Thornton Books

What is Fleet of the Forgotten about?

Fleet of the Forgotten is the story of a group of newly-commissioned officers from society’s forgotten classes who, in the face of annihilation, seize an unfinished starship and lead a daring fight for survival.

When a devastating alien attack shatters Earth’s defenses, Ryan Anders and his fellow graduates—lottery-picked outsiders from a broken, class-divided society—are left with no choice but to take command of the Cosmic Explorer, an experimental ship abandoned in the chaos. Cut off from leadership, outnumbered, and vastly outgunned, these untested officers must rise far beyond their training, forging themselves into leaders as they navigate the brutal realities of war.

When and where can I buy Fleet of the Forgotten?

I’m planning on publishing the book at the end of 2025. I’m shooting for October or November 1, but this is my first book so I can’t be sure if that will be possible.

I’ll be publishing the e-book version on Amazon and other platforms (Apple, Google, Barnes & Noble). The paperback should be ready at the same time and distributed by IngramSpark. You’ll be able to order the paperback anywhere!

Can I be a beta reader, ARC reader, Involved in some other way?

Yes! Use the contact form on the website to send me a message. I’m new to the whole process but would love any help you can give!

What is the world like in Fleet of the Forgotten?

The world of Fleet of the Forgotten is a fractured future Earth, where technological advancement has far outpaced social progress, creating a society divided by extreme wealth disparity and rigid power structures. By 2184, much of humanity lives under neo-feudal systems, where privilege, family name, and political influence determine one’s future, while the majority struggle in decaying cities, overcrowded slums and refugee camps – largely forgotten by those in power.

Earth’s spaceborne military, the Interplanetary Security Alliance (ISA), is nominally controlled by the Orbital Security Convention (OSC), an organization designed to unify planetary defense. However, in reality, the ISA serves the interests of Earth’s elite, who use military service as both a propaganda tool and a means of preserving their social order.

Cadets like Ryan Anders, a refugee from a neglected camp, are chosen through a lottery system, a public relations stunt meant to give the illusion of opportunity. In truth, they’re outsiders in a system that sees them as expendable.

In space, humanity’s reach is still young and fragile. Earth’s fleet of advanced sublight warships patrols the inner solar system, a symbol of technological pride but limited by the vast distances of space. Scattered orbital platforms like the Forge stand as humanity’s most ambitious achievements, while Mars, settled but fiercely independent, pursues its own path among the stars.

Who is the main audience for Fleet of the Forgotten, and would other sci-fi fans be interested?

Fleet of the Forgotten is written for readers who enjoy military science fiction with a strong emphasis on leadership, survival, and underdog protagonists. Fans of series like Battlestar Galactica, The Expanse, and Honor Harrington will feel right at home with its mix of tense space battles, character-driven drama, and a crew forced to grow into leadership roles under extreme pressure.

Beyond military sci-fi readers, it will also appeal to fans of space opera and first-contact stories who enjoy complex alien civilizations, political intrigue, and a grounded, realistic approach to space travel and combat. Themes of class struggle, found family, and rising against an indifferent system make it relatable to readers who appreciate character arcs where ordinary people are thrust into extraordinary roles.

In short, while military sci-fi fans are the core audience, any reader who loves stories of resilience, leadership under fire, and the human spirit tested against impossible odds will find something to connect with in Fleet of the Forgotten.

Is Fleet of the Forgotten part of a series?

Yes, Fleet of the Forgotten is the first book in a planned trilogy called “Exile’s War”. The series follows Ryan Anders and his crew as they struggle to survive after an alien invasion shatters Earth’s defenses. Stranded in deep space aboard an unfinished starship, this unlikely crew must navigate brutal first-contact scenarios, shifting alliances, and their own inexperience as they fight to return home and prove that humanity is not so easily forgotten.

The trilogy blends military science fiction, space opera, and character-driven drama, with each book building toward the crew’s evolving role in a galaxy that questions whether Earth deserves to survive.

Who are the main characters in the book?

Fleet of the Forgotten follows the main protagonist Ryan Anders on his journey from Cadet in the ISA fleet academy to the unlikely leader of a rag tag crew of newly commissioned officers, construction workers, soldiers, and random civilians.

When an unknown and highly advanced alien enemy attacks Earth, Ryan must overcome his own self-doubt and take control of the only ship available: An unfinished exploration vessel still in dry dock called the Cosmic Explorer.

What can readers expect from the ending?

Without giving anything away, while there is some resolution and some big reveals near the end of this book, it does wrap up on a huge cliffhanger. I love these overarching grand storylines in the books that I read and wanted to do the same type of thing here. After I finish a good book I reflect on the characters that I love or hate and their journey to the ending. Often I ask myself “What the heck are they going to do now?” or “How are they going to get out of this?” – those are the types of stories I love to read and the types of stories I aspire to write.

How long did it take to write this book?

In one form or another Fleet of the Forgotten has been in the works for over a decade. It started out as a story about a random guy who is working a temporary job at a decommissioned government facility and stumbles across a signal that turns out to be an alien ship and a massive conspiracy to hide the truth from the public.

Many of the characters, names and places were borrowed from this original story. In fact, I wrote more than 3/4 of that book before deciding that the real story I wanted to write wasn’t about the discovery of alien life, but the fight that would happen if they turned out to be hostile.

Did any of the characters surprise you as you were writing?

I’m sure this happens with every author, but so many of the characters I pictured in my head turned out differently when put to the page. Main characters that I was sure would be my favorites turned out to be completely rewritten or even deleted from the book. Minor side characters end up becoming so complex, that I end up featuring them in certain chapters or even weave them into the main plot of the book. For instance the bartender at the Nebula was never a named character until the third draft of the book. I really like his character and may do a short story about him in the future. Also, Captain Armstrong was only a minor side character until I realized I needed someone competent to fight the alien menace and telling the story from the perspectives of eight different ship captains was impossible (for me).

What did you edit out of this book?

The short answer would be – oh so much. The long answer is entire plotlines, characters, and places. For example: originally Ryan only knew David and met Elizabeth on the bridge of the Explorer (which wasn’t it’s original name) for the first time. They were being screened as potential candidates for the positions on the bridge and had to go through a number of tests before being selected (not the most exciting premise). Anyway, that didn’t survive very long before being rewritten into something more along the lines of what it is now. Another great example of editing was early on, the Martians were a much bigger part of the story. I created a history of the Martian independence movement, the major battles, etc. The Martian special forces members who are in the story are a holdover from that deleted storyline. That is definitely something I’d like to circle back to in another book.

What’s your favorite scene in the book?

Not one particular scene, but Captain Armstrong’s fight against the alien fleet is a highpoint for me. I really love the thought of a person who can look at a situation and see the truth behind it… be that a political or military one. Armstrong’s decisive actions in the face of an unknown threat and his calculated risk taking really sets him apart, especially in a fleet that is populated by risk averse political ladder climbers. He’s well liked by both the officers and enlisted and the type of captain who would know every nut and bolt. He’s also one of my favorite characters in the book.