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Without food, supplies, or a way home, Colonel Everett Young finds himself in charge of a mission that has gone wrong before it has even begun. Stranded and alone on the far side of the universe, the mismatched team of scientists, technicians, and military personnel have only one objective: staying alive. As personalities clash and desperation takes hold, salvation lies in the hands of Dr. Nicholas Rush, the man responsible for their plight.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
284 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
James Swallow
305 books1,073 followersJames Swallow is a New York Times, Sunday Times and Amazon #1 bestselling author and scriptwriter, a BAFTA nominee, a former journalist and the award-winning writer of over sixty-five books, along with scripts for video games, comics, radio and television.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
DARK HORIZON, his latest stand-alone thriller, is out now from Mountain Leopard Press, and OUTLAW, the 6th action-packed Marc Dane novel, is published by Bonnier.
Along with the Marc Dane thrillers, his writing includes, the Sundowners steampunk Westerns and fiction from the worlds of Star Trek, Tom Clancy, 24, Warhammer 40000, Doctor Who, Deus Ex, Stargate, 2000AD and many more.
For information on new releases & more, sign up to the Readers’ Club here: www.bit.ly/JamesSwallow
Visit James's website at http://www.jswallow.com/ for more, including ROUGH AIR, a free eBook novella in the Marc Dane series.
You can also follow James on Bluesky at @jmswallow.bsky.social, Twitter at @jmswallow, Mastodon at @jmswallow@mstdn.social and jmswallow.tumblr.com at Tumblr.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 21, 2023
Stargate Universe: Air By James Swallow, is a novelization that adapts the three-part pilot episode of the SG:U series, telling the story of Colonel Everett Young, Dr. Nicholas Rush, Lt. Matthew Scott, Chloe Armstrong, Eli Wallace, Lt. Tamara Johansen, Sargent Ronald Greer, International Oversight Committee member Camile Wray, and other civilian and military personnel who find themselves stranded on the Ancient starship Destiny, billions of light years from Earth after an experiment goes awry.
It can be said that the novelization of an episode is nothing more than the script put into prose. And, in some ways, the novelization of “Air,” the Stargate: Universe pilot episodes, is just that. Lines and scenes are reproduced verbatim and there are certainly no plot twists or surprises not seen in the 3-part episode. What you saw on the screen is pretty much what you’re going to read in the book.
That said, the novelization of an episode does benefit from a freedom from time limits, special effects budgets and actor availability. As such, it can be a richer and more rounded experience than the episode itself.
Anyone who has watched a book adaptation knows that sacrifices are often made to move a plot or keep to a time limit when a written work is turned into a visual one. And, in this case, what was likely a couple hundred script pages were embellished and expanded upon to turn them into almost 300 pages of story.
In this novelization we get a glimpse into Lt. Vanessa James’s attitude and personality. We have insight into that infamous broom closet scene that we don’t get from the episode. And that’s not the only scene, nor is Lt. James the only character whose mind and mentality we get to peek into.
We find out bits about Doctor Nicholas Rush and his motivations, and the feelings of Eli Wallace, Matthew Scott and others. We get to peek into characters’ minds, and read in words those actions and feelings that previously were only left up to the interpretation of the viewer.
When I started to read Air, I was expecting to re-experience the 3-part episode. And I did. But I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that the book contains more than the 3 part pilot episode does. Are you curious what General O’Neill and Rush talked about on their way to pick up Eli? Or would you like to have a bit more of the conversation between Carter and O’Neill? We get expanded scenes with Jack and an explanation of why people are stationed at the Pentagon, along with an insight into just how Homeworld Security works.
Those scenes – and more – are in there and they certainly add to and embellish an already good story.
There’s no way to know if these scenes were originally in the script and cut for time, or if they are additions by the author. If the former, then the author’s handle on and interpretation of the characters lines up with mine, which makes it an enjoyable read.
As I was reading it I did discover one odd thing that stood out — a scene between Young and his wife that I didn’t remember from “Air.” And I was right, it wasn’t in “Air,” it was in “Darkness.” This suggests to me that perhaps the scene was shot, cut from the series premiere and then inserted in the later episode. I have to admit, it makes more sense in “Air” than it did in “Darkness.”
All in all, the novelization is what it is: prose written from the scripts of the three episodes. There will be no shocking plot twists, no fantastic revelations. However, if you enjoyed the first episodes of SG: Universe, you will enjoy this book. And the knowledge you get from it is knowledge that will give you a greater sense of insight and understanding in the characters of the show. I enjoyed the writing style and I enjoyed the book. I recommend it to anyone that liked the show.
It can be said that the novelization of an episode is nothing more than the script put into prose. And, in some ways, the novelization of “Air,” the Stargate: Universe pilot episodes, is just that. Lines and scenes are reproduced verbatim and there are certainly no plot twists or surprises not seen in the 3-part episode. What you saw on the screen is pretty much what you’re going to read in the book.
That said, the novelization of an episode does benefit from a freedom from time limits, special effects budgets and actor availability. As such, it can be a richer and more rounded experience than the episode itself.
Anyone who has watched a book adaptation knows that sacrifices are often made to move a plot or keep to a time limit when a written work is turned into a visual one. And, in this case, what was likely a couple hundred script pages were embellished and expanded upon to turn them into almost 300 pages of story.
In this novelization we get a glimpse into Lt. Vanessa James’s attitude and personality. We have insight into that infamous broom closet scene that we don’t get from the episode. And that’s not the only scene, nor is Lt. James the only character whose mind and mentality we get to peek into.
We find out bits about Doctor Nicholas Rush and his motivations, and the feelings of Eli Wallace, Matthew Scott and others. We get to peek into characters’ minds, and read in words those actions and feelings that previously were only left up to the interpretation of the viewer.
When I started to read Air, I was expecting to re-experience the 3-part episode. And I did. But I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that the book contains more than the 3 part pilot episode does. Are you curious what General O’Neill and Rush talked about on their way to pick up Eli? Or would you like to have a bit more of the conversation between Carter and O’Neill? We get expanded scenes with Jack and an explanation of why people are stationed at the Pentagon, along with an insight into just how Homeworld Security works.
Those scenes – and more – are in there and they certainly add to and embellish an already good story.
There’s no way to know if these scenes were originally in the script and cut for time, or if they are additions by the author. If the former, then the author’s handle on and interpretation of the characters lines up with mine, which makes it an enjoyable read.
As I was reading it I did discover one odd thing that stood out — a scene between Young and his wife that I didn’t remember from “Air.” And I was right, it wasn’t in “Air,” it was in “Darkness.” This suggests to me that perhaps the scene was shot, cut from the series premiere and then inserted in the later episode. I have to admit, it makes more sense in “Air” than it did in “Darkness.”
All in all, the novelization is what it is: prose written from the scripts of the three episodes. There will be no shocking plot twists, no fantastic revelations. However, if you enjoyed the first episodes of SG: Universe, you will enjoy this book. And the knowledge you get from it is knowledge that will give you a greater sense of insight and understanding in the characters of the show. I enjoyed the writing style and I enjoyed the book. I recommend it to anyone that liked the show.
July 24, 2017
Wish there was more!
Thank you James Swallow for this book to a series that left too many unanswered questions about Stargate Universe world.
Thank you James Swallow for this book to a series that left too many unanswered questions about Stargate Universe world.
June 7, 2025
Hell yes. Someone should pay this guy to novelise all of the episodes, at a minimum, and ideally to continue the story.
Disclaimer 1, I loved SGU and thought that it had the potential to become the best of the franchise, if it hadn't been axed so soon.
Disclaimer 2, the author is a personal favourite and has written many books that I enjoyed.
Conclusion: I was pretty well guaranteed to love this, so check it out for yourself. If you haven't seen the show, this is a great introduction. If you have seen (and enjoyed) the show, then this is a chance to get inside the heads of those characters.
Disclaimer 1, I loved SGU and thought that it had the potential to become the best of the franchise, if it hadn't been axed so soon.
Disclaimer 2, the author is a personal favourite and has written many books that I enjoyed.
Conclusion: I was pretty well guaranteed to love this, so check it out for yourself. If you haven't seen the show, this is a great introduction. If you have seen (and enjoyed) the show, then this is a chance to get inside the heads of those characters.
August 20, 2018
While there was nothing wrong with this book, it was just an almost word-for-word novelization of the first few episodes of SG:U. I loved that show endlessly and watched the eps a bunch of times, so the book did nothing for me. Rarely it added a short sentence of a character's thoughts, but it was nothing I couldn't glean from the episode myself. DNF
September 8, 2022
A novelization of the first two episodes of the 3 stargate show. It dos a good job of adding narrative to earth side chacthers and destiny crew back flashes to expand on what was happening bouth on screen an off.
November 29, 2025
I have not seen the actual series on TV, but enjoyed the book. Was looking forward to additional books in the series but could not find them. Will have to watch the TV series.
March 10, 2017
This book seems like it was written directly off of the television show, which would be fine if the characters were developed a little deeper, but, the characters are almost as shallow in the book as in the television show. For example, throughout the two seasons Dr. Rush's motives were always questioned. This book gives no insight into those motives.
August 4, 2011
Stargate Universe is is the latest TV show in the franchise that started with the Stargate movie starring Kurt Russell and then found phenomenal success with the Stargate SG1 TV show. SG1 spawned a couple of straight to DVD movies as well as the Stargate Atlantis TV show and now Stargate Universe.
The premise of the new show is this. A new base on the planet P4X-351 was home to the Icarus project, an attempt to unlock the mysterious ninth chevron that would unlock a whole new series of addresses for the Stargate. When the base is attacked, the only escape is through the Stargate as Doctor Rush, in one final attempt manages to open the gate.
A miss-matched team of scientists, technicians and military personnel find themselves stranded on a ancient ship with failing or unusable computer systems, on the far side of the universe.
Air covers the first three episodes of the TV show. Extremely well written, James Swallow has managed to capture not only the characters of those we see on the screen, but also the characters own internal personalities. On the TV screen we only glimpse what these characters are like, but in this book we get to know them better. Eli, the computer game geek, the drop-out who will never get anywhere but is a genius and the one who unknowingly unlocked the code of the ninth chevron when playing a computer game. Doctor Rush, the scientist obsessed with the ninth chevron ans the character that everyone loves to hate, the Dr House of the Stargate Universe. Scott the young Air-force lieutenant thrown into a situation where, for a time, he is the highest ranking officer on the ship and Chloe, the senators daughter. All characters are well drawn with the humorous style I have come to expect in Jame's work.
James even manages to continue the Stargate tradition of making comments on other genre TV shows or movies. When Eli is wondering what else could be in the sand - tusken raiders from Star Wars, giant sand worms from Dune, or my favorite from Dr Who if I am not mistaken, a double-decker bus, a reference to the Dr Who David Tennant special Planet of the Dead, broadcast last year, I suspect close to when this novel was being written. I could be wrong but I'd like to think I am not.
All in all a very good read and one I would recommend to Stargate Universe fans or just SciFi fans in general.
The premise of the new show is this. A new base on the planet P4X-351 was home to the Icarus project, an attempt to unlock the mysterious ninth chevron that would unlock a whole new series of addresses for the Stargate. When the base is attacked, the only escape is through the Stargate as Doctor Rush, in one final attempt manages to open the gate.
A miss-matched team of scientists, technicians and military personnel find themselves stranded on a ancient ship with failing or unusable computer systems, on the far side of the universe.
Air covers the first three episodes of the TV show. Extremely well written, James Swallow has managed to capture not only the characters of those we see on the screen, but also the characters own internal personalities. On the TV screen we only glimpse what these characters are like, but in this book we get to know them better. Eli, the computer game geek, the drop-out who will never get anywhere but is a genius and the one who unknowingly unlocked the code of the ninth chevron when playing a computer game. Doctor Rush, the scientist obsessed with the ninth chevron ans the character that everyone loves to hate, the Dr House of the Stargate Universe. Scott the young Air-force lieutenant thrown into a situation where, for a time, he is the highest ranking officer on the ship and Chloe, the senators daughter. All characters are well drawn with the humorous style I have come to expect in Jame's work.
James even manages to continue the Stargate tradition of making comments on other genre TV shows or movies. When Eli is wondering what else could be in the sand - tusken raiders from Star Wars, giant sand worms from Dune, or my favorite from Dr Who if I am not mistaken, a double-decker bus, a reference to the Dr Who David Tennant special Planet of the Dead, broadcast last year, I suspect close to when this novel was being written. I could be wrong but I'd like to think I am not.
All in all a very good read and one I would recommend to Stargate Universe fans or just SciFi fans in general.
September 16, 2011
I was a big fan of this recentky cancelled show. The book follows the first three episodes fairly well. Not as good as the show but a good read. Hooefully, there will be more books in this series especially ones that may take place after the last episode.
May 24, 2016
My Review of Star Gate Universe
It pretty much follows the tv show,but in the book there are many times when the story sort of jumps from one place to another,or person to person.
I feel that the author should have had a new paragraph or chapter for the "meanwhile".
It pretty much follows the tv show,but in the book there are many times when the story sort of jumps from one place to another,or person to person.
I feel that the author should have had a new paragraph or chapter for the "meanwhile".
September 28, 2011
Never got into Universe. I thumbed through this to read the SGC-personnel parts. Won't be one I'm keeping for that reason.
February 5, 2011
It was a decent read I recommend it for fans of the show and the Stargate series.
March 5, 2016
*review to be added shortly*
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews