Learning to Fly Alien Spacecraft - (The Shantivira) by Fay Abernethy (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

A fun first contact adventure featuring an orphaned heroine, an angry astronaut, a shape-shifting Welsh dragon, capable cyborgs, alien pirates - and trees in space!

Hanna Abebe has come far since leaving Ethiopia. All the way to the other end of the galaxy, in fact. And although her course at the Essoona Pilots' Academy is tough, it's not as tough as maintaining the ultimate long-distance relationship . . .

Astronaut Dan Simpson is furious. The Galaksi Alliance have exiled him on a remote planet to stop him telling NASA about the Shantivira before they're ready. But by the time they come to take him home, Dan has fallen in love with an enigmatic alien and decides to stay. Only then does he discover what a perilous business his new girlfriend is involved in . . .

At last! Captain Joe Llewellyn has permission to initiate first contact via the UN. But if he messes it up, the Galaksi Alliance could cancel the Shantivira's funding, leaving the Earth defenceless. So, no pressure. All goes well until a rogue Samaritan flies a cargo ship through months of painstaking negotiations . . .

Review Quotes

". . . totally recommend . . . I couldn't stop reading it. If you like science fiction and don't mind a little magic, you'll probably enjoy this." - Amazon DE reviewer, 5 stars

"Abernethy's imagination is staggering. The characters develop holistically, the adventure feels very real, the emotions are deep and convincing, and the plot is convoluted without being confusing. This British author living in Germany has hit a home run for this American reviewer." - Scintilla book blog

". . . goes places you simply don't expect . . . I also enjoy that Wales plays such a big part in the story . . . one more thing that makes this series so different." - Amazon UK reviewer, 5 stars

". . . The characters are 3-dimensional and interesting, with some who start out as 'baddies' finding their way, and others creeping out the woodwork." - Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

"This delightful sequel was wonderful at tying up loose ends and yet created so many new ones I can hardly wait for the next installment! . . . an easy read with many thought-provoking ideas." - Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

". . . The world building is superb . . . fans of Wales will enjoy this book especially." - Lozreads book blog

". . . viewpoint characters from Ethiopia, Wales and the United States, and a plethora of alien societies . . . The book has a clear utopian/socialist agenda and deals frankly with the climate crisis. I appreciated the bibliography." - Library Thing reviewer

"Optimistic Sci-Fi . . . just in case, I keep a bag packed, eagerly awaiting that invitation to join the Shantivira crew!" - Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars