Gabriel: Zero Point

Evan Gabriel Trilogy

By: Steve Umstead

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Evan Gabriel wasn't always a feared and respected North American Federation Navy Commander. Before dangerous missions to the ice-bound planet of Poliahu, the deadly jungle world of Eden, and politically corrupt Mars, he was a simple recruit, fighting to make his mark in the elite Naval Special Forces…and was part of a top-secret military experiment that would change his life forever.

Zero Point tells the tale of a young man faced with difficult choices and dangerous trials. Fans of the series will see part of the mysterious past Evan Gabriel carries with him, while listeners new to the series get a preview of what is to come in a military man's haunted life. Zero Point is the true beginning of Evan Gabriel, and his story is just getting started.

©2012 Steve Umstead (P)2013 Podium Audio

Critic reviews

"Umstead can write an action-packed adventure story better than most. He is an artist in designing a high-tech battlefield and weaving in the human element with his character's depth and color. If you like action in a science fiction setting then you really need to listen to this audiobook and give it a shot." (Tom Clementson, The Kindle Book Review)

"This series brings me back to the old days when sci-fi was about ass kicking, great friends, loyalty and action." (Amazon Reviewer)

Nice sci-fi, good pace

Remember the 6 million $ man? But it's still a good read or listen. I'll get the 2nd one.

pretty action packed, with smooth narration. Great

Awesome book, Science fiction, with a morale narrative, down right captivating. can't wait to see what's next!

Kept my attention!

Good sci-fi story. Liked the mi!itary realism mixed with futuristic space living for humans. No zombies, thank goodness! I want to read more about Gabriel!!!!

Fun

Great performance. Solid sci-fi story. Interesting characters and approach. This was a good deal of fun.

Good Story, Worse Narrating

Would you listen to Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella again? Why?

I don't know. I listened to it as a taste of the series. While I liked it and am now listening to the series, It is hard to follow the narrator. If I don't listen to it again it is because of how he narrates.

What other book might you compare Gabriel: Zero Point: The FREE Prequel Novella to and why?

I don't know. I've never listened to nor read a book similar.

What three words best describe Ray Chase’s performance?

Odd cadence. Odd.

Any additional comments?

The narrator sounds like a weird mix of William Shatner and John Wayne. Individually the two are okay, but combined it makes for weird narration. I won't listen to anymore books narrated by him after this series.

review

loved it made me want more. will definitely be looking for the rest of trilogy

Ok Story Line...

...but the narrator sounds like he's trying to make Every Single Line overly dramatic or sinister. Some lines can just be delivered casuaIly if that part of the story is low key. It reminds me of a voice over from a 1940's film noir. It's unfortunate because Mr. Chase has an excellent voice. I'll check out some of his other performances; hopefully it's just the vibe they wanted for this series.

Review: Zero Point, by Steve Umstead

*Please note that I haven’t read the rest of this trilogy, so I went into this novella with a blank slate. The description mentions this could be read before or after reading the other. I’m sure my reaction would be a little different had I read it after the other books.*

Gabriel: Zero Point was a pretty good novella. There isn’t that much to it in terms of building the futuristic world that it’s set in, but it does a great job of setting up Gabriel, the main character. Being that he is the main character of the trilogy that follows this novella, I think getting the story of where he started is probably better than getting the grander world view. The novels have more room for that. Still, this is only, for the most part, a small glimpse into what is to come and I felt like maybe just a little more info would have made it that much more enjoyable for me.

Overall, it’s filled with action, there aren’t any lulls to the story, and it’s gotten me interested in the other books. I think Umstead has much in store for me, once I start the trilogy. I’m looking forward to it.

Great prologue for what shall be a fun story

This is the creation story for the main character. It was fun. Interesting twist on my normal sci-fi with lots of emotions expressed.

5 Stars - Excellent

Edge-of-your-seat action-packed story.
Narrator does a fantastic job.
I'm looking forward to the next book!