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Orphan Planet: A feelgood space adventure (Odyssey Earth Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Rex Burke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 155 ratings
✶ Indie Ink Awards winner, 2023 ✶
✶ A heart-warming space adventure – 'Red Dwarf' meets 'Lost in Space' ✶

With Earth in crisis, and his life on the rocks, Jordan Booth reckons a one-way sleeper ticket to the stars sounds like a good idea. But humanity’s future is just about to take a wrong turn.

The Odyssey Earth colony ship is on a seventeen-year voyage – a straight shot to a new planet. On board, a handpicked, single-minded crew and a thousand settlers in hypersleep. No children, no families, no fuss.

That was the plan, anyway.

Captain Juno Washington commands a ship of loners and oddballs, assisted by an AI who thinks humans are mostly idiots. The teenagers of the Odyssey Earth didn’t ask to be born, and face an uncertain future. And Jordan Booth really didn’t want to be woken up early to look after them.

After an unexpected change of course, everyone needs to join forces if they’re going to survive. But Jordan is out of his comfort zone – and the tight-knit, whip-smart teenagers are in no mood to listen. Still, if they pull together and stop squabbling, they might all just make it.

Yeah, right. Good luck with that.

If you like character-led Sci-Fi with heart and humour, then you’ll love Orphan Planet. Perfect for fans of snappy dialogue, strong, relatable characters, slow-burn action, and coming-of-age, found-family adventures.

Follow the Odyssey Earth story across three galaxy-spanning books – Orphan Planet, Twin Landing, and Star Bound.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Odyssey Earth
  2. Print length
    332 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 18, 2023
  6. File size
    3.9 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Orphan Planet by Rex Burke is absolutely the feel-good space adventure it sets out to be. From the first pages, it had me engaged and smiling. KRR Lockhaven, fantasy author

Orphan Planet is a remarkable SciFi adventure that somehow manages to be both high stakes and wholesome at the same time. Recommended for anyone looking for a witty, engaging, character driven story that deals with themes of both loss and being lost. Karl Forshaw, fantasy author

This book is honestly funny (so funny) and fairly wholesome and uplifting ... a laugh-out-loud romp in outer space. Rebecca Crunden, Indie Book Spotlight

Filled with snarky, irreverent humour and silliness, this book will be enjoyed by fans of Pratchett and Douglas Adams who like SciFi stories with a sense of humour and a 'slice of life' feel to them. Sue Bavey, bookblogger

I absolutely loved Orphan Planet - funny, affecting, emotional. Luke Winch at Luke's Book Nook

About the Author

Rex Burke is a SciFi writer based in North Yorkshire, UK. When he was young, he read every one of those yellow-jacketed Victor Gollancz hardbacks in his local library. That feeling of out-of-this-world amazement has never left him - and keeps him company as he writes his own SciFi adventures. When he's not writing, he travels - one way or another, he'll get to the stars, even if it's just as stardust when his own story is done.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BWWM7TKX
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 18, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.9 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1916893689
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Odyssey Earth
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 155 ratings

About the author

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Rex Burke

Rex Burke

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Rex Burke is a SciFi writer based in North Yorkshire, UK.

When he was young, he read every one of those yellow-jacketed Victor Gollancz hardbacks in his local library. That feeling of out-of-this-world amazement has never left him – and keeps him company as he writes his own SciFi adventures.

When he’s not writing, he travels – one way or another, he’ll get to the stars, even if it’s just as stardust when his own story is done.

Find out more at rexburke.wordpress.com, where there's a free short story in the Odyssey Earth universe waiting for you. And hit the 'Follow' button here for new release updates.

Books in the Odyssey Earth series:

Book 1, Orphan Planet

Book 2, Twin Landing

Book 3, Star Bound

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
155 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's humor and find the story engaging, with one describing it as a wonderful sci-fi adventure.

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HumorStory quality
4 customers mention "Humor"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, with one mentioning its ironic asides.

"...An amusing and easy read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book...." Read more

"...You will find humor, tragedy, and a bit of suspense with a crew of characters that are flawed and loveable. -BSFReads" Read more

"...Probably my favorite element of Orphan Planet was its ironic asides, well-timed zingers & humorous wordplay: Kids vs aliens, “I’m planetfall only,..." Read more

"...Well, here's one story about that. It's funny, engaging, and endearing. Enjoy!" Read more

3 customers mention "Story quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one describing it as a wonderful sci-fi adventure with suspense.

"Starts off a bit slow but the story is good. The first 2/3 of the book is basically set up. The last 3rd of the book is more exciting...." Read more

"...You will find humor, tragedy, and a bit of suspense with a crew of characters that are flawed and loveable. -BSFReads" Read more

"The description of a feelgood space adventure is perfect. This book is an adventure–mostly in space–and I felt good the whole time I was reading it...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • fabulouschrissie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Teenagers in Space
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    When Earth has a calamitous climate change, the extremely rich decided they needed a plan to save their own skins, and so the Space Program was born. Set on a fictional version of Earth, the sea level has risen, cities are underwater and islands have disappeared. But the British are going to send a ship into space, to a planet many light years away. Jordan is a volunteer. With nothing to live for on Earth, a one way ticket to the stars sounds like a good plan. And so he ends up on a spaceship with a crew of misfits: and a bunch of teenagers. An amusing and easy read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't know if I it was intended for a YA audience, but it entertained this 60 something woman. Looking forward to book two.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • joseph poopinski
    4.0 out of 5 stars Introverted Bloke Indifferently Goes Where No Man Has Gone Before
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    As far as I know, this was the first FiSci genre book I’ve read but it’s been a fantastic initiation. During the tale, some brainiac characters convey a little dirt about harder SciFi which we could summarize as too complicated to understand or essentially like magic. Probably my favorite element of Orphan Planet was its ironic asides, well-timed zingers & humorous wordplay: Kids vs aliens, “I’m planetfall only,” the oh-no-we-wouldn’t-want-that doctors’ skit, “Happy Birthday everyone,” and when an AI ultra-computer gripes after reading the entirety of Earth’s literature: “All the books. Another 20 seconds I’ll never get back.”

    The more profound elements of Orphan Planet hit home several times, especially when our (aptly surnamed) hero, Jordan Booth, realizes the spaceship kids had “never stood under a sky” while they gaze upwards, transfixed & overawed, staring at the starry heavens. And when he views his predecessor’s video journals, readers witness her bravely face an untimely fate. Perhaps borrowing a little reverse engineering from a Douglas Adams story, we see fate’s softer side too: “[Booth] was always going to end up stranded on one planet or another. It just happened to be this one.” Aren’t we all stranded someplace?
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  • BlueSmoke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is simply a fantastic read.

    A man adrift without purpose sets out on a journey of discovery he could never anticipate. Throw in man's first interstellar journey, a rambunctious AI with a plot twist or two, and you have a story worth your time.

    Burkes' prose is fluid, carrying the reader effortlessly through the pages. You will find humor, tragedy, and a bit of suspense with a crew of characters that are flawed and loveable. -BSFReads
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  • Jared
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful sci-fi adventure
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The description of a feelgood space adventure is perfect. This book is an adventure–mostly in space–and I felt good the whole time I was reading it. Though some significant peril exists in the story, the tension is light. I never felt too far removed from having a good time. This is a book I happily continued reading, unbothered by what it was or wasn't. It's simply a good story.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Starts off a bit slow but the story is good. The first 2/3 of the book is basically set up. The last 3rd of the book is more exciting. 6 supersmart teenagers and one adult somewhere they aren't supposed to be. What could possibly go wrong? Hint: A lot
    3 people found this helpful
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  • A RobertsKindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really Good!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Have you ever wondered what being one of the first humans on another planet would be like? What if it was just you, six teenagers who'd never lived on Earth, and a somewhat downsized AI?

    Well, here's one story about that. It's funny, engaging, and endearing. Enjoy!
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  • Behind the Pages
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sarcastic Humor
    Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2025
    Format: Kindle
    Thank you to Rex Burke for providing me with a copy of this book! I voluntarily leave this review!

    Jordan Booth never expected to be woken up early. After things fell apart for him on Earth, he looked forward to sleeping seventeen years and starting off fresh on a new planet. Yet near the journey's end, he finds himself on the deck of Odyssey Earth, fully awake and in charge of a group of teenagers. Teenagers that were never in the original plans, and who have no idea what it’s like to be planet side. Jordan will have his hands full as he tries to mentor the teens and learn how to navigate teenage angst and attitude.

    In Orphan Planet Jordan finds himself up against know it all kids with a penchant for older movies and music. What starts off as a sarcastic overview of events leading to a seventeen-year space odyssey, quickly evolves into a heartwarming tale of found family. Jordan will face quite a mix of personalities and bravado as he tries to establish a relationship with the teens. Yet when the group of teenagers and Jordan face off against a life or death situation, they’ll only make it through alive if they work together.

    The teens' reactions to Jordan are filled with witty remarks and comebacks. While this speaks of their age and view on adults, it also adds a needed layer of tension breaking humor. With the viewpoint focusing on Jordan, it’s quite the read to see inside his mind how he tries to figure out ways to get through to the teens. Jordan starts as a reluctant guardian and will go through quite a bit of character development by the end of the story. Readers who may not be entirely on his side at first will be won over by the end.

    Orphan Planet is a great read for readers who enjoy sarcastic sci-fi stories and themes of found family and adventure. This is also a good starting point for anyone looking to explore the sci-fi genre.
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  • J. Tucker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great series! Love these books!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I am not normally a sci fi reader. Started reading and could not stop. These books are great and I can't wait for the final book!!!
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Jo Beckford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Found family lost on a distant planet
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on June 21, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Orphan Planet is the first book in the Odyssey Earth series and tells the story of a man, Jordan, who, having given up on life on planet Earth, decides to join the crew of an ark ship going off to a new planet to give the human race another shot at surviving. I have read a fair number of examples of this type of story over the years and watched countless films and series with a similar theme, so the premise was not a new one for me. What I really enjoyed about this book, though, and what prompted the five stars, was the way the characters interact with each other.

    In this first book we follow Jordan as he awakes on the spaceship a little earlier than expected and finds himself tasked with looking after six 'accidental' teenagers who have just lost someone very important to them and who are too much extra work for everyone else. Before he really even has a chance to get to know them, another accident leaves them stranded in an unfamiliar place. Jordan suddenly finds himself to be the person with all the knowledge and skills the group will need to survive.

    What really makes this book a pleasure to read is that it doesn't try to be more than it is: a story of found family navigating the obstacles of an unfamiliar environment and coming together in the face of adversity. With moody teens, a snarky AI and a fallible protagonist, it is heartwarming and fun and there are plenty of suspenseful moments to keep you reading until the wee hours.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Orphan Planet
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 27, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    The time is now but the timeline is slightly different. On the Earth of Orphan Planet climate change has wrecked the planet, lots of Britain is under water so we are reaching to the stars. Luckily a suitable New Earth has been located and the prospective settlers are on their way - fast asleep for 17 years.

    Unfortunately the plans to keep the crew don't quite work out and we have six children born on the early phase of the journey . . .

    Shoot forward 16 years and our six children are now teenagers, the crew don't have the time to bring them up, educate them etc so Jordan Booth is brought out of Hypersleep and given the task. Not what he was expecting but them's the breaks.

    Nearing journey's end 'events happen' and Jordan and his protégés are separated from the ship and have to learn how to cope for themselves. But with a life spent onboard Odyssey Earth these kids have never experienced 'outside'.

    This is where the story really comes into its own. Burke really captures the experience well. Planetfall for people who have never been outside has a sense of fear and wonder that the reader shares with them. There is danger and peril but there is also discovery and bonding.

    The highlight character for me is the ships near sentient AI computer (although he probably wouldn't like to be called a computer) Reeves - self named after its favourite film actor. Reeves is highly intelligent (obviously) and, trust me, he knows it so when events lead to Reeves becoming a lesser version of itself it tends to feel a bit more needy and gave me quite a few chuckles. In fact Reeves gave me one of my favourite lines - after telling the teens it'd watched every film ever (in 10 seconds) he goes on "Yes, I've read all the books - that's 20 seconds of my life I will never get back". Very Marvin (Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy).

    Orphan Earth is feel good Sci-Fi - adventure, alien planets and a whole heap of fun and I really can't recommend it highly enough. Don't let this one slip under your radar folks, miss this and you are missing a treat.

    All the stars/5 cannot wait for the next in the series.
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  • KevDS
    4.0 out of 5 stars Light hearted SF with a warm heart
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 18, 2023
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I have to say, I entered this somewhat sceptical of the glowing reviews as I often do, but sometimes that sceptical simply is unfounded as it proved here.

    Cosy or light hearted comedy sci fi is a sub genre that doesn’t always get a chance to shine and always gets overshadowed by comparisons to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy or Red Dwarf, which is ridiculous because they are often very much their own thing and deserve to stand on the own two legs. Orphan Planet is such an example and blends a mixture of well thought out SF setting, human inter-relationships and traditional. British sketch-style comedy. Ignore the comparisons to other titles, this successfully sets out to create its own identity.

    Whilst the concepts are digestible rather than high (a distinct positive) and the drama early on low key, where this shines greatest is in its emotional heart, with the author almost seamlessly switching between tongue in cheek silliness and an emotional rawness that will hit even the stoniest heart (ie mine)
    It is not always perfect though. There’s not actually much going on for much of the book (the patient reader is rewarded though) and the characters—whilst fun—lack enough uniqueness in their personalities and dialogue which often serves to homogenise them, rather than elevate what makes them the most important part of the book.

    It is a series though and perhaps that will develop as it progresses. This is a highly enjoyable read which should appeal even to those who traditionally do not read much sci fi. If Legends and Lattes was the feel good fantasy of the last couple of years, then this deserves to be known as the cosy heart equivalent of the SF world during a time perhaps we need it most.
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  • Tish Green
    5.0 out of 5 stars it’s a bit like hitchhiker’s guide but funnier
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    There are so many things I love about this book, and too many to go into, but you HAVE to read it. It’s quirky, silly, and at times, quite touching without being too soppy. Give it a whirl!
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  • Rebecca H
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great start to this series.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2023
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this Sci Fi novel which surprised me as it's not a genre I would normally read. The Earth which we know has been ruined by climate change and volunteers are being offered the chance to 'sleep' for years while being transported through space where another 'Earth' has been discovered. Things haven't gone quite according to plan and six children were born on board, looked after, not by the parents but a teacher, Samantha Smart. Almost Seventeen years later Jordan is awakened to find his job is to look after the teenage children, as Samantha has sadly died.
    Things start to get really exciting now when Jordan and the teenagers find themselves separated from the mother ship and have crash landed on another planet, a second earth. How will they cope? I very much liked the interaction between the characters and the humour, not least the character of Jeeves, the AI who knows everything.
    I'm very glad this is a series as I can't wait to see how things turn out.
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