U-10 by Sam B. Miller II

When an alien and his craft crash-land in Afghanistan on a mission to capture a human and return home, a madcap hunt for the mysterious titular technology U-10 begins. Author Sam B. Miller II delivers an off-kilter, tongue-in-cheek sci-fi drama that has occasional echoes of Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and even a dash of Asimov.

Ty Lavender, Lincoln Frost, and Koritt Diviak make for a captivating core of characters, despite being on opposing sides with decidedly different intentions. One wants to keep his soldiers safe and get out of the Afghan desert alive, another wants to take possession of the priceless alien technology for her profit-hungry bosses in America, and the third wants to capture both of the squabbling humans so his species will have one sample from each human gender.

At times a thrilling military drama, and at others a situational comedy couched in an alien spacecraft, U-10 dances between genres, but primarily centers around the mysterious power of the U-10. Able to morph into multiple machines and serving an incredible number of functions, the U-10 is a Mary Poppins McGuffin that keeps this plot rolling.

Endlessly creative and engaging, this novel boasts tight dialogue, a whimsical foundation, and a confident storytelling style that makes it a pleasure to read. While some of the conversations don’t always have a clear plot-driving purpose, the flow of the story allows for moments of both levity and social commentary. As a whole, Sam B. Miller II proves his talent for innovative storytelling that stands out in a perpetually crowded genre.