Books like 'Rainbow Man'
Readers who enjoyed Rainbow Man by M.J. Engh also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
sc-fi space military, war & conflict religion classics space-travel dystopia exploration aliens invasion
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Elvians by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTwo crises challenge the Omnians. Alex Racine’s fleet draws a first-contact conflict, which faces the Ollassa, a symbiotic flora race. The Omnian fleet sails from alliance space in an effort to interdict an alien ship that arrives at the Worlds of Lights, the Ollassa system. Soon after arriving, the alien ship deploys machines to scour asteroids for resources in the system’s far belt... -
Jatouche by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsPyre’s humans suffer multiple cultural shocks. They discovered the Messinants dome, an ancient construction that houses a quantum-coupled gate. More shocking, they find that sentient alien races utilize a network of these domes to journey between their far distant worlds in pursuit of alliance matters... -
Veklocks by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA triumvirate of Veklocks, emissaries of the Tsargit, the alliance governing body, negotiates with Harbour, the Pyrean envoy, about critical projects the Pyreans need. But it’s possible that the Veklocks ask for too much in return. The Veklocks require the Pyreans to explore the extent of the Colony’s usurpation of domes. The Colony is composed of two insectoid species, the grays and the reds... -
Nua'll by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe Omnian expeditionary fleet sails for the faraway place they call “the wall.” The worlds of humankind have consolidated their resources to create a powerful armada to confront the alien federation.During the Omnians’ previous encounter with an alien fleet at the wall, the Nua’ll comm sphere spoke to them in multiple languages...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult audiobook -
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Artifice by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThe great spheres and probes of Artifice, humankind’s enemy, haunt every inhabited world near and far. The Omnians’ long and arduous search for Artifice has ended. They’ve located Artifice’s lair in the Talus system. The sentient digital entity rules a vast swath of worlds, known as the federacy, through ruthless intimidation... -
The Legend of ZERO: Forgotten by Sara King
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt's been 819 years since Congress abandoned humanity to a Stone Age fate on an Earth infested with man-eating monsters, and now the galactic government, in all its benevolence, has come back to force humanity back into citizen status in its great collective......Except this time, thanks to Prime Commander Dobbs, humanity has a surprise for our alien conquerors... -
Interstellar Justice by Jamie Davis, Michael Anderle
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOld Villains, New Enemies, Same Squadron of Misfits.Beau and the pilots of Lone Wolf Squadron have settled into their Marshal duties on the Federation Frontier.Now colonies old and new call out for Lone Wolf Squadron to bring justice. On a wing and a prayer is the order of the day as they take on evil at the edges of civilization once again... -
Obliteration by Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA new evil lurks in the darkness. The crew is relieved by Dejoure’s perplexing ability to soothe the monster, but that won’t keep them safe for long.Precious Galaxy Coffee Company is under constant attack. Someone wants to take out the biggest giant in the galaxy. The team goes after the other databases only to learn something that changes everything. Vance is always one step ahead of them...Categorized as:
aliens invasion exploration first-contact space-travel sci-fi genetic-engineering young-adult -
Determination by Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA new evil lurks in the darkness Bailey and Lewis are more determined than ever to find Ricky Bobby’s missing crew.Monstre Corp knows they are on the hunt, and Solomon Vance isn’t letting them get close. The monster is still out there, a threat they can’t stop. Jack decides the only way to win is to fake their own deaths. If Vance believes they’re dead, he’ll let down his guard...Categorized as:
aliens invasion exploration first-contact space-travel sci-fi genetic-engineering young-adult -
Junkyard Spaceship by Jamie McFarlane
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsWhen aliens threaten his country, one grumpy old vet will take the fight to the stars.Albert Jenkins would like nothing more than to putter around his junkyard, selling parts and working on old cars. When an alien spacecraft is shot down by US Air Defense and crash lands on his newly rebuilt home, he’s dragged back into the fight of his life...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult audiobook -
Junkyard Veterans by Jamie McFarlane
Rated: 4.53 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsWith a price on their heads, grumpy old vets will risk everything to bring alien assassins to justice.Someone is killing off the old team of vets who repelled Earth’s first Korgul invasion. With the end of a war precious few even knew was happening, life’s been peaceful... -
Fractured Union by Craig A. Falconer, James Patrick Cronin
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe long-awaited fourth book in the globally acclaimed Not Alone series is finally here!New to the series? Catch up on the first three books today with the best-selling Contact Trilogy box set, containing these books for one incredible price.Some doors aren't meant to be opened...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel adult alternate-history audiobook -
Refuge by Glynn Stewart
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsA dying world, shattered by a broken machineA desperate flight, their only hope for refugeA robotic race, ally and destroyer alikeThe Republic of Exilium has grown in strength and confidence at the far end of the galaxy from the rest of mankind, sending out scout ships to survey the worlds around them as they try to learn more about the mysterious Construction Matrix AIs... -
Omnia by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAlex Racine, who led an elite group of humans and SADEs (self-ware digital entities), left the newly discovered planet of Celus-5 under difficult circumstances. Few of the Harakens with Alex thought there was little he could do to bring peace to the embroiled planet...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult audiobook -
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Vigilance by Ken Lozito
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsThey’ve spent years exploring this world, but they were living on borrowed time. Only they didn’t know it. Six months ago, Connor learned what the alien race that populated New Earth feared—a mysterious enemy who nearly brought about the collapse of an entire civilization. To help the colony prepare for this new threat, Connor rejoins the Colonial Defense Force... -
Celus-5 by S.H. Jucha
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsFor the Sojourn’s initial mission, the Haraken explorer ship undertakes the investigation of Celus-5, a world identified by Willem, a SADE (self-aware digital entity), and his team of scientists, as the best prospect for a new colony.What should be a routine survey mission becomes a disaster. To the Harakens’ surprise, they discover, not one, but two alien species engaged in conflict...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult audiobook -
USS Jefferson: Charge of the Symbios by Mark Wayne McGinnis
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 15 ratings"McGinnis has pulled another rip-roaring page-turner out of his hat," Ben StratAfter the recent near-destruction of the USS Hamilton, Captain Galvin Quintos has been lying low, getting the USS Jefferson ready for service. In the midst of refurbishing the vessel, he gets a call for help from his former XO, new starship captain Gail Pristy... -
Salvation Lost by Peter F. Hamilton
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 30 ratingsThe comparative utopia of twenty-third century Earth is about to go dreadfully awry when a seemingly benign alien race is abruptly revealed to be one of the worst threats humanity has ever faced. Driven by an intense religious extremism, the Olyix are determined to bring everyone to their version of god as they see it...Categorized as:
aliens dystopia exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult -
Crystals by Jonathan P. Brazee
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWar with the aliens has broken out, and they seem to have all the advantages. Engineers and scientists are scrambling to develop weapons to stand up to the threat, but when all is said and done, it is the Navy fighter pilots who have to take the fight to the enemy... -
Endure by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe journey of the starship Pioneer continues in the fourth thrilling installment of the Forgotten Starship series.The ship is in dire straits, deep behind enemy lines and on the verge of capture. While Tyson fights to prepare a defense, other forces work to ensure his ultimate failure as they seek to claim one of Pioneer’s few remaining secrets... -
Evolve by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSeries Finale!The starship Pioneer’s voyage is coming to an end, and it won’t be like anything the passengers or crew could have imagined.If any of them survive to see it.Pioneer needs to reach the Forge, but the Forge is surrounded by the enemy’s massive fleet, which is preparing to launch an assault that could leave the station in ruins... -
The Line of Duty by Rick Partlow
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsDanger stalks the Republic once again. Raiders hijack their starships, biological weapons slaughter their colonists, and terrorists kill thousands of innocents in their mega-cities…and as the head of Fleet Intelligence, it’s Jason McKay’s job to track down the enemy, whether they’re on a world at the edge of known space or in the midst of a corrupt government... -
Ace by Jonathan Brazee
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAlien Crystals don't recognize human boundaries. The Navy of Humankind has to hold them back. Small fighters in the vastness of space. Joint Task Force Iron Shield stands ready. Too small to defend everywhere, they need intel so they can go on the attack. Maximize their firepower. Maximize their impact. The Crystals do not know fear. They are coming for what they want... -
The Pike Chronicles Books 1-8 - A Space Opera Adventure by G.P. Hudson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOver 3,000 pages of military science fiction action adventure. "An epic space opera adventure" The 1st 8 hit space operas from The Pike Chronicles. Book 1: Sol Shall Rise The Sol System was conquered and humans lived as slaves for 500 long years. Now, after years of brutal warfare, humanity has been liberated...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel adult anthologies colonization -
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Stardust by Edward W. Robertson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe invaders have arrived. The last battle for humanity is about to begin. STARDUST is the final book in the Rebel Stars series... -
Judgment Day by Rick Partlow
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsWe’ve won a battle…but we’re losing the war.Travis Miller, his image reformed from the moron who screwed up our first contact with aliens to one of the heroes of the Battle for Eden, is given a new assignment: retake the occupied colony of Brigantia. Losing it would be a glancing blow to the Tahni Imperium, but it would Earth’s first solid strike against them, a chance to go on the offensive... -
Emerge by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAfter 100 years crossing the expanse, the generation starship Pioneer is nearly halfway to her destination. The horrors of her first few days in space have been erased by time and forgotten by the residents of the city nestled inside.But all good things must come to an end.Deputy Niko Nori finds that out the hard way... -
Ashes of War by Kevin O. McLaughlin
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe alien Naga tried to destroy all life on Earth, but what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Six months ago we fought a short but devastating war against the invaders. Our ships burned, and whole cities were annihilated, but we defeated them. Now out of the ashes rises a new Space Force, led by the heroes from that final terrible battle... -
Delphi Envoy by Bob Blanton
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsCatie finally gets to go visit all the other civilizations known to the Paraxians. She is supposed to get them to join the Delphi League. But things don't go as smoothly as she expects. For some reason, there's resistance to anything she does. Come along and help Catie uncover the secrets on Aperanje...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure audiobook book -
Destruction by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe Deliverance isn’t alone.That’s not a surprise. The planet was chosen for a reason.But the situation is more dire than Caleb ever imagined. The enemy he’s encountered isn’t the enemy he was seeking, and the conflict is expanding in ways he can barely conceive... -
The Final Call by Craig A. Falconer
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThey came in peace. But that was last time… As the world gears up for the first anniversary of Contact Day, Dan McCarthy’s year-long effort to stay out of the limelight collapses in an instant...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel adult alternate-history audiobook -
Hope Everlasting by J.N. Chaney
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsJourney down the road to Everlasting. Terry is on the run, having escaped from prison and killed its overseer. He and his friend Ludo need to find a way to get to the northern border. That's where Ludo's wife is being held, but time is of the essence. If they don't hurry, she'll be sacrificed to the gods as part of some barbaric ceremony...Categorized as:
aliens dystopia exploration first-contact invasion space-travel anthologies apocalyptic -
Prelude to Extinction by Andreas Karpf
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEarth's first interstellar mission -- An alien colony in ruins -- Their fight for survival has only just begun.When Jack Harrison climbed down the short ladder from the airlock and stepped onto the debris covered soil, the ground crackled with the sound of dried leaves and twigs...Categorized as:
aliens dystopia exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure adult -
Gravity Flux by Toby Neighbors
Rated: 4.48 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsThe Modulus Echo is the most wanted ship in the galaxy. When Ben rebuilt the Echo from salvaged parts on the junk world of Torrent Four, he never imagined that he would become a wanted man, or that he would ever return to his home planet. Yet somehow, that is exactly what happened... -
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Delphi Embassy by Bob Blanton
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsAfter the Delphi League defeats the Fazullan invasion of Onisiwo, Catie is tasked with managing the Onisiwoen transition to the Delphi League as well as the repatriation of all the slaves from the Fazullan fleet. She has to navigate the complex diplomatic circles as different interests complete for advantage in the new age of interstellar trade...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure book colonization -
The Forgotten Empire: The Confederation and The Empire at War by Raymond L. Weil, Julie Weil Thomas
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsFrom USA Today best-selling author Raymond L. Weil, and his daughter Julie, comes the fifth book in his newest military science fiction series.The war between the Human Empire and the Confederation has reached a turning point as the Humans are now poised to attack the Confederation in their own area of space. Few Humans have ever entered the Confederation and returned alive... -
Declaration by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsSERIES FINALE! The Deliverance is on the brink of destruction. The planet is more dangerous than anyone realized - the crossroads of a war millennia in the making - and the colony is Ground Zero. But the courage of a few can move mountains, and the fight isn’t lost yet. The enemy thinks they have Caleb right where they want him. They ought to think again... -
Forgotten Colony: The Complete Series by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsGET ALL FIVE BOOKS IN THIS EPIC MILITARY SCI-FI ADVENTURE BY MILLION-COPY+ BESTSELLER M.R. FORBES!The war is over. Earth is lost. Running is the only option.It may already be too late.Caleb is a former Marine Raider and commander of the Vultures, a search and rescue team that's spent the last two years pulling high-value targets out of alien-ravaged cities and shipping them off-world... -
Entropy by M.R. Forbes
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe generation starship Pioneer continues her centuries-long journey across the vastness of space. Joseph has returned to hibernation. The passengers are safe.For now.When the ship suffers an unexpected malfunction, Preslan is brought in to help identify the source. Joining Tyson on the bridge, it isn’t long before they determine there’s more to the anomaly than meets the eye.Much, much more... -
Modulus Echo by Toby Neighbors
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsYou don’t know what’s coming… Humanity is in danger… The Krah have found our weaknesses, and nothing will ever be the same. An experimental device was used in a last ditch effort to save the crew of the Modulus Echo. The result was more deadly than anyone anticipated. A portal has opened to a new galaxy, a tunnel connecting two distant points of space... -
The Acheron: A Military Sci-Fi Series by Rick Partlow
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsSandi and Ash never set out to be heroes.She joined the Fleet to please her mother, the Admiral. He signed up to escape the grinding poverty of the Housing Blocks. And the unlikely friends envisioned boring, peacetime careers as shuttle pilots. The Tahni Imperium had other ideas.. -
Any Port in a War by Tim Marquitz, Michael Anderle
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA battle. A spaceship crashes on an alien planet. Its combat troops deploy. The aliens run for their lives. Until they can run no more. Then they fight back. Against a superior enemy, technology is key. But the aliens don’t have better tech. They have grit and catlike reflexes. And tails. Taj fights to unite a determined populace against a professional military vying for the planet’s future... -
Interstellar War by G.P. Hudson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA homeland in ashes. A merciless ancient enemy. A vicious new foe. A galaxy convulsing with war. With humanity on the brink of annihilation, only one option remains, Interstellar War. Can Jon Pike achieve victory, and revenge, for himself and humanity? Find out in Interstellar War, Book 5 of The Pike Chronicles... -
Marooned: Legacy War Book 4 by John Walker
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA Ship in Crisis While on a mission to deny their enemies a powerful artifact, the Gnosis is dragged to the surface of an alien world in a remote corner of the galaxy. As they evaluate their damage and attempt to discover what has happened, they discover they are not alone. Other ships have been stranded in the same way and their crews are desperate to escape... -
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Portals by Ann Christy
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe world sees the portals as an invasion. For Lysa, they're an invitation. The portals appeared without warning. Every thirteen minutes they take a thousand humans, leaving exact duplicates in their place. Now, chaos reigns and no one is sure anyone is still the person they knew. Whoever is sending the portals has destroyed human society without firing a shot...Categorized as:
aliens dystopia exploration first-contact invasion space-travel action-adventure book -
Earth Machines by Daniel Arenson, Jeffrey Kafer
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsMachines. They fly our starships. Mine our asteroids. Connect us to one another. They serve us without question. But what if the machines rebelled? We call it the Singularity. The day the machines wake up. A day that can destroy humanity. Marco and Addy are heroes, veterans of the Alien Wars. Today they are civilians, married, and peacefully raising a family. That peace will soon shatter... -
Earth Aflame by Daniel Arenson, Jeffrey Kafer
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Singularity has come. The machines have risen. Our robots, once loyal servants, now slaughter us. Our cars, planes, and starships have become machines of death. Cyborgs roam the land, deforming humans, growing their twisted army. Is a heartless, mechanized hell our future? A faint hope shines. Heroes still fight. Famous names. Einav. Marco. Addy. Lailani. The heroes of the Alien Wars... -
Earth Unleashed by Daniel Arenson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIt begins. The final battle between man and machine. Earth burns. The Dreamer, a cruel artificial intelligence, brutalizes our world. His robots reduce our cities to ash. His cyborgs march by the millions. Humanity is now an endangered species. But we still fight! A band of heroes undertakes a dangerous quest. Some call it a suicide mission... -
Deep Dive: Legacy War Book 5 by John Walker, Elias Stern
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe terrorist threat of the Tol’An intensifies, forcing humanity and their allies to attempt a desperate experiment in order to gain the upper hand. They know there are additional Orbs somewhere in the galaxy. Finding them is the trick but if they can establish a connection with their own devices, they just might be able to pinpoint their locations... -
Legacy of War: The Complete Series (Books 1-3): First Encounter, Enemy Lines, Invasion Force by Joshua James, Daniel Young
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsA fragile truce hides a deadly deceit.INCLUDES THE COMPLETE LEGACY OF WAR SERIES PLUS A SNEAK PEEK AT THE NEW SERIES!A century ago, an alien fleet attacked Earth. After decades of bitter war, a truce was struck. The aliens disappeared. Humanity stood down.But the captain of the aging battleship Walker Pierce will never forget...Categorized as:
aliens exploration first-contact invasion space-travel anthologies fiction genetic-engineering
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