Other Worlds is a 2025 collaboration between indie authors Ben Logsdon, Erica Rue, R.Lynn Hanks, Calanthe Colt, Amber Toro, Ilias Siametis, Amy Marie Ayres and Alana Faye Wilson.
I picked up this collection of short stories hoping to find new indie authors to love, and I was not disappointed. Each story had something interesting to offer, and while not all of the writing styles were to my taste, I discovered several new authors whose work I want to look into further, and one new fave whose full-length novels are going straight to my TBR!
Eye of the Moons by Ben Logsdon
On a distant world, a young boy defies ceremonial preparations for the moon festival. But when he’s hunted by an dangerous enemy, he discovers the true reason behind the ancient tradition.
I don’t usually enjoy stories about children, but the emotional stakes, action, and atmospheric world building in this one kept me engaged to the end.
If you enjoy Ben Logsdon’s action scenes and worldbuilding, try his full-length novel Memoirs of a Household Demon.
A Ruby in the Rough by Erica Rue
On a ship evacuating residents from a dying earth, a problematic room assignment leads Ruby to bunk with the crew of Atlanteans–humans who left Earth’s Atlantis long ago–including a handsome young man whose kindness seems out of place among the Gaian’s haughty rescuers.
This story had a similar feel to The Selection by Kiera Cass. And the author’s writing quality seems to be easily on par with this trad pub comp.
If you like YA sci-fi with sweet romance, pick up this author’s full length series starter The Goddess Games.
A Paper Alliance by R.Lynn Hanks
Embattled with enemies from outside their solar system, the leader of a moon-based civilization must form an alliance with the man who broke her heart. Only this alliance is not what it seems to be on the surface.
This story features an engaging romance and several clever elements including a surprise ending.
If you enjoy R. Lynn Hanks’s take on banter-filled sci-fi romance, you’ll want to check out her upcoming full-length debut Gama Raids.
Those Who Touch the Space Outside the Universe by Calanthe Colt
Sora spends her life on the run, but when her presence as a stowaway on a rebel ship draws the attention of the Conglomerate, she may have to out herself and her secret abilities to survive.
This story was my personal favourite. It had everything I love in my favourite sci-fi: interesting characters, a budding romance, and tension that kept me turning pages the whole way through.
I’m definitely adding the author’s full-length space romance Marooned on Planet Android to my TBR!
Eos by Amber Toro
Tal visits his mother to break shocking news about the dangerous mission he’s accepted as his next assignment.
Amber Toro manages to pack a huge emotional punch into one of the shortest stories in this collection.
Toro is the only author featured whose work I was already familiar with before reading this anthology. If you like space opera with romance and emotional stakes, check out my review of Toro’s full-length series starter Umbra: Sentient Stars.
Seeds in the Flame by Ilias Siametis
Scientist couple Carl and Alina investigate a potentially habitable planet with a strange problem–a moving wall of fire that continually devours its lush surface. But when Alina is ripped away from Carl by disaster, a strange life form intervenes.
This was the only story that felt like more of a sample chapter than a full story. That being said, the sci-fi concepts were super intriguing.
If you like Ilias Siametis’s action-packed style, check out his full length novel Spaceborn.
Wild Stardust by Amy Marie Ayres
On a far-off star, a child prodigy attempts to convince the adults in her life to side with her against her mother, who refuses to allow her to use a dangerous item she stole from a physics classroom.
This story is told through a combo of journal entries and in-scene conversations. It has quirky, playful worldbuilding that reminds me of some of Jenny Schwartz’ speculative settings, and a style of humour that reminded me of The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
If you enjoy Amy Marie Ayres’ unique worldbuilding, check out her dystopian series starter Star Lost.
Plan Q by Alana Faye Wilson
Working for the fated mate she once rejected, Soldier Remi embarks on a mission to smuggle medicine to moon-based rebel outcasts. But what happens when plan A and plan B both fail? And is Remi’s pining for her fated-mate-turned-commander truly unrequited?
I enjoyed the dialogue and twists in this one. I’d definitely read another mini-story about Remi and Torz to find out whether they ever get together.
If you enjoy Alana Faye Wilson’s adventurous spacefaring romance, check out her full-length series starter When Eden Falls.
Overall Thoughts
Many readers want to support indie authors but don’t know where to start.
The indie market presents a much wider array of quality standards and writing styles than trad, making it more difficult to discover indie author’s whose style you love.
That’s where anthologies like Other Worlds can help. This anthology allows you to sample eight different indie authors’ writing styles while also enjoying complete stories rather than sample pages. And it’s only 99 cents!
I highly recommend this anthology to readers who want to support indie sci-fi but don’t know where to start. It contains something for everyone, from action to romance to quirky worlds to humour. If you’re like me, you’ll come out of this read not only entertained but also equipped with a list of exciting new indie authors whose full-length novels you’re eager to try next!
Don’t have time to read a full length review? Try my mini-review videos on Instagram!
Have you read an indie anthology? Leave your recs inthe comments below!