What do you think?
Rate this book
Halfway to Home #1
Unknown Horizons
Alone and hunted, Sam is lost in the cold emptiness of space.
Abducted from Earth and whisked into the depths of the Milky Way, Sam wakes up amidst a grotesque menagerie of aliens. Imprisoned by the Nalitokk, an advanced species out for information no matter the cost, Sam is shielded by one simple fact: Out of the many aliens the Nalitokk have captured, the only thing to make humans stand out is how unimpressive they are.
When they come to regard their newest test subject as little more than a defective pet, Sam is all too happy to play along. As humiliating as the deception is, it’s the only way to survive.
But times are changing, and every game comes to an end. When disaster strikes, Sam is faced with hard decisions about how to break free of their grasp. Decisions which change everything - from the Nalitokk’s view on humans, all the way down to Sam’s humanity itself.
With the Nalitokk hot in pursuit, Sam breaks free with one singular goal - to find the way home.
Abducted from Earth and whisked into the depths of the Milky Way, Sam wakes up amidst a grotesque menagerie of aliens. Imprisoned by the Nalitokk, an advanced species out for information no matter the cost, Sam is shielded by one simple fact: Out of the many aliens the Nalitokk have captured, the only thing to make humans stand out is how unimpressive they are.
When they come to regard their newest test subject as little more than a defective pet, Sam is all too happy to play along. As humiliating as the deception is, it’s the only way to survive.
But times are changing, and every game comes to an end. When disaster strikes, Sam is faced with hard decisions about how to break free of their grasp. Decisions which change everything - from the Nalitokk’s view on humans, all the way down to Sam’s humanity itself.
With the Nalitokk hot in pursuit, Sam breaks free with one singular goal - to find the way home.
375 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
64 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Casey White
20 books77 followersCasey White lives in Michigan with her husband and the requisite herd of roaming cats. She splits her time - spending her days working the desk as a civil engineer, and her nights writing fiction ranging from fantasy to scifi and everything in-between.
Her stories tend towards the more personal - she favors first person or over-the-shoulder third person that matches punchy, fast-paced storytelling with ongoing internal dialogue.
Her fiction can be found at her website, listed above, or at the subreddit where she publishes her novels one chapter at a time - https://www.reddit.com/r/Inorai/
Her stories tend towards the more personal - she favors first person or over-the-shoulder third person that matches punchy, fast-paced storytelling with ongoing internal dialogue.
Her fiction can be found at her website, listed above, or at the subreddit where she publishes her novels one chapter at a time - https://www.reddit.com/r/Inorai/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 27, 2019
I saw the author discussing this book on a Discord server we were both on and immediately asked if she wanted to exchange a copy for review, as the premise pulled me right in. I'm a sucker for space operas and this one was fantastic.
It starts off with a bang, with what can only be described as a prison break. And it takes only 30 pages for Sam to show how much of a capable and quick-thinking protagonist she is. The games she's played to keep herself alive, the compassion she shows for the other prisoners trapped in the station, it all comes shining through. Then there was *that* moment. I wont spoil it, but it was definitely a big thing and set up the book to have some giant plots.
This is like many space operas in which they have a singular goal in mind, yet are constantly distracted by other "side quests," if you will. But there are some fantastic battle scenes with characters that you're genuinely worried for. There's Saro, the loveable little psychopath, for instance. And I loved how they all felt properly like aliens, instead of slightly altered humans. There are also some more ultra sci-fi aspects, including a hands-on battle with an AI that I adored.
There were some moments that had my heart racing and others that wrenched it so hard I had to message the author just to tell her how sadistic she was. But I am definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending leaves a lot to be discovered and explored, both with the protagonist and the wider world. If you like space operas, you have to add this one to your list.
It starts off with a bang, with what can only be described as a prison break. And it takes only 30 pages for Sam to show how much of a capable and quick-thinking protagonist she is. The games she's played to keep herself alive, the compassion she shows for the other prisoners trapped in the station, it all comes shining through. Then there was *that* moment. I wont spoil it, but it was definitely a big thing and set up the book to have some giant plots.
This is like many space operas in which they have a singular goal in mind, yet are constantly distracted by other "side quests," if you will. But there are some fantastic battle scenes with characters that you're genuinely worried for. There's Saro, the loveable little psychopath, for instance. And I loved how they all felt properly like aliens, instead of slightly altered humans. There are also some more ultra sci-fi aspects, including a hands-on battle with an AI that I adored.
There were some moments that had my heart racing and others that wrenched it so hard I had to message the author just to tell her how sadistic she was. But I am definitely looking forward to the sequel. The ending leaves a lot to be discovered and explored, both with the protagonist and the wider world. If you like space operas, you have to add this one to your list.
February 1, 2021
Actually 3.5 stars
The first part of this book built up to some action pretty early on; Although being kidnapped by aliens and held captive by them as a "speciman" (who by sheer luck of her uniqueness hasn't undergone the torture other prisoners have) Sam has managed to keep hope and determination alive and when the chance comes to make her escape she and some fellow prisoners take it with all weapons blazing. Sam is definitely far away from Earth - Unknown Horizons for sure, thankfully the aliens she fled with have the necessary skills to survive in this strange new place BUT her original captors are after her. This is where I came a bit unstuck with the book, the interception of a ship and the subsequent manoeuvres to keep their enemies at bay seemed to go on for too long, and the trip out into open space meandered so I found myself skim reading a good portion of the middle. The loss of a crew member is poignant though and bought a lump to my throat. Another issue I had was I wanted to know about Sam's back story - why was she in space and in a place to be intercepted by unfriendly aliens. She was in an unknown galaxy, how did she get there? I hope there is a prequel answering these questions; also if I do see the sequel pass my eye on kindle then I'll probably pick it up to see how Sam is doing.
The first part of this book built up to some action pretty early on; Although being kidnapped by aliens and held captive by them as a "speciman" (who by sheer luck of her uniqueness hasn't undergone the torture other prisoners have) Sam has managed to keep hope and determination alive and when the chance comes to make her escape she and some fellow prisoners take it with all weapons blazing. Sam is definitely far away from Earth - Unknown Horizons for sure, thankfully the aliens she fled with have the necessary skills to survive in this strange new place BUT her original captors are after her. This is where I came a bit unstuck with the book, the interception of a ship and the subsequent manoeuvres to keep their enemies at bay seemed to go on for too long, and the trip out into open space meandered so I found myself skim reading a good portion of the middle. The loss of a crew member is poignant though and bought a lump to my throat. Another issue I had was I wanted to know about Sam's back story - why was she in space and in a place to be intercepted by unfriendly aliens. She was in an unknown galaxy, how did she get there? I hope there is a prequel answering these questions; also if I do see the sequel pass my eye on kindle then I'll probably pick it up to see how Sam is doing.
May 7, 2024
4.75 out of 5
I really enjoyed this book! It has pretty much everything I love in sci-fi: aliens who all look totally different than each other, mind-bending concepts, found family, and twists and turns. It was really fun!
The main character is really human, she isn’t perfect but also isn’t “clumsy” and weak. I really love the way she interacts with her crew mates. The other characters are also well fleshed out, Saro, Tiix, and Kess definitely feel multidimensional to me, even if we don’t have lots of time to explore all of their backgrounds. I wish I knew more about An’air, like is his personality based off of anything specific? Are his species just like that (which I would feel is a cop-out). Poor Idjim is just like C3P0! I didn’t find him nearly as irritating as he was supposed to be.
I need to know more about the Nalitokk! I love when the bad guys are bad, but also a little vague. I know there is more to them. I really want Sam to explore more in the next week.
All in all this book was SO good! There were definitely spelling errors, I wish I could edit as I read to fix it for other readers, but nothing really confusing. I can’t wait for a sequel!
I really enjoyed this book! It has pretty much everything I love in sci-fi: aliens who all look totally different than each other, mind-bending concepts, found family, and twists and turns. It was really fun!
The main character is really human, she isn’t perfect but also isn’t “clumsy” and weak. I really love the way she interacts with her crew mates. The other characters are also well fleshed out, Saro, Tiix, and Kess definitely feel multidimensional to me, even if we don’t have lots of time to explore all of their backgrounds. I wish I knew more about An’air, like is his personality based off of anything specific? Are his species just like that (which I would feel is a cop-out). Poor Idjim is just like C3P0! I didn’t find him nearly as irritating as he was supposed to be.
I need to know more about the Nalitokk! I love when the bad guys are bad, but also a little vague. I know there is more to them. I really want Sam to explore more in the next week.
All in all this book was SO good! There were definitely spelling errors, I wish I could edit as I read to fix it for other readers, but nothing really confusing. I can’t wait for a sequel!
April 15, 2020
Best sci-fi I've read in a long time
To say that was a wild ride is an understatement. Every page of this was nail biting action with a few brief moments to breath before plunging into the next impossible situation. I love Sam and her Herculean willpower. I LOVE grumpy, homicidal Saro. Idjim is honestly the best. Tiix is a great throwback to Greek myth. I want to see more of arrogant An'air. The snatchers are terrifying.
Basically, I'm sitting over here like I didn't experience emotional trauma at the hands of an ebook and reaching for the buy now or pre-order button for the next one.
To say that was a wild ride is an understatement. Every page of this was nail biting action with a few brief moments to breath before plunging into the next impossible situation. I love Sam and her Herculean willpower. I LOVE grumpy, homicidal Saro. Idjim is honestly the best. Tiix is a great throwback to Greek myth. I want to see more of arrogant An'air. The snatchers are terrifying.
Basically, I'm sitting over here like I didn't experience emotional trauma at the hands of an ebook and reaching for the buy now or pre-order button for the next one.
February 14, 2020
Received as a review copy, this is an honest review. Sam thought alien abductions happening to people who were a little weird; sadly she discovers it's all too real when she is kidnapped. Imprisoned in some sort compound, constantly tested for her intelligence among other things; Sam thinks by playing stupid will protect herself and earth from these aliens as she tries to figure out a way back home. Only... things start getting crazy, forcing her to act now, hoping the other prisoners will help with desire to escape. With a lot fun characters and intense action, it was a good read.
January 23, 2020
Decent scifi tale. If you like your scifi with aliens, spaceships, future tech, and even a bit of hacking thrown in for good measure, then you've found a book you want to add to your to read shelf. This is a very well done story, and I'm fairly confident most scifi fans will enjoy this one.
Of course, I had no idea our main character wasn't what they seemed at the start of the book, Didn't see that one coming.
Of course, I had no idea our main character wasn't what they seemed at the start of the book, Didn't see that one coming.
November 19, 2019
Book one
Mistakes: I found two. Pound should have been sound and off should have been of.
Plot: Kidnapped by aliens and trying to find a way back home to earth.
Characters: I loved the characters in this book. I was actually sad when one of them died.
I look forward to seeing book two.
8/10
Mistakes: I found two. Pound should have been sound and off should have been of.
Plot: Kidnapped by aliens and trying to find a way back home to earth.
Characters: I loved the characters in this book. I was actually sad when one of them died.
I look forward to seeing book two.
8/10
November 12, 2019
Fun scifi romp that was a pleasure to read
Well written and edited, with likeable characters and a unique plot unlike any I have read before. Sam, Saro and the gang are a nifty group. Can't wait to read more!
Well written and edited, with likeable characters and a unique plot unlike any I have read before. Sam, Saro and the gang are a nifty group. Can't wait to read more!
February 24, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Well written, likable characters, definitely a world want to explore further. Easy to envision another half dozen volumes following these characters and learning more about Casey White's universe.
Well written, likable characters, definitely a world want to explore further. Easy to envision another half dozen volumes following these characters and learning more about Casey White's universe.
June 11, 2020
Great story
Immediately involved with the characters continuous action,couldn't out th book down. Overcoming the odds and beating the opposition with your new alien friends ! Loved the idea of overcoming the bad guys with their own tech and becoming more than they could hndle.
Immediately involved with the characters continuous action,couldn't out th book down. Overcoming the odds and beating the opposition with your new alien friends ! Loved the idea of overcoming the bad guys with their own tech and becoming more than they could hndle.
July 10, 2020
Fast Paced, Fun, and Interesting
A unique twisting story that feels both fresh and familiar. Started by reading on Reddit and hooked enough to purchase. Was not disappointed! Will buy the next book in the series.
A unique twisting story that feels both fresh and familiar. Started by reading on Reddit and hooked enough to purchase. Was not disappointed! Will buy the next book in the series.
April 14, 2020
Well rounded characters and starts with a bang rather be drawn out. Nice to have aliens that feel non human.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews