Gabriel's Redemption by Steve Umstead, book review

In his debut novel, author Steve Umstead introduces readers to Evan Gabriel, a futuristic North American Federation Naval Commander whose fall from grace brings new and dark opportunities on the far-distant world of Poliahu. But things are not what they seem for Gabriel and his crack team of elite soldiers. When allies turn enemy, the frozen planet of Poliahu is plunged into a bitter war that leaves Evan Gabriel searching for answers and ready to dole out his own brand of justice.

In Gabriel's Redemption, Steve Umstead has created an inter-planetary landscape rich with believable characters, non-stop action, and all the twists and turns that make for a great story.  Gabriel's Redemption is best described as a science fiction/thriller that will surely not disappoint.

The characters are well-developed and the dialogue is tight – especially as the story's hero Evan Gabriel comes to grips with the bitter choices he faces on the desolate planet of Poliahu. From the detailed sequences that showcase the ferociousness of inter-stellar battle to the subtle moments where Gabriel reveals his softer side, Umstead has created a hero that is part super-soldier and part every-man.

My only complaint – I wasn't ready for the story to end! At 66,000 words Gabriel's Redemption is a tightly-paced read filled with action and intrigue that signals Steve Umstead's arrival as an up-and-coming voice in science fiction.