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T-Space: Alpha Centauri #3
alpha centauri: the return
This book follows the events of Alpha Centauri: First Landing in parallel with Book 2, Alpha Centauri: Sawyer's World, and concludes the latter.
The USS Heinlein returns to Earth, hoping to soon go back to Alpha Centauri to pick up the rest of the team they left there. Meanwhile, the Chinese, unknown to anyone else, send a mission to Epsilon Eridani. For reasons which unfold here, the Heinlein can't return, the Chinese won't sell any more fusion reactors, and labs are finding strange stuff in the specimens brought back.
Commodore Drake is in a political fight to defend himself from court-martial, and to send a rescue mission for the crew he had to leave behind. The Chinese discover that Alpha Centauri isn't the only star with terraformed planets, and get a nasty surprise. On Earth, an unethical biopharmaceutical company is looking to exploit biological specimens the Heinlein mission brought back, quarantine or no quarantine.
The USS Heinlein returns to Earth, hoping to soon go back to Alpha Centauri to pick up the rest of the team they left there. Meanwhile, the Chinese, unknown to anyone else, send a mission to Epsilon Eridani. For reasons which unfold here, the Heinlein can't return, the Chinese won't sell any more fusion reactors, and labs are finding strange stuff in the specimens brought back.
Commodore Drake is in a political fight to defend himself from court-martial, and to send a rescue mission for the crew he had to leave behind. The Chinese discover that Alpha Centauri isn't the only star with terraformed planets, and get a nasty surprise. On Earth, an unethical biopharmaceutical company is looking to exploit biological specimens the Heinlein mission brought back, quarantine or no quarantine.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 13, 2018
Series Gets Better and Better
Steve Cole using wife Leanna's account.
Excellent story, science and engineering get stronger every book. Cannot wait for book four.
Very good writing shows this is not the starship Enterprise with huge power reserves and the ability to swoop up to a planet and instantly park in a stable orbit right over the key spot. Speed, energy, angles, and orbits all take time to plan and sometimes days to maneuver.
Interesting political and monetary back story on how the ships got built.
Steve Cole using wife Leanna's account.
Excellent story, science and engineering get stronger every book. Cannot wait for book four.
Very good writing shows this is not the starship Enterprise with huge power reserves and the ability to swoop up to a planet and instantly park in a stable orbit right over the key spot. Speed, energy, angles, and orbits all take time to plan and sometimes days to maneuver.
Interesting political and monetary back story on how the ships got built.
September 17, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised to find that books two and three were every bit as entertaining as book number one. So many series books start out well and by book three are written like they were "just phoned in" Not the Alpha Centauri series. An interesting and well thought out series with good characters and character development. Enough detail to be interesting but not so deep that you get lost - easy to keep track of all the players involved. I've got a vacation coming up next month and am saving the next set of Mayer's books to make some 14 hour flights an enjoyable experience.
December 21, 2025
This was a great finish for the trilogy. It parallels what happened during the four years of the settlers on Sawyer world. It also alludes to a potential discovery that has benefit for mankind. There are still many questions about how these planets came to be terra formed. Characters are well developed and the science is interesting. This ends a good trilogy that has bases for a number of spinoffs.
June 26, 2025
A rare series about space exploration.
While I enjoy books about starship battles and space marines, I miss the tales of space exploration I read when I was younger. This series has more than fulfilled that longing. An excellent story with well defined characters, new worlds, and lots of exploring.
While I enjoy books about starship battles and space marines, I miss the tales of space exploration I read when I was younger. This series has more than fulfilled that longing. An excellent story with well defined characters, new worlds, and lots of exploring.
September 3, 2017
Fairly good
I say "fairly" because of excess discussion of evolution. Not everyone believes in that religion and to push it so hard is a little much. Everyone should know by now that the preponderance of real scientific evidence points to a young creation. See www.icr.org .
I say "fairly" because of excess discussion of evolution. Not everyone believes in that religion and to push it so hard is a little much. Everyone should know by now that the preponderance of real scientific evidence points to a young creation. See www.icr.org .
September 21, 2017
Nice read
Well thought out and written. Not over the top, but not simple minded either. This would be good for a teen who's just getting interested in Science Fiction. I've read the first two books also, and I enjoyed them. Looking forward to the next one.
Well thought out and written. Not over the top, but not simple minded either. This would be good for a teen who's just getting interested in Science Fiction. I've read the first two books also, and I enjoyed them. Looking forward to the next one.
July 25, 2025
Alpha Centauri the series
What a wonderful series of books. From the First Landing to the Return was great reading. The crew that first arrived, the tribulations of surviving an alien planet and after four years being saved, kept me reading the whole series.
Great work Mr. Mayer
What a wonderful series of books. From the First Landing to the Return was great reading. The crew that first arrived, the tribulations of surviving an alien planet and after four years being saved, kept me reading the whole series.
Great work Mr. Mayer
August 1, 2017
Very satisfying conclusion!
Enjoyed the fast paced conclusion to the story. The characters are interesting and relatable. Will explore more of Mr. Mayer's books.
Enjoyed the fast paced conclusion to the story. The characters are interesting and relatable. Will explore more of Mr. Mayer's books.
August 5, 2018
Great read.
Fantastic story. I am so glad to hear that more regarding this story line, are already out there. This kept you interest ed. I did not want to put the book down.
Fantastic story. I am so glad to hear that more regarding this story line, are already out there. This kept you interest ed. I did not want to put the book down.
January 4, 2020
Excellent
He got back to writing with all the science that I enjoy reading. The story is exciting and realistic and I've already purchased the next book.
He got back to writing with all the science that I enjoy reading. The story is exciting and realistic and I've already purchased the next book.
October 12, 2025
Alphacent
All we need to do is develop warp. The terraforming species are worth their own series. I stayed up late reading the series.
All we need to do is develop warp. The terraforming species are worth their own series. I stayed up late reading the series.
December 29, 2025
Nice closure to the story. Reading the first 2 encouraged me to finish the 3 story arc.
January 4, 2026
Excellent Series
I found this story to be refreshing and intriguing. Not your typical space opera, thank you. Looking forward to following the story further.
I found this story to be refreshing and intriguing. Not your typical space opera, thank you. Looking forward to following the story further.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews