Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

A science-fiction thriller, Titan’s Legacy by Rhett C. Bruno is the exhilarating finale of the series Children of Titan. The peace between Titanborn and Earthers is still tense even after the war. The time of domineering corporations running Sol’s affairs is over, thanks to Kale Trass. However, there are still hidden powers at play in the dark and they threaten something Malcolm Graves holds dear. Pervenio Collector, Malcolm Graves has spent the years after the death of his daughter virtually invisible, retired, and living in Titan. His strength and body aren’t what they used to be, but when the only person who cared he was still alive, his grandson, Alann Trass, is in danger, there is nothing he wouldn’t do to keep him safe.

After everything Malcolm Graves has been through and lost in the past, you would think that maybe this time around he would get a break! Unfortunately, it seems like the universe isn’t done with him yet. With Alann Trass in danger, Malcolm is thrown once more into chaos and despair as he fights against new and old enemies to keep his grandson alive. I found Titan’s Legacy to be a thrilling, entertaining, and satisfying book to immerse myself in. Rhett C. Bruno is a descriptive, amazing author that paints sharp and distinctive scenes of Titan’s Legacy in my mind with his impactful words. He creates these extraordinary characters and gives them this innate humanity that draws me in, regardless of their flaws. The most noteworthy and appealing parts are the detailed action sequences and the exciting, heart-stopping plot. The entire story is skillfully written in detail, to the point that I felt like I was with Malcolm and Alann as they try to survive the perils of Earth. It felt like I was watching every scene unfold right in front of my eyes. Reading the final book, Titan’s Legacy, has been a spectacular, bittersweet adventure and I found this to be an exceptional sci-fi novel truly worth the read.

Reviewed by Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Tilmer Wright Jr's science fiction novel The Bit Dance is set in present-day Florida. Fifteen-year-old Kayla Henry is a science and engineering genius like her father, Alan Henry. An inventor of high tech toys at Icarus Innovations Incorporated, Alan's current project is a groundbreaking eBot toy that explores its surroundings, shares the collected data online with other eBots, learns, and improves its code. When Alan gets permission to work on the project at home, Kayla is very excited and curious. She has excellent computer programming skills but cannot work directly on the project. Alan talks to her about writing code for eBots. Kayla thinks the learning algorithms are weak and surreptitiously improves the prototype eBot code on Alan's home PC. She inserts the Bees Algorithm, based on the "waggle dance" that bees use to communicate and learn new information. Initially, the eBots are wildly successful. Then the Ebots fail. Personal information appears in the EBot database. A terrified Kayla confesses. The tension rises exponentially as Kayla works feverishly on a possible solution.

I greatly enjoyed reading Tilmer Wright Jr's The Bit Dance for its strong characters, family dynamics, and the evolving Ebot mystery. Kayla desperately wants her father's praise for her extraordinary achievements but Alan Henry is a perfectionist. He knows his daughter is exceptionally gifted and Kayla is under constant pressure to do better. I loved the character of Kayla's mother and Alan's wife, Marie Henry, a professional psychologist, a center of calm. I liked the way 16-year old Seth, Kayla's brother, helps Kayla through her predicament. Seth has no interest or aptitude for science, but the two find common ground. Kayla's fear and anguish build as Alan comes under intense pressure to resolve the Ebot problems and may even face criminal charges. I liked Alan's ultimate open recognition of Kayla's extraordinary programming skills as she figures out a solution to the Ebot problems. I liked the imaginative narrative by the evolving Ebots, of an emerging "one mind" from millions of individual "bees." A riveting sci-fi story of swarm intelligence and a plucky and undaunted young genius Kayla!

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Korpes Agenda by J. I. Rogers is the second book in the Korpes File Series. This is the story of Nash Korpes, a Master-Tech who barely got out of the Korlune Military Research and Development with his limbs and soul intact. When he got out of there, he joined Harlo-Fyre, hoping that things would be better and life easier for him. For once, he thought that his future would be safe and secure, but he could not have been more wrong. However, he is not as sure of himself as he used to be, nor does he have friends that he can rely on. To make matters worse, something dark and dangerous is lurking on the periphery. Nash has to do something and he has to do is fast. Can he do it? Or will he be too late?

Although I have not read the first novel in the series, I had no problems catching up with the storyline and becoming invested in the lives of the characters. Nash Korpes is such a conflicted character. He is flawed, determined and accepting of his nature; however, that does not stop him from trying hard to do better. I enjoyed the plot; it had action, adventure and a healthy dose of suspense that kept me reading on and on. I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and how Nash seemed to be directing everything. He was the focal point of the story and he really lived up to it. He is such a human character; he had flaws, he had his quirks and he knew where his strengths lay. The overall atmosphere and the suspense had me reading on and wanting more. Very, very entertaining!

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

A group from an alien race called the Echoes, who have long lived secretly among humans, start a devastating war to take over Earth. They call themselves the Wardens and fight against Earth's Commonwealth military. Those who don't want to be involved in the war are the Brigands, scavengers of humans and Echoes alike who try to survive day in and day out. In Portland, Maine, 25-year-old brigand Dani receives a shocking confession from Jace, a brigand in his 60s who reveals that she's not a human but an Echo who already died and regenerated several times. Unlike other Echoes, Dani could never retain her memories. This revelation shifts her perspective about the war and herself. Echoes of War is the first book of the Echoes Trilogy by Cheryl Campbell.

Can a group of survivors, both military and brigands, unite under one cause despite their differences and defeat their common enemies? Humans and aliens’ survival are at stake in Campbell’s sci-fi tale where antagonisms are not just between the two different species but also between their own kind. With lots of suspenseful moments and adrenaline-pumping actions, I loved the story concept right away. As for the characters, I rooted for Dani even though I questioned some of her decisions in several situations. I greatly admired Jace’s loyalty as he continues to protect Dani despite her stubbornness and tendency for getting into trouble. On the other hand, antagonist Rowan is a dangerous enemy; fearless, heartless and ambitious in hunting down Dani and making sure of the Wardens’ victory in the war. There's enough drama to evoke myriad emotions between the protagonists without slowing down the plot pace, and the weapon technology in the story is fascinating but frighteningly devastating at the same time. Simply put, Echoes of War by Cheryl Campbell is a great start to this dystopian sci-fi series and a solid addition to the genre.

Reviewed by Anthony Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Falcon’s Call, written by Mike Waller, is a nail-biting, fantastical science fiction thriller that puts you on the edge of your seat. Joseph Falcon, a retired naval officer and now the captain of a freighter spaceship named “Butterball,” was exploring an asteroid belt deep in the solar system when he was called back to a space station named Kepler. Once he got back, he got the shock of his life. A UFO had been sighted not too far from where he had been exploring, and his new objective was to find out if the space ship was derelict, or if it still had living inhabitants on board. With his new history-changing objective, will Joe Falcon and his crew of what the world usually called “misfits” have what it takes to embark on the most important mission in the history of mankind? Or will they fail and miss out on this once in a lifetime anomaly?

Falcon’s Call by Mike Waller was a very deep, mind-boggling, but very exciting book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. It had many twists and turns, making it very hard to put down. The characters were well defined, and each played an important part in making the story come alive. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. With its fascinating different aspects, it had a way of keeping you on your toes. The science fiction Star Wars meets ET theme made this an awesome read. From murder to mayhem, this book has it all! Because Falcon’s Call has some violence and graphic scenes, I would suggest that only a more mature audience read this book.

Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite

Jake Wood is a tough homicide detective with a partner who has been his best friend since middle school. He’s a few weeks away from marrying the love of his life when a friend calls for help from South America. Jake drops everything to go to his aid, but ends up injured, in a coma, in a South American hospital. He awakens after eighteen months to discover his fiancée has married and is pregnant with another man’s baby, his job is gone and his partner has been transferred to another city.

There are good reasons for Jonas Saul's best-selling author brand, and The Immortal Gene provides all the proof anyone could need. What starts out as a straightforward crime/serial killer thriller, becomes a sci-fi, horror thriller that will please fans of all the above-mentioned genres. There is much to impress in this story. Saul writes with an authoritative knowledge of biology, the many facets of zoology, criminal justice, and plain ol’ writing skills. As outlandish as the primary plot becomes, Saul makes it real with deft use of in-depth knowledge of the subjects involved, and writing technical know-how. From characterization to dialog to plotting and sub-plots, he displays expertise.

I’m a fan of authors who don’t pussyfoot around graphic events (violence, sex, et al.) and instead write it like a movie... visual and realistic. Jonas Saul gets an A+ for verisimilitude. The Immortal Gene is the first book in a series and, as such, has a cliffhanger ending, but it’s not a debilitating fall and sets up book two perfectly. This is my first Jonas Saul book, but it won’t be my last.

Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite

The Shadow is one of the most infamous bounty hunters in the Star Federation and near the top of the Federation’s Alpha Class criminal list. Little is known about the mysterious hunter but when all the signs point to the Shadow’s involvement in the murder of Star Federation Captain Coleman on Earth, the young and talented Commander Lance Ashburn rallies his troops for a mission to hunt the bounty hunter down while the trail is still fresh. As Lance and the crew of the Argonaught class starship, Argonaught IV, pursue their target, the last thing they expect is for the small ship to contact them with a warning or to fend off an attack by the Seventh Sun, a group of Neo-Andromedans—the most feared and loathed military faction in Star Federation space.

Chasing Shadows, the first novel of the Star Hunters series, is an exciting and fast-moving space opera with intriguing world-building. Salustro introduces a wide range of unique alien species through a variety of individual secondary characters and richly imagines planets and galaxies beyond our own. One of the most notable species in this novel is the winged big cats called arkin that several characters keep as companion animals. Lissa’s desperation and Lance’s determination create convincing motivations as all parties find themselves bound by the threat of a common enemy. The viewpoint characters are also relatable and Salustro’s lively prose conveys their individual narratives in an engrossing manner. Chasing Shadows is a riveting debut novel and a must for sci-fi fans.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

We’re all familiar with the adage “It’s a man’s world”. But what happens when it’s a woman’s world? That’s the world Jameson and several other men find themselves dragged into by a group of Amazonian women warriors, members of a 70-year-old mountain village ruled, if necessary, by deadly female force. Men, like male worker bees, are useful only for cleaning out animal pens and having sex on demand with females ready to bear children. Male offspring from such couplings, called “yieldlings,” are dismissed when barely weaned to the male section of the village to grow up not knowing their parents. Female children are prized, taught survival skills and become the village’s hunters, guardians and rulers. Naturally, Jameson’s thoughts are on escape from word go, but when he witnesses what happens to those who attempt to do so, he decides to bide his time. What follows once Jameson is selected to wed and bed Wilderness, daughter of the tribe’s female leader, messes up his plans, which didn’t include falling in love with Wilderness. Over time, both Wilderness and Jameson find themselves questioning what they’ve believed for years as they learn what love really is from each other and, to Wilderness’s surprise, from her parents. Forget about Tribe of Daughters being science fiction: above all else, it’s a beautiful love story between a man and a woman, and between human beings and nature.

Never have I read a book like Tribe of Daughters by Kate L. Mary. Everything about this science fiction novel -- the possibilities, the plot, the characters, the physical, mental, sexual and cultural concepts, and the writing style fired my imagination and compelled me to keep reading page after page until the book was finished. An electrifying read, and that’s saying something from a person who isn’t all that into dystopian science fiction. There is so much more I could say about Tribe of Daughters but doing so would spoil readers’ enjoyment of this marvellous story. I want those who read this review to experience the book for themselves. Tribe of Daughters is unique! Mary’s writing style is straightforward, uses plenty of dialogue, and has superb, but not overly long descriptions to capture the almost ethereal atmosphere of the settings. Characters are well developed and believable. Best of all, the story is so emotionally moving as well as intellectually stimulating. Tribe of Daughters would be mesmerizing on the big screen. I’m a “forever fan” of her writing!

Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite

Earth is in a dystopian state due to centuries of damaging war. Jezekiah Van Buren, the intelligent yet reluctant future Lord High Protector of Earth of the Great Family Van Buren, has arranged a treaty. By marrying off his estranged younger sister, Letticia, to an alpha Lupan named Strongarm, the Lupans will become Earth’s powerful allies. The treaty will restore Earth to its former glory and release Jezekiah from his duty as the Earth’s next Protector. Upon arriving home, Jezekiah expected the trouble he faces to stay alive as he is targeted by his sister’s hired assassins. Yet love isn't one of them when he stumbles upon a warrior woman, Keiko. Unfortunately, Strongarm has also fallen for Keiko. Who will win Keiko’s heart in the end?

Set in post-apocalyptic Hawaii, Home World is a fascinating and original sci-fi tale from Bonnie Milani with a lot of political struggles, family drama and romance. The characters' development is clearly one of the main strengths of the story – they propel the plot nicely. The future technologies in the story are impressive but I did have my moments of confusion to try to grasp all of them; ShipMind, NetMind, KnowNet and whatnot. Additionally, as the result of genetic manipulations, there are different classes of humanoid too; the Natural, Sprite, Lupan, Aryan and the weather-sensitive miner type. It took me a while to familiarize myself with the world that Milani created.

Overall, Milani’s unique sci-fi story is well-crafted and comprehensive. She is an intriguing writer with an eye for detail and a good sense of pacing. Her thoughtful prose is a rare find, and I’m eager to read her next work. Sci-fi fans will find Home World a good addition to their favorite books.

Reviewed by Charles Remington for Readers' Favorite

Cognition is a high-powered political thriller centered around the concept of DNA manipulation, or germline engineering as it is also known - the ability to edit the DNA strands of an embryo to remove any undesirable traits and to improve or add the more desirable attributes such as looks, build, health and intelligence. Author Jacques St-Malo uses a broad sweep, employing a number of canvases to present his chronicle. These range from the US and Chinese presidential offices, along with their respective secret services, to Middle East terrorist organizations, companies involved in the business of germline engineering and some of the innocent individuals caught up in the increasingly violent struggle for control of the industry.

Among the various scenarios, three characters hold prominence and carry the story along, adding a touch of humanity and perspective to a highly technical concept. Ethan is a boy smuggled out of his country during a bloody coup who is hunted because of his lineage; Valerie Taylor is the daughter of a billionaire tycoon involved in the germline engineering industry; Connor Dashaw is a normal Joe from the rough end of Chicago who becomes embroiled in the resulting political upheavals. Their stories weave an intricate thread through the narrative adding thrills, intrigue, excitement and a touch of romance to the storyline.

Cognition is a masterly tale which uses the emerging science of germline engineering as its base, examining the possible repercussions and outcomes. The narrative displays Jacques St-Malo’s skill as an author and the depth of his knowledge on the subject he has chosen. The characters are well drawn, solid and believable, the locations beautifully described and the technicalities clearly explained. The storyline, although weighted with technical points and observations at times, manages to move along at a brisk pace. Cognition is an impressive piece of work. I do not hesitate to recommend it either as a thriller or to anyone wanting to look more deeply into the implications of this fascinating, but worrying, technology.