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Craig Martelle
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Cygnus Rising: Humanity Returns to Space (Cygnus Space Opera Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Craig Martelle (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 320 ratings
See all formats and editions

From the ashes of their past, Cygnus was rising.

Following in the footsteps of their forefathers, humanity returns to space to explore, learn what the galaxy has to offer, maybe even return to Earth. Cain, the great-great-grandson of the ones who brought peace and free trade back to Planet Cygnus VII, finds himself challenged to live up to the deeds of his ancestors, driven to excel he joins the Space Exploration Service trying to earn a position on the latest deep space exploration vessel.


But space is a dangerous place, where the risks are great and the rewards fleeting.


Faced with the most difficult decisions, Cain finds himself trapped on a human-colonized world. With hostile forces pressing in, Cain has no choice but to dig deep for lessons from his past, match wits with a ruthless enemy, and help his companions transition from being peaceful explorers to fierce fighters if they are to survive.


A journey to the far reaches of the galaxy, an exploration of their inner souls. From space they came, to space they returned...


Cygnus Rising is the first in Craig Martelle's Cygnus Space Opera Series, set in his Free Trader universe! You don't want to miss this Sci-Fi series!

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Cygnus Space Opera
  2. Print length
    225 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    September 18, 2016
  6. File size
    5243 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Cygnus Rising is a new venture for me and I'm happy to finally see it in print. I started with a great, custom cover and an idea of how the people of Cygnus VII would find their way back into space, then, what would they find?

Humans colonized the galaxy, but did they retain their humanity? Some of the first readers sent me some incredibly supportive comments.
  • "It's an enjoyable space opera ...fast-moving and with an interesting group dynamic."
  • "Old-fashioned space opera. Good guys, bad guys and only a bit of romance to add to the characters."
  • "This is a great "start point" for people who do not read the original books. Taken from the start of your MC coming into Boot Camp and flowing through all the fun and team-building games played there. This will help others to see the characters in their strengths and weaknesses as individuals. I enjoyed that the other characters had a chance to shine too."
  • "Readability... very smooth with good transitions from scene to scene. Build-up was gradual and the philosophy of the parent planet's drive to explore seemed very natural. Failures were also points of learning for the society and the blending of the different cross-species into a cohesive group seemed a natural progression of development."
  • "It has all of the elements a good story should have. The characters are well developed, plot line is smooth and progresses consistently and logically. The action is fast paced and the interpersonal relationships believable. Conflict, fear, and the rest of the human emotions are represented."
  • "The worldview was terrific. Well-detailed with enough exploration of a possible future for Vii. I kind of got lost on some of the ship stuff, but that's just me. I could understand it, but really isn't why I read space opera books.Lots of other neat techy stuff going on too."
  • "I also have to tell you one of things I truly enjoyed about this story was it wasn't a typical HEA ending - lessons learned were very painful. Pollyanna was on the ship and died. I did feel that they took off with stars in their eyes and a not very realistic attitude about what kind of dire circumstances, other than ship disasters they could face. They came back much wiser than when they left. Bravo - well done"

From the Inside Flap

Craig Martelle'sother books (listed by series)
# - available in audio, too
Terry Henry Walton Chronicles (#)(co-written with Michael Anderle) - a post-apocalyptic paranormal adventure
Gateway to the Universe (#) (co-written withJustin Sloan & Michael Anderle) - this book transitions the characters fromthe Terry Henry Walton Chronicles to The Bad Company
The Bad Company(#) (co-written with Michael Anderle) - a military science fiction space opera
Judge, Jury, & Executioner (#) - a space operaadventure legal thriller
ShadowVanguard - a Tom Dublin spaceadventure series
Superdreadnought (#) - an AI military space opera
MetalLegion (#) - a military space opera

The Free Trader (#) - a youngadult science fiction action adventure
Cygnus Space Opera(#) - a young adult space opera (set in the Free Trader universe)
Darklanding (#) (co-writtenwith Scott Moon) - a space western
MysticallyEngineered (co-written with ValerieEmerson) - mystics, dragons, & spaceships
Metamorphosis Alpha - stories from theworld's first science fiction RPG
TheExpanding Universe - science fiction anthologies
Krimson Empire (co-written with Julia Huni) - a galactic race for justice
Zenophobia (#) - a space archaeological adventure

End Times Alaska (#) - a PermutedPress publication - a post-apocalyptic survivalist adventure
Nightwalker (a Frank Roderus series) - A post-apocalyptic westernadventure
EndDays (#) (co-written with E.E.Isherwood) - a post-apocalyptic adventure

Successful Indie Author (#)- a non-fiction series to help self-published authors
MonsterCase Files (co-written with KathrynHearst) - A Warner twins mystery adventure
Rick Banik (#) - Spy &terrorism action adventure
Ian Bragg Thrillers -a man with a conscience who kills bad guys for money

Published exclusively by Craig Martelle,Inc
The Dragon's Callby Angelique Anderson & Craig A. Price, Jr. - an epic fantasy quest
A Couples Travel - a non-fiction travel series

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LZINJEP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Craig Martelle, Inc (September 18, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 18, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5243 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 225 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 320 ratings

About the author

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Craig Martelle

Craig Martelle

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Craig retired from the Marine Corps after a long career in the military intelligence community, having worked with most of the U.S. Government's three-letter agencies. After retiring and a short stint with physical security, Craig went to law school, graduated summa cum laude, and went into business consulting. From intelligence, to the inner workings of company board rooms, to on the ground leadership, Craig has seen it firsthand.

His books are an extension of his experience, putting the trials and tribulations of a fast-paced world into your hands. Whether in Science Fiction, Thrillers, Fantasy, or even his Non-Fiction, you'll find consistent themes of justice and doing right by those who are counting on their leaders. Leadership is a service, not a crown to lord over others.

Visit Craig's web page, craigmartelle.com for the latest posts and updates or find him on Facebook, Author Craig Martelle. Send an email to craig@craigmartelle.com to join his mailing list for the latest on new releases, information on old releases, and anything related to his books, or simply follow him right here on Amazon - they'll notify you of new releases as will BookBub.com if you follow him there:)

No matter where Craig went, he always had a book with him. Thanks to 21st Century technology, He now has thousands of books at his fingertips and with him wherever he goes. How many books would he have read on deployments had he not had to carry a physical book?

No one is encumbered like that now. Craig loves the works of Robert Heinlein, Anne McCaffrey, Andre Norton, JRR Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and so many more. He has been compared to Andre Norton and that is humbling - she was an incredible author with a huge list of novels to her credit. With every new book, Craig aspires to live up to those that you, the readers, have compared him to.

Through a bizarre series of events, Craig ended up in Fairbanks, Alaska. He never expected to retire to a place where golf courses are only open for four months out of the year. But that's the way it is. It is off the beaten path. He and his wife get to watch the northern lights from their driveway. Their dog has lots of room to run, just until temperatures reach fifty below zero. They have from three and a half hours of daylight in the winter to twenty-four hours in the summer.

It’s all part of the give and take of life. If they didn’t have those extremes, then everyone would live in the sub-arctic.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
320 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Double Ds
5.0 out of 5 stars It has all of the elements a good story should have
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
It has all of the elements a good story should have. The characters are well developed, plot line is smooth and progresses consistently and logically. The action is fast paced and the interpersonal relationships believable. Conflict, fear, and the rest of the human emotions are represented. I appreciate the fact that Cain and Ellies' relationship, in the end, crashed due to human failure not from outside interference. Realistically crap happens to good people, they admitted their mistake and can now move on. Cain needed to mature more to become the kind of leader he needed to be. Especially since he joined up for all the wrong reasons as most young men do. The rest of the crew will develop closer bonds. They are a team tested by fire and are a work in progress - bravo. They, unlike the earlier group were thrown together and to me had a harder row to hoe to jell into a cohesive unit. Your first books allowed Braden, G-war, and Micah to "absorb" new team members one at a time - big difference, everyone had the opportunity to get to know each other and they had the CHOICE on joining in the adventure. I'm wondering if this is why you were unhappy with the story. The first group learned to BE a team by trial and error, but had a single strong leader with a clear, uniting end goal - this group had to be manipulated into being a team and learn to function together.

I gotta tell you I enjoyed the humorous situations you put them in - mud covered Hill cats and all. Nicely dispersed through the story. This group of cats are over the top - snark taken to a new level.

I was glad to see that the respect and equality of the different species remain. Braden would be proud of his descendants.

The worldview was terrific. Well detailed with enough exploration of a possible future for Vii. I kind of got lost on some of the ship stuff, but that's just me. I could understand it, but really isn't why I read space opera books. Lots of other neat techy stuff going on too.

I also have to tell you one of things I truly enjoyed about this story was it wasn't a typical HEA ending - lessons learned were very painful. Pollyanna was on the ship and died. I did feel that they took off with stars in their eyes and a not very realistic attitude about what kind of dire circumstances, other than ship disasters they could face. They came back much wiser than when they left. Bravo - well done
13 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars I especially enjoyed a young adult enlisting in space exploration and going ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Aspects of this book were enjoyable. I especially enjoyed a young adult enlisting in space exploration and going through boot camp. Another aspect of this book included various species that were considered "human". They live in a purposefully peaceful planet and are quite shocked by off planet hostilities. Each character is quite unique in mind, species, and personality. This is the first of 3 books. On a lower note, I did have a bit of trouble following the authors train of thought here and there. There were only a handful of typos. Sex was implied but in no way specific.
The overall theme was that a group of citizens met and trained at boot camp. Others noticed how well their squad worked together and when they were assigned an exploration ship together they had a few violent adventures.
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J Krug
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this universe
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023
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This universe is so much fun. The characters are great, the different races meld together so nicely, there is action, high tech fun, adventure. It is all just great reading. I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it and any of the other books set in this universe.
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Wraptor
3.0 out of 5 stars A little slow
Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2023
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This wasn't a bad book. I was just getting into it when it ended. It has a interesting premise. I may give it a try at a later date.
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albionphoto
5.0 out of 5 stars Cats in Space, oh and other creatures too.
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
I have read quite a few of Craig Martelle's books, primarily the TH Walton books which are part of the Kurtherian Gambit series. This is a separate universe and is a sequel (sort of) to the Free Trader of Warren Deep books.
In this book the humanity of Cygnus VII has reached space and is exploring the universe to see if there is any other life out there. The story starts with Cain leaving home and joining the Space Exploration Service and this is the story of training and first cruise. There are a number of characters who are engaging and the challenges with which they are presented are imaginative and enjoyable to read.
There are some hints of Anne McCaffrey's dragon rider series. The clue is numbweed. The intelligent animals could have been lifted from the Spell Singer series too. This is an action book and not a comedy though.
If you haven't read all of the Free Trader series then this book contains some real spoilers. I'd only read the first of the Free Trader series and now I know the story arc and overall ending. I'll probably read the rest of them but on the basis of reading the firt book in each series I think that Cygnus Rising is the better series.
Just a word about cats. As a cat person even I think that cats can be idiots. Martelle's Hilcats have most of the unpleasant characteristics of cats but none of their virtues. So it's great to see cats in space but this isn't going to do thier reputation any favours.
I like this imaginative sequel series and as space opera it's one of the better ones.
6 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars A new human civilization
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2023
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Fun and engaging. A little preachy at times but not overbearing. The new culture is dependent on some citizens having extra senses. Enjoy!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Interstellar travel at its finest.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2024
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Great action and a great premise. Craig once again delivers a complex and intriguing story that grabs you and doesn't let go.
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MikeW
2.0 out of 5 stars Not well written
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2019
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The author really needs to avail himself of a good editor.
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

paul sarginson
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on May 2, 2018
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Ok
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Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book something a little different with interesting characters . I didn't want to stop reading it. Looking forward to reading the second in the series which I have just downloaded.
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mredeye
3.0 out of 5 stars Very Imaginative Scenario
Reviewed in Canada on September 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
Extremely out of this world adventures with strange beings abounding the landscape. If these beings were ever to materialize in other worlds, human genes would certainly be thinly scattered. Hard to imagine these critters.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
great idea for a story really good read cant wait to read the next one highly recommend
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RED
3.0 out of 5 stars Boring first half with exciting second half
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
First half of this book was SO boring and tedious (first half 1 star), I almost didn't finish it. However the last half / 3/4 somewhat made-up for trudging through the first half of the book (2nd half 4 stars). Makes it a somewhat overall average book
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