Gateway to the Galaxy

Gateway to the Galaxy, Book 1

By: Jonathan Yanez, JR Castle

Narrated by: Scott Aiello

Length: 16 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

War isn't coming. It's already being waged.

While the universe was still young, vambraces were forged, giving their users extraordinary abilities. A brutal war was won through the blood and sacrifice of patriots. Soon, the vambraces faded to legend.

A secret task force. A wormhole portal discovered...

Now, Frank and Marine Space Corps-1 find themselves across the galaxy, where an ancient evil is growing. From exploratory crew to the front of enemy lines, Frank will have to decide whether to play the part of hero or to be the Marine needed to win the war.

Because the victor takes the universe.

The vambraces will be found again. A new order of knights will be chosen. And once again light will do battle with darkness.

Includes a special bonus note from the authors.

©2018 Jonathan Yanez and JR Castle (P)2018 Podium Publishing

Perfection!

I hate buying a book without any written reviews, so here is all you need to know without providing any spoilers:

-unshakable protagonist who never sweats under pressure, kicks ass and takes names, only talks in James Bondisms, is built like a rock and lacks the ability to take anything seriously: CHECK
-Characters taken straight out of every 90's action movie cliche (see above): CHECK
-Humorous quips and quotes taken directly from 80's and 90's pop-culture and cult classics: CHECK
-Great narration and excellent delivery of humor, quotes, cheesy lines and cliches: CHECK
-Military Sci-fi (also full of cliches): CHECK
-Absolute entertainment perfection: CHECK!

People Need to get over themselves

So I have read several reviews and it seems the people giving negative reviews do it because of one of two things. It steals ideas from other storylines or it is too much like a comic book. Yes on both counts; now just enjoy the book. That I enjoyed the book does that mean I have the maturity of a 12 yr old, maybe? Or maybe I read to get away from reality.

Not a real sci-fi despite the cover art and title.

I mistakenly thought this book would have a strong sci-fi theme but I was grossly mistaken, this is a space magic fantasy book. The narration was fine and I even liked the main character. It lost me as soon as it stopped being a “space marine” story and started being a magical knight story. There is no attempt at explaining any technical things and what is given is a big middle finger to anyone who likes any attempt at a logical science explanation since they just circle back to ancient magic. Super lame and nothing like any space sci-fi I’ve been reading.

Green lantern but purple.

It's like an even worse version of green lantern with Ryan Reynolds. even the main character could be perceived as Ryan Reynolds playing Ryan Reynolds making fun of Green Lantern by writing a knock off of the same character.

Okay, I call Bull****!

First of all this is not Sci-fy, it is pure Fantasy! I simply don't care for magic, I am a scientist and I don't like titles that masquerade as Science Fiction. So if you like swords and sorcery this may be for you.

Melodramatic and juvenile

Simple story more like a comic book. Cliché characters seems like a collage project, then a real story almost like it is the first on they ever wrote

part firefly, part stargate, part Johnny quest.

All rolled together with a bit of tounge-in-cheeck humor. I think I got goosebumps a few times listening, the story kept a good pace and held my interest until my commute to and from work flew by.

Comic Book Style Story, Sci-Fi to Fantasy

Just not for me. Good job by Scott Aiello (narrator). The story is probably good for a younger reading audience or anyone that is prepared to suspend disbelief and doesn't read to far into character development. For me, the main character is too much a comic book style Gary Stew with no faults... unless it is a fault that is really just a plus that builds on to the legend that is John Wolfe. On the plus side, there is a lot of action and the story moves quickly along (at least until I stopped listening).

excellent voice acting but generic plot

voice actor did an amazing job however you could always tell what was going to happen next in the plot, it was a generic plot placed in an interesting setting

really well-written booking funny

I don't usually write commentary on the book but this book had a great narrator and was well-written it was extremely funny and had a good plot to it as well if you like sci-fi this book is for you

Surprised!

I was expecting the typical space scifi formula book and was pleasantly surprised by the story. Great writing which invests the reader in the characters and storyline. Eagerly awaiting the next in the series. 5*!

so so good. Gateway rocks.

A very good book. Well read, paced great value for time and money. Well done.

Stargate + green lantern =?

struggled to finish this.

So many borrowed ideas and themes.

it's sci-fi with fantasy and frosted with frustration.

the whole story is very upbeat and there was never a point with tension that I can remember.

disappointing in general.

voiceover is good as usual for Scott he's in my top 5 (with RC at the top)

A not too serious romp

Okay, first off, if your looking for a serious, scientifically thought out sci-fi opera, look away now.

If your happy with a fun, humerous romp that doesn't take itself too seriously and is full of in jokes and pop culture references, this is for you.

Stargate meets green lantern is an accurate description that draws heavily from both and more besides. The narration is top notch from Scott Aiello (and i highly recommended you check out the forever series if you enjoyed his narration).

A great way to spend a few fun, fast pased, hours.

Really refreshingly enjoyable

Serious, yet fun. Fast paced yet detailed. I would listen to this book again as it is simply enjoyable and I am looking forward to the next book.

Great narration. Awful book.

Struggled to finish, luckily it wasn't that long. Some funny references, but shallow characters and a nonsense story. And I like nonsense, but it has to be smart nonsense. This isn't.

Won't listen to it a second time, and definitely won't pick up any sequels. Aiello is great, but if you want to listen to him the Ryanverse is a better bet. Those books aren't literal masterpieces either, but they are entertaining.

A hot mess!

Some very good narration and a likeable protagonist can't save this hotchpotch story which steals heavily and blatantly from Green Lantern, Stargate and Lord of the Rings. I mean they travel through a Stargate, get an adornment that runs on willpower and fight a bad guy that is Sauron in all but name! Disappointed.

Ok. alot of borrowed si fi themes.

The story is ok , I found alot of ideas from other si fi thrown together in this story. For me the villain was generic, and borrowed from LoR. The Will, which can form into anything..... feels like a poor copy of the green lanterns powers, and very little imagination went into what he could create.
overall it was ok. The narrator was good, will check out his other work. As for this story it has not inspired me to continue this book series.

Underwhelming

Nothing too special, ok action and characters were a bit shallow. Most likely will not be purchasing the second part (4-6).

not bad, a little cliché

little bit younger audience, odd choices, not necessarily developed in detail where expecting and moved through certain parts a little fast