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Gaia Nova #1
Bringing Stella Home
WAR TAKES ALL FROM SOME PEOPLE. OTHERS GIVE ALL TO SAVE THE ONES THEY LOVE. The war has arrived at home. James McCoy, the youngest son of a starfaring merchanter family, never thought he would face an invasion. But when an undefeated enemy slags his homeworld and carries off his brother and sister, nothing in the universe will stop him from getting them back. Not all wars are fought on the battlefield. Hard times show the greatness in men, and those who give all are changed forever. When James got stuck with dockyard duty while Ben and Stella get to go planetside without him, he never thought he might never see his older brother and sister again.
But shortly after they leave, a Hameji battle fleet invades the star system, turning it into a deadly war zone. As James flees with his father on the family starship, he can only look on powerlessly as the Hameji reduce their homeworld to molten slag. But Ben and Stella are not dead. When James learns that they've been captured and enslaved, he vows to rescue them, no matter the cost.
But shortly after they leave, a Hameji battle fleet invades the star system, turning it into a deadly war zone. As James flees with his father on the family starship, he can only look on powerlessly as the Hameji reduce their homeworld to molten slag. But Ben and Stella are not dead. When James learns that they've been captured and enslaved, he vows to rescue them, no matter the cost.
317 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2011
102 people are currently reading
526 people want to read
About the author
Joe Vasicek
123 books103 followersJoe Vasicek fell in love with science fiction and fantasy when he read A Wrinkle in Time and The Neverending Story as a child. He wrote several unfinished novels in high school and took Brandon Sanderson's writing class at Brigham Young University.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 4, 2013
So my son is the author... the dialog and plot deserve 4*s; language and sexual references deserve 2*s. I was surprised how much the story stuck with me, since sci-fi is not my genre. I wish him every success! This was my first book to read on my Kindle, an e-book!
June 28, 2012
Bringing Stella Home is a great space opera from indie publisher Joe Vasicek. It's his second self-published novel (the first is Genesis Earth), and I'd say it's a great step forward for Vasicek as a writer and the book is an engaging, thought-provoking read.
Bringing Stella Home tells an intimate story of a merchant family in a vast interstellar human empire that is being beseiged by the mysterious and violent Hameji--a band of interstellar human nomads sweeping through the galaxy and conquering human star systems with crushing efficiency. When the Hameji, without warning, attack the McCoy's home system, James McCoy's siblings Ben and Stella are captured by the Hameji, and James steals away from home with a family starship and a band of mercenaries to rescue his family.
The book switches perspective between Ben, Stella, and James, each of whom are fully-fleshed our characters. I found myself wanting a little more history and depth on Ben, but otherwise, found each character enjoyable to read. The setting is very engaging--Vasicek creates realistic governments and cultures, and the brutal Hameji culture is especially interesting to unlock throughout the book. The pacing of the story moves along at a fast clip, with tension throughout the whole book. All of these elements make it a great improvement over Genesis Earth, which had a less interesting universe and a plot that tapered off a bit at the end.
As posted in the product description, this book contains some very mature themes, including rape. Vasicek confronts these themes well, allowing the reader to experience the horrible emotional impact of the experiences without getting graphic. Somehow, though, his characters come out better people from these experiences.
I am extremely interested to see what happens in this universe (what Vasicek calls "Gaia Nova"), and how these characters will shape its future, and really look forward to the Gaia Nova novels Vasicek has mentioned on his blog.
Bringing Stella Home tells an intimate story of a merchant family in a vast interstellar human empire that is being beseiged by the mysterious and violent Hameji--a band of interstellar human nomads sweeping through the galaxy and conquering human star systems with crushing efficiency. When the Hameji, without warning, attack the McCoy's home system, James McCoy's siblings Ben and Stella are captured by the Hameji, and James steals away from home with a family starship and a band of mercenaries to rescue his family.
The book switches perspective between Ben, Stella, and James, each of whom are fully-fleshed our characters. I found myself wanting a little more history and depth on Ben, but otherwise, found each character enjoyable to read. The setting is very engaging--Vasicek creates realistic governments and cultures, and the brutal Hameji culture is especially interesting to unlock throughout the book. The pacing of the story moves along at a fast clip, with tension throughout the whole book. All of these elements make it a great improvement over Genesis Earth, which had a less interesting universe and a plot that tapered off a bit at the end.
As posted in the product description, this book contains some very mature themes, including rape. Vasicek confronts these themes well, allowing the reader to experience the horrible emotional impact of the experiences without getting graphic. Somehow, though, his characters come out better people from these experiences.
I am extremely interested to see what happens in this universe (what Vasicek calls "Gaia Nova"), and how these characters will shape its future, and really look forward to the Gaia Nova novels Vasicek has mentioned on his blog.
August 29, 2011
Interesting take on post-Earth civilization among the stars. Loved the twists and turns. You won't regret reading this book.
April 28, 2020
So… a younger brother manages to flee the ruthless invaders along with his father, but then is determined to return to rescue his older brother and sister. This one is told in multiple viewpoints where we learn of James’ desperate efforts to get back to Ben and Stella, in between discovering what happens to them. The risk in swinging around the viewpoints is that the reader will identify more with one storyline and skimread the others. I have to say that Stella’s story particularly held me as her character developed from the panicky, desperate teenager quite rightly terrified by the prospect of what lies ahead of her, so at times I did whip through the other plotlines to get back to her. However, as the story moved forward, I found I was doing that less and less as Vasicek is good at showing character development and peopling his space opera adventure with characters I cared about, even some of the bit players. I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the eunuch detailed to serve Stella in her new life, since I finished the book.
The other strength of this story is that while events unspooled reasonably predictably at the start – they had to in order for the premise to work – Vasicek quickly allowed his plot to take several left turns into something for more edgy, so that by the time I was in the middle of this one, I genuinely couldn’t work out how it was going to end. Which was also something of a shock.
All in all, this pacey, well-crafted space opera adventure served up some real surprises and laid a strong groundwork for this series. Recommended for fans of space opera adventure, where the plot doesn’t go according to plan. But be advised the storyline involves forced abduction and rape, although that isn’t depicted in any detail.
8/10
The other strength of this story is that while events unspooled reasonably predictably at the start – they had to in order for the premise to work – Vasicek quickly allowed his plot to take several left turns into something for more edgy, so that by the time I was in the middle of this one, I genuinely couldn’t work out how it was going to end. Which was also something of a shock.
All in all, this pacey, well-crafted space opera adventure served up some real surprises and laid a strong groundwork for this series. Recommended for fans of space opera adventure, where the plot doesn’t go according to plan. But be advised the storyline involves forced abduction and rape, although that isn’t depicted in any detail.
8/10
February 13, 2017
Like others, I wasn't a fan of James at the beginning of the book, but because other reviewers said he got better I forged ahead with reading and for the most part they were right. For me the more interesting portions of the book where when it focused on his brother Ben's or sister Stella's perspective. All in all this was a well written book, with a well thought out world/universe and interesting characters you get involved with. Thinking about reading the next in the series.
August 28, 2020
Teenage boy sets out on a quest to rescue his siblings.
The author has written a thrilling and action-packed space adventure. The character development pulls the reader into the saga and keeps their interest in the building story. As the main characters are teen and young adult it would probably appeal more to that age range. The author deftly keeps three narratives progressing. There is plenty of space bound action and the description of an alien culture. Recommended.
The author has written a thrilling and action-packed space adventure. The character development pulls the reader into the saga and keeps their interest in the building story. As the main characters are teen and young adult it would probably appeal more to that age range. The author deftly keeps three narratives progressing. There is plenty of space bound action and the description of an alien culture. Recommended.
September 16, 2020
Space opera extraordinaire!
A young man’s family is decimated by an attack by the unmerciful Hameji. His brother and sister are lost during the attack, presumed killed by the parents, James refuses to accept that they are dead, and sets out to reclaim them. Much adventure and growing up follow. Great story!
A young man’s family is decimated by an attack by the unmerciful Hameji. His brother and sister are lost during the attack, presumed killed by the parents, James refuses to accept that they are dead, and sets out to reclaim them. Much adventure and growing up follow. Great story!
April 25, 2022
7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.
We do not choose the life that fate gives us. We only choose how we live it—and how to give of ourselves before our time is over.
We do not choose the life that fate gives us. We only choose how we live it—and how to give of ourselves before our time is over.
October 28, 2020
Interesting story
This is decent coming of age story. Multiple coming of age plots. I enjoyed reading this though it got long in a few places. Worth the read.
This is decent coming of age story. Multiple coming of age plots. I enjoyed reading this though it got long in a few places. Worth the read.
February 9, 2021
Space opera!
Good story, moved fairly quickly for space. Memorable characters with easily understood emotions & drives. Self fulfilling phrophecy as the Hamji take over.
Good story, moved fairly quickly for space. Memorable characters with easily understood emotions & drives. Self fulfilling phrophecy as the Hamji take over.
April 29, 2022
Good space opera with decent characters and action.
I'll consider reading the rest of the series at some point.
I'll consider reading the rest of the series at some point.
March 19, 2015
First things first: reading a book by someone you know personally is Super Weird. In the beginning I could barely stand it. By the middle I was mostly over it. At the end I was reminded that I know this person while reading his afterward! It was just really weird and brought me out of the story. It's not your fault, Joe! We aren't even close friends, we just sort of know each other!
As for an actual review, like I said, just knowing that I know the author took me out of the book a lot, so I'm guessing that someone who didn't attend a writing critique group with him as the leader will be able to get into it better. I liked that the young protagonists acted (for the most part) like young protagonists - they were kind of dumb and emotional and rash. They definitely grew, which was nice. I also enjoyed the parallel story lines. Some reviewers said they thought there was too much switching between storylines, but I felt they complemented each other well.
The ending was really well written, but so abrupt that I was a little disappointed. I wanted more of This Character finally meeting Other Character's spouses in a positive atmosphere! And I definitely wanted more Danica. Finally, if you're getting into this book you should know it is a story about filial relationships! This is great, because so many books are either romance or extremely huge epic sagas and there is somehow little inbetween. This was not a huge epic saga (+1 from me, I'm tired of those; no, a 16 year old can't save the universe), and focused largely on the siblings' relationships. There actually could have been more focus, tbh; as someone who isn't super close to her siblings, I would have liked to hear more about how these siblings came to be so close. Maybe it is just natural and I'm the oddball.
As for an actual review, like I said, just knowing that I know the author took me out of the book a lot, so I'm guessing that someone who didn't attend a writing critique group with him as the leader will be able to get into it better. I liked that the young protagonists acted (for the most part) like young protagonists - they were kind of dumb and emotional and rash. They definitely grew, which was nice. I also enjoyed the parallel story lines. Some reviewers said they thought there was too much switching between storylines, but I felt they complemented each other well.
The ending was really well written, but so abrupt that I was a little disappointed. I wanted more of This Character finally meeting Other Character's spouses in a positive atmosphere! And I definitely wanted more Danica. Finally, if you're getting into this book you should know it is a story about filial relationships! This is great, because so many books are either romance or extremely huge epic sagas and there is somehow little inbetween. This was not a huge epic saga (+1 from me, I'm tired of those; no, a 16 year old can't save the universe), and focused largely on the siblings' relationships. There actually could have been more focus, tbh; as someone who isn't super close to her siblings, I would have liked to hear more about how these siblings came to be so close. Maybe it is just natural and I'm the oddball.
September 14, 2016
This was an interesting read. I was hesitant to read this book at first, that is why I elected to set the price at free (I purchased it from Smashwords and this is a buying option on some books there). The title didn't grab me and then as I got into the book, James just didn't click with me.
But suddenly, the story took off and I found myself burning through the pages as I became hooked on the characters (even James) and the twisting plot.
There are a few things that I really enjoyed about this title. In no particular order, they are:
1. The world building. I get the feeling that this universe is immense and has a lush history. It had such an alien feel about it, yet everyone is a decedent of Earth. I loved that the cultures were well thought out and developed.
2. Avoiding cliche's. As a writer myself, I am appreciative of the fact that Joe Vasicek didn't make me lumber through this novel only to give me plot twists that I could anticipate a mile away. That is a nice change of pace. Without spoiling it for readers, Joe took some great pains to give readers an unexpected experience throughout the book. The ending I started to expect - didn't happen.
3. Character development. I enjoy watching characters change and grow based on their experiences. There was no shortage of that in this book.
This is a great read that I am glad I took a chance on. If you're like me and are hesitant to spend money on something you're not sure about, take risk free option and select the free or 99 cent option. It is well worth it and I can tell you first hand, I will gladly be paying full price for the other books in this series.
But suddenly, the story took off and I found myself burning through the pages as I became hooked on the characters (even James) and the twisting plot.
There are a few things that I really enjoyed about this title. In no particular order, they are:
1. The world building. I get the feeling that this universe is immense and has a lush history. It had such an alien feel about it, yet everyone is a decedent of Earth. I loved that the cultures were well thought out and developed.
2. Avoiding cliche's. As a writer myself, I am appreciative of the fact that Joe Vasicek didn't make me lumber through this novel only to give me plot twists that I could anticipate a mile away. That is a nice change of pace. Without spoiling it for readers, Joe took some great pains to give readers an unexpected experience throughout the book. The ending I started to expect - didn't happen.
3. Character development. I enjoy watching characters change and grow based on their experiences. There was no shortage of that in this book.
This is a great read that I am glad I took a chance on. If you're like me and are hesitant to spend money on something you're not sure about, take risk free option and select the free or 99 cent option. It is well worth it and I can tell you first hand, I will gladly be paying full price for the other books in this series.
February 5, 2017
The second book I've read by this author. The first was a short story that ties into this world that wasn't really my sort of read, however I bought both books at the same time so thought I might as well read it.
I enjoyed this more than the short story, although it took me a while to get into it. It didn't feel myself as sucked into the story as other books when I'm reading, however I gave it a fair chance and by the end of the book I was thinking that I'd really enjoy reading more in the series.
The Hameji are an alien race that destroy planets and take prisoners. They then sort them into groups, good looking women go into a Harem, strong men will fight as soldiers after their spirit is broken; and old men, women and children get sucked out an airlock. Bleak but this how you conquer other planets.
James and his siblings, Ben and Stella are on a merchant ship with their father. James draws the short straw and stays on the ship with his dad to unload while his siblings get on a shuttle to go planet-side. This is when the Hameji strike and Ben and Stella are taken prisoner. Stella goes to the Harem and Ben as a prisoner.
When the attack happens, James and his Dad hightail it out of there, much to James dismay. When they get home he steals a ship and goes off to rescue his siblings. He hires a mercenary group, and at the tender age of 15 you realise he has a lot to learn but has a fighting spirit.
I liked the various plot lines going on in the book and am looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.
I enjoyed this more than the short story, although it took me a while to get into it. It didn't feel myself as sucked into the story as other books when I'm reading, however I gave it a fair chance and by the end of the book I was thinking that I'd really enjoy reading more in the series.
The Hameji are an alien race that destroy planets and take prisoners. They then sort them into groups, good looking women go into a Harem, strong men will fight as soldiers after their spirit is broken; and old men, women and children get sucked out an airlock. Bleak but this how you conquer other planets.
James and his siblings, Ben and Stella are on a merchant ship with their father. James draws the short straw and stays on the ship with his dad to unload while his siblings get on a shuttle to go planet-side. This is when the Hameji strike and Ben and Stella are taken prisoner. Stella goes to the Harem and Ben as a prisoner.
When the attack happens, James and his Dad hightail it out of there, much to James dismay. When they get home he steals a ship and goes off to rescue his siblings. He hires a mercenary group, and at the tender age of 15 you realise he has a lot to learn but has a fighting spirit.
I liked the various plot lines going on in the book and am looking forward to reading more of the books in this series.
April 4, 2016
I'll admit my attention span has been ruined as part of the generation that grew up watching TV all the time. I tend to prefer shorter works that I can read in one sitting, because I never know when I'm going to get around to to the next reading session. And I'll admit, though I'm writing some longer works, and am currently writing an epic that I'm expecting to clock in around a thousand pages/300k words, I tend to groan when I open a book and see the location numbers past 2k.
So while I was interested in reading this book, I was a little put off when I saw the location number over 5k and the noted page count over 300. And yet, books like this one always prove a pleasant surprise when the pages fly as I'm reading. The story was interesting, the characters captivating, and the universe immersive. It's almost cliche when people say they couldn't put a book down, but I truly found it difficult to break for a bathroom break or a dinner break, or simply to refill my water bottle.
So while I was interested in reading this book, I was a little put off when I saw the location number over 5k and the noted page count over 300. And yet, books like this one always prove a pleasant surprise when the pages fly as I'm reading. The story was interesting, the characters captivating, and the universe immersive. It's almost cliche when people say they couldn't put a book down, but I truly found it difficult to break for a bathroom break or a dinner break, or simply to refill my water bottle.
February 11, 2017
Though the book is gripping, it isn't one of my favorites.
For my clean readers:
Language, extensive violence, and rape scenes.
For my clean readers:
Language, extensive violence, and rape scenes.
April 4, 2015
intersection of competing values
This book contains several interesting plot lines but basically is a nice sci fi story but as the author mentions patterned around the Mongols and their different morality but set in space. Love of family and dedication to ideals play throughout the story set in a part of the universe far from Earth. While other novels can no doubt follow, I like that this one is a complete story with an ending that makes sense (unlike some stories seemingly designed to get you to buy more.) I enjoyed the read and if you like sci fi with a little different focus, I think you will as well.
This book contains several interesting plot lines but basically is a nice sci fi story but as the author mentions patterned around the Mongols and their different morality but set in space. Love of family and dedication to ideals play throughout the story set in a part of the universe far from Earth. While other novels can no doubt follow, I like that this one is a complete story with an ending that makes sense (unlike some stories seemingly designed to get you to buy more.) I enjoyed the read and if you like sci fi with a little different focus, I think you will as well.
December 21, 2012
Bringing Stella Home is a very interesting sci-fi book about how war changes lives. Overall, I really liked home it all played out. Sometimes it seemed to jump around in viewpoints too much, but each viewpoint did add something to the book.
March 30, 2017
I got this book as part of storybundle.com. I enjoyed it. While I thought James was a petulant kid, I really liked Stella. She grows so much as the story progresses and I love how she becomes her own person. Good job!
November 15, 2015
History is a great storyline
This story is not the greatest but it is will worth. The read ,it flows with family ,friendship and love of Crowe , karma
This story is not the greatest but it is will worth. The read ,it flows with family ,friendship and love of Crowe , karma
March 26, 2016
Definitely juvenile fiction.
April 9, 2017
Enjoyable novel. Looking forward to more in this series.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews