What do you think?
Rate this book
The Receiver
Finally, a story where “quantum” means physics, not wizardry in a lab coat.
Dr. Brahm Gibney never thought her grant on neutrino vectoring would lead her into a world of danger and intrigue. As she delves deeper into her research, she uncovers a mysterious source of particles hurtling through space, with a trajectory that could change everything.
Meanwhile, Chandler Mirren's dreams of a prestigious internship are shattered, leaving him stuck in a dusty library writing a research paper. But when he discovers a cryptic message in the journals of a renowned scientist, he realizes he may have stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery.
Lieutenant Jack Avari's career in the Marines takes an unexpected turn when he's tasked with investigating a seemingly mundane theft. But as he probes further, he finds himself entangled in a high-stakes game of international espionage, with Earth's fate hanging in the balance.
In this fast-paced, techno-sci-fi thriller, the stakes are high and the tension never lets up. With masterful world-building and a gripping plot, The Receiver will keep readers on the edge of their seats, guessing until the very end.
It's like the Da Vinci Code meets Carl Sagan's Contact, with science that isn't handwavey sci-fi nonsense.
Hailed as one of the best first contact books of the year, readers of Andy Weir, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, and Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem will appreciate The Receiver.
Author’s Note: Thanks for getting this far. If hard sci-fi is your thing, I hope you try The Receiver! I wrote most of it in 2017 and 2018, before ubiquitous access to AI and augmented reality glasses. It’s fun to see what I got right, and I guess we’ll soon know what I got wrong. I’m just an ex-NASA engineer and biotech guy who spent his evenings and weekends pecking at a keyboard. Thanks to readers like you, I think I’ve caught all of the grammar mistakes and typos, but please be kind. This was, indeed, a labor of love.
Dr. Brahm Gibney never thought her grant on neutrino vectoring would lead her into a world of danger and intrigue. As she delves deeper into her research, she uncovers a mysterious source of particles hurtling through space, with a trajectory that could change everything.
Meanwhile, Chandler Mirren's dreams of a prestigious internship are shattered, leaving him stuck in a dusty library writing a research paper. But when he discovers a cryptic message in the journals of a renowned scientist, he realizes he may have stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery.
Lieutenant Jack Avari's career in the Marines takes an unexpected turn when he's tasked with investigating a seemingly mundane theft. But as he probes further, he finds himself entangled in a high-stakes game of international espionage, with Earth's fate hanging in the balance.
In this fast-paced, techno-sci-fi thriller, the stakes are high and the tension never lets up. With masterful world-building and a gripping plot, The Receiver will keep readers on the edge of their seats, guessing until the very end.
It's like the Da Vinci Code meets Carl Sagan's Contact, with science that isn't handwavey sci-fi nonsense.
Hailed as one of the best first contact books of the year, readers of Andy Weir, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark, and Liu Cixin's The Three-Body Problem will appreciate The Receiver.
Author’s Note: Thanks for getting this far. If hard sci-fi is your thing, I hope you try The Receiver! I wrote most of it in 2017 and 2018, before ubiquitous access to AI and augmented reality glasses. It’s fun to see what I got right, and I guess we’ll soon know what I got wrong. I’m just an ex-NASA engineer and biotech guy who spent his evenings and weekends pecking at a keyboard. Thanks to readers like you, I think I’ve caught all of the grammar mistakes and typos, but please be kind. This was, indeed, a labor of love.
- GenresScience Fiction
510 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 15, 2025
793 people are currently reading
1031 people want to read
About the author
Seth Jaffe
2 books22 followersMore often than not, you’ll find Seth Jaffe hiking forest trails with his beloved pooch, Mr. Zixby, dreaming up science fiction stories. Although futuristic concepts are the cornerstone of most sci-fi tales, Seth works hard to make his worlds believable, both scientifically and rationally. Not content to gloss over the little things, he will spend hours meditating on possible eventualities in hopes of creating characters who follow sound judgment. When not writing, Seth earns a living at a biotech company. Before that, he spent almost fifteen years in NASA’s Mission Control, where he was certified on the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Seth is one of the founders of the AI-Free Certification Project. Other works by Seth include Career Recon, The Minuteman, Rise of the Quest Knights, and Inner Space, the Conqueror. He is currently working on The Dreamer.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
October 26, 2025
Can there be too much science in a science fiction novel? This book definitely raises this issue since its jam packed full of (to me) incomprehensible science. In fact if the science was edited down or even basically stripped out this would be a much smaller but still an interesting effort. I got through this book by skipping the large chunks of science until I found the point it was making, seizing on that, and then moving on. So it was fairly enjoyable but for sure the science dominated everything including the characters who all seem to have very strange names.
I might buy the next book but from the epilogue in this book it looks like descriptions of a bunch of fights in the stars; presumably we will be given an instructional course on how a starfighter works and how it exceeds the speed of light. Ohhh goody!
I might buy the next book but from the epilogue in this book it looks like descriptions of a bunch of fights in the stars; presumably we will be given an instructional course on how a starfighter works and how it exceeds the speed of light. Ohhh goody!
July 5, 2025
A real hard science novel!
I was lucky to have studied physics and like wise continued my education in science, since for this book any knowledge of atomic particles is needed for a basic understanding. But even without this knowledge it is an excellent novel with plenty of humans working together. Even a little love mixed in. Bottom line, I loved it. I am looking forward to the second book.
I was lucky to have studied physics and like wise continued my education in science, since for this book any knowledge of atomic particles is needed for a basic understanding. But even without this knowledge it is an excellent novel with plenty of humans working together. Even a little love mixed in. Bottom line, I loved it. I am looking forward to the second book.
September 10, 2025
I liked it very much!
Likable characters (except for one major character I enjoyed hating). Good dialogue, pacing, and plot.
I’m looking forward to the next book.
Likable characters (except for one major character I enjoyed hating). Good dialogue, pacing, and plot.
I’m looking forward to the next book.
August 30, 2025
a riveting and thought-provoking story
This is my first view of the works of Seth Jaffe, and I’m very impressed. He weaves a very absorbing tale of science, personal challenges, and international intrigue. Throw in a couple of government high-security intelligence agencies and a ruthless government scientist who is hellbent on controlling the narrative and the release/non-release of information on an extra-solar object, as well as a group of independent scientists who are working on deciphering the data coming from another star system and you have complex story with multiple plot twists.
Well written and edited, although there was the occasional missing or improper tensed word, the science was very good, leaning heavily into particle physics and quantum theory. Looking forward to more by Mr. Jaffe.
This is my first view of the works of Seth Jaffe, and I’m very impressed. He weaves a very absorbing tale of science, personal challenges, and international intrigue. Throw in a couple of government high-security intelligence agencies and a ruthless government scientist who is hellbent on controlling the narrative and the release/non-release of information on an extra-solar object, as well as a group of independent scientists who are working on deciphering the data coming from another star system and you have complex story with multiple plot twists.
Well written and edited, although there was the occasional missing or improper tensed word, the science was very good, leaning heavily into particle physics and quantum theory. Looking forward to more by Mr. Jaffe.
September 11, 2025
Genuine science fiction.
A well woven entanglement of characters, plausible physics and dire situations leading to believable outcomes. The physics presented here took me back to my introduction to physics and quantum mechanics at an NSF-SSTP program in 1964. Some very dedicated faculty proposed a number of out of the box ideas that fed 60 some very active imaginations. This book provides that kind of excitement.
In addition to the science there is a credible evolution of society based on the impact of personal technologies. Some of the changes are positive unlike the current smart phone morass.
There are some dark currents and several abusers of personal power that provide lots of conflict for the protagonists.
Not only all that, but I got a new word. Read this.
A well woven entanglement of characters, plausible physics and dire situations leading to believable outcomes. The physics presented here took me back to my introduction to physics and quantum mechanics at an NSF-SSTP program in 1964. Some very dedicated faculty proposed a number of out of the box ideas that fed 60 some very active imaginations. This book provides that kind of excitement.
In addition to the science there is a credible evolution of society based on the impact of personal technologies. Some of the changes are positive unlike the current smart phone morass.
There are some dark currents and several abusers of personal power that provide lots of conflict for the protagonists.
Not only all that, but I got a new word. Read this.
November 5, 2025
a truly superior sci-Fi read
Believable science, realistic characters, riveting story, and a gripping, well-paced plot line made this one of the best sci-Fi reads of my life.
It is not a space opera. Instead, Jaffe’s novel focuses on a realistic problem of just how humanity might reasonably interact with the greater Galaxy given current theories of sub-atomic particles and dark energy. He writes about all of it in an approachable manner.
The characters and their interactions felt genuine and the dialogue was superb. Each character had a well developed voice.
Finally, the editing was beyond reproach. At no point did I get shocked out of flow state because of bad grammar.
Well done, sir. Well done.
Believable science, realistic characters, riveting story, and a gripping, well-paced plot line made this one of the best sci-Fi reads of my life.
It is not a space opera. Instead, Jaffe’s novel focuses on a realistic problem of just how humanity might reasonably interact with the greater Galaxy given current theories of sub-atomic particles and dark energy. He writes about all of it in an approachable manner.
The characters and their interactions felt genuine and the dialogue was superb. Each character had a well developed voice.
Finally, the editing was beyond reproach. At no point did I get shocked out of flow state because of bad grammar.
Well done, sir. Well done.
August 21, 2025
No spoilers follow.
This was a refreshing harder sci fit novel with surprisingly good character development and multiple engaging and entertaining plot lines. The pace was fast at times, lots going on, and yet the author kept it balanced - you didn’t feel like you lost track of what was happening with the suffering plot lines.
Anyways, fun read! For a change I was looking forward to my free time to get back to a book! I can honestly say after finishing It I’ve been rethinking and wondering “what’s going to happen next?!”
What more can you ask from an author than to get your own imagination soaring along also?
It’s a great ride - take it!
This was a refreshing harder sci fit novel with surprisingly good character development and multiple engaging and entertaining plot lines. The pace was fast at times, lots going on, and yet the author kept it balanced - you didn’t feel like you lost track of what was happening with the suffering plot lines.
Anyways, fun read! For a change I was looking forward to my free time to get back to a book! I can honestly say after finishing It I’ve been rethinking and wondering “what’s going to happen next?!”
What more can you ask from an author than to get your own imagination soaring along also?
It’s a great ride - take it!
November 9, 2025
Enjoyable Hard Sci-fi
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I have no real understanding of the level of math and physics used, yet things were explained well enough for me to grasp the concepts. The plot flowed well and the world building was excellent. There were certainly twists I didn't expect. The characters were well written. I don't know that it coveted a large enough time frame to expect a great deal of development.
I would recommend this book and intend to read the next one.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. I have no real understanding of the level of math and physics used, yet things were explained well enough for me to grasp the concepts. The plot flowed well and the world building was excellent. There were certainly twists I didn't expect. The characters were well written. I don't know that it coveted a large enough time frame to expect a great deal of development.
I would recommend this book and intend to read the next one.
January 2, 2026
Pleasantly Surprised!
This was my first book by Seth Jaffe and I started from a sample. The first chapters introduced a myriad of characters in seemingly unrelated situations. I even briefly considered deleting the sample but found these introductions to be too intriguing to do that. And then the story took off! Absolutely great read. And be warned, I had no reason to believe this would be part of a series, but nearing the end that became obvious. The epilog gives an inside into the as of yet unnamed sequel to which I am looking forward.
This was my first book by Seth Jaffe and I started from a sample. The first chapters introduced a myriad of characters in seemingly unrelated situations. I even briefly considered deleting the sample but found these introductions to be too intriguing to do that. And then the story took off! Absolutely great read. And be warned, I had no reason to believe this would be part of a series, but nearing the end that became obvious. The epilog gives an inside into the as of yet unnamed sequel to which I am looking forward.
September 22, 2025
Degrees don't make the individual
One of the best sci-fi books I've read in some time. You have to be somewhat up to speed on the latest quantum theories to understand the basis of the story. You have to endure a slow start, but about a third of the way through it picks up and develops into a "I can't put this book down," story.
Definitely worth the time, but waiting for the sequel is going to be hell.
One of the best sci-fi books I've read in some time. You have to be somewhat up to speed on the latest quantum theories to understand the basis of the story. You have to endure a slow start, but about a third of the way through it picks up and develops into a "I can't put this book down," story.
Definitely worth the time, but waiting for the sequel is going to be hell.
October 21, 2025
i really liked this, even thought it took me some time to identified who was who with all the unconventional character names :)
the plot is interesting, the science "fiction" pretty much within the limits of what is believable.
i would give it a fifth start if it acknowledged the fact that the USA is not the "only" country in the world and that such a major event like first contact would need to be a bigger event.
the plot is interesting, the science "fiction" pretty much within the limits of what is believable.
i would give it a fifth start if it acknowledged the fact that the USA is not the "only" country in the world and that such a major event like first contact would need to be a bigger event.
December 31, 2025
So far, one of the best
I’ve been reading SF for a long time now. When I started, lots of books were outstanding. But that was because I was a new reader, an empty canvas if you will. Today I’m a more experienced reader, and although I keep finding very good books, that feeling I used to have is more elusive. Well, The Receiver gave it back to me. A very good plot backed up with credibly science.
I’ve been reading SF for a long time now. When I started, lots of books were outstanding. But that was because I was a new reader, an empty canvas if you will. Today I’m a more experienced reader, and although I keep finding very good books, that feeling I used to have is more elusive. Well, The Receiver gave it back to me. A very good plot backed up with credibly science.
July 27, 2025
As a die-hard thriller reader, The Receiver definitely kept my interest, even though I lack a scientific background. The characters were three-dimensional, and the story line moved quickly, with enough tension to keep my interest alive. I simply had trouble putting the book down! I am looking forward enthusiastically to Book II!
August 29, 2025
Good story with a big dose of real science
I enjoyed this book, particularly the science. Though it is a slow burn through the first third of the story, the momentum grows and culminates in a strong finish. I’ll read the next one.
A slightly distracting aspect is the book's structure, with over a hundred “chapters”; an editor’s touch could be helpful.
I enjoyed this book, particularly the science. Though it is a slow burn through the first third of the story, the momentum grows and culminates in a strong finish. I’ll read the next one.
A slightly distracting aspect is the book's structure, with over a hundred “chapters”; an editor’s touch could be helpful.
November 4, 2025
Stick With It
I have grown to enjoy hard science fiction, especially as my educational journey has progressed. The Receiver is a great story. It is heavy on the science, yet with just enough non-science subplots. As with most "Book 1s", it takes a bit longer for the ball to get truly rolling. But it's totally worth it to stick with it.
I have grown to enjoy hard science fiction, especially as my educational journey has progressed. The Receiver is a great story. It is heavy on the science, yet with just enough non-science subplots. As with most "Book 1s", it takes a bit longer for the ball to get truly rolling. But it's totally worth it to stick with it.
November 13, 2025
A benchmark for hard sci-fi fans.
If not a astrophysicist already, the research Jaffe under took must have been monumental. A terrific read. Fresh, contemporary and a wonderful cast of characters. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys not only Sci-Fi but a good thriller. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. Thanks so much for the wonderful entertainment Seth.
If not a astrophysicist already, the research Jaffe under took must have been monumental. A terrific read. Fresh, contemporary and a wonderful cast of characters. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys not only Sci-Fi but a good thriller. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel. Thanks so much for the wonderful entertainment Seth.
November 18, 2025
please Sir, I want some more!
I love sci-fi and this does not disappoint. Although way over my head in the science side of things, I still found this an enjoyable read. Good storyline, great characters and wonderful suspense! I do wait eagerly and impatiently for the next installment.
I love sci-fi and this does not disappoint. Although way over my head in the science side of things, I still found this an enjoyable read. Good storyline, great characters and wonderful suspense! I do wait eagerly and impatiently for the next installment.
November 19, 2025
Hard science to the nth degree! My education doesn't qualify me in any way, shape, or form to understand the physics, but it was still very enjoyable to read and surprisingly easy to follow. The writing was pretty tight, and I enjoyed the amount of humor included. The main characters were well fleshed out, and the plot was very plausible. Can't wait for the next one.
November 20, 2025
I'm only a quarter of the way through this book and I'm compelled to write a review already. This is a first book and I'm so impressed.
The book is fast moving. Incredibly hard science based (to the point where I've had to research some topics in order to understand more fully). The characters are well drawn and fully develop very quickly. I'm quite impressed.
The book is fast moving. Incredibly hard science based (to the point where I've had to research some topics in order to understand more fully). The characters are well drawn and fully develop very quickly. I'm quite impressed.
December 3, 2025
Great hard sci-fi
The technical jargon and multiple angles of story lines almost overwhelmed me at first. I stuck with it and glad I did. Well written with good character building. Much better writing than I've come to expect these days. It has reminded me that there are still good stories out there.
The technical jargon and multiple angles of story lines almost overwhelmed me at first. I stuck with it and glad I did. Well written with good character building. Much better writing than I've come to expect these days. It has reminded me that there are still good stories out there.
August 30, 2025
The Static and the Signal
A well written hard science fiction novel.
Great plot, developed characters, dooms day theme, interesting facts (no I did not verify them).
Nice job. Worth the money.
A well written hard science fiction novel.
Great plot, developed characters, dooms day theme, interesting facts (no I did not verify them).
Nice job. Worth the money.
September 22, 2025
Exceptional Sci-fi
Well written story telling, this book is.
✓ Jaffe puts it out there and pulls you in with a plausible story that keeps hitting, page by page! All the way to the end. Incredible!
Well written story telling, this book is.
✓ Jaffe puts it out there and pulls you in with a plausible story that keeps hitting, page by page! All the way to the end. Incredible!
September 28, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A lot of interesting science and a good plot. I don't want to give anything away but if you enjoy hard sci-fi and astrophysics then I highly recommend this book. Can't wait for another book by this author!
October 5, 2025
great story
Great story with lots of character threads spinning through it to finally come together and solve the problem. I like that the protagonists are often working against each other due to lack of knowledge and political/secrecy concerns.
Great story with lots of character threads spinning through it to finally come together and solve the problem. I like that the protagonists are often working against each other due to lack of knowledge and political/secrecy concerns.
October 10, 2025
Can't wait for the next book
This book reads like the authors 27th book. Very well thought out. No suspension of disbelief. Fantastic pacing and plot.
Through the whole book I only found three minor mistakes in syntax.
Fantastic!
This book reads like the authors 27th book. Very well thought out. No suspension of disbelief. Fantastic pacing and plot.
Through the whole book I only found three minor mistakes in syntax.
Fantastic!
October 17, 2025
The best read this year
Wow! That was a fun, original, and twisty story. It was a pure surprise and I found myself thinking how lucky it was to find it. We want more, so read this and thank the author.
Wow! That was a fun, original, and twisty story. It was a pure surprise and I found myself thinking how lucky it was to find it. We want more, so read this and thank the author.
October 24, 2025
Best SciFi book I’ve read in a couple of years
I tend to read 20-30 SciFi books a year.
This is a well written book. Good story, believable characters excellent pace. Highly recommended.
I tend to read 20-30 SciFi books a year.
This is a well written book. Good story, believable characters excellent pace. Highly recommended.
October 31, 2025
A great read
Highly technical but if you really enjoy high energy physics you will enjoy the book
The plot is interesting and the characters are well- drawn. Jaffe has a terrific imagination and an ability to keep a lot of moving parts in sync.
Highly technical but if you really enjoy high energy physics you will enjoy the book
The plot is interesting and the characters are well- drawn. Jaffe has a terrific imagination and an ability to keep a lot of moving parts in sync.
November 3, 2025
excellent book
Wow, what a fantastic story! It presents a unique perspective on first encounters. While the buildup may seem slow and disjointed at first, I was hooked about a third of the way in.
Wow, what a fantastic story! It presents a unique perspective on first encounters. While the buildup may seem slow and disjointed at first, I was hooked about a third of the way in.
November 30, 2025
a challenging and fun read
Worth every minute. Just the right number of characters so that we aren’t overwhelmed. But what happened to the bad guy Kusatsu? He should be an alien operative
Worth every minute. Just the right number of characters so that we aren’t overwhelmed. But what happened to the bad guy Kusatsu? He should be an alien operative
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews