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Outer Red #1
Outer Red: Part One: Off The Given Path
Outer Red - Part One: Off The Given Path is part of a four part short story series that will eventually be combined into a full book at a later date. Outer Red is the journey of a young female Commander as she travels through space in her ship - The Goldilocks. Together with her computer companion, Grimm, they must retrieve vital information for The Galactic Kingdom before a new threat invades it. It’s a new spin on classic fables set against the backdrop of science fiction/fantasy.
ebook
First published July 14, 2018
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About the author
Jeff Walker
25 books59 followersJeff Walker is a Canadian author of original science fiction adventures known for imaginative world-building, cinematic pacing, and compelling character-driven narratives. Writing under the imprint Jeff Walker Books, he creates expansive speculative universes that explore deep-space discovery, alien environments, and humanity’s resilience in the face of the unknown.
His works include the action-driven space opera Outer Red, the survival-focused planetary adventure The Jungle Planet, and the large-scale exploration epic The Massive Planet: The Adventures of Deep Contact, among a growing catalog of speculative fiction titles. Across his novels and serialized projects, Walker blends classic sci-fi sensibilities with modern storytelling energy, delivering accessible, engaging fiction for a wide range of readers.
His writing emphasizes clarity, momentum, and immersive settings that appeal to fans of adventurous science fiction.
His works include the action-driven space opera Outer Red, the survival-focused planetary adventure The Jungle Planet, and the large-scale exploration epic The Massive Planet: The Adventures of Deep Contact, among a growing catalog of speculative fiction titles. Across his novels and serialized projects, Walker blends classic sci-fi sensibilities with modern storytelling energy, delivering accessible, engaging fiction for a wide range of readers.
His writing emphasizes clarity, momentum, and immersive settings that appeal to fans of adventurous science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 14, 2019
Such a creative retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood!
In Off The Given Path, the beginning of the Outer Red series, we meet Red, the last survivor of the Riding Hoods, defenders of the Galactic Kingdom.
The young, red-headed Commander ("Red") of the starship Goldilocks is warned not to stray from the path of her mission, but is shot down onto an alien planet. She and her A.I. GRIMM search the planet for anything to help repair and power the ship. They find another (alien) organic ship with uncomfortable mossy stump-rock seats, other items that are too cold or too hot -- you get the picture.
Once Red manages to get Goldilocks up and running, she knows she must get back on her path or risk running into The Darkness, an army ("dominion") of Wolves. A basket of information, really a data drive, is given to her to take back to her people, to help arm them against the return of The Darkness.
I was gifted the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review. In this audio version the narration by Dana Dae was very good, especially voicing the rather sarcastic A.I. However, some transitions and edited-in changes were less than seamless, resulting in volume inconsistencies and breaks that were a bit distracting.
In Off The Given Path, the beginning of the Outer Red series, we meet Red, the last survivor of the Riding Hoods, defenders of the Galactic Kingdom.
The young, red-headed Commander ("Red") of the starship Goldilocks is warned not to stray from the path of her mission, but is shot down onto an alien planet. She and her A.I. GRIMM search the planet for anything to help repair and power the ship. They find another (alien) organic ship with uncomfortable mossy stump-rock seats, other items that are too cold or too hot -- you get the picture.
Once Red manages to get Goldilocks up and running, she knows she must get back on her path or risk running into The Darkness, an army ("dominion") of Wolves. A basket of information, really a data drive, is given to her to take back to her people, to help arm them against the return of The Darkness.
I was gifted the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review. In this audio version the narration by Dana Dae was very good, especially voicing the rather sarcastic A.I. However, some transitions and edited-in changes were less than seamless, resulting in volume inconsistencies and breaks that were a bit distracting.
August 4, 2018
This was a quick enjoyable read. As a fan of reimagining fairy tales, I enjoyed Walker’s take on Goldilocks and The Three Bears, in outer space. If you remember the 1950’s sci-fi serials you will appreciate the plot of a girl on a mission with her sidekick A. I. Grimm. Being shot down by an unknown alien enemy and crashing on a strange jungle planet the Commander, a young woman, finds herself hurt and without energy to power her ship the Golilocks. With the help of Grimm she finds another power source; another downed alien ship. This is where the three bears come into play. I am going stop here so that I won’t spoil your fun reading. I recommend this book to both the young and young at heart.
I won this e-book on Goodreads.com
I won this e-book on Goodreads.com
August 8, 2018
Great read!
New spin on old characters! I love the alien type them and descriptive way the story is told. Quick read but enjoyable!
New spin on old characters! I love the alien type them and descriptive way the story is told. Quick read but enjoyable!
May 14, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review and all opinions expressed herein are mine.
This is an enjoyable quick story reimagining the characters from the fairytales Red Hiding Hood and Goldilock and the Three Bears - in outerspace. Red [the MC] also has a sidekick [artificial intelligence] name Grimm [get it?]. This was a fun adventure suitable for the whole family.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a nice job, had good energy for this story and even provided a robotic voice for Grimm.
This is an enjoyable quick story reimagining the characters from the fairytales Red Hiding Hood and Goldilock and the Three Bears - in outerspace. Red [the MC] also has a sidekick [artificial intelligence] name Grimm [get it?]. This was a fun adventure suitable for the whole family.
I listened to this book - the narrator did a nice job, had good energy for this story and even provided a robotic voice for Grimm.
November 26, 2023
Jeff Walker, your work is nothing more than a pretentious, failed attempt at trying to be a sci-fi disaster writer. Your writing lacks depth, creativity and originality. It is clear that you have not put any real effort into your work and yet you still expect glowing reviews from your readers. In reality, your writing is nothing more than a cosmic disaster, and you should be embarrassed by the fact that you ever thought you could write something worth reading.
July 23, 2019
Even though this is a short story, I couldn’t make it past the halfway point. The writing is very amateurish and the story begs for a good editor. I will not be looking back.
March 9, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Never stray from the path."
A female commander is sent to the outer parts of the universe to receive information vital to the peace. She must not fail.
Interesting narration by Dana Dae, with the computer AI voiced with broken individual word sentences.
This is the first part of a four part serial with variations on fables/fairy stories, short and quick to read. Curious, descriptive, but without much substance.
I received this book as a free download from Audible Unlimited.
"Never stray from the path."
A female commander is sent to the outer parts of the universe to receive information vital to the peace. She must not fail.
Interesting narration by Dana Dae, with the computer AI voiced with broken individual word sentences.
This is the first part of a four part serial with variations on fables/fairy stories, short and quick to read. Curious, descriptive, but without much substance.
I received this book as a free download from Audible Unlimited.
August 11, 2021
I liked it a lot and am intrigued to see where it goes, but I wish he would get rid of the qualifier 'female' in front of commander and pilot in a few places. It gets annoying.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews