Books like 'Countdown to Darkness'
Readers who enjoyed Countdown to Darkness by Roberto Orci & Mike Johnson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
sc-fi space space-opera space-travel exploration
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Into the Serpent's Lair by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsEmpires at the brink of war…A galactic alliance on the horizon…Worlds on the verge of destruction…Comrades taking up arms against one another…Nathan Scott must use all his cunning to save not only his own world, but the worlds of his friends and his enemies. But to do so, he must make a deal with the devil, and risk everything on a fight no one believes he can win... -
Return of the Corinari by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsPart 2: Episode 13 A host of new allies… A plethora of advanced technologies… A daring gamble to advance their forces… A chance to retake lost worlds once and for all… The Dusahn have been backed into a corner, barely able to hold the worlds of the Pentaurus cluster, let alone the entire sector. Forced to dig in, they may have to resort to drastic measures to save their fledgling empire... -
A Price Too High by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsPart 2: Episode 12 …An enemy in retreat …A new world to protect …A new potential ally on the horizon …A new chance to go on the offensive The Dusahn have taken a massive blow, and with the Aurora’s improved jump range, Captain Scott and the Karuzari Alliance can finally keep them at arms length... -
A Rock and a Hard Place by Ryk Brown, Jeffrey Kafer
12 ratingsTwo worlds preparing their defenses . . . A ship struggling to get back in the fight . . . An enemy continuing its relentless attack . . . A former enemy that could hold the answer . . . With the fate of billions in his hands, Captain Scott is offered a way to save them all and end the bloodshed, but if it backfires, he could lose everything. Sometimes, there is no good choice... -
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That Which Other Men Cannot Do by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 15 New forces grow… Old friends are lost… New alliances are forged… Old weapons are made new… With political unrest growing, the Alliance must rush to rebuild their fleet and expand their 'sphere of influence' before their support runs out. But when the Jung up the ante, the Alliance must turn up the heat... -
I Am Justice by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsPart 2: Episode 9 A chance to gain resources… A need to prepare a defense… A trap about to be sprung… An opportunity for justice… As his sister faces a critical moment, Captain Scott must chase his friends to regions he has yet to travel. Sometimes, you just have to take risks for those you care about. Sometimes, quite often... -
Junkyard Veterans by Jamie McFarlane
12 ratingsWith a price on their heads, grumpy old vets will risk everything to bring alien assassins to justice.Someone is killing off the old team of vets who repelled Earth’s first Korgul invasion. With the end of a war precious few even knew was happening, life’s been peaceful... -
A Line in the Sand by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsPart 2: Episode 14An enemy lashing out in desperation…An alliance poised to expand…A new fleet of ships to help them…A covert mission to get answers…The Dusahn Empire has been contained for the moment. But there is much work to be done in order to keep them from reasserting their dominance over the Pentaurus sector... -
Retaliation by Ryk Brown
12 ratingsPart 2: Episode 10 A ship unable to defend itself… A captain determined to revive her… Worlds dependent on them both to survive… An enemy bent on their destruction… With the Aurora unable to fight, the Karuzari Alliance must find a way to not only repair their flagship, but to make the enemy pay dearly. Sometimes, you just have to make do with what you've got... -
Ep.#1 - "Aurora: EV-01" (The Frontiers Saga - Part 3: Fringe Worlds) by Ryk Brown
8 ratingsA new ship...A new crew...A new crisis...A friend at risk... The Confederated Systems Alliance has spread to dozens of systems, creating the first true interstellar alliance dedicated to bringing peace and prosperity to all inhabited worlds. Unfortunately, some see this new alliance as a threat to their own seats of power, and would do anything to stop it... -
Liberation by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 10 Heartfelt reunions with friends… Desperate plans to gain advantage… Opportunities that cannot be ignored… Discovery of family once thought lost… The time has come for Captain Scott to fight for that which was taken… the very freedom of the world he was sworn to protect. “Liberation” is a 108,000 word novel, and is the 10th episode in The Frontiers Saga... -
Gravity Flux by Toby Neighbors
10 ratingsThe Modulus Echo is the most wanted ship in the galaxy. When Ben rebuilt the Echo from salvaged parts on the junk world of Torrent Four, he never imagined that he would become a wanted man, or that he would ever return to his home planet. Yet somehow, that is exactly what happened...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel aliens book fiction first-contact galactic-empire -
Fires of Oblivion by Anthony James
10 ratingsCaptain John Duggan rots in his cell, facing execution at the hands of his captors. Having discovered the secret which the Ghasts wished to remain hidden, he is left powerless to find answers to the questions which will determine the future of the Confederation. Elsewhere in the Garon sector, the Dreamers have been putting their own terrible plans into action... -
Starman's Saga: The Long, Strange Journey of Leif The Lucky by Colin Alexander
10 ratingsIn the year 2069, humanity’s last chance for peace is the first ever interstellar mission. A multi-national crew of the most talented scientists and pilots has been chosen based on their expertise and skill. The final spot aboard the craft is assigned as a prize in a global “BerthRight” lottery, and Leif Grettison is the “everyman volunteer” who won. However, Leif isn’t really an “everyman... -
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Elvians by S.H. Jucha
10 ratingsTwo crises challenge the Omnians. Alex Racine’s fleet draws a first-contact conflict, which faces the Ollassa, a symbiotic flora race. The Omnian fleet sails from alliance space in an effort to interdict an alien ship that arrives at the Worlds of Lights, the Ollassa system. Soon after arriving, the alien ship deploys machines to scour asteroids for resources in the system’s far belt... -
Jatouche by S.H. Jucha
10 ratingsPyre’s humans suffer multiple cultural shocks. They discovered the Messinants dome, an ancient construction that houses a quantum-coupled gate. More shocking, they find that sentient alien races utilize a network of these domes to journey between their far distant worlds in pursuit of alliance matters... -
Secrets in the Stars by Mackey Chandler
10 ratingsWhen Lee Anderson and her parents discovered a new world teeming with life, it was the dream of every explorer: they were rich beyond their imaginations. But tragedy struck when a herd of creatures overran their camp and killed her parents. The only other adult in her life had been their partner Gordon, who adopted her as parent. Which didn’t turn out to be easy, because he wasn’t human...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult aliens book coming-of-age -
Veklocks by S.H. Jucha
10 ratingsA triumvirate of Veklocks, emissaries of the Tsargit, the alliance governing body, negotiates with Harbour, the Pyrean envoy, about critical projects the Pyreans need. But it’s possible that the Veklocks ask for too much in return. The Veklocks require the Pyreans to explore the extent of the Colony’s usurpation of domes. The Colony is composed of two insectoid species, the grays and the reds... -
Junkyard Spaceship by Jamie McFarlane
12 ratingsWhen aliens threaten his country, one grumpy old vet will take the fight to the stars.Albert Jenkins would like nothing more than to putter around his junkyard, selling parts and working on old cars. When an alien spacecraft is shot down by US Air Defense and crash lands on his newly rebuilt home, he’s dragged back into the fight of his life... -
Delphi Diversion by Bob Blanton
12 ratingsCatie is on her way back to Earth after having settled the Fazulan slaves when the wormhole her ship is traveling in collapses. They are diverted to another system where big chunks are flying around. They rescue a ship and find themselves in the middle of a series of mysteries... -
The Legend of ZERO: Forgotten by Sara King
6 ratingsIt's been 819 years since Congress abandoned humanity to a Stone Age fate on an Earth infested with man-eating monsters, and now the galactic government, in all its benevolence, has come back to force humanity back into citizen status in its great collective......Except this time, thanks to Prime Commander Dobbs, humanity has a surprise for our alien conquerors... -
Empire's Gambit by D.J. Holmes
6 ratingsThe Karacknid assault on Earth has been turned back at great cost to both sides. Only the intervention of the Kulreans saved Humanity’s homeworld from certain destruction. Yet the Kulrean worldships cannot be used for offensive operations. This means Humanity and her allies have only a few months of respite before the Karacknids can make good their losses...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel adult book colonization fiction galactic-empire -
Ep.#3.3 - Liberty and Truth, Peace and Prosperity (The Frontiers Saga - Part 3: Fringe Worlds) by Ryk Brown
6 ratingsEpisode 3.3A new foe arises…An ugly truth emerges…A long lost friend returns…An iconic ship flies into battle…Captain Scott and the crew of the Aurora face the reality of a galaxy that is, in many ways, worse off than the one they left behind. But in doing so, they discover a new mission for the Aurora’s namesake, her captain, and her crew... -
Nemesis of Mars by Glynn Stewart
6 ratingsA failed attempt on the Mage-QueenAn old friend from the gutterAn enemy that should be dead...When a kidnapping attempt on the Mage-Queen of Mars is thwarted by luck, leaving thousands dead in its wake, Prince-Chancellor Damien Montgomery returns to field operations one more time. The evidence leads to one place: Tau Ceti... -
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The Weak and the Innocent by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 14 A ship in the hands of their enemy… A liberation gone wrong… A chance to double their ranks… A bold and daring plan… Their support from the Pentaurus cluster dwindling fast, the Alliance faces new and unpleasant realities in the Sol sector. But untoward changes also bring unexpected opportunities… The 'trick' is in how you use them... -
Born of the Ashes by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 11 A world in chaos… An eager new ally… A newly acquired ship… An even greater threat on its way… Captain Nathan Scott must decide whether to stand and fight to the end, or live to fight another day… even if it means the end of his world. “Born of the Ashes” is a 122,000 word novel, and is the 11th episode in The Frontiers Saga... -
Resistance by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode nine of The Frontiers Saga...A chance to gain much needed resources… A group of highly trained, merciless soldiers… A half-completed ship on a trajectory to nowhere… A lone operative on familiar yet dangerous ground… Captain Scott and the crew of the Aurora have a chance to get everything they need to liberate their home world, but they may have to fight someone else's war first... -
Rise of the Alliance by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 12A new ally providing aid…An old ally joining the fight…Their resources growing with each passing day…Their homeworld finally on the road to recovery…Things finally seem to be coming together for Captain Scott and the Alliance, as he takes his forces on the offensive. However, the Jung may in turn give him more trouble than he bargained for... -
Head of the Dragon by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsTime is running out…An ally has all but fallen…Resources are running low…The time for attack has come...The Alliance must strike deep into the heart of the empire.This time, the Aurora will be going home, or going to her grave.“Head of the Dragon” is a 133,000 word novel, and is the 6th episode in The Frontiers Saga... -
A Show of Force by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 13 The liberation old worlds… The addition of new allies… The fall of a regime… The death of a trusted friend… The Aurora begins clearing a 20 light year sphere of safety around Earth, taking out Jung forces as they liberate the core systems. However, Captain Scott and the Alliance quickly discover that not every world wants to be liberated, and the Jung have a few surprises of their own... -
Imperial Recruit by Terry Mixon
8 ratingsAndrea Tolliver—a genetically designed human from the Singularity—has finally earned a spot in the Imperial Marines. If she makes it through training, she’ll earn citizenship.If not—well, best not to think about that.With ruthless enemies willing to do anything to stop her, she’ll need all the help she can get to survive... -
Guns of the Valpian by Anthony James
8 ratingsCaptain John Duggan and his crew are stranded deep in hostile terrritory. Their spaceship, the ESS Crimson is damaged beyond repair. Enemy warships hunt them, eager to locate the vessel which has caused so much damage to their military. All seems lost. Duggan is not a man to go down without a fight... -
Star Force: Origin Series by Aer-ki Jyr
8 ratingsThe Origin Series is empire building at its finest, with 100 episodes and over 2.5 million words in the military science fiction serial detailing the rise of Star Force from corporate entity into an interstellar empire over the course of more than a millennium...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult book colonization fiction -
Freelance On The Galactic Tunnel Network by E.M. Foner
8 ratingsCan a food writer turned investigative journalist uncover financial fraud on a galactic scale?It's been less than a century since ancient alien AI saved us from financial suicide by adding our planet to their interstellar tunnel network... -
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All in Good Time by Mackey Chandler
8 ratingsLiving by bad neighbors is hard. Especially when there is a whole mob of them. Needing to do business with them makes it harder. Imagine nine billion noisy disrespectful neighbors who can’t keep their word and would be just as happy to see you dead... -
Forgotten Colony: The Complete Series by M.R. Forbes
10 ratingsGET ALL FIVE BOOKS IN THIS EPIC MILITARY SCI-FI ADVENTURE BY MILLION-COPY+ BESTSELLER M.R. FORBES!The war is over. Earth is lost. Running is the only option.It may already be too late.Caleb is a former Marine Raider and commander of the Vultures, a search and rescue team that's spent the last two years pulling high-value targets out of alien-ravaged cities and shipping them off-world... -
Empaths by S.H. Jucha
10 ratingsCaptain Jessie Cinders faces a hazardous choice. The murderer of the governor’s nephew stands before him. But, the frightened teenager, Aurelia Garmenti, doesn’t resemble the commandant’s description of the vicious, hardened killer his security forces seek.To complicate matters, Jessie’s mind has felt Aurelia’s mental powers... -
