The Prospect: A Sci-Fi Horror Novel

by B. C. Brown, Danny Lidstone (editor), Muffin (editor)

Years of bad jobs have the crew of The Vaughn on the verge of destitution. Things finally seem to be turning around when they find a system of untapped resources ready to mine. The city-sized ship nestles upon a desolate world's sickly yellow surface, and far below the planet’s crust, something shudders in anticipation of their arrival.

Now, Aki is caught in the midst of a cataclysmic encounter with an alien terror. He has to escape, has to find his friends, and a route to safety through a city plunged into chaos, or face the terrible and gruesome death that creeps inexorably towards them.

A creature feature love letter to classic Carpenter horror; The Blob meets Romero in gruesome unity.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2024

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Prospect” by B.C. Brown is a scifi thriller reminiscent of doom/alien/carpenter type horrors.

A city ship has had a run of bad luck when trying to mine planets and they decide to head off into unexplored space where no prospectors have been before. They find a strange planet in the system they jumped to with an unknown metal that could have them striking it rich. However the humans soon find themselves in a battle for survival against a monstrous entity.

I loved the characters, world building, tense plot, and body horror! I would’ve liked to spend more time in the city with our characters as they fought for their lives. Overall the author delivers on bringing readers a chilling space story.

Thank you to BookSirens & the author for a copy!

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the afterword, the author says how he was looking to write something “fun, and pulpy. A little trashy, fun monsters, a bit of gore and body horror” and, man, does he deliver. The premise may not be the most original: spaceship goes to an uncharted system where they plan to mine a planet. They find a horrific sentient entity that they have to escape. The fun part is that this is not the Nostromo, but a city-wide ship with many sectors and industries, populated by almost half a million people. How can you save so many from an enemy so mighty? The book takes a little to get started, introducing the cast of characters. Once the goo hits the fan, the rhythm speeds up and the suspense increases. I liked how, while the main characters are smart and resourceful, others are not. People that I had discarded thinking that they were goners ended up surprising me. I especially loved Joyce, an older, tough technician with aging knees but a spine of steel. As a fan of pulpy horror myself, I identified with one of the characters and understood his fascination with the situation. I do hope that, centuries in the future, people will keep watching Evil Dead. Horror fans will enjoy this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kim Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spaceship heads off to a new planet, to a completely new system, looking for untold riches. What could possibly go wrong?

This was a fun sci-fi/horror read, even if it wasn’t the most original plot. It still kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I loved the mash-up of alien life forms and body reanimation set in a confined space-where heroes are born and villains are pathetic, power-hungry individuals. I also loved the pop culture references sprinkled here and there throughout the book; who doesn’t love a good Evil Dead nod?

What also works well, and gives the reader all kinds of warm fuzzies, is the strong male friendships, and the unapologetic affection openly shared. It is the glue that holds them together and keeps them fighting for survival.

Let’s not forget about the strong female lead, Joyce, who is not only a badass and formidable ally, but is also in her 60’s. I love that age does not put her in a box or hold her back.

This story has plenty of horror, gore, sci-fi twists, and heart, and it is one that you won’t be able to put down. Sci-fi/horror fans, this one is for you.

Thank you Book Sirens, and Little Grey Alien, for my ARC. My opinion is my own.

[Pottimus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the content within this book. I will say this first as it was a very enjoyable read as it reminded me a lot of Deadspace and other Space horror stories. The beginning of the novel was a well done intro to the characters of the story while not making the start seem slower. The meat of the story happened a lot faster than I was expecting as the rapidity of the progress the goomies was very very rapid. This does attest to the dangers of the things hidden behind the stars. I do like not just the way the story carried out but that actions were paid whether they were positive or negative. I especially enjoyed the payment some on the ship received for their actions during the story.

Overall I would like to highly recommend this book to those enticed by the draw of dead space or similar stories. I would say the gore seemed not that disturbing to me but that may be my own bias so I would recommend you read the warning at the beginning of the book before continuing. Besides that point I think it is an overall enjoyable book to read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything the author promised was delivered. A fun, slightly trashy horror sci-fi. I loved it. It reminded me of the movies I used to watch on the SyFy channel as a kid so it was a bit nostalgic. I wish the goo stuff had maybe developed a little more, like maybe become more sentient towards the end but I do like the epilogue and the openness of the ending. It was a very fun read even if it did take a little bit to get into. I really did enjoy it. A little body horror, lots of spacey things. I’m on a huge sci-fi binge and this really helped. Well-written and a good read overall. Definitely recommend to anyone needing a good fun horror palate cleanser.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Terry and dog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This space loving weirdo loved this book!
A group of friends is the heart of the story, and they are a lovely bunch. The friendship is what sells this. Well, the black goo as well, and we don't have to wait too long for the goo to hit the fan.
The characters are great and the descriptions of the ship, city and planet are vivid. I could feel my excitement build when they got to the planet. The story is pretty straighforward and so easy to get into, you have breathless moments waiting to find out what is going to happen.
In the big void of new space (with some horror) stories, I am thrilled to have come across this one.

[Necalli Calavera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good friend of mine’s novel that I have been excited to read and bought a physical copy! The world building and character development has been a great ride from beginning to end. For a first book, I’m excited to see what the author will bring next, whether it’s horror, science fiction, or something completely different. Thank you for sharing your story with us!

[Mana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a little biased because I know the author, but this book is fantastic! I loved the characters (apart from the ones I loved to hate. You know who you are), and the story gripped me from start to finish!

[Luka Jae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best SciFi/space Horror I’ve read this year.

I’m always on the hunt for the next Space Horror. The Prospect surpassed my expectations.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

quick fun read if you love sci fi

Short book with great characters. I just Wish there was more to it but it was a fun read nonetheless.