Banish the Stars

The Formless #1

by Nathan Hystad

We have arrived. Descent is in progress.

Ryan Pierce traded military life for a peaceful existence in Napa Valley. Everything was fine until the starships appeared.
As aliens overtake the land and obscure the sun, Ryan quickly grasps that no one’s coming to rescue them. He can’t save the world on his own. Ryan must build a team to confront humanity’s greatest threat.

Who are the invaders, and what did they come for? As people are snatched from the Earth one space elevator at a time, those answers become apparent.

But is Ryan ready to hear them?

From the best-selling author of Ethos, The Event, Lost Contact, First Life, and many more, comes a brand-new epic series, The Formless.

Genres: Science Fiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[Happei]

I tried a number of times to listen to this book. The writing is clunky and the conversations stilted.

[Christinaraven]

Another series begins as aliens appear out of the blue and people are being taken up to the spaceships. In this setting Ryan ends up trying to figure out what is going on with some friends. Lots of questions in this one as this is the first book and get to watch as Ryan deals with people along the way and trying to figure things out. Loved the characters introduced here and the mystery. Just got sucked into all the drama and action. And trying to guess what is going on along with Ryan. Enjoyed it and cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Sentinelle23]

🤗❤️Excellent!

Bill had come to fix Ryan's old truck, and Ryan was relieved to be able to continue using it for work.

It was thanks to Bill that Ryan had come to settle in Napa Valley...

>>>>>>

An excellent start to a science fiction series with a captivating plot that personally blew me away.

As a result, I read the novel in one sitting.

I loved everything: the incredible world of the novel, the characters, the plot, the unexpected twists, and the mystery.

I can't wait for the next one!
I highly recommend it.

[Juliana]

Exceptional story teller and writer, Mr Hystad has created a new and refreshing story arc. Starting in Napa Valley,  California,  USA, the protagonist is a building renovation contractor with a suppressed history. Things like electricity and cellular services suddenly go awry causing chaos.  The chaos brings past and new characters together and the relationships evolve as mysterious aliens arrive and seem to be invading Earth. But all is not as it initially appears...

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner]

Banish the Stars - and the Formless are not what think!

'Banish the Stars' is a very exciting and unusual adventure that sets the stage for many other encounters with some of the most unique extraterrestrial ever encountered. Another great book by writer Nathan Hystad. Be sure to check out the extremely talented audio performance by Bradford Hastings. All in all this a great option for a new series for Sci-Fi fans. -Mr.Bill

[Daniel Kupres]

end of the world

It’s the end of the world but Ryan’s just trying to enjoy military retirement as a contractor. A race of aliens have entered our atmosphere and are herding every human off of earth with the exception of those that resisted. Of course Ryan has the training and the attitude for war.

[Mick Bird]

​Once again Nathan has given his readers another excellent example of his writing. In a new series of books. We meet Ryan who when spaceships suddenly appear in the sky, starts to wonder what they are here for to help or hinder?

[James David Warfield]

great story line

Gave a 4 because even though it was a great story line way to wordy in to many spots
Way to much if rehash of inward struggles

[raymond chanin]

great read as always

Lots of twists and turns in this book keeps you on edge going to read the next 2 books
Nathan another great book thank you

[Mark F Davis]

That was fun.

I really enjoyed this book and liked it more than I thought I might. I will definitely continue reading this series.

[Bob Grygier]

This book is a good alien / bad alien story. Really disappointed it was so unexciting. Not sure why it lacked the depth it needed .