ARRANGED IN THE STARS
by Jessica E. Subject

In one week, Princess Ro’sa will board a spaceship, leaving her home on Minjet to be with her betrothed on Earth, a post-apocalyptic planet that offers so little. Yet, the alliance will be beneficial to the world she leaves behind. The only problem is, she detests the prince’s selfish and arrogant ways, preferring to spend time with his personal aide, a man who stirs her desires in ways she never imagined possible. But a princess must do her duty, no matter the danger to her person and to her heart.

Cover art by Fantasia Frog Designs

ARRIVAL by Veronica Scott

When I first learned Veronica Scott was writing about zombies, I knew I had to read this book. And I found it interesting how it's a new series while also being set in her Sectors Universe. Arrival is a suspenseful story about a newly licensed doctor returning to her home planet to practice medicine there. She arrives at the same time as a "retired" military team, but nothing on the planet is anything like they expected. The planet has been decimated by a virus, killing some and turning others into mindless versions of their former selves, craving human flesh. Being the first book in the series, it introduces Melly, Jeff, Cody, Zach, Samms, and Trent. Plus some others they find on their journey. While there is a bigger mission for the series, Arrival takes us from the moment everyone reaches Randal Four through the journey to Melly's childhood home. Of course, the journey isn't easy with hoards of zombies and raiders along the way, but it does also give us some more intimate moments between Melly and Jeff as they fall in love.

GHOST STATION by S.A. Barnes

I never expected to love space horror as much as I do, and it's thanks to S.A. Barnes. After reading and loving Dead Silence, I bought Ghost Station and pre-ordered Cold Eternity (now out). Ghost Station is about Psychologist, Dr. Ophelia Bray, who is trying to escape her family name while also helping people deal with ERS, a psychological disorder that has a very personal connection to her. It is more prevalent in those who spend a lot of time in space, away from their families, so she joins a crew that are set to explore an abandoned planet. But the crew are not very accepting of her help and guidance. When they reach the planet, there's something off about the station they are staying in and they discover things about the planet never mentioned in the reports from years beforehand. As the secrets of what really happened to the last crew on the planet are discovered, the new crew must deal with the brutal murder of one of their own along with figuring out who did it. Because of the MC's past and genetics, she's not sure she's entirely innocent in all of it. Yet, she's also key to figuring out what is going on. Ghost Station is a space horror, but also explores the definition of life along with how our family shapes us into who we are and whether we have a choice in that. There are some commonalities between Dead Silence and Ghost Station, but much of that relates to having a woman main character who is doubted by the crew as well as by herself, something many women can relate to. I really enjoyed Ghost Station, and I look forward to reading Cold Eternity and more by S.A. Barnes. 

EXTINCTION by Douglas Preston

I have been reading books by Douglas Preston for many years now, both on his own and with Lincoln Child, and this book did not disappoint. Extinction starts with the murder of a young couple and their unborn child at a type of elite resort where wooly mammoths and other once extinct creatures from the same time period have been brought back to life. Cash, from the CBI, and Colcord, the county sheriff, investigate the case, believing it to be the work of an environmental group who objects to the idea of de-extincting creatures for the elite to enjoy and profit from. But there is so much more going on in the labs in the Erebus mountains. And the truth ends up costing many their lives. This was an exciting read with many character point of views, some being great and others loathsome. Karma seemed to get many in the end. It is recognizably reminiscent of Jurassic Park with the ethical dilemma as to whether we should bring back extinct creatures as all, but takes it a step further, which isn't revealed until near the end. My only issue with this story was Cash's internal thoughts. It would be nice if the author had a woman help him edit them to be more realistic to a woman in law enforcement and all the misogyny she would deal with on a daily basis. There's some there, but it's very glossed over. I do look forward to reading the next book in the series when it releases.