Aqua_ShadowReaper's Reading List
12 stories
THE END OF WAR (Watty Award Winner) by BenSobieck
BenSobieck
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A secret program in the United States seeks to replace human militaries with artificial intelligence-driven machines, but the machines aren't so willing to play along. *** Picture a world where humans no longer fight wars. No more families missing loved ones. No more veterans with lifelong mental and physical scars. No more conscription. For the super-secret End of War Project inside the United States government, such a reality is already here. The project models out how artificial intelligence can overcome dangerous and morally sensitive war scenarios with algorithms and automation. The centerpieces are "autonomous combat machines," or ACMs, that look like humans but function like supercomputers. After a string of brilliant successes in the field of combat, the End of War Project is preparing to reveal itself to the public, but something unusual stands in the way. Against their programming, the ACMs start exhibiting all-too-human signs of apprehension, guilt and compassion as they're pushed to perform ever more extreme tasks. The human leaders of the End of War Project race to find who "hacked" the ACMs, but what they find is even more startling--and revealing--than they could ever imagine. ***2019 Watty Award Winner - Science Fiction***
King of the Woodlands by prvmadonna
prvmadonna
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edit 3/9/23 I wrote this when I was 12 so please disregard the age-old "I'm not like other girls" trope and anything else ok thanks 🤓🤓 "They say the Woodland King's voice makes the rivers flow fast, and his claws could shred men into ribbons of flesh and bone." Every one hundred years, the feared Woodland King captures an unfortunate human from the kingdom of Llewellenar to serve him until their death. When twelve-year-old Lilibeth's father suddenly disappears, she must embark on a relentless quest to save him from the clutches of a murderous beast. As she ventures deeper and deeper into the world of the Woodland King, she befriends an unusual ally and uncovers a hidden truth that no human in Llewellenar history has ever done before. Highest: #19 in Fantasy, #1 in Folklore, #1 in Faerie, #1 in Retelling Cover made by @-starless
Vet Tech Meets The Alpha by MommaShifter
MommaShifter
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Jack's life has always been weird. With the stereotypically snobby rich parents that never pay attention to her and gave her a boy's name, to the mysterious butler that shows up on her front porch, to the two wolves that keep coming to her house. Jack is a Vet Tech at the local clinic up in the Montana Mountains. When the Vet is on a call and two abnormally gigantic wolves show up at her clinic, Jack must take the lead and help them before it's too late. With the help of her best friend Micah and her pet baby raccoon named Critter, her life gets better. But of course it gets ruined when her cheating ex-boyfriend wants her back. ------------------------------------------------ River is the alpha of the Black Moon Pack up in the mountains. He and his beta were on patrol when they were ambushed by a giant group of rogues. Lucky for them they made it to a running path. When two runners spot the bleeding wolves, they call the local clinic that Jack works at. When River sees Jack for the first time, time freezes. He knows right then and there that Jack is his mate. And he'll do anything to get her. Even if it means showing up in his wolf form in her backyard every night. Ya. So copying this story will not be tolerated. Fair warning ya Highest Ranking: #9 in Werewolf
Dragon Tamer - Book 1 by EstherDramaqueen
EstherDramaqueen
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Marcie is an oddity in her village, the daughter of a widower with both village and outsider blood in her veins. She cares for her drunken father, and struggles to fit in with the rest of the village. Everything changes when she comes across two dragons, a mother and her new born, and unwittingly becomes the Tamer of the baby dragon when his mother dies. This new unlikely bond completely changes her life and opens doors to her future that she would have never thought possible whilst also causing her pain and heartache.
When The Heart Sings by CrystalScherer
CrystalScherer
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I will be your heart, if you will be my shield. In a world where magic supposedly didn't exist, Serena has spent years struggling to conceal her unpredictable singing magic. While wishing for a peaceful life where she can sing without fear, she sees a man in handcuffs being forced into a shady research center. Their eyes meet, and the soulbond is forged. Darien is not from this world, and he's been held captive for years. With the soulbond amplifying his strength, he can fight his way through almost everything, but not every danger can be fought with fists. Their love draws them together even as power-hungry enemies try to pry them apart. They want to control Darien for their own purposes, but he's too strong to be controlled by force. Their love is their greatest strength-and their biggest vulnerability. But magic has its own rules, and no song can go unanswered. Excerpt: I pitied the man, although with so many cops around him, he was quite dangerous. Who needed 30 police officers to supervise one guy who in handcuffs and leg shackles? I watched him walk down the gauntlet between the rows of officers. It was as if I couldn't look away. He paused and looked around. His brilliant glowing blue eyes seemed to meet mine across the vast distance. I couldn't even blink as his eyes seemed to hold mine. The trees of a park broke our locked gaze as the bus kept on driving. I took a deep breath, suddenly realizing that I had stopped breathing the moment our eyes met. I had never seen such blue eyes before-and they glowed! A shiver ran through me. I had been too far away to make out the color of the man's eyes. My eyes watched the trees, hoping for a break in them so I could see the man again. I had no such luck. --- Fade-to-black action fantasy romance Copyright November 2017. Readers may not copy, alter, translate, or steal this story. Fanfictions may use my *world* and *magic rules* as long as credit is given.
Looking To Belong (A Runt's Story) by CrystalScherer
CrystalScherer
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A wholesome love-at-first sight werewolf story where the mate isn't an Alpha, and they actually want to be together. Life as a rogue isn't easy, especially for a runt living in No Man's Land. Jade has gained an impressive set of skills over the years, such as evading ferals, camouflaging her scent, and sniffing out expensive truffles, but few packs want to accept a runt. When she finally gets invited into a pack, she picks up an irresistible scent. Her soulmate. Jade must decide if she's willing to grasp what is likely her only chance at unconditional love - or flee in case her potential mate rejects her and shatters her heart forever. ---- Excerpt: My steps faltered as I noticed that two of the pursuing wolves had sped ahead and were waiting to intercept me. I launched toward a tree and ricocheted off at a ninety-degree angle without slowing down. One of the wolves behind quickly followed and began closing in. I started to panic, looking around frantically for a way to escape. I saw a rabbit burrow under a small bramble bush and desperately raced towards it. I darted under the edge of the plant and heard the tan wolf go around as he expected me to come out the other side. It gave me the precious seconds I needed to squeeze down the tunnel. My relief was short-lived - the rabbit that dug this burrow had not survived long enough to finish it. The tunnel was only about twice as long as the average human arm, and I could clearly see the entrance. I sent a silent prayer that the bramble bush would deter them and that they would not realize just how shallow this burrow was. I waited anxiously. The entire semi-polished draft can be read for free on Wattpad. The polished version can also be purchased on Amazon in print/ebook/audio. Copyright January 2017. All Rights Reserved. Readers may not copy, alter, or steal this story/plot. Fanfictions are allowed to use my *world* and *werewolf ranks* as long as credit is given.
Separated By a Wall by FrostyWinter01
FrostyWinter01
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August 14, 3044. It was a future where humans didn't have to advance because technology did all the work for them. A future where children couldn't visit their parents after a certain age and you barely know the route through your own house because your teleporting from the bedroom to the kitchen. A world where you're practically mind controlled. It wasn't always like this. Humans used to have diversity and freedom to think for themselves. But on August 14th, 3044 a new species called the Anoch landed on our planet. The humans immediately categorized them as a threat and split the world into two halves by a stone wall. Humans on one side, Anoch on the other. Everyone seems to have adjusted to this change and go on with life as if everything was normal. But not me. I was only six when it happened. It's now the year 3054 and I still find it all strange. The new life the humans have been forced to live. The way the Anoch are treated as if they're some sort of experiment. And it seems like I'm the only one who cares enough to find the truth. I'm the one who snuck out. And you wouldn't believe what I found behind the wall.
Dawn of the Starships (Formerly called A Starship Called Starsong) by CrystalScherer
CrystalScherer
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Rachel, a junior assistant in the cargo bay, wasn't prepared for the spaceship's AI to gain awareness during what should have been a routine update, nor had anyone expected it to take exception to the crew and the crates of illegal cargo aboard. Rachel races against time to try and get life-saving systems back online while stranded in the middle of deep space. Unfortunately for her, the AI can access every system, door, and airlock. As truths emerge, the AI realizes that even computers can make miscalculations, and it focuses on the young woman who had dared to confront it. Rachel is left floundering when the AI decides that she would make an excellent captain, albeit one in need of training. As she struggles to learn her new duties and dodge shady government groups, she must ultimately discover what it truly means to be a Starship Captain. ------- There is no romance in this story. Copyright April 2018. All Rights Reserved. Readers may not copy, alter, translate, or steal this story. Fanfictions are allowed to use my *world* and *AI set-up* as long as credit is given.
SAMENESS  by renesmeewolfe
renesmeewolfe
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/// SAMENESS, WHAT WE STRIVED FOR SO LONG TO ACHIEVE. BUT WHAT IF YOU'RE DESTINED TO BE DIFFERENT? \\\ Nine months of Hibernation, three months of being awake--that's how the year goes for us. Half of us wake up tired and sore while all of us wake up smelling of either lotion or bleach. But during the nine month period of hibernation, I woke up. And now I know why I always wake up sore and reeking of bleach. ⥀ Humans have always strived for equality, for everyone to be treated equal. We finally reached the point of this harmony, this level of sameness--and everyone is happy. Many, many generations later. But what happens when, in a wold of people knocked down and stood up to be exactly alike, a person wants to be different? What if they're destined to be unique in a world of strict equality? ⥀ #10 in Scifi on 7/21/17 MADE IT TO ROUND 3 IN THE WRITERS OLYMPICS Now available as a paperback and ebook. [[word count: 65,000-70,000]]
Upon Wings Of Change by CrystalScherer
CrystalScherer
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No one ever said what would happen when dragons and aliens meet. And no one told me that I would be in the middle of it. Tasha was studying hard to get through her last year of university when she was kidnapped. She certainly didn't expect to wake up with four feet and wings. Mad scientists are bad enough, but things get even more complicated when aliens appear and wipe out the human race. Is there a way for her to hide her true identity in this new world while retaining her humanity? --------------------- Sneak Peek: I jumped over the lip of the tray and beat down hard with my wings. I had expected to only slow my fall; I had not expected to end up gaining so much height. I squawked in surprise and spread my wings wide in alarm before gravity regained its hold on me. With several awkward back-winging motions of my wings, I landed lightly on the floor. Well, at least I know my wings work. I glanced at the man in the corner as he was scribbling quick notes. I turned around to regard the tray again. They say practice makes perfect. With another hop and a single wingbeat, I managed to land in the sand tray with fanned wings slowing my momentum. That was much more graceful. But a wing-assisted hop wasn't true flight. And I still wasn't on the windowsill. ---------------------------- Entire semi-polished draft can be read on Wattpad. The polished version may be purchased on Amazon as print/audio/ebook. Copyright November 2016. All Rights Reserved. Readers may not copy, alter, or steal this story. Fanfictions are allowed to use my *world*, *labs*, and kidnapping/metaforming idea as long as credit is given. Loosely based on a story of a loyal war dog who had originated as a street stray. The Cover was done by Dedefox at https://www.deviantart.com/dedefox