1. AVA by Lydia L. Baker

AVA plunges readers into a dystopian world where the authoritarian force MTech has confined society within a mysterious Barrier, claimed to be for protection, but in reality, they are aimed at control. After a catastrophe took her family, Ava has survived by living as Alec, concealing her true identity from a regime that culls the elderly and strips women of their fertility. As life inside the Barrier becomes increasingly unbearable, Ava’s desire to be true to herself drives her to seek an escape, risking everything in order to discover what remains of the world and humanity outside.

The narrative stands out for its tense, immersive atmosphere and its unpredictable plot, as well as its nuanced exploration of gender, trauma, and resistance. Although dark, the storytelling and strong first-person narrative offer a powerful journey for adult and older teen sci-fi readers, especially those drawn to stories about identity, oppression, and standing up against dehumanizing systems.

About the Author

Lydia L. Baker is an indie sci-fi and fantasy author living in the UK who, besides writing, enjoys crocheting, gaming, and spending time with her family and their cat.  

2. Hounds of Gaia: The Marrower Saga: Book One by Sean M. Tirman

Hounds of Gaia: The Marrower Saga: Book One launches an action-packed sci-fi adventure at the edge of the solar system. Foxhound is a tough Contractor who tracks down outlaws while keeping her own mysterious past under wraps. Her routine is shattered when she’s hired to transport a notorious prisoner – a young orphan accused of being a serial killer, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Foxhound herself.

As chaos erupts on board the ship, featuring a prison break and radical cultists, Foxhound is forced to confront her identity with the help of her sarcastic AI companion and a pair of defectors. The story is filled with thrilling action and dark humor, all while exploring deeper themes like selfhood and the price of truth. This gripping start to a series is perfect for fans of complex antiheroes and adrenaline-fueled space-western adventures.

About the Author

Hounds of Gaia is Sean M. Tirman’s first novel. He lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife and two entitled, small, old dogs – who are not the Hounds of Gaia… or are they?

3. Zombies & Papercuts (Birthday Apocalypse Book 1) by Ima Ghoul

Zombies & Papercuts (Birthday Apocalypse Book 1) is a lighthearted, comedic spin on the zombie apocalypse, set in a small South Australian town. Alara is a witty and self-deprecating thirty-three-year-old librarian whose uneventful life takes a wild turn when zombies invade her birthday party. Missing out on romance and recognition most of her life, Alara suddenly finds herself fighting off the undead with only her optimism, her bookish knowledge, and maybe – just maybe – an opportunity for her very first kiss.

This short book (about 48 pages in print) blends dark humor with classic apocalypse antics, this novel offering a relatable protagonist who faces doom with more curiosity than fear. It’s a playful tale for adults who like their end-of-the-world fiction quirky, character-driven, and peppered with both sarcasm and heart – a quick, fun read you can finish in one sitting.

About the Author

Ima Ghoul is the pen name of a funny and slightly spooky author who writes closed-door romances with a supernatural twist. A lifelong storyteller – who penned her first novel as a teen – she’s also a gamer, role‑player, and archery enthusiast.

4. Dragon’s Vow: A Sweet Sci-Fi Romance (Dragons of Aeolia Book 1) by Destiny Shaw

Dragon’s Vow: A Sweet Sci-Fi Romance (Dragons of Aeolia Book 1) transports readers to the vibrant planet of Aeolia, where Aria, a resilient woman from Earth, is stranded after alien abduction. Just when hope seems lost, she’s rescued by Kunax, a noble Drakon warrior. As Aria joins his mercenary crew, she finds trust and friendship that begin to heal her past traumas.

Their relationship blossoms into a slow-burn romance characterized by respect and autonomy, as Kunax patiently waits for Aria to embrace her feelings. Aria must decide whether to return to her lonely life on Earth or accept a new home among the Drakon. Filled with pulse-pounding action and heartfelt themes of healing, “Dragon’s Vow” is perfect for fans of sci-fi romance.

About the Author

Destiny Shaw is a no-spice sci-fi and fantasy romance author with an endless love for books, living in the Midwest USA with her husband and daughters. She’s a lifelong storyteller whose passions span many genres, and she’s thrilled to share her own stories with the world.

5. Fragments of Light: Fractured World Saga – Book 1 by Arlen Voss

Fragments of Light: Fractured World Saga – Book 1 is a cerebral, atmospheric sci-fi adventure set in a fractured, post-apocalyptic Earth. The story is about Keela, a young archivist living in the remote Arctic town of Lumik. She finds a strange artifact that is connected to the planet’s mysterious collapse. As news of her discovery spreads, she teams up with Anina, a talented technician with her own secrets. Together, they travel through a damaged world filled with old technologies, divided communities, and rising conflict between those who want to fix the world and those who want to control it.

What sets Fragments of Light apart is its quiet strength and immersive worldbuilding. Rather than relying on nonstop action, the novel draws readers in with its slow-burn suspense, focus on survival, and exploration of what it means to fight for connection and legacy in the aftermath of ruin. With ancient machines, mysterious artifacts, and characters shaped by resilience, it’s perfect for fans of post-apocalyptic science fiction who appreciate depth, buried secrets, and fierce heroines forging their own place in a world on the edge.

About the Author

Arlen Voss’s passion for worldbuilding shows in his first novel, Fragments of Light. Arlen lives in the north, where winters are long, and perfect for writing – just a bit of envy here – and has a background in tech and economics, with a lifelong love of science fiction and folklore.

6. The Moon the Sun Forgot by B.J. Wagner

The Moon the Sun Forgot is an engaging LGBTQ+ sci-fi novel set in the underwater world of Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons. The story follows Kassia McCullough, a determined mariner seeking revenge against a corporate mogul responsible for her father’s death. Her path crosses with Max Danzig, an Earth detective chasing the same family for his own reasons, leading them to team up. Along with an outlawed AI named Alex, they navigate Europa’s deep-sea colonies filled with pirates, mercenaries, and stunning ocean life.

With vivid worldbuilding, engaging writing, and a unique take on space adventure, the novel explores themes of revenge, love, and identity, combining intense action with emotional depth. It’s been compared to shows like Firefly and Killjoys, appealing to readers who enjoy thrilling stories set in fascinating places.

About the Author

B.J. Wagner grew up in the Canadian Rockies, where his fascination with nature and NASA’s discoveries on Jupiter’s moon Europa inspired him to write fiction. He’s traveled with his wife, capturing wildlife through photography, but after each adventure, they’re happy to return home to their two cats.

7. The Wrecking Squad by Nick Snape

The Wrecking Squad kicks off a high-stakes, character-driven sci-fi series about loyalty, redemption, and chaotic found family on the edge of civilized space. Captain Rebekah Khan and her scrappy repair crew on the Sunstar think they’ve found a way out of debt when they stop a rogue automining ship. Their military instincts spot sabotage – but instead of a reward, they’re blackmailed. Now they must take on a secretive new crew member and track a mysterious, unregistered ship deep into uncharted space.

As they pursue the marooned vessel and its lethal cargo, the story blends the gritty action of Aliens with the camaraderie of Firefly and the tight, fraught alliances of The Expanse. Secrets stir within the crew, tested by their pasts and the dangerous job at hand, as danger pushes them to their limits. With sharp dialogue, a tough-yet-vulnerable main cast, and an undercurrent of humor amid the suspense, The Wrecking Squad delivers an immersive adventure.

About the Author

Nick Snape has been immersed in Science Fiction and Fantasy for over forty years. Captivated by the world of imagination, he unexpectedly became a teacher and passed on the joy of reading and writing to his students. With topics ranging from genetics to artificial intelligence, his books encompass a wide range of themes, from heart-pounding, fast-paced action to thoughtful, character-driven explorations of the fantasy and sci-fi genres.

8. Permafrost by Kate Kelly

Permafrost is a gripping dystopian sci-fi novel set in a world locked in endless winter. After their village is destroyed, Oskar and his sister Mitzi journey south, desperate to escape the brutal Northern Raiders who threaten anyone in their path. They find shelter in an unfamiliar city, but safety is short-lived as the Raiders lay siege to their new home.

Oskar, determined to help defend the city, stumbles across an old diary buried deep in the library. The diary, penned during the city’s founding, reveals long-hidden truths about the catastrophe that turned the world into ice. As the siege tightens and hope fades, Oskar realizes that understanding the past may offer a way to save the future – not just for the city, but for everyone. The novel weaves themes of survival, history’s importance, and resilience in a frozen, post-apocalyptic landscape.

About the Author

Kate Kelly is a UK science fiction author born in Scotland and raised in Devon. She studied Geology and Oceanography and used to work as a marine scientist, and these subjects also inspire her stories.

9. Edge of Darkness (Alpha Core Saga Book 1) by Vikki Romano

Edge of Darkness is a gritty, high-stakes cyberpunk thriller set in 2065, where corporations wage wars from laboratories, engineering cybernetic soldiers and bioweapons that blur the line between human and monster. Calder McKenna was one of their prototypes – built to kill without hesitation – until the program broke him. Now he hides behind a badge in a shattered city, trying to outrun his past. When a new, deadlier tech surfaces, the ghosts of his creation drag him back into the shadows, and the people who made him aren’t finished. To stop what’s coming, Calder must confront the thing he fears most: becoming exactly what he was engineered to be.

Fans of Ghost in the Shell, Altered Carbon, and Deus Ex will recognize the neon-noir mood, corporate conspiracy, and augmentation ethics, alongside pulse-pounding action and a slow-burn romantic thread. Praised for sharp pacing, complex characters, and espionage-laced intrigue, capped by a cliffhanger ending that sets up the saga to come.

About the Author

With more than 24 novels to her name, Vikki Romano inspires through her genre-bending fiction, skillfully intertwining current events into layered, thought-provoking stories that challenge convention.

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