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Evan Gabriel Trilogy #2
Gabriel's Return
Gabriel's Return
Book 2 of the Evan Gabriel Trilogy
On the far-off icebound planet of Poliahu, North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel suffered the loss of several team members in order to free a native species and save his brother. Now he is being called away on a new mission by a friend in trouble, and by a name from his distant past. He and his surviving team must again travel across the galaxy to the planet where he lost his naval command, and his original team, so many years Eden.
Evan Gabriel must face three distinct threats on the well-armed terrorist group that has been raiding Eden City, the dangerous planet itself, and his own haunting memories of his past.
Gabriel's Return continues the epic science fiction/adventure trilogy with characters new and old, devious political intrigue on the moon and Mars, and deadly jungle combat on Eden.
Book 2 of the Evan Gabriel Trilogy
On the far-off icebound planet of Poliahu, North American Federation Navy Commander Evan Gabriel suffered the loss of several team members in order to free a native species and save his brother. Now he is being called away on a new mission by a friend in trouble, and by a name from his distant past. He and his surviving team must again travel across the galaxy to the planet where he lost his naval command, and his original team, so many years Eden.
Evan Gabriel must face three distinct threats on the well-armed terrorist group that has been raiding Eden City, the dangerous planet itself, and his own haunting memories of his past.
Gabriel's Return continues the epic science fiction/adventure trilogy with characters new and old, devious political intrigue on the moon and Mars, and deadly jungle combat on Eden.
Nook
First published August 14, 2011
11 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Steve Umstead
13 books1,013 followersSteve Umstead has been the owner of a Caribbean & Mexico travel company for the past ten years, but never forgot his lifelong dream of becoming an author. After a successful stab at National Novel Writing Month, he decided to pursue his dream more vigorously…but hasn't given up the traveling.
Steve lives in scenic (tongue-in-cheek) New Jersey with his wife, two kids, and several bookshelves full of other authors' science fiction novels. Gabriel's Redemption is his debut novel.
Steve lives in scenic (tongue-in-cheek) New Jersey with his wife, two kids, and several bookshelves full of other authors' science fiction novels. Gabriel's Redemption is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 22, 2011
In a Nutshell:
This is the second book of the Evan Gabriel Series.
After a short time attempting, and somewhat succeeding, to help out people in one of the lawless domes of Mars, Gabriel and his team are summoned to meet with the area's Governor. She sends them on an unofficial assignment to stop terrorists who have kidnapped her son and several others on the planet of Eden, a place that Gabriel knows well, and has a sorted past with.
First Thoughts:
There are some tremendous visuals of both the landscape on Mars and Eden as well as a really cool sequence where people are "drinking" tea at zero gravity! It's like the author did it and documented it all. Super cool! The story has grown a lot since the last one, and so has the writer! Quick side note, for those of you that aren't familiar with military jargon, you may see the term materiél. It's not a typo, it's the proper military term for materials. See definition
Thoughts Upon Completion:
Wow! I was impressed with the first story and was really looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. The action was quickly paced and well written, I can't recall a single slow spot in the whole story and the tie-in of Gabriel's back story and the trouble he'd previously had on Eden was really well played out here. I won't give away the ending, but let's say it was very obvious how it was going to end, but only in hindsight! I have nothing negative to say about this sequel. The writer held back a bit on the first with his language which made it a little bit odd, this time around the language was more befitting the military setting on which it's based.
Overall
As I mentioned on my review of Gabriel's Redemption, this is a no question's sci-fi story however it lends itself very well to both those who are avid readers of this genre and those that just want to read a great story! It's never goes over the top with techie jargon and all of the sciencey parts are cleverly explained and based on things that are currently in our popular culture.
This is part II of a trilogy and I think you won't sit idly by waiting for #3!
Thanks for Reading
D. Ryan Leask
Score:
4 + 5 + 10 = ☼☼☼☼☼
This is the second book of the Evan Gabriel Series.
After a short time attempting, and somewhat succeeding, to help out people in one of the lawless domes of Mars, Gabriel and his team are summoned to meet with the area's Governor. She sends them on an unofficial assignment to stop terrorists who have kidnapped her son and several others on the planet of Eden, a place that Gabriel knows well, and has a sorted past with.
First Thoughts:
There are some tremendous visuals of both the landscape on Mars and Eden as well as a really cool sequence where people are "drinking" tea at zero gravity! It's like the author did it and documented it all. Super cool! The story has grown a lot since the last one, and so has the writer! Quick side note, for those of you that aren't familiar with military jargon, you may see the term materiél. It's not a typo, it's the proper military term for materials. See definition
Thoughts Upon Completion:
Wow! I was impressed with the first story and was really looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. The action was quickly paced and well written, I can't recall a single slow spot in the whole story and the tie-in of Gabriel's back story and the trouble he'd previously had on Eden was really well played out here. I won't give away the ending, but let's say it was very obvious how it was going to end, but only in hindsight! I have nothing negative to say about this sequel. The writer held back a bit on the first with his language which made it a little bit odd, this time around the language was more befitting the military setting on which it's based.
Overall
As I mentioned on my review of Gabriel's Redemption, this is a no question's sci-fi story however it lends itself very well to both those who are avid readers of this genre and those that just want to read a great story! It's never goes over the top with techie jargon and all of the sciencey parts are cleverly explained and based on things that are currently in our popular culture.
This is part II of a trilogy and I think you won't sit idly by waiting for #3!
Thanks for Reading
D. Ryan Leask
Score:
4 + 5 + 10 = ☼☼☼☼☼
August 20, 2011
Author Steve Umstead has spun a masterful sequel in this, the second book of the Evan Gabriel trilogy. Gabriel's Return picks up 6 months from where we last left Gabriel and his team. On the not so distant Mars, Gabriel and his team have been slowly cleaning up the corruption on mars. When the most influential governor on mars learns of her sons capture by terrorists on the far away world of Eden, she enlists the aid of Gabriel and his team to rescue him. Gabriel must deal with the bitter memories of his ill fated mission there 5 years prior.
The story is entwined with a well crafted mix of sub plots. They blend perfectly into a fluid sequence of events. the author did a perfect job of inserting enough information from the first book where needed to remind one who has read the first, or fill in those who haven't with enough knowledge to learn the whole story. The sci-fi toys we all love so well live up to the expectation and are believable. I was impressed with the details of the harsh environment on Eden and its inhabitants. I could visualize it as if I was there while reading. One of my few complaints of this author's first books was that it was too short. The author must have listened, because this book is just right. The plots move quickly keeping you on the edge of your seat.
My only complaints with this book are very minor. I though the ending did an excellent job setting up the third and final book, but I felt it was too typical for a middle book of a trilogy. I would have preferred less of a cliff hanger, but that is just my personal preference. My other complaint is with the rebellion leader. I don't want to insert spoilers. It was too transparent is all I will say.
I highly recommend this book it was well worth the wait. With the quality of this book, it's going to really raise the bar for the final. I can't wait to see.
The story is entwined with a well crafted mix of sub plots. They blend perfectly into a fluid sequence of events. the author did a perfect job of inserting enough information from the first book where needed to remind one who has read the first, or fill in those who haven't with enough knowledge to learn the whole story. The sci-fi toys we all love so well live up to the expectation and are believable. I was impressed with the details of the harsh environment on Eden and its inhabitants. I could visualize it as if I was there while reading. One of my few complaints of this author's first books was that it was too short. The author must have listened, because this book is just right. The plots move quickly keeping you on the edge of your seat.
My only complaints with this book are very minor. I though the ending did an excellent job setting up the third and final book, but I felt it was too typical for a middle book of a trilogy. I would have preferred less of a cliff hanger, but that is just my personal preference. My other complaint is with the rebellion leader. I don't want to insert spoilers. It was too transparent is all I will say.
I highly recommend this book it was well worth the wait. With the quality of this book, it's going to really raise the bar for the final. I can't wait to see.
September 11, 2011
GABRIEL’S RETURN (Book 2 of the Evan Gabriel Trilogy) by Steve Umstead FOUR out of FIVE STARS
Read my review of book one (GABRIEL’S REDEMPTION)
Six months after the events in book one, Commander Evan Gabriel of the North American Federation and the remainder of his team are on Mars when the son of a high-ranking politician is kidnapped on the distant world of Eden.
Gabriel and his team are asked mount a rescue, but bitter politics and memories of a failed mission 5 years previously complicate the mission.
Umstead continues his world-building and futuristic vision in GABRIEL’S RETURN, intertwining stories and sub-plots in the masterful thriller.
Where as Book One was a non-stop adventure story, Book Two is a complex thriller with deeper character development, fantastic settings and non-stop action. The writing is tight and fluid and the story is fully immersive.
This is Umstead’s “The Empire Strikes Back, ” cliffhanger included. As long as he doesn’t introduce Ewoks in the final book, all should be well.
I highly recommend both GABRIEL’S REDEMPTION and GABRIEL’S RETURN and I look forward to GABRIEL’S REVENGE due out this winter.
Read my review of book one (GABRIEL’S REDEMPTION)
Six months after the events in book one, Commander Evan Gabriel of the North American Federation and the remainder of his team are on Mars when the son of a high-ranking politician is kidnapped on the distant world of Eden.
Gabriel and his team are asked mount a rescue, but bitter politics and memories of a failed mission 5 years previously complicate the mission.
Umstead continues his world-building and futuristic vision in GABRIEL’S RETURN, intertwining stories and sub-plots in the masterful thriller.
Where as Book One was a non-stop adventure story, Book Two is a complex thriller with deeper character development, fantastic settings and non-stop action. The writing is tight and fluid and the story is fully immersive.
This is Umstead’s “The Empire Strikes Back, ” cliffhanger included. As long as he doesn’t introduce Ewoks in the final book, all should be well.
I highly recommend both GABRIEL’S REDEMPTION and GABRIEL’S RETURN and I look forward to GABRIEL’S REVENGE due out this winter.
August 17, 2011
Join this travel between the worlds and the saga of Evan Gabriel as he strives to complete his missions. This time we travel back to Eden where his troubles first started and his road to redemption began. This bok has everything for a reader from dangerand intrigue to a guaranteed increase in pulse rate.
August 30, 2011
Carried my Kindle everywhere so I could keep reading every spare moment. Felt like the characters were counting on me to read them through to "mission accomplished." Can hardly stand the wait for Book 3.
September 13, 2011
I loved this book even more than the first one, if possible. The continuing character arcs and plotlines just drew me in so that I could hardly bear to put the book down! Can't wait for the third and final installment!
April 10, 2022
Great series.
I appreciate a great sci fi read with a good military story line, lots of action and no unnecessary profanity. Will be looking for more books by this great author. Steve Duncan
I appreciate a great sci fi read with a good military story line, lots of action and no unnecessary profanity. Will be looking for more books by this great author. Steve Duncan
March 10, 2018
3 Stars. OK, but series is not worth continuing to read
August 18, 2025
very much like classic sci-fi
October 27, 2012
"Gabriel's Revenge" is the sequel to the superb Science Fiction novel, "Gabriel's Redemption". As with all my reviews on sequels, there could be some elements contained here which may spoil the earlier novel so my advice as always would be to read that novel before continuing with this review.
The story picks up several month's after the events of the previous novel with Commander Evan Gabriel and the remainder of his team working to help the government on Mars. However, Gabriel and his team are asked to go on an off-world mission when the son of a high-ranking Mars politician is kidnapped by terrorists on the distant planet of Eden. This is already an incredibly difficult and dangerous mission due to Eden's rather deadly native wildlife and the terrorists themselves, but things are complicated even further by Gabriel's own memories of a failed mission 5 years previously.
Steve Umstead had a difficult job in trying to follow "Gabriel's Redemption" which was a novel I thoroughly enjoyed. However, he hasn't missed a beat here as "Gabriel's Return" has an entertaining storyline that fits in well with the world he has crafted. The story picks up at a high pace due to the reader already being familiar with the basis of the characters and Universe already which enables the action to get underway as quickly as possible.
One of the best elements of this novel in particular though had to be the world of Eden itself. Umstead's descriptions are vivid and detailed which made it easy to visualise what he was describing, and what I saw in my mind was a wonderfully original and varied world. Overall, Eden just came alive as a place which felt real to me and I think this is a sure sign of a well written and believable story.
The characters in the novel continued to impress me as they all came across as being basically human, with the faults and perks that this entails. Yes, the protagonists were noble, dedicated and brave, whilst the antagonists were cruel, dangerous and ruthless but you could still see that every one of them was being driven by their own emotions and fears.
The only minor niggle I would mention is that none of the twists surprised me to be honest and I could see the main one coming from miles away. It wasn't really an issue though because the actions and thrills are more than enough to keep the reader hooked from the beginning to the end.
Overall, I think that Steve Umstead continues to be a shining example of what a self-published author can do and this is a worthy sequel to "Gabriel's Redemption". I really can't help but continue to recommend this well written and entertaining trilogy highly enough. To be honest, if you have read the previous novel then I suspect you will be picking this one up anyway, but just make sure you do it sooner rather than later as you won't be disappointed.
The story picks up several month's after the events of the previous novel with Commander Evan Gabriel and the remainder of his team working to help the government on Mars. However, Gabriel and his team are asked to go on an off-world mission when the son of a high-ranking Mars politician is kidnapped by terrorists on the distant planet of Eden. This is already an incredibly difficult and dangerous mission due to Eden's rather deadly native wildlife and the terrorists themselves, but things are complicated even further by Gabriel's own memories of a failed mission 5 years previously.
Steve Umstead had a difficult job in trying to follow "Gabriel's Redemption" which was a novel I thoroughly enjoyed. However, he hasn't missed a beat here as "Gabriel's Return" has an entertaining storyline that fits in well with the world he has crafted. The story picks up at a high pace due to the reader already being familiar with the basis of the characters and Universe already which enables the action to get underway as quickly as possible.
One of the best elements of this novel in particular though had to be the world of Eden itself. Umstead's descriptions are vivid and detailed which made it easy to visualise what he was describing, and what I saw in my mind was a wonderfully original and varied world. Overall, Eden just came alive as a place which felt real to me and I think this is a sure sign of a well written and believable story.
The characters in the novel continued to impress me as they all came across as being basically human, with the faults and perks that this entails. Yes, the protagonists were noble, dedicated and brave, whilst the antagonists were cruel, dangerous and ruthless but you could still see that every one of them was being driven by their own emotions and fears.
The only minor niggle I would mention is that none of the twists surprised me to be honest and I could see the main one coming from miles away. It wasn't really an issue though because the actions and thrills are more than enough to keep the reader hooked from the beginning to the end.
Overall, I think that Steve Umstead continues to be a shining example of what a self-published author can do and this is a worthy sequel to "Gabriel's Redemption". I really can't help but continue to recommend this well written and entertaining trilogy highly enough. To be honest, if you have read the previous novel then I suspect you will be picking this one up anyway, but just make sure you do it sooner rather than later as you won't be disappointed.
November 17, 2011
A Sci-Fi Rumble in the Jungle
Power up your Oso-11 heavy assault rifle and join Evan Gabriel’s team as they face a new threat on an old battlefield in Steve Umstead’s second novel in the Evan Gabriel Trilogy, ‘Gabriel’s Return’.
Picking up the story six months after the conclusions of the first book, Umstead instills in you a false sense of security and normalcy so that he can leverage his plot and jerk the rug out from under you and his characters. This book is loaded with more than enough hi-tech action but Umstead finds balance and depth by presenting a more complex plot and delves much deeper into his characters.
Against all odds – a summary
Evan Gabriel and his team of special operations forces have been cleaning up the streets of Mars. Gone are the criminals and the chaos, replaced by the pleasant smiles of pedestrians and laughter of children playing. Things are winding down for Gabriel and his crack unit but political forces are manipulating events around the galaxies that will put it all in jeopardy.
Learning that one of his men from the ill-fated Eden mission is alive but imprisoned, Gabriel takes his team back to where his nightmare began. As they prepare for this latest Eden mission, one team member falls to a traitor’s plot and they quickly realize the only people they can trust are each other. Ill-equipped and undermanned, Gabriel and his crew must fight their way through enemy territory and defeat an army of terrorists in order to eliminate the mysterious ‘Prophet’ and rescue their hostages.
Meanwhile, political machinations begin to play out as an anonymous mastermind, backed by the La Republica de Sudamerica, begins his coup on Mars while Gabriel and his team are light years away battling the terrorists and their own personal demons.
Final Thoughts
While there were no major surprises in the story, there was more than enough action and intrigue to keep me turning page after suspenseful. In fact I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first novel for a couple of reasons. First, we get a much better picture about the kind of man Evan Gabriel really is because he’s no longer a one-man show on the run. Second, the mix between action and intrigue was much more balanced and definitely sews enough threads to make me excited about reading Gabriel��s Revenge (Book 3). Add it all together and you have a five-star read in Gabriel’s Return.
Tom Clementson (Kindle Book Review)
Power up your Oso-11 heavy assault rifle and join Evan Gabriel’s team as they face a new threat on an old battlefield in Steve Umstead’s second novel in the Evan Gabriel Trilogy, ‘Gabriel’s Return’.
Picking up the story six months after the conclusions of the first book, Umstead instills in you a false sense of security and normalcy so that he can leverage his plot and jerk the rug out from under you and his characters. This book is loaded with more than enough hi-tech action but Umstead finds balance and depth by presenting a more complex plot and delves much deeper into his characters.
Against all odds – a summary
Evan Gabriel and his team of special operations forces have been cleaning up the streets of Mars. Gone are the criminals and the chaos, replaced by the pleasant smiles of pedestrians and laughter of children playing. Things are winding down for Gabriel and his crack unit but political forces are manipulating events around the galaxies that will put it all in jeopardy.
Learning that one of his men from the ill-fated Eden mission is alive but imprisoned, Gabriel takes his team back to where his nightmare began. As they prepare for this latest Eden mission, one team member falls to a traitor’s plot and they quickly realize the only people they can trust are each other. Ill-equipped and undermanned, Gabriel and his crew must fight their way through enemy territory and defeat an army of terrorists in order to eliminate the mysterious ‘Prophet’ and rescue their hostages.
Meanwhile, political machinations begin to play out as an anonymous mastermind, backed by the La Republica de Sudamerica, begins his coup on Mars while Gabriel and his team are light years away battling the terrorists and their own personal demons.
Final Thoughts
While there were no major surprises in the story, there was more than enough action and intrigue to keep me turning page after suspenseful. In fact I enjoyed this book as much, if not more than the first novel for a couple of reasons. First, we get a much better picture about the kind of man Evan Gabriel really is because he’s no longer a one-man show on the run. Second, the mix between action and intrigue was much more balanced and definitely sews enough threads to make me excited about reading Gabriel��s Revenge (Book 3). Add it all together and you have a five-star read in Gabriel’s Return.
Tom Clementson (Kindle Book Review)
December 10, 2013
As with all of my reviews, I'm not going to talk about the plot here. That's for you to enjoy when you curl up with your Kindle (or other eReader) and a cup of tea or coffee. But I will bring out a number of things about the book I enjoyed.
Gabriel's Return starts off fast, forcing you to dive into the story. I really appreciated this. As you might recall, my major complaint with Gabriel's Redemption was that it took a long time, nearly half the book, before I felt like the pace of the story was moving at full steam. Gabriel's Return is nothing like that.
Hats off to the author, too, for making the planet of Eden so believable. As the characters traverse the planet, it feels alive and real. It's definitely the most enjoyable part of the entire book, and in some ways, I wish the author would have expanded on the planet. I mean that in a positive way. That's a sign of a believable story and world: When the reader can't get enough and wants to know more. Umstead does a fantastic job of this.
Overall, I really liked Gabriel's Return and I have to say I'm looking forward to the next story (which this book sets up nicely). If you haven't read the first book, don't fret. I think you can get along just fine with this one. But don't let that statement stop you. Both books are good and worthy of your time for recreation.
Pros +
+Story picks up in the first pages, getting you right into the action
+Very believable planet of Eden
+Fantastic twist near the end of the story (I didn't see it coming!)
Cons -
-The second quarter of the story is a little slow, but picks up again halfway through
-It might be me, but the politics stuff was a little confusing. Without telling you why (don't want to ruin the story), I `ll just say I had trouble making sense of it
-Evan Gabriel, the main character. I feel distant from him. Knowing more about him through the narrative would be nice
Gabriel's Return starts off fast, forcing you to dive into the story. I really appreciated this. As you might recall, my major complaint with Gabriel's Redemption was that it took a long time, nearly half the book, before I felt like the pace of the story was moving at full steam. Gabriel's Return is nothing like that.
Hats off to the author, too, for making the planet of Eden so believable. As the characters traverse the planet, it feels alive and real. It's definitely the most enjoyable part of the entire book, and in some ways, I wish the author would have expanded on the planet. I mean that in a positive way. That's a sign of a believable story and world: When the reader can't get enough and wants to know more. Umstead does a fantastic job of this.
Overall, I really liked Gabriel's Return and I have to say I'm looking forward to the next story (which this book sets up nicely). If you haven't read the first book, don't fret. I think you can get along just fine with this one. But don't let that statement stop you. Both books are good and worthy of your time for recreation.
Pros +
+Story picks up in the first pages, getting you right into the action
+Very believable planet of Eden
+Fantastic twist near the end of the story (I didn't see it coming!)
Cons -
-The second quarter of the story is a little slow, but picks up again halfway through
-It might be me, but the politics stuff was a little confusing. Without telling you why (don't want to ruin the story), I `ll just say I had trouble making sense of it
-Evan Gabriel, the main character. I feel distant from him. Knowing more about him through the narrative would be nice
October 7, 2011
As with all of my reviews, I'm not going to talk about the plot here. That's for you to enjoy when you curl up with your Kindle (or other eReader) and a cup of tea or coffee. But I will bring out a number of things about the book I enjoyed.
Gabriel's Return starts off fast, forcing you to dive into the story. I really appreciated this. As you might recall, my major complaint with Gabriel's Redemption was that it took a long time, nearly half the book, before I felt like the pace of the story was moving at full steam. Gabriel's Return is nothing like that.
Hats off to the author, too, for making the planet of Eden so believable. As the characters traverse the planet, it feels alive and real. It's definitely the most enjoyable part of the entire book, and in some ways, I wish the author would have expanded on the planet. I mean that in a positive way. That's a sign of a believable story and world: When the reader can't get enough and wants to know more. Umstead does a fantastic job of this.
Overall, I really liked Gabriel's Return and I have to say I'm looking forward to the next story (which this book sets up nicely). If you haven't read the first book, don't fret. I think you can get along just fine with this one. But don't let that statement stop you. Both books are good and worthy of your time for recreation.
Pros +
+Story picks up in the first pages, getting you right into the action
+Very believable planet of Eden
+Fantastic twist near the end of the story (I didn't see it coming!)
Cons -
-The second quarter of the story is a little slow, but picks up again halfway through
-It might be me, but the politics stuff was a little confusing. Without telling you why (don't want to ruin the story), I `ll just say I had trouble making sense of it
-Evan Gabriel, the main character. I feel distant from him. Knowing more about him through the narrative would be nice
Gabriel's Return starts off fast, forcing you to dive into the story. I really appreciated this. As you might recall, my major complaint with Gabriel's Redemption was that it took a long time, nearly half the book, before I felt like the pace of the story was moving at full steam. Gabriel's Return is nothing like that.
Hats off to the author, too, for making the planet of Eden so believable. As the characters traverse the planet, it feels alive and real. It's definitely the most enjoyable part of the entire book, and in some ways, I wish the author would have expanded on the planet. I mean that in a positive way. That's a sign of a believable story and world: When the reader can't get enough and wants to know more. Umstead does a fantastic job of this.
Overall, I really liked Gabriel's Return and I have to say I'm looking forward to the next story (which this book sets up nicely). If you haven't read the first book, don't fret. I think you can get along just fine with this one. But don't let that statement stop you. Both books are good and worthy of your time for recreation.
Pros +
+Story picks up in the first pages, getting you right into the action
+Very believable planet of Eden
+Fantastic twist near the end of the story (I didn't see it coming!)
Cons -
-The second quarter of the story is a little slow, but picks up again halfway through
-It might be me, but the politics stuff was a little confusing. Without telling you why (don't want to ruin the story), I `ll just say I had trouble making sense of it
-Evan Gabriel, the main character. I feel distant from him. Knowing more about him through the narrative would be nice
December 11, 2011
Wow, a full action packed book two in the Evan Gabriel trilogy.
This installment follows Gabriel doing routine duty on Mars when one of the Governor’s requests his team to accept a mission to Eden. The planet was given the name because it looks like Eden, perfect, but this planet is anything but! The Governor’s son is kidnapped by a community of Rebels and a whole team of students is taken hostage. Gabriel ready’s his team to embark on a mission that isn’t official. They board their ship and meet with 2 new team members. Gabriel is apprehensive about receiving new members, especially after the last mission.
While the team are traveling and preparing for the mission, ulterior motives are being planned and undertaken. Mars is going under some changes within the Government.
Gabriel acquaints himself with the team and memories of his past mission to Eden come back to haunt him. Eden is full of scary and strange flora and fauna; nobody really understands what is ahead of them. Arriving seems quite normal and they are getting ready to set out when an explosion erupts. This is the first of many challenges the team has to face along the way to find the hostages and bring them back alive. The Rebels have some horrific ideas of how to slow down Gabriel’s team along the trek. Who will have the courage to continue through the unknown jungle to the Rebels before dark?
The way Steve presents the written images and details is so vivid you feel as if you are trekking through the jungle on Eden. His easy flowing way of writing is awesome and I became addicted easily and needed to find out what Gabriel’s next problem was. This series is fantastic and I highly recommend this to all. ~ Katie Turner (The Kindle Book Review)
This installment follows Gabriel doing routine duty on Mars when one of the Governor’s requests his team to accept a mission to Eden. The planet was given the name because it looks like Eden, perfect, but this planet is anything but! The Governor’s son is kidnapped by a community of Rebels and a whole team of students is taken hostage. Gabriel ready’s his team to embark on a mission that isn’t official. They board their ship and meet with 2 new team members. Gabriel is apprehensive about receiving new members, especially after the last mission.
While the team are traveling and preparing for the mission, ulterior motives are being planned and undertaken. Mars is going under some changes within the Government.
Gabriel acquaints himself with the team and memories of his past mission to Eden come back to haunt him. Eden is full of scary and strange flora and fauna; nobody really understands what is ahead of them. Arriving seems quite normal and they are getting ready to set out when an explosion erupts. This is the first of many challenges the team has to face along the way to find the hostages and bring them back alive. The Rebels have some horrific ideas of how to slow down Gabriel’s team along the trek. Who will have the courage to continue through the unknown jungle to the Rebels before dark?
The way Steve presents the written images and details is so vivid you feel as if you are trekking through the jungle on Eden. His easy flowing way of writing is awesome and I became addicted easily and needed to find out what Gabriel’s next problem was. This series is fantastic and I highly recommend this to all. ~ Katie Turner (The Kindle Book Review)
September 29, 2011
I’ve just finished reading Gabriel’s Return by Steve Umstead and found it a great continuation of the Evan Gabriel series. Steve Umstead’s first book, Gabriel’s Redemption, showed me the skill and great storytelling abilities of the author. Gabriel’s Return is no exception.
The story of Evan Gabriel’s return to military action starts a bit slow but the author paints a wonderful descriptive picture of life on Mars and builds to a mission made for Gabriel and his team.
Political elements on Earth plot and put into action steps to gain and control power on free governing planets. Mars is one but the planet Eden is the first step in these power brokers plan.
Eden at first seems to be the perfect world for its inhabitance but a closer look shows it to be a dangerous place to live. Plants and animals there find humans to be just another step in the food chain.
Students from Mars are on Eden to study these creatures but become hostages and used in an attempt to take control of Mars.
Evan Gabriel and his team are called in to put a stop to this power play and are sent to Eden to recover the hostages and bring the planet back under control.
Evan was the only survivor on a previous mission to Eden and the loss of the men and women of his old team still haunts him as he tries to take control of the situation.
Gabriel’s Return is a great Sci-Fi to read and I highly recommend it.
Steve Umstead is a master of showing the reader a world that we might see in the future. You won’t regret reading this series of books. I can’t wait for the conclusion of the Evan Gabriel series, Gabriel’s Revenge.
The story of Evan Gabriel’s return to military action starts a bit slow but the author paints a wonderful descriptive picture of life on Mars and builds to a mission made for Gabriel and his team.
Political elements on Earth plot and put into action steps to gain and control power on free governing planets. Mars is one but the planet Eden is the first step in these power brokers plan.
Eden at first seems to be the perfect world for its inhabitance but a closer look shows it to be a dangerous place to live. Plants and animals there find humans to be just another step in the food chain.
Students from Mars are on Eden to study these creatures but become hostages and used in an attempt to take control of Mars.
Evan Gabriel and his team are called in to put a stop to this power play and are sent to Eden to recover the hostages and bring the planet back under control.
Evan was the only survivor on a previous mission to Eden and the loss of the men and women of his old team still haunts him as he tries to take control of the situation.
Gabriel’s Return is a great Sci-Fi to read and I highly recommend it.
Steve Umstead is a master of showing the reader a world that we might see in the future. You won’t regret reading this series of books. I can’t wait for the conclusion of the Evan Gabriel series, Gabriel’s Revenge.
October 17, 2011
Since this is a sequel to Gabriel's Redemption, I already knew Steve was a great writer with imagination and spunk and a killer grip of the tech-geeky-cool stuff that makes sci-fi like this so much fun.
There was no let-down with Gabriel's Return. In fact, it's better in my opinion. Wow, did he deliver pace, plot, and intrigue. One of the best parts is that Return takes us back, not only physically to the planet that started Gabriel's fall into disgrace and haunting nightmares, but it brings it to an exciting and very satisfying resolution of that life-changing event in his life. (At least until the bad guys raise the stakes just in time for the final book.)
The action in this book rocks, complete with super-cool weapons and technology. (I want a set of neuretics, please.) Steve takes a complex cast and gives them each a distinct personality that makes the team dynamic just great. It propels you right along with them, and you feel it with the team when something happens to one of their own. And even the bad guys are likable in their twisted ways.
I'm being purposely vague; I hate spoilers. (Sometimes I won't even read the back cover copy, just in case it gives away more than I want to know.) But trust me when I say, this one pays off in a big way. You'll love it.
There was no let-down with Gabriel's Return. In fact, it's better in my opinion. Wow, did he deliver pace, plot, and intrigue. One of the best parts is that Return takes us back, not only physically to the planet that started Gabriel's fall into disgrace and haunting nightmares, but it brings it to an exciting and very satisfying resolution of that life-changing event in his life. (At least until the bad guys raise the stakes just in time for the final book.)
The action in this book rocks, complete with super-cool weapons and technology. (I want a set of neuretics, please.) Steve takes a complex cast and gives them each a distinct personality that makes the team dynamic just great. It propels you right along with them, and you feel it with the team when something happens to one of their own. And even the bad guys are likable in their twisted ways.
I'm being purposely vague; I hate spoilers. (Sometimes I won't even read the back cover copy, just in case it gives away more than I want to know.) But trust me when I say, this one pays off in a big way. You'll love it.
January 5, 2012
I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the second book in the Evan Gabriel Trilogy. While in the first one I though the characters were a little bland and sketchy, in this one they are much more thought out and detailed (you can see more of who Gabriel is), and this makes it easier to relate with (and to) them. This is still an action novel above all, and as such you'll get firefights, daring deeds and a few deaths thrown in, all to make an interesting read.
I was a little disappointed however with the whole Eden mission from Gabriel's past; in the first book it was an overhanging shadow on top of the character, with very little information about the actual mission being revealed in the book, while in this one the truth is revealed as to what happened, I thought it fell short of the promise, it was too succinct and bland for something of such a great importance for the character.
It is still a very fun to read book, and if you're looking for some entertainment you'll find it here.
I was a little disappointed however with the whole Eden mission from Gabriel's past; in the first book it was an overhanging shadow on top of the character, with very little information about the actual mission being revealed in the book, while in this one the truth is revealed as to what happened, I thought it fell short of the promise, it was too succinct and bland for something of such a great importance for the character.
It is still a very fun to read book, and if you're looking for some entertainment you'll find it here.
June 20, 2013
This was book two of a trilogy. Evan Gabriel and his special ops team are serving light law enforcement duties on Mars when they are called out for a mission to the planet Eden where Gabriel had run into disaster years earlier. Rebels have captured a group of college students, including the son of Mars' most powerful governor, and the North American Federal Navy special ops team is being called on to rescue them. In addition Evan receives a shock when they receive word that one of his previous team, long thought dead, is alive and a prisoner of the same rebels. From the book description: "Gabriel will face three distinct threats on Eden: the well-armed terrorist group that has been raiding Eden City, the deadly flora and fauna of the planet itself, and perhaps most ominously, his own haunting memories of his past." As in the previous book, Gabriel's Redemption, the author's world building is outstanding as are the combat descriptions. I highly recommend this book.
February 3, 2012
Six months after reclaiming a life that was lost to him, Evan Gabriel has made a home for himself and his team on Mars. After eliminating the criminal element they're treated like family by the people of Mars. As proves to be the norm in Gabriel's life, he's taken from his earned peace when he and his team are sent to the same planet that almost claimed him five years earlier. Sent to the beautifully dangerous planet Eden to rescue hostages taken by rebels, he's forced to face one more memory from his past before he can fully move on.
Steve Umstead does a great job of bringing the world of Evan Gabriel to life in the sequel to Gabriel's Redemption. An enjoyable read in the vein of Aliens, Star Trek, and Babylon 5, it’s entertaining from beginning to end
Steve Umstead does a great job of bringing the world of Evan Gabriel to life in the sequel to Gabriel's Redemption. An enjoyable read in the vein of Aliens, Star Trek, and Babylon 5, it’s entertaining from beginning to end
April 29, 2015
Book two of the trilogy and the story continues. A new mission for Gabriel and his team returns Gabriel to the scene of the mission that caused him to be cashiered. The bad guys are a little to easily overcome and the big surprise is not really surprising, but an entertaining read.
March 22, 2013
Just as you think 1 sub plot has concluded, there's always another surprise just around the corner, but you don't know when it's going to happen until you land on top of it.
Well crafted plot. Characters are realistic, and would translate well as a movie.
Well crafted plot. Characters are realistic, and would translate well as a movie.
July 18, 2013
Action packed awesomeness!!!
February 11, 2014
Second book of the Evan Gabriel trilogy. It was an okay story, a bit weak as it was mainly setting up for the third book.
October 10, 2014
This is a OK book but I came away from reading this book feeling that more time was spent on the bad guys than on Gabriel's and once more he is saved by someone stepping in at the last second.
April 7, 2015
Fun. Not particularly great writing, but interesting story, and likable characters. Umstead tends to use the same props repeatedly. Keep an eye out for cold coffee. Probably Decaf.
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