Books like 'Hell's Reach'
Readers who enjoyed Hell's Reach by David VanDyke & B.V. Larson also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
sc-fi hard sci-fi military, war & conflict space space-opera military space-travel exploration first-contact space-fleet
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The Human Factor by Joshua Dalzelle
16 ratingsCaptain Jason Burke is a man apart, and not just because he's the only of his kind for thousands of lightyears in any direction. The changes to his body and to his genetic code have made him faster, stronger, more able to survive in his dangerous occupation ... but they've also ensured that he'll never truly fit in with others of his species...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact galactic-empire military soldiers space-fleet space-opera action-adventure -
![Redemption by Joshua Dalzelle]()
Redemption by Joshua Dalzelle
16 ratingsThere is a fine line between right and wrong, good and evil. For years Jason Burke has straddled that line as best he can, always convinced that despite the violence carried out by him and his team they were firmly on the right side of that line. But as he reflects on his time with Omega Force, he begins to have his doubts...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact galactic-empire military soldiers space-fleet space-opera action-adventure -
![Ice World by B.V. Larson]()
Ice World by B.V. Larson
12 ratingsLong before Earth began conquering her neighboring stars, Legion Varus was deployed on Tau Ceti. Valuable and highly illegal treasures were stolen during the campaign, but McGill never gave it a second thought.The Tau haven’t forgotten him, however. For decades they’ve hunted and plotted, and at last they’ve found the pirate who robbed them. Tau agents invade Earth seeking revenge and profit...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Clone World by B.V. Larson]()
Clone World by B.V. Larson
14 ratingsJames McGill is called upon for a sabotage mission, one that only a man of his unique talents can handle. Unfortunately, he performs too well, and our enemies from Rigel are enraged. They come for us, and war is declared. Both sides call for aid, and it comes from the Core Worlds in the form of two great fleets. The Civil War for the Empire’s Throne spills out into the provinces...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
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![Edge World by B.V. Larson]()
Edge World by B.V. Larson
14 ratingsA lonely planet circles a star on the very border of Province 921. Critical resources produced there are claimed by both the Mogwa and the Skay. War between the Galactic giants becomes more likely every day.James McGill and Legion Varus are deployed to protect Edge World, a planet that rotates at a walking pace. Each day is as long as a year back on Earth...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Destroyer by Joshua Dalzelle]()
Destroyer by Joshua Dalzelle
14 ratingsA relentless enemy… An old wolf's last hunt… The future of two species hanging in the balance… The Darshik war machine is flagging, but the war is far from over. Even as an exhausted Federation military tenses up for a counterattack after repelling the last Darshik invasion, reports are coming in of a new, more powerful class of ship that's striking deep into Terran space...Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact invasion military soldiers space-fleet space-opera -
![Odysseus Ascendant by Evan Currie]()
Odysseus Ascendant by Evan Currie
16 ratingsA mysterious entity may be the key to a starship’s survival—or a terrifying new threat—as the Odyssey One series continues… The Empire has set its sights on its next target: human Terrans. As effective allies of the Priminae, the denizens of Earth have proven themselves enemies to the Empire, and now the Imperial forces know more about the Terran home world than ever before...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact invasion military soldiers space-fleet space-opera action-adventure -
![TFS Fugitive by Tori L. Harris]()
TFS Fugitive by Tori L. Harris
10 ratingsHaving successfully repelled the Resistance incursion into the Sol system, Terran Fleet Command must now deal with the far-flung worlds of the Sajeth Collective, which sponsored the attack. Task forces are dispatched to Damara and Lesheera to begin the first Human blockades of entire planets...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Messinants by S.H. Jucha]()
Messinants by S.H. Jucha
10 ratingsPyre is a volatile planet. Its surface belches heat and noxious gases, forcing downsiders to inhabit domes. But Pyre’s instability isn’t limited to its geology. The colonists, who were marooned in the system hundreds of years ago, have endured a tumultuous history.Exploring Triton, Pyre’s third moon, spacers inadvertently activate an alien dome...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact invasion space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![Battle for New Canaan - The Orion War Books 1-3 by M.D. Cooper]()
