Books matching: alien influence
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- #1
Save:A zany, inventive romp through mutant high school drama and B-movie mayhem - packed with laughs, clever pop culture nods, and heart. You’ll either love its oddball style or bounce off fast!
'Go, Mutants!' by Larry Doyle is a light-hearted, dark, suspenseful, nostalgic science fiction novel that follows the story of J m, an alien teenager navigating high school in a future where Howard Hughes is president. The book combines elements of high school drama, teenage love angst, and clever allusions to sci-fi and pop culture references, creating a unique and entertaining narrative that transports readers to a world where aliens influence history and society.
The writing style of 'Go, Mutants!' is described as clever, humorous, inventive, and wacko, with inelegantly lovable characters and engaging plot twists that capture the reader's attention. The author, Larry Doyle, has created a fun and entertaining fantasy that blends elements of 1950s monster movies with a teenage love story, offering a nostalgic journey down memory lane with a sci-fi twist.
The boy’s face wasn’t half so monstrous in color. His dusky blue-gray skin muted the ridges and spurs protruding here and there, in patterns beautiful only to mathematicians, and his features were hum...June 2010•393 pages - #2
Save:Less epic than its predecessors, 2061 is a lighter, science-forward space romp. Recommended mainly for series fans and sci-fi enthusiasts, but not essential if you’re after the big answers or the core mysteries of the Odyssey universe.
'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...January 1987•298 pages
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Space Odyssey ) - #3
Save:A gripping, atmospheric space horror with a flawed but relatable heroine and a dash of romance - great for fans of character-driven sci-fi, but the pacing and structure may not suit everyone.
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.
She shifted her boots out of the reddish muck, swallowing hard as her feet suctioned to the floor. The job got more familiar but not easier. Never easier. And this was way beyond skin slippage, this w...October 2019•368 pages - #4
Save:A witty, fast-paced blend of space politics and personal stakes - perfect for fans of character-focused sci-fi, but less satisfying if you want dense world-building or nonstop action. Read the first books in the series for full impact.
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...April 2007•331 pages
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Old Man's War ) - #5
Save:A fascinating mess: chaotic, creative, and classic King, but definitely overlong and uneven. Die-hard King fans and those who love quirky sci-fi-horror blends should give it a shot, but newcomers may want to start elsewhere in his library.
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....January 1987•715 pages - #6
Save:A pulse-pounding pulp classic brimming with wild imagination and conspiratorial chills. Not flawless, but a must-read for fans of vintage sci-fi and speculative thrillers.
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...1943•208 pages - #7
Save:A dark, challenging, and thought-provoking read - not the easiest entry in the Patternist series, but a must for readers who appreciate sci-fi that dives headfirst into the deep end of humanity's nightmares and questions.
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... - #8
Save:A shock-value LitRPG with a dark, adult edge - a smartly built fantasy sandbox if you’re okay with an unapologetically evil lead and a heavy dose of controversial content. Approach with caution and open eyes!
'Welcome to the Apocalypse' in the 'Lewd Dungeon' series by Stuart Grosse is a dark and explicit tale that combines elements of BDSM erotica, LitRPG, and dungeon core genres. The story follows a protagonist who becomes a Dungeon Core after the Earth is transformed into a game world by aliens, leading to the emergence of monsters, dungeons, and a shift in the rules of reality. The writing style is described as containing graphic and uncomfortable scenes, with a focus on sexual violence and perverse behavior, creating a challenging read for those who are not accustomed to such content.
SYSTEM now fully initialized. Local time suspended while individual updates commencing. Please choose a class. Please choose a profession. You have unspent ability points. You have unspent skill point...March 2018•85 pages - #9
Save:A thoughtful, original sci-fi romance that balances comfort and melancholy, with standout representation and world-building - a must-read for fans of the Human Pets of Talin universe!
In a dark future where Earth has been destroyed, the book "Creating Captivity" in the series 'Human Pets of Talin - Origins' by R.K. Munin explores the story of how humans became pets to the Talins. The plot follows Aria and her team of humans who were workers at a mining facility, struggling to survive after being abandoned due to war. When a Talin warrior named Bazium discovers the humans, language barriers cause confusion, but he soon realizes that Aria might hold the key to his health crisis. The book delves into the cultural confusion of humans being considered pets but not treated as lesser beings, showcasing a unique sci-fi romance that intertwines themes of survival, relationships, and compassion.
Because they had no natural defenses and little inclination toward weapons, we were met by a lone female as the rest huddled in one room, clinging to each other. The single female was bold and immedia...December 2022•301 pages - #10
Save:A wacky, inventive LitRPG that’s full of post-apocalyptic fun and mad science energy - great for kicking back but not for nitpicking. Grab it if you want entertaining popcorn reading!
'They Called Me Mad: A LitRPG Apocalypse Series' by J. Pal is a post-apocalyptic adventure that introduces a unique System litRPG world where the main character navigates through a world-changing event caused by aliens. The story follows the protagonist as he rises to be an effective leader, facing challenges, and showcasing character development while engaging in shenanigans with a group of diverse characters.
The book is described as a fast-paced read with a good mix of litRPG elements and real-life scenarios. The writing style is commended for being strong, easy to read, and light-hearted, providing an entertaining escape into a world filled with descriptive imagination, mad science elements, and engaging character interactions.
Five minutes. The countdown on the screen moved painfully slow. The flying saucer behind it cast a shadow so dark on Piccadilly Circus that the city had started keeping the streetlights on twenty-four...March 2021•351 pages
