Earth saved。。。maybe。Non-stop action。 Good characterization。 Many facets。 Innovative weapons and utilization。 Many things go boom。 Very entertaining dialog and solutions。 Thanks。
George,
very good read I loved it One of the best reads in my time。The caretakers seam all most real。Right more stores like this。
David Eve,
Mission impossible alien style!The phantoms go through the ring and reach the staging post where the humans are processed before being sold on to clients。 There they meet a resistance group and plan a daring mission (impossible) to create war between the human harvesters and their clients, as well as send the humans to 'safer' worlds。 The AI Chuck is again a great source of light relief as the stakes get higher, as well as being an integral part of the team。Another fun read as the events unfold Mission impossible alien style!The phantoms go through the ring and reach the staging post where the humans are processed before being sold on to clients。 There they meet a resistance group and plan a daring mission (impossible) to create war between the human harvesters and their clients, as well as send the humans to 'safer' worlds。 The AI Chuck is again a great source of light relief as the stakes get higher, as well as being an integral part of the team。Another fun read as the events unfold with a twist or two。。。。。 and lots of exploding alien bodies! 。。。more
Travis,
Decent second entry in the series。 It appears to wrap up a lot of threads, which I found odd, since that rarely happens by the second book。 No complaints though, it makes for a good story。 Of course, by the end, there's a whole new subplot brewing, so I'm sure further books in the series will be interesting reading too。 Decent second entry in the series。 It appears to wrap up a lot of threads, which I found odd, since that rarely happens by the second book。 No complaints though, it makes for a good story。 Of course, by the end, there's a whole new subplot brewing, so I'm sure further books in the series will be interesting reading too。 。。。more
Jim,
If you read my review of the first book in this series, "Ruins of Earth", then you know I was kind of on the fence about whether I liked the book or not。 Well, that one turned out OK and this one does continue the story only now that I know what kind of writing I'm getting, I don't have a real problem with all the inane humor。 When someone that's in combat walks around with a talking rifle, that's pretty stupid if you ask me。 But, no one did ask and they exist in this book。 In particular, our ma If you read my review of the first book in this series, "Ruins of Earth", then you know I was kind of on the fence about whether I liked the book or not。 Well, that one turned out OK and this one does continue the story only now that I know what kind of writing I'm getting, I don't have a real problem with all the inane humor。 When someone that's in combat walks around with a talking rifle, that's pretty stupid if you ask me。 But, no one did ask and they exist in this book。 In particular, our main character, Wic (short for Patrick), a retired Gunnery Sergeant of the US Marine Corps, has a talking rifle named "Chuck"。 It's an alien rifle and certainly not of human origin。 "Chuck" is an extremely dangerous weapon in the hands of someone other than a human。 You can read how Wic came to be with Chuck in the first book and find out how the AI in the rifle was given a new personality that set off all this comedy stuff in the book。 I think there is actually less comedy in this book than in the first one or I was better prepared for it。 Still, while I don't mind humor in science fiction books, I'm just not ready for a talking rifle although I do see how that could come in handy if the thing was a intelligent as what Chuck appears to be。 Still, if all it does is talk and not shoot, then it's not really worth carrying around right?So, Wic has put together a team of various combat veterans, a young private and his scientist friend, Dr。 Aaron Campbell, and they have armed themselves, stolen an alien transport shuttle and are going through the Antartica portal to find out where these aliens are coming from and stop the slave ring that his just about all of humanity in its grasp。 They have absolutely no idea of what they will run into nor of how they are to accomplish anything。 It's once we get there, we'll figure it out。 So, they go through the portal and find out they arrive inside a huge hanger where there a literally thousand of other alien transport shuttles。 They quietly manage to get the shuttle landed and then keep it shut tight because they realize they can't even breath the atmosphere outside this shuttle! Not a good way to start。 Wic has one alien helmet and some armor that will allow him to actually breath and walk out side the shuttle so he's going to try and find an armory where he can grab more helmets and armor to outfit the rest of the Phantom Team。 Surprisingly, he gets this done。 Then they decided to move out into this alien structure not knowing anything about it。 They have no access to a map of the place nor much intel on what they might find。 So, the success of whatever they are going to do isn't very high。Unfortunately, it's also difficult to act like an alien all the time。 They pull it off for awhile, but soon find themselves in a shootout inside one of the other hangers with no way to get back to their shuttle。 It looks like their little escapade into alien territory isn't going to last very long and not going to help humanity much。 That is until some aliens with peculiar markings on their armor start blasting other aliens and looking to rescue Wic and his team。 Not long after this they meet General Peegra Cordan, Lietuenant Insarka Kindesh and Lieutenant Farkoo Tersmik。 While the General is surprised to see them, he wants Wic's team to join his forces against these corporate slavers。 Wic doesn't think that's the right move for now so he says, "No!", and asks for some Intel help from the General。 The General gives him some, but clearly indicates that Wic and his small team won't be alive very long to use it。 Not that he's going to do anything to them, they just don't have any idea of how large an operation this slave activity really is。 So Wic gets the idea that the General isn't going to be much help。 Still he and his team must to do something to help the millions of humans who are about to die here and on Earth。Things look pretty bleak until Lieutenant Insarka says she's there to help with whatever they need and being the daughter of the General, she's got connections in the right place。 So, maybe, just maybe Wic and his Phantom Team can do something。 But what can a small team of his do against millions of aliens? Read and find out。 。。。more
Aaron,
Human race rescued I really enjoyed Chuck and his newprogramming。 They barely make it out by the skin of their teeth。 I was hoping that they get more equipment when they return。 On to the next book。。。
Wayne Anderson,
Excellent read。
Peter Bruyns,
Conan +I think words have failed me! This is real mayhem for the enemy and the heroes, who don't all die, in case they make martyrs of themselves。 Just joking, no spoilers here。 Good Reading, and now onto book 3。 Conan +I think words have failed me! This is real mayhem for the enemy and the heroes, who don't all die, in case they make martyrs of themselves。 Just joking, no spoilers here。 Good Reading, and now onto book 3。 。。。more
Jay Hayes,
An intriguing series This series starts off slow in the first book but a little ways into it you will be hooked and wanting more。 With lots of action and intrigue it is well worth reading
Family Acct,
Exciting book!My husband and I really enjoyed this book it was exciting all the way through。 It was also humorous and witty lot’s of fun banter between characters and a little romance is good for me。 As I’ve mentioned before there’s always to much swearing so I have to improvise with some funny responses。
Mike Taylor,
Great read!
David Cochrane,
Most entertaining Sci-fi I’ve read in yearsA very pleasing, fast paced and interesting read。 Witty, fun and even more entertaining than the fist book in this series。 Loved the new characters。
Mercedes Leatherwood,
Lord CharlesI love every book written, every series and every hero but lord Chuck is now my favorite hero。 I can't wait to continue this series。 Thank you Lord CharlesI love every book written, every series and every hero but lord Chuck is now my favorite hero。 I can't wait to continue this series。 Thank you 。。。more
Mary,
OMG what a storyThis just keeps getting better, more twists and turns, the action breathtaking, the characters are awesome, the storyline is so much more than you expect when you first start reading and keeps developing。 No time to say more gotta get on to book 3 for more action
Cheryl,
Great military sci-fi。 Great military sci-fi。 Just finished book two。 Going right to book three。 Ruins of the galaxy is next。 Wish they were on audiobook。
jboyg,
Regardez: The Law Of Diminishing ReturnsVery mixed feelings about this book/series。 On one hand it's a pretty decent military SF story, with more action than a room full of MMA fighters jacked up on crank, on the other it's relentless attempts at humor border on moronic and the relationships between characters are at times ridiculous, not to mention the antics of a sentient alien weapon who never met a cheap joke he can resist。 So, eventually the sloppy mishmash of comic book story lines fades a Regardez: The Law Of Diminishing ReturnsVery mixed feelings about this book/series。 On one hand it's a pretty decent military SF story, with more action than a room full of MMA fighters jacked up on crank, on the other it's relentless attempts at humor border on moronic and the relationships between characters are at times ridiculous, not to mention the antics of a sentient alien weapon who never met a cheap joke he can resist。 So, eventually the sloppy mishmash of comic book story lines fades away to japery and folderol in a meaningless finale wherein the earth is saved and alls well that ends well。 Probably not a good idea to read crap like this while perusing Emily St。 John Mandel 's Station Eleven"。 But that's what happened and it suffered in comparison。 。。。more
Sidney,
Great readYet another action packed book that provides suspense, intrigue, with a plot that doesn’t quit! Couple that with the way the authors portray realistic planning and objectives by the characters , pulls the reader in。
Joseph Adams,
Kill the plushiesAnother great chapter for the Ruins legacy。 Just when you get to feeling good though a new character and situation arises。
John Holley,
Really Good! Look。。。。 If you read Ruins of the Galaxy, then you are going to want to read this series。 I am not going to reveal the story, but you are going to WANT to read this book and book 1。I am about 15 seconds away from buying book three。Damn Hopper and Chaney! They keep costing me money!John
Leslie Baptiste,
Like the storyline, don’t like the main protagonist。I like the storyline, the eclectic cast of characters and that page turning action。 What I don’t like is the main protagonist inconsistencies in behavior。 What marine on gods green earth would not cover up when there’s eminent explosion coming on that they would look up and want to see what the detonation looks like。 That to me was extremely silly and took me out of the storyline。 Another commander would not try to micromanage his troops, he wo Like the storyline, don’t like the main protagonist。I like the storyline, the eclectic cast of characters and that page turning action。 What I don’t like is the main protagonist inconsistencies in behavior。 What marine on gods green earth would not cover up when there’s eminent explosion coming on that they would look up and want to see what the detonation looks like。 That to me was extremely silly and took me out of the storyline。 Another commander would not try to micromanage his troops, he would get on with the task at hand and get his part of the assignment done instead of losing concentration and focus。 Then at other times Patrick Wick seems brilliant。 He seems very insightful and right on the ball besides those issues I find this a good story I will try to get through another book after all we’re all still working through this pandemic。Give the book a try, as well as a series the things that bother me, may not bother you。 。。。more
Christopher Tucker,
FantasticLoved both books, can’t wait for the next one! I can’t help but read Chuck in C3PO’s voice 🤷🏼♂️ Fast oases and enjoyable throughout!
Johnny,
Book twoMistakes: Another extremely well written book。Plot: It is time to track the slavers back to where they came from and give back some of the pain that has been given to humanity。Characters: Yut Sir Chuck is still my favorite!9/10
Dwreck Sib,
Awesome series!Great story, great characters and great read! Looking forward to more in the series! I highly recommend this series。 Thanks to the authors!
Doug,
Good follow-up to the first book。 Lots of action and humor。 Already pre-ordered the third one。
tom,
Boo。 Boom boomKeep me on my toes。 Enjoyed how the team interacted with each other。 Made me believe I was actually there。
Joe ,
The savior of earthThe team of retired and displaced veterans invade another planet 。 They wanted our population for consumption and slavery, but were stopped by this squad of phantoms。
James Bauer,
Edge of your chair actionGreat series so far can get a little to deep sometimes but good storyline and strong characters。 Very imaginative。 We can only hope the real aliens aren't so bad Edge of your chair actionGreat series so far can get a little to deep sometimes but good storyline and strong characters。 Very imaginative。 We can only hope the real aliens aren't so bad 。。。more
Mike Desmond,
Wow what a read!Fast paced, follows a great story line and sticks the reader in all the action。 Characters are fleshed out and come alive。 Story A, characters A+, action A++。 More we want more!
Bill Brinkley,
I really enjoyed this book。 The character development continued and the storyline was excellent。 I recommend this book。
John Allen,
This is the second in a series of three。 I think it's better if you read the first book in the series before starting this one。 Like the first book the storyline is very good, lots of action and banter between the characters and an alien AI that is befriended in the first book。 The aliens are real bad characters and you find yourself really wanting the heroes to kick their butts。 I enjoyed this book as it kept me engaged and I am looking forward to the third book when it gets release late Januar This is the second in a series of three。 I think it's better if you read the first book in the series before starting this one。 Like the first book the storyline is very good, lots of action and banter between the characters and an alien AI that is befriended in the first book。 The aliens are real bad characters and you find yourself really wanting the heroes to kick their butts。 I enjoyed this book as it kept me engaged and I am looking forward to the third book when it gets release late January 2021。 。。。more