SPSFC Self-published Science Fiction Competition 2021
A sister competition to the SPFBO, the SPSFC is for sci-fi self-published works. Stories tagged with this mark were entered into the competition.
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SEARCHING FOR A NEW HOME… The Galahad, a faster-than-light spacecraft, carries fifty scientists and engineers on a mission to prepare Kepler 452b, Earth’s nearest habitable neighbor at 1400 light years away. With Earth no longer habitable and the Mars colony slowly failing, they are humanity’s best hope. After ten years in a failed cryogenic bed—body asleep, mind awake—William Chanokh’s torture comes to an end as the fog clears, the hatch opens, and his friend and fellow hacker, Tom, greets him…by stabbing a screwdriver into his heart. This is the first time William dies. It is not the last. When he wakes from death, William discovers that all but one crew member—Capria Dixon—is either dead at Tom’s hands, or escaped to the surface of Kepler 452b. This dire situation is made worse when Tom attacks again—and is killed. Driven mad by a rare reaction to extended cryo-sleep, Tom hacked the Galahad’s navigation system and locked the ship on a faster-than-light journey through the universe, destination: nowhere. Ever. Mysteriously immortal, William is taken on a journey with no end, where he encounters solitary desperation, strange and violent lifeforms, a forbidden love, and the nature of reality itself. …HE DISCOVERS THE INFINITE. Jeremy Robinson, the master of fast-paced and highly original stories seamlessly blending elements of horror, science fiction, and thrillers, tackles his most ambitious subject matter to date: reality itself. An amalgam of the works of J.J. Abrams and Ridley Scott, Infinite is a bold science fiction novel exploring the vastness of space and a man’s desire to exist, find love, and alter the course of his life. |
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Dog Country by Malcolm F. Cross A crowdfunded civil war is Azerbaijan’s only hope against its murderous dictatorship. The war is Edane Estian’s only chance to find out if he’s more than what he was designed to be. He’s a clone soldier, gengineered from a dog’s DNA and hardened by a brutal training regime. He’d be perfect for the job if an outraged society hadn’t intervened, freed him at age seven, and placed him in an adopted family. Is he Edane? Cathy and Beth’s son, Janine’s boyfriend, valued member of his MilSim sports team? Or is he still White-Six, serial number CNR5-4853-W6, the untroubled killing machine? By joining a war to protect the powerless, he hopes to become more than the sum of his parts. Without White-Six, he’ll never survive this war. If that’s all he can be, he’ll never leave it. |
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The Lore of Prometheus by Graham Austin-King John Carver has three rules: Don't drink in the daytime, don't gamble when the luck has gone, and don't talk to the dead people who come to visit. It has been almost five years since the incident in Kabul. Since the magic stirred within him and the stories began. Fleeing the army, running from the whispers, the guilt, and the fear he was losing his mind, Carver fell into addiction, dragging himself through life one day at a time. Desperation has pulled him back to Afghanistan, back to the heat, the dust, and the truth he worked so hard to avoid. But there are others, obsessed with power and forbidden magics, who will stop at nothing to learn the truth of his gifts. Abducted and chained, Carver must break more than his own rules if he is to harness this power and survive. Packed with mystery, suspense, and snark. Download today to discover why readers of Dean Koontz, Jim Butcher, and Myke Cole love this high-octane fantasy thriller by #1 best-selling author Graham Austin-King. |
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The war is nearly over, but alien-bred human Ry still must decide: species or family?Ry’s childhood was a lie. They told him that the humans had always worked for the lazuli, and in return, were protected from the horrors beyond the city of Lancer. In reality, all the city’s shield guarded was the truth – the lazuli are aliens. For twenty years, they have been locked in a war with the humans, a war that has almost wiped out both species. When Ry learns the truth, he escapes his old home and leaves everything he has ever known behind. Now, six years later, the war is coming to a head, and he is forced to face his past, including the alien family who raised and cared for him – the family he still loves - when the human forces turn towards the last source of alien strength: the city of Lancer. Ry is going home. |
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Wherever Seeds May Fall by Peter Cawdron FIRST CONTACT is a series of stand-alone novels that explore humanity's first interaction with extraterrestrial life. The Prince of Darkness is coming. Comet Anduru skimmed the clouds of Saturn. Rather than being drawn into the gas giant, it skipped back out into space. With the comet heading for Jupiter, speculation is mounting it’s an alien spacecraft making its way to Earth. Lieutenant Colonel Nolan Landis and Dr. Kath McKenzie are caught between an angry public and an anxious President as they grapple with the scientific, social, and political implications of First Contact. FIRST CONTACT is similar to BLACK MIRROR or THE TWILIGHT ZONE in that the series is based on a common theme rather than common characters. This allows these books to be read in any order. Technically, they're all first as they all deal with how we might initially respond to contact with aliens, exploring the social, political, religious, and scientific aspects of First Contact. |
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What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning? Half the world would become trapped in endless night, the other half in relentless day. Global communications would be crippled. The oceans would migrate to the Earth’s magnetic poles, and global tremors would threaten the stability of the entire planet. In other words, things would be bad. Very bad. That’s what happens in SKYBOUND. And the clock is ticking. The world is in chaos. Theories about the impossible phenomenon run the gamut from broken physics to little green men to the dawning of the end times. But everyone agrees on one thing: The massive metallic object that suddenly appeared in the sky is to blame. In his debut novel, Lou Iovino weaves a modern-day fable that traces the path of two small-town siblings who find themselves thrust into events that will reshape humanity, and grappling with the question that has plagued mankind for eons. What’s up there? |
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It All Began With The Sound Of Thunder. A Thunder That Came In The Night. A Thunder That Changed The World. When the eye of the storm moves, so do they. It is a brutal life. But is there somewhere else out there, beyond the Eye? In a post-apocalyptic future, a handful of survivors cling to life in the last habitable place on Earth: the Eye of the Storm. Within it, tribes of humans scrounge for scraps and fight for temporary land. They must keep going. It is their only option. But then the Pathfinders make a terrible discovery; that the one spot left they call 'safe' may be disappearing. Then Aiden finds her; a mysterious young woman who speaks a language he's never heard. Yet, he understands her message. There is another place. They've managed to survive by never venturing into the chaos of the swirling winds and lightning, but to find this mythical land, Aiden will need to go into the Storm. The expedition will need the help of the Stormwalkers, a strange group of nomads who may not be quite what they seem. They may not even be human. To many, the idea of an outside world is blasphemy. They don't want the mission to succeed. And so, while Aiden and his crew venture into the wasteland, war is brews within the Eye. Who will win? Who will lose? Who will survive? You'll love this clever look at a different kind of apocalypse, as the adventure keeps you turning the pages. Get it now. Don't miss this dystopian action-adventure that readers call "compelling", "inventive", "fast-paced" and "awesome". |
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This Blue Ball by Wayne V Miller From an unearthly distance, earth seems blue - but not where we stand. Life seems predictable because we live backwards, repeating the past instead of living the present. Sometimes the future surprises - and sometimes you surprise yourself. This novel tells of the contact - and collision - of a handful of human lives with an alien intelligence, in the sudden flash of an otherworldly green light. |
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World of Difference by WJ Donovan Science fiction novel set 150 years in the future, Justine O'Rourke is a space engineer working on Io research station when she discovers she is pregnant, she relocates to Ceres for a new life. Her twin brother Davide has been shipped off to Mars to help build a colony as part of a convict work crew. Behind the scenes Bian and Ko Thang are pushing humankind into a new and dark vision of our future. |
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Banneker Bones and the Giant Robot Bees by Robert Kent Fifth grader Ellicott Skullworth has always felt out of place at public school and now he's tested into the Archimedes Program at Latimer University. While in Latimer City, he’ll be living with his world famous and insane(ly) brilliant cousin, Banneker Bones, the eleven-year-old inventor of robots. The only problem: Banneker doesn't want to share his room. And he's got an army of robots to make Ellicott miserable until he goes home. When the boys are ambushed by robot bees as big as cars, Ellicott's only friend is carried off and held for ransom. To rescue him, Ellicott has no choice but to partner with his maniacal cousin. Ellicott doesn't know what's worse: facing a hive of giant robot bees or spending more time with Banneker Bones. BANNEKER BONES AND THE GIANT ROBOT BEES is a humorous, science fiction adventure for readers of all ages written in the spirit of a comic book. |
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Things They Buried by Amanda K. King & Michael R. Swanson Named to Kirkus Reviews' Best Books of 2019 "...uses dazzling worldbuilding and a hodgepodge of characters, cultures, and fantastic species to tell a powerful, human story. ... The worldbuilding is nearly flawless in its execution, which will entice readers to immerse themselves in the story... The intriguing plot makes excellent use of its primary characters, resulting in a breathtaking, harmonious read. An empathetic, complex, and offbeat tale."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred) "The creepy threats and fierce fights in this densely imagined novel will gratify fans of dark fantasy, especially those who want real depth in between thrills."
—BookLife Under the dirty streets of Ismae's greatest port city, an old nightmare waits for Sylandair and Aliara, one that is stealing Dockhaven's children, one only they can end. When the pair escaped their owner and abuser years ago, they left him behind in a ball of blue flame, but as more children disappear near the city's desalinization plant, their suspicions turn to the predator they believed dead. Accompanied by their less-than-reliable puka scout Schmalch, they delve into the forgotten depths of the patchwork city. Their search will lead to a twisting world of corruption and experimentation, uncover horrors greater than any they imagined, and summon memories they never wanted to exhume. A dark science fantasy action adventure, Things They Buried is the first full-length novel of Ismae, a world where science sometimes appears as magic and history as myth, where monsters make themselves and heroes are wholly unintentional. This novel contains adult themes and violence. |
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OF CINDER AND BONE is Ron Howard's Ransom meets Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park! After centuries of being the most dangerous predators on the planet, dragons were hunted to extinction. That is, until Dr. Rhett “Jack” Jackson and Dr. Kamala Anjali cracked the code to bring them back. Through their research at MIT, they resurrected the first dragon anyone has seen alive since the 15th century. There’s just one problem. Someone stole it. Caught between two ruthless yakuza clans who want to clone the dragon, Jack and Kamala brave the dangerous streets of Tokyo to steal their dragon back in a race against time before the world is taken over by mutated, bloodthirsty monsters that will raze it to ashes. Of Cinder and Bone is an all-new sci-fi thriller from the author of the Amazon bestselling Black Parade novels. Don’t miss out on this explosive first-in-series! Fans of Westworld, I Robot, Pacific Rim, and Reign of Fire will fall in love with this mashup novel that opens up a whole new world of possibilities into what we know and love about dragons. Of Cinder and Bone was selected for the Top 30 books in Hugh Howey's 2021 Self-Published Science Fiction Contest. |
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Memories of the Khassos by Leah Flaherty The people of Anatan have lost their home and their means to create a new one, but the one person who could solve this problem doesn't remember who or what she is. With more than one civilization hanging in the balance, an Anatani criminal may be their last hope. When the ancient beings of Anatan get involved, powers old and new collide in a cataclysmic showdown. Will the mystery of their dangerous past be unraveled in time or will the memories reveal an even more dangerous threat? |
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The Merry Maids by Stefanie Contreras Alyvia Tippin is done with her training at the Academy, and ready to serve the Order. Her abilities with movement and telekinesis earn her a spot with The Merry Maids, a small black-ops team that works on the Order's behalf to unofficially clean up official messes. As the new Courier for The Merry Maids, Alyvia's training is immediately put to the test when the Order sends them on a mission to collect the disassembled pieces of an artifact called the Starkiller. The pieces are hidden across the galaxy like a deadly scavenger hunt, and the person who hid them wants Alyvia to destroy the Starkiller instead of turning it over to the Order. Luckily, The Merry Maids have her back. She's going to need it. |
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The Immortality Game by Ted Cross Moscow, 2138. With the world only beginning to recover from the complete societal collapse of the late 21st Century, Zoya scrapes by prepping corpses for funerals and dreams of saving enough money to have a child. When her brother forces her to bring him a mysterious package, she witnesses his murder and finds herself on the run from ruthless mobsters. Frantically trying to stay alive and save her loved ones, Zoya opens the package and discovers two unusual data cards, one that allows her to fight back against the mafia and another which may hold the key to everlasting life. |
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The Swallowed World, Book One: The Eternal Season by Tyler Bumpus THE FUTURE IS WRITTEN. AT THE END OF OUR WORLD IT BEGINS. THE GREAT RIFT N. Amer. informal the wholesale collapse of the United States of America as a political and federal entity in Y3 of the DILUVIAN ERA. Major contributing factors: mass flooding of old coastal power centers; the PETROL DROUGHT and resultant crippling of transit and supply lines; the NUTRICIDE attacks and impending nation-wide famine; the ecological CALAMITIES and shortfall of aid in affected regions; and burgeoning separatist camps ushering in the sectarian bloodbath of the OLD STATE CLASHES. The fractured country plunged headlong into a new age of war, industry, and technology from which there was no returning.(from Terminology of Post-Rift America, 3rd Ed., Y64, DE) So begins THE SWALLOWED WORLD—a bold new futurist saga. At the crossroads of innovation and collapse, genius and madness, humankind faces the ultimate trial to which all must submit: Transformation or extinction. From literary to science fiction, horror to allegory, the apocalyptic to the mythic—this multi-volume epic is a window into a truly alien future civilization; deep in world building, rich in character, breathtaking in scope. BOOK ONE of The Swallowed World saga opens some fifty years after the Great Rift that shattered the continent, when America is again uncharted and wild. At civilization's edge, the drowned peninsula once known as Florida, a world-weary outlaw finds himself smuggling the one cargo he never dreamed he'd possess—the future of the human race. The powerful first volume of a visionary new sci-fi universe Map and illustrations Glossary and appendices delving deeper into the lore and mystery of The Swallowed World Sneak preview of Book Two! |
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The world froze. Jagged glaciers and freezing waters cover the seven continents. One man lived through it all. Through war. Through death. Through time. He's been alone since the collapse, believing everyone else dead. He was wrong. There are others. They've built cities on top of the frozen steel that lies beneath the ice. Below them trouble is brewing. Somewhere deep in the ice. |
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L.I.F.E. in the 23rd Century by Jason R. Richter "A laudable sci-fi yarn that’s both irreverent and relevant."Kirkus Reviews Meet Pat McGewan-X04. Pat is a Patriot who spends his days watching robots build cubicles for corporations that keep getting blown up by those pesky terrorists in the soon to be won, we’ve got them on the ropes, 232nd year of the War on Terror. He’s content in his world of mediocre corporate coffee, vid-link chats with his wife who the government discourages him from ever meeting in person, and an endless barrage of travel bans, terrorist attacks, and never-ending nightly news emergency broadcasts. But everything changes when a freak car accident puts Pat in the national spotlight. One minute he’s a hero for being the sole survivor of this week’s most recent terrorist attack, (but not long enough to get a commemorative coffee cup with his face on it before the next attack happens). In the next minute, the nation’s most vitriolic talking head has branded Pat the greatest threat to truth, justice, and stockholder profits -- and the manhunt begins! Pat has to decide between fighting the corporate-controlled media and possibly losing his life or giving in to his Academy training and lose his soul and possibly any hope of ever getting a decent cup of coffee. Welcome to LIFE in the 23rd Century: an absurd, light-hearted dystopian future to distract you from your horrific dystopian present. Brought to you by the makers of prescription Chillaxafed. Jason R. Richter writes humorous dystopian adventures with a touch of real-world cynicism. |
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Silicon Minds of Mars by Jeremy Reimer Mike Lee was a writer-for-hire who yearned for excitement. After a strange man invites him to a meeting, Mike is kidnapped and put on a spaceship to Mars. He's unwillingly become part of the world's most expensive reality TV show. He meets Kyla Vox, a starry-eyed computer hacker with a passion for finding the truth. When a mysterious set of accidents put all the contestants in danger, Mike and Kyla must band together to protect everyone on board the ship. But when they arrive at Mars, their struggles are just beginning. Mars is a strange place, where humans and sentient robots walk under giant ice-domed cities, and computers and automation have made some people rich beyond measure. Mike and Kyla find themselves at the center of a deadly conspiracy, putting not only their lives in danger, but the future of all intelligent life-- silicon-based and otherwise! |
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A hidden trail among the stars The galaxy is in flames under the harsh theocratic rule of Concordance, the culture that once thrived among the stars reduced to scattered fragments. Selene Ada, last survivor of an obliterated planet, joins forces with the mysterious renegade, Ondo Lagan. Together they attempt to unravel the mystery of Concordance’s rapid rise to galactic domination. They follow a trail of shattered starship hulks and ancient alien ruins, with the ships of the enemy always one step behind. But it’s only when they find the mythical planet of Coronade that they uncover the true scale of the destruction Concordance is capable of unleashing… Don't forget to read the free prequel novella Home World (The Triple Stars volume 0) first. |
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Out of the Gray by Patricia Gilliam Aliens, politics, and murder. Only the first one is new. Towards the end of the twenty-fourth century, it is common knowledge aliens have lived on the planet for a long time. The Hannarian royal family has stationed an ambassador to interact with Earth’s governments and to be an official bridge between humans and their race. They also want to assist humanity by offering access to advanced medical, communication, and transportation technologies. This does not ring true with the EIP, the Earth Independence Party. They are aware that Hannarians possess superhuman skills and abilities that they have kept hidden from Earth’s general population. To the people aware of these abilities, the Hannarians seem dangerous to some and downright demonic to others. They fear Hannarians pose a tangible threat to the Earth and every living human on the planet. The organization has spent decades preparing for the perfect opportunity to remove the Ambassador, expose the aliens what they truly are, and finally place themselves on equal footing with their enemies. Alex Verin, son of EIP Congressman Adam Verin, has had a very unexpected day. After chance meetings with the Hannarian Ambassador’s son and later the Ambassador himself, Alex has his beliefs about the Hannarians brought into question. Once at home and milling over what he has learned, Alex tries to figure out what is truth and what isn’t. When a visitor arrives at their home to speak with his father, Alex attempts to find out the man’s identity and why his father is being so secretive about him. While doing so, Alex overhears the man discuss plans to assassinate Hannaria’s Ambassador with his father. Rica Miller, the adopted daughter of Charlie and Rebecca Miller, is leaving Earth. After discovering that she is not human but Hannarian, Rica’s parents decide that relocating to Space Station Destiny would be the best option for her future. As a station engineer, Charlie has made arrangements for his wife and daughter to join him now that construction has entered its final phases. After boarding a transport leaving Baltimore, Rica meets Jernard. He introduces himself as the Hannarian Ambassador and explains he wants to ensure they arrive at Destiny safely out of friendship to Charlie. Rebecca does recognize Jernard, but considering she and Charlie told no one about Rica or that they were leaving, she is hesitant to trust him. How will Alex react to his father’s agreement with a plan to murder someone? Can Rica trust Jernard, and does he hold any answers on what happened to her birth parents? Will the EIP succeed in killing Hannaria’s Ambassador? |
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The Dimensional Gateway is built... A plot against humanity revealed... Humankind's ultimate evolution. Theron Mobius has worked his entire life on a Dimensional Gateway that will propel humankind into a new era of space travel. When it's sabotaged by a mysterious entity, he uncovers a plot against humanity that's been underway for millennia. Theron is driven against all odds to stop the entity, only to discover he's an integral part of the entity's sinister plan. Together with a small group of travelers, he must journey across galaxies in search of an ancient Guardian of the universe. If he fails, humankind will face oblivion. |
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An Isolated System by Stephen Weagraff Humans have broken free of their home world using massive portals that bend space and provide instantaneous transport between the stars. These gates opened up far flung star systems for new human colonies. But these new worlds were desolate and dangerous so slave labor supplied by synthetic human like workers tamed these hostile planets and let the human colonies take root. But the workers that built the cities, tamed the rivers and dug the mines are now a problem. Fear of the synthetics spread and the new settled humans banish them from the cities to the frontiers, using them as slaves for jobs deemed still too dangerous.But Niko, a slave on a desolate, desert world will discover that all is not what it appears. An accident reveals a secret that could shatter the colony worlds and change the lives of the synthetic slaves forever. In a race against time and the colonial secret service, Niko and his partners must uncover the truth about themselves before it’s too late. |
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Broken Ascension by Dave Walsh The war is over, and there are no winners. Just a broken galaxy. Now humans and aliens must share this war-torn galaxy. None of this matters to Drake, though, he's just an artist. He's tagging along on the busted up ship Trystero, along with its ragtag crew. Together, they traverse the Demilitarized Zone between Terran and Gra'al borders, taking on any job they can find. Big or small. Human or alien. The galaxy changes when the crew encounters a derelict alien ship, its crew slaughtered. With his dying breath, a crewman points them to a box. In it? An abandoned alien baby. When their government refuses to get involved, Drake and the crew need to return the baby they've been calling Bruce home, a bloodthirsty warlord on their tail. His quest? Find Bruce and claim the Gra'al throne, declaring a new war on humanity. Drake never wanted to be a hero... now he's all that stands in the way of a fragile peace between humans and aliens. |
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Code of Conduct by Kristine Smith Captain Jani Kilian’s life should have ended in front of a firing squad. Instead, she evaded battlefield justice by dying in a transport crash. End of story, according to official Commonwealth Service records. But doctors repaired her in secret, using the most advanced Service Medical technologies available, or so they assured her. In the last days of the idomeni civil war, she escaped their homeworld of Shèrá, and spent the next 18 years on the run. But someone like Jani leaves a trail no matter how hard they try to hide it, and she soon learns the Service hunt for her never ended. When Interior Minister Evan van Reuter, her former lover, tracks her down and begs her help in finding his wife’s killer, she has no choice but to agree. The search takes her to the Commonwealth capital of Chicago, a hotbed of political intrigue as dangerous as any warzone. As the danger mounts, so do Jani’s struggles. Her rebuilt body is breaking down, and memories long suppressed are flooding back. Of one horrible night 18 years ago, and the gut-wrenching decision that changed her life forever. |
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Convergence (A DRMR Novel, Book 1) by Michael Patrick Hicks MEMORIES ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG Jonah Everitt is a killer, an addict, and a memory thief. After being hired to kill a ranking officer of the Pacific Rim Coalition and download his memories, Everitt finds himself caught in the crosshairs of a terror cell, a rogue military squadron, and a Chinese gangster named Alice Xie. Xie is a profiteer of street drugs, primarily DRMR, a powerful narcotic made from the memories of the dead. With his daughter, Mesa, missing in post-war Los Angeles, Everitt is forced into an uneasy alliance with Alice to find her. Mesa's abduction is wrapped up in the secrets of a brutal murder during the war's early days, a murder that Alice Xie wants revenged. In order to find her, Jonah will have to sift through the memories of dead men that could destroy what little he has left. In a city where peace is tenuous and loyalties are ever shifting, the past and the present are about to converge. Convergence is a tech noir work of science fiction with dystopian and cyberpunk elements, perfect for fans of authors like Richard K. Morgan and his Takeshi Kovach's series, and is the first novel in the DRMR series. |
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Dropnauts by J. Scott Coatsworth Over a century after the end of the Earth, life goes on in Redemption, the sole remaining lunar colony, and possibly the last outpost of humankind in the Solar System. But with an existential threat burrowing its way to the Moon's core, humanity must recolonize the homeworld. Twenty brave dropnauts set off on a mission to explore the empty planet. After training for two and a half years, four of them-Rai, Hera, Ghost and Tien-are bound for Martinez Base, just outside the Old Earth city of San Francisco. But what awaits them there will turn their assumptions upside down-and in the process, either save or destroy what's left of humanity. |
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The Authority Wars: Banished by T. H. Solomon The Authority Wars: Banished is the opening novel in a science fiction action series with expansive world building and a compelling ensemble of characters. Fans of science fiction and epic fantasy will love this new series that combines the best of space operas, westerns, thrillers, and epic sagas. For hundreds of years, the Authority guarded the secrets of their genetic modifications and enhancements. For hundreds of years, the Authority went forth and created inhabitable planets to rule with complete control. For hundreds of years, the Authority's reign was built upon the backs of the Citizen class. And for hundreds of years, any Citizens not conforming to the Authority's power would be banished to the brutal planet of Hades—a desert planet where technology doesn't work and survival is everything. Then, when all hope seemed to be lost, a group of Citizen soldiers took their fate in their own hands when they started the Authority Wars. Now, a new group of heroes will emerge and change the course of history from the least likely place in the galaxy—Hades. Stanton was designed by his father to become the height of genetic modifications and human development. He was raised to one day lead the other Gen Mods of the Authority to a final victory in the war. When he disobeys a direct order that would have led to the destruction of the Outer Fleet, Stanton discovers the elites of the Authority are not only threatened by his extraordinary abilities, but this may be the excuse they need to destroy him. Clara has lived on Hades since she was a child. She's fiercely held on to her deep faith despite the barbarity around her, but that faith will be tested when Authority-backed slavers steal her daughter. She only has an old horse, two bullets in her revolver, and knife—and Clara will stop at nothing to get her back before it's too late. Gavin's family of Citizens has served the rulers of the Authority for generations. As he reluctantly prepares for his life of subservience to the ruling Gen Mods in the Galactic capital, Gavin begins to realize something about him isn't the same as everyone else. After the woman he loves goes missing, Gavin is plunged into the middle of events that will force him to confront a darkness unleashed deep within his genetic code. From gladiatorial combat mixed with six-shooter duels, a fight for survival in the vast dunes of Hades against wild outlaws and savage genetic Unstables, to a heart-pounding train heist with a surprising objective, The Authority Wars: Banished will become your new favorite adventure. Download your copy today and enter the immersive universe of the Banished! |
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V.O.K. Variable Operations Knowledge by Jason Kucharik Earth has burned; My people made sure the humans paid for their insolence in the final days of the Blood War, but as it turns out the universe is pretty freaking huge and they weren’t the only threat. Not by a long shot. I’m an Alpha, one of the most feared special operations soldiers in the universe. Born out of blood, I am the eyes and ears of the High Order and, when need be, their unflinching reaper. I do not yield, I do not bow, I do not fail. Ever. For centuries our loyalty was unquestionable, but my partner and I uncovered a dark secret about our past that calls into question our entire lives. The High Order trained us to be the most intelligent, ruthless, and feared soldiers ever created…they’re going to regret that. |
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Recombinant by Lisa Silverthorne What if you discover your life doesn't belong to you? Forced to give up your dreams and live a life you never chose. Because you and your DNA belong to the government. What if the government stole your memories? Parsed out your family and friends? How would it feel to live life in the third person? Private Peter Mitchell is one of thousands of recycled, cloned soldiers, holding the front lines of a deep space war. To save a world he's never seen before. His survival mechanism is a memory replacement chip (MRC) that parses out the horrors of war and anything hindering him from killing the enemy. Peter isn't like the other recombinants. He doesn't want to fight or kill. He wants to live. Marred by deep sensitivity and self-awareness, he is failing his training sims and endangering his entire unit. One recombinant and a training sergeant try to keep him from washing out, including the sergeant's shuttle pilot kid sister who falls for Mitchell. But the Antarans are pushing closer to home system. Because something is horribly wrong with Earth's combat tech-and its recombinant soldiers. Hardware Reclamation Specialist, Dr. Jeannette Kingston discovers a catastrophic failure in the MRCs affecting entire batches of recombinants. She's faced with a life-or-death decision: report the defect that will destroy hundreds of recombinants, including Private Mitchell, or say nothing and risk losing the war. Now, Dr. Kingston must choose between a life worth saving and the fate of her home world. |
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On the run, Quinn holds a secret that nearly got him killed. If only he knew what it was. 

