Reviews

Alien Redemption by Gloria Oliver

allycaat_'s review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

5.0

 I was surprised by this book. It was the first alien book that I’ve read, and I really enjoyed it. It keeps you guessing about who you can trust and what will happen. The world was well described and easy to picture. The aliens were interesting and mysterious. I definitely recommend. 

bilberrysweet's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

Alien Redemption by Gloria Oliver is a twisted sci-fi adventure with plenty of suspense, tension, drama, and action. With plenty of secrets, high stakes, and blackmail Claudia faces challenges and aliens that need to be saved. Things go from bad to worse as Claudia survives this dark adventure.

shannlynn's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

I read a previous book by this author, but I loved this one even more! I’m a huge fan of the sci-fi genre which unfortunately means I find many books that seem to follow the same pattern. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this author created a magnificent adventure with detailed characters that I was immediately fully invested in. The single thing I didn’t like about this book was the cover. I almost didn’t pick it up because something put me off, but I’m glad I took the chance anyway. I highly recommend choosing this for your next read if you love sci-fi adventures!!

roxsannel's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Claudia Zimmerman is a doctor, or at least she used to be before she was thrust out of her profession after being blamed for something which wasn't her fault, all thanks to her employer wanting to save face rather than admit a mistake. The main drawback to this is that it has meant she has had to stay in hiding under an assumed name and not spending long periods in any one place.

As part of her disgraced status, she finds a job on a ship for medical personnel and decides it might be her only way off of the station she is currently in and escape her woes, however, that was not to be and instead she finds that the captain knows exactly who she is and what she has done, or at least been railroaded for. She is in shock and has no idea how to respond until the captain decides to go in for a little blackmail and threatens to turn her in if she doesn't join his crew and so reluctantly, she does exactly that.

As the days and weeks pass, Claudia becomes more used to her situation and her role, as well as the challenges which come with it, including and almost permanent state of stress and anxiety about what the captain will threaten her with next, but she does her job well and looks after the crew. Normally, she isn't allowed off the ship while they are on jobs, but one day, she is requested, and she knows full well that what she is about to do is something she will have qualms about. It turns out she is right, and her assignment is distasteful and downright abhorrent, especially when it turns out that the reason she is there, is for her to run checks on a new, sentient and humanoid species for a very specific purpose.

The more time she spends with these individuals, the more she comes to feelings of protectiveness and is loath to let the captains plan come to fruition, but will she be able to do that and stay alive while looking after these beautiful, birdlike creatures, or will she end up out of her depth? This is an epic sci-fi adventure full of plots, secrets, lies and revelations as one woman seeks to protect a new species from a less that positive fate while battling her internal mechanisms and biases, which spins a story full of unpredictability and emotional ups and downs throughout.

samanthacleaver812's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

This was my first book by Gloria Oliver and it did not disappointment! I’m not normally a sci-fi fan, but the blurb intrigued me so I gave it a shot. The main character, Claudia, has a secret past that she is trying to put behind her so she can move on with her life and get a new job. She finally finds one and her boss, Bennett, is constantly holding her past over head to get her to do whatever he wants. These are usually not things she wants to do, but she is terrified of her past getting out. From the get go she feels like an outsider and wants to fit in. She is then brought on a mission. I don’t want to spoil the book so you can enjoy it as much as I did. Can’t wait to read more by Ms Gloria!

kmturner86's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful fast-paced

5.0

Alien Redemption is a science fiction novel by Gloria Oliver. The story unfolds around Claudia, also known as Dr. Z, who is trying to find a way to make a living while hiding from her past under a false identity. Her options are limited, as avoiding a background check is crutial. An opportunity to become a medic on a merchant ship is in front of her, however the captain claims to know who she is and essentially blackmails her into taking the position. And Captain Bennett's antics do not seem to end there. The Captain seems to enjoy showing the lengths his cruelty can extend to when they happen across an Avian race on a secret mission. How far will he go, and what can Claudia do to protect these beautiful creatures?

I really enjoyed the entire book! The pages turned and turned. I stayed intrigued and guessing. The character and plot development was spot-on! I definitely recommend for sci-fi fans who love a fast, but no less interesting read. 

finnc99's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

To be quite honest i don't know where to start with, reviewing this masterpiece. From the very start, Claudia's journey will just blow you out of the water and keep you absolutely hooked. So much so that I sat down with this book, and did not get up again until i had finished it. This story is just full to the brim with excitement, sadness, betrayal, anger, all of it and it's amazing! Gloria put this together just beautifully, and i couldn't have adored it more. I'm really hoping i'll get to read more of Claudia's adventures in the future!

tytanmom23's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.5

Alien Redemption by Gloria Oliver. This is a great sci fi adventure read about a girl named Claudia who has been judged by her past. The people around her shun her  so she disguises herself. She thought she had a good cover but when she applies for a job the Captain of the ship recognizes her and uses that information to blackmail her. The Captain knew she was overqualified so that's why he blackmailed her. Claudia has to fight the crew and she can never really rest because she never knows when someone is going to try to kill her. She can't trust anyone so she feels completely alone. The Captain is so dirty and she knows its in her best interest to avoid him at all costs. When talks of a secret mission start and they end up in an unchartered system called the Fringes and they find intelligent life which the Captain plans to use for his benefit. Can Claudia stop him from making the new life species he's found be servants for the rest of their lives? Read this great sci fi read to find out!

jennadb's review against another edition

4.0

 

Alien Redemption by Gloria Oliver is a sci fi story set in deep space. I have only read one other book that Gloria has written, and I enjoyed it immensely as I did with this book. Emotions run high in this story making it feel like you have run a marathon. 

Gloria’s has once again cleverly woven together complex threads in a multi layered story. Her world-building is done well, and the plot is intriguing in a story that has something for everyone that likes a good sci fi story. 

With a new identity, intelligent humanoid species, first contact, uncharted planets, blackmail, shocking betrayal, and sinister plots Gloria has written a tale where the pages keep turning desperate to find out how it will end. 

The story is fast paced, and action packed and full of suspense, tension, frustration, fear, desperation, aliens, secrets, mystery and more. 

Gloria’s narrative and a few twists and turns makes it easy to become intrigued with the characters and their journey. 

Claudia is overqualified and needs a new start in life but that new start doesn’t turn out how she thought it would. Things go from bad to worse and she wonders just what she has gotten herself into. 

I look forward to reading more. 

shellyk51's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

 I found this story to be absolutely fascinating. Claudia has a past and is trying to stay on the down-low. She applies for the only job she can and winds up on ship of low-lifes, except for the first mate. The captain is a real piece of work. I loved how Claudia worked to redeem herself,which wasn't easy on that ship. Claudia turned out to be a strong character who just wanted to do what's right. I have to applaud her. It's a good book that had me engaged right from the start. There's a lot of action, a bit of romance, and some suspense. It's one I recommend.