Science Fiction and Fantasy Novels Archives - Page 19 of 42

50 Years since landmark book The Left Hand of Darkness #SciFi #WriteLGBTQ #HugoAwards

Kayelle Allen 11/28/2021 Science Fiction Books 2 Comments

The Left Hand of Darkness

50th Anniversary Edition (Ace Science Fiction)
by Ursula K Le Guin
Foreword by David Mitchell

50th anniversary edition—with a new introduction by David Mitchell and a new afterword by Charlie Jane Anders.

Ursula K Le Guin's groundbreaking work of science fiction—winner of the Hugo and Nebula Awards.

From the Amazon book page:

A lone human ambassador is sent to the icebound planet of Winter, a world without sexual prejudice, where the inhabitants' gender is fluid. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization.

But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the strange, intriguing culture he encounters...

Embracing the aspects of psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness stands as a landmark achievement in the annals of intellectual science fiction.

---

I read this book the first time many years ago, when I was developing the concept of my Chiasmii people. A Chiasma would be fully male and fully female, but would alter between the two genderphases (San - female, and Pter - male) every three months or so. In the "between times" they would be gender fluid. Pregnancy was avoided by avoiding penetration during the female phase. They were telepathic, and universally blond-haired and blue-eyed.

Unknown to them, they had been created to be "genetic vessels" capable of being impregnated by their own seed, creating a single-parent host. This provided ample room for added DNA, which could turn them into other creatures.

In my current story universe, it's been thousands of years since their creator contacted them, and they have only fleeting memories of myths to remind them.

Reading this book inspired me in so many ways. I highly recommend it.

Available Everywhere

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

“But I don’t want to adult” #Excerpt from A Stolen Heart #Family #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 11/26/2021 Character Insights

Earlier, one of the other Deshais had brought a policewoman to the house, and idBot (the security company Luc owns) discovered she'd left behind trackules - a type of spyware. Luc needs to go out to deal with a related issue.

Excerpt from A Stolen Heart

Outside Luc's bedroom door, he met Nikko as the young man came up the stairs. A glance told Luc what he needed to know; idBot had informed everyone.

Senthys squirmed, so Luc set the boy down.

"Nikko?" The boy tapped his brother on the leg. "Can you take care of me? Please?"

"What? You know it. I'll always take care of you, Senth." He turned back to Luc. "I'm sorry I doubted you. Why would Orella do that?"

Luc locked his door. "There's no proof she did it on purpose."

"I don't get it." The young Deshai looked at him askance. "First you accuse her, and now you defend her?"

"Nikko?" Senthys tugged on the young man's hand. "Will you play with me and my bears? Please?"

"Not yet, Senth."

The boy sulked. "But I said please. Ms. Fasra says when someone says please then you are supposed to do it."

"Yes, you did, and she's right." Nikko squatted. "But adults can't always stop what they're doing and play. Even if they want to. Sometimes we have to do adult things first."

An unfortunate truth. Like hunting monsters when you'd prefer rocking a sweet little boy to sleep and putting him into bed where he was safe. Luc slid one hand into a pocket.

Senthys pouted. "But I don't want to adult."

"I don't either sometimes. Neither does Luc." Nikko flashed a smile up at him. "Right?"

"Exactly right."

"Then play with me."

"In a few minutes." Nikko stood.

The boy gave an exaggerated sigh. "Okay."

"Um..." Nikko hesitated. "What were we talking about?"

"Orella and trackules. I never accused her. I said I suspected there might be spyware. Shohn Lexius at idBot thinks she might have been dusted with trackules without her knowledge, and I agree. I doubt Orella would jeopardize her relationship with Kaydn."

"Okay, I can see that. But how could she be dusted and not know?"

"I plan to investigate, that, Nikko. I hope she didn't do it herself. Now, I'm going to need help with something important. Who else is home?"

"I'm here," Brinn called out, coming up the stairs. He stepped out onto the second floor.

Holding his bears, Senthys ran over to him. "Will you take care of me, please?"

"Take care of you?" Brinn gave Luc and Nikko a questioning look. "You know it, little brother."

"Can we play?"

"Sure. In a few minutes. I have to talk to Luc first."

"Okay." Senthys heaved a drawn-out groan. "I know. You have to adult."

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

New book fair with Paranormal, plus Science Fiction & Fantasy @AldreaAlien @BethanyShaw77 @JennaCollett28 #Fantasy #UrbanFantasy #PNR #Romance

Kayelle Allen 11/23/2021 Colonies of Man

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

New Sci-Fi – the Void War (Empire Rising Book 1) by DJ Holmes #SciFi #SpaceOpera

Kayelle Allen 11/21/2021 Science Fiction Books

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

An exciting beginning: Vengeance Lost by JL Stowers #SpaceOpera #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 11/07/2021 Science Fiction Books

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

Find your next read at a PNR & Fantasy #BookFair #Paranormal #Fantasy #SciFi

Kayelle Allen 11/02/2021 Fantasy Books

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

Artwork: Son, where is your tie? #SciFiArt #SciFi #MFRWhooks

Kayelle Allen 10/27/2021 Immortal Empires 1 Comment

The banner above was one of the first homepage images on my site. I love it! It was created for me by Laura Givens. She was the cover artist for many of my books, pre-indie. In this image, she put all the guys in tuxedos and grouped them as if they were at a party.

Everyone is either looking at Senth (on the right), or glancing at Luc on the left. Luc is giving Senth a serious look because Senth has lost his tie. In case you’re not familiar with the stories, Luc is Senth’s adoptive father, having reared him from age three.

The Kin who is just to the right of Luc is Jawk Brighton. He had a fling with Luc while Luc was still in a relationship with Wulf Gabriel (center, with a bow tie).

I really love how Laura captured Wulf's smile and personality -- he is a supermodel and always looks amazing. In one book, Luc muses that Wulf's smile is in half the dentist offices in the Empire.

In the background to the right of Jawk is Alitus Vivaldi. Alitus is the Minister of Imperial Intelligence for the Imperial Armada, and up until the book Jawk, Tales of the Chosen, had been in an exclusive relationship with Empress Rheyn Destoiya.

When Luc and Wulf had a falling out, Alitus comforted Wulf, who was also a Chosen. They became partners in spying for the empress, and much closer than friends, much to Luc’s dismay.

Between Wulf and Senth is the blond-haired and blue-eyed Khyff Antonello, Senth’s half brother. He is checking out Luc's reaction.

With the exception of Jawk, these guys are in almost every book I've written set in the Tarthian Empire.

I thought it would be fun to see this art, especially as it reveals so much about their personalities.

Read more →

Starshine: Aurora Rising (Amaranthe 1) by GS Jennsen @GSJennsen #SciFi #Cyberpunk

Kayelle Allen 10/26/2021 Science Fiction Books

Humanity has expanded into the stars, inhabiting over 100 worlds across a third of the galaxy. Though thriving as never before, they have discovered neither alien life nor the key to utopia. Earth struggles to retain authority over far-flung planets and free-wheeling corporations while an uneasy armistice with a breakaway federation hangs by a thread as the former rebels rise in wealth and power.

Alexis Solovy is Earth Alliance royalty, her father a fallen war hero and her mother an influential military leader. But she seeks only the freedom of space and has made a fortune by reading the patterns in the chaos to discover the hidden wonders of the stars.

Nothing about her latest objective suggests the secret it conceals will turn her life-- not to mention the entire galaxy--upside down. But a chance encounter with a mysterious spy leads to a discovery which will thrust Alex into the middle of a galactic power struggle and a sinister conspiracy, whether she likes it or not.

Available on Amazon

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →

The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by CL Schneider @cl_schneider #Fantasy #Magic

Kayelle Allen 10/17/2021 Fantasy Books

With defeat imminent, he defies the queen's orders and wields the Crown of Stones: an ancient relic of untold power. Unaware of the artifact's true nature, he ends the war, but pays a terrible price.

A decade later, Ian is still running from the blood in his veins and on his hands. Curbing his cravings with wine and regret, he struggles to forget. But when a fateful encounter with a pretty assassin brings him down that dark path again, Ian's addiction is awakened--and denial is no longer an option. With the realm he gave up everything to protect once more in jeopardy, Ian becomes embroiled in a violent race for control of the Crown of Stones. As deceptions unfold, his path becomes clear. To save the realms, he must embrace the one thing he fears most: his own power.

Magic-Price is the award-winning first installment in The Crown of Stones Trilogy.

Available on Amazon

You'll find these characters mentioned in many books in my story universe.
Download a printable book list and check them off as you read.

Download a printable book list or a list of trigger warnings for all books. Claim your immortality by signing up for my newsletter

Immortal Reviews Rock & Rule - Join the Review Team

~ Copyright ©2025 Kayelle Allen. All rights reserved ~ Kayelle Allen participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program which provides the means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com. If you purchase an item listed on the site from Amazon.com, Kayelle will earn a small commission. Other sites might be affiliate links as well. These will not result in higher prices for you. Thank you for your support!

My characters may be found in multiple books in my story universe. Pietas images from Nik Nitsvetov Pietas cosplays.

Read more →