Over the years I’ve realized that books that take place off world are some of my favorite stories. I love the adventure and action of them. But I’ve also realized there can be a lot of depth to these stories. Today I’m sharing a few of my very favorite Out of This World books that I truly think almost any reader could enjoy…
Polaris Rising, Jessie Mihalik
So far this is one of my favorite books read this year. There’s action and sass starting on page one and continuing non stop through to the end. Sprinkle in a steamy hot love interest and you’ve got a recipe for a killer good time.
As the fifth of six children in a royal family, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her High House is as a pawn in a political marriage. Wanting no part in a betrothal, the spirited princess flees and disappears among the stars.
Ada remains in hiding for two years before being capture and thrown in a prison cell with known criminal, Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.
When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that she must convince Marcus to join forces with her if she has any chance of survival. But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive Devil, you may lose more than you bargained for . . .
To Be Taught If Fortunate, Becky Chambers
Basically Becky Chambers is a genious in this genre. She writes with such heart and her characters are usually full of depth and emotion that always surprises me. This is a story of a space exploration crew and their experiences living through decades of time, wondering what is happening back on earth, and trying to make sense of a future where they might never get back there. It’s heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved it. This is a short book at only 153 pages which is nice, as many books of this genre can be long. So if you’re new to outer space fiction, this is an excellent place to start!
In her new novella, Sunday Times best-selling author Becky Chambers imagines a future in which, instead of terraforming planets to sustain human life, explorers of the solar system instead transform themselves.
Ariadne is one such explorer. As an astronaut on an extrasolar research vessel, she and her fellow crewmates sleep between worlds and wake up each time with different features. Her experience is one of fluid body and stable mind and of a unique perspective on the passage of time. Back on Earth, society changes dramatically from decade to decade, as it always does. With that passing time, Ariadne’s crew loses touch with Earth communications and they must try to figure out if they’ve been forgotten forever and what that means for their future. Will they die in space, forgotten? Or will they make it back home?
Zeroboxer, Fonda Lee
Boxing in zero gravity? Sounds like a rush… and it is! This competition is deadly and the deals made on the side are even deadlier. This is a quick read by one of my new, favorite authors. Fonda Lee also wrote the Jade City series which takes place on Earth but is excellent. I’ve learned to read everything she writes because I know I won’t be disappointed.
A rising star in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, Carr “the Raptor” Luka dreams of winning the championship title. Recognizing his talent, the Zero Gravity Fighting Association assigns Risha, an ambitious and beautiful Martian colonist, to be his brandhelm––a personal marketing strategist. It isn’t long before she’s made Carr into a popular celebrity and stolen his heart along the way.
As his fame grows, Carr becomes an inspirational hero on Earth, a once-great planet that’s fallen into the shadow of its more prosperous colonies. But when Carr discovers a far-reaching criminal scheme, he becomes the keeper of a devastating secret.
What is your favorite book setting?
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