Tag Archives: Aliens

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Ice Planet Barbarians

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I had yet to delve into the works of this author until now, but I was completely captivated by this story. While the premise may echo themes we’ve encountered before, it’s the execution that truly matters, and this tale is masterfully crafted. From the very first page, I was pulled into the narrative and found myself unable to set it down until the final word. I quickly developed a genuine affection for the characters, who were incredibly well-developed considering the brevity of their introductions. Although the world-building is solid, I felt there’s still room for more exploration, particularly regarding the planet’s unique flora and fauna.

At the center of the story is Georgie Carruthers, a pragmatic woman who has never put stock in the idea of extraterrestrial life. However, her beliefs face a dramatic upheaval when she and several other women are abruptly abducted from Earth in the dead of night and transported aboard a mysterious spacecraft destined for an unknown location. When the ship encounters mechanical issues, the captors make the decision to jettison their human cargo, leaving the women stranded on a desolate ice planet, with plans to come back for them later.

However, the women refuse to accept a fate of waiting to be reclaimed. Electing Georgie as their unexpected leader, she bravely takes on the critical task of seeking assistance and a way out of their bleak predicament. Enter Vektal, a striking native of the icy world who possesses both the desire and the means to help her.

The narrative shifts seamlessly between the perspectives of Georgie and Vektal, offering a rich, multidimensional experience that immerses the reader deeply in their journey. The story is infused with a tantalizing spice that enhances the romantic tension without crossing into the realm of the overly sensational. I eagerly anticipate the continuation of this saga; that level of excitement is a true testament to the author’s skill.

My rating: 😊😊😊😊

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The Long Sunset

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I’ve been captivated by this series and the character Priscilla Hutchins from the very first book, and my fascination has only grown. Watching Hutch evolve as an individual, a mother, and a pilot has been a delight. The best part is knowing that whenever there’s an incident in the depths of space, Hutch’s extensive experience makes her the likely candidate to be called upon.

During a class, Dr. Derek Blanchard receives a transmission featuring a waterfall and a musical score through the telescope they’re observing. His initial instinct is to investigate whether it originated from an extraterrestrial civilization. It’s been 7000 years, and the majority of Earth’s population is reluctant to engage with potentially hostile, advanced aliens.
Nevertheless, Dr. Blanchard is eager to seek out these beings to verify if the signal indeed came from an alien planet, rather than a terrestrial interference. To this end, Derek recruits Priscilla to navigate a ship seven hundred light-years away in search of answers. However, they encounter far more than they anticipated.

The story doesn’t revolve around action, which is perfectly acceptable as it allows for a deeper understanding of the characters through their interactions. The science is sound, and the aliens, while imaginative, bear a resemblance to terrestrial fauna. I would recommend this book to anyone who appreciates science fiction that focuses more on exploration than combat.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Orbs IV

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I had been eagerly awaiting a continuation of this story, as the last novel’s cliffhanger led me to believe it would be a trilogy. Initially, the story seemed slow but quickly gained momentum and captivated me. The characters have been consistently excellent since the series began and have only improved. Even the newer characters evoke empathy and connection. The narrative doesn’t resolve just one plotline but three, detailing the survival struggles of those fighting from the outset.

Although Operation Redemption was unsuccessful, the Sunspot was launched and is en route to Mars to join the colony there. The team from Cheyenne Mountain, along with a few others, has embarked on the lengthy journey with hope in their hearts. Meanwhile, survivors continue their fight for life; Captain Nobel is captured but alive aboard an Organics ship, and Alexia is working to evacuate everyone from the planet if possible.

The story is replete with action, adventure, and intense emotion. For those seeking a journey that stirs the full range of feelings, this story is an excellent choice. I highly recommend it!

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

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Orbs III

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This is the last book in the trilogy and while I enjoyed it I still wanted something more from it. The characters were good but I was no longer as invested in what happened to them as I had been when the series started. It’s like they were in a rut and didn’t really grow very much between the first and last book. I knew what to expect from them without them having to do or say anything. The story moved forward at a good pace though it lacked some of the suspense that I was expecting from the final installment.

The inhabitants of the Biosphere have been pared down significantly while the aliens seem to have limitless replacements so Sophie decides that they should join with Captain Noble and his NTC crew. Sophie’s people learn through a satellite that has survived that the Organics have set up poles on the highest points around the planet and wonder what this discovery could mean for their own survival.

Before anything can be done about their new information the biosphere must deal with sabotage that could be the end of them and any hopes they have a living to see the Organics destroyed. Sophie still believes that the best chance they have would be to leave the planet if a way can be found.

Even though I may not have loved it I still think it is well worth the time. I recommend the series because it is different enough to stand out with aliens that I do not remember having seen before. Not to mention that the author does work it.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Orbs II: Stranded

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This second book did not pull me in like the first book did. The characters felt a little less interesting but I couldn’t really put my finger on the reason why. They are the same as they were before but seemed just a little duller, which could be because they are changing. The action seemed a bit more subdued than it had been in the first book even though we had some new aliens show up. It still had it’s moments that kept me wanting to know more. Some of the problem may have been that the narrator, while okay, does not add a lot vocally.

Dr. Sophie Winston and her team, along with the military personnel they have acquired continue to survive in the Biosphere. The Organics continue to empty the Oceans and every other body of water. The temperatures are continuing to rise and the last surviving humans on the outside are being herded into farms. Dr. Emmanuel Rodriguez has developed a weapon that may help to turn the tide on the Organics.

Sophie and Sgt. Overton is not getting along as well as they could and he is starting to chafe under her command. Overton wants to take on the aliens and make a rescue attempt which might result in finding more of his men. Sophie would prefer to be cautious and not draw attention. Just as things seem to hit rock bottom they get some news that makes them all feel a little better about the future.

I have to admit that this was not one of my favorite reads even though I love Nick Smith and pretty much everything he has written. I would recommend this if you have read the first book because it does advance the story and you cannot miss that.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Obsession by Treaty

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Obsession By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #5)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a standalone novel. It does however advance the overall story in glimpses of what had happened prior to this point. This story seems even darker than those that came before it, maybe because both the main characters involved are human. The pacing is perfect to allow you to savor every dark moment or contemplate what is happening to them. The characters are very well drawn and pull you in because they have personalities that make them accessible.

Major Darby McCabe has been in love with her CO (commanding officer for a very long time but has never said anything to him. While on a salvage mission to Petra to go through the wreckage of a suspected K’lahn ship an accident causes her to come in contact with a strange pebble that has an effect on her. Her feelings are intensified and she starts to make plans that could hurt everyone involved.

Colonel Ethan Saracen has feelings for Major McCabe but wants to wait to the war is over before he lets her know. After the mission on Petra she hardly speaks to him, only follows orders and nothing more. So when she comes and invites him out he believes they are about to get to the root of their problems. What happens instead is his abduction and subjugation by a woman he loves and learns to hate. Can obsession bring love or only loss?

I find that I like the fact that these alpha males are brought to their knees by the women in their lives. But they are a weepy bunch of soldiers. The fact that there is a wider story buried within the tales of these couples is really good. This has an element of mystery as well as the romance, sex, and great aliens. I am totally invested in these stories and cannot wait for the next one. Whether you start here or at the beginning, you should start.

There are themes of non-consensual sex, torture, and abduction. If you find any of this not to your liking, then you should pass.

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Aliens Omnibus, Volume 1

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Aliens Omnibus Volume 1 (Alien Omnibus #1)

by Mark Verheiden, Various (Illustrator)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love the Alien movies and was really interested to see how things would be handled in this form. It is done very well and makes for a good read. The art work is nicely done and brings the people as well as the aliens to life in a vivid way. The characters were all new but based on those from the second movie except Ripley who they could not do without. Each story is a self-contained book but still feeds into the next. You must read it to appreciate it and if you are an Aliens fan or simply a fan space creatures or science fiction, then it is a must read. No need to even give a little breakdown, its aliens, you know what is going to happen.
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Devoured

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Devoured (Brides of the Kindred #11)

My rating: 4.3 of 5 stars

This was another great entry in a series that I have come to love so much. The characters are ever-changing and yet still manage to allow time for characters which had been established in earlier books. The stories seem simple but have a complexity that makes them more interesting than if you had something just totally straight forward. The narrative flows very well though there are sometimes things that hold it back a little. The characters speak and act as you wold expect them to in most instances, though sometimes they seem to do things just to make the story progress.

Garron has been banned from his home-world, Pax because of his siding with his half-brother Truth when he had visited with his twin and mate. Garron is Rai’ku but his father was a twin Kindred who had lost his twin and mate. He is living on the mother ship and trying to come to terms with the new feelings that he has been having as well as the fact of his ‘other’ possibly coming out. Tess is running from an abusive spouse who could end her life and make it seem like an accident or something someone else did and has nowhere she can really hide. Her friend takes her to live at the Pairing House (pleasure-bots) for the unmated males where they figure her ex would never look for her. She has lived there for a week with no problems when Garron comes to choose one of the pairing bots and accidentally chooses her. Neither of their lives is ever the same after this.

I liked the story between Tess and Garron because they were both kind of lost. Tess because her ex had beaten her down so much she could not see the good in any man and Garron because he had loved and tried to protect someone he couldn’t and sought to punish himself forever. There was the requisite trip off-world which I have come to expect and look forward to since you never know what type of place it will be. I got to catch up with my girls from previous books to see what was happening in their lives. And we got to meet the next couple who will be brought together, and see what the malevolent entity in their midst will cause to happen. Really want that wrapped up because it just annoys me a bit.

Overall I would recommend this along with all the series as a must read!

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Red Sands

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Red Sands: An Orbs Prequel

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a continuation of the story started in White Sands. Jeff and David have survived alone for an unknown amount of time. They are staying ahead of the aliens and hoping that maybe their father was able to do the same. The writing is still very clear with a nice feel for who the boys are. There is also a look at the man in charge of the NTC, Dr. Hoffman, who seems to want to save humanity but if it might risk his life he will not try very hard.

Another nice entry in the Orbs saga leading us to what is behind the invasion and what we can do to win.

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White Sands

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White Sands: An Orbs Prequel (Orbs Series 0.2)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This prequel gave a good background on the children and how they came to be at White Sands when everything happened. I would have liked to have gotten a little more on the parents before things went completely crazy. The narrative flows well and the story is good if a little light on some details. The language is great and the relationships ring true.

Jeff and David are traveling to White Sands with their step-mother Paula for Jeff’s birthday. Their father Michael is stationed there working for the NTC. When the aliens come and start to wreak havoc,  life becomes terrifying for the boys and their father as they try to survive.

Definitely a must read if you want more on the people who populate the later novels.