Like all of the Silver Sphere Novellas, "Return of the Visitor" opens with a life-threatening event. The sixth book in the series finds Amy and Jacob Casell joined by their alien and android friends, attempting to evade a swarm of supersonic fighter jets determined to blow their Starship, the Dauntless 2, out of the sky unless the crew can identify themselves adequately.
The situation is grimly ironic because Silenna, an extraterrestrial from a survivor colony called New Aneleya, is returning to Earth to fulfill a humanitarian promise she made. The reason for the opening suspense is a breach of communications with an Air Force Base and a Starship that looks nothing like the one Silenna arrived in five years ago.
Arcon, a superintelligent AI who lives in a silver sphere, is in charge of telepathic communications. With an incompatible radio frequency between the Starship, the jet pilots, and the Air Force Base, telepathy is the only means of communication. With Arcon's unprecedented breakdown, the crew cannot communicate their peaceful intentions, leaving their odds of survival dwindling by the minute.
"Return of the Visitor" is a fast-paced, multi-layered Sci-Fi adventure that will keep you surprised and entertained from beginning to end. Although it is the sixth novella in the series, the author has included enough background information to make it a stand-alone story, perfect for new recruits and veterans alike.
Only one thing stood between me and my dream of becoming a creative writer: I couldn’t do two things at once.
Upon retiring from my career in marketing communications, I decided to devote my full attention to writing fiction, thereby solving my multi-tasking challenge.
I began my creative writing journey by enrolling in the online Writers’ Program offered by UCLA. In a series of courses taught by professional writers, I learned how to craft memorable characters, create colorful worlds, and outline suspenseful plots enriched with drama and conflict.
Taking one baby step at a time, I managed to bridge the gulf between writing promotional copy in short bursts to rendering full scale novels. As an interim step, I wrote three screenplays.
My three feature length scripts; "Love Will Find You," “Joshua’s Decision, and "A Prescription for Happiness" have reached the finals or placed in several major screenplay competitions.
My first novel, a Science Fantasy, “Three Days to Darkness,” was nominated to the James Kirkwood Prize for creative writing.
My publishing company, Entelligent Entertainment, has also published "Scarlet Ambrosia" and my latest novel: "Micromium--Clean Energy from Mars."
Return of the Visitor: The Silver Sphere Series opens mid-crisis — a starship approaching Earth, fighter jets scrambled, and the AI responsible for telepathic communication having chosen the worst possible moment to break down. Author David Gittlin wastes no time establishing the series' governing logic: danger arrives before explanation, and the reader catches up as the characters do. Coming to this as the sixth Silver Sphere novella without having read the earlier instalments (by Gittlin, I’ve only read from his AndroBiotica series), I found the entry point more accessible than expected. Gittlin has seeded enough background into the narrative that the world coheres without requiring prior knowledge, which is a harder structural challenge than it sounds for a series this far along. The humanitarian premise driving the return to Earth lends the action a moral dimension that distinguishes it from pure spectacle — Silenna's mission is specific, her obligation personal, and the opening standoff is ironic precisely because the threat comes from the planet she's trying to help.
The pacing is the book's most consistent strength. The story pushes forward with genuine urgency, moving through confrontations and crises without settling into any single register long enough to lose momentum. The novel is less successful in its world-building: the technological and political elements are introduced so rapidly that the story does not always have time to fully integrate them, and some of the action scenes consequently feel emotionally unclear. The concept of human nature itself as the underlying antagonist is the most interesting idea the book reaches for, and it surfaces with enough weight to add depth beyond the immediate conflict. Some moments are slightly dramatic, but the balance between hopeful and intense holds across most of the book's length.
RETURN OF THE VISITOR is the kind of science fiction that earns its entertainment through momentum and manages to ask larger questions without slowing down to answer them neatly. For readers already in the series, the stakes escalate in satisfying directions. For newcomers, it's a reasonable place to start.
I liked how this sci-fi narrative instantly loops in the reader: an Earth-bound extraterrestrial's world peace mission now hangs in the balance after a communication breakdown endangers their unrecognizable starship’s landing. Their telepathic AI assistant Arcon, who resides in a silver sphere, has also malfunctioned. Novelist and space explorer Jacob, astronomer Amy and Lenora are among the human and android crew onboard. And, as they position for Earth atmosphere entry and unannounced arrival at an airbase, they must race against time to initiate communication between their silent vessel and the air force whose formations of scrambled fighter jets are on their radar.
