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Blueshift
If you could be the first to lay eyes upon a planet orbiting a distant star, would you go?
If it meant that when you returned home—if you returned home—everyone you knew would have been dead for centuries, would you still go?
The members of the Polaris Project knew what they were giving up when they volunteered to fly to the star named Angel-21, but the allure of being the first explorers to leave the Solar System far outweighed the risks. As it turned out, the most dangerous thing they faced wasn't the mission … it was the homecoming. Eight hundred years have passed and Earth is nothing like they thought it would be.
As Commander Markus Brentwood scrambles to uncover the mystery of what's happened to Earth in their absence, he also must contend with an increasingly dysfunctional crew and a damaged ship that's flying on borrowed time. What should have been a joyous return home after a long, hard mission has turned into a race to see which nightmare would kill them first.
Blueshift is an all new sci-fi adventure from Joshua Dalzelle, author of the bestselling Omega Force Series and Black Fleet Saga.
If it meant that when you returned home—if you returned home—everyone you knew would have been dead for centuries, would you still go?
The members of the Polaris Project knew what they were giving up when they volunteered to fly to the star named Angel-21, but the allure of being the first explorers to leave the Solar System far outweighed the risks. As it turned out, the most dangerous thing they faced wasn't the mission … it was the homecoming. Eight hundred years have passed and Earth is nothing like they thought it would be.
As Commander Markus Brentwood scrambles to uncover the mystery of what's happened to Earth in their absence, he also must contend with an increasingly dysfunctional crew and a damaged ship that's flying on borrowed time. What should have been a joyous return home after a long, hard mission has turned into a race to see which nightmare would kill them first.
Blueshift is an all new sci-fi adventure from Joshua Dalzelle, author of the bestselling Omega Force Series and Black Fleet Saga.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2018
571 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
December 25, 2023
Blueshift
By Joshua Dalzelle
This is a thought-provoking story about a rich guy who finances his own space mission to seek other life forms. He hires civilians with skills, not astronauts. By the time they head back, it's been over 800 years.
The story is about the few crew members who survived to get to Earth. What they find on Mars and Earth is not what they expected.
I didn't find any of the characters from the ship very likable at all. The plot was good, and the suspense was good too. Probably life would be like this if a scenario like this did happened on Earth.
By Joshua Dalzelle
This is a thought-provoking story about a rich guy who finances his own space mission to seek other life forms. He hires civilians with skills, not astronauts. By the time they head back, it's been over 800 years.
The story is about the few crew members who survived to get to Earth. What they find on Mars and Earth is not what they expected.
I didn't find any of the characters from the ship very likable at all. The plot was good, and the suspense was good too. Probably life would be like this if a scenario like this did happened on Earth.
April 12, 2022
There's a good amount of research about space travel in this book, which I enjoyed.
I was entertained, and some of the replies between the characters were flat-out comedic although this was probably not an intended effect.
The idea of having exes (hubby and wife) fighting their bitterness in space was amusing too.
I can't believe the end though, as I was certain that this should be book I, hello Mr. Joshua, please write the sequel!! ;-)
I was entertained, and some of the replies between the characters were flat-out comedic although this was probably not an intended effect.
The idea of having exes (hubby and wife) fighting their bitterness in space was amusing too.
I can't believe the end though, as I was certain that this should be book I, hello Mr. Joshua, please write the sequel!! ;-)
November 12, 2021
This was almost a 3.5 stars, but I knocked it down for the ending. Seven characters start the book, not all seven make it to the end of the book. I liked the idea of the isolation of returning to an Earth 800 years after leaving and finding it *very* different. Unfortunately, it devolved into a weird hybrid of Lord of the Flies by way of PUBG and well, I just didn't connect to any of the characters, and I felt there was no way for the astronauts on Earth to survive under the conditions that the author dumped them into. But I was willing to go along for their journey so why did I hate the ending?
So I was left dissatisfied with the questions that the author raised and then refused to answer while saying in the afterword it was a complete story and to not expect an sequels while dangling sequel bait all over.
So I was left dissatisfied with the questions that the author raised and then refused to answer while saying in the afterword it was a complete story and to not expect an sequels while dangling sequel bait all over.
September 24, 2018
This story was missing some things that I think would have made it better. The story was about a group of people who went on a 400 year journey to a distant planet to explore it. But there is little or nothing in the story about what they found. Instead the story focuses on the disagreements and violence between the crew of the ship as it returns to Earth. That story line to me is old, meaning its been used many times before by sci fi writer, and it does not make for a good sci fi book, in my opinion. In real life we have never seen the crew of space vehicle battle and turn on each other. So in this story its just not believable.
Then their ship got a warning not to go to Earth as it had been ravaged by a plague or something. But they went anyway with the excuse that they did not have enough fuel to turn around and go to Mars from whom they had received the warning. It did not seem believable to me that the lander that became the center of the story could be better equipped with supplies and technology than the main part of the ship. And I could not find a reason why they did not get in the lander when their ship was in danger, vs all hunkering down in the main cabin. Then, how could you have a lander that could be used to explore another planet but could NOT be used to get back to the ground on Earth and then back into the sky. Stuff just, to me, did not add up.
Then their ship got a warning not to go to Earth as it had been ravaged by a plague or something. But they went anyway with the excuse that they did not have enough fuel to turn around and go to Mars from whom they had received the warning. It did not seem believable to me that the lander that became the center of the story could be better equipped with supplies and technology than the main part of the ship. And I could not find a reason why they did not get in the lander when their ship was in danger, vs all hunkering down in the main cabin. Then, how could you have a lander that could be used to explore another planet but could NOT be used to get back to the ground on Earth and then back into the sky. Stuff just, to me, did not add up.
March 31, 2018
Something different from one of my favourite authors...
For the first few pages I was thinking, wait, what's this.. Totally different..
Once the story really kicked in ... Loved it.
Just goes to show that even when a good author steps out of the "normal" bounds one has come to associate with that said author, the story will still be as captivating and enjoyable as the other works one has become used to.
I for one woudn't mind reading more centered around the same theme even if it's not made into a series.
For the first few pages I was thinking, wait, what's this.. Totally different..
Once the story really kicked in ... Loved it.
Just goes to show that even when a good author steps out of the "normal" bounds one has come to associate with that said author, the story will still be as captivating and enjoyable as the other works one has become used to.
I for one woudn't mind reading more centered around the same theme even if it's not made into a series.
March 31, 2018
Humans are violent and unreasonable
So. You take off to a whole new world, knowing that if and when you get back to earth everyone you ever knew will have been dead for a thousand years. And yet you are surprised by all the changes. Huh.
I enjoyed reading this, but the reaction of the crew members on reaching Earth, and the actions they take made me subtract one star from my review. I understand that they weren't NASA material, and that it was a civilian ship, but still.
I can't say anything about the actual changes to Earth without giving too many spoilers, but that not one of the crew members even considered the possibility seems farfetched.
Results: it kept my interest and was well written. There was no graphic sex, and though there was a good bit of violence, it wasn't gory.
So. You take off to a whole new world, knowing that if and when you get back to earth everyone you ever knew will have been dead for a thousand years. And yet you are surprised by all the changes. Huh.
I enjoyed reading this, but the reaction of the crew members on reaching Earth, and the actions they take made me subtract one star from my review. I understand that they weren't NASA material, and that it was a civilian ship, but still.
I can't say anything about the actual changes to Earth without giving too many spoilers, but that not one of the crew members even considered the possibility seems farfetched.
Results: it kept my interest and was well written. There was no graphic sex, and though there was a good bit of violence, it wasn't gory.
July 27, 2018
Oh what a letdown! I feel really disappointed.
This book was so promising, it literally hurt me when I realized that I was being put off by bad character portrayal and stupid little plot twists.
Why did you have to make the ship commander so attentive to detail and then make him commit a stupid oversight? Why??
Why do the “bad guys” have to be so irredeemably bad and the “good guys” so perfectly good? They both fall into such neat categories, so easily recognizable, so bland and one dimensional!
Maybe the author could’ve named the “good savage” “Friday” in an outright wink to Robinson Crusoe, why not?
And the ending was even worse, the book just dies.
It left me with the sensation that the author run out of ideas and didn’t know how to end it.
This book is q 4 star in the begging and 1 star 3/4 onwards.
Fails in the execution is my conclusion.
This book was so promising, it literally hurt me when I realized that I was being put off by bad character portrayal and stupid little plot twists.
Why did you have to make the ship commander so attentive to detail and then make him commit a stupid oversight? Why??
Why do the “bad guys” have to be so irredeemably bad and the “good guys” so perfectly good? They both fall into such neat categories, so easily recognizable, so bland and one dimensional!
Maybe the author could’ve named the “good savage” “Friday” in an outright wink to Robinson Crusoe, why not?
And the ending was even worse, the book just dies.
It left me with the sensation that the author run out of ideas and didn’t know how to end it.
This book is q 4 star in the begging and 1 star 3/4 onwards.
Fails in the execution is my conclusion.
October 22, 2018
Perfect sci-fi. Just right amount of science, clear fiction you can dive into and understand everything, characters you can root for, satisfying resolution and impressive amount of clarity in writing. It's astonishing how easy it is to follow without being simplistic at all. Au contraire, it's masterful and telling as much with what's not being said as with what is.
When doctor orders sci-fi for your specific condition or good book for your general mental health, you read Blushift.
When doctor orders sci-fi for your specific condition or good book for your general mental health, you read Blushift.
October 30, 2018
Wow. What a hidden gem of a book. I REALLY enjoyed this one - from start to finish - it was all great. Honestly, this is on par with The Martian. I will definitely be following the author for more stories like this.
August 31, 2020
Not bad. The ending threw me for a bit but it was also very realistic. I have to say that I did expect the commander to make a more pragmatic and less honor-driven decision regarding the traitors though.
June 11, 2021
Unfortunately, this book did not live up to the premise. The characters were shallow caricatures of people and the plot was dull. I became bored about 20% of the way in. The ending was unsatisfying and boring. I do not recommend this one.
May 2, 2018
Good SIFI
Original story line good sci-fi well written hope he writes a sequel. Nice development and the realistic lack of morality in these types of situations was refreshing
Original story line good sci-fi well written hope he writes a sequel. Nice development and the realistic lack of morality in these types of situations was refreshing
April 9, 2021
This book reminded me a bit of Stargate Universe in that was a high drama science fiction survival story where infighting and mistrust are the major sources of attrition. This particular genre of book is not the most pleasant to read, since most of the characters are unlikable or unrelatable and the setting is quite depressing.
Dalzelle did some interesting world-building, though. He seems like he's setting up some sequels and/or prequels, though, because he doesn't really get into any information about what was at the star they traveled to and we don't learn much about the remaining human society on Earth or in Mars. It's clear that we are only seeing glimpses of both of those, and that for some reason we are not given the whole story, but even at the end of the book it is not revealed quite why.
I am not sure I think that the course of human evolution would naturally make us a much more physically adept species after a major depopulation event, considering that 1M years of pre-industrial evolution did not produce a creature with great physical endowments and instead favored intelligence. Especially considering that it seems that technological and industrial society survived at least to some degree; one would imagine that the strongest selective pressure would still be on cleverness, ability to act cooperatively and ability to make tools, not sheer brute strength and speed. That said, maybe in the subsequent novels we'll find that this is not a natural state of being, and that the wild, powerful humans we see are the result of some program of genetic engineering.
In any case, while I would not go out of my way to recommend it, I enjoyed this book and would certainly read the sequel.
Dalzelle did some interesting world-building, though. He seems like he's setting up some sequels and/or prequels, though, because he doesn't really get into any information about what was at the star they traveled to and we don't learn much about the remaining human society on Earth or in Mars. It's clear that we are only seeing glimpses of both of those, and that for some reason we are not given the whole story, but even at the end of the book it is not revealed quite why.
I am not sure I think that the course of human evolution would naturally make us a much more physically adept species after a major depopulation event, considering that 1M years of pre-industrial evolution did not produce a creature with great physical endowments and instead favored intelligence. Especially considering that it seems that technological and industrial society survived at least to some degree; one would imagine that the strongest selective pressure would still be on cleverness, ability to act cooperatively and ability to make tools, not sheer brute strength and speed. That said, maybe in the subsequent novels we'll find that this is not a natural state of being, and that the wild, powerful humans we see are the result of some program of genetic engineering.
In any case, while I would not go out of my way to recommend it, I enjoyed this book and would certainly read the sequel.
May 8, 2023
Blueshift by Joshua Dalzelle
This was a space travel book that follows a group of people who take off for another planet for 400years before they eventually return back to earth. It was very atmospheric in its descriptions of outer space. Which made the story more enjoyable because I could picture what they were seeing as they were flying in outer space. The main story focuses on the crew there are some complexities to their dynamic with each other. I was a bit surprised though when they returned to earth that they as a crew where surprised by the changes on earth since they were gone.
Beyond this the book was enjoyable and I would read something else from this author in the future.
This was a space travel book that follows a group of people who take off for another planet for 400years before they eventually return back to earth. It was very atmospheric in its descriptions of outer space. Which made the story more enjoyable because I could picture what they were seeing as they were flying in outer space. The main story focuses on the crew there are some complexities to their dynamic with each other. I was a bit surprised though when they returned to earth that they as a crew where surprised by the changes on earth since they were gone.
Beyond this the book was enjoyable and I would read something else from this author in the future.
April 23, 2018
This is out of left field for Dalzelle, something totally different to his usual Omega Force and Black Fleet Series.
This book is far removed from those books, there are no alien invasions, or a Heroic crew saving the galaxy.
In Blueshift, an eccentric billionaire has paid (and raised a fair bit of the capital), for a starship to be built to travel to a faraway star, and then return to Earth. The only catch? With relativistic speeds and distances, the crew, although they will be in cryosleep for long periods of time, will be gone for over 800+years before they return to Earth. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Are we there yet?’
Unfortunately, being a privately funded trip, there were some things that weren’t given a lot of consideration, such as the psychological evaluations and compatibility of the crew. Like two of the crew are actually a couple who have been married and since divorced, and kind of hate each other. The eccentric who funded it then decides he is actually going to go at the last minute, making everyone a little on edge. The rest of the crew are all a little bit ‘different’ each in their own kind of way, brilliant sure, but with their own eccentricities and most either bordering on some form of psychosis, or having all the warmth of an asteroid in the Kuiper belt…
Dalzelle has always written some outstanding characters, it is always one of his strengths in all his books, his characters in the Black Fleet series give it an edge that makes it a stand-out not only in its genre, but just Sci-Fi series in general.
In Blueshift though, he has raised the bar again, it is like he has been studying the human psyche so he can write these characters like exquisite pieces of art. From the ex-Military Captain of the spaceship, who barely keeps control of the ship, to the sleazy mechanic, who can’t resist making a pass at female crew members, to the ships biological expert, who has a genius IQ, but the empathy of psycho-killer, and then there is the Billionaire who paid for it all, who then decides at the last minute to come along, but wants to spend the entire mission in his cryo-tube. There are several other characters, and they are all just exceptional. The dialogue and interactions between the crew are compelling reading, keeping you totally absorbed in the story. You suddenly find you have lost hours with this book, getting totally lost in the story, captivated by the characters, and needing to find out what is going to happen next as one thrill after another unfolds.
The story, as alluded to earlier, follows the crew of a starship that has returned to Earth several hundred years into the future. Expecting to find an Earth that has evolved and a human race that has advanced by several hundred years, they instead find an Earth with no signals, no emissions, no lights, no nothing. Civilisation has gone.
Thus begins this fascinating story as the crew returns to their home planet to try and uncover the truth.
I don’t want to give too much away, this is an amazing story, that takes a bit of time to introduce the characters, but once they reach Earth, it is non-stop action, fast-moving thrills, with twists and turns you don’t see coming. That has all been said before I know, but this story is different, it is a truly extraordinary piece of writing, and although it is science fiction, you can actually believe this unfolding, Dalzelle has done a lot of research to keep it real.
If you are a fan of Dalzelle’s, you will want to give it a go, as even though it is different, it is some of his best writing yet. For everyone else, this is a brilliant sci-fi story, with elements of Mil Sci-Fi, Colonisation, Space Exploration, Time Travel, Post-Apocalyptic, Hard Sci-Fi, but most of all, just some exceptional character writing.
If you had any interest in the ‘concept’ of After Earth, this is similar, but just a 100% better.
Give it a go, you will not be disappointed, it is a brilliant read.
This book is far removed from those books, there are no alien invasions, or a Heroic crew saving the galaxy.
In Blueshift, an eccentric billionaire has paid (and raised a fair bit of the capital), for a starship to be built to travel to a faraway star, and then return to Earth. The only catch? With relativistic speeds and distances, the crew, although they will be in cryosleep for long periods of time, will be gone for over 800+years before they return to Earth. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Are we there yet?’
Unfortunately, being a privately funded trip, there were some things that weren’t given a lot of consideration, such as the psychological evaluations and compatibility of the crew. Like two of the crew are actually a couple who have been married and since divorced, and kind of hate each other. The eccentric who funded it then decides he is actually going to go at the last minute, making everyone a little on edge. The rest of the crew are all a little bit ‘different’ each in their own kind of way, brilliant sure, but with their own eccentricities and most either bordering on some form of psychosis, or having all the warmth of an asteroid in the Kuiper belt…
Dalzelle has always written some outstanding characters, it is always one of his strengths in all his books, his characters in the Black Fleet series give it an edge that makes it a stand-out not only in its genre, but just Sci-Fi series in general.
In Blueshift though, he has raised the bar again, it is like he has been studying the human psyche so he can write these characters like exquisite pieces of art. From the ex-Military Captain of the spaceship, who barely keeps control of the ship, to the sleazy mechanic, who can’t resist making a pass at female crew members, to the ships biological expert, who has a genius IQ, but the empathy of psycho-killer, and then there is the Billionaire who paid for it all, who then decides at the last minute to come along, but wants to spend the entire mission in his cryo-tube. There are several other characters, and they are all just exceptional. The dialogue and interactions between the crew are compelling reading, keeping you totally absorbed in the story. You suddenly find you have lost hours with this book, getting totally lost in the story, captivated by the characters, and needing to find out what is going to happen next as one thrill after another unfolds.
The story, as alluded to earlier, follows the crew of a starship that has returned to Earth several hundred years into the future. Expecting to find an Earth that has evolved and a human race that has advanced by several hundred years, they instead find an Earth with no signals, no emissions, no lights, no nothing. Civilisation has gone.
Thus begins this fascinating story as the crew returns to their home planet to try and uncover the truth.
I don’t want to give too much away, this is an amazing story, that takes a bit of time to introduce the characters, but once they reach Earth, it is non-stop action, fast-moving thrills, with twists and turns you don’t see coming. That has all been said before I know, but this story is different, it is a truly extraordinary piece of writing, and although it is science fiction, you can actually believe this unfolding, Dalzelle has done a lot of research to keep it real.
If you are a fan of Dalzelle’s, you will want to give it a go, as even though it is different, it is some of his best writing yet. For everyone else, this is a brilliant sci-fi story, with elements of Mil Sci-Fi, Colonisation, Space Exploration, Time Travel, Post-Apocalyptic, Hard Sci-Fi, but most of all, just some exceptional character writing.
If you had any interest in the ‘concept’ of After Earth, this is similar, but just a 100% better.
Give it a go, you will not be disappointed, it is a brilliant read.
July 19, 2018
“Blueshift” by Joshua Dalzelle – The Vanishing of Humanity
Joshua Dalzelle's Long Space Trip
As the novel opens we are presented to a crew of people hired by an eccentric billionaire to explore a distant star in outer space. The catch lies in the fact it will take over eight hundred years to make the trip there and back to Earth. To complicate matters further, at the last second, the billionaire decides he will join the expedition himself. To everyone's amazement, the journey turns out to be relatively successful despite them running into a few perils. When they make it back to Earth is when things take a turn for the strange; rather than an evolved humanity, what greets them back is utter silence. Without any signs of life to speak of, it seems as if humanity has up and vanished into thin air.
Psychological Incompatibilities
As one might expect, this isn't the type of novel overflowing with characters, rather focusing on a small tightly-knit group of people who are more or less developing their own inner mini-society, so to speak. At the onset some of them might feel a bit typical, such as the captain who can barely keep the crew together, the genius scientist who never heard the concept of empathy, or the greasy mechanic who never fails to make a pass at the female crew members.
Joshua Dalzelle is an absolute master at making this small cast of characters fascinating, not only in terms of their personalities but also their interactions. Virtually every crew member, despite being a genius or extremely capable in one way or another, has some eccentricity or psychological issues to deal with. The immense weight of their eight hundred-year journey as well as their discovery when returning home is never forgotten throughout the book.
The Greatest Murder Mystery
Moving on from the characters, we still have a rather ambitious premise for a story, the vanishing of human civilization. Even though we know it's coming based on the book's description, Dalzelle still builds up to it quite skillfully and takes his time to acquaint us with the universe we're stepping into. It takes a few moments to get going, but once we begin delving into the actual mystery we're all set up and ready to go.
While this is a science-fiction story, I feel one of its main strengths is just how believably it's all written. Dalzelle doesn't introduce insane gadgets or concepts we could only dream of implementing in real life. Rather, it all stays very grounded and focuses much more on the characters and their predicament rather than the technological setting. The psychological and mystery aspects always remain at the forefront of the writing.
The Final Verdict
Bringing this show to a close, Blueshift by Joshua Dalzelle is an exceptionally engaging science-fiction novel, different from what we're used to seeing from the author in all the good ways. If you enjoy sci-fi novels which focus more on mystery and character development this will definitely be right up your alley.
This was an abridged version of our review. If you'd like to read the full one, you can do so here: https://bookwormex.com/blueshift-josh...
Joshua Dalzelle's Long Space Trip
As the novel opens we are presented to a crew of people hired by an eccentric billionaire to explore a distant star in outer space. The catch lies in the fact it will take over eight hundred years to make the trip there and back to Earth. To complicate matters further, at the last second, the billionaire decides he will join the expedition himself. To everyone's amazement, the journey turns out to be relatively successful despite them running into a few perils. When they make it back to Earth is when things take a turn for the strange; rather than an evolved humanity, what greets them back is utter silence. Without any signs of life to speak of, it seems as if humanity has up and vanished into thin air.
Psychological Incompatibilities
As one might expect, this isn't the type of novel overflowing with characters, rather focusing on a small tightly-knit group of people who are more or less developing their own inner mini-society, so to speak. At the onset some of them might feel a bit typical, such as the captain who can barely keep the crew together, the genius scientist who never heard the concept of empathy, or the greasy mechanic who never fails to make a pass at the female crew members.
Joshua Dalzelle is an absolute master at making this small cast of characters fascinating, not only in terms of their personalities but also their interactions. Virtually every crew member, despite being a genius or extremely capable in one way or another, has some eccentricity or psychological issues to deal with. The immense weight of their eight hundred-year journey as well as their discovery when returning home is never forgotten throughout the book.
The Greatest Murder Mystery
Moving on from the characters, we still have a rather ambitious premise for a story, the vanishing of human civilization. Even though we know it's coming based on the book's description, Dalzelle still builds up to it quite skillfully and takes his time to acquaint us with the universe we're stepping into. It takes a few moments to get going, but once we begin delving into the actual mystery we're all set up and ready to go.
While this is a science-fiction story, I feel one of its main strengths is just how believably it's all written. Dalzelle doesn't introduce insane gadgets or concepts we could only dream of implementing in real life. Rather, it all stays very grounded and focuses much more on the characters and their predicament rather than the technological setting. The psychological and mystery aspects always remain at the forefront of the writing.
The Final Verdict
Bringing this show to a close, Blueshift by Joshua Dalzelle is an exceptionally engaging science-fiction novel, different from what we're used to seeing from the author in all the good ways. If you enjoy sci-fi novels which focus more on mystery and character development this will definitely be right up your alley.
This was an abridged version of our review. If you'd like to read the full one, you can do so here: https://bookwormex.com/blueshift-josh...
September 15, 2021
A classic example of human survival behaviour in a rather interesting scenario. There are no real surprises in this adventure, even the ironic twist seemed inevitable, but I thoroughly enjoyed the tale. The story focuses on the drama of the situation but the world created was quite interesting and I would have enjoyed learning more about this version of our future.
I didn't really fall in love with any of the characters apart from Captain Marcus and it was really a tale about his experience for me, even though we get a number of perspectives. I properly despised the nasty crew members as I suspect the author intended. I was a bit disappointed when certain pairs of characters seemed to suddenly switch their outlooks, it was a little inconsistent but didn't really ruin the story at all.
This book has the distinction of being the first book I've read which places an f-bomb as the very first word, but don't let that fool you, there are some delicious passages and nice unique metaphors (or similies or analogies) in Blueshift.
I didn't really fall in love with any of the characters apart from Captain Marcus and it was really a tale about his experience for me, even though we get a number of perspectives. I properly despised the nasty crew members as I suspect the author intended. I was a bit disappointed when certain pairs of characters seemed to suddenly switch their outlooks, it was a little inconsistent but didn't really ruin the story at all.
This book has the distinction of being the first book I've read which places an f-bomb as the very first word, but don't let that fool you, there are some delicious passages and nice unique metaphors (or similies or analogies) in Blueshift.
July 30, 2022
A writer who can string words together very well, and knows his tech. The idea for this is enjoyable.
Unfortunately it’s spoilt by some editing misses and by the constant rewriting of the characters’ … characters.
She’s a sociopath. No she’s not, she feels deeply for a wounded crew mate. And has a moral compass. Now she’s a sociopath again. Now she’s not.
I’m happy for Xavier to die. No, I’m not, I want him to live. No I don’t, I don’t care about him at all. Wait, he died? You b*****. You killed him!
Suddenly a character has thinning hair and a paunch 40% thru the book.
Etc.
The sexual content is realistic occasionally but forced and clunky. The f-bombs seem to be in the wrong position in sentences as if the characters don’t know how to swear.
A shame. Because the idea is interesting and held my attention to the end.
I’m conflicted over this one, hence the three stars. Straight down the middle.
Unfortunately it’s spoilt by some editing misses and by the constant rewriting of the characters’ … characters.
She’s a sociopath. No she’s not, she feels deeply for a wounded crew mate. And has a moral compass. Now she’s a sociopath again. Now she’s not.
I’m happy for Xavier to die. No, I’m not, I want him to live. No I don’t, I don’t care about him at all. Wait, he died? You b*****. You killed him!
Suddenly a character has thinning hair and a paunch 40% thru the book.
Etc.
The sexual content is realistic occasionally but forced and clunky. The f-bombs seem to be in the wrong position in sentences as if the characters don’t know how to swear.
A shame. Because the idea is interesting and held my attention to the end.
I’m conflicted over this one, hence the three stars. Straight down the middle.
April 30, 2018
Blueshift (Kindle Edition) by Joshua Dalzelle
It was an interesting read. The premise was rather stretched thin, but the author did make do. The characters were all rather one dimensional, until they each evolved in whatever fashion. The plot was driven by circumstance and characters, but really was an interesting journey.
I enjoyed the various relationships of the crew members in this book, and they felt authentic. And when each of the crew started to go beyond his to her "norm" that was when he plot really did get going.
Yes, there are some continuity problems, but happily they are minor, but do detract. I'm thinking of how someone can be shot in the back, when they are advancing towards you.
Anyways, it's a fair read.
It was an interesting read. The premise was rather stretched thin, but the author did make do. The characters were all rather one dimensional, until they each evolved in whatever fashion. The plot was driven by circumstance and characters, but really was an interesting journey.
I enjoyed the various relationships of the crew members in this book, and they felt authentic. And when each of the crew started to go beyond his to her "norm" that was when he plot really did get going.
Yes, there are some continuity problems, but happily they are minor, but do detract. I'm thinking of how someone can be shot in the back, when they are advancing towards you.
Anyways, it's a fair read.
June 15, 2019
Well, it was different
I knew this book had nothing in common with the series Joshua had written to date, of which I had read each and every book. I simply read it because of how much I admired Joshua’s writing style. I didn’t think that anyone could top Jay Allan’s flair for military sci-fi, but Joshua won me over. Allan’s propensity to rack up HUGE body counts was wearing on my soul. Dalzelle managed to avoid that pitfall and still manages to get the job done. At this juncture I would rather read Dalzelle than Allan. I do feel that this book left too many unanswered questions, which Joshua himself pointed out, and would like to see some kind of followup. Great read if somewhat off the beaten track of Joshua’s usual fair. Lets have a sequel, please.
I knew this book had nothing in common with the series Joshua had written to date, of which I had read each and every book. I simply read it because of how much I admired Joshua’s writing style. I didn’t think that anyone could top Jay Allan’s flair for military sci-fi, but Joshua won me over. Allan’s propensity to rack up HUGE body counts was wearing on my soul. Dalzelle managed to avoid that pitfall and still manages to get the job done. At this juncture I would rather read Dalzelle than Allan. I do feel that this book left too many unanswered questions, which Joshua himself pointed out, and would like to see some kind of followup. Great read if somewhat off the beaten track of Joshua’s usual fair. Lets have a sequel, please.
September 14, 2019
The space ship Daedalus is heading back to Earth from Angel-21, a planet over 100 light years away. The crew has spent several periods in stasis chambers to allow them to survive the 800 year round trip. As they approach Earth, they can detect no electromagnetic radiation, or any thing else to indicate it there is any life on their home planet. Space debris, accumulated over the centuries, strikes the Daedalus as it enters Earth orbit. Before the damaged ship falls out of orbit and crashes to Earth, the surviving seven crew members establish a communications like with a Martian colony. What they find on Earth, and how they deal with the situations that arise makes a very interesting story, albeit drastically different from Joshua Dalzelle's previous efforts.
August 26, 2019
Variety is the spice of life
I honestly didn't even read the synopsis before picking this up. It's by Joshua so I'm gonna read it. I even found myself asking where the mil-scifi was gonna pop up. Pretty much no where. But it's a good thing! Very smooth backstory filling for how fast the reader has to get caught up on things. I maybe would tone back the "all the women are hot" bits. It's not over the top by any means but just a couple more unnecessary descriptions and it'd get weird.
All in all I'd say this is a definite pick up if you want a thrilling ride that's an easy uncomplicated read.
I honestly didn't even read the synopsis before picking this up. It's by Joshua so I'm gonna read it. I even found myself asking where the mil-scifi was gonna pop up. Pretty much no where. But it's a good thing! Very smooth backstory filling for how fast the reader has to get caught up on things. I maybe would tone back the "all the women are hot" bits. It's not over the top by any means but just a couple more unnecessary descriptions and it'd get weird.
All in all I'd say this is a definite pick up if you want a thrilling ride that's an easy uncomplicated read.
March 30, 2018
An amazing change from his usual work but a challenging read
The plot is scary and challenging of belief. But he pulls it off. Then with all the conflict comes the resolution and it is so surprising. I know this is scy fi but it also seems a psyco plot. Not his usual fare but a very fun read. I do hope we get to see some of this plot go on and unfold in another volume. The character strengths and challenges are big enough to pull it off. This one will have to get a good slower re-read. Wow. Good job.
The plot is scary and challenging of belief. But he pulls it off. Then with all the conflict comes the resolution and it is so surprising. I know this is scy fi but it also seems a psyco plot. Not his usual fare but a very fun read. I do hope we get to see some of this plot go on and unfold in another volume. The character strengths and challenges are big enough to pull it off. This one will have to get a good slower re-read. Wow. Good job.
April 15, 2018
3.5/5
I would've rated higher but there were quite a few continuity errors and generally editing faults to be able to. I enjoyed the premise but the execution felt like it was rushed or a project that wasnt priority 1 on the authors todo list causing him to overlook plot holes.
I would recommend for young adults wanting an introductory book to Science Fiction where logic doesnt really play a large part in their enjoyment of it but there were too many unrealistic aspects to this story for me to really connect to it.
I would've rated higher but there were quite a few continuity errors and generally editing faults to be able to. I enjoyed the premise but the execution felt like it was rushed or a project that wasnt priority 1 on the authors todo list causing him to overlook plot holes.
I would recommend for young adults wanting an introductory book to Science Fiction where logic doesnt really play a large part in their enjoyment of it but there were too many unrealistic aspects to this story for me to really connect to it.
June 1, 2018
Needs a companion star
Please write a "Redshift". This is a cracking story which for those familiar with "The Three Body Problem" locates the "dark forest" theory in very local terms, seven people who've been to the stars fighting each other to get off an Earth 800 years from now; both primitive and yet possessed of residual tech and wild humans desirous of nothing so much as using it to kill the returned and ancient travellers. Meanwhile a rescue mission from Mars Colony is heading their way with a clock ticking to get them to the hyper-civilised Red Planet.
Please write a "Redshift". This is a cracking story which for those familiar with "The Three Body Problem" locates the "dark forest" theory in very local terms, seven people who've been to the stars fighting each other to get off an Earth 800 years from now; both primitive and yet possessed of residual tech and wild humans desirous of nothing so much as using it to kill the returned and ancient travellers. Meanwhile a rescue mission from Mars Colony is heading their way with a clock ticking to get them to the hyper-civilised Red Planet.
August 10, 2018
Dalzelle at his best so far..
I’ve been reading Dalzelle for a while now and have really enjoyed the Black Fleet/Expansion series. When I realized he had some new out that I hadn’t read yet (Omega series is on my to-do list) I picked this up immediately. I bought a Kindle version of this last night and 24 hours later I’m done and loved it. I highly recommend this book and I hope that Josh decided to do Redshift to explain some of the tantalizing mysteries he left. I agree the book can definitely stand on its own.
I’ve been reading Dalzelle for a while now and have really enjoyed the Black Fleet/Expansion series. When I realized he had some new out that I hadn’t read yet (Omega series is on my to-do list) I picked this up immediately. I bought a Kindle version of this last night and 24 hours later I’m done and loved it. I highly recommend this book and I hope that Josh decided to do Redshift to explain some of the tantalizing mysteries he left. I agree the book can definitely stand on its own.
May 22, 2018
Slower read
I understand this book is more about crew dynamics then space and sci-fi however without more development regarding mars, complete wipeout of major infrastructure, lack of radiation, total nomadic fallback etc. just feels a bit flat. Not a bad read just not overly interesting.
I understand this book is more about crew dynamics then space and sci-fi however without more development regarding mars, complete wipeout of major infrastructure, lack of radiation, total nomadic fallback etc. just feels a bit flat. Not a bad read just not overly interesting.
December 7, 2022
( Format : Audiobook )
"Brace for impact."
During the course of the Daedalus' journey outside of the solar system and back, two thirds of the crew have died and the remaining seven will be returning to the future as over eight hundred years will have passed for the earth. We readers join the surviving crew members shortly before they get back to earth and the worrying sight of a planet neither responding to radio signals nor lit on the night side. Not quite the homecoming they'd been expecting. And there were already tensions between the protagonists...
A most enjoyable story, different from most modern science fiction books, without alien attacks, star ship battles or the like, but still with intrigue and action. The characterisation is sketchy at times but vivid enough to build viable mental images especially of Markus, the nominated captain (the Daedalus was a civilian ship commissioned by a millionaire looking for a futuristic lifestyle with every benefit money could buy). Narrator Paul Heitsch further breathes life into them with his fine performance.A
A stand alone S.F. adventure from Joshua Dalzelle, Blueshift, though not perfect, is well worth reading: it is an easy and pleasurable eight plus hours in the company of Heitch and the somewhat unstable travellers returning from space. My thanks to Audible who made this book freely available on the Audible Plus programme.
"Brace for impact."
During the course of the Daedalus' journey outside of the solar system and back, two thirds of the crew have died and the remaining seven will be returning to the future as over eight hundred years will have passed for the earth. We readers join the surviving crew members shortly before they get back to earth and the worrying sight of a planet neither responding to radio signals nor lit on the night side. Not quite the homecoming they'd been expecting. And there were already tensions between the protagonists...
A most enjoyable story, different from most modern science fiction books, without alien attacks, star ship battles or the like, but still with intrigue and action. The characterisation is sketchy at times but vivid enough to build viable mental images especially of Markus, the nominated captain (the Daedalus was a civilian ship commissioned by a millionaire looking for a futuristic lifestyle with every benefit money could buy). Narrator Paul Heitsch further breathes life into them with his fine performance.A
A stand alone S.F. adventure from Joshua Dalzelle, Blueshift, though not perfect, is well worth reading: it is an easy and pleasurable eight plus hours in the company of Heitch and the somewhat unstable travellers returning from space. My thanks to Audible who made this book freely available on the Audible Plus programme.
January 8, 2023
Blueshift is a standalone novel by J Dalzelle which I picked up because I was a huge fan of his other
series. This book is nothing like his other ones, but I still found it entertaining. It almost had the feel of
being a rip-off of the Planet of the Apes' novels. A crew returning to earth from a space journey finds
earth in an entirely different situation than it was before they left. Stranded on their home planet with little
hope of being rescued, the survivors devolve into a Lord of the Flies situation and start cannibalizing (not
literally) themselves. Overall, despite the dark material, the book was an engaging read that I enjoyed but
most definitely will not be reading again. My largest complaint I have about the book is the resolution.
When they finally get “rescued” by the humans who were now living on Mars, the book abruptly ends. I
think an opportunity was lost in the telling of the story as to how in a short 800 years, man had devolved
on Earth and man had evolved on Mars.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I
read it again.
series. This book is nothing like his other ones, but I still found it entertaining. It almost had the feel of
being a rip-off of the Planet of the Apes' novels. A crew returning to earth from a space journey finds
earth in an entirely different situation than it was before they left. Stranded on their home planet with little
hope of being rescued, the survivors devolve into a Lord of the Flies situation and start cannibalizing (not
literally) themselves. Overall, despite the dark material, the book was an engaging read that I enjoyed but
most definitely will not be reading again. My largest complaint I have about the book is the resolution.
When they finally get “rescued” by the humans who were now living on Mars, the book abruptly ends. I
think an opportunity was lost in the telling of the story as to how in a short 800 years, man had devolved
on Earth and man had evolved on Mars.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I
read it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2022
An ebook that has been sitting on my shelf for a while. Time to give it a go. I don't recall how I obtained it. I had read one other Dalzelle novel and this is not anything like what I was expecting.
Well it was an interesting concept. And I can't imagine the volumes of research that were discarded along the development of the final product.
I am a bit torn it that I did not really like any of the characters. So it was hard to root for anyone in particular to the ending. There could have been a bit more character development. I did greatly appreciate the afterword comments about the crew not being Star Trek, but more Dark Star. That I could relate to. But it was really supposed to be all about the lengths individuals will go to ensure their personal survival. There was not a lot of technical wonders for me to ooh and awe over.
The ending was about the only way it could have ended. It is a complete story all in its own. I don't have enough invested in our protagonists to clammer for a sequel, but I would likely read a followup if one is out there.
Go find your next GoodReads
Well it was an interesting concept. And I can't imagine the volumes of research that were discarded along the development of the final product.
I am a bit torn it that I did not really like any of the characters. So it was hard to root for anyone in particular to the ending. There could have been a bit more character development. I did greatly appreciate the afterword comments about the crew not being Star Trek, but more Dark Star. That I could relate to. But it was really supposed to be all about the lengths individuals will go to ensure their personal survival. There was not a lot of technical wonders for me to ooh and awe over.
The ending was about the only way it could have ended. It is a complete story all in its own. I don't have enough invested in our protagonists to clammer for a sequel, but I would likely read a followup if one is out there.
Go find your next GoodReads
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