The Long Voyage of the Little Fleet by Mackey Chandler
10 ratingsIn the first book of this series "Family Law", Lee's parents and their business partner Gordon found a class A habitable planet. They thought their quest as explorers was over and they'd live a life of ease. But before they could return and register their claim Lee's parents died doing a survey of the surface... -
Escalation by Ryk Brown
14 ratingsA cease-fire that has lasted seven years… Worlds half-destroyed that have been rebuilt anew… Friends and crewmates scattered light-years apart… New leaders that would be kings… The Jung threat has been renewed, in ways not imagined. It will take a new savior to inspire the masses, and once again lead those willing to fight against oppression... -
The Expanse by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 7A newly repaired ship…A willing and eager crew…A host of new technologies…A long anticipated return home…The crew of the UES Aurora finally has the chance to fulfill their mission, but first they must complete a long and dangerous journey across a thousand light years of unexplored space.“The Expanse” is a 104,000 word novel, and is the 7th episode in The Frontiers Saga... -
Celestia CV-02 by Ryk Brown
16 ratingsEpisode 8A world divided…A ship under construction…A military scrambling to prepare a defense…A moment that everyone hoped would never come…The Earth Defense Force must find a way to defend their world against invasion by the Jung Empire. More importantly, they must protect their newest ship, the UES Celestia, as she may be their last hope... -
Rise of the Corinari by Ryk Brown
18 ratingsA time to recover…A chance to make a new ally…A brief respite to repair and rearm…An opportunity for a people to regain their honor…For every civilization there comes a moment when a stand must be made against tyranny.The time has come for the Alliance to draw a line in the sand... -
Rebel's Run: A Military Sci-Fi Series by Jamie McFarlane, Rachel Aukes
6 ratingsWith countless bounties on their heads, Jai and Peyton Foster will risk everything just to survive...When corporations will stop at nothing to silence the young patriots, the orphaned siblings realize that being powerless is something they can’t afford... -
Voyage Into Darkness by D.J. Holmes
6 ratingsEarth has been liberated. Humanity has been set free. Yet the threat of the Elder Empire still looms large. If Earth is going to stand against the Elder's retaliation, she cannot do so alone. One place holds out hope for humanity. Unexplored space. Outside the borders of the Elder Empire the possibilities are endless... -
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A Meeting of Minds and Bodies by M.D. Cooper
6 ratingsThe crew of Sabrina have finally made it to New Canaan. It should be a time of relaxation and rejoicing, but after the Defense of Carthage, a new mission looms. Not everyone will join in this journey; new bodies and minds board the ship as they embark on one of the most important missions of all. To stop the third Sentience War before it starts... -
Tanis Richards: Shore Leave by M.D. Cooper
6 ratingsIt'll take two minds to solve this mystery... Commander Tanis Richards has finally come into port after a seven month tour on the edge of Jovian space, and she's looking forward to some much deserved shore leave. But Tanis's commanding officer has other things in mind for her...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult book cyberpunk female-mc -
Plains of Utopia: Colony Six Mars (Colony Mars Series Book 6) by Gerald M. Kilby
6 ratingsXenon Hybrid, the Red Planet’s ceremonial head-of-state, has not been seen for many years after withdrawing to an isolated enclave in the far north where he steadily built up a following of citizens seeking out an alternative lifestyle. They bother no one, and no one bothers them...Categorized as:
exploration space-travel action-adventure adult book colonization fiction hard-sci-fi -
Fall of the Core by Ryk Brown
6 ratingsA freelance reporter struggling to get into the 'big time'...A rookie officer starting her career in public safety...A cargo ship captain trying to outlive a terminal illness that has no cure...A bounty hunter returning a long-hunted fugitive to Earth...A terrible plague that threatens to destroy the human race...The 25th century is not starting off very well... -
Zero Friction by Toby Neighbors
6 ratingsThe bestselling space opera is back! The crew of the Modulus Echo is stuck in service to Brigadier General Alicia Pershing in exchange for their freedom. But while working for the Royal Imperium may have its perks, it is also extremely dangerous. From space battles to rescue missions, Ben and his friends will have to use all their resourcefulness if they hope to survive...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel aliens book fiction first-contact galactic-empire -
Stardust by Edward W. Robertson
6 ratingsThe invaders have arrived. The last battle for humanity is about to begin. STARDUST is the final book in the Rebel Stars series...Categorized as:
exploration space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult aliens book colonization
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