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Mar 16, 2011

Glenn rated it:

Gabriel's Redemption takes us into a highly believable glimpse of mankind's not too distant future. The story revolves around a dishonored North American Federation Naval special forces commander Evan Gabriel, called back into active duty for a special mission. He is enticed with promises of redemption for past convictions. The Story takes place in a distant galaxy on a desolate ice-covered planet. The story is well written, and the characters are brought masterfully to life by the author. You a More...

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May 08, 2011

Al rated it:

Every so often, a book comes along to cause a shift in one's thinking...Gabriel's Redemption was one of those books for me. I've never been a reader of the Sci-Fi genre, but I read Umstead's book blurb, and became intrigued. As the ebook was a relative bargain, I took a chance on it. I'm pleased to report that after having read Mr. Umstead's novel, not only will I read future works by this author, but I've actually developed a genuine interest in the genre.

Umstead made some decisions More...

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Sep 22, 2011

C.p. rated it:

Within the first few pages you're taken into the world of Evan Gabriel as he's "drafted" into helping an alien species against the tyranical company exploiting them. As the adventure grows Evan is faced with demons from his past as he works to set right the world he finds waiting for him.

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Nov 11, 2011

Tom rated it:

It’s suspense from the outset of Steve Umstead’s debut novel, and book 1 of the ‘Evan Gabriel Trilogy’, named for his main character. This is one of the better science fiction, action novels you’ll find out there whether indie or big market. Umstead is meticulous in establishing the back story for not only his characters but this futuristic universe while being mindful to maintain the pace and flow of his plot.

Umstead intertwines much of his character development and interaction wi More...

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Jul 28, 2011

Shenandoah rated it:

I am not one that delves too deeply into science fiction. I enjoy Star Wars and Star Trek; I adore Firefly. However, I do not often leave the mainstream and explore the other sources of sci-fi that is available to the reader. So, when I met Umstead in the wonderful world of Twitter and promised him a review, I was biting my lip. Would my biased love of more classic novels make me not appreciate the work of Steve Umstead? Would I be able to finish the book? Most importantly, will I be able More...

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Mar 25, 2011

B.C. rated it:

Gabriel’s Redemption by Steve Umstead tells the tale of a man named Evan Gabriel. Evan’s past haunts him, but the opportunity arises for him to make up for what happened. He accepts a mission to a far off planet, Poliahu, to find and capture a drug lord. And what he finds upon arriving at the planet, not only surprises him, but has the potential to change all human lives dramatically.

The Good: Gabriel’s Redemption is a very well written book. The author’s use of words is very easy to More...

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May 01, 2011

Pavarti rated it:

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Gabriel's Redemption from the author after I sent out a request for Indie Sci-Fi books to be considered for inclusion in my upcoming blog post on NYX Book Reviews. Umstead was not guaranteed inclusion in the review nor was a review even mentioned. However, after reading his book I would like to include it in my list of recommended reads.

Gabriel's Redemption is a near future science fiction work that includes all of the hallmarks of top quality sc More...

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Apr 28, 2011

D. rated it:

In a Nutshell:
A down and out former military heavy weight finds himself re-instated on a top secret mission to stop drug trafficing.

First Thoughts:
It's all very cliched and unimaginative as far as plot line goes however Steve Umpstead uses this simple plot line and character to create a very imaginative and believable world around. His detail and style make Gabriel's Redemption a quick study and suspension of disbelief is easy to achieve as he takes current 20th More...

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Jan 13, 2012

edifanob rated it:

I received the copy from the author.

This is the first book I read in 2012.
Set in a not to far away future, Steve Umstead delivers a believable story centered on Evan Gabriel, an dishonored special forces commander. I liked that the story is embedded into a greater time line.
I gave four stars because there have been parts in the book which have been too technical for me.

I posted my full review over at Edi's Book Lighthouse.

And this is the main tex More...

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Feb 11, 2012

Jim rated it:

I used to read SciFi quite often when I was younger and, while I still enjoy it as an occasional pastime, it is not my main area of interest.

I think My. Umstead does a good job offsetting up his version of the future. I particularly like the timeline he sets out at the end of his novel as it sets the scene for this series of novels - Gabriel's Redemption being the first in the series. We have a world in the not to distant future where Mars has been colonized and interstellar travel i More...

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Sep 16, 2011

Katie rated it:

Loved this book.

Evan Gabriel is a special forces military man. He has upgraded his muscle system & neuretics with black market stuff. He is superior is every way.

Gabriel is recalled to service & has been given a mission off the radar. There is a planet that is harvesting the natives brains to make a highly addictive drug. Gabriel & his team are advised the bring the operation down. The colony is scientific & doesn't have any defense systems. He hopes it will go easy, but no More...

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Aug 07, 2011

R.B. rated it:

Disclaimer: I’m rather fond of Steve Umstead as a friend and fellow #pubwrite. We met at ReaderCON this year where he presented me with a signed copy of Gabriel’s Redemption. That being said, if I didn’t enjoy his writing and the SciFi thriller GR is, I would have sent him a quiet e-mail rather than posting a review.

This first of a series follows Commander Evan Gabriel of the near-future North American Federation. As the title suggests, this is a tale of a soldier’s journey redeem More...

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May 21, 2011

Dannie rated it:

Gabriel’s Redemption by Steve Umstead is a science fiction that I have been waiting to read for a long time.

Books like Gabriel’s Redemption are the reason I started reading science fiction as a young man. It brought back great memories of space flight and strange new worlds and spacemen fighting to save entire planets. What a great read.

Steve Umstead has written a book that reminds me of Ray Bradbury and many scifi authors from the past. I could see in Steve’s writing that he More...

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Jun 14, 2011

J.J. rated it:

I enjoyed this book. The future world that Steve built was convincing (and eerily similar to the one I've been working on for my YA book). I did have some issues with the book, though. The characters as presented were hazy and two dimensional at best, and there were too many of them for comfort. For me, there was too much technical detail in the middle about weapons and transport. The neuretics were well done, providing an interesting new dimension to warfare and inter-personal communication. I More...

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Jan 16, 2012

Michael rated it:

A five star rating, though I would really say 4 1/2 stars - but hear me out. I tend not to enjoy independent fiction, completely for unfair technical reasons. The stories may be fine, but the execution is typically so distractingly poor that I can't bear to make my way through.

Umstead's "Grabriel's Redemption" defies that generalization. Well written and engaging, the story is spartan and fast paced. I only paused once to question some science (this is what the genre brings More...

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Mar 09, 2011

Shay rated it:

Gabriel's Redemption will take you on a thrilling ride full of twists and turns and great characters.

Evan Gabriel has something in his past that troubles him, and a faceless man he sees through the haze of a smoke filled gymnasium. He is pulled back into active duty in the North American Federation and finds himself on a ship bound for a planet known as Poliahu. He is told he is to stop the murder of the indigenous lifeforms to harvest a part of their brains to make an addictive drug More...

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Jan 12, 2012

Robert rated it:

My normal reading usually consists of fantasy, horror, and thrillers, but I decided to try out the SciFi genre with Gabriel's Redemption. After reading the first chapter I immediately grew interested in the story, while a bit confused at first with some of the technology, such as "neuretics" and "Mindseye". However, as I continued to read further, it all started making sense, which actually made for some interesting reading. I loved the technology presented in Gabriel's Redem More...

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Sep 09, 2011

Charlotte rated it:

At first I had a hard time keeping some of the characters straight. (No fault of the author's, but a limitation of my own scattered mind since I was reading two other novels at the same time). Once I got into the story, I quit trying to differentiate the supporting cast of "bad guys" and just enjoyed the ride. And what a ride! The high-tension action scenes made my heart race to the point I justified skipping a workout.

I loved the way Mr. Umstead never stopped the flow of t More...

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Jun 20, 2011

James rated it:

GABRIEL'S ADVENTURES BEGIN

Steve Umstead's debut science fiction novel is brilliant from page one.
One might actually be more precise by noting that the fabulous color and character of the book starts with the impressive cover designed by the author himself: a stunning, bursting celestial body, like a star in a storm, over a dreamlike world that blends visuals of alien ice with a scene of dramatic, rolling sea.
Of course, the action really begins as soon as one passes the cov More...

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Oct 08, 2011

Kenneth rated it:

Steve has a hit with Gabriel's Redemption. While the beginning was a little disorienting, once I got into the story I found it hard to stop reading, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. His character, Evan Gabriel is a no nonsense, no holds barred leader. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

On another note, the book could use some polish, as I noted a few typos and an error in military protocol, regarding a Courts Martial and the sentence. All in all More...

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Jan 26, 2012

Paula rated it:

Good I enjoyed this book it was a freebie so the author was new to me. It felt like the book could have been longer but that was a personal preference not a problem with the book. This was a straight Scifi book and I enjoyed it very much

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Feb 04, 2012

bookwrite1 rated it:

When suspicious visitors come to call, Gabriel is offered the chance of redemption if he accepts a new mission on a remote frozen planet.

His mysterious last mission on Eden has gone disastrously wrong, with Gabriel taking the rap for it.

He soon discovers the sinister reason behind his new deployment, but having been well and truly stitched up can he do anything about it?
There are moments of excitement and betrayal in this generally well written military thriller, wh More...

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Aug 20, 2011

Trent rated it:

Heard about this from a friend. It was a fun and fast read--nothing that special although I think it would make an excellent movie. It read like a movie and it was very easy to picture it in my mind.

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Nov 21, 2011

Becky rated it:

Great Sci-Fi story. Interesting plot and characters. Very believable and easy to read story. I like the way Steve used some current day items and places (real and fictional) in his story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.

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Oct 22, 2011

Ric rated it:

I really enjoyed the book from page one, I felt it had a cinematic quality to it which I liked. The plot is simple and the characters are straightforward and it's a fun read although not really challenging. However the "universe" that is set for this story looks conceptually really interesting and with much potential. Looking forward to reading more about Gabriel.

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Dec 31, 2011

Dee rated it:

Two-haiku review:

Straightforward mission
Stop torture, drug extraction
From alien life

But deeper motives
Gabriel's team in danger
Stirring space thriller

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Nov 15, 2011

Richard rated it:

I am a fan of sci-fi and the Kindle (and Twitter) has helped me discover authors such as Steve Umstead. Gabriel's Redemption is Steve's first novel and is a nicely written sci-fi novel where Earth has colonized Mars and a wormhole allows for discovery of planets. Besides the story, I enjoyed the author's resourcefulness with his use of technology, gadgets, bio-tech, and his vision of what Earth will be like in the future. The only minor criticism is the novel starts a bit too slow (back story fo More...

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Jan 16, 2012

Laura rated it:

Good book. Fast read, semi-predictable plot but likable characters. The neurological technology is a fun touch.

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May 24, 2011

Mhairi rated it:

The detail that went into the world-building was just fantastic - made the whole thing utterly believable. I loved the story and the characters. I can't wait to read Steve's next book!

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