Canis Alpha

De: W.K. Greyling, Aldus Webb

Narrado por: Brandon J Peterson

In a future plagued with natural disasters, criminals known as “scavs” raid damaged cities. Their most important rule: don’t help the survivors.

Bear, a twenty-nine-year-old engineer, breaks that rule when he takes Salix, a Native American college student, back to his scav team’s flying ship for medical treatment. Captain Baxter allows her to board but will not let her leave.

Salix hopes to escape, but Baxter’s growing obsession with her makes that impossible. As the situation grows tense, a tsunami in Portugal prompts a scav raid. During that raid, Bear discovers blueprints for a device that could change the world. When it becomes clear that Salix’s life is in danger, Bear flees with her, along with the blueprints, but Baxter follows, and he is more dangerous than either of them realize.

©2025 W.K. Greyling and Aldus Webb (P)2025 W.K. Greyling and Aldus Webb

Great story! The Narrator did awesome!

I found the characters to be well developed and the story was packed with action. You'll have difficulties putting this book down. The narrator also did a great job. Otis I gotta say though didn't sound particularly Canadian lol, or even black maritime Canadian. He sounded kind of some sort of American I can't put my finger on. Not at all story breaking though, it fitted somehow lol

Quirky claustrophobic adventure

This was a great roller-coaster ride. There are genuinely likeable protagonists, and enigmatic villain, plausible near-future sci-fi tech, and good cinematic detail.

The setting is a world much like our own might be shortly, with natural disasters creating an environment where a cottage industry of post-disaster looters ("scavs") evolves. They are not quite pirates, but the idea has much in common with classic pirate tales, including dramatic action on ships, skirting the law and generally looking out for the next big score.

The back-stories of the two main protags are established well. They are two people who never looked to get involved in this kind of business, but here they are, and boy, do they have problems.

Once the introductory chapters have set the scene, the narrative turns to a terrifying, claustrophobic drama involving a genuinely unsettling villain, unravelling with a sense of the inescapable.

The two things that left me wanting more development:
- The character of the villain had far more potential. We get two or three hints of why this character is like this, but they could have become even more memorable, someone who was alien to the reader but carried a sense of "I could turn out like that, but for my good fortune".
- A "McGuffin" item is introduced that given its significance should DRIVE the narrative, but is almost superfluous to what would have been a great story without it.

Overall, the authors, similar to Greyling's other work (e.g. "Witterkin") stay mostly clear of well-established genre tropes and tell a genuinely original tale, both immersive and entertaining. The story is solid, and could have worked in a variety of genres, in the Caribbean of the Age of Piracy, or in a "Film Noir" underworld, or on a starship; but somehow the setting is specifically good for it.

I highly recommend this novel, and I hope there will be more in the same vein.

Canis Alpha

This was a very good story. I enjoyed it! Narration by Brandon J. Peterson was well done.

Forbidden Rescue, Deadly Pursuit

This was a really good story, and I genuinely enjoyed it from start to finish. Set in a future ravaged by natural disasters, the world felt both gritty and believable. The concept of “scavs” raiding broken cities and refusing to help survivors was both fascinating and dark—and it made Bear’s decision to save Salix all the more compelling.

Bear breaks one of the scavs' core rules when he brings Salix aboard their flying ship for medical help. What follows is a tense, layered plot full of danger and tough choices. Captain Baxter’s obsession with Salix adds a chilling undercurrent, and as the story builds—especially with the discovery of a potentially world-changing device—the stakes grow.

There were a lot of key characters throughout, and I wanted more of their backstories—it would’ve made the story even richer. The ending was satisfying for some, but felt unresolved for others. I especially wanted more time and deeper connection between Bear and Salix; their dynamic had so much potential.

The narration was excellent—clear, engaging, and easy to follow no matter how many characters were in play. Overall, this was a strong, well-written listen, and I’m absolutely looking forward to more from this author.

This is well worth a listen

I really enjoyed this book very different to her other books. If you have the chance listen to them,too. This is a great story it sucks you in once you start you just want to keep going. Make it your next book you want be disappointed.

Phenomenal!

About 15 minutes into this audiobook, I was completely hooked, biting my nails through every twist. The story of Salix, a college student trapped as a prisoner, and Bear, a scavenger engineer on a team stealing from disaster-ravaged cities, felt so real, like I was right there with them. Their complex reasons for a life of crime never seemed far-fetched, just human. The pacing is perfect—never dragging, always moving to new challenges at just the right moment. The narrator’s voice was spot-on, keeping me guessing with every surprise. Baxter, the villain, had me fuming; his obsessive pursuit of Salix and Bear was chillingly believable. I wanted him taken out soooo badly. The climax? Thrilling, rewarding, and so satisfying, especially seeing Salix and Bear’s growth and redemption. Even the characters who didn’t make it stayed with me. I kept checking the time left, dreading the end of this gripping story. Nothing felt too graphic—just well-written, drawing me into their fight for freedom. Bravo to a beautifully crafted story and narration that matches its brilliance!

I received a promotional credit for this book, but my review is entirely genuine. A glance at my other reviews will show I don’t always award five stars. When I say I truly enjoyed a book, it’s a sincere reflection of my experience.

This was a Good Story

This was written well with characters you learn through the story to love and some to really hate. I believe a good author needs to be able to do this to have a successful book.
Narrator does a good job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.

A Gripping Dystopian Fiction

Canis Alpha" by WK Greyling is a captivating and intense dystopian thriller that explores a world ravaged by natural disasters and ruled by ruthless scavengers. The story follows Bear, a complex and resourceful engineer, and Salix, a determined and resilient half Native American college student, as they navigate a treacherous world where survival is a daily struggle.

Greyling's vivid descriptions of a post-apocalyptic world will leave you on the edge of your seat. Bear and Salix are well-developed and relatable protagonists, with rich backstories and motivations. The book's pacing is expertly handled, with heart-pumping action scenes that will keep you guessing.

The novel explores themes of survival, loyalty, and redemption in a world where right and wrong are not always clear-cut. The relationship between Bear and Salix is nuanced and compelling, with a slow-burning tension that adds depth to the story. The book's plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

This book is perfect for fans of dystopian fiction, particularly those who enjoy stories with complex characters, moral ambiguity, and heart-pumping action. If you're looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read, "Canis Alpha" is an excellent choice

Interesting book

The story was pretty original. I’m not sure if I’ve read one similar anywhere else. The story is about scavengers who take advantage of natural disasters in the future. It’s very plausible the scenarios that are happening in this book. The narration was great.

The future in sci-fi

This book started out slow but by chapter 3 it actually picked up and became very interesting. As with all sci-fi books there was a lot of people to keep track of what and their roles were. Salix and Bear were the main characters. Salix being rescued from death by Bear only to end up with both of their lives in danger. Lots of action. One kiss. One month. One love. Two lives joined by poem and a magpie.