lost, and alone.
In need of someone - anyone - to survive.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty good short story.
In the main book (His Name was Zach), Abby (aged 14, so 2 years after the short story) and Zach are partners in crime.
He teaches her how to fight and she teaches him how to dance. He's the dad she never had and she's the daughter he never knew he wanted.
But, they weren't always together and this short story helps plug in those gaps.
My main issue with Abby in the main book is her naive nature, but in this book it was less aparent and what was present made sense (due to her age and sheltered life).
I liked her relationship with her mom, though it did seem a bit back-and-forth at first - with Abby saying she feels disconnected but then listing why her mom is a good mom, ending with:
All in all, this one was pretty good but it was so short! I wish there was a longer ending!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
4.25 stars
The audiobook really enhances the text, bringing emotion and inflection to words that I originally didn't connect to.
Original
3.75 stars
Before Abby was on the run from zombies, she lived a pretty normal life with her mom.
"That kind of life can't ever get boring, I would think."
Dance lessons, forced bonding, and plenty of schoolwork.
"Like I said, she's not a bad mom. Far from it. She works her butt off to provide for me."
Her Chicagoan middle school and her mother keeps Abby on her toes.
But then...the unthinkable happens. And Abby finds herself in a situation she never would have thought to prepare for - lost, and alone.
In need of someone - anyone - to survive.
Overall, I thought this was a pretty good short story.
In the main book (His Name was Zach), Abby (aged 14, so 2 years after the short story) and Zach are partners in crime.
He teaches her how to fight and she teaches him how to dance. He's the dad she never had and she's the daughter he never knew he wanted.
But, they weren't always together and this short story helps plug in those gaps.
My main issue with Abby in the main book is her naive nature, but in this book it was less aparent and what was present made sense (due to her age and sheltered life).
I liked her relationship with her mom, though it did seem a bit back-and-forth at first - with Abby saying she feels disconnected but then listing why her mom is a good mom, ending with:
So maybe that was just a case of the preteen-whines?
"She's like a superhero to me."
All in all, this one was pretty good but it was so short! I wish there was a longer ending!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
June 24, 2020
The author does a great job painting teenage Abby as a likeable, sympathetic character. I actually liked the beginning chapters, the slice of life, rather than the frenetic ending. Given I knew it was a short story, I was ready to welcome a background story rather than one that had a plot and resolution. A nice change from my usual reading.
However, I think the ending needs some firming up. The story is so short; some key information could easily be added.
Without giving away spoilers, I think a crucial gap exists when Abby's about to part ways with a loved one dear to her heart. I had no idea what happened after Abby sees this loved one for the last time, then next we see her hiding. I find it hard to believe Abby wouldn't do more to stay with that loved one. Also, the way Zach meets Abby seems too brief, given they're virtually strangers, I think the author needs more of a compelling reason why they pick each other.
With more gut instinct packed in the end, and more typing up of loose threads, this could be a five-star short read. A nice, taut pursuit in a reading group.
However, I think the ending needs some firming up. The story is so short; some key information could easily be added.
Without giving away spoilers, I think a crucial gap exists when Abby's about to part ways with a loved one dear to her heart. I had no idea what happened after Abby sees this loved one for the last time, then next we see her hiding. I find it hard to believe Abby wouldn't do more to stay with that loved one. Also, the way Zach meets Abby seems too brief, given they're virtually strangers, I think the author needs more of a compelling reason why they pick each other.
With more gut instinct packed in the end, and more typing up of loose threads, this could be a five-star short read. A nice, taut pursuit in a reading group.
May 31, 2020
'Our tears are our own; private and separate.'
After reading Her Name Was Abby (His Name Was Zach, #2) I wanted to come back and see what I missed at the start. I loved Abby so much and so I came in with some bias. It was really neat to see a normal life and then just over halfway into the story things start to fall apart...
The intensity at the end winds up so tight. Even though I've read later parts and knew how things were going to go, it didn't stop it from being totally gripping. I was actually holding my breath for the last ten minutes or so.
Highly recommenced. I'm off to read part one so I can get to know Zach properly.
After reading Her Name Was Abby (His Name Was Zach, #2) I wanted to come back and see what I missed at the start. I loved Abby so much and so I came in with some bias. It was really neat to see a normal life and then just over halfway into the story things start to fall apart...
The intensity at the end winds up so tight. Even though I've read later parts and knew how things were going to go, it didn't stop it from being totally gripping. I was actually holding my breath for the last ten minutes or so.
Highly recommenced. I'm off to read part one so I can get to know Zach properly.
June 24, 2020
The first thing I noticed about this book was how clean and evocative the prose was. I was captivated straight away. You first learn about the young girl Abby, of how she has a difficult life, but a very positive outlook. She spends her days helping others, even though she may need help the most. And then her week takes a dire turn, one which is sure to set her off on a huge adventure.
This book will hit you in the gut with emotion, be warned.
This book will hit you in the gut with emotion, be warned.
June 23, 2020
The beginning.
Peter Martuneac gives use the beginning of his Zach series with this short story. It shows all the gripping drama of his books. He is a true story teller who can hold an audience from page one.
Peter Martuneac gives use the beginning of his Zach series with this short story. It shows all the gripping drama of his books. He is a true story teller who can hold an audience from page one.
August 28, 2026
The beginning of the book was so incredibly cute, I loved seeing the community that Abby lived in and how everyone had a helping hand from the young girl!
December 17, 2019
This story is scarier than I thought.
If you have anxiety, or any kind of deep and dark emotions, like depression or PTSD, be careful reading chapters 7 through the end.
There is a stark contrast between the beginning, and the end, or lack of end, of the short story.
Those prone to panic attacks, anxiety attacks, epilepsy attacks, asthma or breathing issues, or cardiac attack history should be careful reading chapters 7 through the end.
If you have anxiety, or any kind of deep and dark emotions, like depression or PTSD, be careful reading chapters 7 through the end.
There is a stark contrast between the beginning, and the end, or lack of end, of the short story.
Those prone to panic attacks, anxiety attacks, epilepsy attacks, asthma or breathing issues, or cardiac attack history should be careful reading chapters 7 through the end.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews