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The Henry Gallant Saga #4
Commander Gallant
Henry Gallant thought Alaina loved him, but now she’s found someone else. A tidal wave of loss and grief swept over him, leaving him undecided about what to do next, or how to move forward.
Despite his sorrow, he goes on a dangerous mission to an invading aliens’ home world in the Gliese-581 star system. There he uses a neural interface to penetrate their communication network and steal a high ranking alien’s identity. Through this artifice he learns about their history and society, and discovers a way to hinder and possibly defeat them.
A side-effect of linking into the alien network—which was created for autistic savants—is that Gallant’s mind is stimulated and enhanced to the point where he begins to experience superintelligence abilities.
Upon returning from his mission, there is concern that Gallant might pose a more serious threat than the aliens. While he struggles to fend off those who doubt his loyalty, he fights to win back Alaina.
This is the fourth book of The Henry Gallant Saga, but it can be read as a standalone story.
Despite his sorrow, he goes on a dangerous mission to an invading aliens’ home world in the Gliese-581 star system. There he uses a neural interface to penetrate their communication network and steal a high ranking alien’s identity. Through this artifice he learns about their history and society, and discovers a way to hinder and possibly defeat them.
A side-effect of linking into the alien network—which was created for autistic savants—is that Gallant’s mind is stimulated and enhanced to the point where he begins to experience superintelligence abilities.
Upon returning from his mission, there is concern that Gallant might pose a more serious threat than the aliens. While he struggles to fend off those who doubt his loyalty, he fights to win back Alaina.
This is the fourth book of The Henry Gallant Saga, but it can be read as a standalone story.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2016
275 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
H. Peter Alesso
75 books470 followersI love words, but that wasn't always true. I grew up with a talent for numbers, leading me to follow a different path. I went to Annapolis and MIT and became a nuclear physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Only after I retired was my desire to tell stories reawakened.
In recent years, I have immersed myself in the world of words, drawing on my scientific knowledge and personal experience to shape my writing.
As a scientist, I explored physics and technology, which enabled me to create informative and insightful books, sharing my knowledge with readers who sought to expand their understanding in these areas—contributing to their intellectual growth while satisfying my own passion.
But it was my time as a naval officer that ignited my imagination and propelled me into science fiction. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving on nuclear submarines during both hot and cold wars, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges of military operations that seamen face daily.
This allowed me a unique perspective, which I channeled into creating Henry Gallant and a 22nd-century world where a space officer fought against invading aliens. Through this narrative, I explored the depths of human resilience, the mysteries of space, and the intricacies of military conflict.
My stories let me share the highlights of my journey with you. I hope you enjoy the ride. (www.hpeteralesso.com)
H. Peter Alesso Amazon Author Page"
https://www.amazon.com/H.-Peter-Aless...
'The Henry Gallant Sage' Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHenryGall...
website: https://www.ai-hive.net/
In recent years, I have immersed myself in the world of words, drawing on my scientific knowledge and personal experience to shape my writing.
As a scientist, I explored physics and technology, which enabled me to create informative and insightful books, sharing my knowledge with readers who sought to expand their understanding in these areas—contributing to their intellectual growth while satisfying my own passion.
But it was my time as a naval officer that ignited my imagination and propelled me into science fiction. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy and serving on nuclear submarines during both hot and cold wars, I witnessed firsthand the complexities and challenges of military operations that seamen face daily.
This allowed me a unique perspective, which I channeled into creating Henry Gallant and a 22nd-century world where a space officer fought against invading aliens. Through this narrative, I explored the depths of human resilience, the mysteries of space, and the intricacies of military conflict.
My stories let me share the highlights of my journey with you. I hope you enjoy the ride. (www.hpeteralesso.com)
H. Peter Alesso Amazon Author Page"
https://www.amazon.com/H.-Peter-Aless...
'The Henry Gallant Sage' Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHenryGall...
website: https://www.ai-hive.net/
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 23, 2020
I appreciated this fourth part much more than the previous one. There is a lot more going on there, even if the space battles are repetitive and end up almost every time the same way.
It's still as devoid of logic, crammed with incomprehensible ellipses and plot holes, very weak narratively, but at least this episode was not boring.
It must be said that the hero's love life is (unintentionally) very fun. Kind of Jane Austen in space, but in a completely mistaken way.
Certain points of the narrative are surprising (in the good sense of the term), but are (very) badly exploited, while certain narrative frames are completely devoid of interest, and even of common sense.
It gives a very strange overall impression.
It's still as devoid of logic, crammed with incomprehensible ellipses and plot holes, very weak narratively, but at least this episode was not boring.
It must be said that the hero's love life is (unintentionally) very fun. Kind of Jane Austen in space, but in a completely mistaken way.
Certain points of the narrative are surprising (in the good sense of the term), but are (very) badly exploited, while certain narrative frames are completely devoid of interest, and even of common sense.
It gives a very strange overall impression.
November 6, 2021
COMMANDER HENRY GALLANT sends our heroic former cadet to the middle of enemy territory in order to start waging war on the Titans in their home system. He's still disrespected by everyone in the Navy and his attempts to understand the enemy only make him more suspicious. However, that's actually just the first half of the book. The second half brings him back to Elysium where he reunites with his ex-girlfriend, Allaina, and discovers she's started a new relationship. Also, the Elysians are being exploited by the Neuman Shipping Consortium. It's a fun little book but extremely uneven and feels like two books shoved together. Still, I do enjoy the characters.
December 21, 2016
Lieutenant Commander Henry Gallant has returned to Elysium in "Commander Henry Gallant", his new assignment to disrupt the Titan war using spying, subterfuge and sabotage on the aliens' world in the Gliese-581 star system. But nearing Elysium the Warrior is caught up in a battle with a enemy destroyer and must make repairs before the mission can proceed. What he doesn't expect to face on his first visit to the planet after a year away is a political crisis on Elysium exacerbated by his arch nemesis Commander Anton Neumann who's in league with power-hungry Cyrus Wolfe Jr. or to lose Alaina Hepburn, the woman he loves to another man.
The author builds an exotic world rich in resources in the Tau Centi system. Inhabited by human prisoners kidnapped by the Titan and settled on Elysium, for two centuries they've built a colony on the island of New Kauai with their sweat and tears that's about to be invaded not by the Titans who still plague it, but by NAA pioneers intent on securing its mineral rights for the company.
In a tense, fast-action thrill-ride Warrior's Commander and crew not only battle Titan destroyers, sabotage alien communications on their home world but help the rebels on Elysium fight for justice rousing Commander Neumann's wrath. Intensity and suspense ratchet higher when Henry effects a neural link on the alien world and not only experiences super intelligence abilities but learns the downside of genetic engineering in his scrutiny of the aliens' history and social structure. Yet not only is there dangers in his mission that include side-effects from the link, but Henry must face the growing animosity of Anton Neumann whose genetic prejudice has stirred an intense hatred over the years.
At the heart of this technically well-developed story is the romance between Commander Gallant a man who can easily formulate battle tactics but finds it difficult to express his emotions and Alaina Hepburn the woman he loves who's swept up in the political turbulence initiated by the policies and greed of Anton's father, the CEO of the NAA. Emotions are stirred up not only as Commander Gallant strives to win her back after a lengthy absence but to thwart the machinations of Anton Neumann who's using his authority to further the injustices on Elysium to make his father proud and win back his wife.
In this story Henry Gallant the determined and resourceful Commander of the Warrior, a natural whose logical, honorable and duty-oriented struggles with expressing his emotions, loving Alaina and wanting her to wait for him. Beautiful, feisty and stubborn Alaina caught up in the insurrection on Elysium wants stability and the man she loves by her side so is drawn to her childhood friend Liam instead of the Commander she says she loves. Anton Neumann develops in this plot and not in a good way. Although brave, audacious, and resolute in battle he's grown meaner, more vindictive and power-hungry on Elysium as he furthers the NAA's rights on the planet using his authority unjustly and escalating tensions with Henry. I like the complexity and heart of Peter Alessio's characters as they continue to add fire and drama to this imaginative story.
"Commander Henry Gallant" the fourth book in a captivating series kept me intoxicated from beginning to end and I look forward to the next exciting chapter not only as the crew of the Warrior battles to save humanity from a race that wants to annihilate them, but in a war developing with the power-hungry CEO of the NAA.
The author builds an exotic world rich in resources in the Tau Centi system. Inhabited by human prisoners kidnapped by the Titan and settled on Elysium, for two centuries they've built a colony on the island of New Kauai with their sweat and tears that's about to be invaded not by the Titans who still plague it, but by NAA pioneers intent on securing its mineral rights for the company.
In a tense, fast-action thrill-ride Warrior's Commander and crew not only battle Titan destroyers, sabotage alien communications on their home world but help the rebels on Elysium fight for justice rousing Commander Neumann's wrath. Intensity and suspense ratchet higher when Henry effects a neural link on the alien world and not only experiences super intelligence abilities but learns the downside of genetic engineering in his scrutiny of the aliens' history and social structure. Yet not only is there dangers in his mission that include side-effects from the link, but Henry must face the growing animosity of Anton Neumann whose genetic prejudice has stirred an intense hatred over the years.
At the heart of this technically well-developed story is the romance between Commander Gallant a man who can easily formulate battle tactics but finds it difficult to express his emotions and Alaina Hepburn the woman he loves who's swept up in the political turbulence initiated by the policies and greed of Anton's father, the CEO of the NAA. Emotions are stirred up not only as Commander Gallant strives to win her back after a lengthy absence but to thwart the machinations of Anton Neumann who's using his authority to further the injustices on Elysium to make his father proud and win back his wife.
In this story Henry Gallant the determined and resourceful Commander of the Warrior, a natural whose logical, honorable and duty-oriented struggles with expressing his emotions, loving Alaina and wanting her to wait for him. Beautiful, feisty and stubborn Alaina caught up in the insurrection on Elysium wants stability and the man she loves by her side so is drawn to her childhood friend Liam instead of the Commander she says she loves. Anton Neumann develops in this plot and not in a good way. Although brave, audacious, and resolute in battle he's grown meaner, more vindictive and power-hungry on Elysium as he furthers the NAA's rights on the planet using his authority unjustly and escalating tensions with Henry. I like the complexity and heart of Peter Alessio's characters as they continue to add fire and drama to this imaginative story.
"Commander Henry Gallant" the fourth book in a captivating series kept me intoxicated from beginning to end and I look forward to the next exciting chapter not only as the crew of the Warrior battles to save humanity from a race that wants to annihilate them, but in a war developing with the power-hungry CEO of the NAA.
June 12, 2020
In book four of the Henry Gallant saga, Alesso builds on themes from the second and third novels expanding on the intelligence missions of Gallant and the Warrior and continuing the story of the first human colony, Elysium. This is a complicated novel, so let’s take the storylines one at a time.
For the first part, the Warrior, using its cloaking technology, penetrates to the Titan home system where Gallant successfully uses his advanced neuro-link abilities to penetrate the Titan communication grid and disrupt and sabotage elements of Titan society. Unfortunately for Gallant, his very success in accomplishing this task becomes yet another excuse for his nemesis, Commander Neumann, to question his reliability and loyalty.
Neumann has been a significant problem for Gallant from the beginning of the series. His father is one of the wealthiest men (a mining magnate) in the earth system who has given Neumann everything (including a genetically engineered “superior” body), but Neumann suffers from a massive inferiority complex which appears to have been exasperated by Gallant’s (who enjoys no advantages from genetic engineering) continued successes. In this fourth book, Neumann goes all in to prove himself to his father and ultimately to prove he’s Gallant’s better in every way. Unsurprisingly, the harder he tries, the more extreme his actions, the more he throws into doubt everything he wishes to prove. All of the conflict that results from Neumann’s obsessions makes for a tense and exciting book.
Lots of lingering storylines from the first three books come together in this fourth novel as the fate of humanity once again rests on Henry Gallant’s shoulders.
I received this book free from Audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
For the first part, the Warrior, using its cloaking technology, penetrates to the Titan home system where Gallant successfully uses his advanced neuro-link abilities to penetrate the Titan communication grid and disrupt and sabotage elements of Titan society. Unfortunately for Gallant, his very success in accomplishing this task becomes yet another excuse for his nemesis, Commander Neumann, to question his reliability and loyalty.
Neumann has been a significant problem for Gallant from the beginning of the series. His father is one of the wealthiest men (a mining magnate) in the earth system who has given Neumann everything (including a genetically engineered “superior” body), but Neumann suffers from a massive inferiority complex which appears to have been exasperated by Gallant’s (who enjoys no advantages from genetic engineering) continued successes. In this fourth book, Neumann goes all in to prove himself to his father and ultimately to prove he’s Gallant’s better in every way. Unsurprisingly, the harder he tries, the more extreme his actions, the more he throws into doubt everything he wishes to prove. All of the conflict that results from Neumann’s obsessions makes for a tense and exciting book.
Lots of lingering storylines from the first three books come together in this fourth novel as the fate of humanity once again rests on Henry Gallant’s shoulders.
I received this book free from Audiobook Boom in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
March 5, 2016
Fourth in the series, Commander Henry Gallant, was okay, but lacked the punch of his earlier books. I'd prefer it if Alesso would focus on the military side of the story and less on planet politics and Henry's on again/off again love life.
There were a conspicuous number of editing errors which need to be cleaned up as they become distracting after a while. I still enjoyed the book, just not as much as the first three.
There were a conspicuous number of editing errors which need to be cleaned up as they become distracting after a while. I still enjoyed the book, just not as much as the first three.
February 2, 2017
Very similar in scope to the third book, this one goes deeper into the society of the enemy. The fact that there is discovered the same kind of problem humanity is facing, only worse, does reinforce the theme of the book, but does sound a little cheap, as the resulting society passes from being alien to being like a human one taken to an extreme. Other than that, the book is allright,
October 29, 2018
( Format : Audiobook )
"Private wars and petty jealousies."
The course of true love has never run smoothly for Henry Gallant, the only normal, unmodified genetically officer in the Fleet. Now with his own command ship, Warrior, he is able to return to Elysium where he had left his love, Elayna, as President trying to stabilise her society. He hopes that her feelings for him have remained.
Meanwhile, his former captain and enemy, Captain Neuman, the man who married his first love is also on the scene making life difficult. And Gallant's orders are to send Warrior into the heartland of the Titans, to spy on their communications and disrupt their activity.
Book four in the Henry Gallant saga, the book continues the romance from book two whilst still providing plenty of space battle action and some planet side also. A good, solid story again read by narrator Theodore Copeland with a pleasant modulation and good character voicings.
An enjoyable, easy to read series. My thanks to the rights holder of Commander Henry Gallant, who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom.
"Private wars and petty jealousies."
The course of true love has never run smoothly for Henry Gallant, the only normal, unmodified genetically officer in the Fleet. Now with his own command ship, Warrior, he is able to return to Elysium where he had left his love, Elayna, as President trying to stabilise her society. He hopes that her feelings for him have remained.
Meanwhile, his former captain and enemy, Captain Neuman, the man who married his first love is also on the scene making life difficult. And Gallant's orders are to send Warrior into the heartland of the Titans, to spy on their communications and disrupt their activity.
Book four in the Henry Gallant saga, the book continues the romance from book two whilst still providing plenty of space battle action and some planet side also. A good, solid story again read by narrator Theodore Copeland with a pleasant modulation and good character voicings.
An enjoyable, easy to read series. My thanks to the rights holder of Commander Henry Gallant, who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom.
January 17, 2025
What a great storyline!!!
Gallant faces every challenge that confronts him, most he conquers while the others he assists others in dealing with them! His personal life us full of ups and downs, inspite of everything else, he seems to hope against all disention, for a successful outcome. In times of war, sadly personal love is strained, often times to a breaking point. Time will tell how Henry fairs!
Gallant faces every challenge that confronts him, most he conquers while the others he assists others in dealing with them! His personal life us full of ups and downs, inspite of everything else, he seems to hope against all disention, for a successful outcome. In times of war, sadly personal love is strained, often times to a breaking point. Time will tell how Henry fairs!
November 30, 2019
Fire your proofreader!
I've never seen more proofreading mistakes in a book before. Unacceptable. More concerning was the lack of depth of the characters or the flatness dialogue. Pretty poor space opera.
I've never seen more proofreading mistakes in a book before. Unacceptable. More concerning was the lack of depth of the characters or the flatness dialogue. Pretty poor space opera.
February 16, 2022
Chain of command realism!
Personality based decisions while often true are distressing when the health and welfare of the crew and officers are severely affected. An XO of mine in the navy was quite taken with Horatio Hornblower.
Personality based decisions while often true are distressing when the health and welfare of the crew and officers are severely affected. An XO of mine in the navy was quite taken with Horatio Hornblower.
October 10, 2024
Commander Talent does it all
The main character seems to be doing the work several characters. He continues to overcome anything in his path.
The writing is definitely better than the first book. The story is interesting and entertaining.
The main character seems to be doing the work several characters. He continues to overcome anything in his path.
The writing is definitely better than the first book. The story is interesting and entertaining.
May 15, 2019
I read the entire series. Enjoyed it. Good characters. A bit cheesey at times in the romance parts.
September 11, 2020
About time😍😍
Very good story glad to see order restored. Everyone likes an underdog to win. Looking forward to the next Gallant.
Very good story glad to see order restored. Everyone likes an underdog to win. Looking forward to the next Gallant.
March 3, 2022
Entertaining, fast pace
Story line and varieties of characters , remind me of the old sailing stories ,yet bring to life problems that our society has today
Story line and varieties of characters , remind me of the old sailing stories ,yet bring to life problems that our society has today
August 23, 2022
Captain Henry Gallant is excellent at leadership, technical understanding, neural interfaces--but he sucks at romantic relationships.
Oh, the ladies like him. He's a babe magnet. But he never commits to anyone. His first commitment is to his duty to the space navy and defending mankind.
Can he find happiness? Or will he keep making himself and women miserable throughout the universe?
Oh, he also has to defeat a system of alien savants who are planning the destruction of the human race along the way.
Oh, the ladies like him. He's a babe magnet. But he never commits to anyone. His first commitment is to his duty to the space navy and defending mankind.
Can he find happiness? Or will he keep making himself and women miserable throughout the universe?
Oh, he also has to defeat a system of alien savants who are planning the destruction of the human race along the way.
March 30, 2024
Fun Read
I couldn't put this book down. I liked the flow of this book. Always moving, no long interludes. Highly recommend the book. Now on to the next book in the series.
I couldn't put this book down. I liked the flow of this book. Always moving, no long interludes. Highly recommend the book. Now on to the next book in the series.
June 16, 2024
Fantastic
Well written and thought out! Lots of action and you watch the characters grow and see the decisions they make in life!
Well written and thought out! Lots of action and you watch the characters grow and see the decisions they make in life!
January 17, 2022
Actions and Reactions
Commander Henry Gallant is faced with conflicts between his personal and his professional lives. In the meantime, his struggles with his commanding officer and their difference of opinion concerning genetic engineering reach new heights of animosity. Then the enemy Titans show up. I recommend this book due to the author's handling of all these conflicting forces.
Commander Henry Gallant is faced with conflicts between his personal and his professional lives. In the meantime, his struggles with his commanding officer and their difference of opinion concerning genetic engineering reach new heights of animosity. Then the enemy Titans show up. I recommend this book due to the author's handling of all these conflicting forces.
January 1, 2022
Another great read.
If you enjoy all that a space opera can bring, then this is the book for you. Action, battle, politics, love and a behind the scene struggle for power, this book series has it all.
If you enjoy all that a space opera can bring, then this is the book for you. Action, battle, politics, love and a behind the scene struggle for power, this book series has it all.
April 25, 2021
Two Places at Once
The old dilemma of not being able to be a doting husband and father and military hero at least he same time raises its head. It is sad but true and most of us have to make a decision like this at least once in our lives. This is a good and lively tale that kept me turning pages and I always like a happy ending, especially where boy gets girl (and the other way round as well). How will they work out the old dilemma? You cannot be two places at once no matter how much you would like to.
The old dilemma of not being able to be a doting husband and father and military hero at least he same time raises its head. It is sad but true and most of us have to make a decision like this at least once in our lives. This is a good and lively tale that kept me turning pages and I always like a happy ending, especially where boy gets girl (and the other way round as well). How will they work out the old dilemma? You cannot be two places at once no matter how much you would like to.
March 20, 2016
The premise is interesting, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The author's writing style leans more towards telling the reader what happened instead of "showing" the reader. The dialog, where there is some, is stilted. The writing style was bad enough that I almost put down the book halfway through.
October 31, 2021
Very good
A good romp to relieve the actual stresses of the day. I love the Gallant character and it appears he now has staunch companions ready for the next adventure. I am life long Hornblower fan. Keep it up!
A good romp to relieve the actual stresses of the day. I love the Gallant character and it appears he now has staunch companions ready for the next adventure. I am life long Hornblower fan. Keep it up!
February 21, 2016
Action
It's still a great storyline, with action,twists,mystery,plotting for good to bad. It has some slowed down areas in the story, still a good read
It's still a great storyline, with action,twists,mystery,plotting for good to bad. It has some slowed down areas in the story, still a good read
April 30, 2016
Thoroughly gripping
Kept me wanting more continuously. Gripping from start to finish. Eagerly await the new book's release in due course. A hard act to follow.
Kept me wanting more continuously. Gripping from start to finish. Eagerly await the new book's release in due course. A hard act to follow.
June 8, 2016
I've enjoyed this series so far. Sometimes the writing can be disjointed but overall it's a good series. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. Enjoy!!!!
Read
March 27, 2021Enjoyed this book. The only issue I have is minor and deals with using nautical terms for issuing orders.
May 20, 2021
War of losses
The war in these books is written so well you can feel the loss. It's gritty and you feel like you are on the bridge of the warrior.
The war in these books is written so well you can feel the loss. It's gritty and you feel like you are on the bridge of the warrior.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews