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Brian, Created Intelligence by A.J. Pagan IV Within a four foot stainless steel cube, a bodiless brain is awake, thinking, computing, knowing. Brian was created by genetic engineer Dr. Ellie Parsons, and neuroscientist Tom Marshall, at biotechnology company Dipol Inc., in San Diego, CA. Ethical questions abound as they hide Brian's true identity from him and the world around. To Brian, he's merely artificial intelligence, tasked with creating even more intelligent systems. To Ellie and her company, he's a means to an end, to create true artificial intelligence using his genius and the brain computer interface attached to his only true organ. All is as well as it can be until the day a psychotic agent of DARPA, Jonathan Volt, commandeers it for use in none other than militarization. Once Ellie neurally links herself to Brian, all bets are off to ensure his safety as his entire life is literally on the table. |
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Caught In The Vortex: Longevity Universe Book 1 by A. Elnas âNow I know who is pulling the strings, who twisted my life into a nightmare and made me a pawn in a conflict threatening the universe.â After escaping Earth and humanityâs self-imposed destruction, Cockroach has buried the past for a brighter future. A new home and working for the prestigious, all-powerful longevity industry are the base for a peaceful existence. However, darkness looms behind the light, and a threat casts its shadow. When an attack against the industrial empire occurs, a long-forgotten ghost emerges, shattering the well-constructed serenity. Being marked the prime suspect, a desperate Cockroach flees from authorities while battling inner demons and looming demise. The support from an unexpected source gives rise to hope and might present salvation. But nothing is as it seems, and when bitter insights reveal themselves, the human mechanic must find the strength to face the truth and fight. Caught In The Vortex is the engaging first book in the Longevity Universe, a trilogy of adventurous Sci-Fi novels. If you enjoy unlikely heroes, blurred lines between good vs. evil, and emotional struggles, this imaginative roller coaster ride is for you. |
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Chrom Y Returns: The Chrom Y Series: Book One by L.V. Ditchkus Hundreds of years after a horrific disease destroys Earthâs male population, Sofia Andes7 and her wife embark on a perilous journey back in time to save humankind. While Sofiaâs wife impregnates herself with five male zygotes, Sofia is transfixed by the sleeping sperm donor. Sofiaâs first and subsequent trips to the twenty-first century awaken long-dormant feelings, and she begins to question the presumed differences between men and women. As she grapples with the ethics of stealing sperm from the unwitting donor, Sofia hatches a plan to spare him from the deadly virus. But Sofiaâs altruistic plan may never materialize. Tenacious Sofiaâs first priority is to protect her wifeâs unborn babies from male-hating terrorist groups, questionable actions of their government, and a nefarious Artificial Intelligence. With humanityâs future at stake, Sofia will draw on all her strengths to save the people she can. However, the laws of time and space have their own imperatives, and saving everyone she loves may be beyond her reach. |
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Cloudthinker by Andrew McGlinchey Numbers donât lie. But people do. Seasoned journalist Parham Nasiri is convinced thereâs something sinister behind tech giant Magentaâs new product, Cloudthinker. The AI service can do anyone's job and is decimating the workforce, sending shockwaves through an already fragile economy and tightening Magentaâs grip on society. After his employers subscribe to the service and put him out of a job, Parham becomes determined to uncover the truth. His digging into Cloudthinker's origins leads him to Boogie Wu â an enigmatic math genius who died in a corporate jet accident â and heâs ensnared in a web of mystery and deception. Tangled up with a corporate whistle-blower, a human-like autonomous hacker, AI-powered robots, and the increasingly blurry line separating humans from software, Parham confronts the world-shaking consequences of Magentaâs real intentions. Heâll be forced to make impossible choices to stop the world from tipping into crisis...âšâšSet in the very near future, Cloudthinker is a propulsive new thriller that confronts big tech, memory and consciousness, and what it means to be human. |
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We Have Met the Enemy by Felicia Watson In the 31st century, Naiche Decker joined the Uniterrae military seeking revenge for the death of her mother in battle against the Eternals. After being assigned to a deep space mission to root out the enemyâs home world, she finds so much more, questioning if revenge was what she really sought in the first place. We Have Met the Enemy harkens back to the classic science fiction of Asimov, Clarke and Herbert, but with the richly developed characters of a Roddenberry-esque story. |
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Aliens from an unknown solar system visit Earth in this darkly humorous science fiction novel. An alien ship enters a new solar system with the mission of mining ore for its electricity-based planet, Metallon. The crew hopes to utilize the first rocky planet to complete their taskâuntil the shipâs AI informs the captain that their destination is already inhabited by beings called âhumans.â Now the otherworldly group must make reluctant contact with humans in order to get what they need and get back home. But as the aliens acquire more information about these strange creatures and their even stranger civilization, they begin to realize this mission may be bigger than they realized. What starts as an alien visit to Earth may just transform the world in extraordinary ways. This insightful science fiction commentary on humanity presents a fascinating vision of a new age for the planetâand all the other magnificent creatures lurking in the universe. |
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The Odyssey of Fletcher by Erik Dargitz After a global virus seemingly wipes out the entire male population, a skinny, socially awkward, self-conscious video game junkie is somehow still kicking. And he's wildly unprepared for this new world. Out there waiting for him are physicians who want to study him, a cult of spiritual extremists who want to deify him and brutal gangs with far more nefarious intentions. Throughout his journey, Fletcher does his best to act like a real man, being that he's the only one around. Unfortunately, this only leads to more problems ... for him and humanity. |
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Outpost 9106 was a space transport station at the far end of the galaxy. The small crew enjoyed the quiet, secluded, and easy money for the five year stay. Candace, Travis, and the rest of the crew had 15 minutes remaining. They were going to go home. Retire. See the beach. Then an unknown monster destroyed their way home. Now Travis and Candace must choose between saving themselves or saving those back home. Travis believes he must save them both, but Candace has other plans. |
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Refurbished: The Clover Initiative by Michelle MonĂĄrrez The end of the world came and went. Twenty years later humanity is crafting new and secretive ways to protect itself, but the atmosphere stays clear of threats... Eighteen-year-old academy graduate Alyssa is determined to start her military career as a GENE (Genetically Enhanced Entity) on her own terms. But after being transferred from her native London to America, she struggles to control her powers and find her place among a military unit of underdogs and other enhanced soldiers. When a rogue GENE is taken into custody, Alyssa's empathy for him forces her to choose between her carefully mapped-out life plan, or a path that would put her in direct conflict with her superiors. With the promise of superpowers and a green card on the table, thirteen-year-old Miguel signs a contract to become a GENE. Enduring the enhancement process is sure to be worth it with his refugee status at stake and dazzling dreams of becoming a superhero in the mix. But when he forms a psychic connection with a mysterious girl who could die without his help, he must decide what he's willing to risk to save her. As Alyssa and Miguel embark on parallel journeys, their desire to choose their paths transforms into a fierce battle for the rights of fellow enhanced people. The world might not be ready to find out about GENEs, but it had better brace itself. The protective barrier of secrecy will soon burst, and those called "Refurbished" will make themselves known. |
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Babies with Rabies: An ABC Survival Guide by L. A. Cunningham R is for rabies. Of COURSE itâs for rabies! Your most imminent threat is BABIES WITH RABIES! Itâs a post-apocalyptic world, and hordes of feral, teething babies are foaming at the mouth and roaming the streets looking for their next victim. You completed your training montage, you know how to sew fingers back on, you studied their weaknesses, and now thereâs only one thing left to do: survive! **BABIES WITH RABIES is the perfect gift for parentsâŠor people who hate babies!** |
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Stars Like Acid by Marissa Lupe TĂ©a, a Latina soldier in training, is used to standing her ground in a world that seems hellbent on bringing her to her knees. Orphaned at age five and held captive on a military base for most of her life, she barely remembers a time before the government controlled her every move. Now, fifteen years later, the Earth is dying, a resistance is forming, and the corrupt government is hoarding resources and information that could save the world. When TĂ©a is forced to marry the son of a terrifying general, she stumbles across a dark secret that could finally dismantle her power-hungry father-in-lawâs regime and offer her a chance at freedom. Humans are evolving in dangerous and powerful ways, and TĂ©a may be the most powerful one of them all. Meanwhile, Annabelle, another of Earthâs many orphans, has lived a mostly charmed life. That is if you donât count the fact that sheâs technically a prisoner. Drifting among the stars on Space Station Lunaâthe top-secret government lifeboat built to save Earthâs ruling classâAnnabelle has everything she needs and the woman she loves by her side. But when TĂ©a ends up at the space station, she unravels a web of deceptions that send both women reeling and make one thing perfectly clear: the secrets that connect TĂ©a and Annabelle may be powerful enough to turn the tides of war, save the planet, and set the people free. |
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The Edge of the Abyss by Blake Shimshock and Sherry Shimshock Lana has been gone for almost a standard galactic year, and Senior Agent Derek Fade is still tormented by her murder and his own failure to capture the killer. Heâd been so closeâŠbut just as the gangster had predicted in that final moment before Derek let Valdune slip beyond his grasp, vengeance has become the agentâs gnawing obsession. Now his wife haunts him, his boss questions his sanity, and forget about working alone! With his life on the edge of a dark crossroads, Derek Fade must decide which way to go. The only thing he knows for sure is that he wonât rest until he brings an end to the hunt for Valdune. |
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The Hunt for Valdune by Blake Shimshock and Sherry Shimshock Senior Agent Derek Fade loved his job chasing down weapons runners and drug traffickers, hunting terrorists, and ruining the fun of major crime lords all across the galaxy. In fact, despite his reputation for being difficult to work with, he was respected among colleagues as one of the most talented agents in the Galactic Intelligence Agency (GIA). Life was pretty good until a powerful gangster, known only as Valdune, brutally murdered his wife. Now, tortured by grief and guilt, Derek Fade struggles between his dedication to the ideals of the GIA and the need for vengeance against the monster who killed Lana. Set in an expansive Fireflyesque galaxy ripe for exploration by those who enjoy science fiction and fantasy, self-proclaimed loner Derek Fade reluctantly lets readers into a dark period of his 007, semi-secret agent life that twists and turns like an Indiana Jones adventure. |
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Hayden Navarro has only one concern: protecting the ones he loves. At nineteen, he learns the world is in danger. An anonymous terrorist organization has attacked several countries all across the planet. When his parents suspect there might be a mole in the Council of Ailene, they ask Hayden to go undercover as an intern. Once in Ailene, he quickly becomes overwhelmed by everything and everyone around him. He struggles to keep his best friend, Lowell, safe while fending off the ever-present voices inside his head telling him that one day heâs going to lose everything, and heâll be them one responsible for it all. Heâs close to falling apart altogether when he crosses paths with Alexander Collins, a funny and handsome Council member who makes him feel happy and understood. His days suddenly become a little bit brighterâbut nothing in Haydenâs life is ever easy. Thereâs a strict rule against workplace romances, forcing them to stay just friends, yet as they grow closer, Hayden and Lowell find themselves steadily growing apart. Can Hayden find a way to keep his head above water while hunting down the mole, struggling with his growing feelings for Alexander, fixing his relationship with Lowell, and trying to save everyone he cares aboutâall at the same time? |
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Lexa Dean and the Wellspring by Bethany A Perry A treasure that could change the galaxy and a woman chasing a dangerous dream. Dr. Alexandra "Lexa" Dean is an exoarchaeologist in search of hidden alien treasures. And if the museum paid better, she wouldn't sell the best of her finds to the highest bidder. When her contact delivers a map to the origins of all life, and the key to unlocking it is the artifact she just fenced to a wealthy socialite, she must devise a plan to steal it back. But the aliens she stole it from first are closing in and the socialite is hot on her tail. If she can't shake them, she'll risk losing the fame and fortune she's always dreamed of, her life, or worse. From the author who brought you a cure for the zombie apocalypse in the Reclamation Series and a demon with amnesia in "Give Me Grace," comes a treasure-hunting romp through space where "Indiana Jones" meets "The Fifth Element." |
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Reclamation by Bethany A Perry At twenty-three, all Adelaide has ever known is a society ripped apart by the virus. Though billions died, the freshly minted Cure is bringing the world back into balance. For once, she can think about moving out and falling in love, and not just about surviving the dead. Jack, Addyâs dad, decides to help the mayor with security rather than kick around his empty nest by himself. But when Jack uncovers a mystery more deadly than the infected appearing in the village, his need to solve it gets him framed for a crime he didn't commit and abducted. Adelaide sets out to save her dad, dragging her brother and his handsome boss with her. If Addy wants to seek out the life she deserves, she must save her dad from forces that dwarf them both and face her fear of everything but zombies. The first part of a trilogy, "Reclamation" is for readers who love character-driven literary sci-fi like "Station Eleven" and coming-of-age stories like "The Last of Us," with a healthy splash of adventure and romance. Plus zombies! |
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Beneath Strange Lights by Vivian Moira Valentine Amelia Temple always knew she was different. Other. But that never stopped her from wanting moreâ especially her freedom. The Bureau of Extranormal Investigations, the shadowy government agency that has controlled her since birth, is finally allowing Amelia a pass to explore the small surrounding town where she is housed. Itâs 1954, and she quickly makes friends and begins to learn the rules of this strange society. Apparently, race matters. And girls arenât supposed to date girls. Yet the government looks the other way when it comes to locking kids up from birth and performing experiments on them because they have extra powersâkids like Amelia. Amelia and her new friends soon discover a conspiracy of so-called scientists running a bizarre experiment that threatens to unleash something terrible on her adopted hometown. As they begin to investigate, it becomes clear they must somehow stop the experiment before people die. But to do so, Amelia is forced to rely on what makes her different and decide just how human she wants to be. |
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Lovable loner Casey Isaac thinks love isn't for him. Not since extraordinary events left him with supernormal powers and a great deal of trauma. But when Oscar Kenzari looks at him, he can't help but change his mind. As Divinators, Casey and Oscar have used their psychic powers to defend humanity from sentient, extradimensional storms for one hundred years. But a storm more powerful than any before is brewing. MaalenKun, prince of the maelstrom, conqueror of countless realities, plans to turn the tables by infecting Casey's mind. Maalen Kun is not the only threat. Casey and Oscar must determine who they can trust: the eccentric trillionaire keeping them in the dark, the independent contractors with secrets of their own, or a seemingly helpful extradimensional being shrouded in mystery. As Casey works to defeat threats around and within himself, he must open to love for his chosen family, for Oscar, and for himself to unlock a transformative power capable of banishing MaalenKun. And Oscar must make a difficult choice that could cost him the future he dreams of. Can Casey and Oscar's love break the storm? |
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Four people have disappeared near the town of Ryneshard and now two OPSEC agents have gone missing as well. Agents Indra Jafari and Nigel Hammersmith are tasked with unearthing the mystery surrounding Ryneshard and the fate of their missing comrades. |
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Locked out of Hell by his own demonic kind during 'The Event,' Purson has been hiding in plain sight as a human on Earth for a year. Hell now comes calling... |
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Sister Grim Issue 1 by L. A. Cunningham Lily Connors wakes up in the morgue with no memories of the last three months since the event. She just wants to go home, but she's terrified her family isn't alive. But she's more terrified she'll kill them if they are. |
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Minutes after 'The Event' destroys London, a group of injured and forgotten are quietly abducted for secret and diabolical purposes. All seen through the eyes of the main character. |
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Dead of Knight Issue 1 by P. A. Hayden A centuries old legacy destroyed by 'The Event' leaves the United Kingdoms most beloved hero a broken and violent vigilante. He will bring a medieval brand of justice to the criminals of modern day London. |
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'An unwilling hero with an unwanted and flawed power.' Daniel must come to accept his old life is over and learn the extent of his new abilities all while on the run from the mysterious Level 8. |
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The House of Wonders by Frank Krulicki The House of Wonders is a jaw-dropping space faring adventure spanning the far reaches of the universe. Joshua Davis, abused by an alcoholic father, wants a new life. He doesnât seem to fit in and bad things have a way of happening to people around him. When he runs away and joins a circus Joshua is forced to, literally, grow-up quickly. Being chased by aliens has that effect on a person! His life makes a dramatic shift taking him on a galactic journey learning the truth about himself - heâs an alien with unimaginable powers. He is Skycruiser, potential saviour of his galaxy Join us on this galactic journey of self-discovery as Joshua Davis aka Skycruiser battles alongside his new family and friends against the evil clutches of Vir Magnus; leader of the Summa - a warring lizard race. Written and illustrated by two fresh new voices in the industry; Frank Krulicki and Alberto Crespo, with lettering and design by comic veteran Corey Breen - this is a story you donât want to miss! |
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Ten Acceptable Acts of Arson and other very short stories by Jack Remiel Cottrell There are many messages in this book: Never go drinking using your passport for ID. Make sure to apply lidocaine before ripping out your toenails. Magic might be real, but it never fixes the worst of your problems. Try to fall in love with bastards. You or someone you know may be gayer than previously thought. Weâre not going to make it to Mars. A locked psychiatric ward needs more books than a single copy of Jane Eyre. Asking time travellers for advice on your exams is considered cheating. Itâs not just human houses that become haunted. The key message is this: Life in the early 21st century is often very strange. So are these stories. With a crisp insouciance and gliding charm, Jack Remiel Cottrellâs fiery, fey, finely-tuned fictions leap from sci-fi to fantasy, comedy to horror, literary realism to romance, and to hybrids of all of these. Featuring sport, friendship, love, health, family, climate change, artificial intelligence, desire, magic, Greek gods, ghosts, peanut butter, cyber pranks, racial prejudice, and creepy medical advances, his stories play with the allure of the past, the disturbances of our own times, and the dangerous idealism of our future technologies â each one in fewer than 300 words. |
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Android Affection - Book 1: Rogue Zero by Beau Van Dalen Ian's parents were murdered. The culprit isn't humanâhe's a robot. Androids used to be Ianâs passion. Now, he sees them as mindless killing machines to be feared. After Ian's adoptive family kick him out for being transgender, Ian finds himself homeless without a soul to turn to for helpâwhich is when he meets Gilbert: a mysterious detective who treats Ian to breakfast one fateful day. Gilbert tells Ian about a case close to his heart. He drags Ian into adventures far beyond Ian's wildest dreams. And then, Ian falls in love. But it is wrong. So wrong. Because Gilbert is an android, and Ian swore he'd never trust another machine again. |
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Balor by Peter Harte Discover the captivating world of Balor, a modern mythological superhero mystery comic set in Ireland. Join 18-year-old Sean James as he grapples with the tragic murder of his brother by Dublin's notorious drug gangs. In an effort to find solace, Sean journies to Loch Na Suil, where he stumbles upon the mystical Shrine of Balor. Bestowed with extraordinary powers, Sean sets out on a path of vengeance. However, a shocking discovery at a drug shipment forces him to shift his focus to unraveling a web of secrets. Prepare for an electrifying tale of retribution turned investigation in Balor! |
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205Z: Time and Salvation by Jason Michael Primrose 2052 is humanity's last year on Earth. Catastrophic disasters are tearing away at our world's infrastructure. Time is scarce. Freedom is delicate. The privileged few will be saved... The unlucky will be left behind. Allister Adams is a genetically advanced Evolutionary, and besides that, he's like most of the Omega Generation-unlucky, forgotten-waiting aimlessly for the Apocalypse Countdown clock of days, hours, and minutes to finally hit zero. Until the clock strikes Day 215. Allister unknowingly charges into a conflict older than he is-a cold war for salvation between two rival organizations: a government-sanctioned task force of Evolutionaries and a group of radical, stateless Evolutionaries, both in violent pursuit of the one thing that promises humanity's survival. As Allister goes head-to-head with Evolutionaries on both sides, he must unravel the mysteries surrounding their key to survival, and master his power to retrieve it before the destruction they're trying to stop arrives. Our journey begins with... The Arrival... |
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The Gods Awoke by Marie Vibbert [If the Gods were real, could you believe?] Hitra, high priestess of Revestre, already has enough on her hands: political upheaval, a distractingly attractive male servant, and an upcoming harvest festival. But when a column of flame from the heavens sends a city into tumult, it upends more than just her schedule. Now, Hitra must deal with a religious schism, ethnic strifeâŠand a God growing out of control. |
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The Kuiper Belt Job by David D. Levine The Kuiper Belt Job is a caper story in space, a mash-up of Oceanâs 11 and The Expanse with a dollop of Firefly and Leverage. Itâs an ensemble piece with complex character relationships and a twisty, compelling plot, but beneath the entertaining surface it raises deep questions about identity and personhood. In a world where minds can be copied, what does it mean to be âmeâ? |
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Swallow the Moon by Bri Mooney In a dystopian world ruled by oppression and despair, two individuals find themselves caught in a treacherous web of power and forbidden love. Garrus is determined to salvage the remnants of his shattered world. As the last hope for a dwindling rebellion, he walks a precarious path, his every move shadowed by the ruthless Vampire King and his merciless regime. But when fate intertwined his destiny with that of SigrĂĂ°, the infamous killer fueled by a burning vendetta, everything changed. SigrĂĂ°, a legendary and deadly Vampire, has long harbored a deep-seated hatred for the Vampire King and his reign of terror. Her heart beats with a single purposeâto avenge the losses she has suffered. When a risky encounter at a livestock auction throws her and Garrus together, their agendas collide with electrifying force. Though their initial encounter is marked by enmity and mistrust, an undeniable connection flickers between them. As they reluctantly embark on a perilous journey, each driven by their own motives, Garrus and SigrĂĂ° must navigate a treacherous landscape of danger and deception. Their lives intertwine in unexpected ways, testing the limits of their loyalties and beliefs. Bound by circumstance, they find solace and strength in each other, gradually unraveling the layers of their hardened exteriors to reveal vulnerability and passion. In the face of an oppressive regime, their forbidden love becomes a beacon of hope and defiance, challenging the very foundations of their shattered world. In this dystopian tale of dual perspectives, enemies become unlikely allies, and the line between love and hate blurs amidst the chaos of revolution. âąâąâą STM is the first in a trilogy with dual POV featuring a paranormal tale of vampires and shifters in a dystopian setting. Some tropes are enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, forbidden love, and why choose FFM. |
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In a world where shadows reign, Sigrid embarks on a harrowing journey of vengeance. "Devour the Sun," a gripping prequel to the celebrated "Swallow the Moon" series, thrusts readers into a realm where darkness and defiance collide. As the rebel vampires dethrone a benevolent king, shattering the city's fragile peace, Sigrid flees the chaos. Her courage and leadership swiftly draw survivors, uniting humans, shifters, and vampires in a desperate quest for safety. But Sigrid's thirst for justice refuses to be quenched by mere sanctuary. Her relentless pursuit to dismantle the oppressive crown and liberate those enslaved by darkness drives her forward. In her mission, she encounters Alex, a daring scientist conducting forbidden experiments on vampires. Their enigmatic connection ignites an inferno of forbidden passion that threatens to consume them both. "Devour the Sun" weaves a paranormal dark fantasy tapestry where alliances arise from the ashes of a once-peaceful kingdom, love emerges amidst the ruins, and Sigrid's unyielding spirit sparks a rebellion that will reshape their world forever. Venture into this captivating world where even the shadows hold secrets, and redemption is born from the darkest desires. |
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Alter Ego by Kate Sheeran Swed Hollywood days. Vigilante nights. To the world, she's a star. To the league of heroes who raised her? She's a liability. Mary's got a penchant for gadgets, a resume packed with criminal-busting credentials, and a reckless streak that tends to land her in trouble. So when a potential recruit blazes a trail through a local bar--literally--Mary blows off league protocol and whisks the girl off to HQ. But Mary's heat-of-the-moment rebellion endangers her family when the recruit's father shows up; more blowtorch than human, he's got a vendetta against the league and powerful investors to back him up. Instead of letting Mary help, the league banishes her to a stint of camera-courting under the guise of her celebrity secret identity. But Mary's got no intention of benching her grapple hooks; she chases her own leads through a web of secrets that threatens to unravel her history with the league. As conspiracies pick her family apart, Mary must question everything she's been raised to believe--and what it really means to be a hero--before her fiery enemy sets his sites on the rest of the world. ALTER EGO is a twisty superhero saga for fans of Umbrella Academy and Renegades. |
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Parting Shadows by Kate Sheeran Swed Raised by a heartsick AI, she's programmed to kill. And desperate to flee. After growing up on an isolated space station, Astra dreams of solid ground. But with an AI guardian plugged into her head--and her nervous system--it's not like she's flush with choices. In fact, she's got just one: use her training to carry out the rogue AI's revenge. Her first mission? Assassination. When her target flashes a jamming device that would guarantee her escape from the AI's grasp, Astra sets out to steal it. But the AI's plans are more dangerous than she suspected. Corrupted by heartbreak, the wayward computer is determined to infect the star system with a new order of digital tyranny. Astra's been raised to care for no one but herself. Now she'll have to decide if she's willing to trade the star system's freedom for her own. Parting Shadows is a far-future take on Estella Havisham's journey in Great Expectations, and the first installment in Kate Sheeran Swed's Toccata System novella trilogy. |
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Courage Is the Price by S.L. Dove Cooper Seventeen-year-old Rue doesnât need anyone other than Ghost, her not-so-imaginary best friend. Theyâve been inseparable for as long as Rue can remember and she shares everything with Ghost. The day before Rue returns home from school for the long holiday, Ghost disappears. Ever-fretful Rue tries to tell herself itâs fine, but she knows something is horribly, terribly wrong. Sheâll have to overcome her anxiety find her courage and push her boundaries further than she ever thought possible in order to save her best friend, and perhaps make some new ones as Rue finds herself drawn into the fringes of a secret battle for human survival. Soft science fiction meets fantasy in this exciting novella-length adventure of daring and friendship. |
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Environmental scientist, Zoe Antosâs world has forever been changed. When a mysterious illness sweeps across the globe, the Arrow Equilibrium is only too happy to place the blame on Zoe. Injured and on the run, the only thing that matters now is survival. But at some point, survival isnât enough. Zoe is determined to stop running and find a way to live in this new world. As a new community grows around her, so does the danger. The Arrows wonât stop till she dead, regardless of the collateral damage. Separated from his fiancĂ©, Cole Wilborn finds himself a prisoner of the Arrows. His parents are determined to make him see things their way, even if it means completely breaking down his spirit in the process. Unable to get to Zoe, he is committed to keeping the Arrows off her trail. With the help of his older siblings, he plays the part of dutiful son while gathering information to make his escape. Cole will soon learn that freedom may have consequences he never imagined. Zoe and Cole must find a way to turn the tide in their favor before it crashes down and pulls them under. |
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Hyvilma (The Kitra Saga #3) by Gideon Marcus [A damaged ship, a dying shipmateâcan she save both?] Under attack! The flight back to Hyvilma should have been the easy part for the crew of the Majeraâuntil a deadly ambush by pirates sends them reeling through hyperspace. Now getting to the planet in time is the only way Captain Kitra Yilmaz can save her dying friend. But landing at Hyvilma may be impossible: war has broken out on the Frontier. With illustrations by Hugo Finalist Lorelei Esther. |
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Sirena (The Kitra Saga #2) by Gideon Marcus [One starship, six friends, 10,000 lives in the balance.] Hugo Award Finalist Gideon Marcus has done it again with this second installment in The Kitra Saga. Sirena is a thrilling YA space adventure, unusually hopeful and optimistic in a sea of grimdark, dystopian releases. Enhanced with beautiful illustrations, fans of Becky Chambersâ Wayfarers and Emily Skrutskieâs Bonds of Brass will adore Sirena. Young captain-for-hire Kitra Yilmaz has gotten her first contract: escort the mysterious Princess of AtlĂĄntida beyond the Frontier and find her a new world. Itâs a risky job, fraught with the threat of pirates, dangerous squatters, and rising romantic tensions. Still, Kitra and her crew are up for anything â until they find a lush world, perfect for settlementâŠwith an enormous ghost ship already in orbit. What secret does the crippled vessel hide? And is Kitra ready to take responsibility for its precious cargo? With illustrations by Hugo Finalist Lorelei Esther. |
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[Stranded in space: no fuel, no way home⊠and no one coming to help.] From the pen of Hugo Finalist Gideon Marcus comes the found-family, YA Space Adventure youâve been waiting for: Nineteen-year-old Kitra Yilmaz dreams of traveling the galaxy like her Ambassador mother. But soaring in her glider is the closest she can get to touching the stars â until she stakes her inheritance on a salvage Navy spaceship. On its shakedown cruise, Kitraâs ship plunges into hyperspace, stranding Kitra and her crew light years away. Tensions rise between Kitra and her shipmates: the handsome programmer, Fareedh; Marta, biologist and Kitraâs ex-girlfriend; Peter, the panicking engineer; and the oddball alien navigator, Pinky. Now, running low on air and food, itâll take all of them working together to get back home. With illustrations by Hugo Finalist Lorelei Esther. |
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A Glimmer Of Silver by Juliet Kemp âA Glimmer Of Silver, from @booksmugglers, is bloody brilliant. A really interesting, well told, fascinating piece of ecological fiction. Plus, one pronoun for all, and it's xe!â â D Franklin "a warm and delightful SF YA novella - it reminds me in the best way of what it might be like if Robin McKinley wrote science fiction." â Stephanie Burgis "A Glimmer of Silver reminds us that, sometimes, the most potent barriers exist not between species, but between ourselves. But in its insistence that these barriers are not insurmountable, it speaks to the possibilitiesâand the hopesâof translation and coexistence, at the meeting points of sentience." â Gautum Bhatia, Strange Horizons |
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A Starbound Solstice by Juliet Kemp A festive space queer romance that will melt your heart and warm your exosuit. Linn and xyr crew are halfway through their long journey from Earth to Cetalla; what better time to celebrate a solstice? Bid farewell to Sol and hello to a new homestar. Traditions around mistletoeânot to mention Linnâs totally non-existent crush on xyr crewmate Tayeâhave nothing to do with it. Explaining paperchains to xyr alien crewmate and plotting present-giving keeps Linn busy enough, but then something goes wrong with Heron, the shipâs AI. Tracing the cause to a giant hullbreach onto needlespace, Linn and Taye have no idea what to do about it, or the stranger who came through it. Can they save their ship and get to their new home before the pressures of needlespace damage Heron beyond repair? And is Linn ever going to get that kiss under the mistletoe? "This is such a sweet science fiction holiday story set on an interstellar ship, with just enough natural tension to be fun but with an overriding message of hope and kindness and a real feeling of light - just perfect for the theme of a solstice celebration." â Stephanie Burgis, author |
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Office Politics: A Story of the Apocalypse by L. R. J. Allen Richard is the last man alive. He has survived the super-flu known as Shaking Stevens when the rest of the world perished. He has survived when his family has not. He has survived with no survival instincts. He spends his days rummaging through the remnants of society as loneliness and anger set in. That is, until, his wanderings lead him back to his place of work. It is familiar, it is comforting, it is routine. Until, one day, his desk-phone rings. From the author of Among Other Things comes a tale of survival and hope in the most dire of times, and what a man must do to remain sane. Includes two previously unpublished stories Keep off the Grass and Coin Toss at Acheron Station |
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The Sweet, the Spooky, & The Terrifying by Rachel Ann Hubert Three short stories for every aspect of Halloween. One sweet. One spooky. And one terrifying. Included in this book: Alone Together (The Sweet): The story of a college student determined to ostracize himself from everyone else around him. When he gets an unwanted guest for the night though, he'll soon see that being invisible isn't all that bad. And that sometimes it's worth stepping outside your comfort zone and shushing that negative voice inside your head. The Monster Within (The Spooky): Jules is starting over in a new town, new house, new everything. But this town isn't all it seems. While she tries to start fresh, memories from her previous life start trickling in. What is she running away from? And what is running away from her... The Ouroboros (The Terrifying): It started as a tickle. A tickle that became an itch. And itch at the back of his throat that not only could he not ignore...but that he could not escape |
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They say you never forget the first time you die. Toronto Police Service Detective Finsbury Gage knows this better than anyone. Now that he's gone digital, he sees his death every time he closes his eyesâhe and his wife, smeared across the highway after a malfunctioning bit-head ran them down in a stolen urban assault vehicle. Fin hung together long enough for the Second Skyn recovery team to rescue his fading thoughts from his ruined body and implant them in a custom-grown bioSkyn. His wife wasn't so lucky. Finsbury's been gifted a second chance, but the only thing keeping him from blowing his plastic brains out is that 2.57 seconds of vivid memory running on repeat through his head, the one that contains a instant's glimpse of his killer's face. The police couldn't find the man responsible, and now the only evidence is locked up in Finsbury's brand new mind. Driven to find his killer, Finsbury falls into a dangerous underworld of hackable minds and enhanced bodies, where death is cheap, and memory all that matters. But once he's tasted the power of living at the speed of light, able to predict seconds into the future, how will he ever go back? And once he's relaxed his grip on humanity, how far will he let it slip in the name of finding justice for the woman he loves? Finsbury's going to find the man who stole his future, no matter what he has to do. Or what he must become. |
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Trials of the Innermost by Jonathan Fuller and Kristina W Kelly A cataclysm in Ethereaâs past stopped its rotation, leaving three distinct realms: one of light, one of dark, and one of twilight. Years of war between them followed. Until the establishment of the Trials of the Innermost. A new set of Six Truthseekers are chosen for this quest of learning and cooperation. But the fragile peace created by the Trials is crumbling, even as they begin their first task. The group is composed of each realmâs best and brightest, and their talents range from magic channeled through music to explosive crystals. They will need all their unique abilities to survive the Trials, which take them through scorched wastes, a wall of storms, and the shadowed Fellwood. Along their journey, a shared lost past is rediscovered that forces the Truthseekers to question all they once held to be true. Yet even as they grapple with their new reality, a deadly secret is unveiled. A fragment of an alien force called the Penumbra has possessed one of their own, granting him preternatural abilities. One realm seeks to control the entity, but the Penumbra has other plans. If it can succeed in reuniting its broken pieces, it will gain the power to consume all of Ethereaâs abundant life force. The Truthseekers must overcome their differences and work together to stop the malevolent entity before they lose their friendâand their worldâto the Penumbraâs hunger. |
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The Heart of Space by Adam Gaffen The Cassidyverse is back! Kendra and Aiyana's world is as vibrant and rich as ever in this new collection of thirteen pieces of short fiction. You might think their world runs on fusion power, or antimatter plants, or maybe even warp drives. But it doesn't. It runs on emotions and relationships and heart. What happened after Kendra's near-disastrous Christmas party? You're not going to believe it! Kendra's journey from actress to assassin continues in "Roses Have Thorns" Lexie wants to break up with her boring boyfriend, but she never expected a goddess Shi faces her demons in "Lupus in Astris", putting the ghosts of her past to rest In "Heart of Molycirc", Elsa confronts a lying, corrupt bully to regain her self-respect Step into the distant future of the Terran Empire in "Chooser of the Living" and see the covert battle that could launch a revolution These stories and more show what we mean when we say that the Terran Federation is the Heart of Space. |
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Evan Grey is just trying to get his store, REWIND VIDEO, up and running. Fate, unfortunately, often has other plans. Then he finds something that would be the perfect touch, an old vacuum tube TV. One that keeps turning to static. And it too has other plans. It follows you. Drives you. Itâs already inside you. Lose yourself in...GREY NOISE. âA really fun, fast-paced and engaging novella, âGrey Noiseâ ripped along and I couldnât put it down.â -Steve Stred, Splatterpunk-nominated author of Mastodon âIf youâre looking for a quick, blood-soaked read brimming with nostalgia and some thought provoking commentary on human nature in general, be sure to check out Grey Noise.â -Wendy Dalrymple, author of They Come From The Water âLike a hot acid spit right in the eye, followed by a roundhouse with a steel toe boot square to the temple, while the T.V. is running a marathon of the decline of Western civilization.â -@hausofharlequeen, Goodreads review |
