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Extinction: A Military Sci-Fi Thriller
In this military SF thriller, a colony on one of Jupiter’s moons will either be the last bastion of human civilization . . . or ground zero for its extinction.
At long last, humanity has moved beyond Earth and begun seeding new worlds. Colonies extend across the solar system, from Luna to Mars to Saturn’s satellite Titan. Even Jupiter’s moon Europa has become home to a couple thousand brave souls willing to risk their lives adapting to its frozen and deadly landscape.
After his previous mission in Africa ended in a violent uprising in which he lost every man under his command, Lt. Ryan Braeder’s posting to Europa is his last chance to salvage a military career that’s in tatters. Here on Jupiter’s moon, he’s been tasked with easing tensions between the military and an unruly civilian board.
It seems the governor and his cronies are attempting to usurp military command in a play for control. But Braeder’s diplomatic efforts are met with defiance as mistrust grows on both sides, threatening the colony’s safety. And that’s before events Earthside turn his world upside down.
Braeder can only watch helplessly as war erupts on his home planet, releasing a biological plague that sweeps the globe. Supply transports to the colonies are canceled. In a few short months, Braeder’s friends, his family—everyone he has ever known—are dead. The human race hovers on the brink of extinction.
Now, Braeder’s got one chance to save the colony on Europa. Can he implement a ration plan that borders on starvation, avoid a full-blown mutiny, and prevent Earth’s survivors from bringing the deadly plague? One thing’s for the future of his species depends on it.
“An interstellar yarn wrought with suspense and indelible characters.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Leviathan Wakes meets Battlestar Galactica in this high-stakes story of survival on the moon of Jupiter. Heart-pounding and thrilling, Extinction follows an unlikely leader as he races to save humanity against impossible odds.” —Claire Barner, author of Moonrising
“This insightful glimpse into our possible future is a must read.” —Sue Nelson Buckley, author of The Trouble with Jake and Hiding in Plain Sight
"Packed with intense action, layered characters, and thought-provoking dilemmas . . . This is a story that lingers, making you ponder the fragile line between extinction and survival.” —Literary Titan
At long last, humanity has moved beyond Earth and begun seeding new worlds. Colonies extend across the solar system, from Luna to Mars to Saturn’s satellite Titan. Even Jupiter’s moon Europa has become home to a couple thousand brave souls willing to risk their lives adapting to its frozen and deadly landscape.
After his previous mission in Africa ended in a violent uprising in which he lost every man under his command, Lt. Ryan Braeder’s posting to Europa is his last chance to salvage a military career that’s in tatters. Here on Jupiter’s moon, he’s been tasked with easing tensions between the military and an unruly civilian board.
It seems the governor and his cronies are attempting to usurp military command in a play for control. But Braeder’s diplomatic efforts are met with defiance as mistrust grows on both sides, threatening the colony’s safety. And that’s before events Earthside turn his world upside down.
Braeder can only watch helplessly as war erupts on his home planet, releasing a biological plague that sweeps the globe. Supply transports to the colonies are canceled. In a few short months, Braeder’s friends, his family—everyone he has ever known—are dead. The human race hovers on the brink of extinction.
Now, Braeder’s got one chance to save the colony on Europa. Can he implement a ration plan that borders on starvation, avoid a full-blown mutiny, and prevent Earth’s survivors from bringing the deadly plague? One thing’s for the future of his species depends on it.
“An interstellar yarn wrought with suspense and indelible characters.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Leviathan Wakes meets Battlestar Galactica in this high-stakes story of survival on the moon of Jupiter. Heart-pounding and thrilling, Extinction follows an unlikely leader as he races to save humanity against impossible odds.” —Claire Barner, author of Moonrising
“This insightful glimpse into our possible future is a must read.” —Sue Nelson Buckley, author of The Trouble with Jake and Hiding in Plain Sight
"Packed with intense action, layered characters, and thought-provoking dilemmas . . . This is a story that lingers, making you ponder the fragile line between extinction and survival.” —Literary Titan
- GenresScience FictionFiction
408 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2025
127 people are currently reading
3870 people want to read
About the author
Michael Simon
6 books51 followersMichael Simon is an award-winning Canadian author and physician, specializing in science fiction, military science fiction and fantasy. His “First Command“ and “Extinction“ series will be published in 2025. In addition to these 5 novels, Michael has a large repertoire of published short stories, medical articles, and travel logs.
To support his writing addiction, Michael works as a Family Physician on Canada's East Coast. He is a member of the Physician Advisory Board for The Medical Post and a Health Columnist for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. Outside working hours, Michael enjoys spending time with his growing family and playing hockey, where he can, occasionally, still put the puck in the net.
To support his writing addiction, Michael works as a Family Physician on Canada's East Coast. He is a member of the Physician Advisory Board for The Medical Post and a Health Columnist for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Radio. Outside working hours, Michael enjoys spending time with his growing family and playing hockey, where he can, occasionally, still put the puck in the net.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 21, 2025
I got to around page 75? and then gave up.
A couple positives: The writing is fine, if not really engaging or suspenseful. The first chapter was pretty banging, but it was mostly action, and written well, will grab most people. Some of the characters were decent and intriguing with their hopes and failures, and I enjoyed reading about them.
Negatives! Africa is a continent. A BIG continent. When you say the main character flubbed a mission in Africa, could you please tell us which country, please? Make up a country, I don't care, it's the future, but leaving it as Africa was not a good sign.
The main characters and most of the characters are uninspired and borderline stereotypes/caricatures. The main character is your typical solider who had a tragic mission and hopes to redeem themselves. Yay. The board members who were obviously the villains of this novel were so unsubtle, I'm surprised that they didn't cackle and steeple their fingers together after every witty quote. Villains on a frozen outpost millions of klicks away from earth should be smarter than this and move in ways that are more insidious. James Bond wants its villains back!
And lastly, this book does not feel like it's 100-150 years in the future. It has tapes. And AI is a thing that will eventually take over work humans do. Some of the tech is believable, but again, it doesn't feel like the future. Win95 came out in 1995 and then the first smartphone came out in 2007 and now we're using AI to wipe ourselves out. The natural progression would say that in a 100 years we should be highly advanced tech wise, and culturally, we should be quite different as well. This book doesn't feel like it. It feels advanced in parts and pieces, but I couldn't get out of that feeling I was stuck in 2025.
A couple positives: The writing is fine, if not really engaging or suspenseful. The first chapter was pretty banging, but it was mostly action, and written well, will grab most people. Some of the characters were decent and intriguing with their hopes and failures, and I enjoyed reading about them.
Negatives! Africa is a continent. A BIG continent. When you say the main character flubbed a mission in Africa, could you please tell us which country, please? Make up a country, I don't care, it's the future, but leaving it as Africa was not a good sign.
The main characters and most of the characters are uninspired and borderline stereotypes/caricatures. The main character is your typical solider who had a tragic mission and hopes to redeem themselves. Yay. The board members who were obviously the villains of this novel were so unsubtle, I'm surprised that they didn't cackle and steeple their fingers together after every witty quote. Villains on a frozen outpost millions of klicks away from earth should be smarter than this and move in ways that are more insidious. James Bond wants its villains back!
And lastly, this book does not feel like it's 100-150 years in the future. It has tapes. And AI is a thing that will eventually take over work humans do. Some of the tech is believable, but again, it doesn't feel like the future. Win95 came out in 1995 and then the first smartphone came out in 2007 and now we're using AI to wipe ourselves out. The natural progression would say that in a 100 years we should be highly advanced tech wise, and culturally, we should be quite different as well. This book doesn't feel like it. It feels advanced in parts and pieces, but I couldn't get out of that feeling I was stuck in 2025.
August 19, 2025
Mycket bra och spännande överlevnadssci-fi där en koloni på en av Jupiters månar blir mänsklighetens sista utpost. Bra takt och passande, slagkraftig prosa, om än lite för på här och där. Rekommenderas till generella intressenter.
December 29, 2024
Extinction, by Michael Simon, is a gripping science fiction thriller set in a future where humanity has expanded its reach into space, establishing colonies on distant moons like Europa. The story follows Lieutenant Ryan Braeder and his crew as they face life-threatening challenges, including an asteroid hurtling toward their colony and the political and interpersonal conflicts that arise within their community. Packed with intense action, layered characters, and thought-provoking dilemmas, the book explores themes of survival, leadership, and the resilience of the human spirit.
One thing that immediately stood out to me was Simon’s knack for creating a palpable sense of urgency. The vivid descriptions of the colony on Europa, juxtaposed against the cold, harsh beauty of space, made me feel like I was right there with the crew. Simon’s detailed account of the frantic repairs and the race against time kept my heart pounding. The writing here isn’t just visually engaging; it’s visceral. The character development is another highlight. Ryan’s struggle with past traumas adds depth to his role as a leader. He’s not just a hero in the traditional sense but a deeply flawed and human one. His flashbacks to a harrowing mission in Africa, where he lost comrades and civilians alike, are heartbreaking and explain the inner demons that drive his decisions. Yet, Simon doesn’t fall into the trap of making Ryan’s pain the only focus. His interactions with his crew, particularly the no-nonsense Captain Tracy and the eccentric engineer Gunner bring levity and camaraderie that balance the narrative.
What intrigued me most were the political undercurrents woven into the story. The civilian Board’s conflicts with the military crew over control of vital resources like the greenhouse provide a nuanced look at the challenges of governance in isolated environments. The debates felt grounded and real, reflecting the broader question of how power and responsibility are shared in high-stakes situations. The tension escalates as the Board’s agenda clashes with Ryan’s duty to protect the colony. I found myself frustrated on Ryan’s behalf during these moments but also appreciating how Simon painted even the antagonistic characters, like Governor Bordeaux, with shades of gray rather than simple villainy.
Extinction is a must-read for fans of character-driven sci-fi. It’s a book that will appeal to anyone who loves space exploration stories with a strong emotional core and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas. Simon’s writing shines with its blend of high-octane action, complex characters, and atmospheric world-building. This is a story that lingers, making you ponder the fragile line between extinction and survival.
One thing that immediately stood out to me was Simon’s knack for creating a palpable sense of urgency. The vivid descriptions of the colony on Europa, juxtaposed against the cold, harsh beauty of space, made me feel like I was right there with the crew. Simon’s detailed account of the frantic repairs and the race against time kept my heart pounding. The writing here isn’t just visually engaging; it’s visceral. The character development is another highlight. Ryan’s struggle with past traumas adds depth to his role as a leader. He’s not just a hero in the traditional sense but a deeply flawed and human one. His flashbacks to a harrowing mission in Africa, where he lost comrades and civilians alike, are heartbreaking and explain the inner demons that drive his decisions. Yet, Simon doesn’t fall into the trap of making Ryan’s pain the only focus. His interactions with his crew, particularly the no-nonsense Captain Tracy and the eccentric engineer Gunner bring levity and camaraderie that balance the narrative.
What intrigued me most were the political undercurrents woven into the story. The civilian Board’s conflicts with the military crew over control of vital resources like the greenhouse provide a nuanced look at the challenges of governance in isolated environments. The debates felt grounded and real, reflecting the broader question of how power and responsibility are shared in high-stakes situations. The tension escalates as the Board’s agenda clashes with Ryan’s duty to protect the colony. I found myself frustrated on Ryan’s behalf during these moments but also appreciating how Simon painted even the antagonistic characters, like Governor Bordeaux, with shades of gray rather than simple villainy.
Extinction is a must-read for fans of character-driven sci-fi. It’s a book that will appeal to anyone who loves space exploration stories with a strong emotional core and thought-provoking ethical dilemmas. Simon’s writing shines with its blend of high-octane action, complex characters, and atmospheric world-building. This is a story that lingers, making you ponder the fragile line between extinction and survival.
June 26, 2025
Michael Simon has done it again. I thoroughly enjoyed the First Command trilogy, and I like Extinction even more. Lieutenant Ryan Braeder is a flawed man who is thrust into an impossible leadership role when Iran releases a biological virus that devastates the Earth's population. It serves as a frightening reminder of the real possibility of mass destruction, with stories that feel like they could be ripped from today's headlines.
Now, with no resupply ships coming from a dead home world, the small colony of Europa is the last known human settlement in existence. As food rationing and power struggles arise, the Governor and the council find themselves in conflict with the military, putting Lieutenant Braeder's new command to the test.
The book features many of the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from Simon. It was a fun and fast read with well-developed characters, high tension, and an unexpected, thrilling ending. I highly recommend it, and I’m already pre-ordering book two.
Now, with no resupply ships coming from a dead home world, the small colony of Europa is the last known human settlement in existence. As food rationing and power struggles arise, the Governor and the council find themselves in conflict with the military, putting Lieutenant Braeder's new command to the test.
The book features many of the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from Simon. It was a fun and fast read with well-developed characters, high tension, and an unexpected, thrilling ending. I highly recommend it, and I’m already pre-ordering book two.
September 22, 2025
I began this book with skepticism because I've grown weary of warmongering themes. Nonetheless
I chose to read it because good sci-fi (that with some originality) seems to be harder to find than when I was younger, and I hoped this might be better than other current genre military stories. It started off a bit slow, but before long it became very engaging and even thrilling towards the end. Many of the characters are very memorable, both the good guys and the bad guys. The politicians generally appear evil in this story, and that resonates very well with our current political situation in the US. However, unlike our situation, the politicians in the book are the losers. This book is well worth the read, and I very much look forward to the next installment for the series.
I chose to read it because good sci-fi (that with some originality) seems to be harder to find than when I was younger, and I hoped this might be better than other current genre military stories. It started off a bit slow, but before long it became very engaging and even thrilling towards the end. Many of the characters are very memorable, both the good guys and the bad guys. The politicians generally appear evil in this story, and that resonates very well with our current political situation in the US. However, unlike our situation, the politicians in the book are the losers. This book is well worth the read, and I very much look forward to the next installment for the series.
November 14, 2025
A fantastic read. Certainly had my complete attention. Great characters, lots of action, good plot. However, I do have some issues with the science.
Europa is bombarded by radiation from Jupiter and has a very thin atmosphere made up of mainly oxygen. This oxygen can’t be breathed by humans as it is not created from organisms but through the aforementioned Jovian radiation. Europa is essentially in vacuum, like space, and is intensely cold, about -270F. Therefore, there are no sounds, like gunshots. A human being could not “sprint” across the surface, especially in a bulky spacesuit. And there no winds, breezes, or “dust devils”.
These small details do not detract from the storytelling. Just an observation. Loved the book and can’t wait for the sequel next month!
Europa is bombarded by radiation from Jupiter and has a very thin atmosphere made up of mainly oxygen. This oxygen can’t be breathed by humans as it is not created from organisms but through the aforementioned Jovian radiation. Europa is essentially in vacuum, like space, and is intensely cold, about -270F. Therefore, there are no sounds, like gunshots. A human being could not “sprint” across the surface, especially in a bulky spacesuit. And there no winds, breezes, or “dust devils”.
These small details do not detract from the storytelling. Just an observation. Loved the book and can’t wait for the sequel next month!
August 26, 2025
This book was so well written, and the characters (and their flaws) so finely drawn as to fire the imagination. I got so mad at the behavior and idiocy of the politicians that I just wanted to leap into the pages and deliver some space-frontier justice myself. The main character is just trying to make the best of an absolute terrible situation and is being thwarted at every turn by those who cannot look further than his troubled past. A great read. Looking forward to more.
May 31, 2025
Good slow burn survival novel
This was recommended to me it's military science fiction it really isn't it's a survival story but a good one had been gripped right to the end. Talk a little bit to get started but it was good character to development it was definitely a good read and I will read its sequel sometime soon
This was recommended to me it's military science fiction it really isn't it's a survival story but a good one had been gripped right to the end. Talk a little bit to get started but it was good character to development it was definitely a good read and I will read its sequel sometime soon
July 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a fascinating panoply in which no character or fact of science is ignored in the struggle for survival. The ending was infused with even more questions leaving the field open to continuation of this storyline. It was an amazingly detailed plot and a truly epic tale.
June 18, 2025
what a fun ride..
Well put together, numerous overlaying plot with strong main theme. Fun characters. I enjoyed the free style of the adventure as well as the ancillary characters who had depth, grit, and meat to their roles
Well put together, numerous overlaying plot with strong main theme. Fun characters. I enjoyed the free style of the adventure as well as the ancillary characters who had depth, grit, and meat to their roles
August 2, 2025
5 out of 5 Stars
Now this is a good story, well told entertaining from start to finish.
The story is a bit different from what I was expecting, but was ver well done.
The few technical errors do not take away from the overall world that is the story.
Enjoy
James
Now this is a good story, well told entertaining from start to finish.
The story is a bit different from what I was expecting, but was ver well done.
The few technical errors do not take away from the overall world that is the story.
Enjoy
James
Read
January 17, 2026DNF after 160 pages.
December 15, 2025
A disgraced military officer is left in command of a colony on a moon of Jupiter just as humanity begins to fail. As Earth and colony after colony succumbs, can he keep this one small colony alive? This is an action-packed story with a fast pace and stand out characters fighting for survival to see if humans can hold onto their better instincts or fall to greed and selfishness.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews