What do you think?
Rate this book
Galactic Startup #1
Galactic Startup
Alex and his three friends drop out of college after discovering a revolutionary way to travel into space using a small amount of energy. Their world-changing technology is sought by the government, and they are forced to go into hiding while they perfect it. Their adventures into orbit and beyond become a global sensation. As they navigate fame, family and those who are determined to stop them, little do they know that their little startup could have galactic consequences once they discover a derelict spaceship.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2018
234 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Brian Whiting
4 books30 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
From time to time I'll add drawings to my profile, of things or characters from the series.
From time to time I'll add drawings to my profile, of things or characters from the series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Read
July 26, 2023Rubbish. Rating: minus 5
I first wrote this review in September, 2018. I was both new to Amazon/Goodreads and naive. The first can be forgiven, the second of a communist, not so much. This expanded review is my penance.
For more of Amazon, see my review of "Stellar Heritage #1" or Powers of the Earth, a poorly written vsalute to the January 6, 2021 hero and comments from a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi and US patriot). The reviews of Powers higher related than one star will provide you a list of members, whom you would prefer not be on your friend list.
It is so strange. A communist (myself) taking issue with and describing as dangerous the story of the moronic hero determined to overthrow the US government over the issue of his personal taxes, has upset a large number of US patriots including the US federal employee, who wrote this not so thrilling book. Before this Amazon experience, I could not imagine the scenario. I still have problems processing it. Despite much reading and University, my simple working class mind simply cannot encompass the logic. 🙄
To Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710, Travis Corcoran/JP and friends
Don't be a numpty, be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party. 🙂
These US patriots (Claes Rees Jr, Travis Corcoran and US Republicans, for example) support Putin's Russia with their army's policy (and perk?) of mass rape of Ukrainians from 80 year old woman to 4 year old girl (as well as that of any other woman, boys or girls) being already processed by the UN. I imagine that US patriotism has been redefined and it is not just a matter of Russian gold. In any case.
SLAVA UKRAINI !!! ---TA--- SLAVA GEROYAM !!!
With the wrong sort dismissed, let's on to the book. This is the most childish book that I had the misfortune to waste part of an afternoon trying to read. I was unable to finish this book, even though it was free. It did give me the opportunity to break down the message that these books convey.
The first set, of which this book is a great example, celebrates the deserving rich and their triumph over the evil governmental forces that they in fact already control (which no one at this point bothers to deny). It is such a bizarre reality that it does not get much traction. It seems to suggest the fix for government is to eliminate the worker from the pretense of participation in shaping society.
The second set, are the inspirational books that celebrate the undereducated worker's dream (for certain values of worker, remember ethnic superiority syndrome or as some refer to it "Racism") of throwing off their shameful heritage. That describes the bulk of the "libertarian space fantasies", which dominate low end US science fiction. A very good example is "Stellar Heritage #1", which is an eye opener.
In the course of these fantasies, there is an overthrowing of the current rulers and their becoming the new elite which now controls the hated government. This necessary evil then becomes a respected arm of the new order. This book is the (more refined) trust fund teen's meritocratic fantasy. It differed from the standard libertarian fantasy in that the main characters are the "right" kind of libertarian heroes (where class background, defined by family wealth, income and education trumps identity politics).
I doubt that the thugs who identify themselves with the label, realize that libertarianism originated with this upper class' insistence that workers alone should pay for government. The rich being rightfully above that sort of thing.
The characters read like secondary school nerds go to space, instead of brilliant university dropouts.They do not realize that in space, they might need a very rugged, airtight hull, an air/water/power supply, an environmental system utilizing them, source of heat and instrumentation in their converted shipping container. 😄 I think that they actually cut a hole in the corrugated metal box to install a window and do not see any need for spacesuits.
They do not question the wisdom of doing a drive by of the ISS or give a thought to the possibility of wrecking it as a result of collision. If there were casualties or damages, it would only affect the "lower orders" characters. I imagine that the writer thought that it was perfectly reasonable thinking. 🙂 One of these "kids" (the writer's word), asks for and receives a hundred million dollar loan from dad to build a better looking spaceship, as one does. Being a responsible son, he will of course repay the loan with interest from the billions that he and the brilliant band will earn from the brilliant product of their brilliant little minds because of their brilliant business acumen.
With the above, we see demonstrated the writer's entire understanding of engineering, space flight hazards, requirements, essentials and dangers. With that vision, I with a very, very, very limited grounding based only on general knowledge of aerospace technology, orbital mechanics, health and safety protocols in space and none of the associated maths would be counted a veritable rocketry expert. Not myself being an idiot, I felt sad realizing that other readers are that ..?...?. If my ignorance is seen as serious technical competence or intellectual achievement, I do not want to ponder the decision making process in real life of those hypothetical other readers, this writer or his fellow science fiction writers. 🙄
This band of heroes are just the cutest bunch, since "The Great Gatsby". Oh to be young again, have hundreds of millions Euros, Pounds, Canadian Dollars, no cares and no laws to consider. I was able to connect with these adorable scamps emotionally from page one (not).
The plot gets worse. The U.S. Government is helpless to locate several rich idiots setting up a spaceship production facility in a small town in the Western U.S. No one would notice a major technology investment in a small or talk or wonder at shipments of equipment and materials of types of in quantities not before seen by the simple townsfolk. Those government drones are so silly in their earnestness, aren't they? Daddy sets up shell companies to hide their financial activities, which utterly baffles Pentagon and NSA both. As if civil service numpties could ever out think their betters. 😑 Even when identified by the military, FBI and every other US agency these four dorks are just invisible. Yet they expose themselves to video surveillance cameras during a a shopping trip for durable clothing (not material deliveries for spaceship construction). It is just the worst when that happens to me.
Still, the story is back on track, as our hard working entrepreneurial heroes easily elude the Feds, conspicuously black clad, helicopter borne, daylight assaulting, shock troops. At that point, I was stunned. My heart was racing from the sheer tension of it all (not). Fortunately, the scene occupied only ten or fifteen minutes in story time. With the above, I predict that the plucky foursome are off to a libertarian fantasy where fantastical wealth, global fame and adoring female fans await. And the negative consequences of any of their actions, you ask? I am sorry but neither I nor the writer understand the question. 😑
To the writer, my sympathies if this seems realistic to you. If in your experience, any of it makes sense then you might want to consider labeling this book and the series (which is sure to follow) YA. The YA category covers so many other bad books, why not yours.
You are probably not surprised that I have almost moved past science fiction and from low end print certainly. The publisher standards for low end of US science fiction only runs to the categories No Effort, Insulting, Abhorrent. I watch rather than read lately. Netflix, YouTube's DUST or Omeleto channels and the other streaming services all carry some science fiction. That Netflix have a large multilingual library and generally better writing than the low effort print makes it my first stop.
I began searching YouTube for science fiction commentary and recommendations a bit more than two years ago. Finding so many special interest channels was a pleasant surprise. The most important find was the book channels. 😍😍 The reader communities hosted by them are thoughtful, have varied tastes and interests but all love the world of books in its every aspect. They are the exact opposite to whatever the Goodreads/Amazon experience is. I recommend a visit to several book channels for any reader and have listed some below. Through sponsor spots on educational channels, I also discovered the dedicated educational sites. They seem to all carry brilliant essayists, lecture series and documentary series. My first choice, Curiosity Stream/Nebula satisfy my educational video needs and all the others are also worth a look.
I wrote a negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran, vocal advocate for a return of chattel slavery, US veteran, self-described libertarian, supporter of Putin's Russia and employee of an unnamed US agency. Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a comment declaring that They had "won" (?).
I imagine that They no longer feel the need to continue to send the flood of filthy sexual and racist comments to channels which I mention. The female creators targeted including the thirteen year old boater and her mother, the Swedish essayist, The Oxford Astrophysicist and many others, were not impressed but now have a much clearer understanding of the American man-child in all his viciousness. Adding to the world's overabundance of ugliness was probably a bonus effect. It would be a strange version of literary discourse on a reader's forum, fortunately They chose Goodreads instead. Good job! 😐
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Brittany Page, Weir on the Move, The Kavernacle, The Little Platoon, Red Plateaus, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Mia Mulder, Space 1889, Book Odyssey, Tom Nicholas, History with Cy, NerdForge, Heather Dale, Vlad Vexler, Owen Jones, A Cup of Nicole, The Piano Guys, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Chloe Stafler, Cunk.
As for Amazon/Goodreads, please consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 😔
Ominous music starts. 🙂 Apparently Amazon has a political position in support of slavery (historical and present day) among others, which is logical given their treatment of warehouse staff. They share message content with others, including Australian security, because I had one Australian friend on this site. For an unknown reader, with no celebrity it is odd that after one review that offends the veteran and US federal employee (of which agency, I really would like to know and with what security clearance) who wrote Powers of the Earth that I am become a person of interest.
My Australian friend contacted me because after being interrogated, he was afraid for my safety. So it seems that I am now an enemy of Australian and US intelligence (courtesy of Pine Gap intelligence Centre) as well as Amazon. Very bizarre. Apparently the petty harassment by Goodreads to my pages and the comment clouds were not enough for these nutcase members and Amazon techs.
You may not be targeted, if you never write a negative review of a popular titlebut consider that I am not the only reader who experienced much of what I did. See my review of "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener or Powers of the Earth for a complete recounting of this Goodreads campaign. It might be prudent to minimize you profile information, remove lurkers (those who never post) on your friend list and screenshot the odd and the ugly. Ominous music ends. 🙂
May we all find Good Reading! 😊
While I am not the best advisor for a list of most valuable YouTube channels, these are some of my favourite channels.
Widebeam and Wellingtons, UA Courage, Sabine Hossenfelder, TVP, Tara Mooknee, Louise DeMasi, Tulia, Hello Future Me, Munecat, Jean's Thoughts, Books with Emily Fox, Crow Caller, The Armchair Historian, Book Odyssey, Some More News, Lily Simpson, Ozillo News, Abbie Emmons, Novara Media, Tom Nicholas, Philosophy Tube, Tulia, Heather Dale, Karolina Zebrowska, Bernadette Banner, 2Cellos, Double Down News, France 24, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Fran Blanche, Jessica Gagnon, Violet Orlandi, Celtica, AstronautX, The Narrowboat Pirate, The Narrowboat Chef, Mythic Concepts, The Juice Media, Abney park, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Lilly's expat life, Lily Alexandre, Lady of the Library, Swell Entertainment, Practical Engineering, With Olivia, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Abby Cox, Camper Vibe, What Vivi did next, Linguoer Mechanic, Second Thought, Kings and Generals, Rebecca Watson, Oliviareadsalatte, Alt Shift X, Spacedock, The Gravel Institute, Denys Davydov, The Renegade Cut, Neringa Rekaslute, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Sarah Z, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Three Arrows, Verilybitchie, John Michael Godier, The Templin Institute, Patrick is a Navajo, It's Black Friday, Maggie May Fish, Lady knight the Brave, Exurb1a, Statquest, Thought Potato, DM It All, Ancient Americas, Biz Barclay, Meidas Touch, Viralee Channel, Casual Navigation, Ship Happens, David John Wellman, Factnomenal, Jake Broe, Alysotherlife, Tibees, Danica Patrick, Venom Geek Media, DW News, Prime of Midlife, The Secrets of the Universe, Natasha's Adventures, Tibees, TIKHistory, Boat Time, Book Furnace, Gutsick Gibbon, Quinn's Ideas, Eckharts Ladder, Bobbing Along, Dr Becky, Ana Psychology, Perun, Invicta, Cruising Alba, Kalaripayattu, Steampunk, Joe Scott, A Clockwork Reader, A Life of Lit, Emmie, Zoe Baker, Half as Interesting, Between the Wars, Library Ladder, The Great War, Books and Lala, Jessie Gender, Brittany the Bibliophile, Malinda, A Cup of Nicole, Thirdworld Booknerd, Mala Armia Janosika, The Piano Boat, Richard Wolff, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, UATV, Viva La Dirt League, Zoe Bee, BlondiHacks, The Black Forest Family.
I wish you a sunny morning, a bright afternoon, a warm evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Hope is not a sprinter, it is a Marathoner.
Jefferson Davis, post Gettysburg
I first wrote this review in September, 2018. I was both new to Amazon/Goodreads and naive. The first can be forgiven, the second of a communist, not so much. This expanded review is my penance.
For more of Amazon, see my review of "Stellar Heritage #1" or Powers of the Earth, a poorly written vsalute to the January 6, 2021 hero and comments from a Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710 (a self-identified NeoNazi and US patriot). The reviews of Powers higher related than one star will provide you a list of members, whom you would prefer not be on your friend list.
It is so strange. A communist (myself) taking issue with and describing as dangerous the story of the moronic hero determined to overthrow the US government over the issue of his personal taxes, has upset a large number of US patriots including the US federal employee, who wrote this not so thrilling book. Before this Amazon experience, I could not imagine the scenario. I still have problems processing it. Despite much reading and University, my simple working class mind simply cannot encompass the logic. 🙄
To Claes Rees, Jr/cgr710, Travis Corcoran/JP and friends
Don't be a numpty, be a smarty. Come and join the Communist Party. 🙂
These US patriots (Claes Rees Jr, Travis Corcoran and US Republicans, for example) support Putin's Russia with their army's policy (and perk?) of mass rape of Ukrainians from 80 year old woman to 4 year old girl (as well as that of any other woman, boys or girls) being already processed by the UN. I imagine that US patriotism has been redefined and it is not just a matter of Russian gold. In any case.
SLAVA UKRAINI !!! ---TA--- SLAVA GEROYAM !!!
With the wrong sort dismissed, let's on to the book. This is the most childish book that I had the misfortune to waste part of an afternoon trying to read. I was unable to finish this book, even though it was free. It did give me the opportunity to break down the message that these books convey.
The first set, of which this book is a great example, celebrates the deserving rich and their triumph over the evil governmental forces that they in fact already control (which no one at this point bothers to deny). It is such a bizarre reality that it does not get much traction. It seems to suggest the fix for government is to eliminate the worker from the pretense of participation in shaping society.
The second set, are the inspirational books that celebrate the undereducated worker's dream (for certain values of worker, remember ethnic superiority syndrome or as some refer to it "Racism") of throwing off their shameful heritage. That describes the bulk of the "libertarian space fantasies", which dominate low end US science fiction. A very good example is "Stellar Heritage #1", which is an eye opener.
In the course of these fantasies, there is an overthrowing of the current rulers and their becoming the new elite which now controls the hated government. This necessary evil then becomes a respected arm of the new order. This book is the (more refined) trust fund teen's meritocratic fantasy. It differed from the standard libertarian fantasy in that the main characters are the "right" kind of libertarian heroes (where class background, defined by family wealth, income and education trumps identity politics).
I doubt that the thugs who identify themselves with the label, realize that libertarianism originated with this upper class' insistence that workers alone should pay for government. The rich being rightfully above that sort of thing.
The characters read like secondary school nerds go to space, instead of brilliant university dropouts.They do not realize that in space, they might need a very rugged, airtight hull, an air/water/power supply, an environmental system utilizing them, source of heat and instrumentation in their converted shipping container. 😄 I think that they actually cut a hole in the corrugated metal box to install a window and do not see any need for spacesuits.
They do not question the wisdom of doing a drive by of the ISS or give a thought to the possibility of wrecking it as a result of collision. If there were casualties or damages, it would only affect the "lower orders" characters. I imagine that the writer thought that it was perfectly reasonable thinking. 🙂 One of these "kids" (the writer's word), asks for and receives a hundred million dollar loan from dad to build a better looking spaceship, as one does. Being a responsible son, he will of course repay the loan with interest from the billions that he and the brilliant band will earn from the brilliant product of their brilliant little minds because of their brilliant business acumen.
With the above, we see demonstrated the writer's entire understanding of engineering, space flight hazards, requirements, essentials and dangers. With that vision, I with a very, very, very limited grounding based only on general knowledge of aerospace technology, orbital mechanics, health and safety protocols in space and none of the associated maths would be counted a veritable rocketry expert. Not myself being an idiot, I felt sad realizing that other readers are that ..?...?. If my ignorance is seen as serious technical competence or intellectual achievement, I do not want to ponder the decision making process in real life of those hypothetical other readers, this writer or his fellow science fiction writers. 🙄
This band of heroes are just the cutest bunch, since "The Great Gatsby". Oh to be young again, have hundreds of millions Euros, Pounds, Canadian Dollars, no cares and no laws to consider. I was able to connect with these adorable scamps emotionally from page one (not).
The plot gets worse. The U.S. Government is helpless to locate several rich idiots setting up a spaceship production facility in a small town in the Western U.S. No one would notice a major technology investment in a small or talk or wonder at shipments of equipment and materials of types of in quantities not before seen by the simple townsfolk. Those government drones are so silly in their earnestness, aren't they? Daddy sets up shell companies to hide their financial activities, which utterly baffles Pentagon and NSA both. As if civil service numpties could ever out think their betters. 😑 Even when identified by the military, FBI and every other US agency these four dorks are just invisible. Yet they expose themselves to video surveillance cameras during a a shopping trip for durable clothing (not material deliveries for spaceship construction). It is just the worst when that happens to me.
Still, the story is back on track, as our hard working entrepreneurial heroes easily elude the Feds, conspicuously black clad, helicopter borne, daylight assaulting, shock troops. At that point, I was stunned. My heart was racing from the sheer tension of it all (not). Fortunately, the scene occupied only ten or fifteen minutes in story time. With the above, I predict that the plucky foursome are off to a libertarian fantasy where fantastical wealth, global fame and adoring female fans await. And the negative consequences of any of their actions, you ask? I am sorry but neither I nor the writer understand the question. 😑
To the writer, my sympathies if this seems realistic to you. If in your experience, any of it makes sense then you might want to consider labeling this book and the series (which is sure to follow) YA. The YA category covers so many other bad books, why not yours.
You are probably not surprised that I have almost moved past science fiction and from low end print certainly. The publisher standards for low end of US science fiction only runs to the categories No Effort, Insulting, Abhorrent. I watch rather than read lately. Netflix, YouTube's DUST or Omeleto channels and the other streaming services all carry some science fiction. That Netflix have a large multilingual library and generally better writing than the low effort print makes it my first stop.
I began searching YouTube for science fiction commentary and recommendations a bit more than two years ago. Finding so many special interest channels was a pleasant surprise. The most important find was the book channels. 😍😍 The reader communities hosted by them are thoughtful, have varied tastes and interests but all love the world of books in its every aspect. They are the exact opposite to whatever the Goodreads/Amazon experience is. I recommend a visit to several book channels for any reader and have listed some below. Through sponsor spots on educational channels, I also discovered the dedicated educational sites. They seem to all carry brilliant essayists, lecture series and documentary series. My first choice, Curiosity Stream/Nebula satisfy my educational video needs and all the others are also worth a look.
I wrote a negative review of Powers of the Earth, a poorly written salute to the January 6, 2021 hero by Travis Corcoran, vocal advocate for a return of chattel slavery, US veteran, self-described libertarian, supporter of Putin's Russia and employee of an unnamed US agency. Claes Rees Jr/cgr710 wrote a comment declaring that They had "won" (?).
I imagine that They no longer feel the need to continue to send the flood of filthy sexual and racist comments to channels which I mention. The female creators targeted including the thirteen year old boater and her mother, the Swedish essayist, The Oxford Astrophysicist and many others, were not impressed but now have a much clearer understanding of the American man-child in all his viciousness. Adding to the world's overabundance of ugliness was probably a bonus effect. It would be a strange version of literary discourse on a reader's forum, fortunately They chose Goodreads instead. Good job! 😐
My YouTube picks of the moment.
Brittany Page, Weir on the Move, The Kavernacle, The Little Platoon, Red Plateaus, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Mia Mulder, Space 1889, Book Odyssey, Tom Nicholas, History with Cy, NerdForge, Heather Dale, Vlad Vexler, Owen Jones, A Cup of Nicole, The Piano Guys, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Chloe Stafler, Cunk.
As for Amazon/Goodreads, please consider treating this as a potentially hostile site. 😔
Ominous music starts. 🙂 Apparently Amazon has a political position in support of slavery (historical and present day) among others, which is logical given their treatment of warehouse staff. They share message content with others, including Australian security, because I had one Australian friend on this site. For an unknown reader, with no celebrity it is odd that after one review that offends the veteran and US federal employee (of which agency, I really would like to know and with what security clearance) who wrote Powers of the Earth that I am become a person of interest.
My Australian friend contacted me because after being interrogated, he was afraid for my safety. So it seems that I am now an enemy of Australian and US intelligence (courtesy of Pine Gap intelligence Centre) as well as Amazon. Very bizarre. Apparently the petty harassment by Goodreads to my pages and the comment clouds were not enough for these nutcase members and Amazon techs.
You may not be targeted, if you never write a negative review of a popular titlebut consider that I am not the only reader who experienced much of what I did. See my review of "Dark Horse", a good novel by Diener or Powers of the Earth for a complete recounting of this Goodreads campaign. It might be prudent to minimize you profile information, remove lurkers (those who never post) on your friend list and screenshot the odd and the ugly. Ominous music ends. 🙂
May we all find Good Reading! 😊
While I am not the best advisor for a list of most valuable YouTube channels, these are some of my favourite channels.
Widebeam and Wellingtons, UA Courage, Sabine Hossenfelder, TVP, Tara Mooknee, Louise DeMasi, Tulia, Hello Future Me, Munecat, Jean's Thoughts, Books with Emily Fox, Crow Caller, The Armchair Historian, Book Odyssey, Some More News, Lily Simpson, Ozillo News, Abbie Emmons, Novara Media, Tom Nicholas, Philosophy Tube, Tulia, Heather Dale, Karolina Zebrowska, Bernadette Banner, 2Cellos, Double Down News, France 24, Alize, Alice Cappelle, Fran Blanche, Jessica Gagnon, Violet Orlandi, Celtica, AstronautX, The Narrowboat Pirate, The Narrowboat Chef, Mythic Concepts, The Juice Media, Abney park, Fantasy and World Music by the Fletchers, Lilly's expat life, Lily Alexandre, Lady of the Library, Swell Entertainment, Practical Engineering, With Olivia, Beautifully Bookish Bethany, Abby Cox, Camper Vibe, What Vivi did next, Linguoer Mechanic, Second Thought, Kings and Generals, Rebecca Watson, Oliviareadsalatte, Alt Shift X, Spacedock, The Gravel Institute, Denys Davydov, The Renegade Cut, Neringa Rekaslute, Overly Sarcastic Productions, Sarah Z, Adult Wednesday Addams - 2 seasons, Three Arrows, Verilybitchie, John Michael Godier, The Templin Institute, Patrick is a Navajo, It's Black Friday, Maggie May Fish, Lady knight the Brave, Exurb1a, Statquest, Thought Potato, DM It All, Ancient Americas, Biz Barclay, Meidas Touch, Viralee Channel, Casual Navigation, Ship Happens, David John Wellman, Factnomenal, Jake Broe, Alysotherlife, Tibees, Danica Patrick, Venom Geek Media, DW News, Prime of Midlife, The Secrets of the Universe, Natasha's Adventures, Tibees, TIKHistory, Boat Time, Book Furnace, Gutsick Gibbon, Quinn's Ideas, Eckharts Ladder, Bobbing Along, Dr Becky, Ana Psychology, Perun, Invicta, Cruising Alba, Kalaripayattu, Steampunk, Joe Scott, A Clockwork Reader, A Life of Lit, Emmie, Zoe Baker, Half as Interesting, Between the Wars, Library Ladder, The Great War, Books and Lala, Jessie Gender, Brittany the Bibliophile, Malinda, A Cup of Nicole, Thirdworld Booknerd, Mala Armia Janosika, The Piano Boat, Richard Wolff, Diane Callahan Quotidian Writer, UATV, Viva La Dirt League, Zoe Bee, BlondiHacks, The Black Forest Family.
I wish you a sunny morning, a bright afternoon, a warm evening, a wonderful night and may we all continue learning.
Hope is not a sprinter, it is a Marathoner.
Jefferson Davis, post Gettysburg
March 3, 2018
Disclaimer*** I am the Author so anything I put here will not be taken seriously. However, I can say that the book takes place in a current day type of setting. It was professionally edited and designed. Beta readers tore though it like wild fire. The end result is something I am proud of. My hope is that you read the book and its enjoyable for you. It is the first book in a series.
My favorite line. "Whats a shiddit?" asked the General. Lucy, the new chief of staff sighed as she busied herself putting papers away. "The president believes there's a society of stupid people that exist solely to hinder his agenda. He calls them a shiddit or shiddits."
My favorite line. "Whats a shiddit?" asked the General. Lucy, the new chief of staff sighed as she busied herself putting papers away. "The president believes there's a society of stupid people that exist solely to hinder his agenda. He calls them a shiddit or shiddits."
December 29, 2019
I enjoyed this Authors writing style for the most part. Just couldn't get into the story. Felt that the author has little real life experience and it shows in the plot holes. For example the 4 guys fly up to the space station in a modified storage container/boxcar with no insulation/ heat/oxygen systems and dock with the space station. When they leave, their rubber docking ring stays frozen to the station. Some simple research shows the space station altitude is 205 miles. So to get there in 15 min would require a speed of 800 miles an hour. Speed of sound is 768 mph. So the boxcar would be breaking the speed of sound. The wind shear would probably play havoc with the aerodynamics.
Now the author didn't state they only took 15 min, but the way the story presents is as if only a short time is passing. Then the 4 of them decide to build an interplanetary craft and take it on a cross country flight , oops bent some of the exposed i-beams. Plus using regular housing materials, not space rated for extreme temps. I can remember my roommate in Alaska hitting his dash when his car wouldn't start at 60 below and watching the dash crack like glass. Then no mention of radiation shielding. Then they get some NASA astronauts to sign up to go with them. And the NASA people act like bubble heads, and are like " hey great idea, Lets fly to Mars". No Heat or cooling systems/insulation/meteor/Cosmic ray protection/ no air circulation system. Oh you did forget a fire suppression system, gotta fix that.
Now the author didn't state they only took 15 min, but the way the story presents is as if only a short time is passing. Then the 4 of them decide to build an interplanetary craft and take it on a cross country flight , oops bent some of the exposed i-beams. Plus using regular housing materials, not space rated for extreme temps. I can remember my roommate in Alaska hitting his dash when his car wouldn't start at 60 below and watching the dash crack like glass. Then no mention of radiation shielding. Then they get some NASA astronauts to sign up to go with them. And the NASA people act like bubble heads, and are like " hey great idea, Lets fly to Mars". No Heat or cooling systems/insulation/meteor/Cosmic ray protection/ no air circulation system. Oh you did forget a fire suppression system, gotta fix that.
July 22, 2018
Fun, sweet, naive and shallow
There is nothing new here. This is a typical late YA SciFi novel. Young geniuses are good. Governments are bad. Insectile aliens are bad. Surprisingly helpful alien AI's are good. Clandestine agencies are bad. Outlandish and improbable tech is good. Character development is unnecessary. Plot is like a stream of consciousness, and then a year went by... Editing could really use some help. Still, it fueled a few hours of my SciFi reading addiction, I didn't groan or roll my eyes too often and I finished it.
There is nothing new here. This is a typical late YA SciFi novel. Young geniuses are good. Governments are bad. Insectile aliens are bad. Surprisingly helpful alien AI's are good. Clandestine agencies are bad. Outlandish and improbable tech is good. Character development is unnecessary. Plot is like a stream of consciousness, and then a year went by... Editing could really use some help. Still, it fueled a few hours of my SciFi reading addiction, I didn't groan or roll my eyes too often and I finished it.
June 10, 2018
Started fun, quickly looses steam. No real character development, and has several of the supporting characters have pointed out, the main character has taken over with his own agenda, due to his financial backing. One and done.
September 30, 2018
A great start crumbles under the weight of too many layers
I heard of this book on Goodreads and read it using Kindle Unlimited. Galactic Startup starts strong. Really strong. The opening scene was so much fun. If the book kept the Explorers kids grow up to be the Good Will Hunting guys (albeit all smart) premise, I would be singing the praises of a unique book. Unfortunately, the author throws in aliens (to be fair, the blurb said he would). What started as an interesting sci-fi story like The Martian quickly devolves into Plan 9 From Outer Space. Logic is thrown out the door faster than you can say "Cheesy eighties B movie.". I do recommend reading the first half of this book. When you get to the derelict ship, just say to yourself "And they lived happily ever after with their billions of dollars." The rest of my review will contain spoilers.
The Good.
The first half.
It opens in one of the best ways possible. The stunt with the International Space Station leads to them hiding from the government. This was logical.
The timeline to becoming known is appropriate. It would take some years.
The skyhook escape from G-Men using the spaceship and an SUV was great.
The Disney leaf droplet was the perfect way to announce themselves to the public.
Likewise was their means of profit as cosmic garbage men.
Alex is a horrible person. He is arrogant beyond comprehension. Just as I suspect the owner of a spaceship would be.
The Bad.
The second half of the book.
I hated how people used rank and first names. The college buddies may act like this, but the NASA and military personnel wouldn't.
I didn't like any characters, but I especially hated Amanda. She was the poster child for everything bad happens to me. Raped? Check. Father hated her? Check? Mother left? Check. Weird disease that should impact quality of life in her forties (but likely cured in a sequel)? Check. Her romance with Alex felt unnecessary and added simply because the author felt he should add a romance to appease more readers.
The crew is far too easy going with Alex's decisions. Actually, the whole world is. Leave me on a moon for a few days? Sure. I have to stay in my EVA suit the whole time? Even better. Aliens killed one of our guys, but who cares, you're the man, Alex. All characters in this book act like they are full members in the Cult of Alex. Nobody truly questions his actions. Why should they? He was kicked out of the Army after a year. Albert Einstein helped to get The Manhattan Project started, but I would never follow him into battle. No rational person would listen to Alex once global annihilation was on the table. I don't care what the AI said.
Kalibri is immediately trusted. He could be the bad guy, but not a single character ever doubts the aged digiform. The entire planet is onboard with him because Supreme Leader Alex deems him a friend.
Yet, somehow despite his intense hubris, Alex still refers to the president with respect. The guy would be on a first name basis with whomever he was speaking with. I mean, the entire planet is fully trusting him to lead the defense of the planet.
Alex's military background is crap. If he was in less than a year, then his combat "experience" would be minimal. After basic training, IET, PCS to a unit, some integration, leave, redeployment, and out processing from the Army, Alex would be lucky to have five months of combat experience. You can see a lot in five months, but that doesn't make you an expert. No military people (including Mason, Cindy, and Jack) would allow him to take on the responsibility of Emperor of Earth.
The humans kill the Zorn scouts, yet get a year to prepare for the next attack? BS. The fight would have happened sooner. They're called "scouts" for a reason. If they don't report in, you send more, and you don't wait a year. The fight at the end could have been exciting, if actual military hierarchy had been applied. Or, at least some rational thinking.
The Technical.
This book is written in third person omniscient. There is a lot of head hopping.
I heard of this book on Goodreads and read it using Kindle Unlimited. Galactic Startup starts strong. Really strong. The opening scene was so much fun. If the book kept the Explorers kids grow up to be the Good Will Hunting guys (albeit all smart) premise, I would be singing the praises of a unique book. Unfortunately, the author throws in aliens (to be fair, the blurb said he would). What started as an interesting sci-fi story like The Martian quickly devolves into Plan 9 From Outer Space. Logic is thrown out the door faster than you can say "Cheesy eighties B movie.". I do recommend reading the first half of this book. When you get to the derelict ship, just say to yourself "And they lived happily ever after with their billions of dollars." The rest of my review will contain spoilers.
The Good.
The first half.
It opens in one of the best ways possible. The stunt with the International Space Station leads to them hiding from the government. This was logical.
The timeline to becoming known is appropriate. It would take some years.
The skyhook escape from G-Men using the spaceship and an SUV was great.
The Disney leaf droplet was the perfect way to announce themselves to the public.
Likewise was their means of profit as cosmic garbage men.
Alex is a horrible person. He is arrogant beyond comprehension. Just as I suspect the owner of a spaceship would be.
The Bad.
The second half of the book.
I hated how people used rank and first names. The college buddies may act like this, but the NASA and military personnel wouldn't.
I didn't like any characters, but I especially hated Amanda. She was the poster child for everything bad happens to me. Raped? Check. Father hated her? Check? Mother left? Check. Weird disease that should impact quality of life in her forties (but likely cured in a sequel)? Check. Her romance with Alex felt unnecessary and added simply because the author felt he should add a romance to appease more readers.
The crew is far too easy going with Alex's decisions. Actually, the whole world is. Leave me on a moon for a few days? Sure. I have to stay in my EVA suit the whole time? Even better. Aliens killed one of our guys, but who cares, you're the man, Alex. All characters in this book act like they are full members in the Cult of Alex. Nobody truly questions his actions. Why should they? He was kicked out of the Army after a year. Albert Einstein helped to get The Manhattan Project started, but I would never follow him into battle. No rational person would listen to Alex once global annihilation was on the table. I don't care what the AI said.
Kalibri is immediately trusted. He could be the bad guy, but not a single character ever doubts the aged digiform. The entire planet is onboard with him because Supreme Leader Alex deems him a friend.
Yet, somehow despite his intense hubris, Alex still refers to the president with respect. The guy would be on a first name basis with whomever he was speaking with. I mean, the entire planet is fully trusting him to lead the defense of the planet.
Alex's military background is crap. If he was in less than a year, then his combat "experience" would be minimal. After basic training, IET, PCS to a unit, some integration, leave, redeployment, and out processing from the Army, Alex would be lucky to have five months of combat experience. You can see a lot in five months, but that doesn't make you an expert. No military people (including Mason, Cindy, and Jack) would allow him to take on the responsibility of Emperor of Earth.
The humans kill the Zorn scouts, yet get a year to prepare for the next attack? BS. The fight would have happened sooner. They're called "scouts" for a reason. If they don't report in, you send more, and you don't wait a year. The fight at the end could have been exciting, if actual military hierarchy had been applied. Or, at least some rational thinking.
The Technical.
This book is written in third person omniscient. There is a lot of head hopping.
November 5, 2018
I’m a huge space geek so Brian Whiting’s Galactic Startup tickled the nerd in me! Four young college guys discover a way to make antigravity propulsion and fly in a cargo container to the International Space Station. Afterwards, the government begins to hunt them for their device. This book was light hearted, fun, and adventurous. In some ways it reminded me of everything I love in films like ET and I can’t wait to see where the story goes!
December 8, 2019
Good fast paced action about kids that achieve space travel, alien encounter and interstellar combat.
Some parts are rather shallow and too swiftly detailed and complex ideas were told quickly, without any depth when it actually felt needed.
Sometimes, the characters appeared uncharacteristically dumb and the main heroes, the ones that have all the answer and none of the faults.
Think I'll pass of the sequel.
Some parts are rather shallow and too swiftly detailed and complex ideas were told quickly, without any depth when it actually felt needed.
Sometimes, the characters appeared uncharacteristically dumb and the main heroes, the ones that have all the answer and none of the faults.
Think I'll pass of the sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
Compelling Original Story
Interesting plot, a group of friends build a garage spaceship to explore, but they quickly discover we are not alone in the universe, and find themselves defending the earth from an alien invasion. The story moves quickly and covers a lot of ground. I am looking forward to the next one.
Jason Rose (Author of The Knight Advocate/ Arcane Justice series)
Interesting plot, a group of friends build a garage spaceship to explore, but they quickly discover we are not alone in the universe, and find themselves defending the earth from an alien invasion. The story moves quickly and covers a lot of ground. I am looking forward to the next one.
Jason Rose (Author of The Knight Advocate/ Arcane Justice series)
March 3, 2018
What a great gem! This is a Hollywood movie just waiting to get made. I find the AI character interaction a bit questionable. This book might be one of my top five favorites. Looking forward to the next one. Write faster !
March 23, 2018
Excellent story
I really enjoyed this book. A perfect balance of character development and plot development. I think this a great start to what I think will be a great series.
I really enjoyed this book. A perfect balance of character development and plot development. I think this a great start to what I think will be a great series.
December 3, 2022
I couldn't finish this but that was largely due to the story the author choose to tell rather than the writing, hence the two stars. So some kids invent antigravity and, rather than do anything intelligent, they take a joy ride to the International Space Station and give out their names. So now government officials (whose entire character development can be summed up as "evil") are after them. This is where I stopped. I read a lot and evil government officials is just lazy writing for people who can't be bothered to create antagonist with any depth. Plus it is just stupid- high up CIA types who deal with politics every day can't think to do anything but try to strong arm the MCs??? I mean crap, make a damn phone call and at least introduce yourself and find out what the MCs' goals are. For all the bad guys know they may want the same things as the MCs. But no, that incredibly obvious option was ignored by the author because (I guess) it is just too riddle with common sense.
June 29, 2018
Three and a half stars. I believe this is Whitting's first book. It is a fun read read built in an interesting world but it definitely had that 'first book' feel to it (except the editing which was spot on). The characters are thin but at least there is some personality. The story line has holes that stretch the suspense of disbelief that is so necessary to a work like this. The biggest problem I had was with the characters relationship to their government. I just never got a clear enough sense that their desire was to circumvent the government instead of rebel or bow down. The actions and the characters just didn't seem to mesh.
This could have been so much more. Moderately fun but a little confused and missed it's mark.
This could have been so much more. Moderately fun but a little confused and missed it's mark.
April 23, 2019
A bit rushed, and I didn't quite like the turn this took near the end. I loved the starting idea of a few guys having an idea that blows everyone's minds and pursuing it despite uncooperative government to it's fruition. Later on,
Enjoyable, though after reading the second book, I don't think I'll continue to the third.
Enjoyable, though after reading the second book, I don't think I'll continue to the third.
July 30, 2019
Galactic Startup is great space opera.
I really enjoyed Galactic Startup. I love a good space yarn , it thrills me to no end to imagine the idea of exploring the planet's and the stars in our galaxy.
I have always believed that just something like this is probably one of the only ways we will ever unite humanity to act as one. We desperately need a goal to respond to to advance as a species. Otherwise we will never stop squabbling amongst each other's differing views. The story advanced in this book is greatly intriguing . I would love to see it happen in reality, I would be first in line to volunteer as crew.
I can't wait to jump into book two.
I really enjoyed Galactic Startup. I love a good space yarn , it thrills me to no end to imagine the idea of exploring the planet's and the stars in our galaxy.
I have always believed that just something like this is probably one of the only ways we will ever unite humanity to act as one. We desperately need a goal to respond to to advance as a species. Otherwise we will never stop squabbling amongst each other's differing views. The story advanced in this book is greatly intriguing . I would love to see it happen in reality, I would be first in line to volunteer as crew.
I can't wait to jump into book two.
September 30, 2020
I couldn't finish this book. I couldn't read another page after I'd finished about half of it. The story line left out so many important plot points that it seemed like I was reading the Cliff Notes version. Maybe it is due to the Young Adult (or maybe even "kids") feel of the novel, not wanting to be too complicated or too mired down in heavy detailed scenes, I don't know. But I came across so many instances of, "How the heck did they get from 'point A' to 'point B'" in the plot that I could suspend disbelief no longer.
Sorry, folks. This book is definitely not for me. And if you like reading a decent novel, it's not for you, either.
Sorry, folks. This book is definitely not for me. And if you like reading a decent novel, it's not for you, either.
September 12, 2019
Good story - But as others say, needs better editing
A new take on some familiar themes, but nonetheless, entertaining. However, some better editing, dealing with typos, etc. Would go a long way to making it better.
A really fun take on how 4 young men take their first careless adventure into space as an opening. The rest tends to follow some common formulaic storytelling. But I have no issues with that. It’s entertaining, and I’m already engrossed in the next book in the series.
A new take on some familiar themes, but nonetheless, entertaining. However, some better editing, dealing with typos, etc. Would go a long way to making it better.
A really fun take on how 4 young men take their first careless adventure into space as an opening. The rest tends to follow some common formulaic storytelling. But I have no issues with that. It’s entertaining, and I’m already engrossed in the next book in the series.
January 14, 2019
I enjoyed the book. The pace of the book was good and even though I didn't feel connected to the characters as there was little substance in their backstory/history I did enjoy the characters immensely. Overall I like reading books that are very imaginative and creative and this story took my imagination to many wonderful places, which is the main objective of any good book. I have already read the 2nd book as well and enjoyed it almost as much as the first.
April 18, 2019
If you don't mind the "boy's own adventure" version of politics, this is a great read.
The initial four central characters are bearly fleshed-out before the cast of characters started to proliferate. I fear for the sequels if this trend continues. In a similar vein, the number of momentous developments forced into one novel is impressive, even as it strains credulity.
I'd recommend the novel as YA fiction, although it may mature in later books.
The initial four central characters are bearly fleshed-out before the cast of characters started to proliferate. I fear for the sequels if this trend continues. In a similar vein, the number of momentous developments forced into one novel is impressive, even as it strains credulity.
I'd recommend the novel as YA fiction, although it may mature in later books.
April 20, 2019
Story was good, editing needs alot of work
The storyline kept me interested and pulled forward but the lack of good editing was a definite distraction throughout the book. Brian use more beta readers or hire a professional editor to review your work, it definitely will improve your books.
The storyline kept me interested and pulled forward but the lack of good editing was a definite distraction throughout the book. Brian use more beta readers or hire a professional editor to review your work, it definitely will improve your books.
December 2, 2018
Galactic Startup Soars!
I loved this story. Interesting concept, characters and progression from first faltering steps to the space station to adventure on Titan! I’m totally hooked!
I loved this story. Interesting concept, characters and progression from first faltering steps to the space station to adventure on Titan! I’m totally hooked!
December 16, 2018
Whirlwind
A fresh take on mad scientists saving the world. Interesting tech, believable government conspiracy stupidity, complex development of infrastructure, radical aliens. Worth your time to read.
A fresh take on mad scientists saving the world. Interesting tech, believable government conspiracy stupidity, complex development of infrastructure, radical aliens. Worth your time to read.
August 20, 2019
Old fashioned sci fi
A fun read. Reminds me of 50’s and 60’s scotch fo books. Not as sophisticated as Asimov, however, this is only the first book. Going to the next book and see what new adventures Álex conjures up.
A fun read. Reminds me of 50’s and 60’s scotch fo books. Not as sophisticated as Asimov, however, this is only the first book. Going to the next book and see what new adventures Álex conjures up.
February 16, 2020
Every kids dream
It's a little weak on it's science but four boys figuring how to configure a cargo container for a quick pop up to the international Space Station is a compelling start for an engaging tale.
It's a little weak on it's science but four boys figuring how to configure a cargo container for a quick pop up to the international Space Station is a compelling start for an engaging tale.
February 26, 2018
It was ok, but too fast paced.
May 3, 2018
Very good
I like the new take on this topic. I appreciate the good balance.of technology and story. I am looking forward to book two.
I like the new take on this topic. I appreciate the good balance.of technology and story. I am looking forward to book two.
May 23, 2018
Good book, I always liked empire building books but I thought the book could be longer with more detailed twists because I felt the book was rushed. looking forward to more books in the series.
June 2, 2018
Great read
If you are able to suspend a need for detailed scientific and engineering accuracy this is a great read about garage science leading to world changing discoveries.
If you are able to suspend a need for detailed scientific and engineering accuracy this is a great read about garage science leading to world changing discoveries.
July 3, 2018
Good job!
A story is good when you find yourself reflecting on the story and characters in idle time. This one fit the bill. Great start. Thank you. Keep up the good work.
A story is good when you find yourself reflecting on the story and characters in idle time. This one fit the bill. Great start. Thank you. Keep up the good work.
July 6, 2018
Good Solid SciFi
Good read really enjoyed it can't wait for book 2. Start is a little slow but gets rolling and doesn't stop.
Good read really enjoyed it can't wait for book 2. Start is a little slow but gets rolling and doesn't stop.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews