Price: $16.99
(as of Aug 10, 2025 18:09:30 UTC – Details)
Return to the Galaxy – Winner of the London Book Festival 2025 (Science Fiction)
The Humans Are Coming. The Galaxy Better Be Ready.
The astonishing truth? The human race didn’t evolve on Earth.
Ewan Scott was a dying SAS veteran, until a 300-year-old alien AI Avatar offered him a second chance: rebirth in a bio-engineered body, fitter, stronger, and movie-star handsome. His mission? Reunite humanity with its parent civilization, the Saret Federation, before merciless enemies erase all life on Earth.
Frigate Captain Velal, haunted by her past and bound by impossible orders, fights to save what’s left of her civilization. As worlds fall to alien invasion and nuclear fire, the ancient monsters she dreads are hunting for Earth.
An ancient empire falls to betrayal. A merciless enemy closes in. Earth lies defenseless. Its last hope a flawed hero reborn, and a woman who will fight until the stars go dark.Join Ewan, Velal, and wise-cracking Jera in an epic, fast-paced space opera packed with:
– Savage interstellar war
– Planetary colonization
– Special Forces warfare
– Found alien tech
– The secrets of a dying empire
If you love John Scalzi, Craig Alanson, and David Weber, the epic scale of Peter F. Hamilton, and the military brilliance of Elizabeth Moon
Grab your copy now!
ASIN : B0FHK548L7
Publisher : Independently published
Publication date : July 14, 2025
Language : English
Print length : 554 pages
ISBN-13 : 979-8292457992
Item Weight : 2.02 pounds
Dimensions : 6 x 1.25 x 9 inches
Book 1 of 3 : Return To The Galaxy
Best Sellers Rank: #320,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #52 in Space Fleet Science Fiction #59 in Space Marine Science Fiction #170 in Space Operas
Customer Reviews: 4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 183 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
Customers say
Customers find the book to be a compelling read with an engaging storyline, with one review highlighting its multiple interwoven time- and story-lines.
Kit di Pomi –
You won’t regret plunging in!
One of those riveting space operas that pulls one all over time and space – near present, far future, familiar and utterly new collide for a VERY entertaining read.I won’t recapitulate the plot nor tell you what to expect.I will say that you should dive on into it and experience a unique tale spun by a relatively new author who is very much worth reading, and especially fantastic for fans of big picture sci-fi – the potential of a Dune (F Herbert) or Foundation Trilogy (I Asimov) is unveiling.
Kindle Customer –
Great read
Anyone who likes space sci fi will enjoy this one. Cool premise. Action, emotion, mission. You should read it! I’m going to buy the next book now.
Gordon –
worth it
Great book, well written. Not your run of the mill sci-fi. I rarely review or recommend books but this one earned it!
Booklover –
Return to the Galaxy by B A Gillies is Fabulous!
Return to the Galaxy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Return to the Galaxy is the first novel of B A Gillies. I have read all his short stories on BookFunnel, and really liked them. I think they are very good and was expecting Return to be similar. And it is, only better!At first I thought Return’s layout might feel choppy or confusing, but it didn’t. I always knew who was speaking, and when. I read the digital version, which apparently was professionally edited. At least, I didn’t notice any grammar or spelling/typo errors.I won’t describe the story, as you can get that from the description. Return is the first book of a planned trilogy, and continues in Reach for the Galaxy. However, Return doesn’t end with a cliffhanger. It has a conclusion, while making it clear the story will continue in Reach. I intend to read Reach as soon as it is released July 29.BA’s first novel reminds me of early Robert Heinlein works. It feels like traditional sci-fi, but in a modern, updated way. It’s the best newly published sci-fi book I’ve read since Heinlein’s death. Heinlein has been my favorite author since I first discovered his writings as a teenager (in 1972!). He still is, but I think B A Gillies’ books will match Heinlein’s finest someday.I know how this sounds; read Return to the Galaxy and come to your own conclusion. This is my honest review. Return is a fantastic read, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes science fiction.July 11, 2025
Deborah –
Thrilling futuristic storytelling
This military science fiction triumph combines cinematic space battles, razor-sharp strategy, humour and deeply human moments into a seamless, page-turning epic read.Gillies’s storytelling is sharp, deliberate, and immersive. From the first chapter, we’re pulled into a galactic conflict where alliances are fragile, AI advisors are becoming dangerously independent, and humanity’s survival depends on the grit of a few battle-weary veterans.
hoosiertoo –
It took a minute…
To get used to the style. Jumping around multiple timelines was initially annoying. It actually works pretty well.There were a couple of places the author could have descended into camp, but he (mostly) avoided the temptation.It’s all in all a good start a good read and I’m looking forward to the next book.Recommended.
Judith J –
A new life
Ewan Scott is a dying man, when he is visited by a stranger, and his life is totally changed. jera is an alien AI, and he basically renews and renovates Ewan so he can help prepare Earth for a coming invasion and war. The book was written in a very interesting way, with Jera allowing Ewan to see the past so he can see what they will be facing, through the eyes and actions of other aliens. The book grabbed my attention immediately and I was totally immersed in it. Great characters and world building, and a believable storyline. Can’t wait for the next book!
Kindle Customer –
Great Book!!
I really enjoyed the world building and the time jumps to tie the story together. I can’t wait to get the second one in the series.
Chris Schmitt –
Great book. It’s got an interesting mix of galactic space warfare and a down home caper. It’s really interesting to contemplate how one would introduce alien technology into a contemporary timeframe. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
Ian Mckinley –
…but the main character is such a superman that credibility is a real problem. Formatting also needs to be sorted out.
Sian –
Picked this new title as I saw it has already won several awards. Can see why! Very fast-paced and exciting with lots of emotional highs and lows. Great characters, especially the protagonist, Ewan. The AI, Jera, is also characterised very well and has a cracking sense of humour. Definitely recommend.
M. Brookes –
1. 656 pages long per amazon web page …..NO 595 pages, the remaining 10% of the book is a prequil of the second book.2. there is no “return to space” in this book (at least not for Humanity). This story is all about the recruitment of one Human who at the end of the book is ready to begin the developments and infrastructure for humanity to return to space.3. nice writing. Interesting characters
Joanne Casey –
A exciting page turner, I stayed up later than I should have to delve further into the story. This is a must for readers who enjoy smart, insightful, well crafted writing. Artful story-telling weaving a pathway to a future we can hardly dream of. I especially enjoyed the self deprecating humour. The author has keen military awareness, this together with excellent descriptive skills for feelings and not just surroundings.I also loved the medical advances referred to.I can’t wait to read the next book and expect to hear much more of BA Gillies.