Battle for New Canaan - The Orion War Books 1-3 by M.D. Cooper
10 ratings***The drums of war thunder across the stars...***The final negotiations between the Silstrand Alliance and the Scipian Empire are complete, and it's time for Tanis and Sera to part ways. Sera must return to Khardine, where new challenges await, and preprations for the march on Airtha begin. Meanwhile Tanis turns toward the Praesepe Cluster...Categorized as:
exploration galactic-empire military soldiers space-fleet space-opera space-travel adult -
![Green World by B.V. Larson]()
Green World by B.V. Larson
12 ratingsRebels build a secret base on Green World. Their plan is to attack Earth and retake all the planets the Humans have conquered.Hegemony starships gather to strike the Rebels first, but where is their base? As the fleets search, Earth warships trespass into Skay space igniting a fresh border conflict between rival Galactics...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Rescue The Princess by John Hindmarsh]()
Rescue The Princess by John Hindmarsh
12 ratingsJack suffered from an attack by the Blue Caps. He sued the RSN and won. He also sued the Royal Family and won. Now he’s acquired his own warship and his first mission is to rescue the princess.What? Yes, Sofia is missing. The Queen has taken an intense dislike to her daughter’s ambitions and Sofia has disappeared. Jack sets out to rescue her with the assistance of Black Company marines...Categorized as:
galactic-empire military soldiers space-fleet space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult -
![Iron & Blood by Joshua Dalzelle]()
Iron & Blood by Joshua Dalzelle
14 ratingsThe Black Fleet Saga continues… A human planet has been invaded. The enigmatic Darshik have landed troops on a frontier world and have begun subduing major cities even as their blockade repels all attempts by the fledgling United Terran Federation to mount a counteroffensive...Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact invasion military soldiers space-fleet space-opera -
![Storm World by B.V. Larson]()
Storm World by B.V. Larson
14 ratingsJames McGill is sent to the Core Worlds! In an unprecedented first, Earth sends a message to Mogwa Prime. Unfortunately, the messenger is not met with enthusiasm. Misunderstandings soon threaten all of Humanity. Forced to prove Earth can serve the Empire better than any rival, McGill does his best...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
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![Dark World by B.V. Larson]()
Dark World by B.V. Larson
16 ratingsTwo expanding interstellar powers are about to meet in battle. After the collapse of the Cephalopod Kingdom, Humanity claimed the three hundred rebellious worlds they left behind. But many light years away on the far side of disputed region, a rival power has begun to move. They're stealing our planets, one at a time...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Salvation Lost by Peter F. Hamilton]()
Salvation Lost by Peter F. Hamilton
19 ratingsThe comparative utopia of twenty-third century Earth is about to go dreadfully awry when a seemingly benign alien race is abruptly revealed to be one of the worst threats humanity has ever faced. Driven by an intense religious extremism, the Olyix are determined to bring everyone to their version of god as they see it...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact invasion space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![1st to Fight by Rick Partlow]()
1st to Fight by Rick Partlow
10 ratingsI retired from the USMC, and now I write about space marines. I never thought I’d actually become one. As a sci-fi author with a hit TV show, I have a few ideas about what alien invaders are supposed to look like. In my stories, they’re technologically advanced monsters, with tentacles, and no faces. Turns out I was right about the technology. And about how angry they’d be...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers space-fleet -
![TFS Guardian by Tori L. Harris]()
TFS Guardian by Tori L. Harris
10 ratings— An ancient alliance under siege ... — A threat for which we are not prepared ... — And "Grey" aliens who are not at all what we expected. The enigmatic Greys have returned, bearing a host of stunning revelations regarding their role in Earth’s history, the Pelarans, and Humanity’s place in the cosmos...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![The Long Voyage of the Little Fleet by Mackey Chandler]()
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...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact military space-fleet space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![Omnia by S.H. Jucha]()
Omnia by S.H. Jucha
12 ratingsAlex Racine, who led an elite group of humans and SADEs (self-ware digital entities), left the newly discovered planet of Celus-5 under difficult circumstances. Few of the Harakens with Alex thought there was little he could do to bring peace to the embroiled planet...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion military space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![Celus-5 by S.H. Jucha]()
Celus-5 by S.H. Jucha
12 ratingsFor the Sojourn’s initial mission, the Haraken explorer ship undertakes the investigation of Celus-5, a world identified by Willem, a SADE (self-aware digital entity), and his team of scientists, as the best prospect for a new colony.What should be a routine survey mission becomes a disaster. To the Harakens’ surprise, they discover, not one, but two alien species engaged in conflict...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion military space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![Sol by S.H. Jucha]()
Sol by S.H. Jucha
14 ratingsSol’s warships paid the ultimate price for threatening the Haraken and New Terran worlds. Now, Haraken President Alex Racine and his Méridien partner, Renée de Guirnon, are engaged in a desperate gamble to stop a war between their worlds and United Earth’s (UE) massive forces before it starts...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact invasion military space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult -
![Armor World by B.V. Larson]()
Armor World by B.V. Larson
14 ratingsIn a twist of fate that rocks the Galactic Empire, James McGill finds himself negotiating the future of a thousand inhabited worlds. An artificial object made of compressed stardust is barreling toward Earth. Is it an invasion ship? A doomsday weapon? Perhaps it’s the final response of Squanto, the Warlord of Rigel who McGill has repeatedly humiliated...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Orion Fleet by B.V. Larson]()
Orion Fleet by B.V. Larson
14 ratingsWhat enemy could be more terrifying than a soulless, alien machine? A year ago the Kher Empire was forced to retreat, but they were not beaten. In ORION FLEET they return with a new weapon. A huge ship driven by AI begins methodically grinding inhabited worlds to dust. This unstoppable enemy is without fear or remorse, and the Rebels begin a desperate battle just to slow its advance...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
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![Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio]()
Howling Dark by Christopher Ruocchio
14 ratingsThe second novel of the galaxy-spanning Sun Eater series merges the best of space opera and epic fantasy, as Hadrian Marlowe continues down a path that can only end in fire.Hadrian Marlowe is lost. For half a century, he has searched the farther suns for the lost planet of Vorgossos, hoping to find a way to contact the elusive alien Cielcin...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact galactic-empire invasion military space-fleet space-opera action-adventure -
![Explorer by C.J. Cherryh]()
Explorer by C.J. Cherryh
16 ratingsIt has been nearly ten years since the starship Phoenix returned to Alpha, the station orbiting the world of the atevi, which had been abandoned following a rift between a faction of the station's inhabitants and the spacers' Pilot's Guild...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact military space-opera space-travel action-adventure -
![Rogue World by B.V. Larson]()
Rogue World by B.V. Larson
16 ratingsThe Galactics arrived with their Battle Fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spanned the Milky Way. Today, Battle Fleet 921 is returning to Earth. It hasn’t been seen by human eyes since our blissful day of Annexation...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Home World by B.V. Larson]()
Home World by B.V. Larson
16 ratingsThe Galactics arrived with their Battle Fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spanned the Milky Way. When the Earth is invaded by a rival empire, James McGill’s legion must defend the Home World. The top brass has complex plans, but none of that matters much to McGill, who chooses his own unique path...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Blood World by B.V. Larson]()
Blood World by B.V. Larson
16 ratingsA dirty deal was struck. Humanity was allowed to keep three hundred rebellious worlds. In return, we declared war on a powerful enemy from beyond the frontier. A frantic build-up of forces has begun, but the task is hopeless. Seeking allies, Earth’s legions are sent to BLOOD WORLD. A planet on the fringe of known space, where the people only respect masters of combat...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![New Frontiers by Joshua Dalzelle]()
New Frontiers by Joshua Dalzelle
16 ratingsThe Black Fleet story continues... The Phage War had been a devastating conflict for the Terran Confederacy. Even with the destruction of their terrifying, implacable foe, humanity is still reeling. Political alliances are crumbling and their mighty fleet is in tatters. There is nothing to celebrate, even after such a complete victory.They soon learn that there are other stellar neighbors ..Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact invasion military soldiers space-fleet space-opera -
![Enemies & Allies by Rick Partlow]()
Enemies & Allies by Rick Partlow
6 ratingsThe war is over and Andy Clanton is ready to live happily ever after.Space Force has other ideas.Recruited to follow the last signal of the mysterious Elders to a system halfway across the galaxy, Andy joins the crew of the James Bowie for another adventure into the unknown...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration galactic-empire invasion military soldiers space-fleet -
![Connection Unknown by Michael Chatfield]()
Connection Unknown by Michael Chatfield
6 ratingsLuke Tavares has dreamed of joining the vast gaming guilds of the hypernet. After recently graduating high school, his parents have given him the same ultimatum as his siblings; he has one month to get a job to pay for his air, gravity, and water aboard the Dahlia.The freighter needs more hands, but Luke doesn’t want to be a trader-ship engineer...Categorized as:
aliens first-contact invasion military soldiers space-fleet space-opera space-travel -
![Straker's Breakers by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson]()
Straker's Breakers by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson
8 ratingsFrom Hugo and Dragon Award finalist David VanDyke, and millions-selling science-fiction legend and Dragon finalist B.V. Larson, comes book five in the epic military space opera adventure saga! It’s been five years since the end of the Hive Wars. Straker has handed over the burden of governing the Earthan Republic to civil authorities...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![The Long-Range War by Christopher G. Nuttall]()
The Long-Range War by Christopher G. Nuttall
8 ratingsThe gloves have finally come off ... The Tokomak, the unquestioned masters of the galaxy, have dispatched a massive fleet to crush the Solar Union - and the fledgling Galactic Alliance - before the human race and its alien allies can tear the galactic order asunder. Hundreds of thousands of starships under the command of an alien tactical genius, bent on exterminating the entire human race .. -
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![Hive War by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson]()
Hive War by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson
8 ratingsFrom Hugo and Dragon Award finalist David VanDyke, and millions-selling science-fiction legend and Dragon finalist B.V. Larson, comes book four in the epic military space opera adventure saga! The Republic, the Opters and a strange Crystalline race of unknown origin all meet in a series of titanic battles...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Title Fight by Scott Sigler, Matt Wallace]()
Title Fight by Scott Sigler, Matt Wallace
10 ratingsParsec Award-winning author Matt Wallace and New York Times best-selling novelist Scott Sigler team up to bring you TITLE FIGHT, a strange and brutal tale that combines science fiction with mixed martial arts (MMA).Set in the universe used for Sigler’s books THE ROOKIE and THE STARTER, TITLE FIGHT is MMA cage fighting in the far future, where augmented sentients often battle to the death... -
![Flagship Victory by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson]()
Flagship Victory by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson
10 ratingsFrom Hugo and Dragon Award finalist David VanDyke, and million-selling science-fiction legend and Dragon Award finalist B.V. Larson, comes book three in the epic military space opera adventure saga!Commodore Straker faces new enemies as neighboring interstellar empires decide his New Republic is a growing threat...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Alpha Fleet by B.V. Larson]()
Alpha Fleet by B.V. Larson
12 ratingsThe Imperials have devised a cunning new method of destroying Rebel worlds. Captain Leo Blake is largely responsible for both our survival and our current predicament. He and his crew are infamous among the stars. As a result, when ships of an unknown configuration begin flowing out of swirling rifts above Earth, Blake is called upon again to deal with the problem...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![TFS Navajo by Tori L. Harris]()
TFS Navajo by Tori L. Harris
12 ratingsOnly a few short months after Humanity’s first interstellar flights, the first shots have been fired in what will eventually become known as the Alliance Wars. Terran Fleet Command teeters on the edge of chaos in the aftermath of Chairwoman Crull’s removal from power, while in space, Earth’s defense falls squarely on the shoulders of Admiral Kevin Patterson...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Battleship Indomitable by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson]()
Battleship Indomitable by David VanDyke, B.V. Larson
12 ratingsFrom Hugo Award finalist David VanDyke and million-selling science-fiction legend B.V. Larson comes book two in the epic military space opera adventure saga!Commodore Straker's rebellion grows in strength--but his enemies are growing even faster...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![Earth Fleet by B.V. Larson]()
Earth Fleet by B.V. Larson
12 ratingsAt long last Earth has a handful of starships. Surrounded by Rebel Kher, Imperials and the mysterious Nomads, Humanity dares to assert our right to independence. The interstellar community reacts harshly. In the eyes of our neighbors, we’re upstarts, dangerous beings that don’t know our place. For the Kher, freedom can only be won through battle...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![First Strike by Raymond L. Weil]()
First Strike by Raymond L. Weil
12 ratingsThe cryosleep chambers are beginning to fail. Surveillance of Hocklyn space has revealed that the Hocklyns are thirty years ahead of their projected schedule and will soon reach human occupied space. War could break out any day if something isn't done...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military space-fleet space-opera -
![Deep Black (Infinite Sky #1) by Samuel Best]()
Deep Black (Infinite Sky #1) by Samuel Best
12 ratingsTwo crews return to Titan. Who will survive?Titan. Sixth moon of Saturn. A deadly enigma harboring the greatest secret in the history of humankind.In the wake of the first mission, two companies with very different goals plot a return to that distant moon. Their ships are safer, their technology has improved…and they want answers...Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact invasion space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult -
![Demon Star by B.V. Larson, David VanDyke]()
Demon Star by B.V. Larson, David VanDyke
14 ratingsThree stars, three worlds, three civilizations…one massive war. In a triple star system, not all planets are equal. When the DEMON STAR swings closest in her orbit, the Insectoids always invade. They raid the inner worlds with grim regularity, riding hordes of stealthed ships in ever growing waves. Their mission is to destroy all opposition—alien, human or otherwise...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
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![Iron Dragoons by Richard Fox]()
Iron Dragoons by Richard Fox
14 ratingsI am Armor. I am Fury. I Will not Fail. Soldiers of the Terran Armor Corps wage war across the stars. Wired into mechanized battle suits, they fight the terrifying battles which must be won, no matter the cost. Their deeds are legend, their reputation feared by the enemies of Earth and her allies, but how the Corps forges young men and women into mighty warriors is shrouded by mystery...Categorized as:
aliens galactic-empire military soldiers space-fleet space-opera action-adventure audiobook -
![TFS Theseus by Tori L. Harris]()
TFS Theseus by Tori L. Harris
14 ratings“Welcome to the Pelaran Alliance …” With those simple words, the Guardian spacecraft openly revealed itself to Humanity, heralding a new chapter in its 500-year-long mission to cultivate our world...Categorized as:
aliens colonization exploration first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers -
![The Human by Neal Asher]()
The Human by Neal Asher
14 ratingsA warship is laying waste to the galaxy, making for unexpected allies in the face of incredible acts of war. This is the high-octane conclusion to Neal Asher's Rise of the Jain trilogy.An entire galaxy hangs in the balance.A Jain warship has risen from the depths of space, emerging with a deadly grudge and a wealth of ancient yet lethal technology... -
![Into the Stars by James Rosone]()
Into the Stars by James Rosone
14 ratingsThe stars are within mankind’s reach……But what awaits in the void may end humanity…Mars and the Moon have been colonized, piracy runs rampant in the asteroid belts, and a thriving society grows in the depths of space. Humanity prepares to embark upon its greatest journey—the colonization of Alpha Centauri...Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers space-fleet -
![Prelude to Extinction by Andreas Karpf]()
Prelude to Extinction by Andreas Karpf
14 ratingsEarth's first interstellar mission -- An alien colony in ruins -- Their fight for survival has only just begun.When Jack Harrison climbed down the short ladder from the airlock and stepped onto the debris covered soil, the ground crackled with the sound of dried leaves and twigs...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-opera space-travel action-adventure adult -
![Machine World by B.V. Larson]()
Machine World by B.V. Larson
18 ratingsThe Galactics arrived with their Battle Fleet in 2052. Rather than being exterminated under a barrage of hell-burners, Earth joined a vast Empire that spanned the Milky Way. Our only worthwhile trade goods are our infamous mercenary legions, elite troops we sell to the highest alien bidder. In the fourth book of the series, James McGill is up for promotion...Categorized as:
aliens colonization first-contact galactic-empire invasion military soldiers space-fleet
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