Annihilation Aria

A married couple of space adventurers race to reveal an artifact's mysteries while evading pursuit from a ruthless empire.

Max is a cheery xeno-archeologist from Earth, stranded and trying to find a way home.

Lahra is a stern warrior of a nearly extinct race searching for her people's heir.

Wheel is the couple's cybernetic pilot running from her past and toward an unknown future.

On Wheel's ship, the Kettle, the trio traverses the galaxy, dodging Imperial patrols and searching ancient ruins for anything they can sell. The crew of the Kettle are deeply in debt to their home base's most powerful gangster, and she wants her money back.

So when a dangerous but promising job comes their way, Max, Lahra, and Wheel have little choice but to take it. However, the crew of the Kettle gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves in possession of a powerful artifact, one that puts them in the crosshairs of the Vsenk, the galaxy's ruthless and oppressive imperial overlords.

Max, Lahra, and Wheel are pulled into a web of galactic subterfuge, ancient alien weaponry, a secret resistance force, lost civilizations, and giant space turtles. The Vsenk will stop at nothing to recover the artifact and Max's brains, Lahra's muscle, and Wheel's skills may be all that stands between entire planets and annihilation.

Can they evade space fascists, kick-start a rebellion, and save the galaxy all while they each try to find their own way home?

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Praise for Annihilation Aria

"This is a rollicking good time." -- Publishers Weekly

"Underwood's prose is brisk and funny without ever sacrificing his skilled sf world building. Highly recommended for fans of action-packed space opera and anyone else looking for a fun and fast-paced read." -- Booklist (Starred Review) 

"This is pure space opera, wild and wacky and silly and strange, high-stakes and deeply personal all at once. I could not be happier to have read this book. Recommended for fans of AXIOM by Tim Pratt, TEENAGERS FROM OUTER SPACE (the RPG) published by R. Talsorian Games, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (Marvel Studios), and KILLJOYS (SYFY Channel)"
- Seanan McGuire, author of the October Daye and InCryptid series

"Fast, fun, inventive! ANNIHILATION ARIA is a wild, delightful ride for fans of explosive space fantasy like Thor: Ragnarok."
- Valerie Valdes, author of CHILLING EFFECT and PRIME DECEPTIONS

"ANNIHILATION ARIA is the found family space opera you've been waiting for."
- Adam Rakunas, Philip K. Dick Award-finalist author of WINDSWEPT and LIKE A BOSS

"... Underwood takes us for an intense ride through a cacophony of alien civilizations in conflict. This is an exuberant space opera that dares us to lose ourselves in battle songs and nonstop action. I can't sing its praises enough!"
- TJ Berry, author of SPACE UNICORN BLUES and FIVE UNICORN FLUSH.

"... If the characters of The Mummy had been transported onto the Millennium Falcon, ARIA would be the result-a rollicking space opera, both literary and musical, with a diverse cast and strong relationships. ..."
- Gregory A. Wilson, author of THE THIRD SIGN, ICARUS, and GRAYSHADE

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