Alpha Rising (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: lavender rose, ground transporter, fuel chamber, Alpha Rising, The Rook, Ultimate World (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A remarkable good versus evil tale...overtones of C.S. Lewis in abundance. As with Lewis' Space Trilogy, this novel will only reveal its true depth as more and more readers take their personal journeys into its pages...an exceptionally savvy and well-constructed tale of modern spirituality." --Peter Sykes, Sci-fi Lists

Review

"Alpha Rising soars to the top of my list of great books...credible and compelling...there is a startling sense of reality in this book, as if this story could actually happen one day in the distant future...The author successfully straps readers into the cockpit, giving them a clear view of the story, as each turn of the page accelerates them deeper into a new dimension...The characters and the cosmos merge into a story line that has eternal significance...The final pages are like riding a shaft of sunlight into a place long forgotten but easily remembered...Alpha Rising is a thrilling taste of the extraordinary!"

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Product Details

• Paperback: 283 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (April 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595411002
• ISBN-13: 978-0595411009
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,451,047 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars `Discovery requires a leap of faith.', March 27, 2008

By	J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Every so often I pick up a book that I wouldn't ordinarily read just to test my own boundaries and assumptions. This is how I came to read `Alpha Rising', and I am pleased that I did.

Ultimately, this is an adventure story which uses a blend of science fiction and fantasy to explore new worlds, possibilities and futures. Will good triumph over evil? Will the instructions provided to our hero Bach Turner by the Creator enable life forms to be saved in an unstable environment? Which life forms will be saved and why? Running out of time and fuel, and with only a few instructions to follow, Bach Turner needs both his scientific knowledge and his faith in a higher power in order to succeed.

Suspend your cynicism and enjoy both the journey and the destination. And, if you recognise some parallels with some well known biblical tales, perhaps that simply serves as a reminder that there is nothing intrinsically new about battles between good and evil.

3.5 stars

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great story, strong writing, October 25, 2007

By	Mrs. Garside "Reader and Writer" (Oregon) - See all my reviews

'Alpha Rising' begins with two astronauts, Bachman Turner (yes, like the band) and Faith Christopher (the name is no accident) leaving Earth on a mission to rescue a stranded space lab and its crew of four (including Bach's fiancee. They manage to hook up with the crippled ship, but before they can return to Earth, the rescue ship and the station are propelled across the galaxy to a strange planet called Jenesis. Bach's crewmates are captured by a rotten bunch called Rooks (Rulers of other kingdoms. I wish I had thought of that). Bach is picked up by the scientist Altemus and his daughter, Star. Bach soon doscovers that Altemus, an old genius, is on a mission from God, or the Creator. And soon, so is Bach. I won't say anything more about the plot.

Ms. Douglas writes in a clear, cut-to-the-chase prose that's refreshing these days, when so many authors just pile on the verbiage. The quest that Bach and Star are sent on is compelling and wholly original. Just as compelling is Bach's own journey from mild agnostic to God's chosen messenger. Everything-the brutal Rooks, Bach's shipmates, the scientific culture of Altemus and Star, the varying societies Bach and Star encounter on their mission-comes fully alive, with real emotions and real detail. Douglas is obviously inspired by earlier writers like Le Guin and Lewis, but this work never feels second-hand.

I hope that Ms. Douglas isn't through with these people. The ending, which concerns both the end and the beginning of the world, leaves plenty of room for a sequel. If she writes one, I'll buy a copy.

Read this book. You won't be disappointed.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced novel addicting novel, October 26, 2007

By	sendie (Florida) - See all my reviews

Alpha rising is a fast paced exciting novel, I was hooked from page one. This novel has all the ingredients; action, friendship, a spritual message and your left with a warm feeling of hope.
I hope there is another book I love the characters and I can not wait to find out what they do next!