One pre-apocalyptic Earth. One desperate space mission to find a solution. One unexpected alien. When Dr. Sakota Thorell signed onto the mission to scout out a new, habitable planet, she knew discovering extraterrestrial life was always a possibility. But she never expected to find an alien adrift in space, nor for that alien to be so intriguing. Sakota feels an instant and undeniable attraction … and undeniable attraction to Astraeus, but he represents a million possibilities, and just as many threats.
There are others hunting Astraeus, and his rescue may cost Earth its last hope.
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Earth is on the brink of extinction. The only solution: find a new planet to inhabit before it’s too late. Dr. Sakota Thorell is one of the crew on Sleipnir and her mission is to find a planet equal to Earth somewhere in the galaxy. It’s been a year and so far, nothing but all that changes when she discovers an alien floating in space. She’s drawn to Astraeus and it’s more than scientific curiosity. A romance blooms but along with it comes danger. Can they find a home for humans or has the rescue of Astraeus signed their death warrant?
What a thrilling space adventure! While reading, I could hear whispers of Picard and Riker. The premise of Earth dying and a need to go out into space to save all of humanity is a timely one. The characters leapt off the page and for this space girl, I loved every minute of it. Yes, there’s romance but it doesn’t detract from the main plot. Plenty of action and suspense to please any science fiction reader. My favorite scenes were with Astraeus, for obvious reasons. Who doesn’t love a smart, intelligent, sexy alien?
If you’re looking for a space dystopian adventure, pick up Astraeus today!
My Rating: 5 stars
This is a new author to me and when she puts out more I will be reading! This story grabbed my interest from the first page and did not let go until I had finished. The pages flow smoothly from one to the other. I recommend this book. I received a copy of this book through Reading Alley and I am voluntarily reviewing.
“..there’s a person floating right outside..[the window of the vessel]…He’s got some kind of weird black body armor on, and he’s not wearing any face gear. He’s looking right at me. I th-think he’s alive!”
Thus, in the 4th paragraph of the book, the author grabs the reader, to join her on the best space-odyssey since Robert Heinlein’s books. Sleipnir is a mobile intergalactic research facility whose job is to perform science in different solar systems, to look for and report any possible habitable planets and extraterrestrial life. It’s mission: an exploratory journey to the Andromeda Galaxy in search of geological resources and a new home for the human family. The ship has spent about one year in space, so far unsuccessful in finding an inhabitable planet or any living being. Now, an injured being suddenly appears just outside the ship! The crew scrambles to get to him and bring him inside for treatment (by the physician and scientists) and constraint and questioning (by the security forces).
The suspense builds: a humanoid form, yet impervious to the effects of exposure to space; mental telepathy with the CMO, Dr. Sakota Thorell, despite initial inability to speak English; escape from planet-destroying aliens, who may be following the spaceman, in order to continue their life-plundering eating disorder; the ubiquitous conflict between Medicine & Science versus Military might; the spine-tingling tango between male and female as they traverse the immense differences between Earth and Alien, man and woman to form a cohesive bond capable of facing dangers small and large and triumphing over them all. The reader is drawn in more deeply with each issue facing them. As this episode comes to an end, it is with the sense that this book is merely the ‘end of the beginning’, and I, for one, eagerly await the next book.
CRITIGUE: A well-constructed story, with attempts to explain the scientific adaptations in the story, making life aboard such a vessel nearly believable. (The spacesuit of the injured being is described as being made of carbon nanotubules.) The premise of other sentient beings is believable, and the presence of aliens with the sole purpose of consuming us and our resources (the stuff of our nightmares and scary movies), draws us into the author’s world for the ride. I find no significant writing errors, which bespeaks good editing. A twelve year old will enjoy the story, but adults will see the reasons for the voyage as a sad commentary on the wastefulness of Earth’s current inhabitants which may well necessitate just such voyages in the immediate future, for mankind to survive the human-wrought destruction of this planet.
I downloaded this as a free book. I wanted to share my impressions with other Sci-Fi lovers, so they would not miss this book .
Astraeus is an interesting, thought provoking read and I was captivated from the first page until the last. I loved Astraeus and Sakota’s connection and how their relationship developed throughout the story. I absolutely loved Alistair and his devotion to his daughter Sakota. Great writing, intriguing characters and an action filled ending make this a 5 star read.