The ensuing high-stakes intrigues, from desperate communication attempts like waving wings and betting on a comatose AI to avoiding hostile maneuvers, are exciting. It’s easy to follow the plot: the tense welcoming party, meeting with the commander, formal introductions with unknown protocol, the mission’s background story with tragic circumstances involving a survivor ship and much more.
Will a political climate change, protective custody, storm, disobeyed orders, uneasy social interactions and regime attacks make or break their mission? What is their take on “what is going on and a reasonable course of action…you folks are my last resort” concerning the present geopolitical tensions when they meet the unpredictable, ill president?
Relevant and suspenseful, Return of the Visitor’s extraterrestrial perspective sheds light on humankind’s actions and inactions from the inside out.
RETURN OF THE VISITOR is a fast-paced, fun sci-fi read that’s easy to get pulled into. The story mixes alien contact, AI, space travel, and futuristic technology in a way that feels adventurous without becoming overly complicated. This novella follows the return to Earth so that Silenna, an alien from New Aneleya, can fulfill a promise she made 5 years prior. One thing that really stands out is the book’s hopeful view of the future, especially when it comes to AI and medical advancements. Instead of treating technology as something purely destructive, the story leans into the idea that it can help humanity grow and evolve. Even though it’s part of a larger series, it’s written in a way that makes it easy for new readers to jump in without feeling lost, which I really loved. You get enough background to understand the world and characters while still feeling like there’s a bigger universe behind everything. Beyond the action and sci-fi elements, the book also explores some interesting ideas about humanity and technology, particularly how people respond to things they don’t fully understand. The pacing moves quickly, which makes it a great pick if you want a shorter sci-fi adventure that’s entertaining, thoughtful, and easy to read.
I went into Return of the Visitor expecting a straightforward sci-fi story, but it actually turned out to be a mix of big ideas and fast-paced action. The setup with the crew returning to Earth and trying to help humanity is interesting on its own, but things escalate pretty quickly once the threats start showing up. It doesn’t take long before it shifts from hopeful to intense, and that contrast kept me engaged.
What stood out to me was the scale of the story. It’s not just about the crew or even Earth, it feels like everything is constantly on the edge of something much bigger. The concept of the enemy being tied to human nature itself was a cool touch, and it adds a bit more depth than a typical sci-fi conflict. Some moments lean a little dramatic, but overall it’s a solid, engaging read with a lot going on.
Return of the Visitor does what the best long-running sci-fi series occasionally manage—it actually delivers. Momentum, real stakes, mystery parceled out just carefully enough to keep you turning pages at odd hours. There's no easing in; the story drops you into danger and more or less keeps you there.
Action carries most of the weight, but running quietly underneath is something more interesting: questions about trust, about the distance between fear and understanding, about how much can be lost in a failure to communicate. It doesn't linger on any of this—it doesn't need to.
New readers won't drown, though those who've followed the series will feel the extra resonance. The characters hold their own either way. Sharp, fleet-footed, occasionally thoughtful—a tight little adventure that knows exactly what it wants to be.
By book six of this series, you know what you're getting, and that's mostly a good thing. Gittlin opens with jets trying to shoot down a starship, which is both an exciting start and a weirdly ironic one given that Silenna, the alien at the center of it all, is returning to Earth to help, not harm. That misunderstanding-into-chaos setup works well, and it moves fast from there. What I enjoy about this series is that it doesn't take itself too seriously. There's real heart in how these characters, actually care about each other, but there's also humor and absurdity woven in, which keeps it from feeling heavy. If you're already in the Silver Sphere world, this one delivers exactly what you'd want. And Gittlin helpfully includes enough backstory that new readers can jump in here without being lost.
Return of the Visitor: The Silver Sphere Series by David Gittlin is an excellent new installment in the series and takes us back to Earth where everything began. Our heroes find themselves trying to communicate with a squadron of fighter jets who are preparing to shoot them down. Only their telepathic communications and advanced technology are enough to keep them from being totally destroyed. From here we get to see Silenna try to fulfill her promise to return to Earth and try and save the planet. This book fleshes out the characters nicely and gives us lots more background into who they are and what motivates them. While this is not part of the main story, it still fits nicely into the series and can be used as an introduction to the series as a whole.
This is a story belonging to the author’s “Silver Sphere” sci-fi series. In this one, Amy and Jacob Castle are trying to evade supersonic fighter jets that are hot on the trail of The Dauntless 2, their starship. With them is Silenna, an alien from a fragmented colony who is headed to Earth for humanitarian reasons. They are determined to protect her, but they’re having communication difficulties. Perhaps the superintelligent AI known as Arcon can help them, but time is quickly running out.
This novel is fast paced, highly entertaining, and full of mind-bending technology. It has the flavor of both Star Wars and Star Trek. Newcomers are welcome, as you can quickly get caught up on the action if you happened to miss the earlier installments of the series.
"Return of the Visitor, the sixth Silver Sphere" is a thrilling sci-fi story that immediately draws you into Amy and Jacob's dangerous journey alongside their alien and android allies to survive an attack from supersonic fighter jets targeting their starship, the Dauntless 2. Silenna, an extraterrestrial from a survivor colony called New Aneleya, returns to Earth on a humanitarian mission, yet a communication failure turns her into a perceived threat. With radio systems incompatible and Arcon, the telepathic AI, malfunctioning, the crew cannot effectively explain their intentions. Fast-paced and engaging while filled with psychological suspense, this book is perfect for fans of futuristic science fiction with an emotional element.
Return of the Visitor by David Gittlin is a story that follows Gabriel, a reporter who gets very close to this situation and has to deal with a lot of pressure, secrets, and fear about what could happen next. This book made me feel more than I expected. It’s not just about aliens, it’s about us… how we act, how we treat the world, and how we handle power. Some parts made me a little uncomfortable, to be honest. It made me think about real life, like how sometimes we know things are wrong, but we still don’t change. The idea that humanity is being judged felt heavy. I kept thinking, what if that was real? Would we be ready? I don’t know, that question followed me even after I stopped reading.
Return of the Visitor by David Gittlin is the sixth book in the Silver Sphere series, with an amazing adventure that revolves around Silenna, an alien warrior sent to Earth to fulfill a philanthropic promise she made in the past. When her spaceship lands, the army thinks it is threatening and strikes. But in actuality, she came back to save humanity, but was under attack without knowing the reason. The Acron AI is designed for humans, but breaks down in reality. Silenna and her army were on the brink of destruction. The story is action-filled, and what actually happens is that they fail in their good intentions. The book is well-written, which highlights the power of people in difficult times. It is a must-read for the fan of science fiction novels.
Return of the Visitor is a science fiction thriller that stands out for its breakneck pace and a premise laced with irony. The author succeeds in immersing us in a high-tension scenario where the main enemy is not an evil force, but the inability to communicate. It is fascinating how the narrative puts advanced artificial intelligence to the test, forcing the protagonists to face imminent danger with limited resources. Although it is part of a series, its structure allows it to be enjoyed as a standalone novel, offering an immersive experience for any reader. It is an ideal read for those seeking strategic action and technological dilemmas, maintaining suspense until the very last second without resorting to predictable plot twists or dense explanations.
Another exciting read from this series! They are back! It was such an enjoyable and meaningful sci-fi read. I finished it on one sitting. It felt like I was part of another exciting journey filled with danger, hope, and heart. I really admired their mission to help Earth and bring healing to people despite everything that tried to stop them. The message about peace, compassion, and choosing love over hatred every day truly stayed with me and relatable to what’s happening today. I also loved seeing the characters grow more in this story, and their bond became even stronger. There are even photos that made the experience even more fun and engaging. I honestly couldn’t wait for their next adventure!
“Return of the Visitor: The Silver Sphere Series” drops you right into the action and pretty much keeps you there. What starts as a mission to bring advanced science back to Earth quickly turns into something a lot bigger. There is that constant feeling that things could go sideways at any moment. I liked how it balances the fast pace with a few deeper ideas, especially around communication, trust, and even human nature playing a role in the conflict. Even as part of a longer series, it’s easy enough to follow without feeling lost. It’s a quick, engaging read that doesn’t overcomplicate things but still gives you enough to think about along the way.
