Bronze Medal, 2024 Readers' Favorite Award Finalist, 18th Annual National Indie Excellence Award Finalist, 2024 IAN Book of the Year Awards Decades of hostilities. A chance for peace. Caught between belligerent groups, will this operation be her last? Sam “Valkyrie” Ryan is reeling. Struggling with her brother’s recent decision to make their next assignment his last, the recon specialist fights to change his mind. But she has no time to process her emotions when they’re tasked to protect a pivotal reconciliation summit between the Altered and Humans from human-supremacist terrorists. Distracted by a charming medic, the golden-haired marine struggles to stay focused as events quickly unravel. And with the conflict becoming dangerously unpredictable, secrets from the past catch Sam by surprise as she uncovers a plot to destroy all of humanity. Can she stop a violent and oppressive history from spiraling into a catastrophic future? Of Friction is the fast-paced first book in the Altered Earth dystopian military speculative fiction series. If you like strong women, tense action, and slow-burn dynamics, then you’ll love S.J. Lee’s gripping story. Read Of Friction to launch a critical mission today! "A superb work of dystopian thriller fiction that expertly weaves together all the precision and sharpness of a great military fiction with compelling character dynamics and a tense, fast-paced plot." — ★★★★★ Readers' Favorite "Military fiction might be the vehicle, but intricately drawn characters drive the story ... Of Friction is an intriguing novel that maintains precision and order amid sabotage and chaos." — ★★★★★ Indies Today " A compelling exploration of interpersonal dynamics and the complexities of relationships, offering readers a thought-provoking journey through the intricacies of human connection and emotion. The book shines a light on the resilience and growth that can emerge from moments of tension, making it a worthwhile read for those interested in delving into the depths of human interaction and understanding." — IndieReader " The character-focused story builds to a climax that will leave readers eager for more." — The BookLife Prize "Breaking down outdated barriers in a genre-smashing debut, this first installment of the Altered Earth series is not one to miss." — Self-Publishing Review "A compelling opener for the Altered Earth Series, featuring a well-crafted setting and a dynamic cast." — ★★★★★ Literary Titan " With nail-biting suspense and palpable tension, Lee completely hooks her readers." — ★★★★★ The Chrysalis BREW Project " Lee creates an incredible sense of visual detail through her words. This book follows like a movie in your head, complete with visuals, sounds, and feelings coming alight as you read... leaves readers yearning for more as book two cannot come soon enough!" — ★★★★★ Reader Views This book contains content that some readers may find disturbing (violence, war, death, child abuse, and substance abuse/addiction). Reader discretion is advised.