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Galena Chronicles #1
Another World
Listening time 11 hours 23 minutes
Leaving Earth is the easy part. Surviving the trip to a new home 10,000 light years away is a journey like no other.
Merritt Alder is done with Earth. The planet is polluted and overpopulated, and its people are hungry.
Earth's first colony, Galena, is a pioneer world 10,000 light years away. It has clean air, unpolluted water, and continents of arable land. Anyone can start a new life…if they can get there.
For Merritt, the journey is only the beginning. Obstacles arise every step of the way, forcing compromise and sacrifice. And not everyone on his ship is pure of heart.
The bonds he forges on the journey will be the key to surviving on another world — a world anyone has yet to fully explore.
A world with secrets of its own.
Another World is a bold new entry in the realm of planet colonization and pioneer science fiction, an odyssey across our own galaxy to start a new life on Earth’s first colony.
Leaving Earth is the easy part. Surviving the trip to a new home 10,000 light years away is a journey like no other.
Merritt Alder is done with Earth. The planet is polluted and overpopulated, and its people are hungry.
Earth's first colony, Galena, is a pioneer world 10,000 light years away. It has clean air, unpolluted water, and continents of arable land. Anyone can start a new life…if they can get there.
For Merritt, the journey is only the beginning. Obstacles arise every step of the way, forcing compromise and sacrifice. And not everyone on his ship is pure of heart.
The bonds he forges on the journey will be the key to surviving on another world — a world anyone has yet to fully explore.
A world with secrets of its own.
Another World is a bold new entry in the realm of planet colonization and pioneer science fiction, an odyssey across our own galaxy to start a new life on Earth’s first colony.
298 pages, ebook
Published March 8, 2020
1112 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Samuel Best
14 books97 followersBorn in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Samuel grew up a mile from the gates of Kennedy Space Center. His grandmother built space shuttles, his father designed scientific equipment that flew on them, and Samuel watched the launches from his rattling front porch, dreaming of the stars.
His best-selling novel Mission One, a near-future first contact odyssey, is the book that launched his career as a science fiction writer.
He recently spent three years traveling the world with his wife. They welcomed their son near the end of that journey and are now spending their days exploring the United States while Samuel works on his next book.
Want FREE Sci-Fi stories? Head on over to http://sam-best.com for a free introduction to Samuel's work.
His best-selling novel Mission One, a near-future first contact odyssey, is the book that launched his career as a science fiction writer.
He recently spent three years traveling the world with his wife. They welcomed their son near the end of that journey and are now spending their days exploring the United States while Samuel works on his next book.
Want FREE Sci-Fi stories? Head on over to http://sam-best.com for a free introduction to Samuel's work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 13, 2020
My first impression of this book is its amateurish. It was initially confusion as to where the story was going when the book began with chapters devoted to Merritt, Leesa, and Tulliver with little information on how they would all fit together in the story. This story is more like a horror story than a good news story for the characters. People pay good money to go on a space ship through a "RIP" (about the same as a wormhole in other books) to a planet that is 10,000 light years away because the Earth is overpopulated and cannot produce enough food for everyone. However, we find as the story goes that the new planet to be colonized has not been properly explored on the ground, only from a spaceship. And, while supplies have been dropped for the colonist, the people on the ship are not prepared for all of the unknown creatures that they encounter. After there is a mishaps with the transport vessel exploding and crashing on the planet due to an engine failure, the only way for them to get to the surface is via escape pods. This is strange since a ship as large as this transport vessel should have multiple shuttle to take people to the surface. It turns out later in the story that there were shuttles but they were not used. Strange!!. Then the colonist encounter creatures, in the caves, in the ocean, and just crawling around the ground, that they were not told about. Then they find a previous colony's settlement but no people in it and nobody seems to wonder what happens to the people.
So for me the bottom line is there were just too many strange and unexplained events in this story for it, in my opinion, to be good sci fi. The horror of this story is that all of the people who came to this planet will die, soon, because they don't have the tools and equipment to cope with their environment, they can only grow one plant which is supposed to provide food for all of them, and there will be no rescue ship coming. The story even ends with an epilogue that tries to make the best of a very bad situation.
So for me the bottom line is there were just too many strange and unexplained events in this story for it, in my opinion, to be good sci fi. The horror of this story is that all of the people who came to this planet will die, soon, because they don't have the tools and equipment to cope with their environment, they can only grow one plant which is supposed to provide food for all of them, and there will be no rescue ship coming. The story even ends with an epilogue that tries to make the best of a very bad situation.
May 16, 2020
Above average science fiction thriller, but lacks some of the technical facts of "hard," SF.... that is, a better and clearer explanation of propulsion, navigation. communication systems. Weak points in the story are the characters which are cardboard cutouts of space pioneers, except for the character "Tulliver" who is an evil, mean spirited, calculating, greedy prick--- he reminded me of Donald Trump. Overall, the writing is good, and the action swift and at times thrilling Imaginative depiction of the dangerous alien life forms encountered by the crew. Makes you wonder if such "future space adventures are worth it.
April 18, 2020
Sequel, Please!
After reading the first two books of the authors Infinate Sky series, I. decided to read his standalone book, Another World.. Although I throughly enjoyed the first two of the Infinate Sky series, I personally enjoyed this story more.. Perhaps it's the fact that my favorite type of Science Fiction story is typically about new, or lost worlds, where people must join together in order to be successful and survive in an alien environment, and this book did so with perfection. In fact so much so, that I'd enjoy seeing a sequel to the book, perhaps set a decade in the future, to see how the characters have endeavored to survive their strange new and fascinating world...........
After reading the first two books of the authors Infinate Sky series, I. decided to read his standalone book, Another World.. Although I throughly enjoyed the first two of the Infinate Sky series, I personally enjoyed this story more.. Perhaps it's the fact that my favorite type of Science Fiction story is typically about new, or lost worlds, where people must join together in order to be successful and survive in an alien environment, and this book did so with perfection. In fact so much so, that I'd enjoy seeing a sequel to the book, perhaps set a decade in the future, to see how the characters have endeavored to survive their strange new and fascinating world...........
September 6, 2022
Excellent Science Fiction! Lots of twists and turns! I can hardly wait for more of this series to come out!
May 22, 2021
A cobbled-together sci-fi that takes elements from many better works, but still manages to craft something interesting if not entirely fresh.
The story is very Lost In Space; an expedition to a new colony goes awry, and leaves our potential settlers scrambling to survive on an alien world. There is a lot of build-up before we reach this though; plenty of time is spent on Earth before the departure, and detailing the voyage through the stars as well.
The element of this book that I found to work the best was the creeping, insidious portrayal of a dying Earth; it felt empty and devoid of hope. Fertility rates are dropping throughout humanity; there is no work for anyone anymore so most people live in poverty; the broken climate means that even sunlight is a dream of the past. There are so few people left, and the systems that support those remaining seem to be working half on auto-pilot, and half due to the unstoppable momentum of capitalism driving them forwards. Despite many of the elements feeling familiar, the overall world-building is effective, and creepy.
The character-work unfortunately does not match up, with even the three protagonists being one-note or even less than one-note, and failing to evolve over the course of the story. They are primarily buffeted from event to event in a way that robs them of much agency, and also prevents them from changing in any meaningful ways.
The new world, once we arrive there, is fun to explore for sure. There are interesting new life forms to discover, and weird locations to explore. This hook is enough to drag you through the latter half of the book. There is however a weird mix of hard and soft sci-fi; we take the time to thoroughly explain launch systems and radiation shielding in plausible ways, and then take a turn into hand-waved gravity generation systems. The same is true with the alien life-forms we encounter; which leaves the tone of the book a little bit undecided and unfortunately works against the overall experience.
Decent little book with enough of a plot and some cool sci-fi ideas to explore, but definitely feels very self-published and lacking in originality.
The story is very Lost In Space; an expedition to a new colony goes awry, and leaves our potential settlers scrambling to survive on an alien world. There is a lot of build-up before we reach this though; plenty of time is spent on Earth before the departure, and detailing the voyage through the stars as well.
The element of this book that I found to work the best was the creeping, insidious portrayal of a dying Earth; it felt empty and devoid of hope. Fertility rates are dropping throughout humanity; there is no work for anyone anymore so most people live in poverty; the broken climate means that even sunlight is a dream of the past. There are so few people left, and the systems that support those remaining seem to be working half on auto-pilot, and half due to the unstoppable momentum of capitalism driving them forwards. Despite many of the elements feeling familiar, the overall world-building is effective, and creepy.
The character-work unfortunately does not match up, with even the three protagonists being one-note or even less than one-note, and failing to evolve over the course of the story. They are primarily buffeted from event to event in a way that robs them of much agency, and also prevents them from changing in any meaningful ways.
The new world, once we arrive there, is fun to explore for sure. There are interesting new life forms to discover, and weird locations to explore. This hook is enough to drag you through the latter half of the book. There is however a weird mix of hard and soft sci-fi; we take the time to thoroughly explain launch systems and radiation shielding in plausible ways, and then take a turn into hand-waved gravity generation systems. The same is true with the alien life-forms we encounter; which leaves the tone of the book a little bit undecided and unfortunately works against the overall experience.
Decent little book with enough of a plot and some cool sci-fi ideas to explore, but definitely feels very self-published and lacking in originality.
July 21, 2023
Earth has environmental and climate crises. Crops won't grow, and the lab-made food is lousy. Few pregnancies result in healthy children... What seems to be a promising, sufficiently Earth-like planet, Galena, has been found that can be reached through "the Rip" (this book's trope to have interstellar travel in less than a year.)
The main character focus is on Merritt, who is taking his son, Gavin, who has trouble digesting soy. They're hoping to make a farm on Galena where Gavin can be healthy.
Tulliver is a man who has conned and stolen his way into getting a ticket to Galena. On the spaceship, he schemes, puts people in his debt and builds influence.
The spaceship crashlands on Galena, limiting what would have otherwise been the colony's official structure. Tulliver ends up killing the remaining colony officials and takes over.
Not surprisingly, he doesn't win in the end. But a larger part of the story was on this thread than I would have liked. (Although different lifeforms and such were presented.) To some degree, it's good to warn that when forming a new society, having precautions and protections against sociopaths and others who would corrupt and derail it. (This book is not about implementing such protections - such protections aren't explicitly mentioned, and this is a new society being made under unexpected circumstances.)
From my point of view, this seems more like a book for readers who want the excitement of a bad guy causing mayhem (not necessarily at a full "thriller" level.)
The main character focus is on Merritt, who is taking his son, Gavin, who has trouble digesting soy. They're hoping to make a farm on Galena where Gavin can be healthy.
Tulliver is a man who has conned and stolen his way into getting a ticket to Galena. On the spaceship, he schemes, puts people in his debt and builds influence.
The spaceship crashlands on Galena, limiting what would have otherwise been the colony's official structure. Tulliver ends up killing the remaining colony officials and takes over.
Not surprisingly, he doesn't win in the end. But a larger part of the story was on this thread than I would have liked. (Although different lifeforms and such were presented.) To some degree, it's good to warn that when forming a new society, having precautions and protections against sociopaths and others who would corrupt and derail it. (This book is not about implementing such protections - such protections aren't explicitly mentioned, and this is a new society being made under unexpected circumstances.)
From my point of view, this seems more like a book for readers who want the excitement of a bad guy causing mayhem (not necessarily at a full "thriller" level.)
August 28, 2025
The premise had potential, but I had to put it down halfway through as the world building just didn’t hold up. The moment that broke it for me was the explanation for why colonists had to farm manually, using primitive tools.
..because of an energy shortage???
That’s where I drew the line.
You’re telling me humanity has the technology to cross 10,000 light years to settle an alien planet, a journey that would demand incredible levels of energy, advanced propulsion, and life support, and yet somehow, when they get there, they’re out of juice for basic agriculture? No heavy machinery? No fusion generators? Nothing?
We’re in an era where modern nuclear submarines can power entire city blocks for decades (Not that we'd actually do this but it's technically possible), and we haven’t even left our own solar system. Yet these colonists are stuck digging in the dirt with hand tools like it’s 1800. Meanwhile, there are robot bartenders on the ship pouring cocktails. It’s absurd.
I’m generally willing to tolerate some sci-fi handwaving if the story and characters are compelling enough. But here, the holes in the logic were too glaring, and the narrative didn’t give me enough incentive to overlook them. Once the premise collapsed, the rest of the story didn’t have enough weight to carry me through.
..because of an energy shortage???
That’s where I drew the line.
You’re telling me humanity has the technology to cross 10,000 light years to settle an alien planet, a journey that would demand incredible levels of energy, advanced propulsion, and life support, and yet somehow, when they get there, they’re out of juice for basic agriculture? No heavy machinery? No fusion generators? Nothing?
We’re in an era where modern nuclear submarines can power entire city blocks for decades (Not that we'd actually do this but it's technically possible), and we haven’t even left our own solar system. Yet these colonists are stuck digging in the dirt with hand tools like it’s 1800. Meanwhile, there are robot bartenders on the ship pouring cocktails. It’s absurd.
I’m generally willing to tolerate some sci-fi handwaving if the story and characters are compelling enough. But here, the holes in the logic were too glaring, and the narrative didn’t give me enough incentive to overlook them. Once the premise collapsed, the rest of the story didn’t have enough weight to carry me through.
June 9, 2020
A New World
Loved this storyline about humans traveling to find a new home after the Earth is ravaged by man. Merritt a father trying to find a home for his son Gavin was my favorite. This character showed the lengths parents are willing to go to finding a peaceful place to raise their children. Tulliver was a despicable character and embodies all the qualities of the usual selfish, self centered, and violent that live amongst us in society. The characters were well developed and the story was impossible to put down. What trials would humans endure to start over? Enjoyed the book and look forward to a sequel.
Loved this storyline about humans traveling to find a new home after the Earth is ravaged by man. Merritt a father trying to find a home for his son Gavin was my favorite. This character showed the lengths parents are willing to go to finding a peaceful place to raise their children. Tulliver was a despicable character and embodies all the qualities of the usual selfish, self centered, and violent that live amongst us in society. The characters were well developed and the story was impossible to put down. What trials would humans endure to start over? Enjoyed the book and look forward to a sequel.
June 12, 2020
A novel story of space colonization
I enjoyed this book a lot. A good combination of relatable characters; Merritt was easy to root for; excellent world building and exciting plot. I do wonder if the story could have been as interesting without the psychopath being such a major character. I mean there were plenty of challenges for people to overcome without him. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to learn how the colony develops.
I enjoyed this book a lot. A good combination of relatable characters; Merritt was easy to root for; excellent world building and exciting plot. I do wonder if the story could have been as interesting without the psychopath being such a major character. I mean there were plenty of challenges for people to overcome without him. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book to learn how the colony develops.
June 17, 2020
Johnboy
I will give it five stars anyway has a good story line and a lot of heart in it. Like any good syfy the science part is well done enough that it
Is believable . How ever for the authors sake when the book gets to the conclusion it seem like the writer gets in a hurry and loses some of the reality, and believable aspect. The characters begin to do things they were to smart to do before.
I will give it five stars anyway has a good story line and a lot of heart in it. Like any good syfy the science part is well done enough that it
Is believable . How ever for the authors sake when the book gets to the conclusion it seem like the writer gets in a hurry and loses some of the reality, and believable aspect. The characters begin to do things they were to smart to do before.
February 9, 2023
I found this book to be interesting enough that I downloaded the next two volumes. Some things in the first book that left me scratching my head, why earthly crop production failed in particular were hinted at in the second book. Why hydroponics was not tried on earth was not addressed although it was used on the moon and in orbit. I am continuing with the second book and am looking forward to the third.
June 5, 2023
Another World is a poor book about humanity using magical technology to travel to establish a low tech colony at a planet far, far away from Earth. The scenario has been written about many, many times before and Best does not do a good job. It all feels very artificial, boring and pointless. Another World is book 1 of the Galena Chronicles. There certainly is no need to continue reading that series.
April 9, 2024
Book 1 introducing the world
The author creates a world with an environment, Indigenous life and fused cultures. The varied beliefs and differences are influenced by their past. The creatures and inhabitants are made real by this author. This is a really good work of science fiction. Hopefully, the author will explore how this planet/moon was found and / or made liveable for O2 breathers.
I would recommend to young adults and older or those who read science fiction.
The author creates a world with an environment, Indigenous life and fused cultures. The varied beliefs and differences are influenced by their past. The creatures and inhabitants are made real by this author. This is a really good work of science fiction. Hopefully, the author will explore how this planet/moon was found and / or made liveable for O2 breathers.
I would recommend to young adults and older or those who read science fiction.
April 24, 2020
There is one reason I did not give this book 5 stars. It looks like Mr Best does not intend a sequel.
This is an excellently thought out creation with one of the most interesting new worlds since Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelles Heorot books.
There is so much scope in both the planet and the characters for future stories. More please
This is an excellently thought out creation with one of the most interesting new worlds since Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelles Heorot books.
There is so much scope in both the planet and the characters for future stories. More please
July 1, 2020
The characters are well drawn and interesting and the story moves along at a good pace. Some of the SF concepts are interesting and the way he describes the crumbling society is very "Bladerunner". My issue is that I have trouble reading stories that are about evil people and that contain graphic violence. So if this bothers you - as it did me - then pass on this read.
July 24, 2020
Superb
Utterly spellbinding, this is the story of a journey to Galena, a planet only accessible via a radioactive break in space. It's beautifully told, and the tension is expertly ratchetted up as the protagonists' personalities and histories gradually emerge. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Utterly spellbinding, this is the story of a journey to Galena, a planet only accessible via a radioactive break in space. It's beautifully told, and the tension is expertly ratchetted up as the protagonists' personalities and histories gradually emerge. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 10, 2020
Great xenobiology but we've seen this plot before!
I loooovve the very cleverly devised ecology and fauna! But I had stop 70% into the novel because it was waaayyy too similar to the Lost In Space tv series. You know, "danger will robinson," that one? Yeah, I mean what's up with that, Mr Best? Come on man!
I loooovve the very cleverly devised ecology and fauna! But I had stop 70% into the novel because it was waaayyy too similar to the Lost In Space tv series. You know, "danger will robinson," that one? Yeah, I mean what's up with that, Mr Best? Come on man!
May 14, 2021
This book picked up for me once the ship crashed. From there I was glued to the pages and tore through the book. I'm a sucker for spaceship crash stories and I enjoyed the direction the alien word and lifeforms went, even if some of the characters felt stereotypical. Hoping for a book 2 that explores Galena some more.
July 13, 2021
Nice read
No spooky advanced alien life forms in the book, but there are alien animal life. Book is well done, I can’t wait until the next instalment is complete.
I don’t like that part of the story is also written from the antagonist point of view. He is so repulsive , and THATS WHAT MAKES A GREAT BOOK!
No spooky advanced alien life forms in the book, but there are alien animal life. Book is well done, I can’t wait until the next instalment is complete.
I don’t like that part of the story is also written from the antagonist point of view. He is so repulsive , and THATS WHAT MAKES A GREAT BOOK!
October 21, 2022
Scruffy Colonization
Earth is in bad shape and attempts at colonizing a new world are being attempted on the cheap. Best’s strength is in writing flawed characters who are making do with their situation while immersed in an alien environment. An entertaining read. Looking forward to the next book.
Earth is in bad shape and attempts at colonizing a new world are being attempted on the cheap. Best’s strength is in writing flawed characters who are making do with their situation while immersed in an alien environment. An entertaining read. Looking forward to the next book.
November 16, 2022
Another world was an interesting read and realistic. The world building was good. I found the excessive use of adjectives grating at time. the storytelling was good and the climax worked even though the antagonist's demise was brought about by an old fashioned revolt more that the alien presence on the planet.
Worth reading.
Worth reading.
March 4, 2026
DNF at 74%
While i liked the start of the book, i found the rest very slow and unimpressive. I found Merrit okay (until he destroyed the radio) and kept rooting for a horrible demise of Tulliver. In the end
I thoroughly got sick of all the Tulliver drama and decided to give up on the book.
Criticism and comments
The intense radiation of the H. Is totally forgotten later on..
While i liked the start of the book, i found the rest very slow and unimpressive. I found Merrit okay (until he destroyed the radio) and kept rooting for a horrible demise of Tulliver. In the end
I thoroughly got sick of all the Tulliver drama and decided to give up on the book.
Criticism and comments
The intense radiation of the H. Is totally forgotten later on..
May 23, 2020
Good plot and easy to read
This is definitely sci-if, without the odd words I couldn’t understand or pronounce. Lots of new experiences and backgrounds that are other-worldly, but believable. Thank you.
This is definitely sci-if, without the odd words I couldn’t understand or pronounce. Lots of new experiences and backgrounds that are other-worldly, but believable. Thank you.
May 31, 2020
Very enjoyable book
I confess to a weakness for space travel books that detail the hardships of settling a new planet. This book was very satisfying. I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next in the series.
I confess to a weakness for space travel books that detail the hardships of settling a new planet. This book was very satisfying. I read it in one day. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next in the series.
June 17, 2020
A good beginning to a new series
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and well edited. The story was good, and the characters compelling. Some of the backstory was a little fuzzy, but overall I recommend this book and its author.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written and well edited. The story was good, and the characters compelling. Some of the backstory was a little fuzzy, but overall I recommend this book and its author.
June 22, 2020
Weak Science.....
I stumbled on the use of fluorescent lights, "gravgen", and homeless stranded folks on an orbiting station at some near (100+ years) point in the future. The incongruous science in this sci-fi novel just didn't work for me.
I stumbled on the use of fluorescent lights, "gravgen", and homeless stranded folks on an orbiting station at some near (100+ years) point in the future. The incongruous science in this sci-fi novel just didn't work for me.
July 21, 2020
Exciting and mindstreching
Totally enjoyable adventure with assorted charecters struggling against crazy odds make tis an unput downable read. Eager to get get the continuing story, more please!
Totally enjoyable adventure with assorted charecters struggling against crazy odds make tis an unput downable read. Eager to get get the continuing story, more please!
August 12, 2020
Well done!
Great colonization story. Not your normal sci-fi but well thought out and executed. A true adventure story on a wonderfully alien planet. Truly deserves a sequel, I want to know about Galena!
Great colonization story. Not your normal sci-fi but well thought out and executed. A true adventure story on a wonderfully alien planet. Truly deserves a sequel, I want to know about Galena!
October 4, 2020
Can't wait for the next book!
Extremely well written, fast passed and exciting.
Not where I thought the story was going at all. I was pleasantly surprised.
Really looking forward to the sequel
Extremely well written, fast passed and exciting.
Not where I thought the story was going at all. I was pleasantly surprised.
Really looking forward to the sequel
October 14, 2020
Imaginative Sci fi ecology
The author envisions an interconnected ecology of species on the first extrasolar colony world, on the far side of The Rio.. Well formed characters. Very interesting.
The author envisions an interconnected ecology of species on the first extrasolar colony world, on the far side of The Rio.. Well formed characters. Very interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews