Readers' Choice 2023 - Science Fiction - Stories

The world had ended in the middle of the night. For Richie Kincannon and a small group of young survivors, it was the beginning of a struggle for life, against an unknown force that had altered their world, seemingly forever. Now, two years after the Changes, the group must once again fight for their right to life, against an enemy of incredible ability - one they didn't understand, but knew once had been human...

Summer vacation had started out well for Derry and Caleb. There was much to occupy two adventurous boys in the rural landscape in which they lived. They had the woods, and the fields, and the waterways to occupy them.

And they had each other.

But then they made a discovery - a strange place hidden in the forest, a pathway to lands beyond description. And suddenly, the summer was not quite so simple any longer.

Sergeant Liam Jacks has made a life for himself on the cargo vessel the Santa Claus to escape the memories on civil unrest on Alpha Centauri.

Life should be simple enough, but one mysterious passenger can unravel the quiet in ways he hadn't imagined.

***NOMINATED FOR BEST PROMISING AUTHOR STORY IN THE 2013 READERS CHOICE AWARDS***

A lone man picks up a battle standard cast down three hundred years before. beginning a journey that will lead him to find the lost fleet, and a forgotten ship at the edge of nowhere. Darien Taine must accept his role, guiding his crew on the long road to free their people from Amsus tyranny. Uncovering along the way the sins that led to humanity's downfall, and reforging alliances long thought forgotten. Three hundred years of slavery, of persecution and of tyranny are at an end.

Ryker thought he volunteered for an experiment that would help his government in a war against an alien planet. He didn't know he would become the experiment, or that he'd end up on a planet full of aliens that killed humans on sight. He wasn't exactly human anymore though.

Lonely spaceport worker Devin McSmith meets Bastian Drago, an exotic and beastly alien from the planet Dega, and begins an adventure that takes him to the stars and beyond.

Phenomenal power. So many new responsibilities.
Too bad no one consulted Chad Summers when he was discovered as the new champion of magic.

In his whole life, he's never gotten into a fight. Now he has to kill monsters, demons, and creatures that can bring on insanity with a look. This was so going to put a damper on his social life.

Kyle does not want to leave his home behind, but he has no choice. He is assigned to a remote scientific outpost on the planet Tantalus where he meets Jim, the xenobiologist in charge of researching the indigenous species. Almost as soon as he arrives, though, strange things start happening. Things that could compromise Kyle's future, or even his life...

In 2050, humanity finds out they are indeed not alone. Massive crafts appear without warning above the capitals of all major nations. The planet Tah'Nar is dying. Chemical warfare reduced the warrior race to sterility. They need fresh DNA in order to reproduce... and so they turn to Earth. Dale Michael assumes he's safe since he's under the age limit for The Harvest. How wrong he is!

A pirate Captain and his bastard son get thrust together after the mother dies. They had never met. On a starship of hundreds, the lad has no friends, so his father buys him a slave when the boy is against slavery.