Entries by Discover Sci-Fi

2021 Space Opera Novels That Will Transport You To Another Galaxy!

August 19, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

Want a BIG story with heaps of action and larger than life characters? Space opera is the genre for you! This sci-fi sub-genre has become wildly popular in the last few years and as interest has grown, so has the number of series available. If you've been on the hunt for a new one to dive into, look no further than this round-up featuring some of the best space opera books released this year!

Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy (Book 2: Greater Good) by Timothy Zahn

Release Date: April 27, 2021

Thrawn’s latest triumph still rests newly on his shoulders. He has led the Chiss to victory and brought glory to the House of Mitth, but the true threat to the Ascendancy has not yet been extinguished. Their foes do not send threats or ultimatums, do not mass ships on the edge of the Chaos. Their weapons come cloaked in smiles and generosity: Gifts offered freely. Services granted unconditionally.

Across the Ascendancy, seemingly inconsequential events could herald the doom of the Chiss. As Thrawn and the Expansionary Defense Fleet rally to uncover the plot, they discover a chilling truth: Rather than invade Chiss capitals or pillage resources, their enemy strikes at the very foundation of the Ascendancy, seeking to widen the rifts between the Nine Ruling Families and the Forty Great Houses below. As rivalry and suspicion sow discord among allies, each warrior must decide what matters most to them: the security of their family or the survival of the Ascendancy itself.

Read Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy, Book 2 here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Foresight by M. R. Forbes

Release Date: July 27, 2021

As a development platform for desperately needed advanced technology, the experimental starship Foresight is the greatest hope humankind has to flee the alien hordes. For test pilot Captain Nicholas Shepherd, the success of the program is even more personal. Successful completion means delivering his wife and son safely off-world and leaving the war behind for good. But when Foresight suffers a critical malfunction during her final scheduled flight, what should have been a minor setback becomes a major fight for survival.

With his family caught in the crossfire, Nicholas realizes that the flawed starship offers the best chance to escape. It isn’t long before even the frantic evacuation turns sideways, and he discovers that not only is the war harder to get away from than he thought, but Foresight is more than just a prototype.

Much, much more.

Joined by an unintended crew of survivors, Nicholas is about to embark on an impossible mission that will take them far beyond the outer reaches of space. If he fails, humankind won’t just be lost.

We’ll be completely erased.

Read Foresight here on Amazon.

Hold Fast Through the Fire by K. B. Wagers

Release Date: July 27th, 2021

Zuma’s Ghost has won the Boarding Games for the second straight year. The crew—led by the unparalleled ability of Jenks in the cage, the brilliant pairing of Ma and Max in the pilot seats, the technical savvy of Sapphi, and the sword skills of Tamago and Rosa—has all come together to form an unstoppable team. Until it all comes apart.

Their commander and Master Chief are both retiring. Which means Jenks is getting promoted, a new commander is joining them, and a fresh-faced spacer is arriving to shake up their perfect dynamics. And while not being able to threepeat is on their minds, the more important thing is how they’re going to fulfill their mission in the black.

After a plea deal transforms a twenty-year ore-mining sentence into NeoG service, Spacer Chae Ho-ki earns a spot on the team. But there’s more to Chae that the crew doesn’t know, and they must hide a secret that could endanger everyone they love—as well as their new teammates—if it got out. At the same time, a seemingly untouchable coalition is attempting to take over trade with the Trappist colonies and start a war with the NeoG. When the crew of Zuma’s Ghost gets involved, they end up as targets of this ruthless enemy.

With new members aboard, will the team grow stronger this time around? Will they be able to win the games? And, more important, will they be able to surmount threats from both without and within? 

Get your copy of Hold Fast Through the Fire here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Release Date: August 3rd, 2021
The war is over. Its heroes forgotten. Until one chance discovery . . . Idris has neither aged nor slept since they remade him in the war. And one of humanity's heroes now scrapes by on a freelance salvage vessel, to avoid the attention of greater powers. After earth was destroyed, mankind created a fighting elite to save their species, enhanced humans such as Idris. In the silence of space they could communicate, mind-to-mind, with the enemy. Then their alien aggressors, the Architects, simply disappeared—and Idris and his kind became obsolete. Now, fifty years later, Idris and his crew have discovered something strange abandoned in space. It's clearly the work of the Architects—but are they returning? And if so, why? Hunted by gangsters, cults and governments, Idris and his crew race across the galaxy hunting for answers. For they now possess something of incalculable value, that many would kill to obtain.

Read Shards of Earth here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

The Exiled Fleet by J. S. Dewes

Release Date: August 17th, 2021

The Sentinels narrowly escaped the collapsing edge of the Divide.

They have mustered a few other surviving Sentinels, but with no engines they have no way to leave the edge of the universe before they starve.

Adequin Rake has gathered a team to find the materials they'll need to get everyone out.

To do that they're going to need new allies and evade a ruthless enemy. Some of them will not survive.

Grab The Exiled Fleet here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

The Scavenger Door by Suzanne Palmer

Release Date: August 17th, 2021

Fergus is back on Earth at last, trying to figure out how to live a normal life. However, it seems the universe has other plans for him. When his cousin sends him off to help out a friend, Fergus accidently
stumbles across a piece of an ancient alien artifact that some very powerful people seem to think means the entire solar system is in danger. And since he's the one who found it, they’re certain it’s also his problem to deal with.
 
With the help of his newfound sister, friends both old and new, and some enemies, too, Fergus needs to find the rest of the artifact and destroy the pieces before anyone can reassemble the original and open a multidimensional door between Earth and a vast, implacable, alien swarm. Problem is, the pieces could be anywhere on Earth, and he’s not the only one out searching.

Get your copy of The Scavenger Door here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

The Light Chaser by Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell

Release Date: August 24th, 2021

Amahle is a Light Chaser – one of a number of explorers, who travel the universe alone (except for their onboard AI), trading trinkets for life stories.

But when she listens to the stories sent down through the ages she hears the same voice talking directly to her from different times and on different worlds. She comes to understand that something terrible is happening, and only she is in a position to do anything about it.

And it will cost everything to put it right.

Dive into Light Chaser here on Amazon.

Inhibitor Phase by Alastair Reynolds

Release Date: October 12, 2021

For thirty years a tiny band of humans has been sheltering in the caverns of an airless, crater-pocked world called Michaelmas. Beyond their solar system lie the ruins of human interstellar civilization, stalked by a ruthless, infinitely patient cybernetic entity determined to root out the last few bands of survivors. One man has guided the people of Michaelmas through the hardest of times, and given them hope against the wolves: Miguel de Ruyter.

When a lone human ship blunders into their system, and threatens to lead the wolves to Michaelmas, de Ruyter embarks on a desperate, near-suicide mission to prevent catastrophe. But an encounter with a refugee from the ship—the enigmatic woman who calls herself only Glass—leads to de Ruyter's world being turned upside down.

Get your copy of Inhibitor Phase here on Amazon.

Leviathan Falls by James S. A. Corey

Release Date: November 16th, 2021

The Laconian Empire has fallen, setting the thirteen hundred solar systems free from the rule of Winston Duarte. But the ancient enemy that killed the gate builders is awake, and the war against our universe has begun again.
 
In the dead system of Adro, Elvi Okoye leads a desperate scientific mission to understand what the gate builders were and what destroyed them, even if it means compromising herself and the half-alien children who bear the weight of her investigation. Through the wide-flung systems of humanity, Colonel Aliana Tanaka hunts for Duarte’s missing daughter. . . and the shattered emperor himself. And on the Rocinante, James Holden and his crew struggle to build a future for humanity out of the shards and ruins of all that has come before.
 
As nearly unimaginable forces prepare to annihilate all human life, Holden and a group of unlikely allies discover a last, desperate chance to unite all of humanity, with the promise of a vast galactic civilization free from wars, factions, lies, and secrets if they win.
 
But the price of victory may be worse than the cost of defeat.

Start reading Leviathan Falls here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Discordia by Kristyn Merbeth

Release Date: December 7th, 2021

Scorpia is finally back among the stars, far away from the memories of the war she and her family started – and ended – on Nibiru. Her first order as captain of the Memoria is to keep her crew safe, and she is all too happy not to get involved in dangerous political games for once.

Corvus is haunted by what he experienced at the hands of the Titan attack, and he’s just as eager for a new beginning. He knows that not all Titans are built for war, and that the system can find peace, even as Deva and Pax begin to rattle their sabers.

Though the Kaisers may be responsible for diverting a multi-planet war, the planetary leaders are wary of the knowledge they hold. Better to lock them up and keep their dark secrets hidden. But the Kaisers are the only ones who know the truth about the threat of the ancient world-ending alien weapons rooted in each planet – and they may be the only ones who can save the system from total annihilation. 

Grab Discordia
here on Amazon.

Which of these space operas will make their way into your (e)bookshelf? Which ones are you most excited for? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

2021 Military Sci-Fi Novels That Will Blast You Away!

August 5, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

If there's anything we know about the Discover Sci-Fi community, it's that y'all absolutely love your military sci-fi. So we did a scan of some of the new military sci-fi books launching or recently launched in 2021 for you to add to your TBR list. Enjoy!

Green World by B.V. Larson 

Release Date: May 28th, 2021

Rebels build a secret base on Green World. Their plan is to attack Earth and retake all the planets the Humans have conquered.

Hegemony starships gather to strike the Rebels first, but where is their base? As the fleets search, Earth warships trespass into Skay space igniting a fresh border conflict between rival Galactics.

When James McGill stumbles onto the rebel camp, they’re forced to step up their plans. The world goes up in flames. Friends are permed and cities are destroyed as everything spins out of control.

Read Green World here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Jack Four by Neal L. Asher

Release Date: June 10, 2021

Created to die–determined to live . . .

Jack Four–one of twenty human clones–has been created to be sold. His purchasers are the alien prador and they only want him for their experimentation program. But there is something different about Jack. No clone should possess the knowledge that’s been loaded into his mind. And no normal citizen of humanity’s Polity worlds would have this information.

The prador’s king has been mutated by the Spatterjay virus into a creature even more monstrous than the prador themselves. And his children, the King’s Guard, have undergone similar changes. They were infected by the virus during the last humans-versus-prador war, now lapsed into an uneasy truce. But the prador are always looking for new weapons – and their experimentation program might give them the edge they seek.

Suzeal trades human slaves out of the Stratogaster Space Station, re-engineering them to serve the prador. She thinks the rewards are worth the risks, but all that is about to change. The Station was once a zoo, containing monsters from across known space. All the monsters now dwell on the planet below, but they aren’t as contained as they seem. And a vengeful clone may be the worst danger of all.

Read Jack Four here on Amazon.

Boundless (The Lost Fleet: Outlands Book 1) by Jack Campbell

Release Date: June 15th, 2021

Geary believed in the Alliance. Even when he uncovered overwhelming evidence that the highest echelons of the government and fleet command were involved in secret programs and prison camps, he believed it was worth saving. And that his duty was to see that justice was served even though some factions feared that revealing the truth would cause the Alliance to crumble.

But after narrowly surviving two assassination attempts when he brings evidence of the misdeeds to the capital star system, Geary realizes that some have decided the easiest way to make the Alliance's problems go away is to get rid of him. He finds himself ordered to undertake a perilous new mission outside of the reaches of human-occupied space while the Senate clashes over the evidence.

Geary's warships must escort a diplomatic and scientific mission across the dangerous, disintegrating remnants of the Syndicate Worlds empire. But even if he can make it to Midway Star System, the gateway to alien-controlled space, Geary will face former Syndicate officials who have rebelled and regard the Alliance with deep suspicion. And that will be the easy part. . . 

Get your copy of Boundless here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Impulse by Ken Lozito

Release Date: August 3rd, 2021
Over the years, Connor has pieced together evidence of a mysterious group of aliens who roamed the multiverse and have been to New Earth.

Setting off to make new discoveries about them is straightforward enough, but this is New Earth, and Connor Gates has a knack for finding trouble.

For over twenty years, Connor and Diaz have been friends. They’ve survived two wars and have seen the best and the worst of each other. When a terrorist attack takes the life of Diaz’s son, their friendship will be pushed to the breaking point.

To find who is responsible, Diaz is willing to cross as many lines as it takes. Connor will do everything he can to protect his friend, even from himself. It’ll take everything he’s got to find who is responsible while preserving a peaceful coexistence with New Earth’s inhabitants.

Sometimes protecting your friends is a lot tougher than fighting your enemies.

Read Impulse here on Amazon.

Citadel by Marko Kloos

Release Date:August 10th, 2021

The war should have been over. But it’s not for a group of nationalists grabbing for control.

It’s been two weeks since a missile with a nuclear warhead tore through the planetary defenses in the most blistering large-scale attack ever committed in the history of the Gaia system. Commander Dunstan Park of the Rhodian navy has been handpicked to command an experimental cruiser that could dictate the course of the escalating conflict. All he has to do is keep the ship from falling into the wrong hands.

On Gretia, the powder keg is beyond control. A terrorist attack against civilians draws Idina Chaudhary into a costly battle. It also forces a cautious Aden Jansen back into the fray. Now dedicated to a just cause, he’s still keeping his past hidden. The risk of exposing his former alliance could twist not only his fate but also that of his sister, Solveig, heir to the family empire.

With no time to waste, Dunstan hits the ground running. But as insurgents threaten the unstable peace, what’s ahead for both sides could change the destiny of the Gaia system forever.

Grab Citadel here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

Leviathan by Nick Webb

Release Date: September 11th, 2021

Earth has fallen to the Findiri, and the resistance to their rule led by Admiral Shelby Proctor is scattered across the galaxy.

Controlled by the Quiassi who calls himself Abraham Haws--Captain Granger's old friend and XO--the Findiri unleash a storm of destruction as they hunt down Granger, their creator, and seek to end the resistance to their rule.

But a single surviving Swarm ship has returned from their universe, threatening all sentient life in the galaxy and making the defeat of the Findiri all the more urgent, for if the surviving Swarm gets their way, the very existence of the universe is at stake.

All races and worlds gather--human, Dolmasi, Skiohra, Valarisi, Eru, and Itharan, to confront the Findiri, and make one last stand against their mortal enemy: the Swarm, which seeks the end of all life, across all universes and existence.

Get your copy of Leviathan here on Amazon.

Release Point (Drop Troopers Book 8) by Rick Partlow

Release Date: September 14th, 2021

It's the final showdown between Cam and a rogue Tahni general... And it might be the end of everything.

Cam and Vicky are chasing down Zan-Thint to his last fortress, a lifeless world deep in Tahni space. If they can't take him down before he activates an ancient alien weapon, a swarm of biomechanical killing machines will wipe out all life in the Commonwealth.

But devastating his enemies is only half of Zan-Thint's plan. He doesn't do anything without an escape route.

And this one will take him--and Cam Alvarez--clear out of the galaxy.

Dive into Release Point here on Amazon.

The Omega Protocol (Cade Korbin Chronicles Book 4) by Jasper T. Scott

Release Date: September 23rd, 2021

CHAOS IS COMING…
After defeating Nadine Zabelle and tricking her into paying him a handsome sum, Cade Korbin finally has more credits than he knows how to spend. In addition, he has the alien entity known as Alpha and the power of the swarm on his side. Finally, things are going his way.

Cade decides to leverage his good fortune to start his own guild: the Templar, dedicated to hunting the galaxy’s crime lords and all of the corrupt authorities that shelter them.

But meanwhile, tensions are simmering along the border between the Alliance and the Coalition. A cease fire was declared, but both sides are bitterly licking their wounds.

Cade learns of a dangerous operation, code-named “The Omega Protocol”, which entails using the Priors’ Gateway to travel to the future and bring back a weapon that could win the war.

Having used the Gateway before, Cade knows that time travel is like a snake eating its own tail, and Alpha has already warned him that there is another entity like him lurking in the future, one whose only goal is to cause chaos and destruction.

In order to stop The Omega Protocol, Cade must cut a deal with the very enemies he sought to eradicate. Together, they must destroy the Gateway before it can be used to usher in a dark age the likes of which the galaxy hasn’t seen since the Priors mysteriously disappeared.

Get your copy of The Omega Protocol
here on Amazon.

The Last Shadow by Orson Scott Card

Release Date: October 19th, 2021

One planet.

Three sapient species living peacefully together.

And one deadly virus that could wipe out every world in the Starways Congress, killing billions.

Is the only answer another great Xenocide?

Start reading The Last Shadow here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Halo: Divine Wind by Troy Denning

Release Date: October 19th, 2021

An original novel set in the Halo universe—based on the New York Times bestselling video game series!

October 2559. With the galaxy in the suffocating grip of a renegade artificial intelligence, another perilous threat has quietly emerged in the shadows: the Keepers of the One Freedom, a fanatical and merciless Covenant splinter group, has made its way beyond the borders of the galaxy to an ancient Forerunner installation known as the Ark. Led by an infamous Brute named Castor, the Keepers intend to achieve what the Covenant, in all its might, failed to: activate Halo and take the last steps on the path of the Great Journey into transcendence.

But unknown to Castor and his new, unexpected ally on the Ark, there are traitors to the cause in their midst—namely the Ferrets, composed of Office of Naval Intelligence operative Veta Lopis and her young team of Spartan-IIIs, who have been infiltrating the Keepers to lay the groundwork for Castor’s assassination. But with ONI’s field operations now splintered and cut off by the Guardian threat, Veta’s original mission has suddenly and dramatically escalated in scope. There’s simply no choice or fallback plan—either the Ferrets somehow stop the Keepers or the galaxy faces an extinction-level event….

Grab In the Halo: Divine Wind
here on Amazon.

Which of these military sci-fi releases will make their way into your (e)bookshelf? Which ones are you most excited for? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

Aeon Rising – The Official Video Trailer

May 19, 2022 /0 Comments/in , /by

The Apocalypse is Coming This June....

Aeon Rising by Matthew Mather is launching this June. Here's the exclusive trailer to feast your eyes on and get STOKED about this epic post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller.

"An apocalyptic supernova flashes over the South Pole. A mysterious mission sent deep into the Amazon.
The story of one family’s struggle to reunite…

Max Carver, a down-on-his-luck truck driver and Army vet, joins a rescue mission into Brazil. The target is a utopian tech village, the Colony, hidden in the rainforest and run by a charismatic genius. Max’s pregnant wife, Talisha Carver, is the NSA analyst who intercepted encrypted Colony messages signaling a mysterious impending event.

Dr. Xin Rou is a Chinese researcher working at the IceCube neutrino experiment at the South Pole. On lucky days a single flash might signal the passage of a ghostly interstellar particle. Suddenly, IceCube’s entire array lights up. A million detectors at once. Which is impossible. The Antarctic sky is clear and calm—but she is already running for the door.

Because the world is about to end. And the mystery begins..."

Pre-order your copy on audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.


CHECK IT OUT

Sci-Fi Holiday Gift Guide

December 2, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

Not sure what to get the sci-fi lover on your list? Or maybe your loved ones need a nudge in the right direction? Check out this year's Discover Sci-Fi Holiday Gift Guide for some stellar ideas!

Dune: Book 1 The Graphic Novel Illustrated by Raúl Allén

The definitive graphic novel adaptation of Dune, the groundbreaking science fiction classic by Frank Herbert.

Dune, Frank Herbert’s epic science-fiction masterpiece set in the far future amidst a sprawling feudal interstellar society, tells the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family accept control of the desert planet Arrakis. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a powerful, fantastical tale that takes an unprecedented look into our universe, and is transformed by the graphic novel format. In the first volume of a three-book trilogy encompassing the original novel, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson’s adaptation retains the story's integrity, and Raúl Allén and Patricia Martín’s magnificent illustrations, along with cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz, bring the book to life for a new generation of readers.

Grab Dune: Book 1 The Graphic Novel here on Amazon. Also available on Kindle.

Modiphius Dune Collectors Edition Harkonnen Core Rulebook

An extensive look at the Imperium, its society, factions, history, technology, culture, faith, and more.

Guidelines for novice and experienced gamemasters on how to run Dune-themed adventures and campaigns of intrigue and adventure for the elite agents of a noble House.

Rules for creating a noble House of your own, from House Minor to Major House, detailing its holdings, areas of expertise, and agenda.

Systems for architect play, where you become the puppet masters, moving agents to your designs to serve your House.

An introductory adventure designed to quickly get you and your fellow players involved in the byzantine plots of the Imperium on Arrakis.


Pick up Modiphius Dune Collectors Edition Harkonnen Core Rulebook  here on Amazon. 

The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield

1973: a final, top-secret mission to the Moon. Three astronauts in a tiny spaceship, a quarter million miles from home. A quarter million miles from help.

NASA is about to launch Apollo 18. While the mission has been billed as a scientific one, flight controller Kazimieras "Kaz" Zemeckis knows there is a darker objective. Intelligence has discovered a secret Soviet space station spying on America, and Apollo 18 may be the only chance to stop it.

But even as Kaz races to keep the NASA crew one step ahead of their Russian rivals, a deadly accident reveals that not everyone involved is quite who they were thought to be. With political stakes stretched to the breaking point, the White House and the Kremlin can only watch as their astronauts collide on the lunar surface, far beyond the reach of law or rescue.

Full of the fascinating technical detail that fans of The Martian loved, and reminiscent of the thrilling claustrophobia, twists, and tension of The Hunt for Red October, The Apollo Murders is a high-stakes thriller unlike any other. Chris Hadfield captures the fierce G-forces of launch, the frozen loneliness of space, and the fear of holding on to the outside of a spacecraft orbiting the Earth at 17,000 miles per hour as only someone who has experienced all of these things in real life can.

Strap in and count down for the ride of a lifetime.

Get your copy of The Apollo Murders here on Amazon. Also available in hardcover and on audiobook.

A Piece of Space from Happy Land Gifts 

OWN A PIECE OF SPACE
Get the rare and special opportunity to own a piece of a shooting star. The real meteorite that measures 8-12 mm. You may carry it around as a lucky charm. These rare gems come from a meteorite rock impact that happened around 5,000 years ago in Campo del Cielo in Argentina. There’s nothing like owning a piece of history.
Personalize ownership with an authentic certificate. These authentic meteorite pieces come with an official document on which you can write your name or the name you give this present to.

Proudly made in Germany, our space rock set is created to meet your needs. It comes in an elegant gift box that’s ready to be given away. It's perfect for special occasions!

Pick up a piece of space here on Amazon. 

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel, Marc Sumerak

Join intergalactic gourmet Strono “Cookie” Tuggs for a mouthwatering journey into the cuisine of Black Spire Outpost and beyond.

From the swamps of Dagobah to the forests of Endor and the deserts of Jakku, chef extraordinaire Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has traveled countless light-years to compile the galaxy’s most delicious recipes into this unique volume.

With Cookie as your guide, journey to the streets of Black Spire Outpost and discover delectable delicacies such as Braised Shaak Roast, Nerf Kebabs, Mustafarian Lava Buns, Huttese Slime Pods, Spicy Mandalorian Stew, and much more.

Featuring seventy recipes—including sides, sauces, soups, breads, main courses, desserts, and drinks—this comprehensive cookbook is a hyperspace route to the tastiest treats in the galaxy, bringing a little taste of Black Spire Outpost right into your own home.

Grab Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge: The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook here on Amazon. 

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Sci-Fi Debuts list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

Star Trek: The Original Series USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Pizza Cutter 

Kitchen Essentials: This collectible Star Trek USS Enterprise Pizza Cutter is a must-have addition to any cooking space. Flaunt your fandom while upgrading your kitchen accessories with this professional quality pizza slicer.

Interstellar Design: Inspired by the USS Enterprise NCC 1701 ship from Star Trek: The Original Series. Specially designed with fans in mind, the ship designation is laser-etched on the wheel of the stainless steel blade.

High Starfleet Standards: This Star Trek pizza cutter features a sleek finish and solid metal construction. The saucer section of the USS Enterprise functions as the blade while you hold the starship, making it easy to slice and handle.

Ship Specs: Measures approximately 9 inches including the blade. Perfect for everyday use, this collectible Star Trek pizza cutter is a fan-centric kitchen utensil that allows Trekkies to show off their fandom.

Pick up your own USS Enterprise NCC 1701 Pizza Cutter here on Amazon.

Far Sector by N.K. Jemisin Illustrated by Jamal Campbell

The City Enduring, a booming metropolis at the edge of the universe, hasn’t experienced a violent crime in generations. The Emotion Exploit has erased its citizens’ full range of feelings, allowing three resident races to overlook their turbulent history and coexist peacefully—until now. 
 
Rookie Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein is still adjusting to her assignment to protect this strange world when a brutal murder rattles its social order, threatening to undo centuries of controversial progress . As the populace rises up against the legacy of the Emotion Exploit and leaders grapple for power under threat of a new war, Jo must rely on her unique instincts—as a Green Lantern and the only human in this sector—to solve the crime and guide the City Enduring toward a more promising future.
 
Hugo Award-winning author N.K. Jemisin joins bestselling Naomi artist Jamal Campbell in the Eisner Award-nominated sci-fi murder mystery Far Sector, collecting all 12 issues, concept art and character designs, and an introduction by Gerard Way.

Pick up Far Sector in paperback here on Amazon. Also available on kindle.

The H.G. Wells Collection: Deluxe 6-Volume Box Set Edition

H.G. Wells was a pioneer of the science fiction genre and a man of boundless imagination. Whether describing marvelous new technologies, the vagaries of space flight or the risks of scientific development, his writings have continually captivated readers across the globe.

These complete and unabridged tales include:
• The First Men in the Moon
• The War of the Worlds
• The Invisible Man
• The Island of Doctor Moreau
• When the Sleeper Wakes
• The Time Machine & Other Stories

Encased in a handsome boxset with luxurious cloth finishes on the top and bottom, this collection makes the perfect gift for any book lover.

Get The H.G. Wells Collection in hardcover here on Amazon. Also available on kindle

Doctor Who 13th Doctor Socks

HAVE FUN WITH YOUR SOCKS: Don't dress like everyone else! Show off your individuality, personality, & love for Doctor Who with these fun, officially licensed socks.

3 PAIR PACK: Mix & match these 3 different sock styles, featuring: Tardis, the Doctor's costume, Doctor's silhouette alongside Tardis.

Grab yourself or someone you love Doctor Who 13th Doctor Socks
here on Amazon. 

Leviathan Falls by James S.A. Corey

Hugo Award The biggest science fiction series of the decade comes to an incredible conclusion in the ninth and final novel in James S.A. Corey's Hugo-award winning space opera that inspired the Prime Original series.

Winner for Best Series

The Laconian Empire has fallen, setting the thirteen hundred solar systems free from the rule of Winston Duarte. But the ancient enemy that killed the gate builders is awake, and the war against our universe has begun again.

In the dead system of Adro, Elvi Okoye leads a desperate scientific mission to understand what the gate builders were and what destroyed them, even if it means compromising herself and the half-alien children who bear the weight of her investigation. Through the wide-flung systems of humanity, Colonel Aliana Tanaka hunts for Duarte’s missing daughter. . . and the shattered emperor himself. And on the Rocinante, James Holden and his crew struggle to build a future for humanity out of the shards and ruins of all that has come before.

As nearly unimaginable forces prepare to annihilate all human life, Holden and a group of unlikely allies discover a last, desperate chance to unite all of humanity, with the promise of a vast galactic civilization free from wars, factions, lies, and secrets if they win.

But the price of victory may be worse than the cost of defeat.

Grab Leviathan Falls here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

Which of these would you love to find under the tree this Christmas? Anything here you think you'll pick up for a sci-fi loving loved one? What must-have items did we miss? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

Wayward Galaxy 2 – Audiobook Trailer Exclusive Preview

July 26, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

Coming this summer, the sequel you’ve all b-b-been waiting for...

Wayward Galaxy 2 is now available on audio! Here's the exclusive trailer for the audiobook launch of the explosive sequel to the blockbuster new series that had sci-fi listeners calling for more.

"Their foothold established, Reach and the soldiers sent to secure Amir have only begun to repair the destruction inflicted on them by hostile neighbors when a terrifying new threat emerges from the deep woods and dark jungles of Amir itself… something so lethal and evasive, not even Brody can seem to take it down.

New threats and old enemies arrive as more mysteries of this new home world are uncovered, and with them, clues to humanity’s own mysterious past."

Don’t miss this next installment featuring the gritty combat of Galaxy’s Edge combined with the world-building intrigue of the Renegade Star series performed by none other than award-winning narrator R.C. Bray.


GET IT NOW ON AUDIBLE

The Dark – An Exclusive Preview of the R. C. Bray Narrated Audiobook

July 10, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

There shall come over the whole Earth, an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights.

Discover Sci-fi presents an exclusive sneak peek of the audiobook sample for “The Dark” the brand new release from New York Times and number one Audible best-selling duo Jeremy Robinson and R. C. Bray, a story of a horrifying revelation about the centuries-old Three Days of Darkness prophecy, during which the legions of Hell will be unleashed on Earth....

Miah Gray is a 27-year-old former army soldier living in rural New Hampshire with his sister, mother, and her boyfriend. He is plagued by PTSD, finding solace, but not redemption, with the aid of prescribed cannabis. All he wants to do is get high, relax with a good sandwich, and watch a meteor shower with his neighborhood crush, Jen.

When the sun's light is blotted out the following morning and the world is plunged into darkness, Miah finds himself locked down with his family, covering windows with trash bags, lighting candles, and following the arcane rules of an ancient prophecy. But there is no escaping what comes next.

The Dark is a mind-bending and character driven sci-fi-infused horror novel like no other. Dive head first to this 10 hours plus post-apocalyptic thriller, available now on Audible.

Check out the exclusive clip from the audiobook, read by narrator extraordinaire R.C. Bray, below.


GET IT NOW ON AUDIBLE

Audiobook Box Sets We Love!

May 13, 2021 /1 Comment/in , /by

These epic audiobook box sets all deliver great stories and stellar performances; and, with running times of 14 hours to over 55 hours, they deliver tremendous value to boot! Some of these picks are available now and some of them will be released later in the year; any of them would make a great pick for your next road trip! 

Alliance Space by C.J. Cherryh performed by Daniel Thomas May

Release Date: February 9, 2021

Runtime: Almost 22 hours

Two Alliance-Union novels, Merchanter's Luck and Forty Thousand in Gehenna, bound in one omnibus volume for the first time!

Merchanter's Luck

His name was Sandor, and he was the owner and entire crew of a tramp star-freighter that flew the Union planets under false papers and fake names. Her name was Allison, and she was a proud but junior member of the powerful family whose mighty starship, Dublin Again, was the true queen of the spaceways. They met at Viking Station. She seeking a night's dalliance; he desperately in search of a spacer assistant. Their fateful meeting was to lead to a record-breaking race to Pell Station, thereby catching the calculating eye of the grim commander of the Alliance battlecraft Norway and a terrifying showdown at a deadly destination off the cosmic charts.

Forty Thousand in Gehenna

When 40,000 human colonists are abandoned for political reasons on a planet called Gehenna, and re-supply ships fail to arrive, collapse seems imminent. Yet over the next two centuries, the descendants of the original colonists survive despite all odds by entering a partnership with the planet's native intelligence - the lizard-like, burrowing calibans.

She knows they’re humanity's last chance.

Start listening to Alliance Space
here on Amazon

Slow Burn by Bobby Adair performed by Phil Thron

Release Date: February 12, 2021

Runtime: Over 55 hours

It was just a random mutation - one of a billion that happen in viruses every day. But this one was different. It exploded out of Somalia and spread across the oceans before anybody thought to look up from their cell phones to see what was going on. 

The infected breathed the virus into the air around them, spreading it through the cities faster than anyone thought possible. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Police lines crumbled. Quarantine sites disintegrated. Cities started to collapse.  

Through the chaos, some, like Zed Zane, discovered the virus wasn't going to kill them, but change them. Change them into something different, and leave them in a world where the word "survival" took on an older, more brutal meaning.

Start listening to Slow Burn here on Amazon.

Science Fiction Classics by Mary Shelley, HG Wells, and Robert Louis Stevenson, performed by Jonathan Waters

Release Date: March 3rd, 2021

Runtime: Over 19 hours

Unearth the timeless science fiction stories that define the sci-fi genre.

Containing some of the most famous and influential science fiction works of the 19th and 20th centuries, this brilliant collection unveils four incredible sci-fi books that have defined and shaped the genre for generations. Drawing on the timeless works of Mary Shelly, H. G. Wells and Robert Louis Stevenson, this collection will take you on a journey into strange and sometimes eerie worlds of alien invasions, monsters, and outlandish concepts.

Books included in this collection:

  • Frankenstein, a legendary gothic-inspired novel and perhaps the first science fiction horror story ever written
  • The Time Machine, the gripping novella responsible for popularizing the concept of time travel
  • The War of the Worlds, H. G. Wells’ world-famous alien invasion novel that sparked generations of films, radio shows and stories
  • And The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, which explores the duality of good and evil through an ingenious and strange tale of a man who becomes a monster

Perfect for fans of early science fiction and classical writing, the Science Fiction Classics Collection reveals the fascinating origins of the sci-fi genre, along with the timeless books that gave rise to a rich world of thought-provoking concepts and futuristic technology.

Get your copy of Science Fiction Classics  here on Amazon.

Orbs by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri narrated by Bronson Pinchot

Release Date: June 8th, 2021
Runtime: Over 40 hours
A thrilling collection of the entire best-selling Orbs series from New York Times best-selling author Nicholas Sansbury Smith.
While training for a manned mission to Mars, Dr. Sophie Winston and her team of scientists find themselves cut off from the rest of the world. Trapped inside a biosphere deep within the confines of Cheyenne Mountain, Sophie and crew discover they are the survivors of a brutal alien invasion. But as they struggle to stay alive, they realize their safe haven is far from safe and that they must team up with other survivors around the world to defeat the aliens before it’s too late for humanity, and the Earth.

Preorder the Orbs audiobook box set here on Amazon.

Nightfall and Other Stories by Isaac Asimov

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

Runtime: Over 14 hours

A collection of 20 classic short stories by Isaac Asimov, author of the Foundation series, featuring the definitive version of “Nightfall"

From one of history’s most influential writers of science fiction comes this collection of 20 short works of fiction, arranged in order of publication from 1941 to 1967. Compiled by Asimov himself, who prefaced each story with an introduction, it begins with “Nightfall”, the tale of a world with eternal sun that is suddenly plunged into total darkness and utter madness. “Nightfall”, published when the author was only 21, was arguably his breakout work, making such an impression that, almost 30 years later, the Science Fiction Writers of America voted it the best science-fiction short story ever written. 

The other stories in the collection span far and wide: A dedicated scientist who whips up his own love potion. Machines that learn to think for themselves - and direct their thoughts to overturning the establishment. The discovery that Earthlings are being destroyed by a mysterious kind of psychological virus. A day when walking outdoors becomes a sign of psychosis. And many more.

Grab Nightfall and Other Stories here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

The Wandering Earth by Cixin Lui

Release Date: October 12th, 2021

Runtime: 15 hours

A short story collection from New York Times best-selling author Cixin Liu. The title story, "The Wandering Earth", was a blockbuster international film, currently streaming on Netflix.

These 11 stories, including five Chinese Galaxy Award-winners, are a blazingly original ode to planet Earth, its pasts, and its futures. Liu's fiction takes the listener to the edge of the universe and the end of time, to meet stranger fates than we could have ever imagined. With a melancholic and keen understanding of human nature, Liu's stories show humanity's attempts to reason, navigate, and above all, survive in a desolate cosmos.

Get your copy of The Wandering Earth
here on Amazon.

Have you listened to any of these yet? If so, let us know what you thought of it and which one you'll be picking up next; if not, tell us which one you think you'll pick up first. You can let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

10 Books Publishing This Summer We’re Stoked About!

July 21, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

Summer is in full swing! Whether you have plans to hit the beach, or head to the mountains, or just chill at home... whatever you plan to do this summer, we hope a good book will always be in reach and that you'll find plenty of time to kick back and enjoy it. Not sure where to start? As always, we have you covered! Here is a list of 10 books publishing this summer that we are stoked about! 

Questland by Carrie Vaughn 

Release Date: June 22nd, 2021

Literature professor Dr. Addie Cox is living a happy, if sheltered, life in her ivory tower when Harris Lang, the famously eccentric billionaire tech genius, offers her an unusual job. He wants her to guide a mercenary strike team sent to infiltrate his island retreat off the northwest coast of the United States. Addie is puzzled by her role on the mission until she understands what Lang has built:  Insula Mirabilis, an isolated resort where tourists will one day pay big bucks for a convincing, high-tech-powered fantasy-world experience, complete with dragons, unicorns, and, yes, magic.

Unfortunately, one of the island's employees has gone rogue and activated an invisible force shield that has cut off all outside communication. A Coast Guard cutter attempting to pass through the shield has been destroyed. Suspicion rests on Dominic Brand, the project’s head designer— and Addie Cox's ex-boyfriend. Lang has tasked Addie and the mercenary team with taking back control of the island at any cost.

But Addie is wrestling demons of her own—and not the fantastical kind. Now, she must navigate the deadly traps of Insula Mirabilis as well as her own past trauma. And no d20, however lucky, can help Addie make this saving throw.

Read Questland  here on Amazon.

Vapor Trails (Terran Scout Fleet Book Three) by Joshua Dalzelle

Release Date: July 5, 2021

Marine Lieutenant Jacob Brown was on borrowed time, and he knew it.

He was a rogue element, disobeying orders and pursuing mission goals of his own. His Scout Team had been burned, disavowed by his chain of command and the owner of the stolen ship he was flying was after them to get it back. To make matters even more complicated, the man Jacob had stolen the ship from is an infamous outlaw and mercenary named Jason Burke… his father.

Being hunted down by both the United Earth Navy and the mercenary group that called itself Omega Force, Jacob has only one chance to keep his team out of a military prison and bring down the head of the One World terrorist faction that always seemed to be three steps ahead of him… and that was only if his father didn't catch him first.

Read Vapor Trails  here on Amazon.

Lost Hope (The Bridge Sequence Book 3) by Nathan Hystad

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

Rex Walker has returned to Earth only to discover it under attack. Time has run out.

With the assistance of his new allies, Rex and his friends race to prevent a widespread invasion. Not to mention save his sister and best friend Marcus from the ultimate sacrifice.

Dirk is on Rimia and finds himself working with someone from his past. A man he thought was dead.

Rex must team with the Freedom Earthers and Special Agent Evan Young to stop the Believers from destroying civilization once and for all.

When everything else is gone, sometimes hope is all you have.

Lost Hope is the gripping conclusion to The Bridge Sequence.

Get your copy of Lost Hope here on Amazon.

We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen

Release Date: July 6th, 2021
Misanthropic psychologist Dr. Grace Park is placed on the Deucalion, a survey ship headed to an icy planet in an unexplored galaxy. Her purpose is to observe the thirteen human crew members aboard the ship—all specialists in their own fields—as they assess the colonization potential of the planet, Eos. But frictions develop as Park befriends the androids of the ship, preferring their company over the baffling complexity of humans, while the rest of the crew treats them with suspicion and even outright hostility.
Shortly after landing, the crew finds themselves trapped on the ship by a radiation storm, with no means of communication or escape until it passes—and that’s when things begin to fall apart. Park’s patients are falling prey to waking nightmares of helpless, tongueless insanity. The androids are behaving strangely. There are no windows aboard the ship. Paranoia is closing in, and soon Park is forced to confront the fact that nothing—neither her crew, nor their mission, nor the mysterious Eos itself—is as it seems.

Read We Have Always Been Here here on Amazon.

E-Day by Nicholas Sansbury Smith

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

Engines. Genetically modified warriors that keep the great Nova Alliance war machine churning against the enemy Coalition. Most days, Engines are all that stand between salvation and chaos. Led by legendary Engine, Captain Akira Hayashi, Shadow Squad has fought on the frontlines for a decade. They are on the brink of victory when the Coalition launches a series of desperate and devastating attacks that cripple the Nova Alliance restoration sites vital to save the dying planet.

As the sites burn and Earth’s hope of salvation fades, Shadow Squad is equipped with neural implants to connect them to Apeiron, the first hybrid-human-AI entity. She is coded for what Captain Hayashi believes is an impossible task—peace. But war isn’t the only threat to the Earth. Apeiron has uncovered a deadly secret with implications that could end all life. This rapidly approaching threat can be stopped only if humanity bands together on what will become known as E-Day, a pivotal moment that will determine the evolution—or the extinction—of the entire human race.

Grab E-Day here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

The 22 Murders of Madison May by Max Barry

Release Date: July 6th, 2021

"I love you. In every world."

Young real estate agent Madison May is shocked when a client at an open house says these words to her. The man, a stranger, seems to know far too much about her, and professes his love--shortly before he murders her.

Felicity Staples hates reporting on murders. As a journalist for a midsize New York City paper, she knows she must take on the assignment to research Madison May's shocking murder, but the crime seems random and the suspect is in the wind. That is, until Felicity spots the killer on the subway, right before he vanishes.

Soon, Felicity senses her entire universe has shifted. No one remembers Madison May, or Felicity's encounter with the mysterious man. And her cat is missing. Felicity realizes that in her pursuit of Madison's killer, she followed him into a different dimension--one where everything about her existence is slightly altered. At first, she is determined to return to the reality she knows, but when Madison May--in this world, a struggling actress--is murdered again, Felicity decides she must find the killer--and learns that she is not the only one hunting him.

Traveling through different realities, Felicity uncovers the opportunity--and danger--of living more than one life.

Get your copy of The 22 Murders of Madison May 
here on Amazon.

The Cost of Freedom (Starship Freedom II) by Daniel Arenson

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

Not long ago, the starship Freedom was a museum ship. A relic of a bygone era. A rusty old warship converted into a tourist trap.

Then the aliens attacked.

Now, once more, the legendary Freedom flies to war.

The war is brutal. The enemy is merciless. The rahs, vicious arachnids from deep space, crave only one thing. Human flesh.

Before this terror, Earth’s fleet crumbles. Starships burn. Millions die.

But the Freedom still flies. James King, her gruff old commander, still fights.

The Freedom will never surrender. The Freedom will never flee. The long, cold night has come to Earth, but the Freedom shines bright.

The survivors of the fleet rally behind her. All brave souls heed her call. The Freedom sounds the cry of Earth: We will win!

Dive into The Cost of Freedom here on Amazon.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built (A Monk and Robot Book) by Becky Chambers

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

It's been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; centuries since they wandered, en masse, into the wilderness, never to be seen again; centuries since they faded into myth and urban legend.

One day, the life of a tea monk is upended by the arrival of a robot, there to honor the old promise of checking in. The robot cannot go back until the question of "what do people need?" is answered.

But the answer to that question depends on who you ask, and how.

They're going to need to ask it a lot.

Becky Chambers's new series asks: in a world where people have what they want, does having more matter?

Get your copy of A Psalm for the Wild-Built 
here on Amazon.

Sentinel (Deadmen's War Book One) by Anthony Melchiorri

Release Date: July 20th, 2021

Born on a forsaken desert planet, Cole Shaw has two options - perish from starvation and disease, or enlist in the New World Republic’s armed forces. He chooses the military. For the first time, he thinks he has a shot at a better life. But survival is not guaranteed.

Leading an elite team of mech operators, he is deployed to a frozen planet called Ferrous where dangerous relics of a past war lurk beneath the ice and savage creatures prowl the barren wastelands. Scientists on Ferrous are chasing rumors of godlike technologies buried in the ruins of a long-extinct civilization. When Shaw and his team are assigned to protect the researchers, they face an unexpected, merciless new enemy desperate to stop them.

An ancient secret has been awakened on Ferrous. The deadly race to claim this terrifying power has only just begun.

Start reading Sentinel here on Amazon.

In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Lu

Release Date: August 31, 2021

Anima is an extrasensory human tasked with surveilling and protecting Ora’s citizens via a complex living network called the Gleaming. Although ær world is restricted to what æ can see and experience through the Gleaming, Anima takes pride and comfort in keeping Ora safe from harm.

When a mysterious outsider enters the city carrying a cabinet of curiosities from around with the world with a story attached to each item, Anima’s world expands beyond the borders of Ora to places—and possibilities—æ never before imagined to exist. But such knowledge leaves Anima with a question that throws into doubt ær entire purpose: What good is a city if it can’t protect its people?

Grab In the Watchful City 
here on Amazon.

Which of these summer releases will make their way into your beach bag this year? Which ones are you most excited for? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

10 Books We’re Looking Forward To This Spring!

April 13, 2021 /0 Comments/in , /by

A new season is upon us and with it, plenty of new books to devour! Not sure which ones to pick up first? Our list includes some of the most highly anticipated and promising sci-fi books coming out this spring 2021 and is guaranteed to have something for every sci-fi fan! 

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes

Pub Date: April 20th, 2021

The Divide.

It’s the edge of the universe.

Now it’s collapsing—and taking everyone and everything with it.

The only ones who can stop it are the Sentinels—the recruits, exiles, and court-martialed dregs of the military.

At the Divide, Adequin Rake commands the Argus. She has no resources, no comms—nothing, except for the soldiers that no one wanted. Her ace in the hole could be Cavalon Mercer--genius, asshole, and exiled prince who nuked his grandfather's genetic facility for “reasons.”

She knows they’re humanity's last chance.

Read The Last Watch here on Amazon

Starship Freedom by Daniel Arenson

Pub Date: April 27th, 2021

The starship Freedom was once a mighty warship. Today she's a tourist attraction.

The space wars ended long ago. The Freedom is now a flying museum. The tourists love it. The Changing of the Guard, the starfighter aerobatics, the starboard cannon salute . . . it's the best show in the galaxy.

James King commands the starship Freedom. He hates his job. He was a real soldier once. Back when the Freedom was a real warship. He never imagined himself running a tourist trap. Right after Christmas, he plans to retire.

Then, on Christmas day, the aliens attack.

Horrifying aliens. Creatures of claws, fangs, and endless malice. Within hours, they devastate Earth's military. Millions die.

So much for retirement.

The aliens spare the starship Freedom. After all, she's only a tourist attraction. But not to Commander King. He will get his beloved starship battle-ready. He will enter the fight. The Freedom will fly to war again!

Read Starship Freedom here on Amazon.

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

Pub Date: April 27th, 2021

Having captured the hearts of readers across the globe (Annalee Newitz says it's "one of the most humane portraits of a nonhuman I've ever read") Murderbot has also established Martha Wells as one of the great SF writers of today.

No, I didn't kill the dead human. If I had, I wouldn't dump the body in the station mall.

When Murderbot discovers a dead body on Preservation Station, it knows it is going to have to assist station security to determine who the body is (was), how they were killed (that should be relatively straightforward, at least), and why (because apparently that matters to a lot of people—who knew?)

Yes, the unthinkable is about to happen: Murderbot must voluntarily speak to humans!

Again!

Get your copy of Fugitive Telemetry  here on Amazon.

Asylum by Lindsay Buroker

Pub Date: April 29th, 2021
A young woman with cybernetic upgrades, Mari Moonrazor has decided to flee the restrictive machine-worshipping cult she was raised in. She longs to know what it’s like to live among normal humans and experience simple biological pleasures like consuming alcohol, kissing a boy, and—most importantly—eating chocolate.

But her mother, the infamous astroshaman leader Kyra Moonrazor, is determined to get her back, even if it means sending a bounty hunter after her.

Mari’s only hope for freedom is to be granted asylum from the leaders of the powerful Star Kingdom. First, she must prove that she has knowledge and resources she can offer them. Second, she has to earn their trust.

This all would have been easier if her people hadn’t bombed their planet…

Read Asylum here on Amazon.

Lost Contact by Nathan Hystad

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

A mysterious object in space.
An archaeologist in search of answers.
A cult hailing the end of the world.
The Bridge awaits...

Rex Walker always wanted to be like his father: a daring, adventurous man, traveling the world in pursuit of mysterious relics. Now Rex is the same age his father was when he disappeared without a trace.

While teaching anthropology at a Boston college, Rex attempts to bury the past, until he discovers a hidden clue he can’t ignore.

With the help of his sidekick Marcus, a former student turned protégé, he teams up with an alien-obsessed billionaire, and they search for the fabled Bridge.

As an unidentified object nears Pluto, speculation surges. The Believers, a fanatical cult, hail it as the homecoming of a distant alien race.

Will Rex solve the puzzle before it’s too late? Find out in Lost Contact, the first installment of The Bridge Sequence by Nathan Hystad, the best-selling author of The Event and Final Days.

Grab Lost Contact here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this Spring Reading list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a top 10 list or any other articles of interest go up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission—and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very, very long time. And he’s just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it’s up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery—and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he’s got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

An irresistible interstellar adventure as only Andy Weir could deliver, Project Hail Mary is a tale of discovery, speculation, and survival to rival The Martian—while taking us to places it never dreamed of going.

Get your copy of Project Hail Mary 
here on Amazon.

Skystorm by Steven Konkoly

Pub Date: May 11th, 2021

A Wall Street Journal bestselling series.

Unmasking a treasonous American conspiracy is a dangerous move in a heart-pounding thriller about greed, power, revenge, and murder.

After covert investigators Ryan Decker and Harlow Mackenzie demolished APEX, a billion-dollar criminal enterprise, a tenuous truce between the two factions suggested the battle was over. But not for Decker’s director, Senator Margaret Steele. She’s uncovered an even deadlier operation—code name Skystorm.

Dive into Skystorm here on Amazon.

We Are Satellites by Sarah Pinkser

Pub Date: May 11th, 2021

Val and Julie just want what’s best for their kids, David and Sophie. So when teenage son David comes home one day asking for a Pilot, a new brain implant to help with school, they reluctantly agree. This is the future, after all. 

Soon, Julie feels mounting pressure at work to get a Pilot to keep pace with her colleagues, leaving Val and Sophie part of the shrinking minority of people without the device.  

Before long, the implications are clear, for the family and society: get a Pilot or get left behind. With government subsidies and no downside, why would anyone refuse? And how do you stop a technology once it's everywhere? Those are the questions Sophie and her anti-Pilot movement rise up to answer, even if it puts them up against the Pilot's powerful manufacturer and pits Sophie against the people she loves most.

Get your copy of We Are Satellites 
here on Amazon.

Breakaway by Craig Alanson

Pub Date: June 1st, 2021

The Merry Band of Pirates offered the bad guys a ceasefire. We won’t mess with them, if they don’t mess with us. Easy, right? NO. The aliens chose to do things the hard way. So, the Pirates are racing around the galaxy to clean up the threat to Earth. The infant UN Navy has their own mission with the Alien Legion: get humanity some allies in the fight. And the Ethics & Compliance Office might have to do something...ethical. Unless they can find a way around it.

Start reading Breakaway here on Amazon.

Boundless by Jack Campbell

Pub Date: June 15th, 2021

Geary believed in the Alliance. Even when he uncovered overwhelming evidence that the highest echelons of the government and fleet command were involved in secret programs and prison camps, he believed it was worth saving. And that his duty was to see that justice was served even though some factions feared that revealing the truth would cause the Alliance to crumble.

But after narrowly surviving two assassination attempts when he brings evidence of the misdeeds to the capital star system, Geary realizes that some have decided the easiest way to make the Alliance's problems go away is to get rid of him. He finds himself ordered to undertake a perilous new mission outside of the reaches of human-occupied space while the Senate clashes over the evidence.

Geary's warships must escort a diplomatic and scientific mission across the dangerous, disintegrating remnants of the Syndicate Worlds empire. But even if he can make it to Midway Star System, the gateway to alien-controlled space, Geary will face former Syndicate officials who have rebelled and regard the Alliance with deep suspicion. And that will be the easy part. . . .

Grab Boundless 
here on Amazon.

How many of these spring releases will you pick up? Which ones are you most excited for? Let us know here in the comments, or over in the Discover Sci-Fi Facebook group! 

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.

The Top 10 Sci-Fi Books of 2022 (So Far)!

June 30, 2022 /7 Comments/in , /by

You cannot invent an algorithm that is as good at recommending books as a good bookseller, and that's the secret weapon of the bookstore - is that no algorithm will ever understand readers the way that other readers can understand readers. —John Green

John Green is absolutely right. When you're looking for book recommendations, who better to look to than other readers? This belief really drives us and we frequently check in with the Discover Sci-Fi community to see which books they are loving and then share their recommendations widely.

Recently, we asked Discover Sci-Fi members which books published so far this year they liked the best, and you guys answered! Of the books that were nominated and then voted on, the following were DSF community members' top picks. Curious to see which book published so far in 2022 Discover Sci-Fi readers loved best? Read on to find out!

10. Infinity (First Colony Book 13) by Ken Lozito

Venturing into the unknown means pushing the limits of everything thought possible.

10 years ago, the Ark II departed on a long journey through interstellar space, but shortly after they reached their destination, all communications ceased. All attempts to re-establish contact have failed.

Utilizing prototypical FTL technology that he invented, one brave man will lead a small expedition into the unknown to discover the colony’s fate.

The challenges of establishing the first interstellar colony nearly destroyed humanity. What new challenges will the second colony bring?

Science Fiction for those who long to explore!

Pick up Infinity here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

9. Eyes of the Void by Adrian Tchaikovsky

After eighty years of fragile peace, the Architects are back, wreaking havoc as they consume entire planets. In the past, Originator artefacts – vestiges of a long-vanished civilization – could save a world from annihilation. This time, the Architects have discovered a way to circumvent these protective relics. Suddenly, no planet is safe.

Facing impending extinction, the Human Colonies are in turmoil. While some believe a unified front is the only way to stop the Architects, others insist humanity should fight alone. And there are those who would seek to benefit from the fractured politics of war – even as the Architects loom ever closer.

Idris, who has spent decades running from the horrors of his past, finds himself thrust back onto the battlefront. As an Intermediary, he could be one of the few to turn the tide of war. With a handful of allies, he searches for a weapon that could push back the Architects and save the galaxy. But to do so, he must return to the nightmarish unspace, where his mind was broken and remade.

What Idris discovers there will change everything.

Get your copy of Eyes of the Void here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

8. Until the Last of Me: Take Them to the Stars Book 2 by Sylvain Neuvel

The First Rule is the most important: Always run, never fight.

For generations, Mia’s family has shaped human history to push them to the stars.

The year is 1968 and she is on the cusp of destiny, poised to launch the first humans into space.

But she cannot take them to the stars, not quite yet. Her adversary is at her heels, the future of the planet at stake, and obeying the First Rule is no longer an option.

For the first time in one-hundred generations, Mia’s family will have to choose to stand their ground, risking not only their bloodline, but the future of the human race.

A darkly satirical thriller, as seen through the eyes of the women who sacrifice all to make progress possible and the men who are determined to stop them.

Always run, never fight.
Preserve the knowledge.
Survive at all cost.
Take them to the stars.

Start reading Until the Last of Me here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

7. Match Game (Expeditionary Force Book 14) by Craig Alanson

For years, the ancient alien AI known as Skippy (the Magnificent, don’t forget that part) has been able to do one impossible thing after another. What is his secret? It’s simple: 100 percent Grade-A Extreme Awesomeness. And, also because he had never been faced with an opponent of equal power. Until now.

This time, he might need a little help from a band of filthy monkeys.

Grab Match Game here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

6. A Call to Insurrection: Book IV of The Manticore Ascendant Series by David Weber, Timothy Zahn and Thomas Pope

Book four in the nationally best-selling Manticore Ascendant series, set in the world of David Weber’s multiple New York Times best-selling Honorverse series
Yesterday, the Star Kingdom of Manticore was a small, unimportant interstellar backwater. A quiet little star nation, only recently recovered from the devastating blow of the Plague Years. More affluent than some, perhaps, but with little to attract trade or interstellar commerce, it had little need for a navy . . . and even less interest in paying for one.
But Manticore has now become a target. The Star Kingdom isn't certain who is attacking it, or why, or what its mysterious foe can possibly want, but Queen Elizabeth I knows she has to find out. And she knows that whatever some of her subjects think, Manticore does need a navy. And it needs allies, friends like the dynamic Republic of Haven and the Andermani Empire. It needs their trade . . . and to learn from their more experienced and powerful navies.

It is the job of officers like Travis Long and his wife, Lisa, to acquire that experience. Of utterly inexperienced diplomats like Travis's brother Gavin, Earl Winterfall, to build those alliances.

They have been sent to the powerful Andermani Empire to do just that, for the Imperial Navy is one of the most potent and experienced fleets in the galaxy. But the Andermani have problems of their own. Their Emperor's death is the trigger for insurrection, and now that powerful and experienced navy is locked in civil war.

The Manticoran visitors find themselves squarely in the path of the storm, and before Travis, Lisa, and Gavin can accomplish anything else, they first have to survive.

Grab A Call to Insurrection
here on Amazon.

Like what you're reading?

If you're enjoying this top 10 list, why not join the DSF community for more awesome content? You'll get to be notified whenever a new top 10 list, or any other articles of interest goes up on our site. It's free to sign up and you'

ll also get recommendations for new releases and discounted ebooks from our expert editorial team, from bestsellers to hidden gems.

5. Kingdom Come (Backyard Starship Book 7) by J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert

When the Fafnir responds to a desperate distress call, their act of kindness is turned against them, making Van the most wanted man in the known universe.

Targeted by a vicious, charismatic politician and his shadowy partner, Van and his friends are faced with a decision that carries long term consequences—deliver justice. . . or run and hide.

The choice is easy. The Fafnir will attack, and criminals will pay regardless of the bounty chasing them across the stars.

But first, there’s a little business to take care of in the form of a social event at Milon Estates. Dress is formal, the atmosphere tense, and a choice must be made. And just like Van’s decision to fight, the event on Helso will change his life forever.

The crew is willing, and the ship is ready. Now, all Van has to do is avoid the law, apply the law, and dive headfirst into a conspiracy that will play out on the largest stage of all: The Galaxy itself.

Experience the seventh entry in the ongoing Backyard Starship series from USA Today Bestsellers J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert. Buckle up and grab your juicebox, because it's time to get out there and save the Galaxy.

Get your copy of Kingdom Come  here on Amazon. 

4. Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

When COVID-19 sweeps through New York City, Jamie Gray is stuck as a dead-end driver for food delivery apps. That is, until Jamie makes a delivery to an old acquaintance, Tom, who works at what he calls “an animal rights organization.” Tom’s team needs a last-minute grunt to handle things on their next field visit. Jamie, eager to do anything, immediately signs on.

What Tom doesn't tell Jamie is that the animals his team cares for are not here on Earth. Not our Earth, at least. In an alternate dimension, massive dinosaur-like creatures named Kaiju roam a warm, human-free world. They're the universe's largest and most dangerous panda and they're in trouble.

It's not just the Kaiju Preservation Society who have found their way to the alternate world. Others have, too. And their carelessness could cause millions back on our Earth to die.

Pick up Kaiju Preservation Society here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

3. The Order by Jeremy Robinson 

Mysterious gateways are appearing throughout the universe, bridging violent civilizations, leading to war, and sowing chaos. While some species succumb to the pandemonium, the Chut'un forge an unholy symbiotic relationship—The Order—with red Europhids, a vast hive intelligence populating the universe's far reaches. Desiring structure and fearing the unknown, they cull everything opposed to their plan, including the Europhids' blue counterparts, carrying out a galactic genocide until only one blue Europhid remains...inside Moses Montgomery, aka 'Dark Horse.'

As a Rapid Reaction Force Marine from 1989, Dark Horse and his team were sent 1000 years into the future where they defeated the Union, an evil fascist empire. Back in the present, after preventing the Union from ever forming, Dark Horse and his team of...unique operators from the past and the future are ready to kick back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the timeline they saved.

But as the last threat to The Order's machinations, Dark Horse finds himself with an alien target on his back. Joined by Dan Delgado and Wini Finch (The Others), and Owen McCoy (Flux), the team attempts to understand the gates that first appeared in New Hampshire, and now in Antarctica. Despite their vast experience with the strange and otherworldly, none of them are prepared for what comes next. Three members of the team are abducted, whisked away to another planet. Alive or dead, no one knows.

Dark Horse and his now rag-tag team struggle to track down their missing teammates while being hunted themselves. With the fate of his friends—and all of Earth—hanging in the balance, Dark Horse is forced to take insane risks, create chaos, and do anything to get his people back.

TO SAVE HUMANITY...
...HE MUST SACRIFICE HIS OWN.

Get your copy of The Order here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

2. Aeon Rising by Matthew Mather

Max Carver, a down-on-his-luck truck driver and Army vet, joins a rescue mission into Brazil. The target is a utopian tech village, the Colony, hidden in the rainforest and run by a charismatic genius. Max’s pregnant wife, Talisha Carver, is the NSA analyst who intercepted encrypted Colony messages signaling a mysterious impending event.

Dr. Xin Rou is a Chinese researcher working at the IceCube neutrino experiment at the South Pole. On lucky days a single flash might signal the passage of a ghostly interstellar particle. Suddenly, IceCube’s entire array lights up. A million detectors at once. Which is impossible. The Antarctic sky is clear and calm—but she is already running for the door.

Because the world is about to end.
But the mystery only just begins...

Pick up Aeon Rising
here on Amazon. Also available on audiobook.

1. Chaotica: Riven Worlds Book 5 by G.S. Jennsen

After an extraordinary encounter with kyoseil in the Oneiroi Nebula, Nika Kirumase is transformed. Now able to understand and harness the true power of the ancient, primordial life form, she finally has the ability to defend her people—if the kyoseil doesn’t destroy her sanity first.

Mesme has long been meddling with the fate of the universe, but the events in the Oneiroi Nebula have exposed its deceptions. A schism erupts between Alex and Mesme over the secrets the Katasketousya keeps—and if their relationship isn’t mended, the world may lose its best chance at salvation.

The fractures threatening Concord’s survival aren’t merely personal, and the ramifications of the Ruda’s betrayal in the last battle prove costly to everyone. The Rasu begin deploying antimatter weapons, thereby neutralizing Concord’s greatest advantage, its impervious adiamene warships. Now losing ships, people and planets as the Rasu close in on the Milky Way, Miriam Solovy finds herself short on options and out of time.

But Alex has never let those kind of odds stop her, and so a desperate plan is hatched—one that will either save civilization, or doom it to annihilation.

In Amaranthe, where exotic alien life, AIs, wormholes, indestructible starships and the promise of immortality rule the day, no feat seems out of reach for humanity. But when the worlds of Aurora Rhapsody and Asterion Noir collide and the Rasu horde descends upon them both, more will be asked of heroes past and future. More will be given and more taken, and when the dust settles the very fabric of Amaranthe will be altered forever.

Pick up Chaotica here on Amazon

What did you think of the top 10 selections as decided by your fellow Discover Sci-Fi readers? Will any of these new reads make your summer reading list this year? Share you thoughts in the comments here on the blog, or visit us here in our Facebook group.

*All book-related copy in this post was pulled from Amazon, Goodreads & Wikipedia, unless otherwise credited.