Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space

The Henry Gallant Saga #1

by H. Peter Alesso

As the last star fighter in squadron 111, Midshipman Henry Gallant is on his way from Jupiter to Mars.

With the United Planets' fleet on the verge of annihilation, he can expect no help as he passes through the asteroid belt and threatening aliens. With so much uncertainty about the aliens’ capabilities and intentions, analyzing the captured computer equipment in Gallant’s possession could prove crucial.

The fate of Earth could rest on the abilities of Midshipman Henry Gallant. Unfortunately, it is his abilities that have been much in doubt during his tour of duty.

In an era of genetic engineering, he is the only Natural (non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. His classmates and superior officers have all expressed their concern that he will not be up to the demands of the space service.

Only bright and attractive junior officer Kelsey Mitchel has shown any sympathy for Gallant. Now as his navigator on the last fighter in squadron 111, her life as well as a good many others, depends of Henry Gallant.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction, Amazon, Action, Adventure

328 pages, Paperback

First published May 15, 2012

About the author

I love words, but that wasn't always true. I grew up with a talent for numbers, leading me to follow a different path. I went to Annapolis and MIT and became a nuclear physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Only after I retired was my desire to tell stories reawakened.

In recent years, I have immersed myself in the world of words, drawing on my scientific knowledge and personal experience to shape my writing.

As a scientist, I explored physics and technology, which enabled me to create informative and insightful books, sharing my knowledge with readers who sought to expand their understanding in these areas—contributing to their intellectual growth while satisfying my own passion.

But it was my time as a naval officer that ignited my imagination and propelled me into science fiction. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving on nuclear submarines during both hot and cold wars, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges of military operations that seamen face daily.

This allowed me a unique perspective, which I channeled into creating Henry Gallant and a 22nd-century world where a space officer fought against invading aliens. Through this narrative, I explored the depths of human resilience, the mysteries of space, and the intricacies of military conflict.

My stories let me share the highlights of my journey with you. I hope you enjoy the ride. (www.hpeteralesso.com)

H. Peter Alesso Amazon Author Page"
https://www.amazon.com/H.-Peter-Aless...

'The Henry Gallant Sage' Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHenryGall...

website: https://www.ai-hive.net/

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 2 out of 5]

This YA space opera is the first in a series about the title character who is fresh out of cadet school and has one or two unique characteristics that will play heavily in the plot.

I used to smile when reading 1960s Sci-Fi that predicted that we would be beyond Mars with colonies on Jupiter and Saturn before 2000. This series picks a time less than 150 years from now when much of our Solar System is colonized and it is all under one government. "He reflected on the economic forces that drove the unified governments of Earth. Once colonization and asteroid mining began, commerce between the planets quickly followed. Eventually, immigrants on the planetary colonies sought full rights as citizens. Many people on Earth felt they had subsidized the colonies and should be repaid before citizenship was granted. In contrast, the colonists felt they had sacrificed much in facing deprivation and danger, and therefore deserved full citizenship immediately. After a short, sharp conflict, Earth and the colonies coalesced into the United Planets. They had a democratic government with a president and a congress. It granted the colonies equal citizenship rights with Earthers."

Gallant is assigned to a space navy ship out at the orbit of Jupiter and, early on he meets the senior Midshipman Neuman. "Neumann was, in every way, the prototype of Earth’s most advanced genetic engineering. He was tall and strikingly handsome, with a powerful frame and an appealing smile. His position at the head of the table confirmed him as the ranking midshipman.“ We are to learn that Gallant (are we back to Pilgrim’s Progress with names?) is one of the few who have not had neural implants and he is shunned and the object of some derision for that.

"“Think of it as a sociological revolution,” said Red, spreading his arms wide to illustrate the scope of the issue. “You mean like the Industrial Revolution?” asked Gallant. Kelsey touched Gallant’s shoulder. “Exactly. Only, our twenty-second century mind revolution started with genetically enhanced neural interfaces. You may be the forerunner of something different. You herald a future where control of AI machines can be accomplished without genetic engineering. Control by pure thought. That’s why Neumann resents you so much.” “Oh,"
So the subtext is: natural human evolution (through eugenics?) vs. genetic engineering and cyborgs. These could be interesting topics in a talented author’s hands but here they are merely mono-dimensional tropes.

Some other issues that I have with this story:
The aliens are the only ones to use “flying saucers.” (just a minor annoyance)

The aliens have a biology based on other than a oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle but little is done with it.

There is clumsy description that has the Mars Space Academy devoting lots of surface to grass and lawns. (Really, when water is a scarce commodity?)

The “good guys” are named the Space Force!

“In all the solar system; in all the various spaceship outfits;” Henry Gallant (the un-genetic engineered human) is the only one fit to save our solar system and the United Planets from alien invasion…and the powers that be recognize that he is!

This is not all but they are part of the almost constant annoyance factor with what could have been an interesting basis for a saga. There has to be someone currently writing this type of plot much better than this one.

2*

[Red Tide]

I refused to finish. Rating: minus 5

I do not think that anyone will read this but am revising my reviews anyway. The writing was bad enough that I could not bring myself to finish, as short as the book is. Given my experiences on this site, I almost expect to receive abusive comments demanding an immediate retraction or worse. According to certain commenters I am an evil intellectual. This was based on my personal scribbles, expected to be read by none. Since my nasty commenters have been so mesmerized by my opinion, I admit that now I aim to misbehave.

Before I proceed I need some time on YouTube. This was brought to you by Cinzia Dubois, EarleWrites, Times Radio, SK Media, Flashmob Bella Ciao, Annie's Literary Empire, Owen Jones, Abney Park, Ben and Emily, Call of History, Autumn's Boutique, Viva La Dirt League, Second Thought, The Dadvocate, KernowDamo, Kristine Vike, Ash L G, ILona Millinery, Dungeon Dad, Quinn's Ideas, May, Lily Simpson, Nerd Cookies, Max Barskih - Don't F@ck with Ukraine, Spacedock, ATP Geopolitics, Hailey in Bookland, Some More News, Ben G Thomas, SandRhoman History, Leaf of Life, The Octupus Lady, Planarwalker, Geo Girl, Terrible Writing Advice, Paleo Analysis, Dungeons and Discourse, Venom Geek Media, Physics Girl.

This book has no world building. It seemed that the one government are the system authority. How that authority is structured is unknown and obviously unimportant to the writer. The human space fleet is the U.S. Navy. There are alien warships are invading the solar system for ..... Reasons. They are opposed by the U.S. Space Navy. I will not bother to refer to the human fleet, government or society since this and the many identical books do not pretend that Human and US space are not identical. That sums up the entire background universe.

We are told that the aliens and US have technological parity. "Show, don't tell" is not a dictum known to these low end writers, so in this regard the book is adhering to the standards. Given the technological parity, the force disparity in the initial battle should be decisive. However the aliens arrive with only 200+ large warships vs the US navy with 1 warship and its attached group of 8 space fighter planes each smaller than an F-35 or SU-57.

The battle is an effective draw due the decisive presence in the battle of multi-talented 17 year old Midshipman Gallant. Among his many qualifications despite having achieved only the rank of Midshipman are:

Space fighter pilot with veteran status (no explanation for his veteran status nor mention of any previous US navy space war);

Awarded the highest space fighter rating in the fleet;

Squadron command rated and served as Squadron commander, space fighter;

Rated as and serving as Senior Communications Officer, capital ship;

Rated as and serving as Senior Damage Control Officer;

Rated as and serving as Master Exterior Hull Repair Specialist;

Rated as and serving as Master Alien Technologist with associated backgrounds in physics, materials science, linguistics, etc;

Rated as and serving as Senior Medical and Surgical Trauma Specialist;

Rated as and serving as Senior Tactical Officer, space fighter;
Rated as and serving as Senior Tactical Officer, Capital Ship;

Rated as and serving as Senior Weapons Officer, space fighter
Rated as and serving as Senior Weapons Officer, Capital Ship;

Rated as and serving as Senior Navigation Officer, Capital Ship;

Rated as and serving as Master Zero G combat, ranged weapons against multiple opponents;
Rated as and serving as Master Zero G combat, close quarters against multiple opponents;

Rated as possessing Highest level Command ability;

Rated as possessing Superior strength of personality;

Superior Personal traits also include
- highest fleet Rating, physical attractiveness
- highest fleet Rating, hair to die for
- highest fleet Rating, charisma
- highest fleet Rating, proper ethnicity
- highest fleet Rating, proper genetic lineage.

I expect that the above will serve as a template for my future description of the main characters and background universe (since the two usually comprise the entirety of world building) for most of Amazon's military science fiction.

After listing the many talents and skills of the midshipman, I need a small break most probably with YouTube. This next was made possible by Ash L G, Ponderful, ThePrimeChronus, Shaun, Up and Atom, Cruising Alba, Travelling K, Interior Design Hub, Andrewism, New Economic Thinking, AllShorts, Daisy Bow, Dungeons and Discourse, The Sword and the Pen Reflections, Sophie from Mars, Kristine Vike, How to ADHD, Mandy -web series, Sci-Fi Odyssey, Double Down News, No Justice MTG, It's Black Friday, LuckyBlackCat, Dami Lee, Verilybitchie, Lisa Walton, Shannon Makes, The Closet Historian.

A teen or preteen boy might find the book exciting but most of that audience will still have trouble with the inconsistency and implausibility. As a child's adventure it fails because it will read as a silly recounting of the main character's rise to the recognition which he deserves because ....? It is written as bad YA fiction but it is really not. Originally I seriously imagined the writer as an enthusiastic but untalented thirteen year old boy.

This book's actual audience are 30+ year old gamer males. The setting is generic gamer universe. The combat and combatants have all the depth and logic found in a first person shooter. Halo and other games are designed by coders not writers, whose goals are to deliver an adrenaline filled thrill. They often succeed but novels they are not. Enjoying Star Citizen, Mass Effect or Space Engineer is perfectly fine but there is no reward in a book whose only significant character would be branded by the same audience as the worst "Mary Sue" if "Henry" were "Henrietta".

I might as well move on to the concept of space in these books. Space is immense distances speckled with clumps of matter, some having a mass an appreciable percentage of a stellar object and others the density of a beach pebble. This writer imagined that asteroid belt objects are sixty to seventy meters apart, instead of the average distance of millions of kilometres. The writer misplaced the entire asteroid belt at one point.

I was unable to picture the US space navy with a total of one cruiser and eight space planes. I could not imagine the role or roles a single ship was designed to fill across the distance of an entire solar system. The writer could not be bothered to give thought to the size of a star system. I tried to imagine a country on Earth with a navy/coast guard consisting of one ship. The inner system has thousands of commercial ships travelling to and fro while one spaceship is tasked with search and rescue, system police and defence force across hundreds of millions of miles of spherical Spaaaace.

Writers from Star Trek through current low end, low thought space adventures have no conception of the vastness of space. Writers and fans alike imagine a stellar system as something routinely traversed in several hours and 200 light years in several days or less. They are a far cry from Pournelle, Asimov, Cherryh, Weber and other more thoughtful writers. The difference seems to be that Pournelle and company are writing adult space novels which involve some grounding in current scientific understanding, big ideas about the nature of humanity, the possibilities of alien cultures, the various directions of future engineering and their effects on human society and more.

This book and its thousands of relatives both on screen and in print are fantastical preteen romps in spaceships. This writer and most of the Amazon catalogue pen, routinely display a lack of any understanding of the term dark matter, the engineering involved in terraforming, the reality of orbital mechanics, the basics of spaceflight, the complexity of life support systems, energy generation and waste heat management, micro-collisions and inertia, gravity well effects and other fundamentals of the environment, a description of which are the setting against which they write their adventure tales.

This series and most of the 1000+ recently published science fiction titles, which I have attempted over the last five years treat the safety of children in space as not a serious consideration but more a vacuum vacation trip. The travel is described as something akin to a ferry trip from England to Portugal. Teens in a space adventure are handled differently in the older YA series. Asimov and those other writers describe a darker, more dangerous universe when seen through the eyes of children and teens. Adults in those stories recognize a duty of care, even in the military setting.

I need another break before venting about the Spaceships. This next was brought to you by Jessie Gender, Alizee, Kidology, Fortress of Lugh, Books with Emily Fox, Gutsick Gibbon, Planarwalker, May, Welcome to Ukraine - Buff Bacon, The Kavernacle, Horses, The Green Wrapper, LuckyBlackCat, Bizarre Beasts, Cynthia Zhou, Daisy Viktoria, Raptor Chatter, Emma Thorne, Sarah Millican, Big Joel, NFKRZ, Extinction Rebellion UK, Not the Andrew Marr Show, Leeja Miller, Viva La Dirt League, Meidas Touch, Steve Shives, Northern Narrowboaters, Epicurious.

The following are among the most stupid scenes in this book. Spaceships need not worry about dumping their atmosphere or damaging their environmental system resulting from a lack of an airlock because ........ Star Wars. The midshipman can pop the canopy of his craft to examine an alien wreck, no airlock needed. Space plane fighters do not need a dedicated support ship, so no carrier. A small space fighter can travel multiple AU without refuelling or oxygen replenishment.

A Midshipman routinely argues with a senior captain, because rank is only a guideline. A 17 year old deciphered alien script and deduced alien technology and engineering from a single glance. Logically since the "Academy" graduates 17 year old junior officers, they must begin recruit training at age seven years or so. The fans of this type of fiction, have no issues with any of the above.

There is no explanation given for the failure of other nations to field a space fleet. It seems unfair that the entire solar system does not contribute to system defence. Those are the story elements that will turn away a reader like myself. The writing itself (prose, dialogue, interactions, character description) is juvenile. There are graphic novels with more character development than this book. There are Korean teen series with more mature characters and more rational dialogue. There are Marvel movies with stronger logic. Perhaps he should start again with postcards. Goodreads recently have given this writer some award or other for this series and promoted it on kindle.

US publishers and their editors demand this level of writing. It is almost as if there is a goal to limit imagination, reinforce unquestioned nationalism and further degrade critical thought. If so, I applaud their successful efforts. Current low end works are written to three categories - the No Effort; the Insulting; the Abhorrent. After four years I admit that I watch my fiction for the first time. For good or at least entertaining science fiction stories, the streaming services or YouTube short film channels DUST, Omeleto and others are far preferable to print.

Fortunately I found YouTube about 3 years ago at this point and moving from the toxic environment of Goodreads to the book tube was a real treat.😍 The communities hosted are comprised of readers, who are thoughtful, curious and love all aspects of the world of books. YouTube also introduced me to the educational video sites, as well as the many good informational channels on their site. I recommend a visit to several book channels for any reader and have listed some below. The educational video sites all offer documentaries, lecture series and some brilliant essayists. They are modestly priced and offer more value to me than most of the streaming services.

About Goodreads discourse. About eighteen months ago, I wrote a short negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran. He is a self-described Libertarian and vocal advocate for the return of chattel slavery - of course, a US veteran and supporter of Putin's Russia, an employee of an unnamed US agency. The details of that year long saga can be read in my review of "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener, Powers above or Marine by Dalzelle. After my revision, Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a final comment declaring that They had "won" (?).

I discovered that They had launched a year long flood of foul sexual and racist comments against channels I mentioned and They no longer felt the need to continue. The fashion historian, the cultural historian, the science educator, the model builder and the many other female creators were not impressed. However increasing the world's store of ugliness, whilst simultaneously delivering a powerfully accurate self-portrait to a multinational audience, of the twisted American man-child must have seemed quite the elegant victory. Yay, Goodreads ?? Yay, USA ??

My YouTube picks of the moment.
Leeja Miller, It's Black Friday, Mandy - web series, Gemma Dyer, Ben and Emily, Shannon Makes. Deerstalker Pictures, Jean's Thoughts, Acollierastro, Kings and Generals, Alice Cappelle, France 24, Cruising Crafts, Omeleto, Times Radio.

As for Amazon/Goodreads, please consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 😐

Ominous music begins. 🙄 There are a surprising number of nutcase members in the Goodreads membership. That they attempt to terrorize other members is bad but it seems few members respond to them and I have sometimes seen others defend them. It is more disturbing that they invariably claim to speak for all Americans without challenge. The Nazi mindset was not what I expected when I wrote my first review to this site.

Amazon/Goodreads openly supporting these very twisted members is more concerning. For details of harassment see those reviews I mentioned. Sharing my limited message history with those members led to Australia attempting to intrude into my private life. Apparently Australian Intelligence was providing a favour for US friends at Pine Gap Centre. My friend was very worried for my safety. What were they looking for and what harm were they planning. To my mind that describes a danger. This for a reviewer who writes that books suggesting overthrow attempts of the US government are dangerous fiction. That I am become a communist again is deliciously ironic.

I can not quite understand what is considered acceptable behaviour to American readers but surely there are some lines. You may feel yourself to be in a protected class and may be correct. Of course immunity at the whims of truly mental white American males, might not be as comforting as it sounds.

If not part of the protected classes of Goodreads membership, basic precautions seem prudent. I suggest to minimize profile information, remove lurkers (those friends who monitor but never post), be careful of using Goodreads messaging and screenshot the odd and the ugly. Bear in mind that these fascistic snowflakes, members and employees alike, are lacking in morality or restraint and are American. Ominous music ends. 🙂

May we all find Good Reading! 😊

My list is not the result of great study or brilliant insight but these are a sample of my favourite YouTube channel's

TVP News, Brittany Page, Leeja Miller, Meidas Touch, Annie's Literary Empire, Second Thought, Times Radio, The Juice Media, Owen Jones, Mia Mulder, Ship Happens, Philosophy Tube, Tom Nicholas, Tara Mooknee, DW News, Red Plateaus, Eleanor Morton, Munecat, No Justice MTG, Some More News, The Leftist Cooks, Novara Media, Rina Sayama, Swell Entertainment, The Little Platoon, May Moon Narrowboat, Narrowboat Pirate, Verilybitchie, Chloe Stafler, What Vivi did next, Books with Chloe, Sabine Hossenfelder, Historia Civilis, Kings and Generals, The Templin Institute, The Piano Guys, Lady knight the Brave, Hailey in Bookland, Lives and histories, Real Engineering, Narrowboat Girl, Real Time History, Between the Wars, The Angry Astronaut, Vlad Vexler, Morgan Donner, Ash L G, Omeleto, Eileen, Abney Park, HBomberGuy, Chill Goblin, Ben and Emily, Holly the Cafe Boat, Cruising Alba, Tiny Wee Boat, Boat Time, Prime of Midlife, Armor Cast, Task and Purpose, Interesting Engineering, Nerine Skinner Comedy, UATV, Epimetheus, Filaxim Historia, Austin McConnell, Caspian Report, Cruising the Cut, We're in Hell, Travelling K, Book Odyssey, Autumn's Boutique, Cari Can Read, Historian's Craft, Spacedock, Answer in Progress, Library Ladder, WION, The Stitchery, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, DUST, 2 Cellos, Lily's expat life, Hello Future Me, Karolina Zebrowska, Art by Annamarie, A Clockwork Reader, Jabzy, Alice Cappelle, Alize, France 24, Epic History, Engineering with Rosie, Jill Bearup, Odyssey, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Cecilia Blomdahl, Jessie Gender, SK Media, Depressed Russian, Noah Samsen, Sarah Z, Invicta, Lily Alexandre, Sci Trek, Camper Vibe, Double Down News, Kathy's Flog in France, Loving Anachronism, Cold Fusion, Denys Davydov, The People Profiles, Fall of Civilizations, Physics Girl, Tibees, Mythic Concepts, Adam Something, MWG Studios, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Tom Nicholas, The Present Past, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Then & Now, Philosophy Tube, Kelly loves Physics and History, Lily Simpson, Steve Shives,Certifiably Ingame, Perun, Pentatonix, Make Better Media, Northern Narrowboaters, Dr Becky, Event Horizon, Lady of the Library, Three Arrows, Noelle Gallagher, A Life of Lit, Adult Wednesday Addams, Double Down News, All Shorts, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, Asianometry, Truth to Power, Double Down News, Michael Lambert, Sailing Melody.

I wish you a sunny morning, a beautiful afternoon, a wonderful evening, a pleasant night and may we all continue learning.

Ad Astra, per Aspera
Pike's Number One

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

As anyone who knows me can attest, I am a huge fan of space opera and military science fiction. MIDSHIPMAN HENRY GALLANT IN SPACE attracted me with its cover as well as title but I didn't know anything else. Much to my surprise, I really have enjoyed this YA book about a teenage "natural" boy in a genetically engineered Navy. The premise is a bit simple but works well as a throwback to the classic space cadet adventures of science fiction's Golden Age. Henry is a likable enough protagonist and even has his own version of Draco Malfoy to bounce off of in Neuman. It's a fun book even if its novella-size means its a trifle underdeveloped.

Still, I'm going to read the next one.

[JV Findlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space was an interesting read, but it feels like an indie published story. It had all the marks of a good sci-fi but it seemed to lack class and could have been written better. I've read a few mary-sue type characters in space before but this one didn't really set the scene, or set up the main character Henry very well.

It was ok.

[jerry smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was OK. If you are looking for a hard mil/sci fi series keep looking. Everything about this book is strictly lightweight. I would classify this as a "young adult" story based on it's lack of any kind of real seriousness of thought in the writing of the book. The characters are all stamped out of a flat sheet of cookie dough. And they make WAG's about the "mysterious" aliens which all miraculously turn out to be correct. Despite being based on next to no evidence to back them up. I guess that is the simplest way to advance your story, if you are a inexperienced writer. I hope it is inexperience instead of just plain laziness. All that aside it isn't a bad story, it just needed a lot more polish to be the book the author thinks it is. I will not be reading the rest of the series.

[Linda Barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun "space opera" read in which Henry saves the day with humility and good humor. I could have lived with less technical detail, but it didn't impede the story, and for the detail oriented I'm sure it added a more realistic feel to the book. I look forward to future installments of Henry Gallant and his companions, wherever their space adventures take them.

[Melanie S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm disappointed; others may not be

Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space is a rather entertaining Young Adult read. I am not a young adult, and the real issue I have with this book is not its readability or entertainment value - it's a distressing lack of originality. Author H. Peter Alesso is obviously sufficiently well versed in both modern naval command structure and operational protocols to make that aspect of the novel work. He also clearly has the science/engineering chops to make some of the science sound credible. Therein lies trouble: Mr. Alesso is not a writer, he is an engineer. Granted, his novel is engineered from the finest sources and pieces, still it is less than the sum of its parts. Mr Gallant, the 17-year-old hero, is an amalgamation of a character, one part young Horatio Hornblower (socially awkward loner and newbie in his first berth in the space navy), one part Ender Wiggin (object of contempt for being a genetic sport with untold potential ability to master battle strategy and tactics), and one part Luke Skywalker (with his Force-amplified bad-ass flighter pilot skills). The book begins as Forrester's Hornblower saga does, morphs into Ender's Game somewhere during the training and initial battle sequence, and ends up with the Lucas/Speilberg epic battle fantasy (because all science has now deserted this science fiction story) and its aftermath. The parallels are too obvious, and familiarity with his sources of input make it impossible for me to avoid unfavorable comparisons. Young readers who have no knowledge of C.S. Forrester, Orson Scott Card, or the stunningly unreal special effects of the Lucas/Spielberg first Star Wars film will love this book, precisely because they lack that frame of reference. Those of us who know and love the works of the aforementioned writers and film-makers will find it a let-down at best. I'll split the difference and rate it 3 stars, but the reader must decide which camp they belong to, and judge accordingly.

[Leather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite some faults (aliens a little too predictable, a sloppy end, many blunders) it is good entertainment.
Classic in its construction, well paced (apart from a drop in rhythm at two thirds of the book), it is the classic learning novel of the young ensign which receives his first assignment after officer training. Of course, as often, the young officer in question is a very gifted element whose destiny will be singular. Any resemblance to another saga (at random Honor Harrington) is allowed.
The only real originality of the story is to locate the action in the solar system. Which is not so common, and it's pretty well done.
The characters are not extraordinary but have nothing infamous about them.
The plot and the background are a little light on some points, but they remain in the realm of the acceptable, if you're in a good mood.
The many suites will likely be disappointing, but I'll still try them.
Hopefully the author will not increase the number of pages of the next books exponentially. (at random ...)

[Donald Mclean · Rating 3 out of 5]

No matter how many buzzwords an author uses, or how much math, if they do it incorrectly they are still wrong. There are so many scientific, technical, and sociological errors in this novel that it would take a small book to explain what is wrong and why.

That said, the book is still an interesting and fun read. Pretend that it's Star Wars-esque science fantasy and just roll with it. There is one actual thing with genetic engineering where the author has an interesting point. That and the main character make the book worth reading, if you can turn off your inner pedant.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

To much military description, not enough story. I tried hard to like it but found myself skimming over page after page. I'm sorry but I just didn't like it.

[Bill Pentland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another space opera that bounced back and forth between a YA book to more of an adult novel. It was typical military space opera involving conflict between the United Planets and the methane breathing aliens out by the "outer planets". Adventures, daring-do, romance - it's all there. Striking similarities to the training in Starship Troopers. Our main character, Henry Gallant, is set apart from everyone else because he is a "Natural" or a person without cyber enhancement. Seen as a detriment initially, we find it gives him a unique ability absent in others. Not a horrible book. Undecided on continuing the series.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"For protecting the frontier."
For several generations, families on earth have chosen for their children to receive genetic modifications not only to evade possible illnesses but also to enhance abilities. This had not occured as frequently on outlying galactic colonies. Henry Gallant was one of those who had not been altered and the only non modified human to be accepted into the space academy. He was different, so he was stunned by most of his fellow students. But he went through it, and achieved an assignment on the Repulse, heading for Jupiter orbit. He'd hoped for more acceptance from the crew. And was mostly disappointed. Very few expected him to survive the two year commission: he was simply too different, not gifted with their abilities.
But Henry is determined to succeed.

This is a modern day Ugly Duckling tale in many ways, the southern become the admired. Curiously, it has a feeling of authenticity, much of which comes from the style of writing, also matched by the narration, where the text reads more like a report than a novel. There is little by way of characterisation, but enough. There is technical and equipment description, insufficient to bore but enough to form mental pictures. There are dangers and battles, all clearly related but without much emotion. And the story of the encroaching aliens is interesting and slightly surprising. The scene is set for forthcoming adventures.
As previously mentioned, Rich Miller's performance mirrors the text, his solid pleasant voice reading precisely, giving seperate voice to protagonists and with good intonation but little emotional imput.

This is the first volume of a new series. It is a good, simple read, even if it is not hugely original in content. It will be interesting to see how Henry progresses in future books as he continues to face not just the Titans but the prejudice which always seems to accompany him. My thanks to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy of Midshipman Henry Gallant in Space, via Audiobook Boom. It was an enjoyable listen.

[David Murray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I finished it, it didn't really hold my attention. Won't be buying the rest to see what happens.

[Jeff Landau · Rating 1 out of 5]

yawn

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

About The Book:

As the last star fighter in squadron 111, Midshipman Henry Gallant is on his way from Jupiter to Mars. With the United Planets' fleet on the verge of annihilation, he can expect no help as he passes through the asteroid belt and threatening aliens. With so much uncertainty about the aliens’ capabilities and intentions, analyzing the captured computer equipment in Gallant’s possession could prove crucial. The fate of Earth could rest on the abilities of Midshipman Henry Gallant. Unfortunately, it is his abilities that have been much in doubt during his tour of duty. In an era of genetic engineering, he is the only Natural (non-genetically enhanced) officer left in the fleet. His classmates and superior officers have all expressed their concern that he will not be up to the demands of the space service. Only bright and attractive junior officer Kelsey Mitchel has shown any sympathy for him. Now as his navigator on the last fighter in squadron 111, her life as well as a good many others, depends of Henry Gallant.

What I Thought:



The author has created a wonderful piece of work with his first novel in the Henry Gallant Saga. Between Henry Gallent beginning his new life on the United Planets' battle cruiser Repulse and trying to save the world the author has came up with it all.

Henry Gallent is an admirable character with many wonderful features such as courage, intelligence, humility, kindness and special powers. But will Bright and Attractive junior officer Kelsey Mitchel think so to??? Being the last Natural ( having nothing genetically enhanced) left on the fleet, he has the odds stacked against him pretty high. But maybe through it all, Kelsey will see the remarkable things about him.

Here is an excerpt of this brilliant work:



A massive solar flare roared across the pockmarked face of the sun producing static interference on every display console operating in the tiny spacecraft as it approached the United Planets' battle cruiser Repulse in orbit around Jupiter.

“No need to worry young man, we’re almost there,” said the aged pilot.

“I’m not concerned about the storm,” said newly commissioned Midshipman Henry Gallant. Eagerly, he shifted in his seat to get a better glimpse of the massive ship that was to become his new home for the next two years.


The pilot maneuvered expertly to minimize the worst effects of the x-ray and gamma radiation until the craft made its tortured way from the sunlit brilliance into the cold black shadow of Repulse. The tiny ship quivered gently as its tractors reached out to the behemoth warship, slowly drawing alongside.

When it attached to the Repulse’s docking hatch, Gallant transferred to the warship and made his way to the bridge. He found the Officer of the Watch standing next to the empty captain’s chair surrounded by its nest of displays and virtual readouts. The officer rested his hand briefly on the panel concealing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tactical analyzer.

“Midshipman Henry Gallant reporting aboard, sir,” he said, standing as tall as his seventeen-year-old gangly figure would allow. He tugged at his uniform blouse to straighten the buttons into proper alignment.

“Welcome aboard, Mr. Gallant. I’m Lieutenant Mather.” Mather was of average height, barrel-chested with sharp-angular facial features. Stoic, he showed little interest in the new arrival. “Please give me your comm pin.”

Gallant handed over his pin and Mather made several quick selections on a touch screen console. He swiped the pin passed the chip reader which loaded the ID and personnel information into Repulse’s computer.

Gallant took the opportunity to look around the spacious semicircular compartment with its numerous apparatus and instruments. The captain's seat was centrally located and he noticed that many of the other chairs were also unoccupied. Apparently some watch stations were only manned during conditions of higher alert.

He observed the watch standers carrying out their ritual duties. The communication panel was manned by a midshipman who looked occupied with an incoming message. The radar station was also manned, but by a technician who was diligently studying his display. Gallant couldn't tell what he was tracking, but there were several blips on the scope. The weapons and astrogator positions were vacant; several science analysis stations were operating automatically. To Gallant’s approving eye, the entire bridge watch seemed a model of efficiency and diligence, just as he had been trained to expect at the academy.

Soon his attention was captured by the huge view screen at the front of the compartment that revealed the gas giant Jupiter with its orbiting space station. He marveled at the spectacle.



Doesn't that sound Great??? Now that is what I call a good book!!!

If that wasn't enough take a look at this:



Wow!!! Right??? LOVED IT!!! That video just brought this great book to life.





About The Author:

H. Peter AlessoAs a scientist and author specializing in technology innovation, H. Peter Alesso has over twenty years research experience at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). As Engineering Group Leader at LLNL he led a team of computer scientists and engineers in innovative applications across a wide range of supercomputers, workstations and networks. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. and served in the U.S. Navy on nuclear submarines before completing an M.S. and an advanced Engineering Degree at M.I.T. He has published several software titles and numerous scientific journal and conference articles, and he is the author/co-author of six books. (Website www.hpeteralesso.com)

Disclosure: This book was given to me for free by the Author for my honest review.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of this story has Gallant suffering from prejudice in the navy because of an apparent deficiency in his genetic makeup and the most bigoted officers are putting obstacles in his path to make him fail.
The irritation with this storyline is that it only works if the senior officers are stupidly incompetent and don’t supervise any of the trainee midshipmen.
My other problem was I found the author’s writing style quite ‘clipped’ at times and the story stuttered along rather than flowing smoothly, fortunately this improved later in the book.
The middle of the book progressed quite nicely, but when the story moved into the big battle and the aftermath, I thought it got away from the author and it was becoming more ‘comic book’. Perhaps this was trying to appeal to a younger audience?

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midshipman in Space Takes Command

Highly recommended. Just the type of sci fi space action I was looking for. I was a big fan of the Horatio Hornblower novels and the A&E series starring Ioan Gruffudd circa 1998 and watched Star Trek the Original Series and the Next Generation. I enjoyed the Seafort Saga novels by David Feintuch. This book has great action, memorable characters, I'm off to read Book Two. I read on my Amazon Kindle Fire HD-10 streaming from Kindle Unlimited.

[Tony Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA Space Combat Procedural

Not a lot of depth, but a lot of heart. This is a great start to a compelling Sci-Fi series. I feel like I should have read this when I was a teen, I would have liked it more.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read.

[Kalli · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is like a caricature of a science fiction novel. The premise of a uniquely qualified young fighter pilot is familiar but acceptable. The lack of detail about the technology, the alien species, and basically everything else makes the plot one-dimensional as the author moves from one trope to another. Bully nemesis who picks on the hero because he’s different? Check. Attractive female supporting character who falls for the hero for no particular reason? Check. Roommate that becomes best friend and convinced everyone else that the hero’s a good dude after all? Check. And on and on it goes.

Additionally, the sentence structure is annoyingly simple and repetitive. “The battle for Jupiter left devastation and pain. A huge debris field of derelict ships remained in orbit. Colonists emerged from their bunkers to find shattered homes and to look for missing loved ones.” And there are a large number of cliches that the author uses unapologetically. For instance after the hero explains his unique abilities by comparing them to a QB on a football team, the woman’s response is literally, “you men and your sports analogies.” Seriously?! That’s the best the author could come up with?

This is clearly a first novel and one can only hope that the author’s writing matures as he carries the story forward through his protagonist’s ranks (another predictable trope) in the sequels. But I will never know because one book was more than enough for me.

[Zachary Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why this book has pulled out such crazy from people who haven’t even read it. I mean, one reviewer gave it a single star after confessedly reading only three pages. Another reviewer says that it deserves a -5 star rating. Several complain about the author’s grammar while incorrectly using it’s for its. Okay, calm down, Felicia.

Is the book high literature? No. Is it the best science fiction book out there? No. Is it the best alien invasion story? No. Does it claim to be any of these things? No!

Enjoy it for what it is. Does the author need an editor? Yes. Are the characters too cliché and under-developed? Yes. Will I read the next book and probably the next seven after that? Absolutely.

Enjoy it for what it is. If it’s not your cup of tea, move on. Don’t insert your crazy in the harmless enjoyment of others. If you think you’re one of the whackos referenced above, I applaud you on having self-awareness because you’re probably right.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a quite okay, light, short story. Unfortunately that’s with emphasis on short. It’s only about 150 pages. It seems like the author wanted to get it rushed out the door to make some money before he completed the story because it kind of stops in the middle like an episode in a TV-show which is a bit of a shame. It would have been much more enjoyable if he would have spent the time to continue it to a more logical finish.

It’s a simple enough plot and it’s not very elaborately told which was what I was feeling like reading for when I picked it. Spaceships pounding each other is right up my alley. It’s perhaps a bit different from other, similar, novels in that the humans are still confined in the solar system and that they are fighting an enemy which control the outer planets. No one knows if they originated there or, if not, when they came and from where.

Unfortunately the kindle formatting is a bit annoying with huge spaces between very short paragraphs. I really hate it when they do that.

[Gustavo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a short book, it describes the path of the hero of the different guy. At it's core, it follows the way of the space opera, with different actors being given weight and personality only as they appear to the protagonist. Being a short book, to get from doubted to hero doesn't take much.

There's a lot of oversimplified tech in the book, only described as it becomes important, but never in depth and lacking a little consistency. In particular, relativistic speeds are reached without much acceleration problems and no tech that explains how's that possible. The engines are rated by top speed instead of by acceleration, which doesn't make sense in space. Still, all that makes it fall deeply into some definitions of space opera.

But if you can get over all that it's an enjoyable read.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Assigned to a fighter squadron in space fleet, Gallant must use his innate tactical abilities to prevent an enemy from overrunning United Planets territory. He’s an interesting character but the writing needs maturing. There’s too much detail of military vessels and weaponry, planetary science, and other aspects of world building. These lengthy expository passages kill the pacing. I had to skim over them to the scenes with people interacting, since the characters are what hold my interest. I’d hoped for another exciting space opera with a coming of age story, but this book disappointed. Hopefully the author will improve with each installment.

[Martin Young · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you're not fond of cliches, stay the hell away from this book. I read the first three horrible pages, and my cliche allergy kicked in with massive force, and I had to stop reading. No spoilers, but by the way, those first three pages did absolutely nothing to establish anything important about the character, other than he's a midshipman, rude to subordinates, arriving at a new ship (never seen that before), and likes girls. If you like miswritten, pretentious, cliched wankathons, you might love this book. If you've read Forester, O'Brien, Drake, Weber, Bujold, or Moon, you will despise this book with the passion of a thousand suns.

[Andria Potter · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It was...okay. Not my most favorite science fiction ever, but it wasn't a terrible read. Once the action picked up towards the end is where it really started picking up. I may or may not read book 2.

But then, I'm still stuck on a book hangover from A Walk Between Stars.

[Kyra Dune · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried and tried, but I just couldn't with this book. It was too boring.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs work

I so wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, it needs a good edit and the author needs to learn more about space.

[Donna Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to, but just couldn't. Not my type...

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I didn't love it. I will probably read the sequel, "Lieutenant Henry Gallant" to see if I am being too negative.

The Story: Henry Gallant is a Midshipman and a "Natural". That means he is not genetically enhanced like all the other officers in the Fleet, but he retains certain abilities that the others cannot duplicate. He is also backed by his navigator, apparently the only person (and woman) who doesn't think he is scum. Aliens have invaded the solar system and it is the job of the Fleet to kick them out. (There is a lot of action in terms of space battles.)

Any problems with this story? I didn't quite understand the hate that the officers showed to Henry. He seemed OK to me. I understand prejudice, but I think I needed to understand more about how it came about. (Maybe I need to read the book again. I might have missed the explanation. That happens to me sometimes.)

I also found it odd that the space fleet was using radar to find the alien ships. These space ships must have been moving pretty fast. By my calculation the slowest ship (Repulse) took 6 weeks to reach Jupiter. Jupiter at its closest is 365,000,000 miles away. To get there in 6 weeks would mean that ship was traveling around 362,103 miles per hour. That is about ten times faster than the fastest rocket we have to date (January 2021). With a ship trying to track another ship using radar would mean a slight bobble in its location. In other words, by the time you sent out a radar pulse and waited for the echo to return, the spaceship you were tracking would have already moved miles away from its original position and so would you. You would have to "lead" the target space ship with your guns more than you would expect. It could be calculated by computer to compensate I suppose, but a little random jinking could make precision accuracy impossible.

If I'm wrong, please let me know.

Any modesty issues? None that I recall.

I am currently reading "Midshipman's Hope" by David Feintuch. It is better written if not quite as action packed. If you liked this book, you'll probably like "Midshipman's Hope" even more.

As I said before, I might read this book again.