I enjoyed this interesting and unique Christian sci fi. My rating 4.5.

Fifteen years ago aliens arrived on Earth and peaceably took over as ‘protectors’. They needed a special portion of space near earth and it was worth their while to buy their way into corporate authority. Many Christians abandoned their faith when they learned that aliens existed. Caz felt deserted by other believers and he took off, leaving behind his college sweetheart who stayed in faith.

Caz is a consummate liar as he has worked undercover for years recovering stolen art. This keeps him from developing and keeping close friends. He leans on his vices – drinking, swearing, womanizing and generally being rude -- but tends to feel that he isn’t living the life he should.

Caz has now been assigned a very rare art recovery. Caz isn’t a fan of the aliens and is distressed to learn that alien Ghiqasu Hounder Prime Nil is assigned to work with him as the authorities represented Caz as a Christian. Yes, Caz still holds himself out as a Christian although he knows he doesn’t live like one. Nil is on board to recover the missing statute whose loss could instigate an alien war. But he requested working with a Christian because Nil is seeking a closer relationship with Qas, the ‘One Who Died for All’ according to myths of his race.

The partners come together with reluctance but soon discover they have diverse skills that make them a good team. They are both observant and Caz arranges believable personas to meet with crooked dealers. Meanwhile, Nil tracks suspects through a unique ability of smell. The investigation is more dangerous than expected when certain aliens betray their race and have to be stopped before triggering that war they want to complicate alien political intricacies.

Caz and Nil are very unique and engaging characters. I found it awesome that the author created an alien race that has (scoffed at) myths about the One Who Died for All, including the details of a birth on Earth. I found it dismaying that many would abandon their faith when they learned that aliens were real. In my thoughts, God has created an awesome world on Earth and H is certainly capable of creating other awesome worlds and races. Caz does have one Christian friend whom he works with and he gets the chance to reconnect with his college flame with some surprising revelations.

There is good action and intrigue in the investigation as well as some interesting scenes in jump space. I liked how Caz reacted to his superior’s cryptic texts and how the agent came through with assistance. This added good humor to a story already moving with sharp banter. The vices are attributed but not displayed directly; i.e. no swearing and no sex which was fine by me. I very much enjoyed this unique sci fi and would like to try more works by Rzasa. I recommend this to readers who like sci fi intrigue and find the thought of aliens seeking the hope of salvation an intriguing idea.

I received the ebook through NetGalley.

Caz Fortel and the rest of humanity's lives changed forever the day the aliens came, now referred to as 6/16. Caz makes a living dealing in stolen art, and getting it back to the rightful owners, so when he gets a call from the FBI with a million dollar payday, he signs on to retrieve the microscopic alien artwork. The catch is that he won't be alone, he will be partnered with a four armed alien Hounder, with a terrific sense of smell, named, Nil, who has more than a passing interest in Christianity.



But their mission is more than it appears, and as the danger increases, Caz begins to question the decisions he's made, and the implications of what their mission means for the Consociation and Humanity.



Imaginative, action-packed, and set in a world fifteen years after the aliens came to earth. Mr. Rzasa does a terrific job of bringing this alternate reality to life, setting this high-tech, action-packed adventure in Wyoming. Caz has been struggling with his faith since the aliens came on 6/16, like many others he finds it hard to trust after everything that they have seen. He hides his doubt with a bravado filled facade, and a penchant for drink and casual flings. But there is one girl who he can't seem to erase from his memories.



Nil is a four-armed alien, with strength that is magnificent in Earth's gravity field, he also has a remarkable sense of smell. His gruff exterior, and high tech gadgets help him come bounding to the rescue when Caz needs some help. But underneath it all he is not as expected, and specifically requested that he be partnered with a Christian human. Nil is used to being resented for how the aliens came fifteen years ago, and started becoming a fixture in the culture, he has heard of Christianity and wants to see it up close on Earth.



For Us Humans is an adventurous romp through Wyoming in a world where humans and aliens walk side by side. I'm not the biggest sci-fi reader, but this book hooked me, though I will admit that at times it was hard to keep up with the action sequences, and there were times when it was a bit slow moving. There was great characters, and I liked that Caz beneath his tough exterior, had real struggles and problems, without easy answers. Nil is fantastic, and in many ways a lot like Caz. An adventurous speculative read, with a great spiritual foundation. If this interests you, I would definitely check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed!





Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Caz is an expert at finding stolen art. He has worked with the FBI and others to bust some impressive art theft rings. The FBI approaches him with a new request, a priceless microscopic alien sculpture has been stolen from a Wyoming museum and it needs to be found and returned before it becomes an intergalactic incident and precipitates the end of earth as we know it.. There is one catch - Caz must partner with an alien to secure the sculpture is returned to its rightful owners. Major problem: Caz detest the aliens; thinks they have ruined the world and holds their arrival as the cause of so many churches closing their doors and the rampant unbelief that is ravaging the planet. Yes, this is a Christian science fiction book and it is written to perfection. It is funny, heartfelt , warm and engaging. It has one of the best plots and character development that I have read.. I truly enjoyed reading this book!!!!!

I grew up reading science fiction and love to return to it from time to time. Imagine, a good science fiction novel from a Christian perspective!

Rzasa imagines a world where aliens orchestrated a corporate takeover of the earth some fifteen years previously. Our hero is Caz, a fellow who is good at orchestrating stings for the FBI, retrieving stolen items. He's called into service when a microscopic alien piece of art is stolen from a display on earth. He's happy to do it until part of the deal is that he works with a four armed alien.

While there are lots of amazing space ships, phasers, and other technical stuff, the character of Caz makes the novel. I had a little trouble liking him at first but I grew to appreciate him as the novel progressed. He's cocky and a smart aleck. He's also a lapsed Christian.

And that makes for an interesting novel from a Christian perspective. When the aliens took over the earth, many so-called Christians lost their faith. Beings from other worlds just did not fit into their theology. Caz reluctantly learns from his four armed partner that some aliens have a similar belief in God and a means of salvation through the death of One.

I liked Rzasa's writing style. The narrative was easy to follow. The dialogue was sort of a combination of sarcasm, humor, and tough guy talk. It really added to my enjoyment of the novel. There were times when I would have liked a little more description, especially of some of the alien equipment.

I recommend this novel to readers who like science fiction and would appreciate the thought provoking concept of aliens embracing a saving faith. You'll have a good adventure and have some issues to think about. I'll be looking for more from this author.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Can belief survive First Contact?

It’s true; we are not alone. Casimir “Caz” Fortel isn’t sure what god brought the Ghiqasu into Earth’s orbit fifteen years ago, but life on our planet hasn’t been the same. There isn’t any war and cleaner energy is as common as cars; life should be good. Aliens made a deal to provide advanced tech and employ humanity’s soldiers in interstellar battles as part of Earth’s role as a protectorate in exchange for humans halting all wars and allowing the Panstellar Consociation to build a warp tunnel in orbit between Earth and the moon. Not bad. But while life goes on for Caz, living undercover and recovering stolen artwork – as he puts it, “lying for a living,” he’s left wondering if this all there is. Because the arrival of the aliens tore a gaping hole in humanity’s collective history and mythology, and for many, hope has taken a vacation.

For Us Humans works on multiple levels and it’s an enjoyable mystery and almost-police procedural as Caz, a gifted liar, sets up his mark to relieve them of stolen artwork (think a more leisurely, lonelier version of The Sting scored with higher tech). But Caz got a new partner and a new mark. While Caz can change his hair, his eye color, and his story to fit any case, he can’t change his prejudice against the qwaddies, and his new four-armed partner and target are a bit interstellar. Nil, Aphu Nil Hemilh Jeq, is a disgraced Ghiqasu warrior and Prime Investigator for the Consociation’s Retrieval and Justice Team. He and Caz are partnered in a retrieval scheme for a statue that, while microscopic, masks a case that reaches higher than it would seem.

Can Caz and Nil recover the statue before bigger, badder aliens step in? Can they protect humanity even as the stakes are raised? It’s 48 Hours meets Men in Black in a buddy-cop caper rife with pop references, sarcastic banter, and more than a few aliens as Caz and Nil race to cover the irreplaceable artifact.

Steve Rzasa has crafted an engaging mystery wrapped in a unique voice that’s all Caz, with believable world- and character-building. It’s a world that seems as close as tomorrow with an overarching question that most will find they’ve pondered before. As a Christian, I’m not arrogant enough to think we are alone in the universe nor astute enough to know what God has planned. Raza has his finger on one wonderfully beautiful possibility in this quirky, relatable science fiction tale.

While For Us Humans has a strong Christian bent, I think it will also be enjoyed by those who love deep, fresh science fiction plots and devices that leave you thinking long after you lay the book down. I hope this is the first of a series, but it is definitely a stand-alone novel. Absolutely loved this story! Highly recommended for scifi aficionados, Christians, fantasy lovers, and those who enjoy a good mystery, not to mention, those who love twisty stories of folks with the gift of the Blarney Stone.

For Us Humans by Steve Rzasa, an unusual science fiction, most have little to no religion in them, in them Science is god. This one is a Christian book in which the alien is both antagonistic and curious about Christianity alternatively. Lots of pop-culture references!

Picked up For Us Humans mainly because I wanted to read more of Rzasa's work.

It took me a little while to get into this one, probably because of the first person POV (still tends to be a hit-or-miss for me personally) and also because I'm not quite a Trekkie. Which goes to say this book is perfect for sci-fi lovers who can remember multiple episodes of Star Trek (and maybe other science fiction movies/series I don't watch enough of?) to get all the inside jokes I missed.

Still, For Us Humans is an exciting read: high-stakes intergalactic art theft with a side of espionage. For Caz Fortel--whose major talent is lying--to work with Ghiqasu Hounder Prime Nil--who smells lies amongst other things--to find the art thieves, he has to put aside both his prejudice against aliens and unwanted memories of the past. Nil doesn't make it easy either; the alien specifically requested to work alongside a Christian because of his personal quest for Qas and the One Who Died for All--which is exactly one of the things in Caz's past that he refuses to face.

Rzasa deftly serves you a side of theology alongside this cop procedural-thriller-space opera (because why not), but it's tastefully done and doesn't overwhelm the story OR push Christianity down your throat. Instead, it poses the question: what would happen to the Christian religion if aliens were real? Does it destroy faith altogether (because aliens weren't mentioned in the Bible) or is this something that can be worked around and accepted? Some concepts knocking around in there are faintly reminiscent of CS Lewis's Space Trilogy, but in a slightly less heavy-handed manner (if I recall right; it's been a while since I've read the Space Trilogy).

Despite being a "Christian" book (in some form or other), it isn't exactly "clean"--Caz has all but given up on faith ever since the aliens appeared and he's getting over his one-true-love by having multiple one-night stands. Nothing graphic is described, but the implications are there--including the impression that Caz swears a lot, even if it's not exactly written in the book. So if you're looking for a nice, clean, holy Christian read, this probably isn't for you. But if you're looking for more grit and reality and down-in-the-trenches stuff in your Christian fiction, this one's definitely for you.

For Us Humans is the ultimate nerd book. Its filled with tongue-in-cheek humor and references to sci-fi films, tv shows, and characters. While reading I couldn't help but underlining my favorite passages and references. There is a lot of humor packed in, but also a lot of depth and meaning. At one point, the main character breaks the fourth wall and it made me laugh out loud... in public... and people stared. Just a warning for you.

There is a lot of action and fast-paced dialog in this book. Between the rapid-fire references, the bar fights, and the gun-wielding aliens, you won't be able to put this book down. I would recommend this as a must-read for those who love Galaxy Quest, Firefly, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and more.

It should be noted that this is a Christian science fiction book, but could definitely be enjoyed by the general market. Between the two main characters there is a lot of tension, primarily regarding Christianity and the importance of faith. Caz plays the ultimate tough guy--drinking away his worries, spending nights with women who's names he doesn't remember, but he wants something more. When he's partnered with the alien Nil, he has to face the facts that this alien knows more about his own "human" religion than he does. What follows is a conversation about race, species, and religion that encourages us to unite the most divided of us.

I'm nearly always interested by reading books about aliens, especially in everyday life, with a lot of practical details. In a way this book answered my wishes, in another it didn't. Some points are never broached, or incidentally, as if of little interest, and it frustrated me while upsetting my need of coherence. That point, plus the lenght of a story that I found just about interesting, and the idea of mixing religion and faith in a very non European way (or what it felt like for me) made me stop this book at the half. The love story bored me too.

For the good points: The reading is easy, the main idea is good, the interactions between the main character are funny, verging on moving. Without my reluctance about the alien treatment I probably would have loved it. The background is fine, the idea of a begnin alien occupation is great, well exposed, with plenty of details; I really liked that aspect. The psychological incidence on the population is well thought too.

But I couldn't understand the total lack of curiosity and information about aliens' planets, aliens' physiology, culture, language... And speaking about language, it was so weird to receive no explanation whatsoever about the fact that Nil - the alien - spoke English, or more so, was able to ear and speak at all. In fact he sounded very much like a foreigner dignitary (from India, America, Africa), perfectly instructed since a young age, speaking a precise and dignified English, a character from a romance or an old fashioned detective story. So, alien for his physical aspect, but not so much for his psychology.

I also found difficult the bear the narrator's voice, most of the times. His systematic humour strongly reminded me of a sassy smartass teenager - while he must be about thirty something years old and is a sensitive, kind and cultivated man.

In the end a book I couldn't recommend but won't advise against it either. You probably will appreciate it if you like traditional banter between two reluctant associates, don't mind about just outlined alien background, and are interested about a main character with a faith crisis caused by the coming out of intelligent aliens in our world (well, in USA).

First, thanks to NetGalley and Gilead Publishing/Enclave for the advance copy of this book.
This book starts several years after the earth has been invaded..."bought out" by aliens....not your typical alien invasion.
Caz specializes in retrieving stolen art. He finds himself shanghaied into recovery of an alien sculpture to keep the aliens that run the alliance in charge of Earth as a protectorate from blowing it up for stealing their microscopic sculpture. He's paired with an alien 'hounder' to retrieve the stolen artwork. The pace is fun with lots of twists and turns.
Overall, this is a great book!

I received this from netgalley in exchange for a review. Which is... Strange, as apparently it's already out and has been for a while? But I am not complaining!

I really enjoyed this. I went into it with fairly low expectations, I picked it up mainly because I'm a sucker for buddy cops, but it was actually quite a lot of fun. I'm not religious at all, but I found most of the Christianity stuff to be fairly restrained and fit in with the tone. Otherwise the worldbuilding was fun, the buddy cop elements were great and the plot moved along at a really pleasing clip.

A lot of fun. I'm glad I picked it up!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2440524991?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

This was pretty rough going for me. Teens and early twenties might be the right demographic but I found the character interactions a real struggle to get through. Don't let the mention of Christianity in the blurb scare you off.