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Discovery of the Saiph (The Saiph Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by PP Corcoran (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 909 ratings
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A lost civilisation, a trove of underground secrets, and a daring mission outside the solar system. Can the Terran Republic navigate a galaxy on the brink of disaster? A riveting journey for fans of military sci-fi.

In the near future humans can travel to the stars. Instantaneously.

The Marco Polo leads a human expedition on its maiden voyage outside Earth's Solar System when the ship’s scientists detect power readings: they are alien and emanate from Planet III... a wasteland which suffered a devastating nuclear bombardment many thousands of years before. Deep, under the surface of Planet III archaeologists excavate an alien library, a rosetta stone of sorts, and are astonished to unlock its secrets with human DNA. They quickly determine that the Saiph, a race of unknown origin, have left a guide to survival, survival against a merciless enemy called the 'Others'.

They need technology. They need allies. Most of all, they need heroes.

Humanity and their allies battle for their very existence in the first instalment of PP Corcoran’s classic space opera saga. If you like intrigue, electrifying action, and interstellar warfare, then you’ll love PP Corcoran’s series starter.

The Saiph Series comes highly recommended from fans of the Honor Harrington and Lost Fleet series, the works of Jack McDevitt, The Mote In God's Eye by Niven and Pournelle, Asimov and Arthur C Clarke.
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Saiph Series
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 23, 2014
  6. File size
    4294 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a compelling military-based science fiction tale that will get you thinking, and the scenarios and future technology are not too far-fetched to make you cry foul. The author does a good job of getting you to relate to his characters, and the ending has a bit of a cliffhanger that makes you want to continue the series." - Michael Gallagher Hall of Fame Vine Voice, Amazon

"This has to be one of the best SciFi books I've ever read, and I've read a lot. The writing is clear, the characters nicely developed, the action dramatic and the pace fast and even. All this makes the book an easy read. Corcoran has incorporated splendid technology elements to provide the detail ensuring credibility without slowing the pace at all." - C. Craig Coleman Amazon Customer.

"A good read into the beginnings of interstellar transport."- Erik, Goodreads

"I truly enjoyed reading Corcoran's Discovery of the Saiph. the plotline is wonderfully polished and the writing is crisp and moves smoothly, making for excellent reading pleasure." - Tim Fay, Goodreads

From the Author

Discovery of the Saiph is about about human's sudden ability to explore space at will. During these explorations they find a secret database buried deep in an alien world. This leads to the realisation that in the distant past an alien benefactor assured his prominence in the Darwinian chain of life.

I wrote this book with the idea that I wanted to offer a radically different view to the Johnny Appleseed theory of evolution. I was inspired after years of reading science fiction with which I was becoming jaded, I thought I could write something a bit different. I chose the course of an ensemble cast, mixed with high action and, of course, technology, it should appeal to military SF / science fiction and space opera fans.

I love science fact as much as science fiction and have tried to incorporate some of these facts into my fiction, for example the science of the 'fold' system in the gravity drive, the alcubierre drive and the different weapons systems such as plasma rifles and PEP pistols which are based on real technology.

To my readers I say:
Thank you for buying my book and thank you for taking the time to write wonderful reviews. Without my readers, I would not be where I am now - a full time writer - and I am eternally grateful for this opportunity. Please keep in contact with me, I'm open to ideas, questions (and criticism) and you can get me at the usual hangouts. I'm not hard to find search 'ppcorcoran'

Paul

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IMP3HB4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Castrum Press; 5th edition (February 23, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 23, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4294 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 909 ratings

About the author

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PP Corcoran

PP Corcoran

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Paul P Corcoran is an Amazon bestselling author who writes fast-paced military SF/space opera because he gets to mix his two loves; shoot em ups and science. A native of Scotland, he now lives in Northern Ireland with his wife and their dog.

To be the first to know about new releases, and get a FREE short story, sign up to his email list at www.ppcorcoran.com/subscribe

Paul loves to hear from readers. Join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PaulCorcoranAuthor

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
909 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Dave the Train Man
5.0 out of 5 stars Lively tale of brave humans and evil aliens - but well written.
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good premise - but why did the "others" not find one of the Saiph libraries just like the humans did? They had the technology and motivation to search for 700 years prior to humans. Then, the humans start finding intelligent species under every rock - why is this likely? The human-Others conflict and the combat narratives are very well done. Corcoran can also use a multi-syllabic word, unlike most current sci-fi. All in all, a good tale. Second and third increments should be great fun also.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reading.
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2017
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I read this book for the subject. Military science fiction paired with first contact with alien races is always interesting.

Earth has recovered from almost destroying itself. Humans have begun colonizing the nearest planets when a means of faster than light travel enables exploration of planets farther away. This leads to the discovery of the existence of an energy signal located inside of a sterilized planet. Further investigation uncovers an alien library left by a race of beings called the Saiph. Their language is deciphered and humanity learns that it is a seeded race, one among just a few, whose DNA was influenced by the Saiph in an effort to leave something of themselves before the enemy they called the Others exterminated them. Earth's collective forces, now in the form of a republic, determine that it's best move would be to use the newly discovered technology in the Saiph library to create a larger and more militaristic space fleet to determine if the Others still exist and also the status of the other seeded races.

New ships and their crews are sent out on specific paths to find out if mankind has any five fingered cousins. The good news is that some are existing at different levels of development. The bad news is that the Others are still roaming around, for unknown reasons, bent on killing off any planet whose technology reaches a certain level.

The way humans use the new technology they come across is fascinating because they are not fighting over it. The near extinction experience has tempered their need to win at any cost although the politicians are still at each other's throats.

The descriptions of the space ships in terms of size didn't help me to visualize them I'm afraid but every thing else was great. There was even a little romance. I am off to read the second book and would invite anyone to read this series with me.
5 people found this helpful
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C. Craig Coleman
5.0 out of 5 stars The best of SciFi
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2017
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This has to be one of the best SciFi books I've ever read, and I've read a lot. The writing is clear, the characters nicely developed, the action dramatic and the pace fast and even. All this makes the book an easy read. Corcoran has incorporated splendid technology elements to provide the detail ensuring credibility without slowing the pace at all. That is amazing. This is a different approach to the future of humanity and space travel with regard to other civilizations. I got this book free, but I'll be buying the rest of the series.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to readers of SciFi and those interested in the future prospects for humanity.
One person found this helpful
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Jesper Nielsen
4.0 out of 5 stars SciFi Action Adventure - First Contact - Mobilizing humanity to fight for survival
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2014
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This is a good old fashioned science fiction military adventure for the young at heart. Definitely YA material. Sex is non existent. Complicated human relations are kept to a minimum. There are no bad guys apart from the aliens.

You feel you are back in Star Trek where everybody behaves and only the bad guys try to stab others in the back. Nice to know humanity can work together seamlessly!

This is not the real world. Technology is developed and implemented in month, sometimes hours. A planet is colonized with 3 million people and a self sustaining infrastructure built in 3 years. Yeah, right.

If you can get over the Utopian human relations and the too fast pace of technological development then you are in for an entertaining read. Lots of space battles with just enough detail to keep you going. It never goes on and on as some authors love to do.

in fact, the story moves very quickly and you want to know what happens next. As soon as you get the idea of what will happen you are on to the next scene or chapter, where it already has happened. No pussy footing around here. I loved it.

Highly recommended for the young from ages 14 to 90. I gave it only 4 stars for stretching my credulity of the goodness of human nature and unrealistic technological pace. Enjoy. It was a fun read and I was sorry to discover that the next book in the series comes out on 29th July 2014 with the third book scheduled for 25th November 2014. Damn, I'll just have to wait!
One person found this helpful
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brandon lamee
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this series
Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2024
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One of my favorite scifi series. Having read all 4 books more than once, the evolution of the story arc kept me engaged the whole time.
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Top reviews from other countries

DTD
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book
Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2018
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Good book
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Bill Braithwaite.
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Reviewed in Spain on September 17, 2019
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An excellent fast paced read.
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Bass Man
5.0 out of 5 stars I shall be getting the next book, which says it all really. Good job.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 29, 2015
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I think this is a lot more intelligent that the cover would suggest, i.e. it looks like it might be another mindless military gungho alien shoot em up. It has more depth than that, the characters grow steadily stronger over the course and I like the fact that some are expendable. Aliens, yeah what do they look like? Hmmm I know this is very difficult so I am not knocking the Author. This is the only problem I have with it, as there are more than one race and there needs to be a distinction between them, the author has to come up with something credible but your imagination might get stretched a little. There are some events that are truly monumental and surprisingly are skimmed over, hang on I am complaining again. Forget that, the book is great military scifi without being predictable, a very good plot, solid characters that are developing and an easy read. I shall be getting the next book, which says it all really. Good job.
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eaglezero
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story as well
Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2015
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Met my expectations.. Military Scifi, Space Battles. First Contact and also Alien Relic Finding..It has the whole lot for me! Great Story as well. looking forward to the next Volume! Pp does a great job!
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Solid military sci-fi
Reviewed in Australia on December 11, 2018
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First Contact, desperate space battles, heroic marines, and an evil enemy. If you like military sci-fi, then you will probably like this series. I have grown old and cynical, so for me the characters are just a little too clean-cut and heroic. Humanity is way more noble than it will ever be. And impossible things get done with nary any effort. In some ways, reading this book reminded me of Doc Smith's Lensman series.
Still - it's an entertaining read, and I am about to begin the second in the series. What more can you ask.
Oh - and the author does know his stuff, and is not borderline illiterate, like too many of today's "writers".
So - go read this book!
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