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The Galactic Mage #2
Rift in the Races
Rift in the Races (Book 2 of The Galactic Mage series) follows the continuing story of powerful Prosperion sorcerer Altin Meade and feisty Earth-fleet officer Orli Pewter in the fight against the mysterious alien Hostiles.
The Earth fleet is now moving to take advantage of its recent victory. With better combat strategies and Prosperion wizards only a blink away, the time has come to finish the job they set out to do: destroying the Hostiles. But complications arise.
Altin’s discovery of space-traveling humans from distant Earth has threatened ancient and foundational beliefs for the people of his world. The shockwaves from this revelation begin to unravel a long-standing but precarious balance of power. With her eyes to the sky and all its galactic possibilities, Prosperion’s War Queen soon finds her realm on the brink of chaos.
Together, Altin and Orli must once again find a way to mediate the forces of pride, frustration and fear between their two peoples, or both planets will be destroyed. What ensues is an action-packed, laser-blasting magic ride through space, war, romance and conspiracy—a thrilling tale of alliances and alien hostility.
Sometimes “alien hostility” is a matter of perspective.
The Earth fleet is now moving to take advantage of its recent victory. With better combat strategies and Prosperion wizards only a blink away, the time has come to finish the job they set out to do: destroying the Hostiles. But complications arise.
Altin’s discovery of space-traveling humans from distant Earth has threatened ancient and foundational beliefs for the people of his world. The shockwaves from this revelation begin to unravel a long-standing but precarious balance of power. With her eyes to the sky and all its galactic possibilities, Prosperion’s War Queen soon finds her realm on the brink of chaos.
Together, Altin and Orli must once again find a way to mediate the forces of pride, frustration and fear between their two peoples, or both planets will be destroyed. What ensues is an action-packed, laser-blasting magic ride through space, war, romance and conspiracy—a thrilling tale of alliances and alien hostility.
Sometimes “alien hostility” is a matter of perspective.
810 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2013
59 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 5, 2013
I realize this is my book, and in being that, this review is rendered almost useless to a reader shopping for a book. However, I am a human, and I do get the option of reviewing it here on this site, and I am not lying when I say I love it. So, there you have it.
May 17, 2014
I don't have much good to say about this book. I loved the first one for many reasons. And my expectations probably ruined this second book. I saw a lot of potential and some pitfalls in the first book. The potential was wasted, and the author managed to hit every single pitfall there was. I mean....Orli is an irritating character, so....lets give her more space to irritate us! Asad is a useless irritant that only creates tension, but isn't useful to the plot....so....let's give him a prominent position and put him everywhere, where the two cultures interact. It's only logical to put the ever-accusing bad tempered bastard to the front of our diplomatic relations with a new, extremely powerful magical race of humans.....right? We all like Altin....let's put him out for half a book. I could take all of this stuff....if it wasn't spread over so many pages, making it a long, empty, infuriating book.
Once again....I loved the first book. But I almost hate this second book.
Once again....I loved the first book. But I almost hate this second book.
January 16, 2013
Loved the story and the vast majority of the characters...I couldn't put the book down! Very fun read.
May 23, 2014
Have been trying to force myself to finish the book but i only got past the 6 first hours of the audiobook. Dont know if it was the performance from David Bodtcher, but i just could not get myself to continue.
With all the whining from Orli making her seem like a 2 year old, she's never content with the situation also made me put down the book, maybe in the future i might finish it but as it is this moment i just cant take anymore from this serie.
With all the whining from Orli making her seem like a 2 year old, she's never content with the situation also made me put down the book, maybe in the future i might finish it but as it is this moment i just cant take anymore from this serie.
April 19, 2013
The first book in this series was fun and somewhat light-hearted. I enjoyed it a lot. This book, however, took a decidedly darker and more serious turn...and I loved it. I no longer felt like the characters were somewhat fluffy and unbelievable. These are real people with real agendas and feelings. I couldn't stop reading. Talk about a huge leap in writing skill between his first and second books...wow. Good work, Mr. Daulton. Except for the cliffhanger ending. Shame on you. And hurry up with the next book!
February 2, 2013
Started off a little slow for a 2nd book in the series, but it quickly got me back in. Now i have to wait for book 3, sigh....and he left a good clift hanger.
March 18, 2015
This is a significantly inferior book than the first one. I feel most of the roadblocks the author puts in front of the characters are contrived or forced.
April 25, 2013
Definitely has it's flaws, but there's just something about the concept of this story that I love.
May 16, 2013
That book is awesome, starting slow and Bam action is coming and I sited like a fool looking for a tome 3... who come this year lol xD
May 23, 2020
Really enjoy this series so far. Magic coexisting in the sci-fi world showing 'primitive' is all a matter of perspective.
No surprise that our star-crossed lovers don't have any easy go in this installment. I'm not even mad... Added a good bit to the story. We see less of our Mage friend this time too but we get more involved with a lot of other characters so the story line seems fuller to me.
We learn a lot more about the Hostile threat that rings a lot like plot line of Forever War, but come on, first encounter with a vastly different species of alien?!? We're going to shoot first... They may too.
Can't say I'm thrilled with the ending. I'm sure it will turn out ok and will still start the next book in the series soon to find out.
Started this thinking it was a trilogy, but now see the story continues on into book 5 or 6 now. Hoping it all stays fresh and doesn't jump the shark too soon
No surprise that our star-crossed lovers don't have any easy go in this installment. I'm not even mad... Added a good bit to the story. We see less of our Mage friend this time too but we get more involved with a lot of other characters so the story line seems fuller to me.
We learn a lot more about the Hostile threat that rings a lot like plot line of Forever War, but come on, first encounter with a vastly different species of alien?!? We're going to shoot first... They may too.
Can't say I'm thrilled with the ending. I'm sure it will turn out ok and will still start the next book in the series soon to find out.
Started this thinking it was a trilogy, but now see the story continues on into book 5 or 6 now. Hoping it all stays fresh and doesn't jump the shark too soon
October 1, 2018
Chapter ??
Orli ..........................
Me: OMG pls die, you want to die almost the entire time, so why don't you just kill yourself. Never have I ever wanted the main heroine to get killed as badly as this one, think I got a depression just reading(listening) her parts.
Altin - nowhere to be seen when everyone came for him?????????
Capitan Asad - The biggest war hawk was left behind when the rest of the fleet left to fight the Hostiles don't get it.
Huge letdown so many pages of the same repeats, I think some sentences got repeated ten or more time in the book.
Orli ..........................
Me: OMG pls die, you want to die almost the entire time, so why don't you just kill yourself. Never have I ever wanted the main heroine to get killed as badly as this one, think I got a depression just reading(listening) her parts.
Altin - nowhere to be seen when everyone came for him?????????
Capitan Asad - The biggest war hawk was left behind when the rest of the fleet left to fight the Hostiles don't get it.
Huge letdown so many pages of the same repeats, I think some sentences got repeated ten or more time in the book.
September 9, 2025
A weepy romance novel — not like the first book
I had my objections with the first novel but enjoyed it enough to purchase this second one. What a mistake! I’ve had enough. I’ve read 700 pages and can’t take it anymore. I’m not going to finish the last hundred. This has gone from a fairly interesting meld of science fiction and fantasy to a weepy romance where the brain shuts off, logic goes out the window, and emotions rule the day. If you like romance novels, go for it. But not my thing.
Not recommended. I give it 2/5 stars.
I had my objections with the first novel but enjoyed it enough to purchase this second one. What a mistake! I’ve had enough. I’ve read 700 pages and can’t take it anymore. I’m not going to finish the last hundred. This has gone from a fairly interesting meld of science fiction and fantasy to a weepy romance where the brain shuts off, logic goes out the window, and emotions rule the day. If you like romance novels, go for it. But not my thing.
Not recommended. I give it 2/5 stars.
March 4, 2025
Gladiator Mage needs to get his Head In the Game!
Ok. Book 1 was a good start. Good plot, good char build. Book 2? OMG! What a cliff hanger! Oriel and Altin are almost like star crosses lovers except they're not lovers. Not even engaged yet! If Altin doesn't step up soon, well good thing it's only a novel. Definitely getting the next in line! You should start reading and find out why.
Ok. Book 1 was a good start. Good plot, good char build. Book 2? OMG! What a cliff hanger! Oriel and Altin are almost like star crosses lovers except they're not lovers. Not even engaged yet! If Altin doesn't step up soon, well good thing it's only a novel. Definitely getting the next in line! You should start reading and find out why.
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September 22, 2020DNF.
I managed to get half way through before I just had to stop.
The overall concept is fantastic but the cringe worthy love scenes, over the top paranoid leaders, overly incompetent leader, etc. just got to be too much. I can't take it anymore.
I managed to get half way through before I just had to stop.
The overall concept is fantastic but the cringe worthy love scenes, over the top paranoid leaders, overly incompetent leader, etc. just got to be too much. I can't take it anymore.
