Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Stargate SG-1 #25

Hostile Ground

Rate this book
It was meant to be an easy mission, a walk in the park. But SG-1's first trip off-world after Colonel O'Neill's return from Edora (STARGATE SG-1: One Hundred Days) proves to be anything but easy.

Tapped for a covert assignment, O’Neill must conceal the truth from his team at all costs. So when Dr Daniel Jackson is injured and the mission begins to go awry, tensions quickly reach breaking point. Stranded on a hostile planet, and desperate to find a way home before it's too late, O'Neill leads his fractured team on a desperate journey across a barren and forsaken world.

Faced with an enemy more vicious than anything they've encountered before, only SG-1's strength as a unit will keep them alive - if the secret O'Neill is hiding doesn't tear them apart first...

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2014

47 people are currently reading
275 people want to read

About the author

Sally Malcolm

37 books298 followers
Sally Malcolm was bitten by the m/m romance bug in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. It’s fair to say she’s obsessed with the genre. She has four contemporary m/m romances out, set in the fictional Long Island seaside town of New Milton.

She's also the author of eight Stargate novels and novellas, including the hit "Apocalypse" trilogy. She has penned four Stargate audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, including Stargate SG-1: "An Eye for an Eye" starring Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, and Cliff Simon.

Sally lives in South West London.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
146 (45%)
4 stars
122 (37%)
3 stars
48 (14%)
2 stars
5 (1%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Katie.
197 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2022
Note to self: not a 4 star book in normal standards, but 4 stars for this series of books 👍
Profile Image for Kati.
2,414 reviews67 followers
September 23, 2014
4.5 stars - half a star off because the books drags a little in the middle. But everything else, the characters, their deep friendship, the fantastic twist at the very end... amazing. One of the best Stargate books I've read so far. I actually bawled my eyes out at the end, when Hammond sent out his message. His words hit me so hard...
Profile Image for Diana Botsford.
Author 7 books15 followers
September 10, 2014
Great action with a slew of twists and turns. The first in a trilogy (Apocalypse), Hostile Ground's cliffhanger ending brings a whole new meaning to the question: "How are they going to get out of this?"
Profile Image for Dayna.
82 reviews28 followers
November 12, 2025
This book came at the right time. I got stuck reading a cinder block of book and was in a slump, and what do I find on my tablet? This book. I had bought it a year ago and forgot about it until I was looking for something to read because what I had just wasn't catching my interest. Reading SG-1 books are a sure fire way for me to get out of a slump.

I can admit I was a little leery starting this. What if I didn't like it and fell further into the oncoming slump? I worried over nothing.

The Aman. Man, I knew they sounded familiar, description wise, and I actually fist pumped the air when my suspicions were proven correct, but then I got confused because how and why they were there in the first place. The twist at the end? Made everything fall into place.

It's a little...humbling?...awe inducing?...just how much Earth relied on SG-1, and when everything just goes wrong...I just can't. It hits you. Hard.

Never forgive, never forget, indeed.
Profile Image for Erina.
110 reviews7 followers
November 17, 2014
4.5 stars! Can't wait for the complete trilogy! This is a great book for anyone missing SG1. Jack, Sam, Daniel, Teal'c plus Hammond and more featured and voices are authentic. Great insights into the team we already love - especially Jack & Sam (no, not a romance. Just classic SG1).

---
MINOR SPOILER:




>

When the Devourers were introduced I was annoyed with the break in Stargate canon. I stuck with the story since the Stargate novels have thus far been loyal to canon. Well worth it - in looking forward to the rest of this story arc.
Profile Image for Craterdweller.
56 reviews1 follower
January 3, 2020
Solidly written and set just after Jack returns from Edora. Was surprised by divergence from canon on things like Colonel Makepeace and the introduction of the Wraith but it made more sense when I realized it was the first of a series called the Apocalypse series. Likely dealing with an alternate universe or timeline. Looking forward to the next in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Angela.
2,597 reviews72 followers
September 27, 2016
Set when O'Neill had to pretend to be unhappy with SG1, they get marooned on a planet. There's a strangely familiar alien that is feeding on the populace.

This is a very readable book, and it's interesting to see the crossover with SGA. There's some very nice twists in the plot, this would have made a great TV episode. It does end on a cliffhanger though. A good read.
Profile Image for Lauren.
528 reviews21 followers
August 18, 2015
Amazing! The team dynamics, the tension, the humor, the adventure...everything I love about the show is in here. Can't wait to see what happens in book two, that was one hell of a cliffhanger
Profile Image for Slón.
41 reviews3 followers
September 22, 2016
This book is brilliant. I did not figure it out until just before the end, which was fab. It's fast paced, exciting, well written, and very true to character. A must read for Stargate SG1 fans.
Profile Image for Ariel.
1,352 reviews64 followers
December 15, 2016
This book was super fun! Just like watching the show, the voices were spot on.
Profile Image for Tricia Schneider.
Author 55 books834 followers
April 6, 2020
I loved this book! From the very first page, it pulled me in with the intense action and the well-written dynamic between the main characters. I've read books written by authors about favorite TV shows before and there are times when I question if the author has ever actually watched the show. Not with this book! This story seems written by an author who is clearly a fan of the show. The way the story and plot were set up, the action and the dialogue, the characters and setting, it was all true to the Stargate SG-1 world and characters. I could clearly see this story unfold as an episode in my mind.

I really enjoyed how well the story was written. The action never stopped, even during the moments when the characters weren't being chased or fighting for their lives, there was still the overall suspense of what happens next that kept me glued to the book and turning the pages. I loved getting in the heads of the characters, seeing their thoughts and emotions, hearing their voices, watching them struggle. And it was scary! The creatures the team were up against were nightmarish!

The twists and turns of the plot were amazing. Being a fan of the show, I questioned a few things as I began to see a distinct difference between the show and the way the book unfolded. And while I questioned the change in events, I kept going wondering how the author was going to pull this off. I'm so glad I did! I did not expect that ending and it was thrilling! Now, I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Normally, I don't read reviews for the books that I want to read because of possible spoilers. I don't like giving spoilers away myself, but I was glad that I got a glimpse of one review stating that this book ends with a cliffhanger. It does! And while I normally don't enjoy cliffhanger endings, knowing that this book has a sequel, I didn't mind so much. It just means the story isn't over and I can't wait to read more!
Profile Image for Silverscarf.
144 reviews1 follower
April 8, 2019
I have been meaning to get around to this for a very long time, but I was just never in the right mood to read it, and then when I was, I knew there were other books in the series coming, and since I prefer to binge read a series it just hasn't worked out until now. But I finally read it!
And it was enjoyable. With tie-ins that you know are set in alternate universes or timelines there's always that thought that goes through your mind that anything could happen, regardless of what happened on the show, so that's a lot of fun for me because I love alternate universe stories. And this idea of looking into the universes where things have not gone so well for our beloved team is certainly interesting. This a somewhat bleak and hopeless story in some ways, you're so used to SG-1 winning in whatever situation they find themselves in, but here they kind of lose, a lot, so you wonder how on earth they're going to get out of this one. I did see the big twist coming, from very early on actually, all the clues were there. But wow that epilogue, that crushed me inside a little bit. The addition of the Wraith was the most surprising thing for me, it was kind of weird seeing SG-1 go up against them instead of the Atlantis team, but it worked out pretty well, and at least it's one step further in answering my age old question of who would win in a fight, a Wraith or a Goa'uld.
Overall it was nice to finally start this series like I had been meaning to for so long, this was certainly quite the start to a trilogy, I just hope that the second and third books are even better, and that everything will work out in the end.
Profile Image for Gabe Waggoner.
46 reviews6 followers
November 30, 2017
These authors care about the universe in which they play

Novels based on TV series can fall anywhere on the continuum from canned and formulaic to inspired and vivid. Hostile Ground, the beginning of the new Apocalypse series, is among the best I have seen. Fandemonium continues to release books that expand on the story of our heroes—and they do so with quality.

In the beginning I was skeptical: the novel's events take place fairly early in the time span of the TV series, so I wasn't sure how anything momentous could happen. After all, nothing too world changing could occur because we know how the series ends, right? Even though the story is anchored in an episode that fans of the series will readily recall, that in no way constrains the plot or the characterization. I especially enjoyed how the authors developed and brought to the fore the characters of General Hammond and Dr. Fraiser—two people often relegated to supporting roles in the TV show (and, like many, gone before their time). Exploring the friendship between these two in the book was delightful. The writers also authentically capture the dynamic of the SG-1 team, with internal monologue that is consistent with characters' actions (both within the novel and in the larger series).

As I approached the end, I realized that one book wasn't going to wrap everything up. If this installment was any indication, the next one will be another that I read in record time. Well done.
43 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2018
Well, this was rather interesting. Very well written, top notch characterization, compelling conflict, solid motivation throughout, the ending is extremely powerful and swept me off my feet in delight.

A bit too bloated, though. Half-way through I did feel quite a bit of frustration at a lack of progression to certain arks. Considering that the timewise the book is firmly rooted between two specific episodes, trying to reconcile the changes brought by this book with the canon. There was a lot of potential of just focusing on the emotional continuity of the characters throughout those episodes without focusing on a larger than life plot. As much as I liked how it all turned around in the end, and as much as it was all needed to properly foreshadow the ending without giving it away, I could have just as easily imagined another trilogy that just played things straight and focused on the fallout between the characters in the aftermath of the Hundred Days and the Shades of of Gray.

So, a great story, all in all, and I very much look forward to the other two hopefully explaining what the hell is going on, but there could have been a benefit of an author's note that is more common in fanfics than in published books to lessen some of the frustration. Not quite four stars, not quite five, but certainly 4.5

I should probably reread it once I am done with the trilogy, though. Just to savor all the set up.
Profile Image for Heather.
212 reviews39 followers
October 20, 2024
This is the first book in the Apocalypse trilogy. When SG-1 dials Earth to return home after a mission goes awry, they’re transported instead to an unfamiliar world that has been destroyed by a war between the Goa’uld and another alien enemy. The human survivors of the war help SG-1 and lead them to a legendary resistance leader.

I could sum up my review with one word: Fantastic! This book is exciting, fast-paced, and fun to read. The incredible dramatic irony (when the reader knows more than the characters) made this one a page-turner. I'm not usually a fan of the alternating chapters approach, but the way Hammond’s chapters at the SGC provide the background for SG-1’s chapters was brilliant.

I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.
Profile Image for Anja.
76 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2020
This book series takes place in Stargate SG-1's third season between "A hundred days" and "Shades of grey". At first I was almost about to stop reading this book, although the characters were well written and mostly in character. But I hated it how O'Neill treated Carter in the first half of the book. Later on he changed his behaviour and the story became quite fast paced. It had some moments, where I had to hold my breath and just couldn't stop reading. Sally Malcolm is one of the best authors Fandemonium has and I'm looking forward to reading the second part of the Apocalypse-series.
Profile Image for Hann.
186 reviews1 follower
September 15, 2021
Absolutely fantastic beginning to the trilogy of books. Reads just like an episode and the pacing is really well done.

This is a reread and I'm still just as on the edge of my seat as I was the first time.

I was lucky enough to meet Sally Malcolm at a con several years ago and she is a truly wonderful person as well!
Profile Image for Cherie.
Author 28 books117 followers
August 8, 2019
Wow! Just wow! If you've watched Stargate Atlantis, then you would pick up on a certain thing quite quickly. This book is a "what if" in the Stargate franchise, and I am looking forward to reading the next two books in this Apocalypse series.
Profile Image for S.
549 reviews12 followers
October 13, 2019
What a twist at the end! This dragged a little bit during the middle, but it's very well written and the characters' voices are pretty much on point. Can't wait to see how they get out of this in the next book.
Profile Image for Alyce Caswell.
Author 18 books22 followers
January 25, 2020
At one point, I was going to give this five stars. But then the "Amam" showed up. I really don't like Atlantis-related stuff being shoehorned into SG1's timeline too early. The big reveal at the end of this book made up for this, though. I'm keen to see the continuation.
Profile Image for Denise.
7,639 reviews138 followers
October 6, 2024
Sally Malcolm's name on a Stargate novel always bodes well, and this trilogy is definitely off to a great start. Lots of interesting elements coming together here, leading up to one hell of a cliffhanger - on to the sequel!
Profile Image for Kasey Minnis.
43 reviews2 followers
July 11, 2018
A great read

I can't figure out how to say much about the plot without spoiling, but this is an excellent read, and I'm going to dive right in to the sequel!
Profile Image for jagle.
536 reviews
December 11, 2025
For a Stargate book this was really interesting with a good storyline and a nice twist that I didn’t really see coming
Profile Image for Melissa.
574 reviews3 followers
March 2, 2019
Very good Stargate book, Sally Malcolm does not disappoint. Now I have to figure out how to acquire books 2 and 3 of trilogy as my library only bought the first one!
Profile Image for Rosie Amber.
Author 1 book86 followers
February 11, 2016
Hostile Ground Apocalypse 1 is a companion book to the Stargate SG-1 TV series and is set after the TV episode called Stargate SG-1: One Hundred Days, for fans who like to ground themselves in the story timelines.

SG-1 are on a mission, they are under heavy attack, Daniel has been seriously wounded and they are under heavy fire as they throw themselves through the gate radioing for immediate medical assistance. However when the gate shuts, they are not at the SGC they are on a cold lifeless planet with a war-torn gate, no DHD and a landscape which looks like an apocalypse struck.

They urgently need to get home for two reasons, Daniel's severe wound and the secret secondary mission that Jack O'Neill is running. There is a rogue mole in the SGC one tipping the balance of peace for Earth with her current allies the Tollan and the Asgard and Jack is the only one the aliens trust to find the truth.

As time runs out the team try to find signs of civilisation and help. They run into a primitive people with advanced weapons who speak of flesh eating snatchers, and rumours of a resistance. SG-1 head off in search of a dangerous enemy but one who might hold the key to opening the stargate.

An aerial dogfight reveals to SG-1 that the Goa'uld are fighting the snatchers, but SG-1's choice to help one of these creatures lands them in real hot water. They witness the eating habits of their new captors whilst held in their ship, only just managing to escape.

Their only hope now lies with the illusive Dix, rumoured to be first prime of Hecate, a minor system Lord. Should they trust the enemy?

Back at the SGC, with SG-1 missing, the alien alliances break down, the Asgard withdraw their protection and the mighty Goa'uld plan to over-run planet Earth.

Wow! So much going on and all very believable, love the appearance of Maybourne, he can always be relied upon to stir things up. I could just imagine the on-screen characters acting and talking in exactly the way they are portrayed in this book. Fans of the series will soon recognise the flesh eating zombies, I for one was ready to shout at them from the side-lines about who they were. This book ends on a cliff-hanger just like some of the TV series, but luckily I have the next book lined up so I don't have to wait a week for the story to be continued.....(continue the story yourself in "Exile")
Profile Image for Bodicia.
209 reviews22 followers
April 20, 2015
Jack, Sam, Daniel and Teal'c sprint forth on another adventure involving Stargate travel, Goa'ulds (that's Snakeheads for fans of Jack O'Neill) and the rather nasty sounding Amam who think of humans as little more than a tasty snack to feast on.

Daniel is injured and the team are forced to dial up the Stargate and get out quickly. Carter dials whilst under fire and they all get through the other side expecting to see Stargate Command but instead they end up on a planet which looks like it is post-nuclear war and realise Carter must have misdialed. The planet has no way for them to dial back home and so their only choice is to venture deeper into the land and look for help. They find a people who are just surviving, barely seeming to know where they came from and who they are, but there is hope in the form of the resistance and a leader called Dix. First they just have to find him.

My other half and I have read enough sci-fi to know how difficult writing a good novel for this sort of franchise is and Sally and Laura do an excellent job with this Stargate SG1 adventure. My only gripe is that Jack and Sam STILL aren't together...*hint hint* Sally ;-)
416 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2016
This was really good, I've always said that the group of authors writing the SG and SGA books have a good grasp of the setting and characters. That said, in my humble opinion when an Author writes a book that takes place during a run of the original series, they shouldn't introduce things to the characters before they would have encountered them in the show. Sure, there are ways around that; Time travel, Alternate realities, mind control, whatever. So while reading this, and certain realizations came to me, I began to get a bit 'irked'. But I stuck with it, because the story was still interesting. Then the last couple chapter you figure out whats going on just before the characters do, and it was pretty well done.

So, if you pick this up and the story starts to bother you because 'hey they aren't supposed to know that for a couple years', stick with it. Its pretty good.

Also, this is the first of a set. Wish it had said that on the cover.
Profile Image for Kristy Ivie.
11 reviews
February 8, 2015
Good read but not my favorite

I have now read all of the books in the SG-1 and Atlantis series and so must wait and hope there will be more. I gave this four stars because the ending is very bleak and depressing and O'Neill has a horrible mission that requires him to alienate his team so be is a jerk throughout most of the book and there isn't a lot of the usual funny banter which is one of my favorite things about the other books and the shows. So I seriously hope this isn't the last one I have read. It gets four stars only because I love these books and it is always like putting on a nice pair of slippers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews