What do you think?
Rate this book
Return to the Galaxy: A Space Opera of Alien Invasion and Human Resistance
Return to the Galaxy – 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!
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
608 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
BA Gillies
5 books8 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 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.
October 21, 2025
I read Return to the Galaxy on Kindle Unlimited after spotting it as the London Book Festival 2025 Science Fiction Winner, and wow what a ride!
The premise hooked me instantly: humanity didn’t actually evolve on Earth? That twist alone had me turning pages fast. Ewan Scott’s transformation from a dying SAS veteran to a genetically enhanced hero is the perfect blend of gritty soldier realism and sci-fi wonder. The alien AI Avatar concept was fascinating, and the story never lets up once the mission to reconnect with the Saret Federation begins.
Captain Velal’s arc really stood out to me. She’s strong but layered, haunted by her past and forced to make impossible choices while entire worlds burn. The interplay between her, Ewan, and Jera (whose sarcasm is gold!) added emotional balance amid all the chaos.
This book delivers everything it promises: interstellar warfare, ancient mysteries, found alien tech, and a dying empire’s secrets all described with cinematic energy. Fans of Scalzi, Alanson, or Peter F. Hamilton will feel right at home here.
A bold, adrenaline-fueled space opera that feels both classic and fresh. I can absolutely see why it won an award. Highly recommend!
The premise hooked me instantly: humanity didn’t actually evolve on Earth? That twist alone had me turning pages fast. Ewan Scott’s transformation from a dying SAS veteran to a genetically enhanced hero is the perfect blend of gritty soldier realism and sci-fi wonder. The alien AI Avatar concept was fascinating, and the story never lets up once the mission to reconnect with the Saret Federation begins.
Captain Velal’s arc really stood out to me. She’s strong but layered, haunted by her past and forced to make impossible choices while entire worlds burn. The interplay between her, Ewan, and Jera (whose sarcasm is gold!) added emotional balance amid all the chaos.
This book delivers everything it promises: interstellar warfare, ancient mysteries, found alien tech, and a dying empire’s secrets all described with cinematic energy. Fans of Scalzi, Alanson, or Peter F. Hamilton will feel right at home here.
A bold, adrenaline-fueled space opera that feels both classic and fresh. I can absolutely see why it won an award. Highly recommend!
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
_______________________
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!
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.
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!
August 2, 2025
Want to go to space,then close your eyes and read this book.
I've read a lot of books, but this one kept me reading 2days making me go back to the beginning to go over it again.
I've read a lot of books, but this one kept me reading 2days making me go back to the beginning to go over it again.
September 1, 2025
Not for me. Stylistically, not a problem, but I don't care for magical AI characters.
September 16, 2025
Went downhill quick
If i wanted interstellar porn and my "Heroes" putting their relationships above species survival i woul recommend this book. I dont.
If i wanted interstellar porn and my "Heroes" putting their relationships above species survival i woul recommend this book. I dont.
September 17, 2025
Return to the Galaxy
The book is very,very,good! The characters are excellent!
The best is that it continues! Read it yourself or not! It's great!
The book is very,very,good! The characters are excellent!
The best is that it continues! Read it yourself or not! It's great!
October 10, 2025
Faced paced, to the point, exciting read.
5 stars from me.
Read the free pages, I'm no wordsmith.
5 stars from me.
Read the free pages, I'm no wordsmith.
October 11, 2025
Where do I sign up?
A proper space story. Well constructed characters who will have you cheering for the good guys. For once, a series that I'm really looking forward to.
A proper space story. Well constructed characters who will have you cheering for the good guys. For once, a series that I'm really looking forward to.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews