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Freeman Universe #1
Quite Possibly Alien
Quite Possibly Alien
A sentient starship, refitted and pressed into service... quite possibly mad. An unstable crew, captained by a ruthless woman... quite possibly pirates. A fresh recruit, with an unexplained past... and his cat.
In a universe where nothing is what it seems and heroes are in short supply. Don't Ask. Don't Tell. Just sit down. Belt in. And hang on.
A sentient starship, refitted and pressed into service... quite possibly mad. An unstable crew, captained by a ruthless woman... quite possibly pirates. A fresh recruit, with an unexplained past... and his cat.
In a universe where nothing is what it seems and heroes are in short supply. Don't Ask. Don't Tell. Just sit down. Belt in. And hang on.
340 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2014
410 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Patrick O'Sullivan
26 books3 followersPatrick O’Sullivan is a writer living and working in the United States and Ireland. Patrick’s fantasy and science fiction works have won awards in the Writers of the Future Contest as well as the James Patrick Baen Memorial Writing Contest sponsored by Baen Books and the National Space Society.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 30, 2022
Fantastic thought provoking awesome story
Hated the characters at first and came to love them. Excellent questions were raised and not answered. Made me think and ponder all while keeping the story moving. Amazing balance of stimulating the imagination but not sharing too much.
Wow!
Hated the characters at first and came to love them. Excellent questions were raised and not answered. Made me think and ponder all while keeping the story moving. Amazing balance of stimulating the imagination but not sharing too much.
Wow!
April 19, 2024
Outstanding
This takes a few chapters to understand who is who and what is what. The world building is fantastic and the characters are amazing. I don’t even fully understand all of it. There are things in play in the relationships that aren’t clear, just like reality.
I’ve trudged through a lot of mixed bags recently. A lot of good writers that wrote depressing stuff with good plots but they terribly abused and murdered too many of the characters that I cared about.
This is a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend taking the time to understand the first 1/4 of the book because once you begin to understand the world, it becomes a blast to read the adventures taking place in it.
This takes a few chapters to understand who is who and what is what. The world building is fantastic and the characters are amazing. I don’t even fully understand all of it. There are things in play in the relationships that aren’t clear, just like reality.
I’ve trudged through a lot of mixed bags recently. A lot of good writers that wrote depressing stuff with good plots but they terribly abused and murdered too many of the characters that I cared about.
This is a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend taking the time to understand the first 1/4 of the book because once you begin to understand the world, it becomes a blast to read the adventures taking place in it.
May 28, 2024
Worth a Read
This is my first installment from O'Sullivan and I was pleasantly surprised. I've been craving a space opera and I'm glad this series hit my radar. The author did a great job introducing his characters and a decent job with the world building. The reason for four stars, rather than 5.. Imo, the transitions are incomplete. I'm not against a preparatory scene setup, then flash forward past the event - but the author needs to double check the recap of events a little better. The reader can certainly use their own imagination to provide depth, but it seemed there were still story/plot elements that needed to be provided by the author. I recommend this book - especially since the story gaps may just be my old brain lol & it's certainly entertaining enough that I'm off to read the next in series.
This is my first installment from O'Sullivan and I was pleasantly surprised. I've been craving a space opera and I'm glad this series hit my radar. The author did a great job introducing his characters and a decent job with the world building. The reason for four stars, rather than 5.. Imo, the transitions are incomplete. I'm not against a preparatory scene setup, then flash forward past the event - but the author needs to double check the recap of events a little better. The reader can certainly use their own imagination to provide depth, but it seemed there were still story/plot elements that needed to be provided by the author. I recommend this book - especially since the story gaps may just be my old brain lol & it's certainly entertaining enough that I'm off to read the next in series.
April 5, 2022
I didn't think I would like this book. It was difficult to get to know the characters. They were strangers to me, just as they were to each other. There's not a lot of background information, but who likes an omniscient narrator always butting in to explain this history, this reason, that background? The reader becomes acquainted with those he meets along with the main character. In the end, I really liked the book and even preordered the next in the series. If you enjoy unique approaches and original stories, give this one a try.
November 11, 2022
An exciting story
The book is well written with a couple of intriguing twists. Laced with humor and some very unconventional characters, the main character, Ciaran (I found his name difficult to pronounce, the sound of which changed in my head three times as I read on), finds himself a somewhat unwilling member of a Merchant vessel crew. Unwilling because this crew is largely viewed as pirates by the rest of Freeman space. But at least he will get see “the wider world” as has always longed for. His journey is nothing like he expects.
The book is well written with a couple of intriguing twists. Laced with humor and some very unconventional characters, the main character, Ciaran (I found his name difficult to pronounce, the sound of which changed in my head three times as I read on), finds himself a somewhat unwilling member of a Merchant vessel crew. Unwilling because this crew is largely viewed as pirates by the rest of Freeman space. But at least he will get see “the wider world” as has always longed for. His journey is nothing like he expects.
November 17, 2023
Quite Possibly Alien is a coming-of-age story with an intriguing premise. Young Ciarán, a freshly minted Merchant Apprentice, is hired by the crew of Impossibly Alien, a ship suspected of piracy. He quickly finds that the ship’s AI has renamed itself Quite Possibly Alien. Ciarán suspects it may not be entirely sane. As his maiden voyage continues, he finds the universe full of traps he only discovers by tripping over them. The story has some fuzziness in the world-building, but the characters are likable, and the action is entertaining. I will read more of this unpretentious series.
May 12, 2024
I am always a bit cautious when starting a new series, despite glowing reviews from others. However, in this case, I needn't have worried. This first book in the series contains a universe so well-developed that I can imagine there will be many, many more tales to come. The characters, especially the main protagonist, felt well-drawn, unique and perfect for the story. I will certainly continue with the rest of this series, and I highly recommend it to my fellow science fiction/space opera readers.
May 28, 2022
Brilliant sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is a little grim and very inventive, Ciarin is a great, complicated character, and the story is fantastic. There is violence, evil, and an ugly body count, as well as a dip into horror, but I love this book and will buy it to reread as soon as my budget allows. I'm glad I didn't read Alien when it was first released, because I would have been unable to wait patiently for a sequel.
The worldbuilding is a little grim and very inventive, Ciarin is a great, complicated character, and the story is fantastic. There is violence, evil, and an ugly body count, as well as a dip into horror, but I love this book and will buy it to reread as soon as my budget allows. I'm glad I didn't read Alien when it was first released, because I would have been unable to wait patiently for a sequel.
August 21, 2023
Wow!
A truly amazing story! A hero with hidden potential is a standard feature in mini adventure stories but this saga is in a class of its own. The heroes abilities keep unfolding and expanding as the story progresses and it feels like we have not even begun to see what his true potential is. I can't wait to start the next story.
A truly amazing story! A hero with hidden potential is a standard feature in mini adventure stories but this saga is in a class of its own. The heroes abilities keep unfolding and expanding as the story progresses and it feels like we have not even begun to see what his true potential is. I can't wait to start the next story.
June 20, 2022
7/10: Good solid read, something to get your teeth into.
He didn't rescue damsels in distress for the damsel's sake. He did it for his own. He couldn't stomach turning a blind eye to suffering.
He didn't rescue damsels in distress for the damsel's sake. He did it for his own. He couldn't stomach turning a blind eye to suffering.
August 17, 2023
Good Read.
This was a good read . For some reason I couldn't get into it and had trouble understanding the book at first so I gave up for the night and started again the next night and all was great. Off to the next one, or the one in between the 1st. and second.
This was a good read . For some reason I couldn't get into it and had trouble understanding the book at first so I gave up for the night and started again the next night and all was great. Off to the next one, or the one in between the 1st. and second.
March 16, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Just bought the second in the series. Some people complain about how slow the book starts.I did not find this to be the case. He lays out this new universe for us and then he goes to town. Hope the second one is as good.
April 7, 2025
a jumble of interesting ideas.
A jumble of interesting ideas wrapped in a good story. A confusing collection of aliens. A little hard to track but worth the effort. Good thoughts about what makes things/life work. I’ll read more reviews and the next installment.
A jumble of interesting ideas wrapped in a good story. A confusing collection of aliens. A little hard to track but worth the effort. Good thoughts about what makes things/life work. I’ll read more reviews and the next installment.
July 8, 2022
Quite a story
It is a fast paced story full of various ins and outs. Sometimes a little confusing but overall a good read
It is a fast paced story full of various ins and outs. Sometimes a little confusing but overall a good read
September 22, 2022
Wow!
Great read. Feels to me like Alastair Reynolds mixed with David Weber. This book should be 10-15$, not free. Cant wait for the next one.
Great read. Feels to me like Alastair Reynolds mixed with David Weber. This book should be 10-15$, not free. Cant wait for the next one.
February 11, 2023
Illiterate.
DNF Chapter 2
DNF Chapter 2
May 9, 2023
I read chapter one and after finishing all I could think was the author must have been ‘on something’ when he wrote this. It was probably just me, but this didn’t really make a lot of sense.
October 31, 2023
Good characters
Tech side a bit disjointed. As I read more I may understand more.
Well written overall. Keep em coming this year.
Tech side a bit disjointed. As I read more I may understand more.
Well written overall. Keep em coming this year.
November 8, 2023
Surprisingly Good Read
I liked the way the cat was blended into the story as not only a weapon but a friend.
It was nice the way the ending turned out.
I liked the way the cat was blended into the story as not only a weapon but a friend.
It was nice the way the ending turned out.
February 8, 2024
Really enjoyed this book - real shame the rest of the series isn't available in kindle unlimited :(
February 15, 2024
I gradually lost interest, DNF at 87%
August 25, 2024
Twists and turns, great characters
A very different world with excellent characters, great dialog, and a roller coaster ride of action. Looking forward to the next in this series!
A very different world with excellent characters, great dialog, and a roller coaster ride of action. Looking forward to the next in this series!
September 16, 2025
This was excellent!
September 12, 2024
Brilliant sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is a little grim and very inventive, Ciarin is a great, complicated character, and the story is fantastic. There is violence, evil, and an ugly body count, as well as a dip into horror, but I love this book and will buy it to reread as soon as my budget allows. I'm glad I didn't read Alien when it was first released, because I would have been unable to wait patiently for a sequel.
The worldbuilding is a little grim and very inventive, Ciarin is a great, complicated character, and the story is fantastic. There is violence, evil, and an ugly body count, as well as a dip into horror, but I love this book and will buy it to reread as soon as my budget allows. I'm glad I didn't read Alien when it was first released, because I would have been unable to wait patiently for a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews