The Ninth Age Prophecy is a gripping short story that blurs the lines between reality and the unimaginable, inviting readers to ponder the mysteries of existence and the fabric of time itself.

Synopsis:

Tim’s journey begins with the rediscovery of an old, cryptic manuscript found among his late father's belongings. This document, seemingly from the future, contains dire warnings and instructions intended to prevent the end of the universe.Origin X, a mysterious entity from the future, communicates through the manuscript, revealing an epic conflict between two factions—the Illuminators and the Preservers. While the Illuminators seek to unveil the ultimate truth of existence and then bring it to a close, the Preservers fight to ensure the universe's continued survival and evolution.

Tim's task is clear: a future encounter with a woman named Sarah, seemingly mundane, holds the potential to alter the fate of all existence. Tim must navigate this intricate web of fate, armed only with knowledge from a distant future.

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ABOUT THE EDITOR

ROBBIN RAMOS is a former police officer and a child of New York City, a magna cum laude graduate of Lehman College-CUNY where he was honored with membership in Phi Beta Kappa and won awards for journalism and fiction writing. Currently, he is married and lives in Hartsdale, New York.

The Year’s Best SF 17

is a showcase of the best short form science fiction of 2011, selected by World Fantasy Award winners David Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer, two of the most respected editors in the field of speculative fiction.  Like the previous sixteen volumes of the series that has been called “the finest modern science fiction writing,”

The Year’s Best SF 17

features stories from some of the brightest lights in sf—including Gregory Benford (

Beyond Human

), Nancy Kress (

Beggars in Spain

), James Morrow (

The Philosopher’s Apprentice

), Michael Swanwick (

The Dragons of Babel

) and Neil Gaiman (

American Gods

) —as well as electrifying short stories from exciting newcomers.

An enemy might just have to become an ally . . . in order to save humankind

The United States of North America is now engaged in a civil war with the Earth Confederation, which wants to yield to the demands of the alien Sh'daar, limit human technology, and become a part of the Sh'daar Galactic Collective. USNA President Koenig believes that surrendering to the Sh'daar will ultimately doom humankind.

But when highly advanced, seemingly godlike aliens appear through an artificial wormhole in the Omega Centauri Cluster 16,000 light years from Earth, President Koenig is faced with a tremendous choice: continue fighting the Sh'daar . . . or ally with them against the newcomers in a final war that will settle the fate of more than one universe.

The world I know is flooded. You don't go in the water. You don't touch it. If you do, it will get you, drag you down, and you're gone.

Harry Iskinder knows the rules: Don't touch the water, or it will pull you under; conserve food, or you'll run out at the worst time; use Sundered slaves gently, or they die too quickly to be worthwhile.The Sundered create food. The Sundered create shelter. They're also dying out. In a world lost to deadly flood that kills on contact, Harry thinks he knows the score, but when he claims the magnificent and powerful Sundered One named Aakesh, he quickly finds himself in deep and dangerous water.

~ ~ ~ REVIEWS ~ ~ ~Leah Petersen on Goodreads wrote:There are movies you watch, works of art you see, poems and books you read that you walk away from going "whoa." This was one of them for me.Complete gut-punch-powerful ending that reminded me of the experience of walking away from the big reveal in Ender's Game.Ash2356 on Amazon wrote:The world is very well developed and a mix of Post apocalyptic, Tolkien,and anime. This book is the first in the Among the Mythos series, which is to take place over 15000 years. An ambitious undertaking for an author but after reading this book, I believe Ruthanne Reid is as capable as anyone.BookMom on Goodreads wrote:I can't remember the last time when a book grabbed me from the very start and wouldn't let go. [...] I will say this: It was good.Amazingly,incredibly,surprisingly good. And if this is a sample of Ruthanne Reid's talent, then I hope she continues on releasing books. I'll be first in line to pick them up, no matter what the blurb or genre. She's gained herself a fan.CastleLyons on Amazon wrote:Not very many novels grab me like this one did, nor keep me intrigued throughout, always wanting to pick it up again and find out what's going to happen next. [...] The author did a great job of showing both [Harry's] maturity at trying to be a leader and his insecurity at being so young-a well rounded character! Thank you, Ruthanne, for providing me with some real enjoyment. Oh, and I loved the ending. If I could, I'd give this a ten ... but since the top of our scale is five,that's what I'll assign it. With bells on.

2021 Paranormal Award Winner!

INTO THE STORM by D.J. Adamson offers a gripping and suspenseful thriller that delves into the murky world of illegal trafficking and reality perceptions. The story follows four narratives: Sheriff Boggs, Sheriff of CircleGold County; Jake Cahill, a kidnapped teenager; Major Noah Sears, Special Units officer of the FBI; Chief Moore, Chief of Police of the City of Pinkerton; and Officer Hayworth of the PPD. The story follows each of these protagonists as they find themselves embroiled in a dangerous game of deceit and conspiracy. With its fast-paced plot, unexpected twists, and well-crafted characters, INTO THE STORM keeps readers on the edge of their seats, delivering a thrilling and captivating reading experience.

"Excellent woven thriller with a SciFi twist!"

Are you looking for a best selling sci-fi that is short and punchy, and covers many human, scientific and philosophical concepts; something that will truly rock you to the core? That is how Rod described The Last Gods in his 5-star review on Amazon Australia.

Or are you looking for one of those rare stories that makes you question your reality and leaves you reflecting long after you’ve finished? These are the words used by Shane in his 5-star review on Good Reads but also the sentiment shared in the majority of the reviews left for The Last Gods.

The story follows Elodie Black, who starts as a normal wife with normal problems but ends up living through the eons, allowing us to see how humans and civilization change along the way, challenging the reader to re-think their foundational beliefs. Elodie is challenged to comprehend what it means to be human, when is the right time to die and many more deep philosophical questions. Although it is an epic tale, those who have read the book described this journey as fast paced and generally recommend it for anyone who enjoys a mix of action, emotion, and deep philosophical vibes.

Is this book changing lives?Yes! Alma Arguelles—a serial reviewer on Goodreads—said, “Markus not only carried Elodie… but also saved me from my own dilemma.

Will this book boil up emotions within me?It put tears in Okolo Angel’s eyes, who left a 5-star review on September 8th 2024.

Does it have great character development?The way Elodie Black responded to conflicts and struggles throughout the book were so relatable for one reviewer named Jenna that she felt the book was written about her.

Does The Last Gods have far-fetched technology that seems unrealistic?NO! Jenna Rosesaid in her review that, for her, this book is unlike any other sci-fi in this regard. You aren’t just thrust into some world that you know right away is nothing more than a figment of the author's imagination. You are instead ushered into a future that seems so real it will likely happen—and possibly soon.

Is it a page-turner?Yes! Many of the reviews comment on this fact, including Abdualla, who said “When I was reading the book, I didn’t realize how much time had passed until each section ended… I wanted to see what would happen every time I turned the page. …the book was very concentrated in terms of information, nonetheless … as time passed in the book, it felt like … time for me was passing at the same velocity.”I don’t generally read sci-fi. Would I enjoy this?Possibly! That is what several readers have said, including Edna in her review on Good Reads on October 5th 2024, where she said, “I don’t usually read many sci-fi books, but I really enjoyed reading The Last Gods. Once I started reading it, I could not stop…

Will it challenge me and help me grow as a person?According to Emily in her 5-star review on Amazon, this book will quite possibly make you question your beliefs! And she was quite impressed that it “pulled this off in less than 200 hundred pages … effortlessly!” Another reviewer, Jasmin, who also left a rave review on Amazon, said it had the same effect on her, adding that for her it's rare that a book has such an effect.Download the book today, have an experience you will remember for a long time, and leave your 5-star review tomorrow.