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Selected #6
Galatea
Life was good for Galatea Heavenly Rice, until it wasn't. But changes in her life attracted attention from the aliens, and she is summoned for re-testing.
The 6th in the Selected series, Galatea is a very long novel of 235,000 words. It overlaps the events from Recruited. If you liked the others in the series, you will enjoy Galata.
The 6th in the Selected series, Galatea is a very long novel of 235,000 words. It overlaps the events from Recruited. If you liked the others in the series, you will enjoy Galata.
815 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 8, 2017
About the author
Robin Roseau
114 books213 followersA writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 24, 2022
This is sixth in a weird little sci-fi series and lots of characters and plot points recur. I definitely recommend reading at least mostly in order.
Galatea is similar to Andromeda from book four. She's a bit older (mid-thirties) and has desirable skills that make her attractive to the aliens for more than the obvious. Since Andromeda paved the way, Galatea has a much different (sometimes easier, sometimes harder) time. And an interesting difference in Galatea is that she's a known (and self-admitted) submissive in her relationships. She's an all-round pleaser so it's well-integrated into her personality and Roseau does a great job showing her inner world and why she does what she does and wants what she wants. And I love how there's no tragic backstory that set her on the path to this personality trait, either. So it isn't portrayed as damage from somewhere or something she should just get over.
In addition, she represents one of the more subtle damages the aliens have done to Earth by their presence here. Galatea had been on a course to follow her mother studying cosmology only with aliens showing up she thought "why bother" and hasn't really recovered a sense of purpose ever since. So some of this story is her figuring out what she wants to actually do with her life when not letting her girlfriends make all the choices for her. And I loved all these characterish things.
If you're waiting for a but, and I admit that one seems like it should be coming, I'm going to disappoint. Galatea, like Andromeda before her, has her heart broken along the way and doesn't really meet a serious contender for her heart until well past the midway point. In a book this long, that's quite a wait. I didn't mind a bit because I was just enjoying the character development as it came across. Roseau does characters exceptionally well and I was all in for Galatea.
So this ends with a solid five stars and my only hesitation is that it's a really weird sub-category and I have no idea who will want to read these really long, really detailed character stories in a world that isn't anywhere close to being possible. I can't even really explain what it is that I find in them.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit scene that puts this into the steamy category, but frankly, a lot of the events are titillating enough that this could be a little steam or a lot depending on your sensitivity. There's also lots of alluded to, off-page sex so if you want to count that then the steam is off the charts. For me, it's the low end, but that's a judgement call with no way to back it up rationally. And no, there's no BDSM like you'd expect with a submissive romantic lead. Not even any questionable consent. Take that as you will, though I thought it fit well for the story told.
Galatea is similar to Andromeda from book four. She's a bit older (mid-thirties) and has desirable skills that make her attractive to the aliens for more than the obvious. Since Andromeda paved the way, Galatea has a much different (sometimes easier, sometimes harder) time. And an interesting difference in Galatea is that she's a known (and self-admitted) submissive in her relationships. She's an all-round pleaser so it's well-integrated into her personality and Roseau does a great job showing her inner world and why she does what she does and wants what she wants. And I love how there's no tragic backstory that set her on the path to this personality trait, either. So it isn't portrayed as damage from somewhere or something she should just get over.
In addition, she represents one of the more subtle damages the aliens have done to Earth by their presence here. Galatea had been on a course to follow her mother studying cosmology only with aliens showing up she thought "why bother" and hasn't really recovered a sense of purpose ever since. So some of this story is her figuring out what she wants to actually do with her life when not letting her girlfriends make all the choices for her. And I loved all these characterish things.
If you're waiting for a but, and I admit that one seems like it should be coming, I'm going to disappoint. Galatea, like Andromeda before her, has her heart broken along the way and doesn't really meet a serious contender for her heart until well past the midway point. In a book this long, that's quite a wait. I didn't mind a bit because I was just enjoying the character development as it came across. Roseau does characters exceptionally well and I was all in for Galatea.
