Science Fiction Monsters

Tyler never could have imagined where he wound up after dying and waking up in a strange new world. A certified monster trainer now, he, his dragon monster, Titan, and his friends and companions are on their way to see this amazing new world, tame new monsters, and continue their training in the Monster Trainer Academy. But there are always fresh dangers to go with the wonders this world has to offer.

Marine-turned-Monster-Hunter Boyd Knight has found himself trapped in a deadly game of cat and mouse with the Fae Queen of Oblivion. Although the first leg of the Wyld Hunt has drawn to a close, there are still two more Hunts to go, and the targets will only get deadlier. After slaying a Vampire Monarch and being cheated out of victory, the time for fun and games is officially over, and Boyd is ready to unleash some good ol’ fashioned fire and brimstone on anyone who gets in his way again. But it’s not just the nightmarish monsters and Fae champions that Boyd has to worry about.

When 17-year-old Valerie Russell runs away to New York City, she's trying to escape a life that has utterly betrayed her. Sporting a new identity, she takes up with a gang of squatters who live in the city's labyrinthine subway system.

When Mike Radley inherited a mysterious old house from a long-lost relative, he wasn't sure what to expect. He didn't expect a sexual encounter with the nymph in his bathtub. He really didn't expect to discover a house full of affectionate monsters. And he definitely didn't expect a pair of witches bent on stealing the home's magic from him. Welcome to the Radley House. Expect the unexpected.

It takes guts to rise to the top of Meritocracy. It’ll take sheer ruthlessness to stay there. As militants and monsters lay waste to the Skylands, Uncle’s lawless tyranny threatens to unravel fragile Trade alliances. Conrad, no longer a mere Captain, now commands a squadron of ships at the order of the King. But Conrad’s High status can’t protect him from his own turmoil, and the price of power is steeped in blood.

Humanity has spent its time enjoying the peace that can only be had through blissful ignorance. For centuries, stories of things that go "bump" in the night have been passed down and shared. When creatures of the night proved to be real, the best of America 's military came together to form an elite band of rapid-response teams. Their mission: To face the challenge and keep the civilian populace safe from those threats and hide all evidence of their existence.

Everything is unfolding exactly as I have planned it: I have created an entire legion of monster girls, conquered our duchy, and freed the enslaved men. Now all that remains is to defeat the queen, create more monster girls, and liberate the entire realm. It won’t be easy, though, since the queen has sent her most powerful generals and armies to garrison the towns on our route to the royal capital, and we’ll have to fight our way through the opposition.

With her magic reclaimed and her role in the community of Chernograd restored, Kosara’s life should finally be back to normal—but, of course, things can’t possibly be that simple. She is now in possession of twelve witch’s shadows. Holding them may grant her unprecedented power, but that doesn’t mean they’re always willing to do her bidding. Across the wall in Belograd, Asen chases his only lead on the latest witch murder case. He follows the trail of smuggling kingpin Konstantin Karaivanov to an underground monster auction—which leads him right back to Chernograd.

After surviving an encounter with the Beast, the pinnacle of power in the Nexeus, Salvos decides she still needs to get stronger. But power does not come easy, especially at the higher levels. Fortunately for Salvos, she has made an enemy out of the Demon King himself, and she will take advantage of his animosity towards her. If the Deathsquad Hunters want to come for her head? She will welcome them with open arms.

In the Clandoms, every person is born with wings, along with the ability to fly. But there has always been one deadly restriction to this gift—a rule that must never be broken. Flying in cloudy skies summons gargols, vicious stone monsters that will tear any poor trespassers apart. History doesn't tell where the gargols came from, or why they're so intent on punishing those who soar too high. But now Ellie Meadows thinks she knows why. An aspiring knight turned wanted fugitive, Ellie has seen the truth with her own eyes.

"Perfect deadpan marks the opening of Ali Simpson’s The Monster'" writes Susan Merrell of The Southampton Review in her introduction to this issue of Recommended Reading.

The story of a teenage girl who's turning into a monster—literally. Chloe Dark is an ordinary girl in an extraordinary world. But when her closest friend is kidnapped and the police seem powerless to help, she sets out to find her alone. But things are not what they seem and in this dystopian world, anyone can be a target.

Despite our best efforts, my devoted monstrous men and I have fallen into the clutches of one of our most powerful enemies. But the demon strikes a deal with me—our safety in exchange for my cooperation in a mysterious scheme. It turns out he wants me to tap into magical powers more vile than the brutality I've faced from his kind. With my family and the men I’ve fallen for on the line, playing along may be my only chance at survival. But as we search for a way to win our freedom for good, the danger grows greater by the day. I’m running out of options.

The Kadrixans. Even their name inspires terror. Fiery-skinned and devil-like, they stand head and shoulders taller than any human man. Our colony made a terrible bargain with these monsters. The Kadrixans give us precious ore in exchange for the one thing they need.

How can a human who is set to gain a significant inheritance have anything in common with a foul-mouthed, satanic-looking security specialist? Smoke regularly wafts out of this guy’s nostrils and his shiny barbed tail juts out in the air behind him as he prowls across the military hanger. But…I’m enchanted with Idun’s deep voice, his massive bare chest, and those epic thighs. This Hyrrokin is a handsome red devil and oh so touchable. And I want my tongue in his mouth, immediately. Unfortunately, Idun thinks I’m a spoiled party girl and wants nothing to do with me.

What’s better than three monstrous hotties? How about four.... While helping the trio of sexy-as-sin monsters who followed me home, I lost my apartment, my sense of security, and more blood than was really healthy. Somehow my new lovers make me feel like I’ve gotten the better part of the bargain. Unfortunately, their newly-rescued boss isn’t so keen on humans. I get the feeling he’d rather rend me limb from limb than give me the time of day. Too bad for him my mortal skills are just too useful to toss aside.

Darrell Scott said it best when he said country music sounds tired, but it doesn't sound Haggard, that is has money, but it doesn't have Cash. Well, Bubba is visited by the Ghosts of Music Past, Present, and Yet to Come in a Christmas Carol-style romp guided by legends of song to save Music from Auto-Tune Hell, literally!

The city of Elendhaven sulks on the edge of the ocean. Wracked by plague, abandoned by the South, stripped of industry and left to die. But not everything dies so easily. A thing without a name stalks the city, a thing shaped like a man, with a dark heart and long pale fingers yearning to wrap around throats. A monster who cannot die.

On the suggestion of my exquisite prophetess Qamara, we’re heading to the Traisel Commonwealth, a land of myriad beastkin communities. I’m not sure what we’ll find there, but I expect my uninvited frequent visitor will make an appearance. You’d think that having a smoking hot catgirl following you around would be a good thing, but it’s not in this case. She’s an assassin, and she’s tried to kill me several times already. Truly a bad kitty.

An existence spent being forced to kill others to satiate a monster. Where the only thing to look forward to was the blessed, if brief, period of time between paying that bribe. Except that very same monster is and isn’t Rene. It just happened to live inside his own mind and force him to do what it wanted.