Blog Archives
He Died Two Days Ago
He Died Two Days Ago by John Posner is a captivating blend of science fiction and fantasy that centers on twins Nick and Tony, who discover they are hosts to alien entities known as Ephemerals. These beings secretly inhabit humans and other creatures, feeding off the emotions of their hosts. The plot thickens when assassins, sent by a mobster kingpin, mistakenly kill Nick instead of Tony after Tony steals Sylvia, the kingpin’s girlfriend. From there, all three find themselves entangled in the power struggles between warring Ephemeral clans.
One of the novel’s strengths is its immersive introduction to the world of the Ephemerals. I was intrigued by the glimpse into their culture as they struggle over who will inherit a new world. The pacing and detail of this portion of the story were just right, allowing me to become invested in these alien beings without feeling overwhelmed. In fact, I wished we could have stayed longer in their world, as it was one of the more compelling aspects of the novel. The transition to Nick’s storyline, while necessary, shifted the narrative in a way that felt quick. That said, the idea of the Ephemerals having the power to heal a dying person added a fascinating dimension.
Nick and Tony’s predicament of getting caught in a tangled web of crime, betrayal, and alien interference felt grounded and realistic. I appreciated the authenticity in Nick’s reaction to being shot, which added depth to his character. I loved Nick and Tony and I wanted their backstory to be fleshed out more. Similarly, Sylvia’s fate, while rooted in real-world circumstances, was introduced abruptly, and I would have loved to have spent more time with her. And after Artemesia, the High Priestess of the Xemegan clan, was introduced, I would have preferred to see other traits or characteristics that made her memorable.
Still, the book’s deeper themes, like identity, control, and the influence of outside forces on our decisions, are compelling. The relationship between Nick and his twin brother Tony and how they’ve been manipulated by their respective aliens adds emotional depth to the narrative.
He Died Two Days Ago is a gritty and action-packed read that blends science fiction and thriller with surprising emotional depth. Fans of dystopian thrillers and speculative sci-fi will enjoy this for its original premise and intense action. If you’re into deep space adventures with a heavy dose of psychological tension, this one’s for you.
Pages: 352 | ASIN : B0D79NBGDM
THE 5 MOONS OF TIIANA
The 5 Moons of Tiiana by P.T. Harry is a captivating sci-fi novel that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through a distant galaxy. The story follows Captain Rez Cantor as he embarks on a perilous mission across five unique moons. After rescuing Princess Leanna from the alien-hybrid Relcor, Rez finds himself stranded on an alien moon with no memory of how he arrived there. With a deadly alien cloud threatening his life, Rez must not only survive but also locate the princess and prevent the destruction of the five moons. Each moon presents its own distinct challenges, from water-dwelling races and medieval societies to robotic rulers and relentless warrior species. As Rez battles through these dangers, he forms unexpected alliances, all while fighting to save the galaxy.
The 5 Moons of Tiiana masterfully blends sci-fi and fantasy, immersing readers in an intricately crafted universe brimming with danger and intrigue. Captain Rez Cantor is a protagonist you can’t help but root for, facing insurmountable odds with unwavering determination and resourcefulness. The story’s brisk pace keeps you on edge, with each of the five moons offering a vividly described environment and a fresh set of challenges that heighten the tension and excitement. The inclusion of fifty-five stunning illustrations adds a layer of visual richness to the narrative, making the already immersive world of Tiiana even more tangible. These images not only help bring the diverse creatures and landscapes to life but also enhance the emotional impact of key moments in the story. While the narrative is highly engaging, it’s the incredibly detailed world-building that truly stands out, keeping you captivated from start to finish. Harry’s writing style evokes the essence of classic science fiction while remaining entirely original. The formal prose and grand scope make this book a must-read for fans of the genre. The theme of friendship, particularly Rez’s bond with the loyal Solulan, adds emotional depth to the action-packed plot, providing a compelling counterbalance to the high-stakes adventure.
The 5 Moons of Tiiana is an epic tale of survival, mystery, and heroism that is sure to captivate sci-fi enthusiasts. It’s a highly recommended read for anyone seeking an adventure that seamlessly blends old-school storytelling with modern sensibilities. This special illustrated edition is a treasure for any bookshelf, offering a unique and visually stunning addition to the world of science fiction.
Pages: 346 | ASIN : B0D4JLTXJB
The Scorching: Just Press Play
The Scorching: Just Press Play, by Nick Snape, is an exhilarating sci-fi novel set in a future where Earth has been ravaged by a catastrophic climate event known as The Scorching. Amidst this devastation, the insectoid alien race Drathken arrives with their plantships, promising to heal the planet. The story follows Joshua Nkosi, a sea cop whose life of routine security guarding and vlogging in a deep-sea mining operation is upended when he and his tentacled MARC Unit become entangled in a plot to steal radiation-rich materials from the seabed. These materials are crucial to a terrorist faction’s plan to destroy a Drathken plantship and disrupt the alien/human alliance.
Joshua and MARC are thrust into the Burnout Zone, facing extreme temperatures and uncovering deeper conspiracies. Their quest to locate the terrorists’ lab leads them through escalating dangers and harsh realities. The narrative is enriched with humor, interludes, and flashbacks that vividly depict a world in turmoil. Nkosi’s journey with MARC, an intelligent octopus encased in a metal exoskeleton, highlights the complexities of their mission and the dark truths of their world. The story masterfully blends sci-fi, mystery, and thriller elements, culminating in a satisfying conclusion that leaves readers contemplating humanity’s fate.
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, the novel explores the impact of climate change and human-alien alliances. Snape’s engaging writing style, incorporating vlogging and social media formats, adds dynamism and relatability to the story. Joshua Nkosi emerges as a charming protagonist, with his interactions with MARC adding a delightful layer to the narrative. The world-building is exceptional, with intriguing concepts like the Drathken plantships bringing the story to life.
The climate fiction backdrop is seamlessly integrated, portraying the gradual rise in temperatures and societal changes with stark realism. The pacing is well-balanced, mixing action, humor, and introspection. Clever interludes and flashbacks enrich the narrative, providing deeper insights into the characters and their world. One of the book’s highlights is its emotional core, as Nkosi navigates personal struggles and the broader implications of his mission. The final twist and resolution are satisfying, leaving readers with a sense of closure and contemplation.
The Scorching: Just Press Play is a must-read for sci-fi and climate fiction fans. Nick Snape’s creative storytelling, rich world-building, and engaging characters make this book an unforgettable journey into a future that feels both distant and alarmingly close.
Pages: 251 | ASIN : B0D3QS8KGB
In the Time of the Flash
In In the Time of the Flash by W. G. Hladky, unprecedented solar activity devastates the Earth’s electrical infrastructure, causing recurring auroras that thwart any long-term repairs. This new reality forces humanity to adapt rapidly. Abigail Tate, a student supported by her estranged father, faces a life-altering shift during a spring break trip to Florida with her half-sister. The Miami-Dade area, now a perilous wasteland, is riddled with walled cities, cult-like gangs, religious zealots, and mutated animals. Amidst this chaos, Abbie quickly forms a powerful bond with a unique group, perhaps the only people capable of ensuring her survival.
Hladky’s novel offers a distinctive take on apocalyptic fiction, exploring a world destabilized by the loss of a fundamental force often taken for granted. This premise breathes fresh life into the genre, presenting a collapse of recognizable society through a lens that challenges the reader’s suspension of disbelief. While the narrative initially presents a world that seems disjointed and surreal, explanations unfold as the story progresses. The portrayal of gangs, a mix of pop-culture references and outlandish themes, adds a peculiar flavor to the setting. Although it is the fifth installment in The Book of Ruin series, In the Time of the Flash functions mainly as a standalone story, beginning before the catastrophic event and requiring no prior knowledge of the series. The narrative’s primary focus on the Miami-Dade area means the broader world is seldom mentioned, though familiarity with the series might enhance understanding of the broader context. The plot moves at a breakneck pace, occasionally to the detriment of character development. Abbie’s rapid evolution and integration into a team of skilled operatives who navigate roles between police and military can feel rushed. Despite this, the book’s unique setting and fast-paced narrative make it an engaging read for fans of the genre.
In the Time of the Flash by W. G. Hladky offers a fresh and fast-paced take on apocalyptic fiction. While the plot’s rapid progression sometimes undermines character depth, the unique premise and engaging setting make it a compelling addition to the genre. Fans of post-apocalyptic tales will find much to enjoy in this standalone entry of The Book of Ruin series.
Pages: 327 | ASIN : B0CQ3G3JNL
Understanding Extraterrestrials
Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos blends speculative and theoretical concepts to look into the possible psychology of extraterrestrial beings. What was the idea, or spark, that first set off the need to write this book?
I have had numerous direct experiences seeing UFO’s. As a clinical and counseling psychologist the consideration of alien thought and behavior seemed like a natural consideration, and possible avenue to better understand life broadly but also our place in the cosmos.
What was your research process like for this book, and how long did it take to put it all together?
I wrote and published Xenopsychology and REAL Psychology within a span of six months. There was no research process during the writing. I have spent my adult life seeking direct experience of exceptional phenomena and both of these books are the result of challenging myself to think about the hard questions and answering those questions from internally validated processes.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
What is surprising to me is the lack of public curiosity about life both on this planet and in a speculative fashion on others. We exist in a universe teeming with life of varied types. The time has come to mature in our approach and learn the skills of coexistence with beings both less and more capable than ourselves.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Xenopsychology?
Deeply question the nature of the human experience and consider that our goal as living beings is to understand the expression and manifestation of existence.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
Concepts such as alien intelligence and consciousness are explored with an openness to non-anthropocentric perspectives, considering beings that may not possess centralized brains, might inhabit vastly different sensory worlds, or could have fundamentally different forms of awareness and sentience. The field also probes the potential emotional landscapes of extraterrestrials, exploring hypothetical emotional experiences, expressions and their underlying biological and neurological bases, if such bases even exist.
Communication is another pivotal concept, with xenopsychology speculating on the myriad modes and mediums through which aliens might convey information, including possibilities beyond human comprehension, such as multidimensional or quantum communication. Furthermore, the exploration of alien social and cultural structures provides insights into how extraterrestrial civilizations might organize themselves, create meaning and develop moral and ethical frameworks.
Finally, the field grapples with the profound ethical and methodological challenges inherent in studying and interacting with potentially sentient beings whose minds, values and existences could be fundamentally incomprehensible to us, necessitating a paradigm of respect, humility and continual learning in our quest to understand the diverse intelligences of the cosmos.
XENOPSYCHOLOGY: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos
In Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos, Dr. Scott Flagg takes readers on a groundbreaking journey into the psychologies of extraterrestrial beings. The book explores the vast possibilities of alien minds, delving into how these entities might perceive, think, feel, and interact in ways that are fundamentally different from humans. Utilizing a blend of astrophysics, biology, and psychology, the author pushes the boundaries of conventional thought to explore non-anthropocentric forms of intelligence and consciousness. His exploration is not only about understanding alien life but also a reflective examination of human cognition and the broader existential inquiries it incites.
Dr. Flagg’s writing style is both engaging and accessible, making complex scientific concepts understandable for readers without a background in the hard sciences. His speculative approach enriches the inherently theoretical nature of xenopsychology, making it an exciting read for those who appreciate expansive thinking beyond the confines of concrete data and empirical studies. The vivid descriptions of potential alien senses, emotions, and societal structures are intellectually provocative and creatively rich, inviting readers to expand their understanding of what life can entail across the cosmos.
The book’s real strength lies in its ability to merge scientific rigor with philosophical inquiry. Dr. Flagg challenges readers to consider not only the possible but also the ethical implications of encountering and interacting with alien life. His discussion on the potential emotional and psychological landscapes of extraterrestrials is particularly fascinating, raising questions about universality versus diversity in emotional expression and experience across different life forms.
Xenopsychology: Deciphering the Minds of the Cosmos is a must-read for those fascinated by the potential of life beyond Earth and the vast complexities of the universe. I highly recommend it to students of astrophysics, psychology, and philosophy, as well as anyone interested in the future of space exploration and the possible encounters with other sentient beings. Dr. Flagg provides a compelling blueprint for a new field of scientific inquiry.
Pages: 290 | ASIN : B0CW1BLTNT
The Blue Star: First Locality Adventure
Set in a distant future where space travel connects various alien civilizations, The Blue Star: First Locality Adventure, by Justin Caleb, immerses readers in a universe where interstellar colonization is commonplace. Amidst this backdrop of technological marvels, a devastating plague emerges, threatening to decimate life across the galaxy. This narrative follows Torina Jadus of the Tuulan For and her crew on their urgent quest to discover a cure for this malignant contagion.
Caleb’s narrative bears a striking resemblance to classic sci-fi tropes, notably those in the Star Trek series, while also echoing the tense, epidemic-focused narratives of films like Outbreak and Contagion. The novel gains a contemporary resonance in our post-pandemic world, evoking inevitable comparisons to Covid-19, albeit with a more dramatic and horrifying twist as it ravages the personalities and identities of the afflicted, adding a layer of horror to the science fiction setting.
Caleb skillfully intertwines themes of fear and identity, suggesting that the terror induced by the virus is as potent as the disease itself. This element of the narrative not only heightens the tension but also explores the universal fear of losing one’s identity, a theme that resonates across species and civilizations. The novel posits that this shared fear could be the foundation for understanding and connecting with non-human entities in the realm of advanced technology. The Blue Star: First Locality Adventure distinguishes itself by crafting a sense of existential dread, positioning the virus as a formidable antagonist. This emotional depth keeps readers engrossed up to the concluding page, showcasing Caleb’s adept storytelling. The novel’s ability to maintain engagement throughout is a testament to its effectiveness, transcending genre boundaries to deliver a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Justin Caleb’s The Blue Star: First Locality Adventure is a gripping contribution to the science fiction genre. Its exploration of universal themes like fear, identity, and the quest for understanding in the face of an unknown threat offers a fresh perspective on familiar tropes. The novel’s blend of suspense, emotional depth, and a well-crafted plot ensures a captivating reading experience. Caleb’s narrative prowess in combining elements of horror with science fiction serves to engage and provoke thought in readers, making this book a noteworthy and intriguing read for enthusiasts of the genre and beyond.
Pages: 453 | ASIN : B0CLTQ2VV1
Dark Cascade
Journey with Kel Chaada as he navigates a galaxy teeming with diverse alien races, each with its unique motives and aspirations. A particularly menacing extraterrestrial race with advanced weaponry and a hunger for planetary resources threatens to destabilize the balance. In a bold move, Kel and his select crew venture directly to this menacing civilization’s galaxy, intending to halt the impending doom at its origin. Amidst this high-stakes mission, Kel grapples with the dilemma of potentially becoming what he’s trying to resist.
Dark Cascade, the enthralling second installment in Bert-Oliver Boehmer’s Galacticide series, effortlessly immerses readers into its cosmos—even those unfamiliar with the inaugural book. While it’s evident that Boehmer is influenced by sci-fi titans such as Asimov and Philip K. Dick, his narrative carves its distinctive mark.
The allure of Dark Cascade stems not only from its expansive cosmic view but also from Boehmer’s nuanced exploration of interstellar politics and morality. As the story unfolds, one is compelled to question: In the quest for species survival, where do we draw the line? Kel Chaada stands as a beacon of humanity’s perseverance, yet the narrative gracefully introduces moments where alien races and AI beings demonstrate equally commendable motives.
Boehmer blurs moral boundaries, suggesting that even the most drastic measures, including genocide, might find justification depending on perspective. This intricate dance between ethical dilemmas and intergalactic politics sets Dark Cascade apart, positioning it in a league distinct from its sci-fi contemporaries.
Pages: 323 | ASIN : B0BMFWXQDJ
LITERARY TITAN 