So this ends with a solid five stars and my only hesitation is that it's a really weird sub-category and I have no idea who will want to read these really long, really detailed character stories in a world that isn't anywhere close to being possible. I can't even really explain what it is that I find in them.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit scene that puts this into the steamy category, but frankly, a lot of the events are titillating enough that this could be a little steam or a lot depending on your sensitivity. There's also lots of alluded to, off-page sex so if you want to count that then the steam is off the charts. For me, it's the low end, but that's a judgement call with no way to back it up rationally. And no, there's no BDSM like you'd expect with a submissive romantic lead. Not even any questionable consent. Take that as you will, though I thought it fit well for the story told.
February 25, 2017
This book is an example of why I love this series. The author creates such believable characters and lets you see their soul. Such a well done book. I feared that this book would just be more of the same repeat challenges, journeys, and feelings as the last books, but it was so much more. And I love how the author is stringing the series together; reminding the reader of past characters. Excellent job and an excellent read!!
February 19, 2017
Very good except..
The plot of this piece was too much like 'Candidate.' The characters of Andie & Galatea were very much alike. Other that I loved this novel.
The plot of this piece was too much like 'Candidate.' The characters of Andie & Galatea were very much alike. Other that I loved this novel.
July 28, 2024
Unbelievable…
When we meet Galatea, we meet her like we’ve met the others. I liked Galatea. She was a true submissive, but with teeth. Everyone that was in her presence, she had an effect on, mostly sexual and dominant in nature. We also see a couple more mating candidates that are also taken with Galatea, especially Tamsin Tyra. And Galatea was frightened of her because of the possible chemistry and Tasmsin Tyra represents lots of women from her past.
Jasmine Brighteyes once again played many games. She played even more with Galatea than we have seen her play before. She also got other Catseye, human mates to the Catseye, and others to play games with Galatea. I liked Galatea, but not as much as I liked Andromeda. Andromeda was also submissive, but because she chose to be. She was also a fighter. Galatea was just a step above doormat. And Jasmine used and exploited that time and time again.
We had already met Charoite. And I was confused from the very start when she met Galatea. She wasn’t as charming as I knew her to be when she met Andromeda. And she kept bringing up Andromeda’s name every chance she could. I thought that was so odd. It made it seem like she was looking for an Andromeda substitute in Galatea because they were somewhat similar. It was like a replay for how she interacted with Galatea. But not only that, she seemed cold, detached, and unrelenting. When she first came on the scene she was intense, coy, mischievous, and intensely passionate about sex and life. I thought she would come all this way again to win. I didn’t really believe that she was going to get Galatea. She said she didn’t think that Jasmine would let her have her. I thought that had colored things and why Charoite was being weird. And Galatea did ultimately reject her for the same reasons that Andromeda had in the end.
Joy Tutor? She was a dud to me. There was nothing I saw that was exciting about her. There was no draw. Even Cherish was more interesting than her. The time that Galatea spent with her was even anticlimactic. Galatea even said that their special time was “good” but not earth shattering. She had a better time with the Martian. Until that went haywire. Jasmine owed it to Galatea after that debacle to give her to the one that she was most solidly attracted to and that was Charoite. She didn’t want Charoite to win because of what happened with Andie. That had nothing to do with Galatea.
There were so many parts of this story that I found quite disturbing and boring. The debt that Galatea would have paid for Muriel. How inappropriately almost ALL the Catseye were acting with Galatea. How Jasmine erroneously influenced the matchmaking with Galatea, Joy, and Charoite. How she put Galatea in danger with the Martian for the hunt. How she used Galatea as sexual bait for two of the humans to get them mated to the Aliens. How she mistreated her and gave her less privileges that she gave Andie and Galatea FULLY cooperated.
In the end, I find out that there was a reason why I felt the things I described above. Jasmine singlehandedly orchestrated what happened. I believe she cheated at this matchmaking bond. It didn’t feel real and I don’t believe it was. I think Galatea needed someone like Charoite. Why didn’t Muriel collect on her wager. Who’s name did Galatea call out? Why did she mislead Charoite? What did Jasmine want from the Tutor? Why did she let Muriel break into her security system? This makes me believe that Jasmine’s roundabout way of caring is all a sham. She is who I originally thought she was. And that is NOT a good person. I have even second guessed my beloved and sexy Bluebell. I am not sure what to think about Audra and Skye anymore. This book sort of ruined it for me. It changed some of the characters basic personalities that should hold true. And this book LACKED passion and attraction. It couldn’t even sell it to me.
