Book picks similar to
Bleak by Jacqueline Druga


science-fiction
1-cataloged
e-scifi
apocalypse-dystopia

Fluency


Jennifer Foehner Wells - 2014
    They kept the Target under intense surveillance for decades, letting the public believe they were exploring the solar system, while they worked feverishly to refine the technology needed to reach it. The ship itself remained silent, drifting. Dr. Jane Holloway is content documenting nearly-extinct languages and had never contemplated becoming an astronaut. But when NASA recruits her to join a team of military scientists for an expedition to the Target, it’s an adventure she can’t refuse. The ship isn’t vacant, as they presumed. A disembodied voice rumbles inside Jane’s head, "You are home." Jane fights the growing doubts of her colleagues as she attempts to decipher what the alien wants from her. As the derelict ship devolves into chaos and the crew gets cut off from their escape route, Jane must decide if she can trust the alien’s help to survive.

Enduring the Crisis


K.D. Kinney - 2016
    However, timing is everything. When an EMP nuclear event takes out the grid and brings the nation to a complete stop, Tammy and Ben may not have been as prepared as they thought. Tammy is a food storage and emergency preparedness specialist. So she thinks. She and her five daughters will find out how prepared they are when they're put through the ultimate test when the worst happens. Having everything she needs won't bring all her family members home or keep the crazies away. What's worse is she has no way to contact her husband Ben to find out if he survived. Ben is supervising a road-building project in a remote fishing village in Alaska when the state's defense system takes out what could have been a nuclear EMP disaster. The lights are still on where he is, but with all flights grounded, there's no easy way back to Anchorage, much less the lower forty-eight. He might be thousands of miles away from the disaster but he's determined to return home to his family no matter what it takes. As North America is in chaos, Tammy and Ben know the hardships that are in store for them and their family. However, nothing could have prepared them for the real struggles they encounter as they try to protect and reunite with the ones they love. Book One of the Endure Trilogy

Rising Storm: An Apocalyptic Survival Thriller


Kyla Stone - 2017
    A deadly virus unleashed. The fate of mankind hangs in the balance... In a near future devastated by famine and disease, the United States balances on the cusp of collapse. When terrorists hijack a lavish cruise ship, wealthy Amelia Black is forced into hiding with Gabriel Rivera, an enigmatic stranger with a dangerous secret. He's her only hope--if she can trust him. Despite their overwhelming differences--and the killers hunting them--the pair must form an unlikely alliance to survive. As the lines between enemies and allies blur, they uncover a new catastrophic threat: a world-ending bioweapon hidden on the ship. What starts out as a single, terrifying incident will soon evolve into a race to save mankind from an extinction-level event... With hundreds of five-star reviews, thousands of sales, and millions of pages read, this explosive post-apocalyptic series features compelling characters, fast-paced dystopian action, and ripped-from-the-headlines twists. *Rated PG-13 for mild language and moderate violence.* The complete Last Sanctuary series: Rising Storm Falling Stars Burning Skies Breaking World Raging Light Praise for The Last Sanctuary series: "The best book I've read in years! I couldn't decide if I was more thrilled with the well-crafted plot or the depth and breadth of the characters!" -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "If you like your dystopia served with a side of infectious, deadly illness, this series is the one for you!" -Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ "Great characters, excellent world-building, scary plot. Hits all the right spots of family, friendship, and danger. This collection has it all!" -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "This is one non-stop, nerve-wracking, spine-tingling thriller that holds your attention from start to finish!" -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "A ship, social classes, deep players, pirates and shoot 'em ups. Does not get any better than this. Would have given this series 10 stars if possible." -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "This series has everything I love: complex characters with realistic motivations, heart-stopping action and suspense, and insights into the human heart." -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "Incredibly complex, flawed characters separate this work of sci-fi from all others I've read. Highly recommend!" -Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★ "A lot of action, violence, and drama wrapped up in a great story. Riveting focus and great detail." -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "I didn't turn on Netflix the entire 3 days I read this book!" -Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ "If you read one novel this year, make it this one." -Shaun L. Griffiths, author of the Changing Times trilogy ★★★★★ "Read this series for an exciting, page-turning dystopian tale!" -Becky Fleetwood, author of Chroma ★★★★★ "A little science fiction, a little romance, and a whole lot of action!"-Amazon reviewer ★★★★★ &qu

The Gate at the Grey Wolf Star


M.D. Cooper - 2017
     Now Finaeus has convinced them to take a shortcut through a jump gate--a new technology none of them have ever used before--located at a secret dwarf star mining operation. But a mysterious group within the Transcend Space Force, known as the Grey Division, has orders to intercept and capture both Jessica and Finaeus. Trapped at the bottom of a steep gravity well and surrounded by enemies, Jessica and the crew of Sabrina must find a way out of the Grey Wolf System and deliver the crucial information Finaeus carries back to New Canaan before even their allies are forced to turn against them.

Starstruck


Brenda Hiatt - 2013
    Orphaned as an infant and reluctantly raised by an overly-strict "aunt," she's not even sure who she is. M's dream of someday escaping tiny Jewel, Indiana and making her mark in the world seems impossibly distant until hot new quarterback Rigel inexplicably befriends her. As Rigel turns his back on fawning cheerleaders to spend time with M, strange things start to happen: her acne clears up, her eyesight improves to the point she can ditch her thick glasses, and when they touch, sparks fly--literally! When M digs for a reason, she discovers deep secrets that will change her formerly mundane life forever... and expose her to perils she never dreamed of.  Book 1 of the award-winning Starstruck series, where teen romance blends with science fiction to open a whole new world of action, adventure and discovery.

The Phoenix Conspiracy


Richard L. Sanders - 2011
    But, as he chases his prey across the stars, he realizes they are both pawns in a shadowy chess game. One that threatens humankind everywhere. If he is to uncover the conspiracy he must confront--and embrace--the darkest elements of the galaxy. And throw himself, his career, and everyone he loves into the line of fire. The Phoenix Conspiracy is the first in a series of five books. It is available for free on almost every device including iTunes, Nook, and (usually) Kindle. If it is currently not free on Kindle, you may click "tell us about a lower price" and Amazon may choose to match their competitors' promotion for you.

The Renegades


Jack Hunt - 2015
    This is a full standalone novel. Book 2 AFTERMATH and Book 3 FORTRESS are now available.

Activate


Alex Albrinck - 2014
     Now, with the aid of a time capsule, the human race is once more populating the Earth, resurrecting technologies lost centuries earlier. With those innovations, though, come civilization's need to fight for control. Just as humanity seemed poised for a return to stability, they'll learn that some among them seek a return to extinction. They need only find the right time, and the right person, to put their plans in motion.

Ship's Log


Lawrence P. White - 2019
     The Harbok: a star-faring civilization that shoots on sight and refuses to communicate with anyone. Scouts from both civilizations encounter each other in the skies over Earth. Greg Hamilton, a retired special operations soldier who is minding his own business, stumbles into the detritus of that meeting: She struggled for each word. “No . . . hospital.” He reached a hand out and caressed her cheek. “Of course you’re going to a hospital. I’ll be as easy on you as I can, but we can’t delay.” Visibly gathering strength from somewhere, she lifted blue eyes to look directly into his own. She spoke slowly and clearly, “I . . . am . . . not . . . of . . . this . . . Earth.” Though he knows nothing about aliens nor space travel, Greg knows first-hand the ugliness of war. Rather than fight a war, he chooses to end a war. To begin the process, he has to keep an injured An’Atee pilot, the sole survivor of the encounter, alive long enough to get her back to her own doctors. If he plays his cards right though, saving her might include a ride into space.

The Final Six


Alexandra Monir - 2018
    After erratic climate change has made Earth a dangerous place to live, the fate of the population rests on the shoulders of the final six who will be scouting a new planet. Intense training, global scrutiny, and cutthroat opponents are only a few of the hurdles the contestants must endure in this competition.For Leo, the prospect of traveling to Europa—Jupiter’s moon—to help resettle humankind is just the sense of purpose he’s been yearning for since losing his entire family in the flooding of Rome. Naomi, after learning of a similar space mission that mysteriously failed, suspects the ISTC isn’t being up front with them about what’s at risk.As the race to the final six advances, the tests get more challenging—even deadly. With pressure mounting, Naomi finds an unexpected friend in Leo, and the two grow closer with each mind-boggling experience they encounter. But it’s only when the finalists become fewer and their destinies grow nearer that the two can fathom the full weight of everything at stake: the world, the stars, and their lives.

Solar Reboot


Matthew D. Hunt - 2017
    The electrical grid will come back up. The government will reassure the panicked populace. The hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes will abate. Most importantly, Cameron’s husband and daughter will get home safely from New York City. Instead, Cameron finds herself alone as the world tears itself apart. Her best hope for refuge is the family’s isolated cabin, but distance isn’t the only obstacle Cameron faces. Society has been destroyed, and a bunch of scared, confused people are trying to figure out how to survive. They need a leader with a firm grip on reality and a steady hand, but does Cameron want the responsibility of so many lives? Meanwhile, Cameron’s family travels across a ruined America in a quest to reunite with her. Alex believes that his wife is safe at their cabin in the Pacific Northwest, but he doesn’t know if his diabetic daughter, Piper, can survive the journey without access to insulin. As father and daughter fight to survive, they bear witness to not only the horrific violence desperation unleashes but also the grace and compassion of ordinary people.

First Strike


Richard Turner - 2015
    Taken by surprise Earth's far-flung colonies are in danger. The only son of an admiral, Second Lieutenant Michael Sheridan finds himself thrust into a desperate conflict that he and the untried soldiers under his command are not ready for. Fighting the enemy and the elements on a cold, hostile world, Sheridan must rely upon Staff Sergeant Cole, a veteran Marine, to help lead his green soldiers into battle.Focusing on the people struggling to survive the onslaught, First Strike is a novel that propels the reader to the furthest limits of space. From the ground to the stars, First Strike looks at the conflict through the eyes of those caught up in it. Fighting a ruthless and determined enemy, Sheridan soon learns the brutal lessons of war and that his enemy may not be what it appears to be.

Forbidden Planet


Rinelle Grey - 2013
    Due to the noxious gas covering the planet, she can’t conceive a child, and the Council, determined to repopulate the planet, have ended her third—and most precious—relationship. They insist she pick a new mate and try again, but she’s sworn off love and the possibility of ever having a real family.When a ship from the thriving planet of Urslat crashes on Zerris, Marlee rescues the ship’s daring captain, Tyris. His ship is grounded, winter is setting in, and he won’t survive without help. She offers him a deal…he can live with her if he pretends to be her mate so the Council will leave her alone.Tyris agrees and a hungry desire sparks between them as they battle the harsh winter and primitive conditions. Their attraction grows, and soon, keeping their distance becomes impossible, even more challenging than the snow, the Council, and, for Marlee, the risks of a real relationship.Will she risk her heart one last time for a chance at her dream? Or will Tyris be her undoing?

Emerge


Heather Sunseri - 2015
    The only person to contract the virus and survive, Cricket fled her identity and the safety of New Caelum, an airtight city. Now eighteen, she watches the city where the wealthy cocooned from the devastating outbreak. When the city's rumbling incinerator wakes her one night while she and her friends are camping just beyond the city walls, she alone knows what the fiery machine means: the lethal virus is back. Only eighteen, Westlin Layne is already being groomed to succeed his mother as New Caelum's next president. Suddenly West's sister develops symptoms of the deadly virus thought to be eradicated years ago. Placed under quarantine, the president confesses to West a long-held secret: Christina Black, West's childhood friend and first love, survived the virus, and her body alone holds the precious antibodies to save his sister. Now West must leave the city to find Christina. But Cricket has no intention of being found.

The Mine


John A. Heldt - 2012
    But when the college senior, days from graduation, enters an abandoned Montana mine, he discovers the price of reckless curiosity. He emerges in May 1941 with a cell phone he can't use, money he can't spend, and little but his wits to guide his way. Stuck in the age of swing dancing and a peacetime draft, Joel begins a new life as the nation drifts toward war. With the help of his 21-year-old trailblazing grandmother and her friends, he finds his place in a world he knew only from movies and books. But when an opportunity comes to return to the present, Joel must decide whether to leave his new love in the past or choose a course that will alter their lives forever. THE MINE is a love story that follows a humbled man through a critical time in history as he adjusts to new surroundings and wrestles with the knowledge of things to come.