Though the ambush scrambled his memories, Quinn is sure of one thing—he can’t trust the electorgs on this alien planet. But they know information he desperately needs to puzzle out who wants him dead, and why. 

For decades, Eve and her fellow electorgs—part human, part machine—have beaten back toxic spores that poison the native people on the quiet planet of Aarde. When their new commander halts work right before a deadly spore release, Eve races to protect the villagers she considers friends and family. 

In the fray, a handsome traveler arrives with a story in conflict with the emotions the psychic Eve detects wafting from him. Quinn may not remember his past, but he knows this capable woman can help him, and soon they’re caught up in his dangerous mission: Space marauders are risking the planet to harvest a valuable resource. But what is it? 

With the fate of life on Aarde in the balance, the logic of joining forces erupts into an attraction that could prove fatal for both of them. Buy Passages to unwind a thrilling science fiction fantasy mystery today! |
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Mountain Warriors Book I: Outcast by R J Burle Despite facing an immediate firing squad, a down on his luck journalist, Eric, violates a quarantine zone to investigate the wild lands of the Southern Appalachian Mountains that are inhabited by zombies, vampires and other terrors. After a betrayal, the government permanently exiles Eric to the wasteland of The Forbidden Zone and sends the ruthless Specter to trail him. Eric is no longer a nonparticipating observer but must quickly learn the ways of the warrior, when a group of survivors, who live under a strict code of sword and gun, turn against him, as they face off against a horde of zombies. Will Eric be accepted by this band of survivors or will he be exiled again to face not only the undead, but the other creatures of the forest that might be even worse. |
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Space Operatic by Dale E. Lehman Eternal fame or eternal shame? Hopeless optimist Roberto Maccarone has staked his fortunes on a bold move: he's brought grand opera to the Oort Territories, where there isn't enough culture to fill a petri dish. But it's a tough sell here in the cold dark of the next to last circle of hell, and soon Maccarone is up to his mephistophelean eyebrows in corporate greed, rebellious miners, bloodthirsty mercenaries, outrageous lies, intense loathing, inane conversations, and more unintended consequences than you can shake a baton at. Really, how hard can it be to stage a performance? One thing alone can save Maccarone and his company: the most fabulous theater in the solar system slumbers nearby, mysteriously shuttered without having once been used. But the keys are held in the icy grip of the local Culture Minister, and nothing-not Maccarone, not obscene amounts of money, not even that guy who juggles flaming kabobs while singing an ancient song about how great America was-can pry them loose. Will it be fame for Maccarone and his troupe? Or unemployment in Beelzebub's outhouse? |
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Alice works for Jaffle Tech incorporated, the world’s biggest technology company and the creator of the Jaffle Port, the brain implant that gives users direct access to global communications, social networks and every knowledge source on the planet. Alice is on Jaffle Standard, the free service offered to all people. All she has to do in return is let Jaffle use a bit of her brain’s processing power. Maybe it’s being used to control satellites. Maybe it’s being used to further space exploration. Maybe it’s helping control self-driving cars on the freeway. Her brain is helping Jaffle help the world. And Jaffle are only using the bits of her brain she doesn’t need… But when a kind deed goes wrong, Alice gains unauthorised access to her entire brain and discovers what she has been missing out on her entire life: music, art, laughter, love… Now that she has discovered what her mind is truly capable of, how long will the company bosses let her keep it? |
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Four ex-convicts. One charismatic mastermind. And the most dangerous heist the System has ever seen. Jez is a damn good pilot, and she’s always worked alone. Until she got picked up for smuggling, that is. Now she’s lost her ship, lost her job, lost her reputation, and is on the run from the law. So when a mysterious stranger in a battered pilots coat comes to her with an offer that sounds too good to be true, she reluctantly agrees to listen. All she has to do is fly one little job. Then she gets the details. She and a hand-picked band of misfit ex-convicts will be pulling a heist on Vitali “the Butcher” Dobrev, the most deadly weapons dealer and crime boss in the System. They’ll be stealing tech that could change the course of history. And the government, the mafia, and every enterprising criminal in the System would kill to get their hands on it. Thing is, Jez is out of options. She’s going to have to fly this job, and they’ll have to pull it off. And knowing Vitali, if they fail, dying is the least of their worries. Zero Day Threat is the first instalment in the space opera science fiction series The Ungovernable. Firefly meets Ocean’s Eleven in R.M. Olson’s fast-paced, kick-ass, wickedly-fun series. |
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Souls of Astraeus by Jeramy Goble Living one life is hard enough. Try living billions of lives. Akal Atka, a simple and submissive young man of the future is faced with losing the love of his life. Within moments, however, a catastrophic event makes him aware of the fact that he has lived billions of previous lives. As he explores the multiverse using exciting ships and technology, he reacquaints himself with countless races and gains access to the knowledge and abilities of his previous lives. But, why did this happen to him? Will he be able to save his love? Are there others like him? If so, how are they using their gifts? |
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Fatal Extraction by Evangeline Rain She’s a space pirate and thief… …who gives to the poor. Would this modern-day Robin Hood pull off the greatest job in history? For 10-years Nirvana led the crew she inherited from her father. They trusted her and liked the life, but she had a nagging need for revenge. It had made her some enemies. Two world leaders wanted her. Was the ambush the end? It looked bad for Nirvana and her crew, but she was both a bad ass and quick thinker. The General of Panderon listened, and they made a deal for the lives of her men. She needed a strong, capable soldier for the job. What she got was Zane. A shy, awkward, genius, who suffered from depression and anxiety was to be her partner in crime, but there was more to him than meets the eye. He was better with books than guns. Don’t judge a book worm by his cover. You’ll love this wonderful science fiction romance journey, because it has all the excitement, steam, and interesting characters one needs to get hooked on a new series. Get it now. |
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Steve Holbrook, with his defense reserve squadron, is called upon to resist the incursion of an unknown star cruiser. The defenders fail to prevent the cruiser from destroying their world, but manage to survive. Who destroyed the planet and the pioneers who lived there? How was it done? Why would anyone destroy an out-of-the-way agricultural planet in such a destructive display of power?To track down and apprehend the one responsible, Steve will rely on friends old and new, follow a trail of clues, endure an assassination attempt, use powerful new technologies, and discover something alien that no human technology seems able to unlock.This is the first book in the Modulus series. |
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When government and corporations can read your thoughts, you have nowhere to hide... Sky Marion spends her days on the Neuronet investigating thought crimes and recommending offenders for reprogramming. It's one of the few jobs you can hold down without having to talk to people, which is just the way Sky likes it. Plus, it allows Sky to indulge in one of her favorite pastimes; listening in on the thoughts of complete strangers. Is it voyeuristic? Sure. Legal? Yup. Addictive? Just ask Sky's worried mother, Winona. But Sky's sheltered life is upended when off-world brain hackers infect over a million Earth citizens with a suicide virus, and Winona is one of the unfortunate victims. With only days until the virus destroys her mother's mind, phobia-ridden Sky must risk her life and sanity and infiltrate the lawless Moon—now the independent planet of Apollo—to track down the hackers and find the cure. There, Sky will unravel a tapestry of deceit and betrayal, and find herself in the middle of a hidden war of civilizations, with humanity the ultimate prize. Neurotopia: Geppetto’s Chains is a fast-paced science fiction thriller set in a fascinating future dominated by neurotechnology and those who would use it to control the most valuable resource known to humankind: information. |
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Steel Guardian by Cameron Coral The AI Uprising destroys society as we know it. Banking is wiped out overnight. No internet, phones, or electricity. Anything “smart” or “connected” turns against humans. The military’s SoldierBots have one function--seek and destroy. Block is a simple CleanerBot programmed to clean and serve hotel guests. Forced to leave his city, he must avoid dangerous SoldierBots and find a new hotel he can call home. But when Block discovers a human infant, his surprise attachment to the girl compels him to protect her while traveling across the metal infested wastelands of America to a safe haven. Without his help, the abandoned baby could die before they reach safety. When he encounters Nova - a surly soldier who becomes an unlikely ally - they must tackle the biggest challenge of their lives. Together, they face mortal danger from bands of scavengers, militaristic SoldierBots, and Combat Mechs. A cyborg Bounty Hunter will stop at nothing to find Block and the child - an infant who holds the key to humanity’s future.

If you enjoy characters with heart and action-packed adventure, then you’ll love the first book of this thrilling post-apocalyptic sci-fi series. |
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The Paradise Factory by Jim Keen She's a policewoman with a past. In a future ruled by AI, one bad decision could get her killed... or worse. Former UN Marine Alice Yu is a beat-down cop running from guilt in a ruined city. Brutally ambushed and left for dead, she's powerless to prevent a ruthless crime boss from abducting her NYPD partner. Though it will cost her job in a world with 99% unemployment, she vows to bring him back from the lawless and forbidden Fourth Ward Territory. Fighting through injuries and resurfacing trauma, Yu tracks her mentor's trail. But when her war born PTSD flares in the face of a cartel death squad, her bloody background could spell her demise. And if she doesn't succeed, the entire city is doomed. Can Yu save the man she failed, or will her quest for redemption become a suicide mission? If you like James S.A. Corey, Martha Wells, and William Gibson, you'll love the thrilling Alice Yu series. Buy The Paradise Factory to discover this amazing new world today! |
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Roko's Catalyst by Michael Blackbourn The AI-ravaged world humanity once knew has vanished under a treacherous sea. A small fleet of ships survives, trapped for thirty years in constant cycles of freezing and thawing. The ships endure, suspended in ice above a seemingly bottomless chasm. The next thaw threatens to be the final one and would put an end to the survival of the fleet. Hendry has only known this brutal freezing cycle in his thirteen years of life. Like the other survivors, he scavenges on the ice by dogsled and races back to his ship before the icy crust melts. Knowing that it’s only a matter of time until a big enough thaw destroys the fleet, he befriends an unlikely pair of survivors: one an old mercenary, the other a mysterious young girl. She has an ability to predict the thaws, and may have discovered the secret to escaping the knife's edge humanity inhabits. But someone or something wants to stop them all. Now Hendry and his companions are on a mission, and time is running out. The ice will thaw. |
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The real world is only where you breathe… In High Earth, entertainment is everything. Virtual worlds, hyper-realistic simulations, endless streamable content—there’s something for everybody. You don't ever have to leave your home. For Asher Reinhart, nothing compares to Ignis: Live, a reality show that pushes human beings to their very extremes. As a volunteer director, he closely monitors the lives of those living on an Interstellar Ark who falsely believe they're the last of humanity out searching for a new Earth. Mission is the show's brightest young star. Born in hiding, her intelligence and near-perfect genetics have allowed her to rise up the ranks faster than any before her. But now that it's her turn to provide for the Ark, everything changes... With Mission's life placed in danger in order to boost ratings, Asher must choose between protecting the show he's dedicated his life to, or the woman who has been the focus of his attention since the day he was born. Vicarious (adjective): Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person. Ready Player One meets The Truman Show with a dash of The 100 in this science fiction story about the power of human connection, from USA Today Bestselling and Nebula Award-Nominated author Rhett C. Bruno. It’s perfect for fans of Hugh Howey, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Kass Morgan. Vicarious is also available on Audible, narrated by Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: TNG, The Big Bang Theory) and actress Katherine McNamara (The Stand, Shadowhunters, Arrow). |
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The Reintegrators by Will Weisser Welcome to Oakmont Academy. Study hard, make friends, and whatever you do, don’t get lost in the Metaverse. Tormented by crippling panic attacks and desperate to find a way to help his catatonic father, Teddy Cartham is running out of options. When he receives an invitation to attend the elite academy where his father once taught, he believes his luck is changing. Until he uncovers a shocking secret—his new math teachers are Reintegrators, members of an ancient cult dedicated to exploring alternate universes. With the help of his classmates and some unlikely allies, Teddy searches a maze of bizarre worlds for the key to his father’s shattered mind. But deadly surprises lurk in the depths of the Metaverse… |
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In the Orbit of Sirens by T.A. Bruno THE LAST FRAGMENTS OF THE HUMAN RACE ARE FORCED TO ADAPT TO A DANGEROUS NEW WORLD OR FACE EXTINCTION. When starship mechanic, Denton Castus, is caught in the destructive path of a devastating war, he abandons his home and seeks refuge on a distant planet. However, this new safe haven has undiscovered threats of its own. Eliana Veston, a scout preparing the planet for the refugees, struggles with a deadly pandemic that is killing off colonists. The hunt for a cure unleashes a new threat to humanity—the Sirens—mysterious beings with incredible powers and a deep hatred for invaders. |
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The Orphans of New Lur by Blake Vanier Iona and Nero are Human orphans; one born with powers she can’t explain, the other bound to a terrifying friend no one else can see, both hunted by a woman that does not fail. When a ragtag bunch of five orphans stumble upon glowing canisters containing ethereal weapons designed to fuse with a Human’s soul, they unwittingly risk life and sanity by opening them. One canister is overlooked as it appears empty, but a lack of light in their world does not correlate to a lack of power in the other. Nero opens it to find an otherworldly being that cannot survive unless it finds a host; a being that must decide to either kill Nero or accept his offering… Confused and exhilarated, the empowered orphans must adapt to their new abilities to keep each other alive, as Isis, a woman of incomparable will, is determined to pursue these Humans in search of secrets to an ancient civilization. The Anterra Collection is perfect for fans of Mistborn, looking for a fresh, new epic fantasy series. |
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The Narrows by Travis M. Riddle "Riddle’s intricate worldbuilding and familiar but strong narrative arc sustain fear throughout. ... Fans of eerie tales will easily fall into this one." - Publishers Weekly "I can show you how to enter the Narrows to find what you seek." Oliver and his friends have returned to their hometown of Shumard, Texas for the funeral of their close friend Noah. They each grapple with the loss in their own ways, trying to understand the strange circumstances of their friend's unexpected death. While visiting the site where the body was found, Oliver stumbles across a chilling discovery that he knows must be related to what happened to Noah. Wanting to protect his friends from these newfound horrors, Oliver takes it upon himself to venture into the grotesque otherworld known as the Narrows to learn what happened to his friend and find a way to bring him back. Entering the Narrows is one thing, but will whatever he finds there allow him to leave? |
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The Chiral Agent by L. L. Richman WINNER OF THE 2021 Reader's Favorite Book Award for Science Fiction First, they stole his identity. Now, they want him dead. Shadow Recon pilot Micah Case awakens above an alien world, with no memory of his past and a mysterious voice inside his head. Worse, his own military is hunting him... and he has no idea why. His genetic code could destroy all life. The voice leads to a discovery so unbelievable, enemy nations would kill to control it — to control him. Now, Micah must use every skill in his arsenal to secure the stolen research. The stakes are impossibly high, but failure is not an option. The alternative could mean the extinction of a people Micah can no longer call his own. Humanity. THE CHIRAL AGENT is a fast-paced, cerebral thriller that's part hard science fiction, part spy novel, and one hundred percent adrenaline. It’s sure to keep you guessing every step of the way. |
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The Augmented by Brendon Hawkins Harry Bo lives in the best time imaginable-no war, no starvation, and everything a person needs is readily available. All they have to do is watch a few ads. But when the all-seeing eye linked to his sensory system concludes that it's time for Harry to marry his girlfriend, he's not so sure. Despite his perfectly coded existence, Harry longs for a more authentic sensory experience, an escape from his augmented world. In his work as an analyst, he picks through the streams of metadata flowing invisibly around him, nudging the population to consume. Before long, Harry's caught up in a search for a mysterious golden-haired woman who might be responsible for the biggest attack on the AugNet in history. But the more he investigates, the deeper he's pulled into a reality beyond the crafted simulations of the safe but sanitized society he lives in. Because the flawless, tailored façade masks a vastly different existence. And when he's forced to make an impossible choice, Harry must decide just how much he's willing to pay for freedom. |