The Newest Addition to the Popular Silver Sphere Series
Writer and adventurer Jacob Casell, his lovely Astronomer wife Amy, and their brilliant but moody AI friend, Arcon, are at it again. Joined by new crew members, the trio embarks on a training mission in preparation to chauffeur a group of world leaders around the solar system to impart perspective and promote peace. As is often the case, their intentions are honorable, but the results are disastrous.
While parked in orbit around the swirling clouds of Jupiter, four alien freighters appear to siphon off enough of the planet’s gaseous atmosphere to cause a gravity imbalance. The intrepid Aneleyan Starcruiser, which Amy and Jacob have named ‘the Dauntless,’ will be devoured and crushed by Jupiter’s gravity unless the crew can escape orbit.
Find out what happens next in this extraordinary adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very end.
Although Return to Aneleya is the fifth book in the Silver Sphere Series, there is enough background included in the story to orient new readers and allow them to enjoy the novella as a stand-alone offering, and arouse enough curiosity to pick up the earlier editions.
Return to Aneleya is available in eBook and AudioBook editions on Amazon.com and Quality Online Retailers Worldwide.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
“Return to Aneleya by David Gittlin transports readers back into the Silver Sphere universe with a thrilling space adventure that’s equal parts danger and charm. When Jacob Casell, his wife Amy, and their AI companion Arcon embark on a routine mission, things go off the rails fast. Alien freighters are harvesting Jupiter’s atmosphere, the Dauntless is nearly destroyed, and diplomacy quickly turns into a fight for survival.
Despite the stakes, this installment balances high-concept sci-fi with accessible storytelling, witty dialogue, and strong emotional beats. And while it’s technically book five, the story stands solidly on its own, introducing its stakes and characters in a way that welcomes new readers to the galaxy.
Author David Gittlin blends smart sci-fi ideas with a warm, character-focused heart. I enjoyed how much fun this book was—it didn’t just throw me into danger, it gave me a crew I wanted to root for. Arcon, the AI, brings just the right touch of humor and logic to balance the very human tensions between Jacob and Amy. The pacing is fast but not rushed, and the imaginative settings that go from deep space to the swirling chaos near Jupiter really drew me in. Even the politics were interesting without bogging the plot down.
Overall, Return to Aneleya is an exciting, thoughtful, and thoroughly entertaining space opera for anyone who loves adventure with a human (and artificial) touch. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it, and I can’t wait to see what else comes out of this fascinating story universe in the future.”
Three Days to Darkness 