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Project Gleise 581g #1
Command Decision
New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance brings another action, adventure, and suspense-filled story to transport readers out of this world. In a world gone crazy, it is often the humans who are at fault, seeking answers to questions we are not yet ready to understand...
Lt. Commander Joshua Manson's focus on his career has taken him to many places, just not the one he has always dreamed of going into space. His sometimes controversial methods during missions have given him the reputation of being a soldier who doesn't always play by the rule book. A summons to Washington, D.C. after a challenging mission leaves him questioning if he'll have a career at all; but once there, Josh is surprised when he is offered the chance of a lifetime, to command a mission in space to investigate an unknown object. The more he learns, the more determined he is to lead it, even if it means a one way ticket.
Cassa de Rola's family has lived for centuries in the quiet valley where they farm. Her family has tried to remain untouched by the growing unrest between the intergalactic military forces fighting for control over their planet. All of that changes when an unusual object falls from the sky and Cassa finds a strange male in the container. She knows that taking him in will endanger the lives of everyone close to her, but she can't leave him defenseless.
Now, the military forces on both sides want to discover the origins of the container and its missing contents. When the fight between the Legion and the Gallant Order escalates to all-out war, a new rebel leader emerges from the stars that will change the galaxy, and Cassa's life, forever.
Lt. Commander Joshua Manson's focus on his career has taken him to many places, just not the one he has always dreamed of going into space. His sometimes controversial methods during missions have given him the reputation of being a soldier who doesn't always play by the rule book. A summons to Washington, D.C. after a challenging mission leaves him questioning if he'll have a career at all; but once there, Josh is surprised when he is offered the chance of a lifetime, to command a mission in space to investigate an unknown object. The more he learns, the more determined he is to lead it, even if it means a one way ticket.
Cassa de Rola's family has lived for centuries in the quiet valley where they farm. Her family has tried to remain untouched by the growing unrest between the intergalactic military forces fighting for control over their planet. All of that changes when an unusual object falls from the sky and Cassa finds a strange male in the container. She knows that taking him in will endanger the lives of everyone close to her, but she can't leave him defenseless.
Now, the military forces on both sides want to discover the origins of the container and its missing contents. When the fight between the Legion and the Gallant Order escalates to all-out war, a new rebel leader emerges from the stars that will change the galaxy, and Cassa's life, forever.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
138 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
S.E. Smith
255 books2,576 followersS.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
Readers can check out her website at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 21, 2016
I'm so disappointed in this book. I usually love stories by S.E. Smith, but this one didn't really seem as much of a romance as it was a science fiction novel. Sure there were a couple of sexy scenes thrown in, but that's what it felt like they were 'thrown in' to ensure this would be considered romance.
I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters Josh and Cassa. There was this one point, and I'm not sure it's because Josh realized he was never going back to Earth, but Josh tells Cassa that he wants her forever. However it wasn't until way AFTER that point that he realizes that he loves her. Now, ladies and gentlemen, as a connoisseur of romance novels I feel that the acknowledgement of LOVE precipitates the declaration of being together FOREVER. Now it just feels that he is set on 'settling' for Cassa because he can't go back home to Earth and he realizes that he needs to have someone to help him navigate this new world for him to survive, instead of finding love and exciting that he's going to have his mate with him while he navigates this new world.
Also, the story started off real well, but then I got lost in all the action. All that part kinda turned me off and I actually skipped sections to figure out what happened in the end. And the sad thing i that skipping these parts, I don't feel like I lost the gist of the storyline.
It looks like this is going to be a series with the this first book about Lieutenant Commander Joshua Manson (Captain of the Gliese Mission). It looks like the person getting the next book is about Lieutenant Commander Ashton Haze (Gliese Pilot). Then I'm sure we'll see Julia Marksdale (Mission Specialist - Navigation/Contact Support), Dr. Mei Li Hú (Mission Specialist - Computer Science/Biology/Environmental Systems), and Sergi Lazaroff (Mission Specialist - Mechanical Engineering/Payload/Weapons). Hopefully the next books won't be as disappointing as this first book, but I'm definitely going to be reluctant to shell out $4 per book if the story was as week as this one.
I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters Josh and Cassa. There was this one point, and I'm not sure it's because Josh realized he was never going back to Earth, but Josh tells Cassa that he wants her forever. However it wasn't until way AFTER that point that he realizes that he loves her. Now, ladies and gentlemen, as a connoisseur of romance novels I feel that the acknowledgement of LOVE precipitates the declaration of being together FOREVER. Now it just feels that he is set on 'settling' for Cassa because he can't go back home to Earth and he realizes that he needs to have someone to help him navigate this new world for him to survive, instead of finding love and exciting that he's going to have his mate with him while he navigates this new world.
Also, the story started off real well, but then I got lost in all the action. All that part kinda turned me off and I actually skipped sections to figure out what happened in the end. And the sad thing i that skipping these parts, I don't feel like I lost the gist of the storyline.
It looks like this is going to be a series with the this first book about Lieutenant Commander Joshua Manson (Captain of the Gliese Mission). It looks like the person getting the next book is about Lieutenant Commander Ashton Haze (Gliese Pilot). Then I'm sure we'll see Julia Marksdale (Mission Specialist - Navigation/Contact Support), Dr. Mei Li Hú (Mission Specialist - Computer Science/Biology/Environmental Systems), and Sergi Lazaroff (Mission Specialist - Mechanical Engineering/Payload/Weapons). Hopefully the next books won't be as disappointing as this first book, but I'm definitely going to be reluctant to shell out $4 per book if the story was as week as this one.
May 14, 2018
I listened to this audio with RU. I like most of S.E. Smith's books but this was a miss for me. An object has been spotted in space. Five people are sent to investigate the object that turns out to be a series of rings. So I thought this was going to be a Stargate story. The ship gets sucked into the gates and thrown into another solar system where people already speak English. Complete with the evil Legion and the rebellious Gallant Order. The story turned into Star Wars complete with a visit to a funky alien bar on a desert planet to a secret rebel base on an ice planet. I didn't feel the romance between the earth Commander Josh and Cassa, the budding Gallant Order knight. They went from strangers to sex to saying 'I love you' with few tender moments in between. They just navigated one dangerous situation after another. It was more of a space opera than a romance.
June 20, 2019
I like a good science fiction now and then. Some disappoint but some check all the boxes and I’m a happy camper. Command Decisions was not great but it was fun. Well, some of it.
-The setup was fun.
-The human astronauts were cutouts from every other book/movie but they worked out enough.
-The Beings/Aliens they encouraged have been seen before but they were still enjoyable.
-Fighting the good fight with fun, cohesive action scenes. Yes!
-A female with balls and brains. Check!
-A romance...wait, what?!?! Smith didn’t have a strong sense of time so they’re connection was out of left field and totally unbelievable.
Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, but it’ll have to wait until I’m in the right mood.
-The setup was fun.
-The human astronauts were cutouts from every other book/movie but they worked out enough.
-The Beings/Aliens they encouraged have been seen before but they were still enjoyable.
-Fighting the good fight with fun, cohesive action scenes. Yes!
-A female with balls and brains. Check!
-A romance...wait, what?!?! Smith didn’t have a strong sense of time so they’re connection was out of left field and totally unbelievable.
Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, but it’ll have to wait until I’m in the right mood.
November 20, 2025
The first book in the series Project Gleise 581g by S. E. Smith.
This started out slow and boring but it finally got going and I ended up really like it.
This started out slow and boring but it finally got going and I ended up really like it.
April 7, 2018
More like a 3.5
I did like this book. It kept me interested. I really liked the characters, and the adventure was great. With all that being said, I think it could have been much better if the author would have filled in the missing parts.
My main issue is how much the book skips forward. It's like everything is on fast forward. An example of this: I hated how mushy gushy the man got when talking about his love interest. He knew her for a month, but we didn't get any insight into that month at all. It's so frustrating. Maybe if the author wouldn't have skipped that whole month, I could be down with this. But seriously! They meet, then like the next page is a month later and he kisses her for the first time. ??? how does the author think that makes sense? At least get me interested in them being a couple. There are many more examples of stuff like this. I understand it's hard to fill in big spaces of time. I just feel this book would have been MUCH better if it wouldn't have skipped around so much. It may needed to be split up into two books, but I would have preferred that.
Like others have said, I got a lot of reminders of Star Wars while reading, which was annoying because the similarities are easily avoidable. The biggest reminder is the weapon they use. It sounds very similar to a lightsaber. I even started imagining it as one because it sounds so similar. Also the way they sneak onto a ship, the droid on the ship, the bar they go into, etc etc etc.
I did like this book. It kept me interested. I really liked the characters, and the adventure was great. With all that being said, I think it could have been much better if the author would have filled in the missing parts.
My main issue is how much the book skips forward. It's like everything is on fast forward. An example of this: I hated how mushy gushy the man got when talking about his love interest. He knew her for a month, but we didn't get any insight into that month at all. It's so frustrating. Maybe if the author wouldn't have skipped that whole month, I could be down with this. But seriously! They meet, then like the next page is a month later and he kisses her for the first time. ??? how does the author think that makes sense? At least get me interested in them being a couple. There are many more examples of stuff like this. I understand it's hard to fill in big spaces of time. I just feel this book would have been MUCH better if it wouldn't have skipped around so much. It may needed to be split up into two books, but I would have preferred that.
Like others have said, I got a lot of reminders of Star Wars while reading, which was annoying because the similarities are easily avoidable. The biggest reminder is the weapon they use. It sounds very similar to a lightsaber. I even started imagining it as one because it sounds so similar. Also the way they sneak onto a ship, the droid on the ship, the bar they go into, etc etc etc.
January 20, 2019
This book is honestly the worst book I've ever read. At some point, I only kept going because I was curious how bad it would get - and it kept getting worse and worse. Stereotyped Asian and Russian characters? Check. Incredibly cheesy dialogue from a jock fighter pilot moonlighting as an action hero? Check. Black best friend racial trope? Yep. Sci-fi that is incredible nonsensical that it makes you question where the science is? Lets see... aliens in far away galaxies that happen to speak English, a fighter pilot who happens to be able to fly space ships he's never seen before, 5 escape pods that are programmed to find the nearest habitable planet and they somehow all go in different directions, just a few of many oddities in this universe. Hating on the class nerd like it's high school all over again? Oh yeah. Blatant plagiarism from Star Wars? There is that too. Delicate woman lead? Yeah. Chauvinist male lead who would never hurt a lady? Cliche after cliche. Definitely the worst book ever.
April 6, 2016
Out Of The Park!
Loved the story, absolutely in love with the characters. The science is good and spot on as far as modern technology takes us.
The ONLY problem I had, and I admit I had to keep putting the book down and grit my teeth, is the improper use of the word galaxy instead of star system. It's a big difference with a huge distinction, especially in sci-fi. Interstellar travel, or travel between stars, is capable to any society with a sufficient amount of knowledge and technology. Intergalactic travel, or travel between galaxies would require extensive use of wormholes because of the vast amounts is space involved. The space between stars is extremely vast. The space between galaxies is stupidly vast.
I felt this story was more plot driven than character driven as in other books by this author in the past, however, it was excellent in pacing. I loved it. I would like some explanation later as to why they speak the same language.
Loved the story, absolutely in love with the characters. The science is good and spot on as far as modern technology takes us.
The ONLY problem I had, and I admit I had to keep putting the book down and grit my teeth, is the improper use of the word galaxy instead of star system. It's a big difference with a huge distinction, especially in sci-fi. Interstellar travel, or travel between stars, is capable to any society with a sufficient amount of knowledge and technology. Intergalactic travel, or travel between galaxies would require extensive use of wormholes because of the vast amounts is space involved. The space between stars is extremely vast. The space between galaxies is stupidly vast.
I felt this story was more plot driven than character driven as in other books by this author in the past, however, it was excellent in pacing. I loved it. I would like some explanation later as to why they speak the same language.
April 28, 2023
Many of the reviews for this book indicated that this book was not "typical S.E. Smith" but as I read this book I felt that this book was not typical SciFi. The emphasis seemed to be on the romantic relationship between Josh and Casse. Sure, I have read science fiction with romantic elements but this one seemed preoccupied with articulating Josh's love for Casse. The sex between them and their mutual attraction is also very prominent - to the point of distraction. If I didn't know better, I thought I was reading a romance novel. That is when it dawned on me that S.E. Smith is known for romance novels.
Josh is a member of a 5-person crew on an Earth spacecraft that is sent to investigate an artifact in space. Apparently defective, they manage to repair it only to discover it is a gateway to another part of the galaxy with the trip destroying their ship and forcing each into their respective escape pods. They had arrived in an area of space with multiple planets containing sentient life. Josh's escape pod lands on one of the planets. He is taken in by the Galant order which is a rebel group against the legion. He finds Casse and her family and is drawn into their cause.
I found this book to feel oddly similar to Star Wars. These rebels are facing an indomitable force in the legion led by the director.
Interestingly, or maybe not, people on these planets are humans. They speak English too. There is some hint as to the reason for this but given that the planet Earth hosts many different languages, it seemed too coincidental that this society (presumably 100's of lightyears away) speaks English.
Not a bad book but not a great book. I was distracted when Josh seems to constantly say "I love you", "You are an amazing woman", "Do you know how amazing you are?" or "This is forever Casse". It got a bit repetitive. From my perspective, I didn't sign on for a romance novel.
There are two more books in the series but not for this reader.
Josh is a member of a 5-person crew on an Earth spacecraft that is sent to investigate an artifact in space. Apparently defective, they manage to repair it only to discover it is a gateway to another part of the galaxy with the trip destroying their ship and forcing each into their respective escape pods. They had arrived in an area of space with multiple planets containing sentient life. Josh's escape pod lands on one of the planets. He is taken in by the Galant order which is a rebel group against the legion. He finds Casse and her family and is drawn into their cause.
I found this book to feel oddly similar to Star Wars. These rebels are facing an indomitable force in the legion led by the director.
Interestingly, or maybe not, people on these planets are humans. They speak English too. There is some hint as to the reason for this but given that the planet Earth hosts many different languages, it seemed too coincidental that this society (presumably 100's of lightyears away) speaks English.
Not a bad book but not a great book. I was distracted when Josh seems to constantly say "I love you", "You are an amazing woman", "Do you know how amazing you are?" or "This is forever Casse". It got a bit repetitive. From my perspective, I didn't sign on for a romance novel.
There are two more books in the series but not for this reader.
February 20, 2018
So, at first I was thinking "okay, this is cool. going to be a 'first explorers in space'" type story.
Then a "star gate" got mentioned, and it made me immediately hesitant. But it only called it a "star gate" once, so I got over it.
Next up, at the vineyard on the far off planet. Cue me: "Oh cool. This is gonna be like that Farscape episode "I, E.T." where Crichton and fellow crew land on an alien planet, and Crichton gets his first other world experience, and it was like all the classic Aliens have landed type stories from the 1950s. - I was okay with this.
As soon as the vineyard started burning, a niggling little voice in my head said "Okay, this is... a Star Wars trope." (the her farm has been destroyed, and her family is dead so she has nothing left but to go on an adventure and fight the big bad space government trope)
And then it went down hill from there. After that it pretty much ripped off Star Wars: A New Hope to a ridiculous level. Even so much as at the end, Josh even says "You just need a hat and you'd look like Harrison Ford". (Or something like that. I've blocked it out a bit, and I can't go look as I was listening to the audiobook)
Then I came and looked at other reviews, and yeah... totally not just me feeling like the author ripped of Star Wars.
Now, this wasn't awful. I'm sure it would have been quite exciting and enjoyable, if you've never read (there are a lot of books) or watched Star Wars before.
I did like that it wasn't the normal S.E. Smith "Alpha male alien needs female". I liked how Josh was the alien (see above comment of "I, E.T.").
I liked how there was no "Little One" endearments from the Hero to the Heroine. (That got really old in the Alliance series)
I almost feel like I should put this on the Star Wars bookshelf lol.
Then a "star gate" got mentioned, and it made me immediately hesitant. But it only called it a "star gate" once, so I got over it.
Next up, at the vineyard on the far off planet. Cue me: "Oh cool. This is gonna be like that Farscape episode "I, E.T." where Crichton and fellow crew land on an alien planet, and Crichton gets his first other world experience, and it was like all the classic Aliens have landed type stories from the 1950s. - I was okay with this.
As soon as the vineyard started burning, a niggling little voice in my head said "Okay, this is... a Star Wars trope." (the her farm has been destroyed, and her family is dead so she has nothing left but to go on an adventure and fight the big bad space government trope)
And then it went down hill from there. After that it pretty much ripped off Star Wars: A New Hope to a ridiculous level. Even so much as at the end, Josh even says "You just need a hat and you'd look like Harrison Ford". (Or something like that. I've blocked it out a bit, and I can't go look as I was listening to the audiobook)
Then I came and looked at other reviews, and yeah... totally not just me feeling like the author ripped of Star Wars.
Now, this wasn't awful. I'm sure it would have been quite exciting and enjoyable, if you've never read (there are a lot of books) or watched Star Wars before.
I did like that it wasn't the normal S.E. Smith "Alpha male alien needs female". I liked how Josh was the alien (see above comment of "I, E.T.").
I liked how there was no "Little One" endearments from the Hero to the Heroine. (That got really old in the Alliance series)
I almost feel like I should put this on the Star Wars bookshelf lol.
April 23, 2018
If you want a sci fi story this could be for you but not want I want to read from one of my favourite authors.
Though interesting in its own way and with a LOT of action (maybe too much), it will not be one I reread. As much as I love Ms Smith’s books, this series is not for me. I have deferred reading it for ages knowing it was probably not going to be for me but finally sat down and picked it up.
I just felt it was fast forward and lots of information overload which is typical of a new series but the lack of romance and connection between Josh and Cassie just made it a poor story. It felt like he settled for Cassie once he realised he would never be returning to earth, (he wasn’t anyway as it was a one way mission) as she was the only one he knew, not because he loved her. That came later.
Though interesting in its own way and with a LOT of action (maybe too much), it will not be one I reread. As much as I love Ms Smith’s books, this series is not for me. I have deferred reading it for ages knowing it was probably not going to be for me but finally sat down and picked it up.
I just felt it was fast forward and lots of information overload which is typical of a new series but the lack of romance and connection between Josh and Cassie just made it a poor story. It felt like he settled for Cassie once he realised he would never be returning to earth, (he wasn’t anyway as it was a one way mission) as she was the only one he knew, not because he loved her. That came later.
September 5, 2019
I read the first three reviews here and can’t believe the bad or mediocre reviews. I bought all three published in paperback just because I wanted to get away from the e-raeder for a little while. I finished the first in less than 24 hours and loved it. I have the the third and now wait for the second as it seems to have come from a different seller on amazon and I didn’t realize that. I can’t wait for the second to be delivered. This story drew me in from the first page and I hardly put it down. I have read other books by SE Smith and while I loved a few most were not worth reading. Not so with this story. It’s not has hard core in the sex as some of her other books I have read but the plot is great and throw in the little romance she did include for the two main characters and I found it to be one of the best books I have read lately.
July 31, 2020
Command Decision by S.E. Smith is everything a reader wants in SCI/FY. The Author has done a great job with World building and connecting the characters and different relationships between planets. As the Legion is taking over the galaxy, it is met with resistance and thus creating the start of a War amongst the different planets. Joshua Manson has a career he loves but once he is sent on his latest mission he never dreamed of this outcome. Cassa de Rola's family has tried stay under the radar of the Legion as they continue life on their farm. When Joshua's mission goes wrong and he and his pod land near Cassa's farm, there is no staying under radar now. I love that Cassa is not your helpless female but is right next to Joshua fighting for life and the ones they love.
June 9, 2018
Great start to a new series. Josh and Ash are a great team as navy pilots chosen to go into outer space to check out something spotted on a picture ten years before. Josh meets Casa and is instantly taken with her... this is done at her vineyard on a distant planet. What amazes me is that they all speak the same language no matter what planet they land on. Unless I missed something in the book about how that is possible????
December 19, 2020
This is an unabashed hashup of Star Trek and Star Wars. We have our heroes emulating the crew of Star Trek: Enterprise going where no human has gone before, but falling accidentally into a galaxy far far away where they become the equivalent of Jedi. The author inserted her signature brand of romance and action and we have a sci-fi romance that I would not hesitate to recommend to Star Wars fans.
March 18, 2025
Love at first sight? Almost like Sleeping Beauty being woken from her casket. Only this time, it's Sleeping Beauty waking her Prince. Instant love. Can't you feel it? There wasn't much heat between between Josh and Cassa, but the action was great. I don't have a lot of hope for more heat in the second in the series, but we will see. Yes, it's good enough to continue, but if you are looking for a hot romance, this is lacking.
April 7, 2018
Great 👍 story
This is the first story of this series and it was very good! The author created some fantastic characters.😁 I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next story. Hope it's as good!
This is the first story of this series and it was very good! The author created some fantastic characters.😁 I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the next story. Hope it's as good!
March 3, 2019
Urght. Meek female lead whose character concept is pretty much just "female". Possessive and sexist male lead (which reader is apparently supposed to think is somehow romantic and hot? Nope.) and just so very very boring. This book is basically just a collection of scifi tropes.
April 5, 2019
To go where no man has gone before... literally, then the crew of 5 get sucked into a black hole and encounter the conquering aliens who already aren’t prepared for humans from Earth. SE Smith writes great books.
June 11, 2025
unexpected
Was not expecting to have this book turn out like this.
Has mix of Stargate, Star Wars and other great sci-fi series.
Loved the couple and the surprises I experienced like I was there.
Can not wait to next book
Was not expecting to have this book turn out like this.
Has mix of Stargate, Star Wars and other great sci-fi series.
Loved the couple and the surprises I experienced like I was there.
Can not wait to next book
February 27, 2017
2.5
Bastante aburrido...
Bastante aburrido...
January 3, 2018
I started this book over a year ago, left it and read something else. I revisited it, and all I can say to the author is never ever try to parallel the works of "Star wars"
March 9, 2018
Great story!!!
April 30, 2018
Fairly pedestrian space opera, albeit with a romance element usually not as explicit in the genre.
January 2, 2020
Star Wars based theme
I enjoyed reading the parallels to Star Wars. Hopefully Roan will join the rebellion but I don't think he'll be Josh's father😈.
I enjoyed reading the parallels to Star Wars. Hopefully Roan will join the rebellion but I don't think he'll be Josh's father😈.
July 25, 2020
When reading a romance space story, please suspend reality when reading it. I thought the story was good and very entertaining. Looking forward to the next two books in the series.
August 31, 2020
Great sci-fi read
This author sure knows what she’s doing with her stories. Characters are always interesting and blended in with a great story. Off to read the next in the series.
This author sure knows what she’s doing with her stories. Characters are always interesting and blended in with a great story. Off to read the next in the series.
June 25, 2021
I did not finish reading Command Decision as I lost interest.
May 26, 2024
Interesting idea but not enough tension or spice
January 30, 2017
It was ok. :/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews