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Alien Safari #1
Alien Safari
Warning! Wildlife may be dangerous. Proceed beyond this point at your own risk.
When celebrated Omicron detective Ferrix Vaughn is called in to investigate a deadly breach on Hesperidia, a protected planet full of indigenous wildlife, he doesn't know what to expect. The place used to be a tourist attraction, but the safari tours were discontinued long ago due to rampant poaching. Only a handful of researchers live there now, including Jan Corbija, the young woman who reported the breach.
The deeper Vaughn digs, the more the evidence seems to point to a recent raid on a biotech facility in a nearby system. Whatever was stolen from there, it's attracted the attention of major political players in a time of war across the colonies. Vaughn suspects the secret is on Hesperidia, in the hands of the two fugitives who fled the murder scene.
If he wants to get to them first, he's going to need Jan's help. Her Alien Safari tour will have to reopen for this final excursion. But to survive it, they'll both need to face their demons, for a predator far deadlier than man roams the wilds of Hesperidia. And this is its killing season.
This way for the ride of your life.
When celebrated Omicron detective Ferrix Vaughn is called in to investigate a deadly breach on Hesperidia, a protected planet full of indigenous wildlife, he doesn't know what to expect. The place used to be a tourist attraction, but the safari tours were discontinued long ago due to rampant poaching. Only a handful of researchers live there now, including Jan Corbija, the young woman who reported the breach.
The deeper Vaughn digs, the more the evidence seems to point to a recent raid on a biotech facility in a nearby system. Whatever was stolen from there, it's attracted the attention of major political players in a time of war across the colonies. Vaughn suspects the secret is on Hesperidia, in the hands of the two fugitives who fled the murder scene.
If he wants to get to them first, he's going to need Jan's help. Her Alien Safari tour will have to reopen for this final excursion. But to survive it, they'll both need to face their demons, for a predator far deadlier than man roams the wilds of Hesperidia. And this is its killing season.
This way for the ride of your life.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
280 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Robert Appleton
63 books70 followersRobert Appleton is a British science fiction and adventure author partial to tales of survival in far-flung locations. Many of his sci-fi books share the same universe as his popular Alien Safari series, though tend to feature standalone storylines. His rebellious characters range from an orphaned grifter on Mars to a lone woman gate-crashing the war in her biotech suit. His sci-fi readers regularly earn enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a cross-galaxy voyage of their choosing. His publishers include Harlequin Carina Press, and he also ghost-writes novels in other genres. In his free time he hikes, plays soccer, and kayaks whenever he can. The night sky is his inspiration.
His work has been nominated for several awards, and in 2011 he won the EPIC Award for Best Historical Fiction.
Be sure to follow Robert on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3qLWVHu
His work has been nominated for several awards, and in 2011 he won the EPIC Award for Best Historical Fiction.
Be sure to follow Robert on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3qLWVHu
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 22, 2024
I kind of got sucked in on one of those Facebook posts where an exciting new author is now the greatest thing since sliced bread and you should get into this guy before it's too late. $15 bucks on Amazon later, I got this book and quickly read it. It's not a bad book, really it's not. It does however fall into that all to common (these days) category of predictable publisher managed storylines. You just know a hundred pages in, that this is designed to sell books. The author is really not trying to say anything. You can see book two (and three and four and five) coming from a mile away. Let me explain this book another way. We are cable cutters. We usually have two shows on the go. One that we sit down and slowly digest, discuss, enjoy. Right now, that happens to be the excellent Blue Lines Season One on Britbox. The other series, is the one, when we want background noise, something to have on when we are making dinner, or doing the dishes. Something you can walk away from and come back eight minutes later and really not have missed anything. Currently that is Monk on Netflix. This book would fall into the second category.
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January 14, 2022Entertaining story
From the title, I wasn't sure if this would be a book that I would enjoy. But several chapters in, I was hooked. This book has it all: alien creatures, death, almost mystical events, and yes, even romance. (Just enough to keep the story interesting). Also politics, intrigue and dud I mention romance and alien monsters?
This book should be a satisfying read to all sci-fi addicts like myself.
From the title, I wasn't sure if this would be a book that I would enjoy. But several chapters in, I was hooked. This book has it all: alien creatures, death, almost mystical events, and yes, even romance. (Just enough to keep the story interesting). Also politics, intrigue and dud I mention romance and alien monsters?
This book should be a satisfying read to all sci-fi addicts like myself.
July 20, 2018
It's a good book.
The beginning started out a bit iffy for ME. But the further U got into the story, the better it got. I wished that Mr. Appleton could have had more about Mr. Vaughan family and what had transpired about what had happened. And yes, I would recommend this book to others.
The beginning started out a bit iffy for ME. But the further U got into the story, the better it got. I wished that Mr. Appleton could have had more about Mr. Vaughan family and what had transpired about what had happened. And yes, I would recommend this book to others.
July 21, 2022
Not bad
This story isn't too bad. Its about two fugitives who are chased down to a deadly planet. It used to have Alien safaris but due to the dangerous wildlife it was closed. The fugitives are tracked down by Vaughn a detective who had a reputation for arresting his own family members.
This story isn't too bad. Its about two fugitives who are chased down to a deadly planet. It used to have Alien safaris but due to the dangerous wildlife it was closed. The fugitives are tracked down by Vaughn a detective who had a reputation for arresting his own family members.
November 26, 2024
Alien Safari was a pretty fun read. I really enjoyed the alien planet Appleton has created with all the animals. I’m keen to see more species in the next books. The male mc bothered me occasionally with his thoughts towards woman but it wasn’t anything to major. Overall it was a fast, entertaining read.
December 27, 2013
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.
“Alien Safari” by Robert Appleton is a book that just called to me when I first laid eyes on it. The whole concept behind “Alien Safari” is the existence of a planet filled with abundant native wildlife, none of which was remotely familiar to anything on Earth.
In years past, the planet was a vacation destination, where tourists would pay top dollar for the opportunity to ride in a flying taxi, while their tour guide flew them all around, pointing out the many different kinds of unusual wildlife.
However, with only a handful of caretakers to tend the whole planet, poaching became a big enough problem that the Alien Safari was shut down permanently, and the planet encircled by “smart” satellites programmed to shoot down any approaching craft which did not provide a proper access code.
With the demise of a few poachers and their spacecraft, the poaching ceased to be a problem. Still, there were fewer than a dozen resident scientists left on site to continue their research.
“Alien Safari” is really quite a fun story, with an ever-present element of danger. Our story begins when a crippled passenger ship requests permission to land, while also requesting that the ship following them – the one which had fired the broadside that crippled their ship – NOT be allowed to land, but rather to have the satellites shoot it down. Only two things went wrong with that plan. You will have to read the story to find out what those two things were… but you WILL enjoy it.
This is a tale about much more than alien wildlife species, although Robert Appleton created some very intriguing wildlife to populate his planet. Speaking of intrigue, there was a lot of that, too.
High-ranking law enforcement officials and diplomats join forces with criminal elements, turning traitor or worse, in an attempt to find, steal, and control an alien device with critically valuable capabilities. Unfortunately for the powers that be, the device has been stolen right out from under their noses, and they aren’t sure where it might be.
In their far-reaching attempt to regain control of the device, no law is sacrosanct, and no dirty deed too underhanded. Even the native wildlife get into the action. Robert Appleton has tapped into his extraordinary imagination, and penned a very entertaining story in “Alien Safari”.
I would urge anybody who enjoys a fun story, Sci-Fi, intergalactic wildlife, or a good old shoot ‘em up style space opera, to get a copy of “Alien Safari” today. You will be glad you did.
“Alien Safari” by Robert Appleton is a book that just called to me when I first laid eyes on it. The whole concept behind “Alien Safari” is the existence of a planet filled with abundant native wildlife, none of which was remotely familiar to anything on Earth.
In years past, the planet was a vacation destination, where tourists would pay top dollar for the opportunity to ride in a flying taxi, while their tour guide flew them all around, pointing out the many different kinds of unusual wildlife.
However, with only a handful of caretakers to tend the whole planet, poaching became a big enough problem that the Alien Safari was shut down permanently, and the planet encircled by “smart” satellites programmed to shoot down any approaching craft which did not provide a proper access code.
With the demise of a few poachers and their spacecraft, the poaching ceased to be a problem. Still, there were fewer than a dozen resident scientists left on site to continue their research.
“Alien Safari” is really quite a fun story, with an ever-present element of danger. Our story begins when a crippled passenger ship requests permission to land, while also requesting that the ship following them – the one which had fired the broadside that crippled their ship – NOT be allowed to land, but rather to have the satellites shoot it down. Only two things went wrong with that plan. You will have to read the story to find out what those two things were… but you WILL enjoy it.
This is a tale about much more than alien wildlife species, although Robert Appleton created some very intriguing wildlife to populate his planet. Speaking of intrigue, there was a lot of that, too.
High-ranking law enforcement officials and diplomats join forces with criminal elements, turning traitor or worse, in an attempt to find, steal, and control an alien device with critically valuable capabilities. Unfortunately for the powers that be, the device has been stolen right out from under their noses, and they aren’t sure where it might be.
In their far-reaching attempt to regain control of the device, no law is sacrosanct, and no dirty deed too underhanded. Even the native wildlife get into the action. Robert Appleton has tapped into his extraordinary imagination, and penned a very entertaining story in “Alien Safari”.
I would urge anybody who enjoys a fun story, Sci-Fi, intergalactic wildlife, or a good old shoot ‘em up style space opera, to get a copy of “Alien Safari” today. You will be glad you did.
May 28, 2021
( Format : Audiobook )
"This way, genius."
An enjoyable romp across a now almost deserted but previous Safari planet, complete with exotic and sometimes killer alien lifeforms. Vaughan, an Omicron agent with a reputation of total dedication and integrity, is asked to investigate the murder of five men from a crashed hover ship which had been in pursuit of a man and woman whose own ship they had forced down. A good, if slightly disjointed, story with vividly described local flora and fauna, exciting hovercraft rides and battles, and with some colourful characters leading the action.
For readers who enjoy science fiction on other worlds together with a dollop of thriller mystery, this is engrossing stuff. Narration by B.C.Archer is good, with well modulated reading to keep the book interesting..
My thanks to the rights holder of Alien Safari, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. It was fun read: no dinosaurs, much worse. And the people were not too friendly, either. Recommended.
"This way, genius."
An enjoyable romp across a now almost deserted but previous Safari planet, complete with exotic and sometimes killer alien lifeforms. Vaughan, an Omicron agent with a reputation of total dedication and integrity, is asked to investigate the murder of five men from a crashed hover ship which had been in pursuit of a man and woman whose own ship they had forced down. A good, if slightly disjointed, story with vividly described local flora and fauna, exciting hovercraft rides and battles, and with some colourful characters leading the action.
For readers who enjoy science fiction on other worlds together with a dollop of thriller mystery, this is engrossing stuff. Narration by B.C.Archer is good, with well modulated reading to keep the book interesting..
My thanks to the rights holder of Alien Safari, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy. It was fun read: no dinosaurs, much worse. And the people were not too friendly, either. Recommended.
March 9, 2025
If you can get past the first few chapters it does get better.
These are my personal views, no offence to the author intended.
It's almost like the author is trying too hard, needs to relax. I felt the over use of unnecessary complicated words, excess adjectives, frustrating. Perhaps in attempting to convince the reader this isn't a kids book makes the opening chapters painfull, amateurish, overdone. But the good news is that style is relaxed (mostly) as the story continues. It really does get better.
The characters are good, remain fairly consistent in portrayed personalities and mannerisms, the pace of the storytelling is good as are the descriptions of the alien world.
There are aspects (not unique to this book) where the main characters appear to be able to somewhat miraculously cope with events and injuries despite all the odds, but it's OK.
Its an entertaining and interesting read I can recommend and one I personally rate at 3 stars.
These are my personal views, no offence to the author intended.
It's almost like the author is trying too hard, needs to relax. I felt the over use of unnecessary complicated words, excess adjectives, frustrating. Perhaps in attempting to convince the reader this isn't a kids book makes the opening chapters painfull, amateurish, overdone. But the good news is that style is relaxed (mostly) as the story continues. It really does get better.
The characters are good, remain fairly consistent in portrayed personalities and mannerisms, the pace of the storytelling is good as are the descriptions of the alien world.
There are aspects (not unique to this book) where the main characters appear to be able to somewhat miraculously cope with events and injuries despite all the odds, but it's OK.
Its an entertaining and interesting read I can recommend and one I personally rate at 3 stars.
June 11, 2023
Two fleeing thieves end up crash landing on a restricted planet. The authorities that were chasing them follow them and end up dead. Ferris Vaughn is called in to find the thieves but what he finds is that nothing is really as it seems. The more he investigates the more convoluted the trail becomes to find out what is really going on, who is really involved and, more importantly, who he can really trust.
This book popped up as a Kindle freebie in my recommendations and I am glad I took the chance and downloaded it. An interesting cast of characters, a good plot to hold the interest, a satisfying ending that ties things up but leaves room for more books with these characters and a wonderfully smart dog companion. There are at least three more books in this series which I will be tracking down as I want to see where the characters go from here. Recommended
This book popped up as a Kindle freebie in my recommendations and I am glad I took the chance and downloaded it. An interesting cast of characters, a good plot to hold the interest, a satisfying ending that ties things up but leaves room for more books with these characters and a wonderfully smart dog companion. There are at least three more books in this series which I will be tracking down as I want to see where the characters go from here. Recommended
May 28, 2022
You had me at alien safari
A planet full of amazing alien creatures, a big hearted boxer dog loyal to his mistress, a woman who wears her scars on her face and man who hides his scars in his heart - this book ticks all the boxes!
The world building is great, and I fitted right into the future scenario without once feeling lost or confused.
The descriptions of the tech, aliens animals, and human contrasts are so imaginative, and often beautiful.
This is a mystery story, and the plot is paced out well, making the book hard to put down.
I especially loved Stopper, the genmod Boxer dog. Vaughn and Jan were also great, and I loved how their relationship built and strengthened over the course of the book.
I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
A planet full of amazing alien creatures, a big hearted boxer dog loyal to his mistress, a woman who wears her scars on her face and man who hides his scars in his heart - this book ticks all the boxes!
The world building is great, and I fitted right into the future scenario without once feeling lost or confused.
The descriptions of the tech, aliens animals, and human contrasts are so imaginative, and often beautiful.
This is a mystery story, and the plot is paced out well, making the book hard to put down.
I especially loved Stopper, the genmod Boxer dog. Vaughn and Jan were also great, and I loved how their relationship built and strengthened over the course of the book.
I look forward to reading the rest in the series.
March 24, 2025
this is not a very good read. The premise, a docket crashes on an alien planet and a detective investigates, is interesting but not the execution. What is more interesting is where the book came from.
The Calgary (pop. 1.4 million) library system didn't have a copy. They found one as in an interlibrary loan from Vulcan, Alberta (pop. 3000). Vulcan is known for having a Star Trek themed information centre, with replica starship. The town has bought in and decorated storefronts boast alien vistas. Even the steetlights are in the shape of starships.
m
Perhaps the theme carries through to the library, where they seek out science fiction literature, even if it is bad.
The Calgary (pop. 1.4 million) library system didn't have a copy. They found one as in an interlibrary loan from Vulcan, Alberta (pop. 3000). Vulcan is known for having a Star Trek themed information centre, with replica starship. The town has bought in and decorated storefronts boast alien vistas. Even the steetlights are in the shape of starships.
m
Perhaps the theme carries through to the library, where they seek out science fiction literature, even if it is bad.
July 8, 2024
This book is just pure fun. A member of an elite policing force is sent to a planet turned nature preserve to capture criminals that crashed a ship on the planet and murdered several of the resident scientists. Nothing is as it seems. We have good guys, bad guys, questionable guys, a super-brave bio-dog, monsters and a prize that everyone wants. Good characters, lots of action, and a picture of future life that is plausible. Well written, this is a good story. Entertaining and satisfying, I like the the characters a lot and will read the remaining 4 books in the series.
April 16, 2024
I don’t usually read stories that appear to be in technicolor, but I wanted to give it a fair chance. So glad I did because it turned out to be terrific! A great Sci Fi story with humor, romance, quirkiness and a loveable dog. Also plenty of new tech, and monsters too! Excellent multi world development and very interesting characters. This is an author whose work I will gladly follow. Turns out this is the first in a series of 5. I’ve already picked up volumes 2 and 3!
December 21, 2025
At two stars, I'm being generous. This story has lots of clichés and lots of descriptive puffery. I constantly had to put the book down to take a break from the tedium...the writing is that bad. I gave up any ghost of interest at the beginning of chapter 8. I next turned to "The Dog Stars" by Peter Heller and the difference in writing ability and interest eliciting substance was very clear and sustaining.
February 5, 2025
Fun story, not great
Aside from being able to invent any animal in the alien jungle, the story is trite with good guys always winning. The monsters only kill the bad ones. Three metaphors on a page and injecting big words just for the sake of using them make this attempt at sci-fi writing rather juvenile.
Aside from being able to invent any animal in the alien jungle, the story is trite with good guys always winning. The monsters only kill the bad ones. Three metaphors on a page and injecting big words just for the sake of using them make this attempt at sci-fi writing rather juvenile.
April 23, 2025
This book takes one on safari on an alien world. The world building was excellent and the intrigue was great. Following an agent similar to 007 in the future tracking some corruption leading to a safari involving intriguing characters and a special dog! It was a great read and I will be getting book 2 soon!
May 13, 2017
This was an awesome book! Loved the alien world with all it's total alien-ness! Loved the main character and how he deals with the case he has to investigate. I'm definitely going to be checking out other books by this author and hopefully they'll live up to this one!
March 17, 2018
Action start to finish
Good sci-fi read. If you love alien stories with strange creatures, bad guys, some blood and gore, a girl, and maybe a badass flying motorcycle, this one's for you!!
Good sci-fi read. If you love alien stories with strange creatures, bad guys, some blood and gore, a girl, and maybe a badass flying motorcycle, this one's for you!!
July 10, 2020
Come along for the ride
If I could this book would be a 10 of 15A20 it was absolutely amazing yes as in the future but it still has everything that humanity has caught offer it's exciting exhilarating mysterious I love this book absolutely loved it
If I could this book would be a 10 of 15A20 it was absolutely amazing yes as in the future but it still has everything that humanity has caught offer it's exciting exhilarating mysterious I love this book absolutely loved it
July 21, 2020
Good story great characters
The story is fun and exciting, with some very interesting intrigues. What I like most about the book were the characters that the author developed. The wildlife on the planet was also very interesting.
The story is fun and exciting, with some very interesting intrigues. What I like most about the book were the characters that the author developed. The wildlife on the planet was also very interesting.
June 12, 2021
Alien Safari
This was a really good story. Technology part kinda slowed the story down some. But I it is necessary. The ending was wonderful. I enjoyed the Jan's way of talking. Great read!
This was a really good story. Technology part kinda slowed the story down some. But I it is necessary. The ending was wonderful. I enjoyed the Jan's way of talking. Great read!
October 22, 2021
At first I thought the romance was forced and I was disappointed the alien wildlife wasn’t more pronounced, such as in Spaterjay series by Neil Asher. But the story grew on me until I was wholly invested in the end. Also, I want one of those dogs.
June 30, 2020
Alien Safari
So many bad scenarios at play and a bottle of Vodka in the mix. I enjoy the interaction of the good guys and who doesn't love a hero dog.
So many bad scenarios at play and a bottle of Vodka in the mix. I enjoy the interaction of the good guys and who doesn't love a hero dog.
July 19, 2020
Good guys, bad guys, a budding romance, inter planetary politics, corporate intrigue, bad guy turns good, good guy turns bad and a loyal dog, what's not to like?
July 27, 2020
A fast moving, exciting science fiction novella. Very enjoyable.
July 30, 2020
high adventure and interesting characters
March 31, 2021
Great Read
Enjoyed getting into the action. Touched a very interesting idea that medical science would love to develop. Action flowed and drew one in.
Enjoyed getting into the action. Touched a very interesting idea that medical science would love to develop. Action flowed and drew one in.
July 2, 2021
Space Reality
More realistic than other fiction about space that I have read and no unrealistic happenings. I enjoyed this book very much, can't wait to read the second book!
More realistic than other fiction about space that I have read and no unrealistic happenings. I enjoyed this book very much, can't wait to read the second book!
July 11, 2021
Really enjoyed this book.
Fun book. It was an interesting premise and a fun book to read. This book is book 1 of a series but reads as a book rather than a chapter of a larger book.
Fun book. It was an interesting premise and a fun book to read. This book is book 1 of a series but reads as a book rather than a chapter of a larger book.
August 5, 2021
Great
Really enjoyed this book and glad I got the three of them T the same.e time. Ready to read z new one.
Really enjoyed this book and glad I got the three of them T the same.e time. Ready to read z new one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews