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Alpha Redemption

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 35 ratings · 17 reviews

From despair he fled, through tragedy he lived on, and journeyed to innocence. His trajectory: the stars. His companion: a computer poised at the brink of sentience. An unlikely friendship on a prototype spaceship at lightspeed towards Alpha Centauri, and redemption.

Paperback, 270 pages

Published September 1st 2010 by Splashdown Books

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Feb 23, 2013 D.M. Dutcher rated it 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. It's good Christian SF about a lonely man who, with the help of an AI on a long FTL trip to the stars, reconciles with his past. It's well written, but it's more a character study than space opera, and may be stretching to be a full length novel.

Brett is a 40ish year old man who volunteers to be the pilot for a faster-than-light trip to Alpha Centauri. To his surprise, he is selected, and soon is awaking from a nutrient bath designed to protect him from the shock of jumping into FTL s...more

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May 13, 2012 Bill Hayes rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book just wasn't my cup of tea.
It was well written and kept me engaged for the first third of the book, but it lost me after that for several reasons. First, I was reading this for the science fiction and AI elements so the flashbacks that created the back story of the family life of the frankly not very interesting main character felt like they belonged in some other book. Secondly, the AI turned out to not be that interesting either. There wasn't much 'I' in this 'AI'. Third, it takes a d...more

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Jul 18, 2011 H.A. Titus rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-science-fiction, christian-speculative-fiction

The Synopsis:

From despair he fled, through tragedy he lived on, and journeyed to innocence.

His trajectory: the stars. His companion: a computer poised at the brink of sentience.

An unlikely friendship on a prototype spaceship at lightspeed towards Alpha Centauri, and redemption.

When Brett loses everything in a tragic accident, he gladly accepts an invitation to take part in a prototype speed-of-light trip to Alpha Centauri, knowing that he may not survive. His only companion is the ship's on-boar...more The Synopsis:

From despair he fled, through tragedy he lived on, and journeyed to innocence.

His trajectory: the stars. His companion: a computer poised at the brink of sentience.

An unlikely friendship on a prototype spaceship at lightspeed towards Alpha Centauri, and redemption.

When Brett loses everything in a tragic accident, he gladly accepts an invitation to take part in a prototype speed-of-light trip to Alpha Centauri, knowing that he may not survive. His only companion is the ship's on-board computer, Jay. At first he finds Jay an annoyance but, as time passes, the two become friends. With the voyage drawing to a close, Jay develops a sense of self-awareness and a belief in God. When it becomes clear that they cannot both survive the return trip, one of them must make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Thoughts:

Alpha Redemption is a slow book. Fortunately, in this case, that's a compliment! There's a bit of tension about two-thirds of the way through, as well as at the end, but for the most part, it's about a guy in a spaceship who hangs out, teaches the computer about emotions, and...

Ah, if I told you what else happens, that'd be a major spoiler. Can't do that, now can I? Let's just say that in the beginning of the book, we know nothing about Brett's backstory--who he is, why he's important, or why he volunteered to take such a dangerous job. But the further along the story progresses, the more backstory we get. And the way the backstory ties in with the main plot is sheer genius.

Another neat thing about Alpha Redemption is how it raises questions about life, God, and even--to me, at least--about artificial intelligence developing emotions and self-awareness (more on that in an upcoming post). It's definitely a book you want to hand to friend and family and say, "Hey, read this--I want to talk about it with someone. What do you think?"

The writing is quite good for a first-time book and the content is family-friendly, which as always, is awesome! Alpha Redemption is a definite must-read for fans of science fiction! (less)

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Jan 10, 2011 Nora St Laurent rated it 4 of 5 stars

Alpha Redemption had the feel of '2001 A Space Odyssey' and 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' movies combined into one story. I don’t normally read science fiction, but when the ACFW On-Line book club voted this novel as their April 2011 selection, (and since I’m a member) I stepped out of my comfort zone and read it! I’m glad I did. I’m thankful for the review copy and for the book club experience that introduces me to new authors and stretches me to read genres I normally wouldn’t.

Each cha...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Fred Warren rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first near-lightspeed spaceship is accelerating toward Alpha Centauri, guided by an artificial intelligence and carrying a single passenger. Brett has volunteered for what may well be a one-way mission, trying to restore some shred of meaning to his shattered life. The AI, “Jay,” mimics a human mind and personality–it’s designed to learn, and has the potential to surpass its programming. Something–or someone–is waiting for them in the darkness of space, and the encounter will change both Bre...more The first near-lightspeed spaceship is accelerating toward Alpha Centauri, guided by an artificial intelligence and carrying a single passenger. Brett has volunteered for what may well be a one-way mission, trying to restore some shred of meaning to his shattered life. The AI, “Jay,” mimics a human mind and personality–it’s designed to learn, and has the potential to surpass its programming. Something–or someone–is waiting for them in the darkness of space, and the encounter will change both Brett and Jay forever.

P. A. Baines’ debut novel, Alpha Redemption, is a thoughtful, emotional story, full of wonder and mystery. Though it’s set in the future, the speculative window-dressing takes back seat to a tale about grief, coming to terms with loss, and the meaning and nature of redemption, a word we blithely toss about in both secular and religious society without thinking too deeply about it. Baines asks what it might cost to restore a life in shambles and obtain an opportunity to begin again. His answer involves a journey of both spiritual and physical transformation that left me pondering the story’s outcome for a long time after I finished reading.

In a series of flashbacks that go further back in time as the ship nears its destination, we discover more about Brett and the details of the tragedy that defines his life and has driven him to volunteer for this risky mission. In the present, we watch Jay learn from Brett what it means to be human–a parallel journey from programming to sentience, and from student to teacher. When an unexpected crisis threatens their mission, both occupants of the spacecraft must make a decision that will complete their respective transformations and seal their fates.

I enjoyed Alpha Redemption. Some of the speculative elements will be very familiar to readers of the genre. There are echoes of 2001: A Space Odyssey, but the focus on the characters’ inner journeys is distinctive, and the human and AI are partners, not antagonists. Baines does a nice job developing their relationship into something much deeper than simple comradeship.

Some plot elements were a bit of a stretch, at least at first glance. Brett is little more than a passenger, but so were the first astronauts–it took a few flights for their participation to progress to more than symbolic actions, and the old jokes about “ham in a can” weren’t that far off the mark. Brett also seemed a little old, in his mid-forties, for a mission of this nature, but again, it’s not unusual for astronauts who entered the service in their twenties and thirties to have to wait until their forties before they make it to the front of the line. Selection criteria for Brett’s mission remained shrouded in mystery, as were the details of the star drive. The unusual effects of near-lightspeed travel did reflect some recent observations of subatomic particles accelerated to those speeds in the laboratory. Bottom line, even though the science in this story played only a supporting role, it wasn’t tossed about willy-nilly and didn’t feel far-fetched.

There’s not a lot of bang-zoom action, but if, like me, you prefer science fiction stories that make you think, feel, and wonder, Alpha Redemption might just be the ticket to the stars you’ve been looking for.

Alpha Redemption is available in both print and electronic format from Splashdown Books, or via Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and smashwords.com.

>>This review is based upon an electronic copy of the book provided to me free of charge by the publisher, a courtesy I appreciate, but which does not guarantee my recommendation. I strive to evaluate every book I review purely on its intrinsic merits.<<(less)

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Sep 29, 2010 R. L. Copple rated it 4 of 5 stars

I've always enjoyed a good story about people exploring space. When I heard that P. A. Baine's book, Alpha Redemption, was about a man traveling to Alpha Centauri, naturally it perked my interest. I also heard about the computer aboard this ship, called the Comet, and rumors of similarities to Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey. As I read it, indeed there were similarities, as well as major differences. I believe it would be of help in deciding if this is the book for you, to list those.

Si...more

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Sep 02, 2010 Kerry Nietz rated it 5 of 5 stars

I’ll admit to being a fan of stories that illustrate the danger and isolation of space exploration. I’m also fond of tales where man’s creation gives him greater insight into his own Creator. In Alpha Redemption, P.A. Baines wonderfully marries my two favorite themes, in a story both fascinating and unique.

The book contains parallel stories, actually: one being the story of Brett Denton’s travel aboard an experimental ship to Alpha Centauri, the other being the story of Denton’s past. Both are...more

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May 12, 2011 Sherry Thompson rated it 4 of 5 stars

This science-fiction books was strongly recommended to me by authors/readers whose opinions I greatly respect.
I enjoyed 98 per cent of the book very much. I didn't like one percent of it, which is when the narrations switched from the present time on the spaceship going nearly as fast as light speed and the past experiences of the sole human on the ship. In variably, I wanted to stay with whichever story thread I was already in at that moment.
The other one percent which I didn't like involves ab...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Adam Collings rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, science-fiction

Hard science fiction, a deeply dramatic character arc, lots of spiritual metaphor, and exploration of the interesting questions. This book has it all. Brett is a broken man. He's never been the same since the death of his wife and children. He has turned away from his faith in God. With nothing left to loose, he takes on a dangerous job - being the first human to travel beyond light-peed on an inter-stellar journey to Alpha Centauri. Along the way, the ship's computer - Jay - begins to show sign...more Hard science fiction, a deeply dramatic character arc, lots of spiritual metaphor, and exploration of the interesting questions. This book has it all. Brett is a broken man. He's never been the same since the death of his wife and children. He has turned away from his faith in God. With nothing left to loose, he takes on a dangerous job - being the first human to travel beyond light-peed on an inter-stellar journey to Alpha Centauri. Along the way, the ship's computer - Jay - begins to show signs of artificial intelligence - of sentience.

This book deals with questions that some Christians might find controversial. If there were such a thing as AI, could a machine have a spiritual aspect to them? Could they have a soul? But isn't that what good science fiction always does? It asks questions. It asks "What if?"

The structure of the book is atypical. It alternates between the present-day story on the spaceship, and glimpses from Brett's past. I hesitate to call these flashback scenes back story, because they are intrinsically part of the tale being told. In much the same way as the television series Lost, each chapter features a story from a different part of Brett's life. Scenes alternate between the present and flashbacks. These flashbacks are linked to the present-day part of the chapter on a thematic level. Each new chapter takes the back story further back in time - so we see Brett's life in reserve. This structure takes a little concentration at first, but I figured out the pattern quite early, and then I just left myself get swept away by the story. I don't want to give too much away, but there are important reasons for using this particular structure. Trust me - it works.

This story doesn't just use space as a setting. It is a genuine science fiction story which has some interesting concepts and mysteries - many of which are never fully explained. This just adds to the feelings of wonder.

As a character drama - the book is filled with heart-ache and hope. You can't help but feel for these characters.

This book deserves to be remembered as a classic. A true Christian Sci-fi.(less)

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Aug 11, 2011 Valerie Comer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ever fantasize about being on a manned space mission? Brett Denton didn’t. Not until tragedy struck his family and he had no reason to stay on Earth. Nothing to lose, nothing to gain. The perfect choice for a mission with no guarantees.

As Brett travels through space in Alpha Redemption, he endures sessions of immersion in a gooey pool, in which he sleeps during the faster-than-light portions of the trip. In between, he spends time reading, working out, eating, and getting to know the ship’s comp...more

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Nov 25, 2010 Ryan Grabow rated it 4 of 5 stars

There is much science fiction created to marvel at mankind's power and potential, perhaps with a nod to purpose (the purpose of mankind). Artificial intelligence certainly qualifies as a great achievement and, with the IBM-rules-the-world days behind us, the stories have become more sympathetic to AI characters: the intelligence we create might be likened to an innocent child. It follows that humans are the AIs parents, creators, and gods. The questions of emotion, especially love, and whether t...more There is much science fiction created to marvel at mankind's power and potential, perhaps with a nod to purpose (the purpose of mankind). Artificial intelligence certainly qualifies as a great achievement and, with the IBM-rules-the-world days behind us, the stories have become more sympathetic to AI characters: the intelligence we create might be likened to an innocent child. It follows that humans are the AIs parents, creators, and gods. The questions of emotion, especially love, and whether the AI can share in what makes us human may play a major role in the plot. There is one question most authors don't ask, though: a question that a curious AI would certainly ask, that the authors shy away from in real life. They don't write AIs who look beyond humanity as their creators. They don't write AIs who ask the questions every human asks. They don't write AIs who seek God.

With apologies to the Droid commercials... Baines Does®. Sorry, couldn't resist.

The story begins with the launch of the Comet, a prototype spaceship which will make several hops at near-lightspeed, gather data in the Alpha Centauri system, and return to Earth after several years. Brett Denton is the only passenger on this fully-automated ship, a guinea pig to examine the trip's effects on the human body. He begins a cycle of hyper-sleeping in a special fluid-filled chamber for two month periods, then reconditioning himself during the month he's awake (when the ship cruises at 0.5% lightspeed) so he can withstand the next jump. This first mission to other stars is anything but easy on the traveler, and Baines does a good job portraying the challenges behind such a high-velocity trip, such as time dilation and effects on mass. During his periods awake, Brett interacts with the ship's AI computer, which he names "Jay." Jay, observing Brett, begins to ask the usual AI-to-man questions, including love, a question which Brett resists due to his own emotional scars.

For those who enjoyed the flashbacks in the ABC show LOST, we're treated to a similar device in Alpha Redemption. Brett is getting younger with each jump, and the flashbacks change accordingly: When Brett is physically 31 (18 years younger) on the journey, we see a glimpse of his life when he was 31 the first time around, progressing backward into his childhood. Our understanding of Brett's character is mainly driven by these flashbacks. We meet his wife, Rochelle, and their sons, experiencing important events in Brett's life which led him to where he is now. Sometimes Baines focuses more on these flashbacks than the present day; admittedly, I found this annoying whenever I couldn't figure out how they synced-up; and I was eager to return to the present day where there's a science-fiction story going on. Patience is rewarded, though, as the flashbacks and present day flow together in the end.

The strongest point I give this book is the immersive narration. We feel the pain on Brett's first wake-up. We taste the gas coming through the hose (mmm... watermelon). We experience his shock to the plane crash. We relate to his interaction with Jay. Not all of these points are strong, though, as placenames familiar to the main character are given generically: "his apartment block," "a main road," "the coastline," etc. I didn't know where the flashbacks were supposed to be set, and it hampered my enjoyment of the story.

This reviewer thinks too much like a computer for his own good and, of course, related more to Jay than the actual human. :) Some of the interaction, such as Brett's repeated accusations of "lying by omission" irritated me to no end, even though it seemed appropriate to Brett's character. Yes, Jay was genuinely annoying at times, toward the beginning when he didn't know better. His gradual...eh... maturity (he already seemed kinda self-aware) is well portrayed and believable, as well as his growing curiosity. AI = Child, yes? In time, Jay comes to think of the Comet as his body, sensing the space around him and feeling vulnerable to it.

I highly recommend this book to those looking for science-fiction with a Christian message. The book goes from a few fleeting references to faith in the early chapters to Rochelle's full-blown Jesus obsession later (rather, earlier) on, which may be jarring for non-believers... so no pretending this is a mainstream novel when you want to witness-by-fiction. ;) All in all, I think the world needs more stories like this. I'll be watching P.A. Baines for future releases.(less)

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Apr 02, 2011 Pegg rated it 4 of 5 stars

I recommend this book even if you're not much of a sci-fi fan. While the setting is sci-fi, the theme is life and faith and what it takes to have both of those. Brett is as down-and-out as a human being can be, completely divorced from God and heading nowhere. His travels with Jay, a computer who evolves into an almost-human, take us on a journey like no other. The book skips around a lot, going forward and backward in time. This isn't a light read, it takes some paying attention to keep up with...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Kat Heckenbach rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm not normally a big sci-fi reader, because so many tend to be all tech and battles. But this book is neither. Alpha Redemption is the story of a man, on a outward quest as well as an inward one. It is beautifully written, deep, and engaging. The book has voice and style that really makes it stand out. I love the unique way in which the story is presented. Ah, you have to read it to understand!

At first I wasn't sure I was crazy about the ending, but the more I thought about the story--and I di...more

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Oct 08, 2012 Adam Graham rated it 3 of 5 stars

A good book with lots of emotional tension. Starts off kind of slow but builds.

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Jan 02, 2012 Pauline Creeden rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it way more than I thought I would. Slow paced, inner journey without a lot of "action" but well worth the voyage!

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Jul 20, 2011 Billie Thompson added it

AWESOME!

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Dec 10, 2011 Precentor rated it 2 of 5 stars

Going to have to re-read the ending before rating. I think I missed something crucial...

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May 23, 2013 Pablo rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: scifi-etc

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