Books matching: alien influence
70 result(s)
- #1
Save:'2061: Odyssey Three' continues the story of the Odyssey series with the protagonist and his family exploring the new solar system set up after the events in the second book. The book delves into technical details, space exploration, and encounters with powerful alien artifacts like the monoliths. The plot involves a mission to Halley's Comet, a rescue mission to Europa, and mysterious occurrences related to the monoliths and otherworldly beings.
Arthur C. Clarke's writing style in '2061: Odyssey Three' is described as a mix of science speculation, humanism, and classical sci-fi reminiscent of authors like Clarke and Asimov. The book is praised for its technical detail, imaginative storytelling, and the continuation of the Odyssey series with recurring characters like Dave Bowman, HAL, and Dr. Floyd. However, some readers find the plot convoluted, with disjointed transitions between chapters and an excess of characters and subplots.
Dr. Heywood Floyd stared thoughtfully at the ever-changing panorama of the beautiful planet, only six thousand kilometers away, on which he could never walk again. It was even more ironic that, throug...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Space Odyssey ) Ten Billion Days and One Hundred Billion Nights by Ryu Mitsuse is a complex and ambitious science fiction novel that delves into themes of cosmology, philosophy, and the battle for humanity's survival against malevolent forces. The book covers a vast expanse of time, from the beginning of the universe to its eventual death from entropy, intertwining hard science fiction with deep philosophical traditions. Mitsuse weaves a narrative that explores the influence of aliens on humanity's development, drawing parallels between different religions and philosophies throughout history.
- #3
Save:Madeleine Roux's 'Salvaged' is a gripping sci-fi novel following Rosalyn Devar, a salvager tasked with cleaning up dead spaceships. As she embarks on her latest mission, she discovers that not all crew members are deceased and encounters a mysterious alien fungus taking over the ship. The book weaves a tale of psychological horror, trauma, and survival, as Rosalyn battles against an alien influence and unravels a murder mystery onboard the vessel.
The plot of 'Salvaged' is filled with scientific discovery, human minds resisting alien control, secrets, betrayal, and a race against time to prevent the spread of a dangerous entity named Mother. The worldbuilding is rich, depicting a future Earth in turmoil and a crew of diverse characters on a perilous mission in space. Roux's writing style keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of horror and mystery into a thrilling narrative that explores themes of resilience and inner strength.
- #4
Save:Sinister Barrier by Eric Frank Russell is a gripping science fiction novel that delves into themes of paranoia, conspiracy, and the unknown. The plot follows two investigators who uncover a series of bizarre deaths among famous scientists, leading them down a dangerous path of discovery. Russell weaves together elements of Fortean conspiracy motifs, SF aliens, and police procedurals to create a roller coaster ride of a story that challenges the reader's perception of reality and control.
The writing style of Sinister Barrier is described as compelling, suspenseful, and fast-flowing. Russell's imaginative storytelling takes readers on a journey into a parallel universe that exists just beneath the surface of our own reality, keeping them engaged and intrigued from beginning to end.
It was a new slant, and a wicked one, born of dreadful facts. He passed long, slender fingers through prematurely white hair. His eyes, strangely protruding, filled with uncanny light, stared out of h... - #5
Save:In 'The Last Colony', the primary protagonists, John and Jane, are tasked with establishing a new colony named Roanoke. However, they soon realize that the colony is entangled in political games orchestrated by the Colonial Union, putting them in a precarious situation. The book delves into themes of intergalactic politics, survival, and moral dilemmas, all while maintaining a fast-paced narrative with witty dialogues and contemplative moments.
The plot unfolds on a backwater colony, offering a fresh perspective on the Old Man's War series by moving away from intense warfare to focus more on political intrigue and character dynamics. Scalzi's writing style is described as engaging and accessible, with sophisticated plotting that reveals his thoughts on human nature and galactic politics, making 'The Last Colony' a thought-provoking and entertaining read.
Earth you know; everyone knows it. It’s the birthplace of humanity, although at this point not many consider it our “home” planet—Phoenix has had that job since the Colonial Union was created and beca...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Old Man's War ) - #6
Save:In Clay's Ark by Octavia E. Butler, the story revolves around an alien virus that infects humans, giving them enhanced physical abilities but also an uncontrollable urge to spread the contagion through bites, scratches, and sexual contact. The book explores themes of alien influences on human sexuality and reproduction, consent and free will, and a near future dystopia. Set in a violent and dystopian world, the novel delves into the personal ramifications of the changing of worlds as characters struggle to retain their humanity amidst the spread of the alien virus.
The narrative structure of the book is described as compelling, with two seemingly unrelated narrative paths in the past and present slowly converging to reveal the story of how the protagonist, Eli, became entangled in a situation where he must navigate between saving his family and preventing a global epidemic. Butler's writing style captures the tension between parasitism and symbiosis, creating a thought-provoking and intense exploration of what it means to let go of one's humanity and be driven by compulsions beyond recognition.
THE SHIP HAD BEEN destroyed five days before. He did not remember how. He knew he was alone now, knew he had returned home instead of to the station as planned or to the emergency base on Luna. He kne...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Patternmaster ) - #7
Save:When Bobbi trips over a strange bit of metal while walking on the forest path of her property, the life and existence of the township of Haven changes irrevocably. Bobbi and the townsfolk begin to change, losing both their physical form and sanity. Bobbi's poet friend Gard, protected somewhat by the alien influence by a metal plate, helps her to dig up the Alien craft. The Tommyknockers isn't my favorite of King's work, but does have his usual descriptive prose, wonderful characterisation and somewhat compelling storyline. A strange object was found in the woods and things just get stranger from that point on.
For want of a nail the kingdom was lost—that’s how the catechism goes when you boil it down. In the end, you can boil everything down to something similar—or so Roberta Anderson thought much later on.... - #8
Save:'The Whisperer in Darkness' by H.P. Lovecraft is a collection of some of Lovecraft's early Cthulhu Mythos stories, including some short ones, and some of his longest and best works as well. The stories revolve around a race of beings from space who once lived on Earth many millions of years ago, and individuals experiencing mental contact with them or stumbling across their ancient cities. Lovecraft's descriptions of the cities of the Old Ones are breathtaking, leaving readers wondering about the true nature of these beings and their intentions. The writing style of Lovecraft, with his use of first-person narrators, creates a sense of verisimilitude that draws readers into the mysterious and terrifying worlds he creates.
Bear in mind closely that I did not see any actual visual horror at the end. To say that a mental shock was the cause of what I inferred - that last straw which sent me racing out of the lonely Akeley... - #9
Save:'Resistance is Futile' by Jenny T. Colgan is a sci-fi novel that follows mathematician Connie as she is recruited for a top-secret code-breaking project alongside a group of eccentric colleagues. The book combines elements of romance, humor, and sci-fi, creating a fun and entertaining read that delves into themes of love, friendship, and the unknown. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers engaged as Connie and her team work on a mysterious project that becomes increasingly bizarre and intriguing.
The book explores the dynamics between the characters, particularly focusing on Connie and her peculiar colleague Luke, as they navigate the challenges of their project and unexpected developments. With elements of humor, romance, and sci-fi, 'Resistance is Futile' offers a unique blend of genres that captivates readers with its quirky characters and out-of-this-world storyline.
How was it a job anyway? Sitting around, drinking coffee and leaving their cups unwashed for her to collect like some kind of cup fairy. And they got paid way more than her, she was sure of it. For sc... - #10
Save:'Foundations of Fear' is a hefty anthology of horror stories that delves into the history and evolution of the horror genre. It includes a variety of subject matter ranging from the 18th century to the early 1990s, showcasing the crossover between horror and science fiction. The book is described as a collection of horror stories by good writers, with no supernatural or SF elements, making everything believable. The writing style is noted to be a mix of old favorites and unknown gems, offering a good overview of the horror genre and allowing the imagination to roam free into dark places.
This anthology of horror literature is a companion volume to The Dark Descent, continuing a panorama of examples and an examination of the evolution of horror as a mode of literary expression from its...
