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Amaranthe #22
The Universe Within
* A stand-alone adventure set in the Amaranthe universe *
Thousands of years ago, the Elakri were a galaxy-spanning civilization—until they were forced to hide themselves away in the folds of space to escape an unstoppable foe. But what was once their salvation soon became their prison.
Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano hunt the cosmos for signs of an ancient enemy’s return. When they detect a breach in the fabric of space, however, they discover something wholly a people lost in time and space, who have forgotten all they once were. Returning the Elakri to their proper place among the stars seems the least they can do, but first they have to survive a strange and dangerous world where none of the usual rules apply.
Thousands of years ago, the Elakri were a galaxy-spanning civilization—until they were forced to hide themselves away in the folds of space to escape an unstoppable foe. But what was once their salvation soon became their prison.
Alex Solovy and Caleb Marano hunt the cosmos for signs of an ancient enemy’s return. When they detect a breach in the fabric of space, however, they discover something wholly a people lost in time and space, who have forgotten all they once were. Returning the Elakri to their proper place among the stars seems the least they can do, but first they have to survive a strange and dangerous world where none of the usual rules apply.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 19, 2025
39 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
G.S. Jennsen
52 books515 followersG. S. Jennsen is a speculative and science fiction author, as well as a futurist, geek, gamer, programmer and editor. She has become an internationally bestselling author since her first novel, Starshine, was published in March 2014. She has chosen to continue writing under an independent publishing model to ensure the integrity of her series and her ability to execute on the vision she’s had for it since its genesis.
While she has been a lawyer, a software engineer and an editor, she’s found the life of a full-time author preferable by several orders of magnitude.
When she isn’t writing, she’s gaming or working out or getting lost in the mountains that loom large outside the windows in her home. Or she’s dealing with a flooded basement, or standing in a line at Walmart reading the tabloid headlines and wondering who all of those people are. Or sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, looking up at the stars, trying to figure out what could be up there.
While she has been a lawyer, a software engineer and an editor, she’s found the life of a full-time author preferable by several orders of magnitude.
When she isn’t writing, she’s gaming or working out or getting lost in the mountains that loom large outside the windows in her home. Or she’s dealing with a flooded basement, or standing in a line at Walmart reading the tabloid headlines and wondering who all of those people are. Or sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, looking up at the stars, trying to figure out what could be up there.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 17, 2025
If you like space opera rife with wormholes, larger than life heroes, playing with various dimensions plus good world-building, then this might be right up your alley. It would have been for some years in my reading "career." I don't rate on writing strength alone.
This is a stand-alone novel, so don't worry about its position in two series.
Good pacing, strong world-building, good character arcs.
I personally have been moving off space opera because some of what makes this fun are things I can no longer suspend my disbelief for. I am pleased to say there is no graphic sex for those who don't care for that, and it's very low on words that might offend some--I didn't detract anything from my rating for language.
This is a stand-alone novel, so don't worry about its position in two series.
Good pacing, strong world-building, good character arcs.
I personally have been moving off space opera because some of what makes this fun are things I can no longer suspend my disbelief for. I am pleased to say there is no graphic sex for those who don't care for that, and it's very low on words that might offend some--I didn't detract anything from my rating for language.
February 13, 2025
I have to preface this review by absolutely recommending everyone check out
Extinguishing The Stars: An Amaranthe Short Story
before diving into this book. Is it 100% required? Ehh…maybe not 100%. Does it offer some important context and fuel character development in
The Universe Within
? Definitely. Grab it for free from your favorite ebook retailer, or get the audiobook for a mere 99¢.
Anyway. As much as I loved The Thief (y’all know how I feel about Eren), I was very much looking forward to this book because I really liked the sound of a good old-fashioned adventure with Alex and Caleb. And “good old-fashioned” is truly an apt descriptor for this story. It had a sense of wonder and exploration that hearkened back to the days of the Aurora Renegades trilogy (er… Amaranthe II: Rebellion …I guess I’m being a little old-fashioned myself). Without spoiling anything, a certain hiccup right at the beginning of the story regarding Calex™’s usual companions—Valkyrie and Akeso—renders the whole setup even more nostalgic. This is even addressed by the characters themselves.
While each of these Cosmic Shores novels has had stakes that are plenty high, they’re all still very contained stories and offer a bit of a respite from the massive, universe-altering stakes we’ve been seeing in the main series. Since they can’t help themselves, Alex and Caleb still end up having to save a planet—nay, a whole galaxy—from destruction, with a big assist from their new Elakri allies. The Elakri, who first appear in Extinguishing The Stars, are a peaceful, artistically inclined race with a very interesting culture and backstory; after being introduced to dozens of other alien races and cultures over the course of the previous 21 books, creating a new one that still feels fresh and unique deserves major props. The two primary Elakri characters in the story, Laurent and Deunan, have incredibly disparate personalities and backgrounds, which makes their interactions with Calex™ and each other all the more compelling.
But a peaceful society focused solely on art and fashion and architecture has to be too good to be true, right? There’s got to be some sort of conspiracy and cover-up involved, riiiight? I am here for it.
Now I’m excited to return to the Amaranthe universe at large. Despite these three Cosmic Shores books being marketed as standalone, they each still contributed something to the overall story, from the smallest character development details to the biggest scientific breakthroughs. I can’t wait to see how everything comes into play.
Anyway. As much as I loved The Thief (y’all know how I feel about Eren), I was very much looking forward to this book because I really liked the sound of a good old-fashioned adventure with Alex and Caleb. And “good old-fashioned” is truly an apt descriptor for this story. It had a sense of wonder and exploration that hearkened back to the days of the Aurora Renegades trilogy (er… Amaranthe II: Rebellion …I guess I’m being a little old-fashioned myself). Without spoiling anything, a certain hiccup right at the beginning of the story regarding Calex™’s usual companions—Valkyrie and Akeso—renders the whole setup even more nostalgic. This is even addressed by the characters themselves.
While each of these Cosmic Shores novels has had stakes that are plenty high, they’re all still very contained stories and offer a bit of a respite from the massive, universe-altering stakes we’ve been seeing in the main series. Since they can’t help themselves, Alex and Caleb still end up having to save a planet—nay, a whole galaxy—from destruction, with a big assist from their new Elakri allies. The Elakri, who first appear in Extinguishing The Stars, are a peaceful, artistically inclined race with a very interesting culture and backstory; after being introduced to dozens of other alien races and cultures over the course of the previous 21 books, creating a new one that still feels fresh and unique deserves major props. The two primary Elakri characters in the story, Laurent and Deunan, have incredibly disparate personalities and backgrounds, which makes their interactions with Calex™ and each other all the more compelling.
But a peaceful society focused solely on art and fashion and architecture has to be too good to be true, right? There’s got to be some sort of conspiracy and cover-up involved, riiiight? I am here for it.
Now I’m excited to return to the Amaranthe universe at large. Despite these three Cosmic Shores books being marketed as standalone, they each still contributed something to the overall story, from the smallest character development details to the biggest scientific breakthroughs. I can’t wait to see how everything comes into play.
February 20, 2025
This book has it all, adventure, action, intrigue, astounding technology, aliens, and heros! G.S. Jennsen returns us to her Amaranthe Universe with a couple of our favorite heros. Those of us who are familiar with the Amaranthe books know Alex and Caleb very well, and have enjoyed many adventures with them. Those who are not yet familiar with them are in for a treat.
Jennsen is at her best when she is creating great characters, exploring space, creating worlds, and discovering new scientific mysteries to solve. In "The Universe Within" she is doing all that and more. She is not content with letting Alex and Caleb loose on a mission that involves anything less than saving the universe. Over the past 10+ years and 20+ books, she has created civilizations (human and others), characters (human and others), and situations that are astounding and captivating. This book is the latest adventure in (and outside) Amaranthe.
While it can easily be read as a stand-alone adventure, references to other characters, situations and technologies from previous Amaranthe adventures are undoubtedly more meaningful to those of us who have followed Alex and Caleb over the years. That should, by no means, be a reason for a new reader not to jump in at this point. G.S. Jennsen's character-development and world/universe-building are second to none. Her story-telling and writing are superb. One taste of the Amaranthe Universe and readers will surely come back for more.
.
Jennsen is at her best when she is creating great characters, exploring space, creating worlds, and discovering new scientific mysteries to solve. In "The Universe Within" she is doing all that and more. She is not content with letting Alex and Caleb loose on a mission that involves anything less than saving the universe. Over the past 10+ years and 20+ books, she has created civilizations (human and others), characters (human and others), and situations that are astounding and captivating. This book is the latest adventure in (and outside) Amaranthe.
While it can easily be read as a stand-alone adventure, references to other characters, situations and technologies from previous Amaranthe adventures are undoubtedly more meaningful to those of us who have followed Alex and Caleb over the years. That should, by no means, be a reason for a new reader not to jump in at this point. G.S. Jennsen's character-development and world/universe-building are second to none. Her story-telling and writing are superb. One taste of the Amaranthe Universe and readers will surely come back for more.
.
February 22, 2025
I know I should expect it by now, but G.S Jennsen has yet again made me regret the end of a story. I wanted more, I wanted it to go on.
This is the best yet of the Cosmic Shores stories. The original main characters are back, but I also heartily embrace the three new characters, and I fervently hope they will grace the pages of further Amaranthe stories.
The one thing I love about these books is the fully fleshed out characters, their good and bad, their fears and loves, their skills and foibles. Then there is the science. So many wonders to contemplate. the speculative technology feels at once fantastic and achievable. The detailing of worlds thru religion, economy, technology also makes it feel more believable.
This can be a standalone book, but I urge lovers of sci-fi, science, fantasy, romance and more all rolled into one, to read the entire series. Amaranthe is a universe you don't want to leave, it's characters memorable and the wait to return to Amaranthe is palpable. I always want more.
Epic Sci-Fi with speculative tech, romance, new worlds, mysteries, plot twists and more.
And the hints of what's to come have me yearning for more.
I cannot wait.
This is the best yet of the Cosmic Shores stories. The original main characters are back, but I also heartily embrace the three new characters, and I fervently hope they will grace the pages of further Amaranthe stories.
The one thing I love about these books is the fully fleshed out characters, their good and bad, their fears and loves, their skills and foibles. Then there is the science. So many wonders to contemplate. the speculative technology feels at once fantastic and achievable. The detailing of worlds thru religion, economy, technology also makes it feel more believable.
This can be a standalone book, but I urge lovers of sci-fi, science, fantasy, romance and more all rolled into one, to read the entire series. Amaranthe is a universe you don't want to leave, it's characters memorable and the wait to return to Amaranthe is palpable. I always want more.
Epic Sci-Fi with speculative tech, romance, new worlds, mysteries, plot twists and more.
And the hints of what's to come have me yearning for more.
I cannot wait.
February 26, 2025
GSJ is one of my favourite authors, and this one doesn't disappoint! The start of a new trilogy, here led by Alex and Caleb - so good to have such a focus on our original heroes - and we enter a whole new universe with a new alien race (to them, but were featured in Extinguishing The Stars: An Amaranthe Short Story).
You can definitely read this standalone, and enter the Amaranthe universe here, as GSJ deftly folds in past key events for newcomers without making those already familiar with groan.
No spoilers here, but you'll enjoy magnificent world and character building, plausible but incredible tech, and a great romp of a story that doesn't leave things unresolved but drops enough of a teaser to keep you yearning for the next one. In the meantime you can dive into the rich back catalogue, starting with Starshine.
GSJ is great to engage with directly too, via the Sidespace Facebook group, Messenger and her email newsletter Supermassive Black Holes and support her work via buymeacoffee.com
You can definitely read this standalone, and enter the Amaranthe universe here, as GSJ deftly folds in past key events for newcomers without making those already familiar with groan.
No spoilers here, but you'll enjoy magnificent world and character building, plausible but incredible tech, and a great romp of a story that doesn't leave things unresolved but drops enough of a teaser to keep you yearning for the next one. In the meantime you can dive into the rich back catalogue, starting with Starshine.
GSJ is great to engage with directly too, via the Sidespace Facebook group, Messenger and her email newsletter Supermassive Black Holes and support her work via buymeacoffee.com
February 23, 2025
Excellent
And once again she has shown me why she's at the top of my favorite author list. I truly enjoy not just the story but the sensuality of her characters. 🙂
And once again she has shown me why she's at the top of my favorite author list. I truly enjoy not just the story but the sensuality of her characters. 🙂
March 6, 2025
Another great novel from Jensen. Without adding spoilers, Alex and Caleb travel to a lost world where a culture of extravagance has become standard. A scientist makes a discovery and requests help from the governing authorities. His life is turned upside down short order. Alex and Caleb must use their skills and wit to save the day.
February 28, 2025
I found this story a bit predictable. I guessed early on who would fall in love, who the bad person was, and of course who would make it all good in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
She continues to deliver exciting stories that are hard to put down! This is another Alex and Caleb adventure. If you've not read any of the earlier stories about the pair this might not be the best choice to start as their backstory forms much of the basis for this adventure. The story is complete as is though.
Once again the pair face an incredible situation and win through. The story is well paced, the setting is exotic and interesting. I believe we are given a glimpse of the next book at the end of this story as well. It promises to be an intriguing story.
Once again the pair face an incredible situation and win through. The story is well paced, the setting is exotic and interesting. I believe we are given a glimpse of the next book at the end of this story as well. It promises to be an intriguing story.
April 30, 2025
An excellent and solid sci-fi tale that sits within Ms. Jennsen's epic Amaranthe Universe but can definitely be read as a standalone. Caleb and Alex are back in a new adventure. If you missed the beginning of their love story, then read STARSHINE first. In THE UNIVERSE WITHIN, they're tracking an ancient enemy when they find a planet caught in a completely closed system. This story is part science, part thriller, and part romance. The side characters are well drawn and the world building is thorough. Loved it! Couldn't put it down.
May 15, 2025
excellent book
G S Jennsen has done it again by creating a world that draws the reader in and won’t let go. I was saving this book until i finished a series knowing that i wouldn’t finish my current book. When i started The Universe Within i was determined not to like it because my favorite character was not the main character in it. She created such wonderful new characters to her universe that I couldn’t put it down. Only one thing is missing. “Alex what have you done”.
G S Jennsen has done it again by creating a world that draws the reader in and won’t let go. I was saving this book until i finished a series knowing that i wouldn’t finish my current book. When i started The Universe Within i was determined not to like it because my favorite character was not the main character in it. She created such wonderful new characters to her universe that I couldn’t put it down. Only one thing is missing. “Alex what have you done”.
February 12, 2025
The latest addition to the Amaranthe series of Space opera novels. Again you can read this as a standalone novel.
This is another unputdownable novel. There is attempted murder, mystery and a hint of romance all from a well paced science fiction novel. Not forgetting clever tech. This is a must read series for all space opera fans, and the first novel (starshine) is free.
This is another unputdownable novel. There is attempted murder, mystery and a hint of romance all from a well paced science fiction novel. Not forgetting clever tech. This is a must read series for all space opera fans, and the first novel (starshine) is free.
February 17, 2025
This is a good SF story. It’s set in theAmaranthe Universe and features Alex and Caleb. I found it to be a bit of a slow starter( hence only the 4 stars), but once it got going I was hooked. It’s a stand alone story but it’s better if you’ve read some of the others set in this universe.
All in all it’s well worth reading.
All in all it’s well worth reading.
February 19, 2025
Again we are transported to the far reaches of another space and dimension to find more races that were mostly forgotten. A Galaxy away, yet still close to the rest of everything, we are shown a possible result of a small choice that transcends what was ever planned. Loved it and bring on the next one.
March 8, 2025
I love the entire series (all 22 books). I'm glad Jennsen is a prolific writer because I look forward to each new release - no waiting years for the next in the series.
I read a lot and will put aside my current book(s) when a new Amaranthe comes out.
I read a lot and will put aside my current book(s) when a new Amaranthe comes out.
March 10, 2025
Great story
Jensen has done it again. This was an exciting novel with action, science and wonder throughout. Alex and Caleb are and awesome as ever. If you haven't read every book in this saga then start today.
Jensen has done it again. This was an exciting novel with action, science and wonder throughout. Alex and Caleb are and awesome as ever. If you haven't read every book in this saga then start today.
February 20, 2025
It felt like returning to the arms of some of my best friends coming back to this book. I devoured it, and couldn't wait to hold the paperback in my hands.
April 28, 2025
A novel which occurs withing the Amaranthe universe. The characters are well done and the story does not drag.
May 8, 2025
Brilliant
From the best SF author, today, another great adventure to read and enjoy.
Looking forward to the next adventure in the series.
From the best SF author, today, another great adventure to read and enjoy.
Looking forward to the next adventure in the series.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews