Vlada

by Jacob Russell Dring, Andreas Christanetoff (Contributor)

In 2033, former soldier Vlada Stoia becomes the first human to successfully merge with alien DNA. She gains heightened physical abilities and arms formed from resilient alien flesh.



Less than a year later, a meteor shower strikes Keign, Illinois, unleashing hostile Apophids--the source of the alien DNA. As the quarantined city descends into chaos, a military task force is deployed to eradicate the threat. Vlada joins the operation, battling both the Apophids and visions from her tormented past.



Vlada is a character study wrapped in a sci-fi action-thriller with psychological tension, camaraderie, cosmic horror, and a few twists to keep readers on their toes!

242 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2026

About the author

Jacob has been writing books since 2009, honing his craft over the years. The written word has become a calling, one that fills him with purpose. While poetry and spoken word are among his other passions, fiction will always be the champion of his heart.

Reviews

[Angela Costa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an advance copy from Goodreads

I wasn't sure I would like this book at first. But after the first 50 pages it was a page turner. Vlada is a deep character. She is intense, but vulnerable. She is dedicated and trustworthy and constantly try to then proving her loyalty. I would recommend this even to folks who may not tend toward this genre.

[William Schrader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book, I enjoyed it. I ended up buying the audiobook sense it was on sale with my ebook version. I do think the audiobook could use some actual voice acting sense at the time I listened to it, it was voiced by an AI which gave no life to the story. it honestly hurt it some sense it became hard to not tune out the nonchanging voice. But that being said every time I came back into the book whatever was happening sucked me right back in and I think I would have enjoyed it much more actually reading it rather than listening to it.

[JWo1855 · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I won Vlada in a Goodreads giveaway, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it because it was so different than what I usually read. But I loved it!!

Vlada struggles with her new outward appearance – arms of alien flesh – as well as reoccurring nightmares that gives glimpses into her past.

Jacob Russell Dring did a great job of making Vlada’s emotions pour off the pages. Whether it’s her struggling to accept her new look, the fear from her nightmares, feeling like an outsider in a military task force, or putting the pieces of her past together.

All-in-all a great read, if you aren’t afraid of insects the size of minivans.

[Claire Fordham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this in a Goodreads giveaway and I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the character of Vlada and was very surprised when she had her aha moment. I do wish there would have been a little more resolution at the end of the novel, but the action was very engaging and kept me locked into the story.