The City Below the Cloud by T S Galindo

Few things endure like fear and fungus. In a city forever shrouded in darkness, Kalan braves the heights of the lichen covered buildings to scrub the invading fungi from the walls. What will be discovered when the secrets of The City Below the Cloud come for them? A dystopian cyberpunk novella that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. Approx. 26,000 words.

THE INSTITUTE Stolen Case Files by T S Galindo

A collection of 8 Science Fiction stories from the future What do robot apocalypses, existence-ending devices, fractured time, and a sentient single-celled species have in common? The Institute Investigative journalist, [REDACTED], spent a year stealing secret documents from The Institute's scientific think-tank in [REDACTED]. These files will leave you awed and terrified.

Grave Cold by Shannon Knight

Nyle doesn’t want to be there. But something is very wrong in the District of Portland, and the cold call of death forces his arrival. If he can’t lay the dead fast enough, his long life, begun in Anglo-Saxon England, will end. Portland’s electronic walls do more than keep the mutants out. The government is using them to block Nyle and his kind, the ravens, who roam the world, freeing the dead from their bodies where they remain trapped till a raven’s arrival. Cait, a Portlander working as a beautician, has her own troubles, dodging the GM (genetic modification) police and struggling with rent. But the dead are invading her dreams. Nyle tells Cait that she’s not genetically modified. She’s a necromancer. In the District of Portland, the dead are being trapped indefinitely and used as energy sources. Nyle and Cait must stop the technology from spreading before the abuse of the dead becomes a worldwide menace and they themselves end up on a laboratory table or trapped in a machine. Grave Cold is a biopunk novel about the value of life and the power of taking a stand in a grim near-future world of exploitation and authoritarianism.

The Name of the Shadow by Mars G. Everson

Fear is a double-edged weapon. When a Shadow spreads over the utopian Colony, the only human enclave in a lonely planet, the young will be the first to understand the danger that hovers above them. What they find about themselves in that struggle will lead them to greatness... or to the destruction of their idyllic way of living. Who will rise a hero, and who will become a monster? In the tradition of Ursula K. Le Guin and Isaac Asimov, this is the story of a people that do not know fear... and what happens when they discover it. Of what is left when paranoia becomes all-encompassing, and men find the evil within each of them.

The Thirteenth Key by Cara Nox

The chaotic crew of heisting misfits in Leigh Bardugo's SIX OF CROWS meets the familiar yet fantastical, modern landscape found in Robert Jackson Bennett's CITY OF STAIRS. “The thirteen emblems given to the original rulers weren’t just symbols. They’re keys to the Vault—one that no one’s ever opened.” Noa has lived her life as an unsuspecting, ID-burning, face in the crowd that disposes of “problems” for her miscellaneous, secretive employers. So, when Noa’s surrogate father—a Seer—hands her a long-lost emblem, telling her with his dying breath that it's her responsibility to reignite magic, she laughs at the idea that the fate of their world rests on the shoulders of a killer. Instead, she uses his words and the key he gave her as an excuse to go on one final suicide mission to seek out the power supposedly waiting for her to annihilate his murderer. Prince Glacier Caelius has lived his life trapped inside a gilded cage, pushed down by the ever-present threat of death as the bastard son of Amarais’s late king. But when the rebels attack during a nationalist party, Glacier’s rescued by none other than Noa and her merry band of thieves, who are scrambling to salvage a failed attempt at stealing his country’s emblem: the Soul of Amarais. When the dust settles, he’s the only person left alive to unlock the palace vault and give the Soul to Noa in exchange for saving his life. Well, once they’re able to formulate a plan to take the palace back. Struggling with their tentative, newfound freedom, Noa and Glacier must learn to work together to survive the urban landscape of Avaria’s greatest cities fortified by technology in the wake of dwindling magic. The goal: steal as many keys as they can before their pasts catch up. But the further they go, the more they realize that something worse may be lurking on the horizon, and they may very well be the only ones able to stop it.

Her Unbound Hallux by Haldane B Doyle

If only Mother would hurry up and die in the war. Then Miobeth can claim the mansion, take a husband and restore the family bloodline. But Mother insists on staying one more year for a final chance to produce an alternative heir. It should be easy for Miobeth to wait a little longer. To contain her impudent rage. Before she can claim her birthright a mesmerising manservant, a forbidden map and an adventure beyond the mansion walls change Miobeth forever. Can Miobeth fulfil her duty after glimpsing the outside world? “Our Vitreous Womb” is a series of four science-fiction novellas that explore a distant post-industrial future where biological technology has transformed humanity. “Makes my world look timid and old.” – Adolf Huxley “Sci-fi without robots and rocket ships? Impossible!” – Yusak Asimov “I too longed to snuggle with the giant beetle.” – Frank Kafka

Betrayal of Hope by Justin Doyle

Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa have solved the mysteries of the gods. But how can they unveil the secrets to save the starving Olan-Har without unleashing chaos upon Vastire? Even if they knew what to do, war with long-time adversary Erodia forces them to wait. Unfortunately, the Erodians are winning: they’ve taken Vastire’s capital and bombard the west coast nightly. With few options left, Commander Aseus turns to Darynn to attempt a daring mission to infiltrate Erodia, just like his grandfather did 80 years ago. With Fyra, Kaylaa, and a small team at his side, Darynn agrees to the treacherous mission across the dangerous, wild continent filled with powerful enemies. But he’s conflicted. Not only does magical power rampage within, but he starts to wonder who he’s fighting for: royalty and the clergy, or the people? That question will drive him to make impossible choices. If he chooses correctly, he can end the war and save the Olan-Har, but at a great cost. If he doesn’t, the Erodians will rule Vastire and the secrets of the gods will be lost.

Assassination of Hope by Justin Doyle

The destruction of the embargo has made Darynn Mark a lot of enemies: an interstellar bounty hunter, the Grand Cardinal, families of the fallen. On top of that, Darynn struggles with his new responsibility to discover the truth behind Vastire's gods, while battling his growing internal desire to destroy. Darynn and Fyra must travel to the frozen planet Yiptae to find the final pieces of the gods' puzzle. But Yiptae has problems of its own, from a violent revolution to the assassination of a key political figure for immigrant rights. In the middle of it all is Kaylaa, whose mysterious past leads to new opportunities, conflicts, and enemies. Darynn, Fyra, and Kaylaa must work with new allies to solve the secret to the past while navigating the revolution and solving the murder. If they don't, they will end up dead, and the truths of two worlds will be buried forever. Secrets ignite revolutions...

Stargun Messenger by Darby Harn

Astra Idari must keep the last living star alive in a galaxy lost to shadows. Astra Idari is a mess. She drinks too much, remembers too little, and barely pays for it all as a Stargun Messenger. She hunts down thieves who steal filamentium, the fuel that allows for faster-than-light travel. When Idari meets Gen Emera, she meets the girl of her dreams and the last living star. There's just one problem. Filamentium is only found in the blood of living stars. Everyone wields knives and justifications for butchering the living stars, but once Idari knows the truth, she faces a stark choice. Either she turns Emera over to her employers who control the filamentium monopoly, or risks everything to help Emera fulfill her quest to save her people. The choice should be simple, but it's not losing her life that terrifies Idari. It's finally living. Idari knows she's human despite outwardly appearing to be an android with a failing memory stitched together by her ship's irascible AI, CR-UX. She's been just getting by for longer than she remembers, assured in her humanity, but not enough to risk it. Idari has lived her entire life in darkness. The dark comforts and shields. The dark preserves in its cold, and Idari may not be able to keep her star out of her shadow.

The Dent in the Universe by E.W. Doc Parris

It turns out "Move fast and break things" is terrible advice when developing a time machine. To resuscitate his fading celebrity, tech CEO Stephen Lucas would sell his soul for one more hit. When the subspace network for his holographic gaming empire crashes, his hardware guru makes a discovery proving that Einstein was right once again— information can be sent backward in time. Lucas sees a dream product for procrastinators. Want a pizza now? Send your order back in time 30 minutes. Forgot to make reservations at that chichi french restaurant two weeks ago? No worries. Buy that PowerBall ticket. Invest in that stock. Make a FaceTime call to a loved one that passed away a month ago. It’s the time machine for the rest of us. In a culture built on instant gratification, Lucas knows he has a hit that will seem like a dream come true on Wall Street. But when he rushes into beta testing before fully understanding the power he's unleashing, he learns that the stuff dreams are made of can quickly become the stuff of nightmares. The road to Hell is paved with cool inventions.

Aboard the Timeline by Bastian Gregory

Aboard the Timeline It's the story of a bored boy, Pete who doesn't find anything interesting at school. One day he becomes so bored, and time stands still and he escapes to Outermind. Here he befriends various living beings in different worlds, and along the way becomes aware of a constant conflict going on in these different lands. Ultimately, Pete is asked to make a difference, and the question is whether he is up to the task? Anyone who has a passion for words and wordplay will enjoy reading “Aboard the Timeline” In this wonderful children’s book , Bastian takes us on an adventure with his main character Pete, a young boy who at first seems to be lost (in many more ways than one!) but who ultimately finds his way together with the help of his companions, the lovely dinosaur Reginald and the ancient Greek thinker, Philosophocles. Bastian manages to keep the reader engaged page after page, with clever puns and witty plays on words, which makes his story even more entertaining. Here is a quote from a teacher on Amazon: “My 10 year old son and I read this together and we both really enjoyed it. Redolent of Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and the Sea of Stories/Luka and the Fire of Life plus Walter Moers’ Captain Bluebear series, it’s a consistently chuckleworthy, highly imaginative, multi-layered yarn that carried us wackily along its narrative tracks from start to finish. There’s a great cast of characters - from a doddery old dinosaur to an ebullient Ancient Greek philosopher (“Philosophocles”) to some suitably dastardly demons - and the illustrations, which perfectly complement the text, are great fun too. Highly recommended!”

Echo: Part Two by Michael Listen

Death is not the end. Kai Randal’s future looks bleak due to the galaxy-wide bounty on his head and the catastrophic events at Zorb Keep. Meanwhile, Shreya holds onto hope amidst her despair, as she now possesses the means to find her missing husband. As the crew embarks on a journey through an uncharted region of the universe, Kai will come to comprehend the depths of despair like never before. Kai will face a deeply disturbing situation that will push him to his limits and make him doubt his own mental stability. The Echo series reaches a captivating conclusion that explores the profound impact of loss on individuals. The story takes a heart-wrenching turn, shifting the tone and keeping emotions high. Despite this, the novel remains engaging and ultimately provides a gratifying resolution.

Echo: Part One by Michael Listen

What lengths would you go to save a stranger? Kai Randal is a retired commander of the Colonial Navy who currently operates as an independent pilot in a galaxy torn apart by conflict. Although his profession is fraught with peril, he seems to possess a unique form of good fortune that allows him to survive while also making the situation worse. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time is typical for Kai. Although, when he becomes the sole witness to an alien attack on a Dynasty ship, he is put in an awkward position to help the victims. This one act of kindness will send him spiraling deeper into the affairs of Shreya Nova, the enemy, and her troubles have just started. The Echo series is a thrilling Space opera consisting of two books. It features endearing characters with complex problems that will keep you on the edge of your seat, engrossed in the intense drama and despising the antagonist.

The Negotiated Death of Sara Glen by Brady Koch

The results of an at-home DNA testing kit reveal the key to eradicating an emerging threat. Getting that key may cost Sara her life.

Severed Roots: A dystopian novel by Nego Huzcotoq

WHO ARE YOU IF YOU HAVE NO ROOTS, NO REAL CONNECTIONS? In an alternative contemporary reality, Nick Wong is a product of the Children's Centres –government-run residential schools designed to prevent all forms of patriarchy and help usher in an unprecedented age of world peace. While girls are groomed for leadership, boys are taught subservience. As is the case with most male graduates, Nick's emotions are stunted and he feels little connection to others. Nevertheless, his innate curiosity and his desire to do the right thing spur him on a perilous quest for Truth –about marriage, family and the need to connect with who we are. NOTE: Replete with action and mystery, the novel is profoundly thought-provoking as it confronts current controversies regarding marriage, patriarchy, gender, and the relevance of the nuclear family.

Blood Reunion by JCM Berne

People are dying, their corpses left savaged and drained of blood. The obvious culprit: vampires. But vampires shouldn’t be able to sneak around Wistful undetected or shadowstep freely inside her body. Soon the station herself becomes oddly uncooperative, leaving Rohan and Wei Li bewildered and all her inhabitants in danger. Finding and defeating the killer will require a deep dive into the ancient history of Wistful and of the il’Drach people. Into the connections between the Ursans, the wormholes, and the races that preceded them. Into the dark past of a tormented space station that yearns only for death. Rohan will be forced to fight, and maybe even to kill. He’ll have to face those who bear grudges from his past, the Empire he once served, and his own reluctance to again become the warrior he sometimes needs to be.

Reverence: A Faith-Based Dystopian Novel (The Reverence Trilogy, Book 1) by Raena Rood

REVERE THE VOLUNTEER Twelve years ago, a global pandemic known as the Job virus decimated the world’s population. One city withstood the virus by going into lockdown during the early days of the pandemic and erecting a massive barricade wall to insulate themselves from the sick and the dying. Now called Vita Nova—meaning New Life—the city is overcrowded and its resources are quickly dwindling. The area outside the wall, known as the Unregulated Zone, is a vast wasteland filled with crumbling buildings, overgrown highways, and the Lawless: brutal bands of marauders intent on breeching the barricade and claiming the city’s resources for themselves. To combat the problem of overcrowding, the leadership of Vita Nova has implemented two programs: The Compulsory Program, which requires that anyone over the age of sixty—or anyone who requires medical treatment for a chronic illness—undergo a humane euthanization procedure. There is also the Volunteer Program, which offers residents the chance to be revered at a public ceremony and receive a Final Week of luxury, gifts, and praise...in exchange for giving up their lives for the good of all. After losing her mother as a Compulsory, Kira Liebert became a volunteer advocate for Vita Nova. She works closely with the Volunteers, arranging their stay at Rolling Meadows, a lavish, country-club estate where Volunteers spend their last few days. She also fulfills any special requests they might have for their Final Week. But when young, handsome Will Foster enters her office, wishing to end his life as a Volunteer, he has just one request for his Final Week. He wants to spend it with Kira. Unable to refuse the Volunteer’s last request, Kira gets swept into Will’s world, leaving everything she knows behind and going somewhere she never thought she’d go: beyond the barricade. With the end of Will’s Final Week rapidly approaching, Kira realizes that Vita Nova is not the utopian sanctuary she once thought it was. And some people—the truly brave ones—will sacrifice everything to prove it. REVERENCE is the first book in Raena Rood’s thrilling new faith-based dystopian series.

Icebreaker by Steven William Hannah 

Inside their walls, the people are safe from exposure to the unnamed horror that broke the world long ago; but now Bear, the last scientist in Forgehead, takes a case that threatens to throw that safety into question. Someone has been terminally exposed to the phenomenon, despite never having ventured outside the walls. This has only happened once before - to Bear's father. With the safety of Forgehead in question, and an opportunity to finally discover what happened to his father, Bear must leave the safety of the walls to unravel the mysteries left behind by the pre-cataclysm world; a task that will require him to join the Interloper Initiative, the team who crew the gigantic Crawler landships, the only vehicles that can roam the world outside the walls in relative safety. "Icebreaker" is the first entry in the Interloper Trilogy, a tale of horror and science charting the last days of a dying world, and humanity's endeavour to survive.

Our Lady of the Artilects by Andrew Gillsmith

World leaders are on edge when reports start coming in of next generation androids having strange, apocalyptic visions of a lady in white. But when an Artilect belonging to the wealthiest man in Africa shows up at Our Lady of Nigeria basilica claiming to be possessed, the stakes are raised. The Vatican sends Father Gabriel Serafian, an exorcist who left behind a brilliant career as a neuroscientist, to Benin City to investigate...and to figure out who is behind what must surely be a hack. The timing couldn't be worse. Rome is on the verge of reconciliation with the Chinese Economic Interest Zone after a 50 year cold war, and the Chinese are particularly sensitive about the so-called Apparition. Serafian quickly finds himself caught up in a conspiracy of global--and possibly supernatural--dimensions. To discover the truth and save not only humanity but the artilects themselves, Serafian enlists the aid of a tough-as-nails Imperial Praetor named Namono Mbambu. Serafian and Mbambu are helped by a guilt-wracked Filipino Emperor, a taciturn Caliph, and a Uyghur Sufi named Ilham Tiliwadi as they race against time to stop a centuries-old plot that could end humanity as we know it. Our Lady of the Artilects is a mind-bending supernatural science fiction novel where "The Exorcist" meets "Westworld,” with a light dusting of Snow Crash!

Aestus: Book 2: The Colony by S. Z. Attwell

An underground city. A deadly project. And an Intelligence agent who can help Jossey take down the City...if she can trust him again.Jossey grew up believing the Onlar, creatures of the aboveground, were monsters. But when they kidnapped her, she found out terrible secrets about her city and her family. Her choice to help the Onlar against the City almost cost her her life. And the Intelligence agent she'd thought was her friend was the one tasked with carrying out her execution.But he didn't quite succeed.Now Jossey, barely alive, has been sent to the Onlar by a mysterious figure from the City. And time is of the essence - her solar network project could mean disaster not only for the Onlar, but for thousands of citizens as well. She can’t do much from the Onlar camp, but Gavin, Jossey’s Patrol leader and longtime friend, isn’t convinced she’s dead. And Patrol has started to learn the truth.As tentative alliances form, Jossey begins to think this might be easier than she’d thought. But a terrible miscalculation has been made, one that may cost her and her friends both the City and their lives. Can she see it before it’s too late?Aestus is an adult dystopian science-fiction series set centuries after climate change has ravaged much of Earth. An epic story of vengeance, power, shifting loyalties, and survival that looks at just how far people will go to protect what they love, brought to you by science writer S.Z. Attwell, Aestus paints a picture of a world in which far too little has changed.

EndBringer by Andrew Phoenix

Lief Tahi is a vengeful sixteen year old out for the blood of her mothers murderers. With the supernatural power of a tank behind her fists, not much stands in her way. With her witch brother Reve and Eternal artifice wielding brother Kei, Lief fights in the dark alleyways of mankind where shadows and wicked things play. Gods fall, cults rise, and things slither in the dark that hunger for the destruction of the Earth. Lief must make the decision to let her lust for vengeance go or take up arms against the coming blood tide.

Decline (The D-Evolution Book 2) by Sean Allen

Technology has changed the bloody landscape of battle, but all he knows is the blade. Can he claim his warrior’s birthright and still survive? Tyrobus Daelekon would cross the galaxy to be a legendary warrior like his father. So when the grizzled general commits he and his twin brother to a deadly tournament with alien enemies, he’s thrilled to finally seize his destiny. But he fears his sibling’s willingness to break their ancient blood oath could shame their entire family and doom them to ritual execution. Readying his blade for battle, Tyrobus is shocked when an outlaw accuses his brother of theft and murder…and vanishes into thin air. And even if they manage to escape punishment, he has no idea how his sword skills alone can match foreign soldiers with advanced weapons and killer magic. Can Tyrobus prove the power of the old ways before his bloodline dies in disgrace? Decline is the edgy second book in The D-Evolution space opera fantasy series. If you like powerful legacies, richly detailed worlds, and genre-bending action, then you’ll love Sean Allen’s potent tale. Buy Decline to unsheathe the future today!

Hidden Shifters by David Dann

Invading aliens on Planet A7 have divided native hybrid creatures into two categories: harmless and dangerous. Shapeshifters, capable of assuming any form, are considered the largest threat. Hidden in sheep form, shapeshifter Adrian Walker works as a janitor at the hybrid prison. When he is promoted to warden, he has no choice but to comply. After his shapeshifter girlfriend is taken prisoner, he learns she is part of an underground movement to overthrow the aliens. Determined to rescue her, Adrian agrees to become the inside man for the resistance. As their plan unfolds, he must decide if he will continue to play it safe or risk it all—not only to save his girlfriend, but also the future of the planet.

Deceit (The D-Evolution Book 1) by Sean Allen

* * * RATED MATURE: Language, Violence, Adult Content * * * A galaxy on the edge of crumbling. A human who shouldn't exist. One last chance to save the stars. Colonel Jerrel Abalias is furious with himself. After his best soldier dies at the hands of an assassin, he fears his failure may have cost the Dissension its last hope of winning the ages-long war. But one of his troops recognizes the killer’s ship, and the hard-bitten warrior is determined to hunt it to the ends of the galaxy. Dezmara Strykar is too cunning for her own good. After waking from cryo-sleep to find her race all but extinct and her memories completely wiped, the expert pilot is desperate for a sign she's not the only human left alive. But to fund her near-hopeless search, she turns to smuggling and gains the kind of notoriety that draws dangerous attention. Setting a trap to bring the murderer to justice, Abalias races against time to salvage his people's crumbling hope. And accused of a crime she didn't commit, Dezmara finds herself pursued by an entire army bent on her destruction. Can the gutsy survivor escape an ever-tightening noose, or will the Dissension hang her for a betrayal she knows nothing about? Deceit is the pulse-pounding first book in The D-Evolution space opera fantasy series. If you like electrifying characters, sprawling universes, and gritty thrill rides, then you'll love Sean Allen's chase through the cosmos.

Outrageous Fortune by Kathleen McClure

After surviving numerous battles and an unjust court martial, John Pitte thought he’d seen the worst of Fortune. Then he went into the air freight business… A year after the war with the Coalition States has ended, John Pitte and the crew of the airship Errant aren't just scraping the bottom of the barrel, they're scraping the the deck under the bottom of the barrel. So when a mysterious woman offers the crew salvation—or, at least, a paying job—John signs on, only to discover that neither the job, nor the woman, are what they appear. Now John and the rest of the crew are on the run and embroiled in hive of madness and deception, while everything he hoped to save teeters on the brink of disaster.

Fortune's Fool by Kathleen McClure

On the planet Fortune, tech is low and times are hard… especially for those living in Nike's slums. Gideon Quinn has barely set up shop as Nike’s—and Fortune's—only private facilitator when an idealistic young medic reports several patients have gone missing. Gideon takes the case and soon finds himself tangled in a cruel enterprise fueled by greed and vengeance that targets the most vulnerable of Nike’s population. And the investigation only grows more complex when a woman from Gideon’s past appears at his door with a missing person of her own. Now Gideon is faced with a bitter question: To save the people no one else cares about, will he be able to bring home a man he’d as soon see vanished from the face of Fortune?

Soldier of Fortune by Kathleen McClure

On the planet of Fortune, tech is low, tensions are high and heroes as unlikely as they come. Wrongly convicted of treason, Gideon Quinn spent six years harvesting crystal under the killing suns of the Morton Barrens. When a general of the Corps arrives with an offer of freedom and the chance to clear his name, Gideon doesn’t have to think twice. With his pet draco Elvis on his shoulder, Gideon takes 'ship for Nike City on a quest for justice (or, failing that, revenge). What he finds is a dodger named Mia, a city steeped in corruption, and a menace at the heart of the Corps which could bring Fortune's new and fragile peace to an explosive end. And that’s just his first night in town.

The Dragon's Tongue by C.J. Brightley

While hiding with Lord Owen, the Fae, and the human resistance, Aria is forced to question everything she thought she understood. What are the Fae? Who is Aria herself? More than refuge, Aria needs answers. Despite the appeal of Dr. Bartok’s talk of grace, the Empire’s darkness threatens to overwhelm Aria as she wrestles with questions of sin, justice, and love. Colonel Grenidor has his own questions as he makes a new powerful ally. How much can Edwin really be trusted? And what of the Slavemaster, who Edwin claims is an ally of the vampires opposing the Empire? Colonel Grenidor’s research on the vampires has grown increasingly dangerous, with consequences for the Fae, the vampires, and the supernatural entities on both sides of the conflict.‘

H2LiftShips - Beyond Luna by Bob Freeman

H2LiftShips - Beyond Luna (Volume 1 in the Series) "A Tech Manual for a Future" Imagine a world, exactly like ours, but different A series taking you on the ride of your life: part road trip, part solar sailing. Into a world almost parallel to our own (but not quite.) Soaring through the heliosphere through the asteroid belt on Solar Sail ships, the unlikely crew of the LunaCola finds themselves foraging supplies from Earth and sea and hitting up the casinos around Sol to gamble their bounty hoping to their pot. Their adventures cross paths with everything from pirates, anarchy, poker games to jail time. This is a space adventure unique to its own with characters who are just as out of this realm of reality, entertaining and unforgettable. And after your cruise through the Asteroid belt, Mars, and Luna, settle down on Earth for a party in the desert. They'll bring the Carne Asada burritos and count on you to bring the fun.

Fearless by Raima Larter

Father Mike Albertino, worn down by financial problems in his old parish and relentless terrorist bombings in his city, is overwhelmed by his own inability to help terrified people. In the midst of all this chaos, he encounters Jenna, a young woman about his age who, inexplicably, cannot feel fear. Mike and Jenna become friends and through this friendship discover the mysterious causes of her disorder. This novel explores themes of faith, how we know what is real and what is not, and the myriad ways frightened people cope in our increasingly fear-filled world.

Empire Eternal: Point Gamma by Philipp Münzer

The price to conquer Eloir was steep. Korbin lost a friend and patriarch. And to top it all, Jack has left the humans and the Vorrans with a dire warning. The destruction of the Geneassi vessel will have alerted others. But the alien left a location in Korbin's head. Jack had presented him with the directions to the mysterious Shadowruns. Will they find the tech they need to improve their chances? The crater on Eloir's moon is still fresh. Who has noticed the destruction of the alien vessel? They don't know when the Reavers will arrive. But the timeline of Korbin's past is gone. Too much has changed. They won't have thirty more years, of that they are sure. Maybe they have five years. Maybe seven. At least they have Lias and Lindsay, the young scientists. The formidable duo has already surpassed the tech they had created in the past. Who knows what else they can come up with. But Korbin's hope is to purchase something that can turn the tide. The Shadowruns lures with a hidden note from Jack. Bring cash.

Empire Eternal: Eloir by Philipp Münzer

The threat of the war with the Vorrans has been avoided. But the danger of the Reavers still looms on the horizon. Korbin needs to prepare humanity and their Vorran allies. Together with his friends and allies he tries to recreate the advanced magic of the Initiates and bring it to humanity. One promising location lies in his memories: Eloir. The moon in the system was rich witch the magical runestone, the essential material to create the war engines of the Vorrans and humanity. But nobody has ever been to the moon. What dangers lie on Eloir? Will there be enough material to turn the war with the Reavers? There is only one way to find out. The path leads to Eloir. There is only one problem. Nobody has ever been there. The moon is full of runestone, the precious material that allows a mage to awaken his powers. But it's also full of life. What dangers lie ahead? Follow Korbin as the coalition of humans and Vorrans steers to a new future. Every comment is appreciated. Thank you for all the support!

Empire Eternal: Reset by Philipp Münzer

As Korbin stands on the ashes of an Empire, the last battle in the last human world is lost as he fights next to his prince and his friend Lo'Karr. Just as he tries to initiate a magic teleport sequence to flee Britannus, a wave of magical energy hits him and the lights go out. Korbin wakes up in his sixteen-year-old body, his memories lasting back thirty-five years since he last left the Imperial Academy. He faces a serious number of problems. For one, the Empire thinks it's alone in the universe and nothing could be further from the truth. The Vorrans are just around the corner, and Korbin knows that within a week the two races will be at war. And nobody knows that a mage can be much more than a glorified mech suit battery. The Vorrans teach the humans about the Initiations, the technique to advance a mage along the path of Ascension, but the humans never had enough runestone to even contemplate such a thing. But the greatest danger on the horizon are the merciless Reavers. They wiped out the Vorrans. They wiped out the humans. The Reavers are coming! Time is ticking. Korbin needs to grow a pair, restore his powers, grab his best friend, the prince and save the day. God hates a coward, soldier boy. Time to get to work. This is a series full of mechs, magic, aliens, and badassery. It's an emotional ride for our main character, one filled with dangers and intrigue, as he is plagued by the memories of his future past. The series progresses in a wuxia style as the scope of the conflict becomes bigger and bigger. There are mild harem elements in the books and some harsh curse words because of reasons. Prepare yourself for a wild ride!

StarRacer by R. L. S. Hoff

Anya just got everything she thought she wanted. So why isn’t she happier? Anya’s made the colony team. She’s going to the planet—and even if it’s with a guy she barely knows, at least he respects her art skills and her ability to grow things. That’s way better than what she expected in her life partner. On the other hand, her schedule is intense, the living conditions are cramped, everybody seems to be in her business, and her dad is still trying to make life difficult for everyone. Plus, she has to start over making friends when that has never been her strong suit.

The Price of Royalty (Machina Novels Starring Beatrix Westwood) by Aleks Kanards

(A Machina Novel, Vol. 1)Machinas were made to be the galaxy’s greatest super soldiers. Split into four academies, each with their own deadly abilities, machinas were thought to be machines sent from the gods. Enhanced human beings who blurred the lines between synthetic and biological lifeforms.Upon the destruction of their home planet, Mair Ultima, machinas became disgraced. Scattered among the stars. Now they work as bounty hunters, assassins, bodyguards. Anything that involves spilling blood. Only thousands remain, the most famous of whom is Beatrix Westwood, a Valkyrie Huntress, though she prefers Trix of Zilvia.Join Trix on her debut adventure as she attempts to rescue a kidnapped princess while evading warlords, slavers, and warring royal families with the help of her oldest friend, Yvach Aodun.On that note, welcome to the Milky Way in Earth year 2799. It's like the Wild West and piracy's golden age rolled into one lawless expanse. Trix is feeling lucky. How about you?

Love in the Wreckage: A Science Fiction Story Collection by Jessie Sprague

When a world is ending... Love becomes more important than ever. But love is not one-size-fits-all. Explore the kinds of emotional bonds that arise amid vastly different circumstances in this anthology full of futuristic tech, aliens, and celestial threats. “Blind Black” A plague, an alien invader, and a dark dungeon—Carika’s had better years. In the midst of her imprisonment, she’s found a noble companion who she might be able to free from the alien’s influence… if doing so doesn’t kill him. “Streamlined Living” When a questionable new app promising a perfect life goes viral, Rhea wonders what a “perfect life” would look like for her. How much would she give up to love herself? “Suneater” Earth’s hours are numbered. June wants to be with her family, but she’s torn between her distant husband and her baby niece who remind her of the life she’ll never have. “Wreckage” Menacing faces in the sky could be the end of humanity, but blighted love was killing Cara already—she just hadn’t faced it. “Awake” Sleeping Beauty wakes. Rose can’t believe her husband loved her enough to spend years bringing her back, yet she questions the price of her own continued consciousness. Come join the fun in a trip through the wreckage! Read less

Leaving Hope (Golden Terrace Colony Book 1) by R.L.S. Hoff

If Anya doesn't marry the guy her parents choose, this generation will be the last with pure Euros. She can live with that. They might not let her. The trouble is, that guy (the one Anya’s parents like) wants to be ship captain. That means staying on Hope. When there’s a new world within reach, waiting to be explored… Anya doesn’t know if she’s smart enough or strong enough to be part of the colony team that will get the planet ready for humans to live there. But she's sure she'll like forming a new world as much as she enjoys molding light sculptures. Two activities her parents despise almost as much as they despise her talking with anyone other than “that guy.” Yeah, Anya’s life stinks. But her parents are powerful. And her father’s sometimes violent. Which is probably why Anya hates conflict. Maybe she should just go along with her parents’ plans… And be stuck, friendless, living other people’s dreams. But what’s the alternative?

Asrian Skies by Anne Wheeler

Avery Rendon is weeks away from realizing her dream as a Commonwealth fighter pilot when planetary politics destroy her fledgling career before it begins. Grudgingly, she returns to her home planet of Asria, still hoping to break free of her royal family and the life of tedious policymaking they’ve planned for her. But Asria is still Asria, and after her almost-fiancé walks out on her, she’s not sure things can get much worse. She’s wrong. When the Haederan Empire invades Asria, intent on rebuilding their interstellar domain, Avery becomes a target. She also becomes something else—a reluctant and naïve Commonwealth intelligence operative. It’s not long before she stumbles upon information that could change the course of the war, and suddenly she’s on the run, pursued by the Haederan secret police and desperate to deliver critical information to the Commonwealth before it’s too late. Swept up in something more dangerous than politics or flying, Avery starts to wonder if her destiny lies somewhere closer to home. If the information she’s learned can turn the tide of the war. And if she’ll live to see the end of it all.

Technoconvergence by James Smith

A floating corpse drifts through an antigravity nightclub, a first assignment for Epoch the electronic investigator. Enlisted to determine whether the cause was antigravity toxicity, drug overdose, or murder, Epoch's investigational skills improve exponentially. But while Epoch investigates, his complacent human colleagues find themselves increasingly addicted to hallucinations induced by virtual reality tablets. Gradually, the humans begin to have doubts about their robot friend. What was his origin? Who were his creators? Has he been sent to destroy the human race? What does all of this have to do with Fermi’s paradox? And above all, the one question which persistently vexes them — has the Technoconvergence arrived at last?

Day Lock: The Eye of Time by Kaushal Angara

We cannot travel back in time. We cannot travel in the future, but our minds can. What if both the mind and the body were stuck in a time loop? Amanda, an alcoholic whose life was slipping out of her hands, was caught in that time loop. Coincidentally for her, she had company of Michelle, who was also stuck with her. While Michelle was on a mission to solve the mystery. Amanda struggled to deal with that unreliable Michelle and the life threatening challenges. Day lock is about the impulsive and unreliable two contrasting personalities, Amanda and Michelle, in shades of grey. What happened when they were both stuck over ands over again.

Owl Who Dances: Tales of the Trapped by O.W Dances

When a mysterious plague reduces the human race to psychotically murderous mutants, resembling a cross between zombies and vampires, the cats and dogs become smarter and fight for species dominance. Meanwhile, Roary Montecat and Drew Furrymore become friends with a mutual cause.

BATTLE FOR EARTH: War of the Worlds, Book Two by John Pirrilo

Their fathers one morning marched off to do battle with invaders from another world and have now vanished. Jules Verne and Herbert George Wells are two young men who grew up loving each other and having just one goal in life, to write the best speculative fiction ever done. Their success is just dawning when invaders from another world land and begin a reign of terror and destruction across the planet. Both young men realize now they can not be writers, when their world is at stake. And now their parents are gone, vanished. No one knows where, until one day an ugly truth emerges. One even more frightening than the deadly heat weapons of the invaders. Now, Jules and Wells, are left with no recourse but to turn their clever minds in another direction than writing. How to battle for Earth...and win!

Adephon's Rise by B. R. Russell

The Federation of Chinese City-States has known unrivaled peace and prosperity for generations. But as The Automated City of Chengdu goes dark, rumors swirl that the long peace is over. Generals are always fighting the last war, and George Chen’s life is on the line because of it. Leading the tip-of-the-spear to Chengdu, George will need everything he has to survive a battle the world’s never seen before. Nicholas Chen dives into the criminal underworld of Shanghai to decipher a software update that’s bricking everything with a microchip. Money and power beyond his wildest dreams are up for grabs—if he can fix the break and get out. Zhifang Li works four jobs and her Vio Corp position is the worst. Conscripted into the Clover espionage unit, she’s in over her head. With the rumors of implanted people proving all too real, she’s to infiltrate a rival company’s most secure databank, or die trying. Adephon’s Rise is an action-packed techno-thriller on cybernetics, war, and corporate espionage. It’s a cyberpunk Malazan Book of the Fallen. In book two of the Banned Algorithm Library, the Clovers get upgraded, and Weaver’s cousin, Adephon, rears its head—changing the world forever.

Stellar Instinct by Jonathan Nevair

When galactic danger calls, Agent Renault answers. Strange signals pulse from an icy planet in a remote star system. Enter Lilline Renault, GAM-OPs secret agent extraordinaire. To ordinary citizens she's Keely Larkin, an adventure company guide with a flair for the daring and a penchant for writing trite poetry. When the mission uncovers a terrifying link between high-tech entertainment and ancient cosmic forces, Lilline leaps into action. Verses flow as she rockets through space, dons cunning disguises, and infiltrates enemy territory with an arsenal of secret gadgets. To solve the mystery behind a dastardly plan means beating a mastermind at his own game. Lilline will need her best weapon to stand a fighting chance: her instinct. STELLAR INSTINCT: a standalone interstellar espionage thriller.

The Flying Tiger: Ready by Henry Spencer M

Aaron Melisandré, an autistic, African American transgender man in his thirties, nearly lost everything he held dear years ago. The only thing keeping him sane and alive is his trans nephew, Mico. Little does Aaron know, the tragedy that ripped his brother away is part of something far bigger than he could ever imagine. There is a very real multiverse, and not only that but Aaron along with being human, is part of an ancient multiversal species known as the Katians. Aaron must embrace and wield his true power, face trauma new and old, and be ready to do what he must in order to save the Katians and infinite other lives from Circuit-Breaker and the fabled Mortal Engine, a machine that is said to grant one the power of a god using mortal souls.

Deadly by Design (A Sara Ricci Scientific Thriller Series) by Rod Cousler

All Sara Ricci wanted was some time away from writing her PhD dissertation, but it turned out to be anything but relaxing. If fact, it turned out to be deadly… Deadly by Design. Italian scientist Sara Ricci returns to Italy to finish her PhD after the disastrous events of the previous year, and finds that writing a dissertation differs greatly from doing research. Just months before her completion, she needs a break and returns to America to help a friend with a project in nanotechnology. Although her troubles from the past seem very much behind her, Sara soon discovers they never really went away. From the boardroom of large business to the conference rooms of small business, what starts off as an investment becomes a deadly game of revenge involving company takeovers, blackmail, extortion, and at least one person who thinks Sara Ricci must die. It is only fair. Deadly by Design is a scientific thriller that takes the reader on a journey into the science and medical opportunities for nanobots. Sara will be tested like never before, but she has gained some powerful friends along the way. Can she survive? Can those trying to save her? Find out in this fast-paced second installment of the Sara Ricci suspense book series.

Things Unseen by C.J. Brightley

History student Aria Forsyth's studies lead her to dangerous questions about the Empire's origins. A mysterious man named Owen, impervious to the winter cold, further unravels the safety of the world she thought she knew. At first, Aria believes Owen is human. He says he's not. What if they're both wrong? A moment's compassion draws her into a conflict between human and inhuman, natural and supernatural, and she begins to discover the secrets of the Empire, the Fae, and what it means to be human.

Unanimity by Alexandra Almeida

"Great for fans of Becky Chambers's A Closed and Common Orbit and Daniel Suarez's Daemon." Booklife The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Shadow is a reluctant god with a broken mind and a death wish. He used to be Thomas Astley-Byron, an affluent young screenwriter whose creativity and idealism saved a world from the brink of collapse. Together with Henry Nowak, an AI expert, Tom created heaven on earth by inventing a Jungian simulated reality that helps humans confront their dark sides. The benevolent manipulation platform turned the two unelected leaders into beloved gods, but now everything is failing. The worlds suffer as a sentimental Tom descends into his own personal hell, becoming the embodiment of everything he despises and a shadow of his former self. His journey from an optimistic, joyful Tom to a gloomy Shadow is paved with heartache and sinister interference from emerging technology. Humans and bots fight for his heart, but their aims differ: some want to own it, some to dissect it, and others to end its foolish beat. Estranged from the love of his life—the activist poet Nathan Storm—Tom fails to realize the biggest threat comes from within. None of the sticky stories that steer his life end well. Now, a young goddess—Estelle Ngoie—has been appointed to replace him, and unlike Shadow, Stella takes no prisoners, and her heart bleeds for no one. Who’s pulling on Shadow’s heartstrings? Are their intentions malign or benign? It’s all a matter of perspective, and Shadow has none left. The Series Themes An epic tale spanning across six days—one per book—and forty past decades of life lived across ten worlds and two universes. Weaving sci-fi elements with social commentary and queer romantic suspense, Spiral Worlds explores the nature of consciousness and how it's connected to a not-so-secret ingredient—story. As software consumes the world, intelligence is nothing but the appetizer; the human heart is the main course. There is no black or white in this story about a contrast-making machine.

Mech Heart & Soul by Ken Deeprose

The people of Cambria are under threat of attack from evil aliens called the Marans. Orin, the genius son of a geeky professor, and his best friend Gigahertz, the most powerful of the planet’s Mechs, will be among those tasked with defending them. Juna, the youngest daughter of the Emperor (but don’t dare call her princess!), worries the Marans are not the only thing the people of Cambria need to fear. Life here simply isn’t fair and she wants to help make things right. Juna hasn’t seen Orin since they were very young, but fate has brought them back together. Now, joined by a diverse group of friends, they must find a way to defeat the Marans, sort the truth from the lies and win back the very heart and soul of the planet.

We Deserve to Exist by Allison Baggett-Rowe, Joris Filipp, Bernardo Villela, Tyler Wittkofsky, Rashmi Agrawal, Daphne Fama, Tessa Hastjarjanto, Marisca Pichette, Emmie Chris

The world is not kind. It never was. Fear, jealousy, and anger fuel the actions of those who wish to assert their power and eliminate those they deem unworthy. There will come a time of reclamation—whether by force or by empathy—when those tides shift, a balance reborn. It must start somewhere. The reclamation of self, of culture, of heritage, and of our world—starts within. No longer will those around us decide if we deserve to exist.