Alien Safari: Apex

Alien Safari #3

by Robert Appleton

New species. Old wounds. A fight for supremacy on the galaxy’s wildest planet.

When Hesperidia’s satellite defense system suffers a catastrophic failure, the meteor shower it was supposed to repel rains down over the terrified tourists on safari. Three large surface impacts trigger a crisis intervention from the colonial authorities. It results in the removal of the current governor, and auditions for a successor are soon underway. Jan, Alien Safari’s pre-eminent ranger-scientist, finds herself in competition with a formidable new male colleague, who’ll stop at nothing to win the top job.

Their assignment leads them to the frozen north, where the discovery of a deadly new species near one of the impact craters imperils not just the safari tours, but potentially all life on the continent as well. An expedition to capture the creature tests Jan’s survival resources to their limits, and provides a shocking reminder that mankind, for all its technological prowess, can’t hold a candle to the savage ingenuity of alien nature.

Meanwhile, Detective Vaughn, struggling to reintegrate after his absence, must face his tragic past head on when he learns that his niece has been targeted for assassination. To keep her safe, he brings her to an island haven on Hesperidia. But the timing of his return couldn’t be worse. A perfect storm of incident, treachery and planet-shaking events endangers the very future of human existence on this miraculous alien world.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2021

About the author

Robert Appleton is a British science fiction and adventure author partial to tales of survival in far-flung locations. Many of his sci-fi books share the same universe as his popular Alien Safari series, though tend to feature standalone storylines. His rebellious characters range from an orphaned grifter on Mars to a lone woman gate-crashing the war in her biotech suit. His sci-fi readers regularly earn enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a cross-galaxy voyage of their choosing. His publishers include Harlequin Carina Press, and he also ghost-writes novels in other genres. In his free time he hikes, plays soccer, and kayaks whenever he can. The night sky is his inspiration.

His work has been nominated for several awards, and in 2011 he won the EPIC Award for Best Historical Fiction.

Be sure to follow Robert on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://bit.ly/3qLWVHu

Reviews

[Stephanie Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jan, along with the other scientists stationed on Hesperidia and a bunch of tourists gather to watch a spectacular meteor shower but when the planet’s satellite system is somehow disabled the show turns into a disaster as several large meteorites strike the planet. The failure means the end of the current planet governor’s term as he is unceremoniously dismissed and there is a contest among the rangers to see who will take his place. Four teams of two scientists and an observer are sent to check the damage to the planet where each of four large meteorites hit. Paired with her rival for the head ranger job, Jan finds herself facing an new, unknown Hesperidia creature more dangerous than any previously encountered, one that could kill all life on the planet.
Meanwhile Vaughn is finding it hard to adjust to the almost twenty-year absence that resulted from his previous adventure. Contemporary colleagues are ready for retirement while he is the same thirty-ish man he was before his last mission. When his estranged sister reaches out for help to rescue his niece from her less-than-savory associates who have sent a hit man after her to prevent her from testifying against them. When he brings Kyla to Hesperidia to hide until she can go into witness protection, that case seems to merge with Jan’s problems with the new creature and the increased smuggling of protected planets and animals off of Hesperidia.
This is a rollicking adventure with fast-paced action. Jan and Vaughn are intriguing characters that we want to see more of; and Stopper, the Geo-mod dog, is a real defined character all on his own. While each book in the series has reached a satisfactory conclusion there is always room for more adventures on the planet Hesperidia. I look forward to their next adventure Alien Safari: Kingdom. Recommended

[Judith Trail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankly, I do not know how anyone survives outside of a concrete bunker on the planet Hespiridia. It has the kind of deadly flora and fauna that I associate with Australia, but on steroids. Tiny insects that will cause an insanely painful rash, poisonous plants, insects and critters, predators that fly, crawl, run or swim. A walk from a front door to the mailbox could result in 23 different kinds of painful deaths. Ranger Jan and her amazing dog, Stoppers, navigate this world with joy and caution as a research scientist forced, by economics, to host tourists to this world on "safaris" to view the remarkable environment. As usual, there are about a dozen things going on: there is political turmoil as a new director of the planet rangers is being chosen (the prior one was a disaster); Jan's boyfriend, Omicron agent Vaughn is protecting his niece and her boyfriend from a drug cartel until she can testify at a criminal trial, and a new deadly creature arrives on the planet during an asteroid strike, causing mayhem and death. The characters in this adventure science fiction series drive the action, their personalities definitely determining choices. The characters are very likeable, the villains suitably annoying and the dog, Stopper, is amazing. The descriptions of the planet are excellent, as are the terrifying plants and animals, and the story lines all provide action to keep your interest at full peak.

[Ed Napiorkowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion not as solid as the first two books in the series. OK but not as good.
Why? A couple of examples.
The "superhuman" characteristics of the main characters which seem to sustain injuries (e.g. dislocated shoulder) during coinflicts which neither incapacitate or hinder their performance is overcoming adversity is a repeating flaw in believeability.
I also felt the signifricant discoveries made in this particular episode (and there are a few) which are treated as secrets by those who uncfovered them just doesn't sit properly with the earliy way these individuals have been portrayed.
In my view the bnook dragged along in a few sections, not much happening which actually contributed to the overall story or theme.
I'll be parking the series for a little while and reading something else as I do want to see it through to the end but I am hoping a break will makle me less critical of what is still to be enjoyed.
I rated book three at 2 stars.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sci fi adventure

The world building is excellent, Ferrix is a great character, and Appleton doesn't whitewash the disconnect caused by Ferrix losing 19 years. I wish the body count were lower, but I care too much about fictional characters, especially named young ones. The planet remains the greatest character in this series, and I hope there will be a book 4.

[John Bugno · Rating 2 out of 5]

What starts as a decent series quickly falls into disrepute as the author runs out of ideas and starts to make one of the characters into a hero, lost interest by the third book and struggled to finish

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weaker than the previous two; good plot concepts poorly integrated.

[Richard Hickman]

Good.

[C K Dundas · Rating 5 out of 5]

good story plenty of action Great

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think #3 could be better than the first 2 volumes, but I was wrong! This series is incredible. Apex is one thrill after another. Apex is an amazing predator that astonishes everyone on the planet. There are a plethora of subplots which twine together into an unforgettable blockbuster of a story.