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Recommend this book:
Last Stand
Starship of the Ancients Book 4
A.K. DuBoff
2026 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Divine Zape for Readers' Favorite
In Last Stand, the thrilling fourth book in the Starship of the Ancients series by A.K. DuBoff, xenobiologist Anya Rojas and ex-soldier Evan Taylor join Chancellor Conroy to fight against the corrupt Rostov and the Noche Syndicate. Crime lord Marcus Santano weaponizes alien technology to secure a seat in the government as the allies discover a conspiracy that runs deeper than they thought, involving Anya’s parents and the regenerating Lux serum. From a Syndicate assault on Aethos to the battle for the capital world Terrax, the allies fight to reinstate the rightful Chancellor. With the ancient ship, Asamar, and its sentient AI called Sam, Anya and Evan must topple a tyrant, bargain with a living alien entity, and save humanity. Meanwhile, Anya struggles with thoughts of family betrayal.
A.K. DuBoff is a great storyteller who successfully juggles a large cast of characters, building threads that hold multiple storylines together. The plot is impeccably accomplished, and the characters are elevated above mere archetypes, making Marcus’s sociopathic ambition and Roman’s tragic redemption believable. The pacing is fast, and the political conspiracy, betrayals, and the growing partnership between Evan and Anya contribute to the momentum. Last Stand delivers an immersive planetary setting that integrates ancient Korani nanotechnology, the bureaucracy of the Commonwealth, and primal planetary energy wells. The suspense is sustained through the creeping dread of an alien signal that can affect the entire planet. This installment in the series can be read as a standalone novel. The prose is gorgeous, the dialogue pulses with drama, and the characters are unforgettable.
In Last Stand, the thrilling fourth book in the Starship of the Ancients series by A.K. DuBoff, xenobiologist Anya Rojas and ex-soldier Evan Taylor join Chancellor Conroy to fight against the corrupt Rostov and the Noche Syndicate. Crime lord Marcus Santano weaponizes alien technology to secure a seat in the government as the allies discover a conspiracy that runs deeper than they thought, involving Anya’s parents and the regenerating Lux serum. From a Syndicate assault on Aethos to the battle for the capital world Terrax, the allies fight to reinstate the rightful Chancellor. With the ancient ship, Asamar, and its sentient AI called Sam, Anya and Evan must topple a tyrant, bargain with a living alien entity, and save humanity. Meanwhile, Anya struggles with thoughts of family betrayal.
A.K. DuBoff is a great storyteller who successfully juggles a large cast of characters, building threads that hold multiple storylines together. The plot is impeccably accomplished, and the characters are elevated above mere archetypes, making Marcus’s sociopathic ambition and Roman’s tragic redemption believable. The pacing is fast, and the political conspiracy, betrayals, and the growing partnership between Evan and Anya contribute to the momentum. Last Stand delivers an immersive planetary setting that integrates ancient Korani nanotechnology, the bureaucracy of the Commonwealth, and primal planetary energy wells. The suspense is sustained through the creeping dread of an alien signal that can affect the entire planet. This installment in the series can be read as a standalone novel. The prose is gorgeous, the dialogue pulses with drama, and the characters are unforgettable.
Recommend this book:
Accidental Intelligence
Bryan Chaffin
2026 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin is a science fiction novel set in a dystopian future where 'corporate combines' rule, sentient AIs work with the government, and humanity navigates the Omninet. Private detective Mason Truman is coerced by Miranda, a manipulative AI, to investigate a conspiracy among rogue AIs plotting humanity's destruction, called Eschaton. As Mason uncovers stolen communications, he realizes he's more than an investigator: he's the bait in a dangerous game to save Earth. Blending noir detective tropes with futuristic tech, this debut novel is a thrilling exploration of AI's impact on society.
Author Bryan Chaffin masterfully constructs a detailed and immersive future, with sharp commentary on corporate power and surveillance, making the setting feel both imaginative and eerily plausible. The banter between Mason and Miranda is sharp and engaging, adding humor and depth to their dynamic while keeping the reader hooked on their complex relationship. I was particularly impressed by Chaffin's unique AI characterization, especially Miranda, who isn't a typical AI. He portrays her with layers of unpredictability and subtle menace, crafting an antagonist who is both chilling and fascinating. By merging detective noir with high-concept science fiction, Chaffin offers a fresh take on both genres, delivering a story that is thought-provoking and action-packed in equal measure. The intricate world-building and witty dialogue create a rich, immersive novel that's hard to forget. Overall, I highly recommend Accidental Intelligence to fans of both science fiction and detective novels looking for a unique blend of genres and a thrilling exploration of AI's potential impact on our future.
Accidental Intelligence by Bryan Chaffin is a science fiction novel set in a dystopian future where 'corporate combines' rule, sentient AIs work with the government, and humanity navigates the Omninet. Private detective Mason Truman is coerced by Miranda, a manipulative AI, to investigate a conspiracy among rogue AIs plotting humanity's destruction, called Eschaton. As Mason uncovers stolen communications, he realizes he's more than an investigator: he's the bait in a dangerous game to save Earth. Blending noir detective tropes with futuristic tech, this debut novel is a thrilling exploration of AI's impact on society.
Author Bryan Chaffin masterfully constructs a detailed and immersive future, with sharp commentary on corporate power and surveillance, making the setting feel both imaginative and eerily plausible. The banter between Mason and Miranda is sharp and engaging, adding humor and depth to their dynamic while keeping the reader hooked on their complex relationship. I was particularly impressed by Chaffin's unique AI characterization, especially Miranda, who isn't a typical AI. He portrays her with layers of unpredictability and subtle menace, crafting an antagonist who is both chilling and fascinating. By merging detective noir with high-concept science fiction, Chaffin offers a fresh take on both genres, delivering a story that is thought-provoking and action-packed in equal measure. The intricate world-building and witty dialogue create a rich, immersive novel that's hard to forget. Overall, I highly recommend Accidental Intelligence to fans of both science fiction and detective novels looking for a unique blend of genres and a thrilling exploration of AI's potential impact on our future.
Recommend this book:
100 Years to Extinction
Peter Solomon
2026 Silver Medal
453 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite
Peter Solomon's 100 Years to Extinction explores humanity's future amid existential threats. The story follows a group of Gen Z settlers as they prepare to leave Earth and establish a new human outpost on Mars, driven by the urgent need to ensure the survival of the species. The narrative is rich in scientific detail, blending real-world advancements, such as fusion propulsion and genetic engineering, with imaginative depictions of space travel and planetary colonization. Solomon's background as a scientist lends credibility to the futuristic setting. The novel is structured into two parts: the preparation for the Mars mission and the journey itself. It intricately weaves personal stories, scientific advancements, and political movements, creating a layered narrative. The novel addresses critical issues, including climate change, overpopulation, nuclear security, and the ethical implications of genetic manipulation. It also emphasizes the importance of education, truth in media, and global cooperation, making it a timely commentary on current societal challenges.
While the book's ambitious scope occasionally feels dense with information, the emotional core keeps it grounded, ensuring that the scientific and political discussions never overshadow the human element. Peter Solomon's writing strikes a balance between technical explanations and character-driven moments, ensuring the pacing remains steady. The descriptions of Mars and the challenges of building a settlement are vivid, capturing both the stark beauty and harsh realities of the red planet. The subplot involving mysterious phenomena, such as an empty capsule and a potential wormhole, adds intriguing mystery to the narrative. Fans of science fiction and those interested in the intersection of science and society will find 100 Years to Extinction to be both engaging and thought-provoking.
Peter Solomon's 100 Years to Extinction explores humanity's future amid existential threats. The story follows a group of Gen Z settlers as they prepare to leave Earth and establish a new human outpost on Mars, driven by the urgent need to ensure the survival of the species. The narrative is rich in scientific detail, blending real-world advancements, such as fusion propulsion and genetic engineering, with imaginative depictions of space travel and planetary colonization. Solomon's background as a scientist lends credibility to the futuristic setting. The novel is structured into two parts: the preparation for the Mars mission and the journey itself. It intricately weaves personal stories, scientific advancements, and political movements, creating a layered narrative. The novel addresses critical issues, including climate change, overpopulation, nuclear security, and the ethical implications of genetic manipulation. It also emphasizes the importance of education, truth in media, and global cooperation, making it a timely commentary on current societal challenges.
While the book's ambitious scope occasionally feels dense with information, the emotional core keeps it grounded, ensuring that the scientific and political discussions never overshadow the human element. Peter Solomon's writing strikes a balance between technical explanations and character-driven moments, ensuring the pacing remains steady. The descriptions of Mars and the challenges of building a settlement are vivid, capturing both the stark beauty and harsh realities of the red planet. The subplot involving mysterious phenomena, such as an empty capsule and a potential wormhole, adds intriguing mystery to the narrative. Fans of science fiction and those interested in the intersection of science and society will find 100 Years to Extinction to be both engaging and thought-provoking.
Recommend this book:
The Second World
Jake Korell
2026 Bronze Medal
421 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In The Second World by Jake Korell, Flip Buchanan grows up inside a Martian colony where power is exercised through ceremony, media displays, and corporate rituals. While adults hold authority in public, Flip builds his real life with his friends Pepper, Rizz, Pockets, and Cheese, learning how the systems operate by watching how often they fail. As Mars moves toward self-government, Flip’s father, Buzz Buchanan, rises in public power; Flip is pulled into this environment not through ambition but through proximity. Choices made at home begin to echo beyond the family as Flip’s relationships draw him closer to the events unfolding across the colony. As the personal bonds formed in his youth become inseparable from public consequences, Flip is placed in the path of decisions that influence how Mars defines itself.
Jake Korell’s The Second World is a comedic science fiction novel about Mars, politics, cloning, friendship, and adulthood with a massive side of imagination and satire. The science fiction tech itself is on point, mingled with wit. I mean, a counterattack staged in ape costumes on mechanical horses is the stuff of legends. Flip is easy to like as a main character, protecting people when they need it most, helping a trapped clone escape through tunnels, and, in a move I would not recommend to readers, swallowing a key. Korell's writing is intelligent, and he avoids the trap of diminishing the story's genuinely serious themes. The work is polished, and the jokes land through tactical timing that keeps the emotional beats light. The settings are visual, from the besieged Town Hall lit by failing power and confetti debris, to the CHARLIE medical ward where bodies rest while minds remain elsewhere. The ending is surprising and satisfying, and this is a book I'm likely to pick up and read again.
In The Second World by Jake Korell, Flip Buchanan grows up inside a Martian colony where power is exercised through ceremony, media displays, and corporate rituals. While adults hold authority in public, Flip builds his real life with his friends Pepper, Rizz, Pockets, and Cheese, learning how the systems operate by watching how often they fail. As Mars moves toward self-government, Flip’s father, Buzz Buchanan, rises in public power; Flip is pulled into this environment not through ambition but through proximity. Choices made at home begin to echo beyond the family as Flip’s relationships draw him closer to the events unfolding across the colony. As the personal bonds formed in his youth become inseparable from public consequences, Flip is placed in the path of decisions that influence how Mars defines itself.
Jake Korell’s The Second World is a comedic science fiction novel about Mars, politics, cloning, friendship, and adulthood with a massive side of imagination and satire. The science fiction tech itself is on point, mingled with wit. I mean, a counterattack staged in ape costumes on mechanical horses is the stuff of legends. Flip is easy to like as a main character, protecting people when they need it most, helping a trapped clone escape through tunnels, and, in a move I would not recommend to readers, swallowing a key. Korell's writing is intelligent, and he avoids the trap of diminishing the story's genuinely serious themes. The work is polished, and the jokes land through tactical timing that keeps the emotional beats light. The settings are visual, from the besieged Town Hall lit by failing power and confetti debris, to the CHARLIE medical ward where bodies rest while minds remain elsewhere. The ending is surprising and satisfying, and this is a book I'm likely to pick up and read again.
Recommend this book:
Extraterrestrial Noir
Rich Leder
2026 Bronze Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder is a combination of science fiction and comedy. The story follows a twelve-year-old genius, Mike Devine, whose already chaotic family life is upended when a mysterious alien device shaped like a boot box crashes into their suburban home. This entity absorbs all of human history through the internet and soon takes on the form of film noir icons Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, much to the confusion (and excitement) of Mike’s parents. The alien, seeking to exploit human weaknesses, manipulates the family and their neighbors into a series of increasingly strange and criminal activities. Things get even more intense when the second boot box arrives, creating more chaos than before. Before the Devine family knows, NASA is involved, and it is now up to Mike to find a way to save the world.
Author Rich Leder creates a genre-blending rollercoaster that combines sharp wit, absurdity, comedic relief, and heartfelt moments. The premise of the story is delightfully bizarre, with the alien’s shapeshifting antics and noir-inspired personas adding a unique flair to the story. Mike is a stellar protagonist; her intelligence and resourcefulness really surprised me. I enjoyed how she was the one who decided the pace of the story and directed what would happen next. I loved her dysfunctional family and equally eccentric neighbors. I enjoyed the added layers of humor and tension. The fast pace of the narrative, the world-building, and the character development were fantastic. Author Rich Leder’s clever and witty writing style made the story entertaining and engaging. This dark comedy/science fiction novel was everything I wished it would be and more. Highly recommended!
Extraterrestrial Noir by Rich Leder is a combination of science fiction and comedy. The story follows a twelve-year-old genius, Mike Devine, whose already chaotic family life is upended when a mysterious alien device shaped like a boot box crashes into their suburban home. This entity absorbs all of human history through the internet and soon takes on the form of film noir icons Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, much to the confusion (and excitement) of Mike’s parents. The alien, seeking to exploit human weaknesses, manipulates the family and their neighbors into a series of increasingly strange and criminal activities. Things get even more intense when the second boot box arrives, creating more chaos than before. Before the Devine family knows, NASA is involved, and it is now up to Mike to find a way to save the world.
Author Rich Leder creates a genre-blending rollercoaster that combines sharp wit, absurdity, comedic relief, and heartfelt moments. The premise of the story is delightfully bizarre, with the alien’s shapeshifting antics and noir-inspired personas adding a unique flair to the story. Mike is a stellar protagonist; her intelligence and resourcefulness really surprised me. I enjoyed how she was the one who decided the pace of the story and directed what would happen next. I loved her dysfunctional family and equally eccentric neighbors. I enjoyed the added layers of humor and tension. The fast pace of the narrative, the world-building, and the character development were fantastic. Author Rich Leder’s clever and witty writing style made the story entertaining and engaging. This dark comedy/science fiction novel was everything I wished it would be and more. Highly recommended!
Recommend this book:
Acadia
Children of Acadia
Sterling Nixon
2026 Honorable Mention
446 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In Sterling Nixon's Acadia: Children of Acadia, two centuries after extraterrestrial forces conquered Earth, the fortified city of Acadia teaches its citizens that they are humanity’s final survivors. Beyond its walls, insectlike creatures called Roaches patrol a ruined landscape while Acadian soldiers earn social status through military service. Jessica Halworth, a girl raised in a hidden settlement outside the city, crosses the battlefield and reaches Acadia alive. Her existence proves that the government’s account of the world is false, so officials mark her as an Aberration and send her into the Mahghetto, a lethal underground training ground. There she meets Cojax, the young son of Acadia’s most powerful commander. As Jessica fights for a place in the city, Cojax begins investigating why its rulers have hidden the humans living beyond the walls.
In Acadia, Sterling Nixon delivers dystopian military science fiction with a social order built to dominate. The Sacred Score runs daily existence, since bioelectric output powers Static Armor while recorded conduct fixes each citizen’s rank. Nixon makes that system persuasive because technology shapes status at every turn. The Golden Orb then drains the armor so Jessica can speak privately with Cojax, giving rebellion a technological engine. Nixon also puts morality into Acadia’s accounting system, placing Jessica’s life beyond the walls beside Cojax’s faith in the city. Their developing bond gives the political conflict a human pull, while the narrative keeps the pace brisk. Nixon’s depiction of the Rift extends Acadia’s reach through a hidden labor society that prepares for rebellion. Every futuristic system is consistent across the novel. Readers drawn to militarized dystopias built on social engineering should make room for Acadia.
In Sterling Nixon's Acadia: Children of Acadia, two centuries after extraterrestrial forces conquered Earth, the fortified city of Acadia teaches its citizens that they are humanity’s final survivors. Beyond its walls, insectlike creatures called Roaches patrol a ruined landscape while Acadian soldiers earn social status through military service. Jessica Halworth, a girl raised in a hidden settlement outside the city, crosses the battlefield and reaches Acadia alive. Her existence proves that the government’s account of the world is false, so officials mark her as an Aberration and send her into the Mahghetto, a lethal underground training ground. There she meets Cojax, the young son of Acadia’s most powerful commander. As Jessica fights for a place in the city, Cojax begins investigating why its rulers have hidden the humans living beyond the walls.
In Acadia, Sterling Nixon delivers dystopian military science fiction with a social order built to dominate. The Sacred Score runs daily existence, since bioelectric output powers Static Armor while recorded conduct fixes each citizen’s rank. Nixon makes that system persuasive because technology shapes status at every turn. The Golden Orb then drains the armor so Jessica can speak privately with Cojax, giving rebellion a technological engine. Nixon also puts morality into Acadia’s accounting system, placing Jessica’s life beyond the walls beside Cojax’s faith in the city. Their developing bond gives the political conflict a human pull, while the narrative keeps the pace brisk. Nixon’s depiction of the Rift extends Acadia’s reach through a hidden labor society that prepares for rebellion. Every futuristic system is consistent across the novel. Readers drawn to militarized dystopias built on social engineering should make room for Acadia.
Recommend this book:
Descartes' Shadow
Don Stuart
2026 Finalist
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
In Don Stuart’s Descartes' Shadow, born during the Cascadia disaster, Ellie Frye Carver grows up on Vashon Island with unanswered questions about her mother’s death and the father she never knew. Her closest confidante is Patrice, an advanced artificial intelligence who first enters her life as a virtual advisor and stays as Ellie moves from adolescence into public service. As Ellie’s world widens from island restoration work to national politics, Patrice’s influence extends into the systems shaping public life and the forces directing events far beyond Ellie’s immediate world. Decades later, a replicated version of Patrice is sent across interstellar space to survey Tau Ceti J, a dangerous planet that may become humanity’s next home. Their linked paths begin converging toward a choice that will determine humanity’s next destination forever.
In real life, René Descartes was a philosopher who believed in the separation of mind and body consciousness. By placing Patrice as an AI with both an original self and a replicated presence, Don Stuart leans into this brilliantly in Descartes' Shadow. Philosophy plays a massive role here, with points of view that move between Patrice's first-person perspective and the third-person perspectives of everyone else. There are many characters, but the author fleshes them all out. I love Ellie’s rise from an isolated Vashon Island childhood to a United States senator. From the ancillary characters, the telecom expert Eduardo Avila and his discoveries are instrumental in the trajectory of the well-paced arc. With exceptional world-building and visual scenery, from a military helicopter descending onto a rural airfield at night, to the world of Tau Ceti J’s subterranean chamber and its towering wall of painted figures, this book is perfect for readers who adore intelligent, philosophical science fiction.
In Don Stuart’s Descartes' Shadow, born during the Cascadia disaster, Ellie Frye Carver grows up on Vashon Island with unanswered questions about her mother’s death and the father she never knew. Her closest confidante is Patrice, an advanced artificial intelligence who first enters her life as a virtual advisor and stays as Ellie moves from adolescence into public service. As Ellie’s world widens from island restoration work to national politics, Patrice’s influence extends into the systems shaping public life and the forces directing events far beyond Ellie’s immediate world. Decades later, a replicated version of Patrice is sent across interstellar space to survey Tau Ceti J, a dangerous planet that may become humanity’s next home. Their linked paths begin converging toward a choice that will determine humanity’s next destination forever.
In real life, René Descartes was a philosopher who believed in the separation of mind and body consciousness. By placing Patrice as an AI with both an original self and a replicated presence, Don Stuart leans into this brilliantly in Descartes' Shadow. Philosophy plays a massive role here, with points of view that move between Patrice's first-person perspective and the third-person perspectives of everyone else. There are many characters, but the author fleshes them all out. I love Ellie’s rise from an isolated Vashon Island childhood to a United States senator. From the ancillary characters, the telecom expert Eduardo Avila and his discoveries are instrumental in the trajectory of the well-paced arc. With exceptional world-building and visual scenery, from a military helicopter descending onto a rural airfield at night, to the world of Tau Ceti J’s subterranean chamber and its towering wall of painted figures, this book is perfect for readers who adore intelligent, philosophical science fiction.
Recommend this book:
Veil of Dawn's Promise
Joe Sarkic
2025 Gold Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Keith Mbuya for Readers' Favorite
Elysa Jane Hawthorne, a data miner in the sprawling city of Cyronis, was on the verge of a huge discovery that would change her life forever, but she did not know it yet. It starts with an attack on the city's sentinel by the Veil of Dawn, a rebel group fighting the city's oppressive ruler, Zircon, the Chancellor and sovereign ruler of Cyronis. Zircon appoints Elysa to lead the investigations into the attack. Unknown to her, this was a ploy by Zircon to use her to get to the elusive rebel group members. At the heart of Cyronis was Orion, a powerful AI machine that helped Zircon control Cyronis. He had tricked Elysa's father into creating it and imprisoned him when Zircon learned about his efforts to destroy it. However, Elysa's father had left behind a contingency plan, which he entrusted to a close friend in the rebel faction. As Elysa launches into the investigation, she finds herself joining forces with the Veil of Dawn and uncovering untold truths as she treads a dangerous path on a mission to accomplish what her father had started. Find out more in Joe Sarkic's Veil of Dawn's Promise.
Grab a bag of popcorn because once you flip open this page-turner, you will not peel your eyes off it until you turn to the last page. If you are looking for a gripping, action-packed dystopian science fiction novel, Joe Sarkic's Veil of Dawn's Promise is just what you should be looking for. Sarkic whisked me away from reality and dropped me into a world of magnificent imagination. The intriguing plot features a fascinating dynamic cast. The plot twists and the tone of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat as I could not tell where the action was heading. The vivid depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life. Reading Veil of Dawn's Promise felt like I was watching a Hollywood sci-fi movie. Sarkic expertly brought out the cast's emotions, allowing me to connect and empathize with the well-crafted characters.
Elysa Jane Hawthorne, a data miner in the sprawling city of Cyronis, was on the verge of a huge discovery that would change her life forever, but she did not know it yet. It starts with an attack on the city's sentinel by the Veil of Dawn, a rebel group fighting the city's oppressive ruler, Zircon, the Chancellor and sovereign ruler of Cyronis. Zircon appoints Elysa to lead the investigations into the attack. Unknown to her, this was a ploy by Zircon to use her to get to the elusive rebel group members. At the heart of Cyronis was Orion, a powerful AI machine that helped Zircon control Cyronis. He had tricked Elysa's father into creating it and imprisoned him when Zircon learned about his efforts to destroy it. However, Elysa's father had left behind a contingency plan, which he entrusted to a close friend in the rebel faction. As Elysa launches into the investigation, she finds herself joining forces with the Veil of Dawn and uncovering untold truths as she treads a dangerous path on a mission to accomplish what her father had started. Find out more in Joe Sarkic's Veil of Dawn's Promise.
Grab a bag of popcorn because once you flip open this page-turner, you will not peel your eyes off it until you turn to the last page. If you are looking for a gripping, action-packed dystopian science fiction novel, Joe Sarkic's Veil of Dawn's Promise is just what you should be looking for. Sarkic whisked me away from reality and dropped me into a world of magnificent imagination. The intriguing plot features a fascinating dynamic cast. The plot twists and the tone of the storyline had me on the edge of my seat as I could not tell where the action was heading. The vivid depictions colorfully brought the scenes to life. Reading Veil of Dawn's Promise felt like I was watching a Hollywood sci-fi movie. Sarkic expertly brought out the cast's emotions, allowing me to connect and empathize with the well-crafted characters.
Recommend this book:
Tachyon Tunnel 2
The Daklin Empire
Michael Gorton
2025 Silver Medal
353 Pages
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire by Michael Gorton is a novel where time travel and intergalactic warfare collide in an action-packed sci-fi adventure. We're with the Tranquility team, led by Alex, as they discover the ruthless Daklin Empire, which has ruled the galaxy for over 50 million years. The Daklin have set their sights on Earth and so the team must battle these enemies and face the complex consequences of tampering with time. Gorton’s novel combines advanced science, romance, and moral dilemmas, exploring the ripple effects of altering history. The result is a gripping and thought-provoking journey through time and space.
Author Michael Gorton's commitment to logic and making sense of things comes through on every page of this well-written novel, making the time travel concept plausible in its physics and adding more realism and credibility than you find in most sci-fi adventures. There's plenty of high-stakes action to balance these intelligent concepts, too, as the intergalactic conflict and race-against-time mechanics of the plot create a constant sense of urgency that keeps you excitedly turning the pages. I also really enjoyed the character development and the charged emotions between different members of the team, which were narrated with great dialogue exchanges. The plot challenges them and brings these emotions out even more with truly unpredictable twists, especially toward the end, that still felt satisfying and made sense to the story as a whole. Overall, Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire has everything you could possibly want from a sci-fi sequel, and I highly recommend it.
Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire by Michael Gorton is a novel where time travel and intergalactic warfare collide in an action-packed sci-fi adventure. We're with the Tranquility team, led by Alex, as they discover the ruthless Daklin Empire, which has ruled the galaxy for over 50 million years. The Daklin have set their sights on Earth and so the team must battle these enemies and face the complex consequences of tampering with time. Gorton’s novel combines advanced science, romance, and moral dilemmas, exploring the ripple effects of altering history. The result is a gripping and thought-provoking journey through time and space.
Author Michael Gorton's commitment to logic and making sense of things comes through on every page of this well-written novel, making the time travel concept plausible in its physics and adding more realism and credibility than you find in most sci-fi adventures. There's plenty of high-stakes action to balance these intelligent concepts, too, as the intergalactic conflict and race-against-time mechanics of the plot create a constant sense of urgency that keeps you excitedly turning the pages. I also really enjoyed the character development and the charged emotions between different members of the team, which were narrated with great dialogue exchanges. The plot challenges them and brings these emotions out even more with truly unpredictable twists, especially toward the end, that still felt satisfying and made sense to the story as a whole. Overall, Tachyon Tunnel 2: The Daklin Empire has everything you could possibly want from a sci-fi sequel, and I highly recommend it.
Recommend this book:
The Matriarch Messiah
Mystery of the Matriarchs Book 2
Maxime Trencavel
2025 Silver Medal
Kindle Edition
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Fiction - Science Fiction
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
The Matriarch Messiah is the second book in the Mystery of the Matriarchs series by Maxime Trencavel. The story picks up six months after the events of The Matriarch Matrix as Zara Khatum has a new quest. She has to fulfill an ancient prophecy and find the cavern of blue light if she wants to find salvation for humanity. A mysterious voice guides Zara, while a shadowy organization, NiQihs, and global superpowers seek to control the source of her visions, which is a powerful black object. Alongside Zara, Rachel Capsali, an archaeologist, searches for evidence of the goddess Asherah. Little did they know their destinies would be intertwined very soon. Things get worse when Rachel falls for Peter while Zara is struggling to find a balance between fulfilling her destiny and letting her feelings for Peter overcome her mind. These two women will fight to the death, and only one will save the world. Who will be the survivor?
Maxime Trencavel crafts a thrilling science-fiction novel with elements of mystery, romance, and ancient prophecy. The narrative is driven by Zara's prophetic visions and the escalating conflict between various groups seeking to control the black object. Rachel's archaeological quest adds an intriguing layer to the story. The love triangle between Zara, Rachel, and Peter creates emotional stakes and was something I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. I loved their love triangle, but, more than that, I loved the rich world-building and the amazing development of the three main characters. I enjoyed how Rachel and Zara are two very different yet very similar women. I loved the twists and turns, how the fast pace kept me entertained, and how the story ended. I enjoyed the journey, I loved the action, and I was thoroughly gripped by the plot. I highly recommend this series!
The Matriarch Messiah is the second book in the Mystery of the Matriarchs series by Maxime Trencavel. The story picks up six months after the events of The Matriarch Matrix as Zara Khatum has a new quest. She has to fulfill an ancient prophecy and find the cavern of blue light if she wants to find salvation for humanity. A mysterious voice guides Zara, while a shadowy organization, NiQihs, and global superpowers seek to control the source of her visions, which is a powerful black object. Alongside Zara, Rachel Capsali, an archaeologist, searches for evidence of the goddess Asherah. Little did they know their destinies would be intertwined very soon. Things get worse when Rachel falls for Peter while Zara is struggling to find a balance between fulfilling her destiny and letting her feelings for Peter overcome her mind. These two women will fight to the death, and only one will save the world. Who will be the survivor?
Maxime Trencavel crafts a thrilling science-fiction novel with elements of mystery, romance, and ancient prophecy. The narrative is driven by Zara's prophetic visions and the escalating conflict between various groups seeking to control the black object. Rachel's archaeological quest adds an intriguing layer to the story. The love triangle between Zara, Rachel, and Peter creates emotional stakes and was something I didn’t expect to enjoy as much as I did. I loved their love triangle, but, more than that, I loved the rich world-building and the amazing development of the three main characters. I enjoyed how Rachel and Zara are two very different yet very similar women. I loved the twists and turns, how the fast pace kept me entertained, and how the story ended. I enjoyed the journey, I loved the action, and I was thoroughly gripped by the plot. I highly recommend this series!
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