Goliath Fallen: A sci-fi thriller of loss, survival, and redemption

by A.C. Louis, Alejandro Colucci (Illustrator)

Three vast starships carry what’s left of humanity. Ambushed by vicious aliens, will Earth’s dwindling survivors live to see a new dawn? Dr. Lucas Sundberg’s guilt is his only companion. On humankind’s one-way mission to find a viable planet for a fresh start, he unknowingly leads the remaining 36,000 souls into a devastating attack. Isolated in the aftermath, he struggles for redemption. So when he discovers a father and daughter still alive on the same near-derelict ship, the determined scientist vows to help extract them from the monster-ridden wreckage. Widower Nathan Clarke will do anything to keep the last of his family from being killed. After a year of hiding in a secret shelter, he jumps at the chance of survival when his strong-minded twelve-year-old, Izzy, uncovers a potential lifeline off the interstellar deathtrap. But with horrific creatures blocking their exit, he and his daughter risk everything to get to safety. As Lucas teams up with the dad and the daring girl to make it to an escape vessel, he learns they’re not as alone as he feared. But they will never stop fighting to reach the one generational ship left unharmed . . . even if it takes their final breath. Will they break free of their crumbling coffin before the vacuum claims their lives? Goliath Fallen is a nail-biting science fiction thriller. If you like tormented heroes, terrifying odds, and bold acts of courage, then you’ll love this gripping tale. What readers are saying about Goliath “I whole heartily recommend Goliath Fallen, it's fun, it's tense and full of action, but it's also a deep father and daughter emotional story.” — Amazon reviewer “Poignant and visually visceral; humanity may be knocked around but they won't stop fighting the odds to survive. Highly recommended. ” — Goodreads reviewer “I was on the edge of my seat the WHOLE TIME! Fast paced, Scary, Realistic fear based reactions and drive to survive and protect!!!!! I'm a parent and the idea of trying to keep myself and my child safe while being actively hunted is terrifying! These characters draw you in and don't let you go, I could barely look away. ” — NetGalley reviewer “I was impressed by the author's ability to give us a science fiction adventure story that was also able to create characters and develop them and move them through the story without them becoming secondary to the thrills or action.” — Amazon reviewer

Genres: Science Fiction

334 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2022

About the author

A.C. Louis is a Costa Rican writer and software engineer who’s committed to giving his readers absorbing, fast-paced storylines with high stakes and memorable heroes. During his long career in information technology, he became increasingly interested in space travel and exploration. Unable to shake the possibilities of what could exist beyond our lonely planet, he finally resolved to put this interest to paper in the form of science fiction stories. When he’s not writing code or fiction, you can find him creating content for his blog, learning new languages, or cycling around wherever in the world he’s calling home at the time.

Reviews

[Kevin Halter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goliath by A.C. Louis is a thrilling science fiction story that moves at a fast pace.

I was impressed by the author's ability to give us a science fiction adventure story and also able to create characters and develop them and move them through the story without them becoming secondary to the thrills or action.

I look forward to seeing more work by A.C. Louis.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review*

Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Illuminae and The Walking Dead. Goliath Fallen is a rollercoaster of action and emotions. The two main characters, Nate and his daughter Izzy, are both surviving on a ship after an alien invasion decimates most of the humans aboard. That not bad enough? Well there are also a myriad of creatures onboard now that are hunting them and any other survivors. The characters in this book are extremely well written and the reader gets to see them grow and struggle within these brutal times but make you cheer for them as they try to survive. The story itself was fast paced, thrilling, and sometimes, frightening. The book did have moments where it got a little confusing but I found by the end of the book, everything made sense. I had a lot of negative comments about some of the characters, but as I finished the book, I found I understood their flaws and what made them act the way they did. Overall, this is a wonderful science fiction novel. If you love space, aliens, creepy creatures and action, I definitely recommend picking up this book!

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 4 out of 5]

GOLIATH FALLEN is a complicated Science Fiction, Far Future, novel, with keen world-building accompanying an explosive reader's hook. A trio of Generation Ships have traveled a century and a half from an exhausted and debilitated Earth. When they reach the Alpha Centauri System, a distress signal summons them to a crashed alien vessel, with tragic consequences and a bizarre personalized warning from a "dying" AI.

[Isaac Mariano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few science fiction books regarding spaceships and aliens, and I have to say that Goliath Fallen gets it just right. If you're a fan of the genre, you will feel at home (If that home was a giant crumbling starship bursting with four legged murderous alien hounds set to push you and your kind to extinction.)

Danger is at every corner. Humanity's survival is at stake. But it's not humankind's survival what will get you invested in this tale, but rather the charming characters and their impending doom.

What you see is what you get, the beautiful cover depicts exactly the kinds of gripping encounters and deadly fights throughout the corridors of a spaceship that was once a bastion of hope, but has turned into a drifting coffin.

You will follow the steps of a young daughter and her grizzly father. Their relationship will be put to the test under adverse circumstances. And on their way they will have to work together with unlikely allies and people whose motives and objectives are as mysterious as they are surprising.

I whole heartily recommend Goliath Fallen, it's fun, it's tense and full of action, but it's also a deep father and daughter emotional story.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review. Goliath Fallen is a gorgeous adventure that begins with Commander Viktor Larsson and the crew aboard the Zenith chase the hope that an unknown alien signal that could bring a new place for humanity in the universe. Where the signal takes them crew is too dangerous planet and a haunting experience that cannot be forgotten. Aboard the Goliath, the survivors of humanity fight for their lives a terrifying aliens assault the powerful floating arks, leaving those to eek out a life from the massive wreckage. Poignant and visually visceral; humanity may be knocked around but they won't stop fighting the odds to survive. Highly recommended.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC.

This is a solid sci-fi fantasy that leaves plenty of room for a sequel.

Some of the pacing felt a bit rushed - all of a sudden we're in ALL OUT WAR!!! (?) and some of these characters were ones that I literally just met...maybe I'm very used to world building before you hit me with the action...

I'd read a sequel, I liked Izzy and Nate very much, the action scenes were thoughtful, and the pacing wasn't so jarring that I wouldn't recommend it to a friend. Based on my rating system, that's a solid four.

[merlin513 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, Goliath Fallen.

Starts off by dropping you right into the action. Deep space vessel searching for an alien SOS signal. The valiant captain and crew risk everything to find and attempt to salvage what they can from the ship. So, starts off like 'The Expanse'.

Then the story jumps forward to about 6 months later. Three generation ships, the Goliath, Valhalla and Phoenix, containing the last of humanity are savagely attacked by alien invaders. The same aliens that had disabled the ships from the first few chapters. Now you can add 'The Walking Dead' & to some extent 'Silent Running' into the mix. And you find out that the valiant crew from the first bit were 'maybe' not so heroic after all.

Our intrepid survivors risk everything to reach a jump ship capable of taking them to the Valhalla, where there seems to be a group of survivors holding out against the alien Lurkers, Howlers and Behemoths. Once there they are astounded to discover an alien benefactor helping the beleaguered human survivors against the opposing alien forces. Now you can add 'Edge of Tomorrow' and 'Babylon 5' Vorlons vs. Shadows. This is where the story lost me.

This group is attempting to abandon the Valhalla and reunite with the Phoenix. The last generation ship that was, for some miraculous reason, spared the attacks that crippled the Goliath and the Valhalla and killed over 7/8ths of humanity aboard each vessel.

Then the story jumps ahead 10 years, and now we're on a planet launching an attack against the attacking aliens base.

The book, for me, just had way too much going on and way too many 'he's dead' no psych 'he's alive!' nope wait, 'he's dead again' moments for me. Also, once the alien envoy turned up I was like, Kosh! and I do mean exactly like Kosh once a certain scene happens.

I know a LOT of people have given Goliath Fallen rave reviews but it just didn't hit right for this reader. 3.5 stars.

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

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was ecstatic that I received a free copy of this book from BookSirens. The synopsis captured my attention, and the cover is stunning.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book, since Louis crafts a creepy and unsettling atmosphere. This book kept me engaged to learn more about the discovery from the first mission and to understand what exactly unleashed these horrifying creatures. However, as I made it to the later half, I quickly became dissatisfied. The later half, introduced characters that felt too fantastical and out of place for the world I thought I was in. Ultimately, this ruined the book for me, and I realized that I won’t be able to continue the series.

Overall, this is an action-packed science fiction novel that includes loveable characters. If you don’t mind some fantastical elements in a sci-fi novel, then this may be the book for you. So far other readers have loved this so definitely check out other reviews too since this may just not have been the book for me.

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

[Melissa RS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goliath Fallen is an incredible science fiction thriller that had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

The author's skillful writing and attention to detail made the story feel both terrifying and believable, transporting me to a world where the stakes are high and the danger is ever-present

Overall, Goliath Fallen is a masterful science fiction thriller that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an intense and thought-provoking read. The author's expert storytelling, well-crafted characters, and immersive world-building make for a truly unforgettable experience that will stay with me long after I finished reading.

[Phoenix Seon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off with you on the edge of your seat, and from that point on, it's pretty much non-stop sci-fi action. It has a lot of your trope elements: last human survivors from Earth, looking for a new planet to inhabit, alien invaders who kill everyone but a small number of survivors. It's a solid read, and if I'm looking for a change of pace and a thrill, I'll pick up another of A.C. Louis's books.

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

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable!

I saw this book on Reddit and thought it sounded cool. I’m glad I tried it! All of the characters were likable…except Alex. The story was really interesting and different. Can’t wait for the next book.