Synopses & Reviews
Plagued by overpopulation, disease, and starvation, humanity was headed for extinction—until an alien race called the haan arrived. And then the real trouble began. It’s been a rough day for Sam Shao. As part of a program that requires humans to act as surrogates to haan infants, Sam has been genetically enhanced to bond with them. So when three soldiers invade her apartment and arrest her guardian for smuggling a dangerous weapon into the country, Sam can sense that something isn’t right. One of his abductors is a haan masquerading as a human, and the supposedly fragile haan seems to be anything but. Racing through the city slums, trying to stay one step ahead of the mysterious haan soldier, Sam tries to find the man who, in her twenty years, has been the only father she’s ever known. Could he truly have done what he is accused of? Or did he witness something both human and haan would kill to keep hidden? The only thing certain is that the weapon is real—and lost now somewhere in a city of millions. Fighting the clock, Sam finds an ally in Nix, a haan envoy devoted to coexisting with humans, or so it seems. But what she really needs are answers. Fast. Or else everything she knows—and everyone she loves—will burn.
Review
“Fast-paced, gritty, suspenseful.”—Hugo Award-winning author Robert J. Sawyer “Between the bone crack tension, the fertile cascade of ideas, and the neon bright setting, The Burn Zone is a hell of a ride.”—National Bestselling Author Richard Kadrey “Fast, unrelenting, and uncompromising, The Burn Zone is an adventure you won’t want to miss.”—New York Times bestselling author Mira Grant
Review
Praise for the Mindspace Investigations series
“A wonderful genre blend of old-style detective stories and supernatural, with a flawed hero and a fascinating take on a world that outlaws technology.”—All Things Urban Fantasy
“A grim and gritty police detective series, with a bit of science fiction mixed into an almost pulp-noir setting…a great series for both mystery lovers and those that enjoy a bit of sci-fi.”—News and Sentinel (Parkersburg, WV)
“[Adam] is very well developed and written. Fans of Jim Butcher will enjoy this series.”—USA Today
“Alex Hughes spins stories like wizards spin spells…a stellar debut!”—James R. Tuck, author of the Deacon Chalk series
“A fun blend of Chinatown and Blade Runner.”—James Knapp, author of State of Decay
“[A] tightly written futuristic detective story set in an alternate Atlanta.…This crisp debut marks Hughes as a writer to watch.”—Publishers Weekly
“[A] fast-paced sci-fi yarn.…Reminds me very much (and very fondly) of Jim Butchers Dresden Files.”—SF Signal
“Fans will want more by Alex Hughes.”—SFRevu
Synopsis
FORESEE NO EVIL.
Freelancing for the Atlanta PD isnt exactly a secure career; my jobs been on the line almost as much as my life. But its a paycheck, and it keeps me from falling back into the drug habit. Plus, things are looking up with my sometimes-partner, Cherabino, even if she is still simmering over the telepathic Link I created by accident.
When my ex, Kara, shows up begging for my help, I find myself heading to the last place I ever expected to set foot in againGuild headquartersto investigate the death of her uncle. Joining that group was a bad idea the first time. Going back when Im unwanted is downright dangerous.
Luckily, the Guild needs me more than theyre willing to admit. Karas uncle was acting strange before he diedcrazy strange. In fact, his madness seems to be slowly spreading through the Guild. And when an army of powerful telepaths loses their marbles, suddenly its a game of life or death.
About the Author
Alex Hughes has written since early childhood, and loves great stories in any form including scifi, fantasy, and mystery. Over the years, Alex has lived in many neighborhoods of the sprawling metro Atlanta area. Decatur, the neighborhood on which Clean is centered, was Alex's college home. On any given week you can find Alex in the kitchen cooking gourmet Italian food, watching hours of police procedural dramas, and typing madly. Marked is the third in the Mindspace Investigations series, following Sharp and Clean.