When we meet Galatea, we meet her like we’ve met the others. I liked Galatea. She was a true submissive, but with teeth. Everyone that was in her presence, she had an effect on, mostly sexual and dominant in nature. We also see a couple more mating candidates that are also taken with Galatea, especially Tamsin Tyra. And Galatea was frightened of her because of the possible chemistry and Tasmsin Tyra represents lots of women from her past.
Jasmine Brighteyes once again played many games. She played even more with Galatea than we have seen her play before. She also got other Catseye, human mates to the Catseye, and others to play games with Galatea. I liked Galatea, but not as much as I liked Andromeda. Andromeda was also submissive, but because she chose to be. She was also a fighter. Galatea was just a step above doormat. And Jasmine used and exploited that time and time again.
We had already met Charoite. And I was confused from the very start when she met Galatea. She wasn’t as charming as I knew her to be when she met Andromeda. And she kept bringing up Andromeda’s name every chance she could. I thought that was so odd. It made it seem like she was looking for an Andromeda substitute in Galatea because they were somewhat similar. It was like a replay for how she interacted with Galatea. But not only that, she seemed cold, detached, and unrelenting. When she first came on the scene she was intense, coy, mischievous, and intensely passionate about sex and life. I thought she would come all this way again to win. I didn’t really believe that she was going to get Galatea. She said she didn’t think that Jasmine would let her have her. I thought that had colored things and why Charoite was being weird. And Galatea did ultimately reject her for the same reasons that Andromeda had in the end.
Joy Tutor? She was a dud to me. There was nothing I saw that was exciting about her. There was no draw. Even Cherish was more interesting than her. The time that Galatea spent with her was even anticlimactic. Galatea even said that their special time was “good” but not earth shattering. She had a better time with the Martian. Until that went haywire. Jasmine owed it to Galatea after that debacle to give her to the one that she was most solidly attracted to and that was Charoite. She didn’t want Charoite to win because of what happened with Andie. That had nothing to do with Galatea.
There were so many parts of this story that I found quite disturbing and boring. The debt that Galatea would have paid for Muriel. How inappropriately almost ALL the Catseye were acting with Galatea. How Jasmine erroneously influenced the matchmaking with Galatea, Joy, and Charoite. How she put Galatea in danger with the Martian for the hunt. How she used Galatea as sexual bait for two of the humans to get them mated to the Aliens. How she mistreated her and gave her less privileges that she gave Andie and Galatea FULLY cooperated.
In the end, I find out that there was a reason why I felt the things I described above. Jasmine singlehandedly orchestrated what happened. I believe she cheated at this matchmaking bond. It didn’t feel real and I don’t believe it was. I think Galatea needed someone like Charoite. Why didn’t Muriel collect on her wager. Who’s name did Galatea call out? Why did she mislead Charoite? What did Jasmine want from the Tutor? Why did she let Muriel break into her security system? This makes me believe that Jasmine’s roundabout way of caring is all a sham. She is who I originally thought she was. And that is NOT a good person. I have even second guessed my beloved and sexy Bluebell. I am not sure what to think about Audra and Skye anymore. This book sort of ruined it for me. It changed some of the characters basic personalities that should hold true. And this book LACKED passion and attraction. It couldn’t even sell it to me.
February 10, 2019
It took me awhile to finish reading this segment of the series. There was a lot of time spent reading/watching Galatea deal with her "people pleasing" life choices and low self-esteem to boot. This novel took the time to go deeper into how the off worlders chose to have humans pay their debt. So, it was too long at points. I found myself not liking Galatea's tantrums. Miss Roseau was able to create environments where I 'saw' the challenge events and experienced the interactions between species.
Read the series. The books are long, intense and engaging.
It has to blow up in the final book of this series. I'm on to the last one.
Read the series. The books are long, intense and engaging.
It has to blow up in the final book of this series. I'm on to the last one.
May 17, 2019
Another great story
I really liked this one. The main character was a little different from previous main characters but not in a bad way. The ending happened a little faster then others but at least it was a happy ever after we all want. As always looking forward to the next!
I really liked this one. The main character was a little different from previous main characters but not in a bad way. The ending happened a little faster then others but at least it was a happy ever after we all want. As always looking forward to the next!
September 8, 2018
🌈😘ENGROSSING😘🌈
January 18, 2024
Great story
I have enjoyed this fun heartfelt adventure of woman that had to learn that she was smarter than she thought she was and was great person for the aliens.
I have enjoyed this fun heartfelt adventure of woman that had to learn that she was smarter than she thought she was and was great person for the aliens.
March 3, 2017
Great addition
I find this series to be quite thought provoking. I like thinking about the different issues that are presented and how I would react. It gives me hours of entertainment even after I finish reading!
I find this series to be quite thought provoking. I like thinking about the different issues that are presented and how I would react. It gives me hours of entertainment even after I finish reading!
February 19, 2017
Beware! Excessive game play inside!
The book could have been half the length without the annoying bitching and unnecessary games.
Mostly it felt like a mix of the previous books in this series.
The book could have been half the length without the annoying bitching and unnecessary games.
Mostly it felt like a mix of the previous books in this series.
October 29, 2025
It started off a bit slow and at first I thought it would feel like the 5th book. I was sort of expecting that the books wouldn't be able to be good as the first four, but I was wrong. I ended up loving this one.
This one seems to have better character development. Galatea ends up growing as a person, and ends up finding something she has been looking for. I can't really say much else, as I don't enjoy writing reviews with any sort of spoilers in them.
There are a couple of tiny flaws if you can call them that, in the book, but they are tiny enough that I didn't feel as though it would take away from the five stars I gave Galatea. In the first five books, you get a sense of what Jasmine is trying to do with the entire Candidate process. It goes through stages, and each book gives a sense of what Jasmine is changing within the system. This book doesn't have any real changes or at least none that I had noticed. Secondly, the novel does sort of follow the same basic plot lines of the others. A candidate is chosen, she hates it, she learns to love it, she gets her heart broken, she finds her mate. It is the same plot line that many of her other books followed, but the difference of characters that they meet make them all distinct from each other, so that is forgiven.
The last thing that I want to simply remark on is that I sincerely hope that Muriel finds someone. It is hinted that Muriel might get her own story soon, and I really hope that the next book is about her. I love her character despite the trope that is her character. If she gets her own book I will probably cry because if there is someone in these books that deserves someone to love and care for her, it is Muriel.
Can't wait for the next book, though with the massive size of these books (this one is something like 800-900 pages, I suspect it will be a while. I hope not, though!
This one seems to have better character development. Galatea ends up growing as a person, and ends up finding something she has been looking for. I can't really say much else, as I don't enjoy writing reviews with any sort of spoilers in them.
There are a couple of tiny flaws if you can call them that, in the book, but they are tiny enough that I didn't feel as though it would take away from the five stars I gave Galatea. In the first five books, you get a sense of what Jasmine is trying to do with the entire Candidate process. It goes through stages, and each book gives a sense of what Jasmine is changing within the system. This book doesn't have any real changes or at least none that I had noticed. Secondly, the novel does sort of follow the same basic plot lines of the others. A candidate is chosen, she hates it, she learns to love it, she gets her heart broken, she finds her mate. It is the same plot line that many of her other books followed, but the difference of characters that they meet make them all distinct from each other, so that is forgiven.
The last thing that I want to simply remark on is that I sincerely hope that Muriel finds someone. It is hinted that Muriel might get her own story soon, and I really hope that the next book is about her. I love her character despite the trope that is her character. If she gets her own book I will probably cry because if there is someone in these books that deserves someone to love and care for her, it is Muriel.
Can't wait for the next book, though with the massive size of these books (this one is something like 800-900 pages, I suspect it will be a while. I hope not, though!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews