Please note that many of these books are being cut not because they’re bad and some very narrowly missed the bar for a quarter- or semifinalist placement.

Please note that, even though these books did not work for us, it doesn’t mean that they won’t work for you, and our views do not mean that they are bad reads.

Nothing Larger Than These Stars is a page-turner with twists and turns that left me guessing until the cliff-hangar at the end. It’s well-paced and full of mystery!

A page-turner for anyone who loves a murder mystery with a future-feel. Just enough suspense to keep the reader interested while not too obvious that it’s predictable.

Researchers are left to figure out what’s happening when transmissions stop, coming together to solve the mystery in a plot both eeries and thrilling.

A futuristic novel with a homeworld feel, rife with political conspiracy and government overreach, and a strong female protagonist hellbent on justice.

Please note that, even though these books did not work for us, it doesn’t mean that they won’t work for you, and our views do not mean that they are bad reads.

The tension throughout never lets up. The engine was started, and the gas pedal was smashed to the floor. A fast paced sci fi novel with many twists and turns.

The writing in Mercy Rising was crisp, fast paced, pulled me right into the story, and was fraught with tension throughout, even with the hero/anti-hero trope.

Framed for a murder, Roman Glass tries to clear his name, and he’s not alone, however things get out of control by those who wish to hide it. Care for more?

If you’re looking for sci-fi with an abducted girl struggling with her humanness in a mining prison with hunky aliens making things complicated, this is your book.

Rebecca Vance, concerned about a settlement on an alien planet, goes to investigate with her friend, Mark Wu, however things start going wrong. Care for more?

It’s a wonderful sci-fantasy type story, showing the indomitable strength of true friendship, and the adversities that can be overcome by believing in yourself.

Mairead is watching the world burn, what with the countdown, nothing can change it, so she exists, before deciding to live after meeting someone. Care for more?

Three kids traumatised by their dads death. One takes up the path of the father, one goes to leadership, and one goes to politics. Care to find out more?

An interesting concept and a valuable commentary on mental health that takes us across an AU of the United States to solve a murder no one believes happened.

Between the realistic feeling characters, pop culture references and Maya’s gold standard names for chapters, I look forward to seeing what comes from her next.

Chloe's Kingdom features eclectic and motivated characters, a wealth of tension, and a thrilling ride with twists and turns... but also a rough conclusion.

Intense skirmishes and firefights, loyalties and lies are hopelessly tangled. Funny, tense, surprising, and a bit heartbreaking. I recommend giving this a read!

If you like your sci-fi with threads of horror, you will almost definitely enjoy The Afterlife Experiment. This is certainly a book that sticks with you.