"Return to the Visitor: The Silver Sphere Series" written by David Gittlin is a futuristic science fiction which revolves around both Earth and Space alike. It is a mixture of big ideas and fast paced action. The story is about a star ship having crew wishing to return to Earth to help humanity with health care. They work to bring alien science to Earth to improve health of human beings, but end up in a cataclysmic battle of good vs evil. The concept of energy being tied to human nature adds a bit more depth than a typical science fiction conflict. It is an interesting read for the fans of science fiction.
David Gittlin is the author of this great futuristic science fiction book. In this story, Amy and Jacob Cassell, along with their alien and android friends, attempt to evade a swarm of supersonic fighter jets determined to shoot down their spaceship.
In my opinion, this book is extremely captivating, due to its plot, and although it is the sixth book in the saga, this author knew how to create a work that the reader can read independently if they wish.
The characters are certainly very well developed and drawn; each one is more interesting than the last. I recommend this book to all science fiction fans.
RETURN OF THE VISITOR is a futuristic story that takes place on earth and space. The main characters work to bring alien science to earth to improve health care and end up in a cataclysmic battle of good vs. evil.
This story is the sixth in the series, which would be better after reading the prior volumes, as I felt I was missing some background info. However, it was fast-paced, funny due to political humor, and a quick read.
Although a sci fi book, “Return of the Visitor” by David Gittlin has an very important lesson in it. The lesson is about staying calm when everything goes wrong. The overall story revolves around humans and aliens working together. The main characters are a couple They return to Earth carrying advanced knowledge and technology from an alien civilization.
What follows is suspense as they develop enemies who are after them. They end up being chased and the story follows their adventure. So overall a nice read that shares adventure with a practical life lesson.
Return of the Visitor by David Gittlin kicks off fast. You’re dropped straight into a tense standoff in the sky, and the whole “we come in peace but can’t actually say it” problem keeps the pressure on the entire time. The mix of aliens, AI, and human characters works better than you’d expect, and the story stays easy to follow even if you haven’t read the earlier books. It’s quick, a little intense, and a solid pick if you’re in the mood for sci-fi that gets right to the action.
This is actually one that lands the plane for me. I know many of the longer running science fiction series will lose you along the way. They get too caught up in the story telling and world building that they forget the entertaining factor, but this is not the case here. The author made sure I was on my toes from beginning to end. It was fun to get through this over the weekend and I would recommend it for a rainy day.
This engaging science fiction is rich in humanistic message. Comprising of memorable characters and sturdy in plot, it shows how when your intent is right people accept and applaud you even if you are very different from them. Tension, heartache, and drama add spices to the story. But, some of the words included between it's pages serve as food for thought, propelling us to reassess the current world situation.
I just finished reading the book, and wow, it was such a blast! Even though it’s the sixth book in the Silver Sphere series, I jumped right in and never felt lost. The book is fast-paced and less than 200 pages. It mixes classic sci-fi style with real emotion and humanity. With amazing artwork, kind aliens, and tense starship battles, this book is a perfect read. It kept me hooked and really made me think about trust and how we communicate.
Return of the Visitor is a fast paced sci fi tale about a crew returning to Earth. They bring in high-tech healing beds to cure people but everything goes wrong immediately. The crew has a seven foot blue alien and an AI that is a floating silver sphere that can jump inside bodies to save them. Then they fight a huge evil force in space that shape shifts into a black hole. There is a lot of crazy action and a big sacrifice atend. Fast paced fun space adventure.
Return of the Visitor is a fast-paced sci-fi adventure that blends high-stakes tension with imaginative concepts. With alien allies, advanced AI, and a race against time, the story keeps momentum strong while exploring themes of communication and trust. Accessible even as part of a series, it offers an engaging mix of action and intrigue.
This book delivers a fast space adventure that starts with a serious misunderstanding between Earth forces and a returning starship. The crew is forced to react quickly as the situation escalates. A focus on communication challenges and rising tension keeps things interesting. It’s energetic, imaginative, and works well as a standalone read.
Such a unique storyline that shifted my mindset from what I knew about aliens. In most times extraterrestrial creatures are linked to terror and violence however Silenna and Arcon’s visit brings so much positive results to Earth. I enjoyed how author did not exaggerate on the scene and made them so realistic. I enjoyed it.
Out of the many parts of this book series, this one has been the best out of this sci-fi series. Every illustration looked so life-like to me even though they were A.I. The book as a whole was like going on an adventure into space. I also love that the pacing grabbed my mind so much.