📖 Overview
Joe Schreiber is an American author known primarily for his horror and science fiction novels, particularly within the Star Wars expanded universe. His work often combines elements of horror with established science fiction settings.
Death Troopers, published in 2009, marked Schreiber's entry into the Star Wars universe and introduced horror elements to the franchise. The novel follows the story of a prison barge that discovers an abandoned Star Destroyer, leading to a zombie outbreak in space.
Schreiber's writing style tends toward dark themes and graphic content, setting his work apart from typical science fiction fare. His contributions helped expand the tonal range of Star Wars literature.
Beyond licensed works, Schreiber has authored original horror novels demonstrating his ability to craft suspenseful narratives across different settings and genres. He continues to write both original fiction and works set in established universes.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Schreiber's ability to blend horror with science fiction, particularly in Death Troopers. Many note his success in maintaining tension throughout his novels and creating unsettling atmospheres.
Liked:
- Fast-paced plotting that "keeps you turning pages" (Goodreads reviewer)
- Effective horror elements even within licensed properties
- Graphic, visceral writing style
- Creative genre combinations
Disliked:
- Some readers found the violence excessive
- Character development sometimes sacrificed for action
- Plot resolutions that felt rushed
- "Too much gore without enough substance" (Amazon reviewer)
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- Death Troopers: 3.6/5 (15,000+ ratings)
- Red Harvest: 3.4/5 (3,000+ ratings)
- Chasing the Dead: 3.3/5 (1,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Death Troopers: 4.4/5
- Red Harvest: 4.2/5
- Chasing the Dead: 3.9/5
The majority of negative reviews focus on pacing issues and gratuitous violence, while positive reviews highlight his ability to create tense horror scenarios within established universes.
📚 Books by Joe Schreiber
Death Troopers - A Star Wars novel where crews from a prison barge encounter zombies after investigating an abandoned Star Destroyer.
Chasing the Dead - A mother races through a single night of horror to save her kidnapped daughter while following the kidnapper's twisted instructions.
Eat the Dark - Medical staff face supernatural terror during a prison hospital's final night before closing.
No Doors, No Windows - A writer returns to his hometown and becomes obsessed with finishing his late father's haunted house novel.
Star Wars: Red Harvest - Set in the Old Republic era, this prequel to Death Troopers follows a Sith academy plagued by an ancient virus.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick - A high school student's prom night turns chaotic when his Lithuanian exchange student date reveals herself as an assassin.
Perry's Killer Playlist - The sequel to Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick follows Perry on a European tour where he again encounters the deadly Gobi.
Chasing the Dead - A mother races through a single night of horror to save her kidnapped daughter while following the kidnapper's twisted instructions.
Eat the Dark - Medical staff face supernatural terror during a prison hospital's final night before closing.
No Doors, No Windows - A writer returns to his hometown and becomes obsessed with finishing his late father's haunted house novel.
Star Wars: Red Harvest - Set in the Old Republic era, this prequel to Death Troopers follows a Sith academy plagued by an ancient virus.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick - A high school student's prom night turns chaotic when his Lithuanian exchange student date reveals herself as an assassin.
Perry's Killer Playlist - The sequel to Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick follows Perry on a European tour where he again encounters the deadly Gobi.
👥 Similar authors
Dan Simmons combines science fiction and horror elements in works like "Hyperion" and "The Terror," crafting complex narratives that blend genres similar to Schreiber's approach. His work demonstrates mastery of both cosmic horror and space opera elements.
Scott Sigler writes science fiction horror focusing on biological threats and infection scenarios in space settings. His "Infected" series explores themes of body horror and survival that align with Schreiber's style.
James S.A. Corey creates space-based narratives with elements of horror and suspense in "The Expanse" series. Their work features isolated spacecraft encounters and mysterious threats that mirror themes in Schreiber's fiction.
John Scalzi writes military science fiction with dark undertones and sharp dialogue. His "Old Man's War" series includes biological horror elements and military themes that intersect with Schreiber's storytelling approach.
Peter Watts writes hard science fiction with psychological horror elements and biological themes. His "Rifters" trilogy and "Blindsight" feature dark space encounters and crew isolation scenarios that parallel Schreiber's work.
Scott Sigler writes science fiction horror focusing on biological threats and infection scenarios in space settings. His "Infected" series explores themes of body horror and survival that align with Schreiber's style.
James S.A. Corey creates space-based narratives with elements of horror and suspense in "The Expanse" series. Their work features isolated spacecraft encounters and mysterious threats that mirror themes in Schreiber's fiction.
John Scalzi writes military science fiction with dark undertones and sharp dialogue. His "Old Man's War" series includes biological horror elements and military themes that intersect with Schreiber's storytelling approach.
Peter Watts writes hard science fiction with psychological horror elements and biological themes. His "Rifters" trilogy and "Blindsight" feature dark space encounters and crew isolation scenarios that parallel Schreiber's work.