Strangelets With a Side of Grilled Spam: Episode One

Strangelets #1

by Michael Angel

"...A slam-bang science fiction story!"
- Dean Wesley Smith, USA Today Bestselling Author


After spending more than 21 months on the Top 100 Lists, Strangelets Episode One takes us further into the post-apocalyptic world of the original short story. This new, expanded tale is being released as a set of 24-30K word ‘Episodes’.


Episodes Two and Three are now available, with Episode Four to come in Mid-Summer 2013!


***


Pursued by packs of deadly 'steelies', Lieutenant MacWilliams and his Humvee crew journey through an America shattered by an alien invasion. An America where humanity must battle for their very survival from their base at the Big Box Mart, forging alliances over a slab of grilled Spam.


Things look grim...until MacWilliams comes across something that could turn the tide.


But will humanity be snuffed out by a horde of steelies just as it discovers a ray of hope?


***


The 26,000 word novella 'Strangelets with a Side of Grilled Episode One' also includes preview chapters of the ‘Fantasy & Forensics’ novel, Centaur of the Crime.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Michael Angel's fictional worlds range from the former Soviet province of Ozrabek to the magic-filled realm of Andeluvia.

His eBooks, audio books, and paperbacks populate shelves in 12 different languages. However, despite keeping a keen eye out for globe-trotting epidemiologists, unicorns, or galactic marshals, none have yet put in an appearance on Hollywood Boulevard.

THE PLAGUE WALKER PANDEMIC MEDICAL THRILLERS~
The Devil's Noose
The Reaper's Scythe
The Blood Zone
The Wildfire Pathogen
The Plague Walker (A Leigh Austen Short Thriller)

FANTASY & FORENSICS ~
Centaur of the Crime
The Deer Prince's Murder
Grand Theft Griffin
A Perjury of Owls
Forgery of the Phoenix
Assault in the Wizard Degree
Trafficking in Demons
A Warrant of Wyverns
The Conspiracy of Unicorns
Dragon with a Deadly Weapon
Forensics and Dragon Fire (Fantasy & Forensics Novella)

APOCALYPSE WITH A SIDE OF GRILLED SPAM ~
Episode One
Episode Two
Episode Three
Episode Four
Season One Compilation

STANDALONE SF/F NOVELS~
The Detective & The Unicorn
The Wizard, The Warlord, and The Hidden Woman
I Married the Third Horseman

THE AMANDA LOVE UNIVERSE ~
A Shovelful of Stars
Pay To Pray
Dogfight
A Planet Torn
Fringe Space Tales (Amanda Love Compilation)

COLLECTIONS & SHORTS~
Never Mind the Princess, Save the *Dragon*
Treasure of the Silver Star
Sylph
Gatekeeper and Goddess
So a Dragon, a Muse, and an Alien Walk Into a Bar...
Predators and Prey
Deepest Fears
Three Acts of Courage
Strange Powers, Stranger Places
Crisis Points
Love's Origins
Cyber Son
Cantaloupes and Wild Shoshone
Vala Staffwielder
Little Girl Lost
Love's Labors and Lies
The Haute Couture Time Traveler
Blood, Sweat, and Fears (an 18-story compendium)

Michael Angel's welcome mat is out at MichaelAngelWriter.weebly.com. Or, feel free to stop by and say 'hello' to the kind folks who publish his material at BantyHenPublishing.com.

Reviews

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action-packed sci-fi story that is sure to have you gripping the pages tightly!

Totally unexpected and spectacular this post-apocalyptic/ paranormal novella was surprisingly exciting. Set within a unique world filled with deadly ‘steelies’ and wreckage, is a heart pounding adventure just waiting to begin. Lieutenant MacWilliams and his crew travel across America fighting for their lives, spreading the word about something that brings hope. The past history is explained clearly so that you gain an insight into what happened, as you examine this harsh outcome of the cataclysm. Character-driven and full of dry humor and wit this enjoyable, compelling read is totally engaging.

Brought to mind instantly was “The war of the worlds” as the author captures that chilling fear of danger in every page, with alien enemies that cause such destruction. This is a very short book which only took me several hours to read, as something ‘light’ and quick. My only disappointment was that I felt it could have been longer ~ the author could have written about the events before in more depth, hence adding to the unfolding drama that you read about. I did feel that I was jolted a bit too suddenly into the action and into this world; a story that I would have liked expanded to expose even more of the author’s inspired vision.

As a fan of science-fiction I was greatly impressed by this explosive story that exceeded and surpassed all my expectations. For those avid readers of this genre I would highly recommend this fantastic tale.

*I won a copy of “Strangelets with a side of grilled spam: episode one” by Michael Angel through a Goodreads, First-Read giveaway.*

[Gerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

How good is Michael Angel's Strangelets...? Here's what it did to me:
I was reading the latest Jack Reacher novel when I received a tweet announcing the publication of Strangelets with a Side of Grilled Spam. I had read and loved several of Michael's stories (Adventures of Amanda Love and The Detective and the Unicorn), so I interrupted my reading for a moment to take a look at a sample of Strangelets...
I never got back to Jack Reacher, not until I'd read all four volumes of Strangelets... It's the kind of fascinating science fiction that satisfies an entire spectrum of fandom. There's aliens, of course, but their half bio and have mecho. There's warfare, but the humans are losing and very much on the brink of extinction. There's plenty of brand new, innovative near-future tech, and not just weapons.
But that's not all. We meet an artificial intelligence with personality and a heart, and she's not the only romantic element. There's scientists whose experiments start all the trouble then struggle to contain it, military brass both good and bad, and non-commissioned grunts whose dirty hands win real wars.
There's movement, lots of movement. The heroes move physically around the familiar Midwest, which as been transformed into a most unfamiliar and deadly wasteland. They also move intellectually, as they attempt desperately to understand these most puzzling of aliens. And, best of all, as my "moment to look at a sample" shows, the story moves the reader–right out of the present into a future whose outcome is always in doubt.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not normally one to read science fiction. Not that much of a fan of paranormal. But given that I tend to like books with great characters who come to life in voice and intention, I decided to give this novella a try based on the recommendation of my daughter.

The author does a great job of explaining what you need to know with regards to the science behind the cause of the Day Zero event. I felt I understood enough to accept the premise. What I really enjoyed was the way the author captured the personalities of the three main characters. I could follow the dialog as well as action of each without backtracking to see who-said-what. Each character really has their own voice which comes through in the writing.

I'm a real fan of great relationships...and again, this story delivers there. I am looking forward to seeing what develops between Mac and Keys. (note to Michael Angel: don't you dare disappoint!!)

[Pasi Kupiainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tightly packed action/adventure. Good thing is that there is not an abundance of side characters who do not contribute to the storyline. Action is well described and the hypothesis on world end is new.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I selected the book because of the title. I wasn't expecting the story to take my breath away. Thank goodness for the author's excellent ability to interject humor into such darkness and impossible odds. Reminded me a bit of SAHARA, staring Matthew McConaughey as Dirk Pitt. I received this book from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.

[Laurie Denegar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this book a very slow read. I had expected this book to be a fast read, one that would be imaginative and descriptive. From the description, I was expecting a story that would flow and pull me in such as Ann Rice does. I was extremely disappointed and found this book a difficult read. Instead of having a fast-paced,wonderful, flowing energy,I found myself bored and found it difficult to even finish this small, but rather boring book.

[Rkb 2015 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scientists searching for a new subatomic particle create an opening between universes and allow biomechanical aliens, called steelies, into our universe. Very difficult to kill, and extremely vicious, these aliens destroy every animal or human they come across.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scientists searching for a new subatomic particle create an opening between universes and allow biomechanical aliens, called steelies, into our universe. Very difficult to kill, and extremely vicious, these aliens destroy every animal or human they come across.

[M.T. Bostick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I am so pleased I purchased these books. I love monster stories and sci fi. This book is creative, funny, suspenseful, and the characters are well developed. Surprises on every page.