Decades of hostilities. A chance for peace. Caught between belligerent groups, will this operation be her last?

Sam “Valkyrie” Ryan is reeling. Struggling with her brother’s recent decision to make their next assignment his last, the recon specialist fights to change his mind. But she has no time to process her emotions when they’re tasked to protect a pivotal reconciliation summit between the Altered and Humans from human-supremacist terrorists.

Distracted by a charming medic, the golden-haired marine struggles to stay focused as events quickly unravel. And with the conflict becoming dangerously unpredictable, secrets from the past catch Sam by surprise as she uncovers a plot to destroy all of humanity.

Can she stop a violent and oppressive history from spiraling into a catastrophic future?

Of Friction is the fast-paced first book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like strong women, tense action, and slow-burn dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s gripping story.

Buy Of Friction to launch a critical mission today!

I signed up for an ARC of book 2 and so had to read book 1. I think a lot of my reads this year has started like this.

This is a book that takes place in a futuristic earth which has been affected by climate change. In an attempt to survive the radiations and other factors, investment was made into genetic research, which resulted in the creation of the altered: a superior race of humans who were stronger, bigger and had abilities to survive the harsh conditions. But though research was able to create the altered, it couldn’t change anything about the existing human race.

As is expected, tensions and war happened between the humans and altered, with the altered having a distinct advantage. But some of the altered wanted peace and didn’t agree with the genocidal tendencies of their leaders. They overthrew their sovereign, and a tentative peace was established between humans and altered.

A group of Altered calling themselves the promised believes in the extinction of humanity, while human extremists called Children of Charon wants to get rid of all the altered.

This much is background for the book, some of which is explained straight, and some we can infer from the story.

Sam Ryan is a marine, who has grown up in the UMF, the military force that protects the humans. Her older brother, Scott has raised her, and she followed him to join the marines when she was twelve.

When the story opens, Sam is in her twenties and is feeling raw in the aftermath of her brother’s decision to leave the marines once his present contract term is up. Sam has never wanted to be anything other than a marine and has already sent in her request to renew her contract. She is angry with Scott who refuses to explain why he wants to leave, and Sam feels betrayed.

Sam and Scott have been loaned to a squad called Echo who has been tasked with the mission of finding the Children of Charon in the south and ensuring they don’t do anything to mess up a peace summit happening between the altered royals and the human leaders. Though the mission appears straightforward, their trip to the south is nothing like Sam or the team expects, and they are having to fight for their lives.

I loved this book from beginning to end. There is never a dull moment. The bonding that happens between Sam and the rest of Echo, the way Sam’s worldview changes slowly, how her relationship with Scott changes, and Sam’s budding attraction to Miriam, the medic of the team, are all brought out well. There is tension throughout the book, and we know that shit will hit the fan, and yet, we are caught by surprise when it does.

I adored Sam and the rest of Echo, and there are some deaths in the book that were as shocking as they were heart wrenching. It ends in what might be a cliffhanger, which makes me glad I’m having an ARC copy of Book 2.

I ended up threatening the author after reading this, but that aside, if you love queer, military Sci Fi with a character driven plot, you will love this book.

It’s also an SPSFC semi finalist this year.

Altered supremacists. Humanity on the brink of annihilation. Two lives entangled.

Miriam Tanner is in shock. After finding the severed arm of the woman she rejected despite her growing feelings, the Special Operations Group combat medic spirals while genetically engineered Altered refugees flood her human city. As tensions between the two groups escalate, her world shifts again with the nightmare news that the Apostates, Altered terrorists, have overthrown their government.

In attempts to ensure humankind’s survival, Miriam and her team embark on missions to turn the tide of a looming war. But as the stakes rise higher, she’s in danger of not only losing herself, but the fight for victory.

Can Miriam and Echo change the course of the war?

Of Abrasion is the thrilling second book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like complex characters, fast-paced twists and turns, and human dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s descent into chaos.

This is the second book of Altered Earth. Miriam is in shock as she thinks Sam is dead, but she has no time to grieve. The conflict between the wunbies aka the promised and the normal altered escalates even as altered refugees flood the human city. Echo gets a super secret mission, and Sam is having an experimental surgery to get a new arm.

Sam has to navigate an acquaintance with an altered royal, conflict with her squad commander, and delays on the part of medical that refuses to allow her to return to SOG, and a new relationship with Miriam. Scott’s return to Station City and yet another Echo Mission that excludes her has Sam feeling depressed.

But when the wunbies overthrow the altered royalty and attack Station City, Sam has to make some hard decisions about how far she’s willing to go to push back.

This was a chonk of a book, but it didn’t feel that way at all, with how the author managed to maintain the tension throughout. The characterisation is extremely good, and I really wanted to shake Sam and Miriam at times. Neither of them know how to communicate, and naturally, misunderstandings arise.

This one too ends in a cliff hanger type of place, but alas! Book 3 isn’t on then horizon yet. I once again threatened the author with various fates, but don’t let that put you off! This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who likes character driven stories and sci fi.