Book picks similar to
Spanners: The Fountain of Youth by Jonathan Maas
fantasy
science-fiction
sci-fi
first-reads
Earth's First
M.J. Caan - 2013
Maura Riley learns this the hard way after a fateful first contact with an alien being that literally fell from the stars. She finds herself thrust into a world of shadowy government operatives, vengeful alien factions, and mutated human beings that suddenly have the ability to act on their darkest, most deprave desires. War is coming to Earth. War in the form of an invading alien horde known as the Anisari, that is bent on dominating or destroying our planet. They are seeking their lost property, the very being that fell to Earth and caused the massive genetic changes occurring on our world. After first contact, human beings are evolving into something that can either save our world, or hasten its destruction. Maura and her friends have to decide if they want to be Earth's defenders or give into the savagery and lust that their newfound mutation allows them to explore. Book one in the dark and gritty science fiction series Earth's First is not to be missed. All three books in the Earth's First saga are available for purchase, or read for free in Kindle Unlimited!
ConQuest
Dhayaa Anbajagane - 2014
An extraordinary boy would conquer it.When a freak space phenomenon threatens to tear open the ancient seals of the Universe, teenage rookie Q and his crew are told to head out and gather vital data on the situation. What they weren't told is they wouldn't be coming back. Thrilling, adventurous and action-packed, ConQuest promises to be a page turning read that will always keep you guessing.
Ephialtes
Gavin E. Parker - 2015
The nation breathes a sigh of relief, and looks forward to the resumption of elections.Across the solar system, the leading industrialist in the USAN’s small colony on Mars is thinking about independence. When the Martian population votes in favour, Mars secedes from the union.It seems to be a fait accompli until it’s suggested that a massive dropship carrying spacecraft, Ephialtes, built to patrol the Earth, could be refitted for interplanetary spaceflight. Maybe the USAN could use its military might to persuade the colonists to reconsider.With an enormous instrument war of heading toward them, the Martians resolve to defend their independence. Limited resources force them to rely on wit and ingenuity as they prepare their defences. Can they prevail against the mighty Ephialtes?Political intrigue, heart-pounding action and page-turning drama abound in this gripping opening to the Ephialtes Trilogy.
In Strange Worlds
Brenda Cheers - 2014
This book has it all: an amazing plot, good portrayals of the novel's characters, mystery and suspense.”“Brenda Cheers writes with almost simplistic style that has its own melodic rhythm.”“'In Strange Worlds' is an intriguing book and one that leaves you thinking for days after.”‘It is the sort of novel you don't want to put down.”“This is the most interesting novel I've read in years!”
Soldier of Charity
Luke R. Mitchell - 2016
Jarek's managed to survive thanks to a one-of-a-kind exosuit, a cheeky AI companion, and a healthy habit of keeping his head down. Then he meets her.When Jarek reveals the power of his suit to save a life, it isn't long before a well-meaning militia boss shows up looking to recruit. But in a ruined world, what's really worth fighting for?If he doesn't decide, someone will for him. And he might not like where those decisions lead.No one ever said growing up in the apocalypse was easy . . . Soldier of Charity is a prequel novella to the Harvesters Series, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure complete with blood-sucking aliens, power armor, and energy-bending arcanists. If you like Star Wars, Halo, or the likes of Neal Asher, E.E. Knight, and Michael Anderle, you'll love this series for its epic conflicts, lovable characters, and (occasional) wit.
EON
Earl E. Hardman - 2016
The Ring keeps out all of humanity’s enemies – in particular, a vicious race of reptilians known as the Parsnaak. On the outer fringe of human-occupied space is the planet Muse, an entire world dedicated and established as a colossal museum – a storehouse of antiquities and relics from the ancient histories of both men and aliens. There, Ian Lotus, a man with his own mysterious past, has chosen to live in deliberate obscurity, harboring secrets that could reshape mankind’s destiny. Now, the impossible has happened: the Chronos Ring has been breached – rendered inert – and Lotus finds himself no longer able to hide in the shadows as he becomes the object of a massive interplanetary manhunt. However, his problems go well beyond simply being the most wanted man in the galaxy. There’s also the approaching Parsnaak invasion fleet to deal with, as well as an enigmatic, extra-dimensional being of immense power who, for reasons unknown, wants Lotus dead.
Untimed
Andy Gavin - 2012
Hell, his own mother can't remember his name. So when a mysterious clockwork man tries to kill him in modern day Philadelphia, and they tumble through a hole into 1725 London, Charlie realizes even the laws of time don't take him seriously. Still, this isn't all bad. Who needs school when you can learn about history first hand, like from Ben Franklin himself. And there's this girl... Yvaine... another time traveler. All good. Except for the rules: boys only travel into the past and girls only into the future. And the baggage: Yvaine's got a baby boy and more than her share of ex-boyfriends. Still, even if they screw up history - like accidentally let the founding father be killed - they can just time travel and fix it, right? But the future they return to is nothing like Charlie remembers. To set things right, he and his scrappy new girlfriend will have to race across the centuries, battling murderous machines from the future, jealous lovers, reluctant parents, and time itself.
Pleasant Grove
Jason Price - 2020
Epic adventure."[Pleasant Grove] kept me guessing from page one."—Ariel Stevenson, TheBookView.com"Ominous monstery fun! A ragtag group of kids trying to save the world...It's just what we need to fill that Stranger Things void."—Megan Putnam, PopReadsReviews"Perfect for fans of 1980s Steven Spielberg movies. It will keep you hanging on to the edge of your seat. I couldn't put it down."—Lauren Stoolfire, Never-Anyone-Else Blog"Superb writing and a fantastically imagined story...You will be left breathless."—Erin Hamilton, MyShelvesAreFullWhat’s outside Pleasant Grove?Welcome to Pleasant Grove, a quiet small town where neighbor helps neighbor and doors are left unlocked at night—an unspoiled paradise with one peculiar feature: It’s enclosed by a glass dome.No one can leave. No one can enter. No one can survive beyond the dome.But then, a visitor arrives from the outside. When 12-year-old Agnes Goodwin discovers a strange boy with no memory, she teams up with her best friends to unravel the mystery. Their extraordinary adventure will uncover a long-buried secret so monstrous it will threaten everything they know…and everyone they love.
The Anthrax Protocol
James M. Thompson - 2016
One by one, the team falls violently ill, bleeding from their eyes and ears before succumbing to a slow, painful death. Whatever was buried with the Aztec chief is still active, infectious--and now airborne…It Spreads Quickly…In Austin, a young archeologist listens to the dying words of her mentor in Mexico--a warning to quarantine the site before all hell breaks loose. In Atlanta, the CDC's Dr. Mason Williams leads an emergency squad on a life-or-death mission--into the hot zone. At Fort Detrick, an army officer sends a trained team to secure the anthrax--as a biological weapon. But time is running out. The disease is spreading rapidly across the border, into the airports, and across the globe, killing thousands. With no cure, no vaccine, and no way to contain it, there will be no hope for humanity--to survive…
Time Burrito
Aaron Frale - 2017
Pete’s food truck at the University of New Mexico isn’t going well. Seniors dare freshman to eat his burritos. Frats use them for pledges and pranks. Rumors fly around campus that they are chupacabra ground up with rat. Pete needs a change, and it comes in the form of a physics experiment gone awry. After being sucked into the past, he stumbles across an ingredient that goes great in one of his creations. First, there was Marty McFly. Then there was Bill and Ted. And now Pete—
Apex Predator Thriller Series Collection
Carolyn McCray - 2013
Salechii: A Shark Park is supposed to be all about learning to respect and protect sharks, however after a Level-5 Hurricane hits and the sharks get out of their pens, the only lesson learned is how fast can you swim?Included in this volume are...Bullies, the prequel short story to SalechiiSalechii, the first full length book in the Apex Predator seriesOpen Water, the bridge short story between Salechii and Shark Station Nyet.Shark Station Nyet, the sequel to SalechiiChurn, the bridge short story between Shark Station Nyet and The Shayu SituationThe Shayu Situation, the final book in the Apex Predator TrilogyBlood in the Water, the wrap up short story to the trilogyIf you are glued to Shark Week, Sharknado, Jaws, or Jurassic Park, the Apex Predator Thriller Trilogy is going to be your new feeding frenzy!
Surveillance
Aaron Pogue - 2010
We abandoned privacy and turned databases into something like gods. They listened to our prayers. They met our needs and blessed us with new riches. They watched over us, protected us, and punished the wicked among us. We almost made a paradise. But there were those who tried to hide from the databases’ all-seeing eye. They used their wealth or power or intellect to turn themselves into ghosts within the endless archive. For years these ghosts have used their anonymity to perpetrate atrocious crimes and slip away unscathed. And now someone among them may go further still. Someone wants to bring the system down. The only thing that stands in his way is the FBI's understaffed and overwhelmed Ghost Targets section. The agent on the case is their newest rookie, Special Agent Katie Pratt, and she's in over her head. The first day on the job gives her an unsolvable murder that ultimately leads her to the greatest threat these gods have ever seen. Can one desperate woman prevent the downfall of her entire society? Previously published as Gods Tomorrow. Surveillance is the first book in the Ghost Targets series. Approximately 70,000 words.
Breaking Through
Josh Hayes - 2014
After a mysterious rift in the fabric of spacetime strands him on an alien world, John must join forces with some unlikely childhood heroes to have any chance of surviving and soon discovers that this strange new world isn’t that alien after all.Someone has been here before and found a way back to tell about it. There is hope, but this is not the fairy tale he knows and John will have to fight if he wants to get home.
Starcrasher
Rock Forsberg - 2017
A deadly cosmic device. It's his time to save the universe.Tredd Bounty's life hasn't been the same since he was kicked out of the Navy. And bouncing between shady jobs and risky missions barely keeps a roof over his head. So when he picks up a rich gig to capture a deadly device that could tear the stars apart, he keeps his incredible power at the ready: the ability to stop time itself…With his eccentric team of misfits by his side, Tredd flies up against an old sweetheart, a vindictive former commander, and a shadowy force racing toward the same artefact. As they hunt for the extreme weapon, the captain uncovers a dangerous secret that could send them crashing into a fiery supernova. It's a good thing Tredd isn't the only one with hidden abilities.Can Tredd reach the device in time to save the galaxy?Starcrasher is the first book in the exhilarating Shades Space Opera series. If you like gritty heroes, alien encounters, and paranormal powers, then you'll love Rock Forsberg's action-packed novel.
Interference
Brad Parks - 2020
That, it turns out, is not quite true: Matt has been prodding the mysteries of the quantum universe, with terrible repercussions for his health. And perhaps even for humanity as a whole.Then, in the midst of another seizure, Matt disappears. When foul play is feared, there is no shortage of suspects. Matt’s research had gained the attention of Chinese competitors, an unscrupulous billionaire, and the Department of Defense, among others.With Matt’s life in clear danger, Brigid sets out to find him. Will Matt be killed before she reaches him, or could the physics that endangered him actually be used to save his life?