January 29, 2013
I didn't enjoy this story as much as I did Galactic Mage. I found myself very bored at time and skipping pages of material just trying to get on with the story. The whole Orli saga with the capture / zoo / love potion wasn't interesting for me and didn't seem overly useful to the story as a whole.
I find myself irritated by how powerless the technology side of is. I would think the military capabilities would be a little more advanced. Nothing like technology to enable axing ways to wage war.
Be interesting see more blending of magics side with the tech side. As the 2 people's learn more about the other, have them start merge there powers.
Not sure where the whole Orc thing fits in.
I often wonder how much oxygen is found in the floating castles/towers. Considering doing some calculating to see how much oxygen a person Consumes and then compare that to the guess as to the volume of a castle tower. How long would it take to use up all the oxygen in a castle tower wrapped in a magic bubble :)
I think this concept that these books are based upon to be a good one. This book could have moved a lot faster. i am debating if I will take the time to try reading and follow up books.
Once again, I think the Asad character is not a useful part of the story.
I find myself irritated by how powerless the technology side of is. I would think the military capabilities would be a little more advanced. Nothing like technology to enable axing ways to wage war.
Be interesting see more blending of magics side with the tech side. As the 2 people's learn more about the other, have them start merge there powers.
Not sure where the whole Orc thing fits in.
I often wonder how much oxygen is found in the floating castles/towers. Considering doing some calculating to see how much oxygen a person Consumes and then compare that to the guess as to the volume of a castle tower. How long would it take to use up all the oxygen in a castle tower wrapped in a magic bubble :)
I think this concept that these books are based upon to be a good one. This book could have moved a lot faster. i am debating if I will take the time to try reading and follow up books.
Once again, I think the Asad character is not a useful part of the story.
March 6, 2013
I loved this book and wanted to throw it several times while reading it. At various times, I was on the edge of my seat. I look forward to reading the next book. I had actually re-read the Galactic Mage just before reading Rift just to get myself back onto Prosperion. Now that I'm done, it may be a few days for the book "hangover" to pass. Hurry up and get book 3 out!!
January 12, 2015
I liked it, but not as much as the first one.
It was definitely darker, not as lighthearted.
It had a long slow start. I found it harder to get into.
Asad was too irritating.
Altin lost his naive joy in the discovery and exploration of the world around him.
The alien intelligence was somewhat incomprehensible.
That kind of cliffhanger ending is annoying.
It was definitely darker, not as lighthearted.
It had a long slow start. I found it harder to get into.
Asad was too irritating.
Altin lost his naive joy in the discovery and exploration of the world around him.
The alien intelligence was somewhat incomprehensible.
That kind of cliffhanger ending is annoying.
August 9, 2015
I liked the Galactic Mage books very much, but this one has perhaps the worst cliffhanger of any book I have read.
Don't start it unless you immediately plan to go on to Hostiles, the next in the series. I read the two straight through over two days.
And Hostiles wraps up nicely (though the series continues),
Don't start it unless you immediately plan to go on to Hostiles, the next in the series. I read the two straight through over two days.
And Hostiles wraps up nicely (though the series continues),
April 18, 2013
The first half of this book crawled. And worse, I didn't like Orli at all. She was so petty and selfish and whiny. I actually stopped reading for a while. But I'm glad I picked it back up. The second half was wonderful. The ending, in particular, was brilliant.
March 16, 2015
Deceit,betrayal,intrigue and Blue Fire...
What a novel keeps you guessing through every twist and turn. Magic and science fighting together but their mutual enemy is not what it appears. So many twists
So many plans what will happen????? Can't wait for next book to read.
What a novel keeps you guessing through every twist and turn. Magic and science fighting together but their mutual enemy is not what it appears. So many twists
So many plans what will happen????? Can't wait for next book to read.
January 7, 2013
Really good follow book just wish the main hero wasn't left out of almost two thirds of the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2023
I give up. This was major disappointment after the first book.
February 26, 2015
Sentient worlds and damsels in distress. Can't get much better
April 5, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, but had other audiobooks already on my account, so I didn't pursue the second one right away (and actually, wasn't aware that there was another one at the time). When I found that there were more, I eventually decided to pick up the second one, and while I was concerned that I wouldn't remember everything, it all came back to me well. If this book were a dessert, it wouldn't be haute cuisine, but darned if I don't like that peanut butter in my chocolate. The mix of science fiction and fantasy is compelling, and we get a bit more planet-side fantasy in this book, and some further, interesting interactions between the two factions. It was another long listen, and I loved it the whole time... enough that I picked up the third book right away and plan to give it a listen soon.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews