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Return to the Galaxy: A Space Opera of Alien Invasion and Human Resistance
Return to the Galaxy – The multi-award-winning series that hit #1 Best Seller in seven Amazon categories
Winner of the London Book Festival 2025 (Science Fiction)
The Humans Are Coming. The Galaxy Better Be Ready.
The astonishing truth? The human race didn’t evolve on Earth.
Ewan Scott was a dying SAS veteran, until a 300-year-old alien AI Avatar offered him a second rebirth in a bio-engineered body, fitter, stronger, and movie-star handsome. His mission? Reunite humanity with its parent civilization, the Saret Federation, before merciless enemies erase all life on Earth.
Frigate Captain Velal, haunted by her past and bound by impossible orders, fights to save what’s left of her civilization. As worlds fall to alien invasion and nuclear fire, the ancient monsters she dreads are hunting for Earth.
An ancient empire falls to betrayal. A merciless enemy closes in. Earth lies defenseless. Its last hope a flawed hero reborn, and a woman who will fight until the stars go dark.Join Ewan, Velal, and wise-cracking Jera in an epic, fast-paced space opera packed
– Savage interstellar war
– Planetary colonization
– Special Forces warfare
– Found alien tech
– The secrets of a dying empire
If you love John Scalzi, Craig Alanson, and David Weber, the epic scale of Peter F. Hamilton, and the military brilliance of Elizabeth Moon
Grab your copy now!
Winner of the London Book Festival 2025 (Science Fiction)
The Humans Are Coming. The Galaxy Better Be Ready.
The astonishing truth? The human race didn’t evolve on Earth.
Ewan Scott was a dying SAS veteran, until a 300-year-old alien AI Avatar offered him a second rebirth in a bio-engineered body, fitter, stronger, and movie-star handsome. His mission? Reunite humanity with its parent civilization, the Saret Federation, before merciless enemies erase all life on Earth.
Frigate Captain Velal, haunted by her past and bound by impossible orders, fights to save what’s left of her civilization. As worlds fall to alien invasion and nuclear fire, the ancient monsters she dreads are hunting for Earth.
An ancient empire falls to betrayal. A merciless enemy closes in. Earth lies defenseless. Its last hope a flawed hero reborn, and a woman who will fight until the stars go dark.Join Ewan, Velal, and wise-cracking Jera in an epic, fast-paced space opera packed
– Savage interstellar war
– Planetary colonization
– Special Forces warfare
– Found alien tech
– The secrets of a dying empire
If you love John Scalzi, Craig Alanson, and David Weber, the epic scale of Peter F. Hamilton, and the military brilliance of Elizabeth Moon
Grab your copy now!
- GenresScience Fiction
556 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2025
987 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
BA Gillies
7 books10 followersAbout the Author
Harry Potter Had It So Easy!
BA Gillies didn’t start life in a huge cupboard under the stairs like Harry Potter.
He had it tougher, he began life in a kitchen drawer. Literally.
With the only cot his family could afford claimed by his older sister, newborn Brian spent his first few weeks tucked inside a repurposed cutlery drawer. Occasionally, someone remembered to open it and feed him, though he prefers not to talk about the mess.
Growing up with four siblings taught him to fight for space. Perhaps that’s why he now writes about bigger battlefields. His stories are fast-paced, strategy-driven Military Sci-Fi and Space Opera, where elite soldiers, cunning commanders, and alien warlords clash across the galaxy.
Since escaping the cutlery drawer, BA Gillies has lived in four countries and travelled to over 80. A highlight was hitchhiking solo for months across America in his kilt aged 22. This earned him strange looks, good friends and great stories.
A lifelong student of history, he’s fascinated by how empires rise and fall. Whether it’s ancient Rome, Napoleon, or a star-spanning federation, one thing holds true. Good strategy wins.
Fans of David Weber’s tactical genius, Rick Partlow’s explosive action, or John Scalzi’s sharp wit will feel right at home in his universe.
He looks forward to seeing you there.
His books and stories have won multiple sci-fi awards.
The London Book Festival 2025 Winner
The Los Angeles Book Awards 2025 First Runner Up
The New England Book Festival 2024 Winner
Literary Titan Gold Award
Pinnacle Books Gold Award
Literary Global Gold Award
Literary Titan Silver Award
Firebird Book Award
Harry Potter Had It So Easy!
BA Gillies didn’t start life in a huge cupboard under the stairs like Harry Potter.
He had it tougher, he began life in a kitchen drawer. Literally.
With the only cot his family could afford claimed by his older sister, newborn Brian spent his first few weeks tucked inside a repurposed cutlery drawer. Occasionally, someone remembered to open it and feed him, though he prefers not to talk about the mess.
Growing up with four siblings taught him to fight for space. Perhaps that’s why he now writes about bigger battlefields. His stories are fast-paced, strategy-driven Military Sci-Fi and Space Opera, where elite soldiers, cunning commanders, and alien warlords clash across the galaxy.
Since escaping the cutlery drawer, BA Gillies has lived in four countries and travelled to over 80. A highlight was hitchhiking solo for months across America in his kilt aged 22. This earned him strange looks, good friends and great stories.
A lifelong student of history, he’s fascinated by how empires rise and fall. Whether it’s ancient Rome, Napoleon, or a star-spanning federation, one thing holds true. Good strategy wins.
Fans of David Weber’s tactical genius, Rick Partlow’s explosive action, or John Scalzi’s sharp wit will feel right at home in his universe.
He looks forward to seeing you there.
His books and stories have won multiple sci-fi awards.
The London Book Festival 2025 Winner
The Los Angeles Book Awards 2025 First Runner Up
The New England Book Festival 2024 Winner
Literary Titan Gold Award
Pinnacle Books Gold Award
Literary Global Gold Award
Literary Titan Silver Award
Firebird Book Award
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 4, 2025
Excellent, really enjoyed this read good characters well developed scary aliens (took me back to my childhood) when Daleks first appeared with that harsh metallic voice. The idea of an avatars as a companion was also well thought out and this character was also allowed to develop with the aid of Ewan. All in all a thoroughly good read, looking forward to the next one☝
August 14, 2025
This is a Fantastic New Series.
No spoilers. It runs in fashion I haven't seen involved 50 years of reading Sci Fi. All I can say is give it a try. It may become my new fave, or at least tie. Get it!
No spoilers. It runs in fashion I haven't seen involved 50 years of reading Sci Fi. All I can say is give it a try. It may become my new fave, or at least tie. Get it!
July 22, 2025
Grabs you curiosity right off the start
When I purchased the book I was ok let's check it out.
This is a page turner. The style is like 10000 nights. Stories wrapped in stories wrapped in stories
A compelling read.
When I purchased the book I was ok let's check it out.
This is a page turner. The style is like 10000 nights. Stories wrapped in stories wrapped in stories
A compelling read.
July 17, 2025
Interesting subject.
The editing and Kindle formatting really needs work. Page count would be significantly less. Don't particularly care for the gay and lesbian subject matter which wasn't mentioned in the reviews. Old school sci-fi reader here. You can't be all things to all people.
The editing and Kindle formatting really needs work. Page count would be significantly less. Don't particularly care for the gay and lesbian subject matter which wasn't mentioned in the reviews. Old school sci-fi reader here. You can't be all things to all people.
September 26, 2025
Perhaps it's my own fault for not sifting through and reading the under four-star reviews.
The story is disjointed, more specifically, the style of writing with chapter headings and very short chapters in average. Just a couple pages in some instances.
The term "space opera" gets tossed around too easily nowadays if you ask me. It's a grandiose and interesting tale - humanity as we know it being a long lost colony of a far more advanced interstellar race. A race who find themselves on the bad end of a battering against an enemy who desires genocide, and who will definitely be coming for good old Earth. However, super advanced AI have been dispatched to get humanity ready for the fight. Cool.
Execution of the story, not so cool. It reads more of a guy's wet day dream - body changed to be super tall, super strong, more intelligent, faster, an ex-spec ops operator too, handsome & drawing women like it's nothing. Then off to save the world, if not the galaxy. Far too much time is spent on superfluous storytelling that personally made me lose interest by the second. I skipped a lot of it. The romancing, numerous trips to sell gold bars (rinse and repeat almost always), installing his Internet etc. By the end of the book even the entire framework isn't set as yet. 500 pages and probably half, if not around 300 gets you the main gist of the story.
Maybe the second book may advance the story at a better rate, the little preview didn't do it for me.
The story is disjointed, more specifically, the style of writing with chapter headings and very short chapters in average. Just a couple pages in some instances.
The term "space opera" gets tossed around too easily nowadays if you ask me. It's a grandiose and interesting tale - humanity as we know it being a long lost colony of a far more advanced interstellar race. A race who find themselves on the bad end of a battering against an enemy who desires genocide, and who will definitely be coming for good old Earth. However, super advanced AI have been dispatched to get humanity ready for the fight. Cool.
Execution of the story, not so cool. It reads more of a guy's wet day dream - body changed to be super tall, super strong, more intelligent, faster, an ex-spec ops operator too, handsome & drawing women like it's nothing. Then off to save the world, if not the galaxy. Far too much time is spent on superfluous storytelling that personally made me lose interest by the second. I skipped a lot of it. The romancing, numerous trips to sell gold bars (rinse and repeat almost always), installing his Internet etc. By the end of the book even the entire framework isn't set as yet. 500 pages and probably half, if not around 300 gets you the main gist of the story.
Maybe the second book may advance the story at a better rate, the little preview didn't do it for me.
September 1, 2025
After a few chapters I thought this book was quite promising and was looking forward to how the story would develop. However things started to go downhill quite quickly. To be fair this was because of my personal dislike for the way the author constructed the story. The book is divided up into randomly distribute different storylines, this just broke up any flow the story had and kept introducing new characters without any real indication how relevant they are to the main story. I don’t mind an occasional flashback to help fill in a characters motivation, but I didn’t enjoy this way of telling a story.
Also, Jera an artificial entity, has a mission to get Earth back into space and ready to fight against an overwhelming enemy. This sounds OK, but very quickly it becomes clear that this makes no sense. I presumed their must be a some sort of ‘twist’ coming, but by the end of the book the idea of a ‘backward’ earth taking on the galaxy looks even more ridiculous. Perhaps if the style of the book hadn’t annoyed me I would have been more willing to wait until the next book for this to be resolved.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars, at the moment I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and make this three.
Also, Jera an artificial entity, has a mission to get Earth back into space and ready to fight against an overwhelming enemy. This sounds OK, but very quickly it becomes clear that this makes no sense. I presumed their must be a some sort of ‘twist’ coming, but by the end of the book the idea of a ‘backward’ earth taking on the galaxy looks even more ridiculous. Perhaps if the style of the book hadn’t annoyed me I would have been more willing to wait until the next book for this to be resolved.
If possible I would have given 2.5 stars, at the moment I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and make this three.
August 12, 2025
Return to the Galaxy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Return to the Galaxy is the first novel of B A Gillies. I have read all his short stories on BookFunnel, and really liked them. I think they are very good and was expecting Return to be similar. And it is, only better!
At first I thought Return’s layout might feel choppy or confusing, but it didn’t. I always knew who was speaking, and when. I read the digital version, which apparently was professionally edited. At least, I didn’t notice any grammar or spelling/typo errors.
I won’t describe the story, as you can get that from the description. Return is the first book of a planned trilogy, and continues in Reach for the Galaxy. However, Return doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. It has a conclusion, while making it clear the story will continue in Reach. I intend to read Reach as soon as it is released July 29.
BA’s first novel reminds me of early Robert Heinlein works. It feels like traditional sci-fi, but in a modern, updated way. It’s the best newly published sci-fi book I’ve read since Heinlein’s death. Heinlein has been my favorite author since I first discovered his writings as a teenager (in 1972!). He still is, but I think B A Gillies’ books will match Heinlein’s finest someday.
I know how this sounds; read Return to the Galaxy and come to your own conclusion. This is my honest review. Return is a fantastic read, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction.
July 11, 2025
Booklover
_______________________
Return to the Galaxy is the first novel of B A Gillies. I have read all his short stories on BookFunnel, and really liked them. I think they are very good and was expecting Return to be similar. And it is, only better!
At first I thought Return’s layout might feel choppy or confusing, but it didn’t. I always knew who was speaking, and when. I read the digital version, which apparently was professionally edited. At least, I didn’t notice any grammar or spelling/typo errors.
I won’t describe the story, as you can get that from the description. Return is the first book of a planned trilogy, and continues in Reach for the Galaxy. However, Return doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. It has a conclusion, while making it clear the story will continue in Reach. I intend to read Reach as soon as it is released July 29.
BA’s first novel reminds me of early Robert Heinlein works. It feels like traditional sci-fi, but in a modern, updated way. It’s the best newly published sci-fi book I’ve read since Heinlein’s death. Heinlein has been my favorite author since I first discovered his writings as a teenager (in 1972!). He still is, but I think B A Gillies’ books will match Heinlein’s finest someday.
I know how this sounds; read Return to the Galaxy and come to your own conclusion. This is my honest review. Return is a fantastic read, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction.
July 11, 2025
Booklover
_______________________
December 9, 2025
2.5 stars. In the beginning of the book it was clear who the protagonist is and the problem he has to solve with the help of an AI sent with the ability to empower humanity through the protagonist. But as the plot moves along, for me at least it loses continuity. The author strays off into a series of flashbacks to circumstances previous versions of humanity in far flung galaxies had to confront, introducing new characters who have no role in advancing the plot. There are a significant number of flashbacks, including those that provide back-story for the protagonist. In my view, there were entirely too many of these and they contributed very little to moving the plot forward. The writing was relatively error free and the dialogue was realistic with some humor thrown in, but I found myself skimming through the 50% of it. Presumably, the characters in the flashbacks may be re-introduced in the next novel, but I won't be reading it.
December 10, 2025
Starts out similar to John Scalzi's Old Man's War in where the military gets its recruits.
This is a fun read. That said, it keeps getting lost in subplots. The main plot doesn't advance much.
Author also needs a serious reality check on how many habitable planets are in the galaxy. It's not tens of thousands. Your Drake equation needs a big downward adjustment. Having liquid water is not enough. To enable intelligent life to survive, a planet needs a near circular orbit for year round temperature stability, an orbital tilt for seasons, a large moon to reduce wobble and clean the planet, an iron core for a magnetic field, a solar system rotating at the same speed as the galactic arms, a distance from the galactic core far enough to reduce lethal radiation but near enough to allow heavy elements to have developed, and that's just to start.
Recommended for people who want a good read that's not too serious.
This is a fun read. That said, it keeps getting lost in subplots. The main plot doesn't advance much.
Author also needs a serious reality check on how many habitable planets are in the galaxy. It's not tens of thousands. Your Drake equation needs a big downward adjustment. Having liquid water is not enough. To enable intelligent life to survive, a planet needs a near circular orbit for year round temperature stability, an orbital tilt for seasons, a large moon to reduce wobble and clean the planet, an iron core for a magnetic field, a solar system rotating at the same speed as the galactic arms, a distance from the galactic core far enough to reduce lethal radiation but near enough to allow heavy elements to have developed, and that's just to start.
Recommended for people who want a good read that's not too serious.
August 9, 2025
A brilliant debut novel by BA Gillies. The breakneck pace of this book is unrelenting. The incredible world building is detailed well and executed brilliantly.
The writing is captivating, drawing you in with rich imagery and well-developed characters that are both relatable and inspiring. Gillies expertly blends action, emotion, and imaginative storytelling, making it impossible to put the book down. The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, and the themes of friendship and courage resonate deeply. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction and adventure. Highly recommended!
The writing is captivating, drawing you in with rich imagery and well-developed characters that are both relatable and inspiring. Gillies expertly blends action, emotion, and imaginative storytelling, making it impossible to put the book down. The plot twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat, and the themes of friendship and courage resonate deeply. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves science fiction and adventure. Highly recommended!
June 24, 2025
This book is great. I can see why it won the London Book Festival 2025. I'm only giving it 5 stars because Amazon won't let me give it 10 stars. I stayed up two hours longer than I meant to, to finish it. I read it in a day. I plan to reread it again soon. Fabulous world building, great characters, a snarky, sarcastic AI, huge space battles, special forces raids. So much going on. I haven't enjoyed a book so much in a long time. A real page turner. I can't wait for Book 2. Read it, you'll love it!
December 14, 2025
My favourite from of scifi
I really enjoy these kind of 'wow' books, where a human is taken out of their regular comfort zone and introduced to high tech from aliens, time travellers or so on.
Unlike many, the premise behind this is excellent. The new protagonist is by no means lacking in confidence, and quick to get over not dying, and having the back story progress with the NOW is also clever.
This is the kind of book the kindle unlimited was made for. If likely pay for as by future publications in this series. Either way, KU or not, the book is worth it.
I really enjoy these kind of 'wow' books, where a human is taken out of their regular comfort zone and introduced to high tech from aliens, time travellers or so on.
Unlike many, the premise behind this is excellent. The new protagonist is by no means lacking in confidence, and quick to get over not dying, and having the back story progress with the NOW is also clever.
This is the kind of book the kindle unlimited was made for. If likely pay for as by future publications in this series. Either way, KU or not, the book is worth it.
November 17, 2025
Good read. Definitely a Part 1, however, as the "return" has yet to happen by the end of the book. Familiar nanite rehab of an older person into a younger, better version of oneself; jumping between "now" and the alien nation past via the AI sharing memories. A little bouncy and disjointed, but as a set up for book 2, it works.
And just a rant about evacuations - alien or otherwise. Rescuing pets should be a part of any relocation effort.
And just a rant about evacuations - alien or otherwise. Rescuing pets should be a part of any relocation effort.
July 12, 2025
interesting new series
New take on sci concept that has been around. Good character development, especially the AI. It’s a series, where we often see slow development to fill multiple volumes. The author keeps the story flowing by interspersing stories of the fall of the alien civilization that sent the AI to earth. I look forward to the next volume.
New take on sci concept that has been around. Good character development, especially the AI. It’s a series, where we often see slow development to fill multiple volumes. The author keeps the story flowing by interspersing stories of the fall of the alien civilization that sent the AI to earth. I look forward to the next volume.
September 20, 2025
3.5 stars. Fairly good story. Multiple POV were sometimes annoying as shifts among them were at times abrupt or made at nonsensical (to me) times. Lastly, at the end of the day, not much was actually accomplished by any of the characters...the book was actually primarily setup for the rest of the series. I'll likely read the next book in hopes the story progresses significantly.
June 19, 2025
Received a pre-release copy and loved it! It is intelligently written with fast action and
with a hero that has depth and character. If you like military sci-fi that isn't just gratuitous violence , give this one a try. Can't wait for the sequel!
with a hero that has depth and character. If you like military sci-fi that isn't just gratuitous violence , give this one a try. Can't wait for the sequel!
June 20, 2025
His body was broken until an alien came and gave him a much better one. He will need to help the humans get back to their planet to save them all. Humans did not start on earth so see where it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great science fiction book
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great science fiction book
June 26, 2025
Such a cool premise! Sometimes felt a little long but I’d be interested in the second book. 📕 Love the idea and the character feels interesting. Lots of going back to the past to learn more about the character.
July 16, 2025
Two intertwining stories about 600 years apart, one given as flashbacks to explain the background for the current story. If you enjoy nanites, AI, space battles, a dab of romance and a little light comedy, this is a book you will enjoy.
August 8, 2025
Industrial timing
An SAS veteran dying of cancer is approached by an alien being offering the chance to be rejuvenated and save the human species. The two work well as a team in an effort to build the means necessary for humans to return to the Galaxy.
An SAS veteran dying of cancer is approached by an alien being offering the chance to be rejuvenated and save the human species. The two work well as a team in an effort to build the means necessary for humans to return to the Galaxy.
October 15, 2025
Without question the most exciting start to a new science fiction series that I've read in years.
Starts with a good combination of action and world-building, setting the stage for what promises to be a truly great story.
Starts with a good combination of action and world-building, setting the stage for what promises to be a truly great story.
October 23, 2025
Worth your time!
Mr Gillies has a wonderful imagination and has written a very interesting story with (almost) believable characters that span centuries with looks into their lives and challenges. Looking forward to reading the other (3) books in this series.
Mr Gillies has a wonderful imagination and has written a very interesting story with (almost) believable characters that span centuries with looks into their lives and challenges. Looking forward to reading the other (3) books in this series.
November 16, 2025
A wish fulfilling AI from an origin planet giving a new body and big schlong to our hero to save humanity from a chitin covered enemy.. manage a trios included .. Velals’s story was more interesting.
December 7, 2025
Awesome read
Ewan is bloody brilliant as is his avatar 😁 I love the story telling it is gripping and very entertaining right from the start I couldn't put this one down, stayed up all night reading it lol
Ewan is bloody brilliant as is his avatar 😁 I love the story telling it is gripping and very entertaining right from the start I couldn't put this one down, stayed up all night reading it lol
December 23, 2025
Good storyline but
I really liked this storyline and it’s possibilities but the writing style, particularly the way the characters acted was less than desirable. I will of course continue with the series but the writing style really takes the story down a notch.
I really liked this storyline and it’s possibilities but the writing style, particularly the way the characters acted was less than desirable. I will of course continue with the series but the writing style really takes the story down a notch.
June 21, 2025
A good solid science military, fiction story in enjoy the action and story
June 30, 2025
The march from destruction
Return to the Galaxy is a very good read and sets the stage for the series. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this story
Return to the Galaxy is a very good read and sets the stage for the series. I'm looking forward to the next installment of this story
July 6, 2025
Great premise. I liked the story, great characters.
July 22, 2025
gold
In interesting read, never come up against this type of story line in any of the other books I have read. Interested in the next in the series.
In interesting read, never come up against this type of story line in any of the other books I have read. Interested in the next in the series.
July 23, 2025
worth it
Great book, well written. Not your run of the mill sci-fi. I rarely review or recommend books but this one earned it!
Great book, well written. Not your run of the mill sci-fi. I rarely review or recommend books but this one earned it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews