The Luna Missile Crisis

By: Rhett C. Bruno, Jaime Castle

Narrated by: Ray Porter

Length: 14 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Audible number-one best sellers Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle return with a relentless sci-fi adventure that asks: What if?

The year is 1961. The Cold War is in full swing and the space race is on. Russia aims to send humanity to space. But what if space comes to humanity instead? Yuri Gagarin’s epic flight into space is disrupted when an alien Mothership jumps into orbit, causing a cosmic car crash that defies all odds.

Everything changes. The US and USSR must quickly put aside their differences. In exchange for the Earth’s help in the rebuilding of their Mothership, the mysterious aliens, the Vulbathi, offer promises of technology beyond humanity's wildest dreams. All the while, the world asks whether the Vulbathi are saviors or conquerors.

When an alien tech counterfeiter's mistake sets off a chain reaction, the fragile peace is threatened. Connor McCoy didn't mean to upset Earth's new intergalactic neighbors. He only wanted to make some cash.

Now, Connor is the only person who can stop the doomsday clock from striking midnight. That is if his estranged brother, an agent in the new Department of Alien Relations, doesn't stop him first.

If you're a fan of District 9, The Expanse, Destiny's Crucible, or Andy Weir's Artemis, you'll love this alternate history romp across Earth and space, post alien contact.

©2020 Aethon Books (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

Critic reviews

“Aliens, agents and espionage abound in this Cold War-era alternate history adventure. This is classic SF in the golden-age tradition. A wild ride!” (Dennis E. Taylor, number-one best-selling author of We Are Legion (We Are Bob))

"An alternate world that captivates the imagination and brings the reader on a thrilling adventure that will leave the devotees of classic science fiction eager for more." (Jason Anspach, best-selling author of the Galaxy's Edge Series)

“A unique, unexpected take on a sci-fi adventure. Pure fun that that had me racing through the pages!” (Nicholas Sansbury Smith, New York Times best-selling author of the Hell Divers series)

“An inventive and entertaining alternate history science fiction book set in a Cold War that became damn hot and very wild.” (Steven Campbell, author of the Hard Luck Hank series)

"A fun and fast read. I can't wait to see what happens next!" (Olan Thorensen, author of the Destiny’s Crucible series)

Alt History at its best

This is beyond all expectations! JFK, Neil Armstrong, Nixon, and Ray Porter nailing their voices like a pro!

Aliens and humans in a cosmic car crash that kicks off the beginning of the end, but also... utopia?

My earbuds might as well have been glued into my ears. I couldn’t get enough. “Just one more chapter.”

I’m in love with the McCoy boys and I really hope there’s a book two in the works for this. It stands nicely by itself, but there’s definitely room for another adventure.

Fingers crossed.

Dreary and depressing

I have seldom read a book as difficult to review as this one. On one hand the writing is excellent, the character development is first class and the story hangs together well. I expect that there will be a sequel, given the ending of the book. On the other hand one of the two protagonists has no redeeming features. He lies, he steals, he betrays his family and risks the life of others for no good reason other than his own personal gain. He never thinks one step past the next decision or considers the ramifications of what he is doing, and his only response when events cause a catastrophe is that he is sorry. And, in the end, he fails to take the one step - since they are twins he could have taken the blame for the step his brother had to take - that might have redeemed him. It is insufficient to say that he has flaws since he causes one crisis after another and never even thinks about learning from his mistakes.

Perhaps this is the typical heroic character in one of Mr Bruno's books. The first of his book that I read was Titanborn and featured a similar main character. I had a hard time finishing that book and had to force myself to not stop listening about half way through the book. The story generally alternates between episodes about the two brothers, Kyle the well adjusted one and Connor the failed person, and listening to the Connor episodes was hard work. The only thing that kept me involved in the book was the excellent writing of Mr Bruno and, of course, the wonderful narration of Ray Porter. As I said, this was my second Bruno book. I doubt that there will be a third.

An Alt History Cold War Sci Fi Tour de Force! Wow!

The expression "the sum is greater than the parts" is very apt for this amazing work. I really think that Rhett Bruno and Jaime Castle have ticked all the boxes with this one. As a book, this is incredibly entertaining and a fast-paced, rocket-powered jet fuel spewing book you simply cannot put down. But when you combine the written word with the incredible performance of Ray Porter, this book just knocks it out of the park and into next week.

I am a fairly restrained and professional person who does not get all bubbly and excited about a literary work most of the time. However, for this audiobook from the extraordinary combined efforts of Bruno and Castle and Porter, the sum is, indeed, greater than the parts.

JFK is my favorite president of all time. The cold war was an incredible era to be alive in. The concept of Yuri Gagarin running into an alien Volbathi ship as he made orbit for the first time, triggering a Russian death-dealing "dead curtain" producing nuclear wasteland of Europe is staggering. As I mentioned recently, the descriptions of the Dead Curtain, both early on and later in the book is absolutely visceral. You can feel it and taste it. The aliens then being marooned on the moon trying to fix their ship and protect their most precious being and sharing their technology with us primitive humans? This takes alternate history and cold war brinksmanship and sci-fi to the next level to be certain. This brings up a whole different question about what happened to JFK.

Oh, but we're not done yet. The aliens communicate with telepathically sent images and feelings. And they resemble giant upright toads. Main characters Kyle and Connor McCoy are twins - one good, the other... well... But he does have an awesome husky named Hiya who helps to make the story a lot more believable.

Let's talk about the narrator, Ray Porter. Fans of Ray will undoubtedly say this is his best narration... ever. I know I think so. Seriously, capturing a gloating and proud Russian by accent and tone and mannerisms, and the distinctly different personalities of the McCoy twins, and the sneering attitude of the New York mobsters... I could go on. One thing distinctly noticeable about Ray's narration is that he says it as we think it and feel it when we read it. He pauses in the right places, slows down, speeds up, and just flat out does an award-winning job telling this story. At least I think it's award-winning, and I sure hope he wins one. Lord knows he should.

Jaime Castle and Rhett Bruno also wrote the Web of Eyes series, and it is clear that they are getting better and better the more they work together. But their point and counterpoint, their natural synergy is a phenomenal match for delivering the goods.

When I first came upon this book, I knew it was going to be a winner and I knew it would be very popular. While the story is complete, I would certainly love to see more with these characters and in this universe.

When I am not an IT Security practitioner I am a watchmaker and I am a very hard man to impress. I don't flatter. I don't gush. So if you are getting the enthusiasm with which I am discussing this wonderful audiobook, perhaps you can tell just how much I loved it and how good a book it truly is. If you have been contemplating either or both of these authors, get it. If you have already read Castle and Bruno, get it. If you are a fan of good literature and good storytelling, good adventure and a great thriller, get it.

This book in some ways hearkens back to the great 20th century bastions of sci-fi. Simak, Asimov, Heinlein, this is like a book from the golden age of sci-fi, and Castle and Bruno and Porter deliver a tour de force that you will remember and revisit for a long time.

Interesting alternative history story

I received this book as a gift credit from the author. As usual, Mr Bruno’s stories are rich and engaging. The choice of Ray Porter, one of my favorite narrators, was spot on for this story. Though the book ended on one of those thought provoking cliffhanger’s that could be a suitable ending, I think there is more that could be explored in this universe and hope to see more stories from it.

Fantastic Alt History

Alt history done right. The writing is fantastic and the narration added to the experience. Exciting all the way through with an excellent ending and promising future. I can't wait for more in what could be a great series.

this book was a surprise to me! thank goodness!

Once I had gotten into the book, I listened while driving while walking you name it I listened. This book was fascinating to me! so, a Nextbook is out when? nail reader fabulous storyline excellent!

Excellent historical sci-fi

Thank you Bruno and Castle for an excellent take on an alternate history sci-do story. This book was fascinating since the first chapter. Here’s hoping audible requests more in this story line as there is still plenty of story to tell!

What a cool story!

When I first started listening to this book, I didn’t think I was gonna like it. Man, am I glad I kept listening to it! Usually, I am more into military sci-fi; this book is part crime thriller, part alternate history, and part first contact. It’s a story of hope and despair, and hope reborn again, a story of courage, betrayal, and sacrifice. And it’s a book that just screams for a sequel!

Oh, and PLEASE, the next time you see a toad on the road, don’t run over it! 😉

Extremely Well Done Sci-Fi/Alternate History

This one is fantastic. Solid story with well developed characters. It's set in the 60's but doesn't come across like cheesy 60's sci-fi. Great interplay between the US and Communist Russia as well as the Mafia. It far outweighed my expectations. Ray Porter does an excellent job as usual. Strongly recommended.

Interesting historical twist

I was never quite sure if i liked the story or not... but in the end I did.