Book picks similar to
The Autistic, the Racer, and the Test subject by Rhoda Wolfe
friends-in-mind
normality-is-overrated-series
sf
social-cultural-commentary
When Darkness Falls
Amanda Perry - 2019
Now forced to deal with things no seventeen-year-old should, she struggles to survive until she can strike out on her own. When a case of mistaken identity thrusts her into a world of mythical creatures, Julianne must decide if she wants to remain in this new world or go back to the harsh life she left behind. Leviathan Black has spent too long watching each of his siblings find their other half. He longs for the companionship he witnesses daily. When his two older brothers commit a reckless act, Levi refuses to be a part of their shenanigans. That is, until he lays eyes on Julianne. Monsters like him should not be attracted to humans like her, but he finds himself inexplicably drawn in. With one touch, their worlds are flipped upside down and he resolves to do anything to keep Julianne with him, where she belongs. But outside forces are determined to tear apart any potential happiness Levi and Julianne may have. Will they succeed, or will Julianne and Levi fight for their happy ending? Julianne Harbor lived the life of a typical teenager until a tragic accident stole everything from her. Now forced to deal with things no seventeen-year-old should, she struggles to survive until she can strike out on her own.
Very Far Away from Anywhere Else
Ursula K. Le Guin - 1976
He knows what he wants to do with his life. But then he meets Natalie and he realizes he doesn't know anything much at all. A slender, realistic story of a young man's coming of age, Very Far Away from Anywhere Else is one of the most inspiring novels Ursula K. Le Guin has ever published.
ARK-13: An Odyssey
B.B. Gallagher - 2016
He didn’t know that when he awoke from hyper sleep he would feel like a captive. He didn’t know that GENESIS would remain on the bridge of the ship and in control of all resources. He didn’t know that they would prosecute his fellow colonists for treason. He didn’t know that his natural born rights would be abused. Jake didn’t know that he would have to lead an insurrection to control the Ark - and the course of humanity along with it.
Onslaught
David Sherman - 2002
Not content to merely seize his father’s throne, the renegade royal dreams of world conquest–and with his army and his black arts, there is little to stop him.So unexpected, so well planned is the invasion of the free port New Bally that out of hundreds in the city, only two escape capture. Haft and Spinner will need all their courage and cunning to retrieve their weapons from their enemy-held ship, cross the open meadows surrounding the city walls, and escape into the forest beyond–where they hope to regroup and drive back the invaders. Luckily, Haft and Spinner are no ordinary men. They are Marines . . .From the Paperback edition.
A Fine and Private Place/The Last Unicorn
Peter S. Beagle - 1991
Beagle and published in 1968. It follows the tale of a unicorn, who believes she is the last of her kind in the world and undertakes a quest to discover what has happened to the others. It has sold more than five million copies worldwide since its original publication, and has been translated into at least twenty languages. In 1987, Locus ranked The Last Unicorn number five among the 33 "All-Time Best Fantasy Novels", based on a poll of subscribers. The story begins with a group of human hunters passing through a forest in search of game. After days of coming up empty-handed, they begin to believe they are passing through a Unicorn's forest, where animals are kept safe by a magical aura. They resign themselves to hunting somewhere else; but, before they leave, one of the hunters calls out a warning to the Unicorn that she may be the last of her kind. This revelation disturbs the Unicorn, and though she initially dismisses it, eventually doubt and worry drive her to leave her forest. She travels through the land and discovers that humans no longer even recognize her; instead they see a pretty white mare. She is taken captive by a traveling carnival led by witch Mommy Fortuna, who uses magical spells to create the illusion that regular animals are in fact creatures of myth and legend. There are many more adventures and the book is a delight, as well as thought-provoking. A good read!!
Fresh Blood
Jennifer Colgan - 2005
Determined to prevent her twin from becoming a feeder, Erica steps out of her quiet, lonely existence and into a dark underworld where vampires rule. Maxwell Hart is a vampire investigator. Part of his job is to protect humans. The moment he lays eyes on Erica, he knows she doesn't belong in his world, but that doesn't stop him from wanting her there. With Max as her guide, Erica descends into a world where humans willingly give up control to their vampire masters. Posing as Max's submissive feeder, Erica discovers a strange freedom in relinquishing her hard won self-control to Max. After just one taste of Erica's blood, Max finds he hungers for no one else. How can he possess her when drawing her deeper into his dark world will change her forever? Rating: Contains graphic sexual content, language and violence as well as mild BDSM elements..
The Methuselah Treatment
T.C. Powell - 2015
Not everyone can. Who decides? Desperate to save his daughter from a mysterious sickness, Daniel applies for the Methuselah Treatment. If she gets it, his daughter won’t just recover, she’ll live forever. But the drug is tightly controlled, and only the special, the talented, and the truly deserving ever receive it. There is nothing special about Daniel’s destitute ten- year-old girl—or is there?
Oblivion: The Complete Series
Joshua James - 2020
Captain Lee Saito's massive new starship is sent to seal the uneasy truce.But a series of terrorist attacks on Earth and the mysterious acts of a strange cult threaten to derail the fragile peace.When the mission goes awry, Saito must try to salvage what he can in deep space while his estranged son must navigate a conspiracy back on Earth that could implicate the highest levels of government.As it all spirals out of control, the future of humanity hangs in the balance.Includes all 9 books in the Oblivion series:Lost MissionFirst ContactFinal InvasionStar FallenBeyond RuinOrion InboundEnter AbyssEarth AriseLast StandFive star reviews for Lost Mission, book 1 in the series:★★★★★ "Plenty of high octane action sequences ... Readers should expect a twisting and curving wild ride."★★★★★ "This is a fast moving book that you won’t want to put down."★★★★★ "A rip roaring tale that does a fine job of world building and character development."
Chronicles of Athena Lee Vol 1
T.S. Paul - 2016
Athena Lee had everything going for her. She graduated the Space academy and had become an Engineer. Her first posting was to an Support fleet building a secret outpost. When her ship is attacked and destroyed she is left alone and forgotten. Athena has to enginner her way home. Rescued many years later. She is arrested for letting an Idiot kill himself by noyt following orders. Now she has a bounty on her head and is beign chased by assassins. Joining a navy not her own she fights for truth while surrounded by corruption and greed. Pirates and bounty hunters bar her way.
Princess Rescue Inc
Chris Hechtl - 2013
Money, fame, power. He had created a multibillion dollar company from almost nothing and turned Ryan's Future technology inc into one of the forefronts of technological innovation.He had it all, yet he gambled it all on a crackpot idea that Earth had it's own wormhole.He'd proven it too, and now he was in for the adventure of his life. No, he wasn't going to sit back and let others go in his stead, he was going to be on the forefront of this grand adventure.To move mankind one step further closer to the stars.He'd found adventure all right, all that and more as he found his team cut off, trapped in the middle of an invasion.Princess Deidra and her younger Sister Zara were having a series of bad days. When the neighboring kingdom suddenly invaded they found themselves on the front lines and swiftly in danger. But will the dashing Gaijin save them? Save them from the wilds of their world, the invaders, and more importantly, themselves?Princess Deidra isn't so sure she wants to be saved!
Neverdark
C.S. Einfeld - 2011
From The Blurb:The Faeries of Southnut are in big trouble. Lord Darkwater is up to no good. The White Castle of Doru is under attack by the greatest army Princess Fiera's ever seen. Lord Darkwater is poised to crush her tiny kingdom unless the king gives Fiera up to become his wife. Well, fffungus! She's having none of that!The race is on for Fiera to outwit Lord Darkwater's Dragonfly Riders, Bat Brigades, and even a giant, faerie-eating Spider to save herself and, before it's too late, her whole world.***
Backyard Dungeon
Logan Jacobs - 2021
It wasn’t a sinkhole, or a bunker, or a mineshaft…It was a dungeon. Full of crazy caverns, unbelievable monsters, and sexy, fantastical women in distress.Oh, and loot. Lots and lots of loot that was just ripe for the taking.So, what am I going to do with it all?And how do I keep everyone else from finding out about it?
Viking
Fabio Lanzoni - 1994
In my own time, I am but an actor on the screen. Yet here I stand, curiously at home in a primitive age—a Viking jarl, miraculously resurrected from the flames of oblivion. And you are my destiny, my wild and beautiful Valkyrie. You hide your pain and sadness behind a mask of scorn—but I have glimpsed your secret tenderness from the shadows and felt the radiant warmth of your love. And if I must first conquer you to have you, then conquer I shall—to win your reluctant heart now and for all eternity.
His Fair Lady
Marian Tee - 2014
Their choice of destination: a whimsical exotic paradise called Eden, which travel guides describe as a place where every person’s fantasy becomes reality. The cynical workaholic prince expects the island’s magic to be lost on him until he stumbles upon Cass, a blind girl whose face has been mysteriously haunting Julian’s dreams for years. As their time together on the island becomes preciously short, Julian knows he must force himself to accept the truth. Cass may own his heart, but another woman shall be his princess.
Halo: Contact Harvest
Joseph Staten - 2019
Harvest is a peaceful, prosperous farming colony on the very edge of human-controlled space. But humanity has unknowingly trespassed on holy ground—straying into the path of the aggressive, theocratic empire known as the Covenant. What begins as a chance encounter between an alien privateer and a human freighter soon catapults all of mankind into a struggle for its very existence. But humanity is also currently locked in a bitter civil war of its own: the Insurrection. With resources strained to the breaking point, the ultimate survival of Harvest’s citizens falls to a squad of battle-weary UNSC Marines and their inexperienced colonial militia trainees. In this unlikely group of heroes, one will stand above the rest—a young Marine staff sergeant named Avery Johnson....