Dystopian Short

With these 13 transfixing, ingenious stories, Ben Marcus gives us timely dystopian visions of alienation in a modern world - cosmically and comically apt. Never has existential catastrophe been so much fun.

In a world ravaged by endless conflict, two nations (The Civillains and Psyclops) stand on the brink of annihilation, divided by their desperate struggle for a resource more precious than any other. Amidst the desolation of a once-thriving planet, the fate of millions rests on the deployment of the most devastating weapon ever conceived—the Thermal Heat Ignition Nuclear Gun. Powered by the sun’s potent energy, this weapon promises not just victory but the total eradication of the enemy. In this gripping dystopian tale, the very essence of humanity are tested in the shadow of the ...

In a world where everyday appliances have turned deadly, Yuta, a widowed father living alone in a cramped Tokyo apartment, fights for survival. Dubbed the 'hi-tech invasion' by the media, what began as strange hardware issues has evolved, transforming household electronics into relentless predators. Now, the city is a deadly maze of lurking machines, with the population in chaos. Yuta must rely on his wit and resourcefulness to stay one step ahead of an enemy that knows no mercy. But survival isn’t the only challenge—with new and unexpected responsibilities thrust upon him, Yuta must ...

The best-selling Extinction Cycle series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith first introduced listeners to a world ravaged by an engineered virus that turned men into monsters. Humanity's only hope was not a cure, but another bioweapon. When deployed it killed 90 percent of the infected, but the remaining 10 percent transformed into even more terrifying creatures called Variants. Here's a collection of Extinction Cycle short stories that explore the human spirit and the fight for survival in the face of overwhelming odds from some of the leading voices in the post-apocalyptic genre.

China thought it would be a quick war, an easy war. But now, years later, as the insurgency on the streets of Los Angeles escalates but the propaganda never changes, a Chinese officer can’t keep silent any longer. Torn between loyalty to his country and loyalty to his troops, he writes a brutally honest—and possibly suicidal—letter home to unmask the truth. Brooks combines his signature meticulous research with unforgettable characters in this landmark work of speculative fiction.

Science Fiction Stories 2 is an anthology of science fiction short stories that transports readers to extraordinary worlds, exploring dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic landscapes, and thrilling adventures in space. Discover the Future Experience the tension in "The Deity Above" as Larry Michaels navigates the eerie silence of his office building, uncovering unsettling secrets. Join the quest in "Salvation Quest" where Larry Drake battles against cosmic forces and personal demons on a perilous journey. Feel the impending doom in "The Encroaching Meteor" as humanity faces an existential ...

She came to carry his child, not bare her soul. But now that he’s touched it, she doesn’t know if she’ll ever get it back. Librarian. Surrogate. Survivor. Isabella Greene didn’t plan to fall for the alien warlord assigned to her. She only came aboard the Starliner Amour to escape Earth’s crushing debt and repair her broken body. What she didn’t expect was to be matched with Drex Xarn—a battle-scarred Velkari warlord who sees her as more than a vessel. He sees her as his. Her contract is clear: carry his child, receive a fertility cure, walk away free. But Drex doesn’t do ...

Science Fiction Stories 10: An Anthology of Futuristic TalesDive into the imaginative worlds crafted by some of the finest authors in the science fiction genre. Science Fiction Stories 10 is a masterful collection of short stories that explore the depths of human creativity and the limitless possibilities of the future. From the politically charged to the deeply personal, each story in this anthology takes you on a journey through space, time, and the human condition. Witness the aftermath of a nuclear disaster in *Incendiary*, where the remnants of humanity struggle to rebuild. Join a ...

I am paralyzed with dread and uncertainty as I stand in the cold and bare examination room. I turn to face the metal contraption, a strange combination between a table and a chair with leather restraints at the foot and head area. I shiver and look at the large mirror covering almost half of one wall. The door opens with a squeak. I turn to face the person who has purchased me. I suck in a sharp breath. I know the man, everyone knows him. His name is Darian Brandt. He is tall, has broad shoulders, and has an aura of authority surrounding him. He is wearing a black suit that is tailored to ...

What started as a contract becomes a collision of desire, dominance, and something neither of them expected—love. Autumn Blake thought she knew what she was getting into when she signed with the Alien Seed Syndicate—one pregnancy, one payout, and a second chance at motherhood. But from the moment her biodome collapses and she’s dragged from the wreckage by a brutal Trionis warlord, nothing goes according to plan. Sethar Vol didn’t want a human surrogate. He wanted a legacy, not a mate. But when Autumn's scent triggers a rare biological bond, he claims her—body, blood, and soul—...

There are still countless tales of the Scythedom to tell. Centuries passed between the Thunderhead cradling humanity and Scythe Goddard trying to turn it upside down. For years humans lived in a world without hunger, disease, or death with Scythes as the living instruments of population control. Neal Shusterman—along with collaborators David Yoon, Jarrod Shusterman, Sofía Lapuente, Michael H. Payne, Michelle Knowlden, and Joelle Shusterman—returns to the world throughout the timeline of the Arc of a Scythe series.

Is loader worth dying for? Here is your modest size appetiser for the series. Much shorter than my life. Hi, I am Min. My story takes you to a dying Earth where hope is as rare as the life that once flourished. Lez and I, united by love and a desperate mission to save humanity, are determined to find the last remaining loader—a being with the power to change everything. Something about us persuaded Vist to help relocate our people to a distant colony beneath a red star. And this book is just beginning.

Vitus Adamson is falling apart. As a pre-deceased private investigator, he takes the prescription Atroxipine hourly to keep his undead body upright and functioning. Whenever he is injured, he seeks Niko, a bombshell mortician with bedroom eyes and a way with corpses, to piece him back together. Decomposition, however, is the least of his worries when two clients posing his most dangerous job yet appear at his door looking for their lost son.

What would you sacrifice to keep a secret? Sage Indarra’s third year at the Institution is off to a rough start. She’s still horrified by what she had to do to protect herself at the end of last year, and she’s pretty sure one of her instructors hates her. Her former mentors are giving her the cold shoulder, leaving her unexpectedly isolated, and she’s not sure whether or not she can trust her newest friend. Despite these challenges, she’s determined to uncover the secrets Eprah doesn’t want her to know. But when Sage finds some unusual artifacts at the Archives, she makes a ...

The world ended, and milk replaced water. Now I’m strapped to the Milking Throne, overflowing and under evaluation. If I survive the trials, I won’t just serve the Dome… I’ll be claimed by the Minotaur King himself. Post-apocalyptic. Over-the-top. Utterly unhinged. Five scenes. No shame. Let it flow.

A Noir Mystery Collection by the Mysterious Thomas Temple Step into a world where darkness whispers your name, and reality twists beyond recognition. In Whispered Crimes, Thomas Temple masterfully weaves together noir mystery, psychological horror, and grotesque fiction in a collection of short stories that will leave you haunted. Inspired by the eerie allure of crime fiction and urban mysteries, Temple invites you to embrace the bizarre, the twisted, and the unknown.Prepare for a Literary Experience Like No Other If you're a fan of dark psychological thrillers, urban noir, or the surreal ...

Two Epic Novels. Three Explosive Shorts. Unforgettable Universes. Prepare for a relentless onslaught of science fiction adventure in this must-have collection. Adventure across water covered planets and the dangerous void of space, follow heroes and rogues as they battle for survival, freedom, and the truth. This collection plunges you into: Underwater Worlds of Deceit: In Submerged, a racer framed for a crime uncovers a conspiracy that could shatter his aquatic world. Desperate Smuggler Run: The crew of the spaceship Sea Rover faces impossible odds in a heart-pounding fight for their lives...

She signed a contract to save her body—he claimed it to own her soul. Jasmine Cole didn’t come to Azurea Moon to find love, she came to fix what was broken. Infertility. A ruined career. A betrayal she’d never forgive. Trading her womb to the Syndicate for a second chance seemed like a cold, clinical transaction. But when she’s genetically matched with Korran Vey—a scarred Orran warlord with a stare like fire and hands built for ruin—everything changes. There’s no sterile lab, no medical insertion. Just primal rituals, voyeur lounges, oil-drenched bonding pools, and the slow, ...

She signed away her body. She never planned to surrender her soul. Summer Matthews is done playing nice. Left barren by a failed marriage and years of brutal treatments, she signs on with the Alien Seed Syndicate to restore her fertility—if she can carry a genetically matched heir for a Narakian warlord. No artificial insemination. No clinical sterility. Just raw, old-fashioned heat in the outer reaches of the galaxy. But her assigned “sanctuary” is a snowy dome built for seduction, and Zorix is a towering warrior who doesn't take no for an answer. He pushes every button. Dominates ...

"Would you remove your soul, to save your life?" Unlock the continuing mind-bending possibilities of ethical and moral dilemmas with "After Dinner Conversation - Season Two," the next installment of the must-read collection of the best short stories from the critically acclaimed After Dinner Conversation magazine series. Spanning all genres, from science-fiction to historical fiction and everything in between, each story is guaranteed to captivate you and leave you questioning your own beliefs. Perfect for philosophy students and fiction lovers alike, each story comes with five suggested ...