Rhett C. Bruno http://rhettbruno.com/ and Jaime Castle http://www.jaimecastle.com have together published more than 50 novels. The Luna Missile Crisis was published in 2020. It is the 13th book I completed reading in 2023.

Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as R. The Russians are launching Yuri Gagarin in 1961 when an alien spacecraft suddenly appears in orbit. Unfortunately, a collision between the two craft ensues. The Russians at first see it as an attack. They fire nuclear weapons toward the West. While the missiles are destroyed, a radioactive ‘dead curtain’ in Eastern Europe results.

The aliens, the Vurbathi, need assistance repairing their ship. They offer technology in exchange for Earth’s help.

In the dead curtain, Sergeant Kyle McCoy and his team confront Russian troops. In the midst of the resulting skirmish, a Vurbathi appears. With it, secrets are exposed.

Three years later, Kyle McCoy’s twin brother Connor is trying to sell counterfeit Vurbathi technology. The deal goes sideways, and Connor must go on the run. He takes refuge with his brother, then betrays him by stealing his Department of Alien Relations ID. Using it Connor impersonates his brother and travels to the Moon for a diplomatic conference with the Vurbathi.

As the conference is beginning, an unknown group launches a sneak attack. Connor escapes with a beautiful KBG agent. They find themselves drawn into a conspiracy. It looks like only Connor can save the day.

I enjoyed the 12.5+ hours I spent reading this 488-page science fiction and alternate history novel. The plot is full of twists, and it is full of action. It was a refreshing read. I have read and enjoyed a few of Bruno’s other publications. They are Titanborn, From Ice to Ashes, and The Circuit: Executor Rising. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 (rounded to 5) out of 5.

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Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I would call this an alternate history combined with an alternate future. Isn't that what science fiction is? This is a good story that relies on tried and true story lines. Not great stuff but it will keep you interested to the end.

this was a really good scifi novel, the characters were great and I really enjoyed going through reading this. I always look forward to alternative history and am glad I read this.

I received a free copy thanks to Net Galley in return for an honest review.

I occasionally dip into the Sci- Fi genre for a change in my usual reading of mysteries and thrillers. The synopsis for “ Luna Missile Crises” was intriguing. It turned out to be that, and a well written novel, too.
It is the 1960 ’s, at the height of the Cold War. An alien spaceship suddenly appears between the Earth and the Moon. At the same moment the USSR launches a rocket carrying the first Cosmonaut into space. The aliens, thinking the rocket was an an attack on their home ship, immediately intercept it, blasting it or a molten cloud. Of course, the Russians think the US did it, and launch more rockets, which the aliens also intercept, going on to attack all Russian launch sites in western Russia , Poland and Central Europe, all of which becomes a nuclear wasteland. The area is a dead zone, but one that becomes a battle ground where both sides search for alien materials and metals that fell to earth. Both want hints to the advanced tech
In that atomic desert, which incidentally is skillfully described, a US Army patrol on a search mission is ambushed by a Russian patrol. It is being overwhelmed when an alien craft materializes between them. Soon the Russians are all dead; a few American soldiers survive , and it is with one of them , Kyle Conner , that the first communication is made, telepathically. “ The war was a horrible error”, and they, the aliens, are ready and willing to share their knowledge and technology to bring peace to all.
That is the set up for what turned out to be an exciting, different and entertaining novel. The technology given to the world, allows quick space flight between earth and the moon, called Luna Base, where the damaged alien ship is being repaired with materials mined there. Harmony and brotherhood is the watchword. In fact, President Kennedy and Premiere Khrushchev , along with various dignitaries land at the base to meet the alien leader. All goes well- until it goes very wrong. Somebody wanted the friendship conference to fail.
This is where the book expands into a wild ride. Here the authors utilize the ancient plot device of twin brothers to zip the plot to a high level. There is Kyle, a high-ranking official in the Department of Alien Affairs, a decorated ex- soldier and respected advisor to the President,as compared with his druggie, irresponsible lowlife brother Connor. The odd couple makes the plot move as all kinds of things happen. It is to the authors’ credit that the story holds together well , without feeling too contrived.
Connor’s is on the run from some hoods to whom he sold fake alien weapons. Distrusting his lowlife brother, Kyle allows Connor to stay the night, only to be rewarded by Connor stealing and running off with some money, his watch and ID . The result is that Kyle is being chased by the mobsters and Connor in a rocket to Luna base, and the doomed conference.
The space beings are quite unlike humans. Most of the humans are corrupt politicians. Kyle is nobly heroic and Connor one of those characters given to inappropriate wisecracks , always playing an angle. There is also a beautiful, dangerous, sleekly- muscled KGB agent , a tentacled alien named Shimmer, and Richard Nixon.
I recommend “Luna Missile Crisis” to sci- fans and non- fans alike . The story is different, the characters , Kyle, Connor and Shimmer nicely fleshed - or in one case tentacled- out . The science may not be explained enough for real aficionados, but it was fine to me. There is an exciting climatic fight at the end. However, that is not the end. At about 80% of the Kindle book, I sensed that there had to be a sequel to provide answers to who the aliens were and what they really wanted. I will read it.
Content. warnings: no sex, violent combat spills human and what passes for alien blood.

My concluding thought was: "WOW! That was Incredible!" and indeed it was, as THE LUNA MISSILE CRISIS is a Riproaring tear through Earth and Moon and Alternate History, with revelations and Denouements and conclusions that will enlighten and surprise even the most tired and jaded Conspiracy Theorists. There's lot to wrench the heart and Inspire tears too. I absolutely am holding my breath for the sequel!


This is finely-tuned Space Opera plus Military SciFi plus First Contact plus Alternate History, ramped to maximal intensity.

[Note: Review scheduled for 19/10/20]

The Luna Missile Crisis

Rhett C Bruno & Jaime Castle

Aethon Books

The concept of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union going 'Hot' and leading to all-out war between the two superpowers is hardly a novel scenario. Indeed my friend and book reviewer colleague Coiler has an entire blog dedicated to reviewing novels and short stories based on that conflict, collectively referred to as the 'Fuldapocalypse' genre after the infamous Fulda Gap in (what was) West Germany. From the Able Archer exercise leading to nuclear apocalypse, to more straight-forward invasions of Western Europe by the armoured juggernauts of the Warsaw Pact, billions of words have been written imaging the Third World War breaking out; and yet, to my knowledge, until now no novel in the genre has imagined the trigger for that conflict coming not from humanity, but rather from inhumanity. To my delight - seeing my two favourite genres of Science Fiction and Alternate History blended together - that is the very scenario posited by authors Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle in The Luna Missile Crisis, their new novel from publisher Aethon Books.

At the height of the Cold War in 1961, famous Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin undertakes his legendary flight into space; but instead of breaching the earth's atmosphere and heading into orbit, his flight is tragically cut short when it slams into something gigantic hovering in near-earth orbit. Vostok 1 falls back to the ground as nothing more than flaming debris, and believing it to be the result of American treachery, the Soviet Union launch a brace of nuclear missiles. However rather than soaring through the atmosphere and impacting in the continental United States, they instead detonate above Eastern Europe after hitting a mysterious vessel, spreading radiation across the Iron Curtain. The stage is set for a complex and multi-faceted conflict between the United States, the Soviet Union, and the mysterious visitors orbiting above the planet.

Bruno and Castle certainly know how to write a fast-paced and engaging thriller - this novel hits the ground running in the Prologue and then never stops, grabbing your attention and refusing to let go. After Gagarin plummets to the earth, we fast-forward to American forces clashing with Soviets in what is now termed The Dead Curtain, an apocalyptic, radiation-soaked area devastated both by the Soviet nuclear weapons as well as strange alien energy called riftwake. Kitted out in clumsy, barely-functional radiation suits, the soldiers explore the region for debris and technology from the alien mother-ship damaged by the impact with Vostok 1 and the subsequent nuclear weapons, as well as continuing the struggle between the two superpowers. During a brutal short-range battle between the two human sides over an alien artefact, a surprise appearance by a UFO and its immensely powerful passenger leads to combat medic Sergeant Kyle McCoy making an immense discovery about the aliens and their reason for orbiting the planet.

Several years later the aliens - the Vulbathi - are an integral part of human culture and society, to the extent that their powerful weapons and technology are much sought after by governments and gangsters alike. Sergeant McCoy' twin brother Connor, a low-life confidence trickster who sells counterfeit versions of Vulbathi technology, finally gets caught out by some particularly vicious mobsters in New York, only managing to escape by the skin of his teeth. Meanwhile his brother is now a senior agent in the Department of Alien Relations, a government agency dedicated to smoothing over diplomatic relations with the Vulbathi, though his actual role in First Contact with a member of the alien race has been deliberately lost in the mythology already being generated by the US government. Now he's tasked with assisting in the preparations for high-level diplomatic meetings between humanity and the Vulbathi on their new homeworld Luna - what was once our moon. Before long, the two brothers will have an utterly unwanted reunion with impossibly high stakes, one that hurls them into the chaotic maelstrom of negotiations between the Vulbathi and the Cold War powers on earth.

Bruno and Castle have excelled themselves with The Luna Missile Crisis, creating a fast-paced and action-packed thriller that deftly blends together political intrigue, science-fiction elements and an alternate history background to create something relentlessly pulls the reader along with it until it reaches an explosive conclusion with far-reaching and genuinely astonishing consequences for both humanity and the Vulbathui. Whether the action is taking place in the irradiated hinterlands of what remains of Eastern Europe, the claustrophobic urban rat-maze of New York City, or the Vulbathi-occupied Luna, the two authors never let up the pace, mixing up tense gun-fights and fist-fights with political machinations and back-stabbing without pause and artfully blending multiple genres together to create something that transcends all of them. There’s obviously a long-term plot here, one that will stretch across multiple books in a series, and the two authors are highly skilled at putting in clues here and there across the narrative that result in twists and turns as the book comes to a close.

In addition to an impressive and engaging narrative, there’s some great world-building going on as the plot progresses. An uneasy peace develops amongst the superpowers as the Fallout Conflict amidst the ruins of Eastern Europe leads to confrontation with the Vulbathi, but mutually-assured destruction is merely replaced by rampant xenophobia, as elements of humanity across the planet become highly suspicious of the secretive aliens and their motives. Cleverly, Bruno and Castle ensure that the political plotting and machinations that dominated the Cold War don’t disappear; they simply mutate into terrifying new forms that encompass many of the existing personalities in our own timeline, albeit with far more terrifying implications than mere nuclear war. I particularly admired the detail and thought that the authors have put into the hybrid blends of technology that begin appearing in the wake of the Vulbathi appearing, as well as new cultural concepts and even slang. We see the ‘toads’ lead to technology like ‘Holo-tubes’ replacing televisions, with the chrono-nausea of seeing the Ed Sullivan show appear in three-dimensional holographics so real it seems like the host is in the person’s living room. There’s also the matter of the horrifyingly high-powered Vulbathi weapons that make an appearance, with genuinely nauseating lavishly-described NASA rocketships, which come across as John Berkey paintings brought to glorious multi-colour life. And while it lurks in the background, we even get some details like the ominous appearance of mutated humans living in The Dead Curtain that lies across Eastern Europe, an extended Berlin Wall built by Americans and Russians to keep out the ‘radmons’ that lurk in the irradiated ruins.

The narrative and world-building are cemented by the high-quality, three-dimensional characters that appear throughout the novel. The McCoy brothers are obviously front and centre of the narrative as the dual protagonist of the novel, and they’re very well developed, with their own personality quirks and faults and positives that are deftly brought out as the narrative progresses. They might be identical twins, but the authors are at pains to demonstrate just how different they are – sober, honourable, straight-laced Kyle, burnt out by his experiences in the Fallout Conflict and utterly determined to try and do the best he can for humanity, even if humanity refuses to do the same for him and themselves; and former drug addict Connor, slick conman and with a streak of arrogance running through him that hides just as much pain as Kyle, and with some hidden depths that take their time to emerge. The support characters are just as well written, especially the historical personalities that litter the landscape and appear on both earth and Luna; I was particularly taken by Bruno and Castle’s development of JFK in this alternate timeline, as well as the parallel yet subtly different career path given to Neil Armstrong. And of course they are mirrored by the alien Vulbathi, whose development by the two authors cleverly subverts many of the genre tropes of the ‘alien invasion’ scenario. While they possess fearsome weapons and advanced technology, the Vulbathi are not your usual depiction of an alien race; they’re far from the usual genre stereotype of the aggressive, warmongering species with an unknowable culture. Instead, the two authors create a deeply spiritual and traumatised species that have hidden secrets that heavily influence the narrative, but often in surprising and unconventional ways.

The Luna Missile Crisis is a first-rate piece of science-fiction and alternate history fiction by Bruno and Castle, the two authors creating a novel that transcends many of the stereotypes and tropes that litter those two genres and subverts many others, creating a fast-paced, multi-layered and often thought-provoking narrative that had me hooked from the very first page. Superbly written, with an engaging cast of characters and some interesting things to say about a number of different elements of the ‘alien invasion’ scenario within the science-fiction genre, The Luna Missile Crisis is a superb achievement by the two authors, and one that I can’t wait to see continued in the planned sequel coming in 2021.

The Luna Missile Crisis by Rhett C Bruno & Jaime Castle. An entertaining and wild action packed, science fiction, alternate history thriller. Interesting to see 1960's world leaders in a portrayed in an unconventional way. Didn't for a moment before imagine that a noctopus would be a favorite character. Would enjoy reading more about the Vulbathi and their history or future adventures on Earth.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Some alternate histories begin with a relatively small change that creates a vastly different world (Harry Turtledove's How Few Remain, for example). In The Luna Missile Crisis, the difference is huge, and it's right up front in the prologue, where, in an "cosmic car crash", Yuri Gagarin's rocket collides with an alien ship, triggering a brief nuclear war.

After the prologue and an introductory chapter (which could be though of as a second, longer, prologue), the rest of the action takes place three years later in 1964. Instead of going "eyeball to eyeball" over missiles in Cuba, Kennedy and Krushchev lead the US and USSR in competing for alien technology, while others seek to destroy all the aliens.

Like some of Rhett Bruno's other stories (e.g., Titanborn), this novel feels like a throwback to late-Golden Age science-fiction (in a good way), and is likely to be particularly enjoyed by fans of older science-fiction, who may also tend to be more familiar with some of the historical figures and events referenced here. I think I could have done without the inclusion of the mafia in this story, but on the whole it was a fast-paced exciting read that kept me turning the (virtual) pages. When I got to the last page the story felt complete, but Amazon indicates that a sequel will be forthcoming, and I'll be looking forward to it!

Disclaimer: I thank the publisher, Aethon Books, for kindly providing a review ebook.

"The Luna Missile Crisis" by Rhett C Bruno and Jaime Castle reflects a number of different genres. It is an alternate timeline historical fiction where humans had a literally explosive first contact at the very start of human space flight in the early 1960's. The book features a number of well known historical figures playing expected roles against the backdrop of cold-war era strife between USA and USSR. There is no shortage of adventure, action, blood, radiation, alien technology and biology, and quite a lot of suspense along with a surprisingly persistent and maniacal mafia boss with his stereotypical evil Russian defector henchman, and a beautiful female Russian spy/soldier. The main characters are believable in their weaknesses. The end had enough of a twist to make the reader sit back and contemplate what just happened.,

This novel is an alternative history set during the 60’s. Due to a misfortunate turn of events regarding first contact with an alien race, the cold war and USSRs first space flight portions of Eastern Europe have become inhospitable. The novel follows two twins who are completely different. Connor McCoy is on the run after crossing the mafia. Kyle McCoy works for the government and has been honoured to go to Luna to join the USSR and the USA in the first official peace treaty between Earth and the aliens, Vulbanti. Things don’t go as planned and Conner and Kyle are forced on the run, being chased by various baddies that want them dead.

The plot was an amazing blend of noir, mystery, dystopia, action and traditional SF. My favorite part was the aliens and the exploration of the Dead Zone. The Dead Zone was so dark and morbid but it was also fascinating to read about how radiation can be changed by alien technology. The enemies found within weren’t traditional, I was expecting straight up zombies but they were so much more (it feels like zombies are popular right now).

The characters were great and the reader could see the twin hostility yet affection for each other. Initially I wasn’t sure why Conner would betray his brother so badly but as the novel progressed I could see how and why Conner felt he was justified for his action. I really hated Kyle’s wife as I found her too much of a doormat. I tried to overlook her as she was a traditional housewife which was a common profession in the 60’s but I hate weak women. My fears were quickly vanquished after meeting Red, a tough and strong female Soviet soldier. Nixon was amazing, he was a perfect SC.

The pacing was the weakest element in the story. The beginning prologue was epic but the beginning-middle was slower with plenty of description and political maneuvering. It wasn’t until Luna did the novel start to pick up again.

Overall this was an amazing alternative history with SF elements. I would strongly recommend it to all fans.

Thank you to Netgalley and Aethon books for this ARC.

I recently had an opportunity to review an ARC of the forthcoming novel, "The Luna Missile Crisis", written by Rhett C. Bruno and Jaime Castle, and being published by Aethon Books. Candidly, I was somewhat disappointed in that I have read extensively in military history and military and alternative history. This book was not what I expected. This is not to say that it does not have merit. It might best be seen as a combination of juvenile science fiction, alternative history, and gritty almost film noir like elements of crime fiction. Unfortunately, I did not find the characters terribly believable and while the action was fast paced, the book almost seemed like a caricature of several literary genres. I believe the book might be suitable for young readers who have not grown quite so jaded as I have. Taken on its own terms, such as they are, it offers an agreeable diversion for those who have not yet come to expect much more than brief escape from their own existence through this kind of literature.

... In one word, impressive, this is a mix of alternate reality, Science-Fiction, first contact, political thriller and low life thriller as well. There is also a lot a action and incredible landscapes.
All this built upon a terribly damaged relation between twin brothers. And at the heart of the book lies the question of when to trust and what to do when the opposite partner is unable to trust.
Very good.

For fans of alternative history books, the name Harry Turtledove springs to mind and The Luna Missile Crisis has some of the best elements of one of his works without the (in my opinion) unnecessary language and sex. I enjoyed how mid-century global leaders were woven throughout the well-paced narrative (yes, Richard Nixon is still a bad guy). The only thing that didn't grab me was the ending, which seems a bit flat (unless we are due for a sequel, then it's OK).

A very enjoyable sci-fi thriller. All the right ingredients with imaginative aliens, fun plot and page-turning action. The book didn't manage to rise above its genre norms in terms of gender stereotypes or psychological depth to the characters, but nothing too bad and that didn't stop it being an enjoyable read.
Disclosure: this review is based on a free copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Review of audiobook:

Seriously. This is one of the best SF discoveries I've heard. It's kind of like when I discovered Dune; I felt like, I'd never heard anything like it, but I knew it was a perfect fit for my taste and I needed more of it.

Luna Missile Crisis is different in that it has a little noir feel, as the main characters are twins, and one sells bootleg alien devices to the mob. Can't say I've ever mixed those two genres, but the character engagement and fascinating alien mythos made the combination like eating the perfect Italian sub while flying a spaceship to a wild new world.

I knew Bruno and Castle from their Buried Goddess saga; which was in my top five of 2019--but, to be honest, I read the description for this book and thought...hmm what kind of story would that look like? Then I heard an audio interview with the authors and narrator Ray Porter. Ray's voice kicked in this comfort zone nostalgia of some other amazing scifi adventure stories and I thought, yeah, I am due for another SF thrill ride with Ray on the mic. He completely delivered! Ray is the top notch talent in SF, and hearing him put to voice one of the best SF I've read in years is a treat many need to enjoy.

If there's a list for petitioning Audible to ensure this series is locked in for many years to come, sign me up, and reserve a Connor t-shirt for yo boy. Octopus... Noctopus? is the tagline. Book it.

Not only did this story surprise me with a unique twist of noir and space exploration, but it's also equally parts impressive in engaging me with characters and a plot that never let up. This was the first book I've gone back and re-listened to the ending simply because it was that good and I was so surprised with how well they surprised and entertained me. The pull to hear more stories in this world is truly unique. The alien race is uniquely empathetic and mysterious. I need to know more about the rift, how they travel and how their species will evolve and interact with humans after what just happened. The surviving characters and the mess they left in their wake would fill a series all by itself. Both of those super interesting story setups would impact our genre universe like a supernova.

Audible... listen to me. Make more. You won't regret it.