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Boys & Their Monsters: Science Fiction Stories
The aliens left. Their monsters didn’t.
Life after the invasion is perilous for these young men. The world ended while they were still learning to drive. Now, they’re all that stands between humanity and extinction.
But here’s the Earth’s alien invaders didn’t take everything when they departed.
They left monsters behind.
This collection contains five explosive sci-fi survival stories from bestselling author M.G. Herron. Each one follows a different hero facing impossible odds as he discovers what it takes to remain human when the world—and its alien monsters—want him dead.
Life after the invasion is perilous for these young men. The world ended while they were still learning to drive. Now, they’re all that stands between humanity and extinction.
But here’s the Earth’s alien invaders didn’t take everything when they departed.
They left monsters behind.
This collection contains five explosive sci-fi survival stories from bestselling author M.G. Herron. Each one follows a different hero facing impossible odds as he discovers what it takes to remain human when the world—and its alien monsters—want him dead.
- GenresPost Apocalyptic
186 pages, Paperback
Published January 2, 2026
About the author
M.G. Herron
42 books95 followersM.G. Herron is the author of The Gunn Files, The Translocator Trilogy, and other stories of science fiction and fantasy.
His work is published both independently and through publishing houses such as Audible Studios and Aethon Books. Altogether Herron’s novels have sold tens of thousands of copies.
Based in sunny Austin, Texas, MG’s alter ego, Matt, works for a product design agency as a content strategist. He enjoys traveling with his wife and their dog, hiking, rock climbing, and making up stories.
Learn more at mgherron.com.
His work is published both independently and through publishing houses such as Audible Studios and Aethon Books. Altogether Herron’s novels have sold tens of thousands of copies.
Based in sunny Austin, Texas, MG’s alter ego, Matt, works for a product design agency as a content strategist. He enjoys traveling with his wife and their dog, hiking, rock climbing, and making up stories.
Learn more at mgherron.com.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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February 1, 2026I listened to this free on Audible and found it to be really well narrated, but the stories did little for me. Macho adventuring in the vein of Edgar Rice Burroughs - and if that's your jam, you probably would enjoy this: It's not mine.
January 9, 2026
On kobo (EPub 3 DRM-Free) 1230002042640; 105 pages. Second Edition, illustrated by Lucas Panda. (Kickstarter)
Five short stories about... boys and (their) monsters. Mostly set on a post-invasion Earth (one on an alien planet) they deal with surviving harsh conditions and facing (mostly alien) animal threats.
An engaging all too brief book.
Five short stories about... boys and (their) monsters. Mostly set on a post-invasion Earth (one on an alien planet) they deal with surviving harsh conditions and facing (mostly alien) animal threats.
An engaging all too brief book.
April 25, 2026
This collection is essentially a high-octane survival guide for when the universe inevitably decides it’s done with humans. I absolutely loved it—it’s five stories of pure, unadulterated grit where the "monsters" are often less terrifying than the choices the characters have to make to stay alive. The writing is punchy and moves with the kind of efficiency I wish my server migrations had. Each story feels like a distinct, self-contained world-building exercise, hitting that sweet spot of sci-fi survival that makes you want to double-check your emergency supplies while being very glad you’re currently sitting on a comfortable couch and not a sand-blasted ruin.
I can totally see why the average rating might be a bit lower for some people, though. It’s unapologetically "raw." If you’re looking for a cozy space opera where everyone learns a valuable lesson about friendship over a cup of space-tea, you are in the wrong neighborhood. These stories are lean and mean; they don't waste time holding your hand through the lore or providing tidy, sunshine-and-rainbows resolutions. It’s like a "Preflight QA" checklist for the apocalypse—some people might find it a bit too clinical or brutal, but for me, that lack of fluff is exactly what made it a 5-star experience.
In a world full of bloated trilogies that could have been an email, these stories are a refreshing reminder that you can pack a massive emotional and technical punch in a short page count. It’s gritty, it’s imaginative, and it understands that the best sci-fi is really just a mirror for the human spirit (even if that mirror is being held by a giant, terrifying alien lizard). If you like your survival stories with a side of "everything is on fire but I’m still here," this is a must-read. Just don’t expect a hug at the end—unless it’s from something with way too many limbs.
I can totally see why the average rating might be a bit lower for some people, though. It’s unapologetically "raw." If you’re looking for a cozy space opera where everyone learns a valuable lesson about friendship over a cup of space-tea, you are in the wrong neighborhood. These stories are lean and mean; they don't waste time holding your hand through the lore or providing tidy, sunshine-and-rainbows resolutions. It’s like a "Preflight QA" checklist for the apocalypse—some people might find it a bit too clinical or brutal, but for me, that lack of fluff is exactly what made it a 5-star experience.
In a world full of bloated trilogies that could have been an email, these stories are a refreshing reminder that you can pack a massive emotional and technical punch in a short page count. It’s gritty, it’s imaginative, and it understands that the best sci-fi is really just a mirror for the human spirit (even if that mirror is being held by a giant, terrifying alien lizard). If you like your survival stories with a side of "everything is on fire but I’m still here," this is a must-read. Just don’t expect a hug at the end—unless it’s from something with way too many limbs.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews