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Koban #2
The Mark of Koban
Already faster and more powerful than the last 17 species that they have eliminated or subjugated, the Krall have set their sights on humankind.
After testing humans on their future home world of Koban and finding them worthy opponents, the Krall start a war of slow extermination with the rest of humanity. This war is intended to last generations as they apply their own version of “natural selection” to cull their weaker warriors in combat, purifying the Krall gene pool with finest warriors for breeding.
Why? The Krall desire to one day become powerful enough to live on the world of Koban, where the impossibly fast and powerful animals have proven to be too much for the Krall to master without the help of technology. The only way the Krall survive on Koban is to live in isolated and well-protected domes, safe from the fauna they fiercely desire to dominate. Only through the attrition of war will the Krall perfect their bloodlines to become the masters of Koban.
Before the Krall departed Koban to start their new war with humans, they destroyed the protections that allowed the Krall to survive on this dangerous planet. The Krall left the human “test animals” on the planet to fall victim to the high gravity, and to the fast and savage wildlife with its deadly predators. Big mistake. They should have killed the “test animals" themselves! The bio-scientist they left behind added Koban genes to the next generation of humans. They are becoming what the Krall sought to be.
The humans on Koban, locked in a struggle for their own survival at home, return to the stars to help humanity fight and, outnumbered, take the war to the Krall.
After testing humans on their future home world of Koban and finding them worthy opponents, the Krall start a war of slow extermination with the rest of humanity. This war is intended to last generations as they apply their own version of “natural selection” to cull their weaker warriors in combat, purifying the Krall gene pool with finest warriors for breeding.
Why? The Krall desire to one day become powerful enough to live on the world of Koban, where the impossibly fast and powerful animals have proven to be too much for the Krall to master without the help of technology. The only way the Krall survive on Koban is to live in isolated and well-protected domes, safe from the fauna they fiercely desire to dominate. Only through the attrition of war will the Krall perfect their bloodlines to become the masters of Koban.
Before the Krall departed Koban to start their new war with humans, they destroyed the protections that allowed the Krall to survive on this dangerous planet. The Krall left the human “test animals” on the planet to fall victim to the high gravity, and to the fast and savage wildlife with its deadly predators. Big mistake. They should have killed the “test animals" themselves! The bio-scientist they left behind added Koban genes to the next generation of humans. They are becoming what the Krall sought to be.
The humans on Koban, locked in a struggle for their own survival at home, return to the stars to help humanity fight and, outnumbered, take the war to the Krall.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2013
97 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Stephen W. Bennett
11 books271 followersI was born in 1942, so I'm an autumn rather than a spring chicken. I live outside of Tampa, Florida with my fabulous wife Anita, and one son in college, Montana. I have three older boys, Mark, Gary, and Anthony, all of whom have married and presented us with terrific grandchildren.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
My education gravitated to science, starting out as a physics major and my depression era folks told me I'd never make a living as a theoretical physicist (probably right, and Cosmology wasn't a career field then), so I moved to Electronics Engineering. I devoted (was drafted into) service for the US Army, and caring not a whit for my electronics background, they offered this draftee a job as an Air Traffic Controller. Cool new career field. Retired, I now work as a consultant for the FAA, supporting software I helped create.
I decided to try my hand at writing what I loved to read, Science Fiction. The Koban Series has established my unusually successful entry into SciFi as an indie author. 11 books at last count, and at least two more in my mind.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 21, 2018
I think 4.5 would have been better, this second book answered everything foreshadowed in Book One!!!!
Well, well, well........after a couple years, Mirikami and his group have finally cracked the genes that would have given them a fighting chance against the Kralls, at the same time, again as I have said human ingenuity when faced with an obstacle that threatens him and everything he loves.............prepare to find another obstacle!!!!
One of the few books that makes the series better and better (Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time comes to mind)..............
Again as is my motto in life and reading, READ BOOK TWO it is really fascinating and engrossing!!! The only problem for me for this series, when you are standing a pedestal, you tend to stagnate...........what do I mean.............Open the book and read!!!!!
Well, well, well........after a couple years, Mirikami and his group have finally cracked the genes that would have given them a fighting chance against the Kralls, at the same time, again as I have said human ingenuity when faced with an obstacle that threatens him and everything he loves.............prepare to find another obstacle!!!!
One of the few books that makes the series better and better (Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time comes to mind)..............
Again as is my motto in life and reading, READ BOOK TWO it is really fascinating and engrossing!!! The only problem for me for this series, when you are standing a pedestal, you tend to stagnate...........what do I mean.............Open the book and read!!!!!
February 23, 2016
This book picks up right after the first book in the series. At the end of the last book the arrogant and, to some extent, ignorant Krall left the humans on Koban to die at the hands of the native inhabitans of Koban. That was probably the Krall’s greatest mistake.
As you have probably surmised already the humans do not intend to follow the “Great Path” of the Krall and they do do not go down that easy. This is a story about human heroism, human inginuity and persistence. As usual there are also a few political dumbasses trying to screw things up big time but again these sorry arsed individual are rather quickly disposed of and some of them in a rather gruesome way. Yet they do get what their incredibly stupid actions deserve. I almost whish that we would encounter a hostile alien race so we could cull some of the dumbass politicians that we are forced to endure today.
As I mentioned the Krall left the humans on Koban to die. Needless to say they did not follow the Krall’s plans. If you have read the previous book you would expect the humans to continue their genetic advances to greate humans that could withstand the Krall. They did indeed do that but the author was not content with such as simple story. The native Krall fauna provided quite a few surprises. Surprises that the Krall was too ignorant, arrogant or too stupid to realize not to mention take advantages of. The humans did not make the same mistake.
This is a really good book but it is still quite a bit of a build up to the final (?) confrontation. The humans are building their strengths, making new discoveries, settling their own issues with the political dimwits (which luckily still only play a minor part in these books as I wrote above) etc…
It is not until the very end that things transpire that opens up the field of opportunities. Especially the opportunity to get back in the fight against the Krall and this time not being on the receiving end.
This book is at least as good as the first book in the series, interesting characters, well built universe, good writing and it does indeed make you want to read the next one … as soon as possible.
As you have probably surmised already the humans do not intend to follow the “Great Path” of the Krall and they do do not go down that easy. This is a story about human heroism, human inginuity and persistence. As usual there are also a few political dumbasses trying to screw things up big time but again these sorry arsed individual are rather quickly disposed of and some of them in a rather gruesome way. Yet they do get what their incredibly stupid actions deserve. I almost whish that we would encounter a hostile alien race so we could cull some of the dumbass politicians that we are forced to endure today.
As I mentioned the Krall left the humans on Koban to die. Needless to say they did not follow the Krall’s plans. If you have read the previous book you would expect the humans to continue their genetic advances to greate humans that could withstand the Krall. They did indeed do that but the author was not content with such as simple story. The native Krall fauna provided quite a few surprises. Surprises that the Krall was too ignorant, arrogant or too stupid to realize not to mention take advantages of. The humans did not make the same mistake.
This is a really good book but it is still quite a bit of a build up to the final (?) confrontation. The humans are building their strengths, making new discoveries, settling their own issues with the political dimwits (which luckily still only play a minor part in these books as I wrote above) etc…
It is not until the very end that things transpire that opens up the field of opportunities. Especially the opportunity to get back in the fight against the Krall and this time not being on the receiving end.
This book is at least as good as the first book in the series, interesting characters, well built universe, good writing and it does indeed make you want to read the next one … as soon as possible.
February 26, 2013
This is the second book in the series about the Kobani, humans left on Koban to die by the Krall but instead adapt through use of genetic manipulation.
The story is excellent, switching between several perspectives. Favorite characters from the first book are here in addition to a growing number of new faces who are well developed. In my review of the first book, Koban, I mentioned the "power of one" was prevalent. This wasn't detrimental in my opinion, just an observation. In this book the "power of one" is absent, many characters contributing to the survival and flourishing of the Kobani. Most fascinating to me were the children in the book, who likely will take an even more active role in future books.
Humor deftly inserted throughout continues to make the reading immensely entertaining and a pleasure to read.
The book also had me revisiting some thoughts on morality, like sentience in non-humans. To be honest, I was waiting so much in anticipation for this book to come out, that when it did I gobbled it up and read it over two days. I fear I missed some other social issues and will have to re-read the book to discover other social issues of our time nestled in this treasure of a book. It will be a pleasure to re-read.
Editing has vastly improved over the first book, and although there are misspellings and typos, they are greatly reduced, with no detraction to the book. On the first book I subtracted one star because of editing but I felt this book deserved to have the full 5 stars.
Finally, I have to say that my excitement continues to grow with this story. The universe Mr. Bennett has created is full of possibilities for future stories, and in my opinion ranks with sci-fi's greats. I eagerly await the next book in this well thought out and enjoyable series.
The story is excellent, switching between several perspectives. Favorite characters from the first book are here in addition to a growing number of new faces who are well developed. In my review of the first book, Koban, I mentioned the "power of one" was prevalent. This wasn't detrimental in my opinion, just an observation. In this book the "power of one" is absent, many characters contributing to the survival and flourishing of the Kobani. Most fascinating to me were the children in the book, who likely will take an even more active role in future books.
Humor deftly inserted throughout continues to make the reading immensely entertaining and a pleasure to read.
The book also had me revisiting some thoughts on morality, like sentience in non-humans. To be honest, I was waiting so much in anticipation for this book to come out, that when it did I gobbled it up and read it over two days. I fear I missed some other social issues and will have to re-read the book to discover other social issues of our time nestled in this treasure of a book. It will be a pleasure to re-read.
Editing has vastly improved over the first book, and although there are misspellings and typos, they are greatly reduced, with no detraction to the book. On the first book I subtracted one star because of editing but I felt this book deserved to have the full 5 stars.
Finally, I have to say that my excitement continues to grow with this story. The universe Mr. Bennett has created is full of possibilities for future stories, and in my opinion ranks with sci-fi's greats. I eagerly await the next book in this well thought out and enjoyable series.
November 27, 2014
So I meandered around a lot in my review for the first book about whether or not Bennett was being sexist despite the premises that he set in the book. I am now firmly in the camp of this not being so. One of the characters totally called out one of the guys when he was talking about women and he admitted it was because he was tired of being the second-class (i.e. male) citizen. Totally fair. It's how many women feel towards men (even though we too love them).
So as far as fun space romp, Bennett is doing well. Lots of aliens. Lots of explanations on why things are the way they are. I could do with a little less explaining because it slows the pace of the book. If the pace were faster, he would totally be getting four stars. But for someone who enjoys the explanations without too much science-speak most of us can't comprehend, I imagine Bennett would be top notch for them. I wish he'd emulate Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell with the footnotes thing because that would let him go crazy on the background without slowing the story.
Bennett is very weak on dialogue. The characters try to banter with each other and it is pitiful. Given what I've heard from someone in the army, this would be fairly accurate speach for some soldiers. However, Bennett's cast has scientists and teenagers in it. He's just not good at banter and I've read too many authors who are fantastic.
So still enjoying this series. Really wish someone would stop and tell Maggie that hitting any man in the balls is not socially acceptable and fucking punch her for it. Repeatedly. Because the way she treats men is appalling and not at all an acceptable "quirk".
So as far as fun space romp, Bennett is doing well. Lots of aliens. Lots of explanations on why things are the way they are. I could do with a little less explaining because it slows the pace of the book. If the pace were faster, he would totally be getting four stars. But for someone who enjoys the explanations without too much science-speak most of us can't comprehend, I imagine Bennett would be top notch for them. I wish he'd emulate Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell with the footnotes thing because that would let him go crazy on the background without slowing the story.
Bennett is very weak on dialogue. The characters try to banter with each other and it is pitiful. Given what I've heard from someone in the army, this would be fairly accurate speach for some soldiers. However, Bennett's cast has scientists and teenagers in it. He's just not good at banter and I've read too many authors who are fantastic.
So still enjoying this series. Really wish someone would stop and tell Maggie that hitting any man in the balls is not socially acceptable and fucking punch her for it. Repeatedly. Because the way she treats men is appalling and not at all an acceptable "quirk".
June 25, 2015
This book rocks so damn hard! Really exceptional new author, very happy to say I was impressed with a very strong follow up to Koban. He does great research develops characters and universes with increasing exactitude. Nicely edited (only one noticeable typo) in the whole book. This is definitely the most promising new author I've read this year I can't wait for more on this series. Everything I've read since this in the genre has been a bit of a let down. Superb escapism! Thanks for kicking ass twice in a row!
April 15, 2013
The Koban books were, by far, the most impressive independently published scifi books I have ever read. Judging by the quality of these books I truly believe that any major publishing house (preferably Baen) would do well to try to woo Mr. Bennett into the fold.
I am eagerly chomping at the bit waiting for the third book. I finished the first two a little over a month ago and I just keep reliving the story in my head, already gearing up to re-read them again.
I am eagerly chomping at the bit waiting for the third book. I finished the first two a little over a month ago and I just keep reliving the story in my head, already gearing up to re-read them again.
February 15, 2018
Can't wait to read the third book. Stephan, are you sure you can't use the services of a detail oriented wordsmith who cares that the past tense of choose has only one "o"? I'm retired and work cheaply!
Love the science! Haven't read any really good hard SciFi in awhile. I hope to spend many more hours in your universe.
Love the science! Haven't read any really good hard SciFi in awhile. I hope to spend many more hours in your universe.
January 3, 2019
Good book.
This, to me, was a very good improved book in a good series. Much bigger planning of story. Excellent new additions to the world and that classic proof still in effect.
This, to me, was a very good improved book in a good series. Much bigger planning of story. Excellent new additions to the world and that classic proof still in effect.
February 23, 2019
Genetic enhancement at its best.
This was written wonderfully. The plot is great. Not to spoil to much but the appeal of this series is that human beings are initially too weak to face an alien species but overcome the aliens through deceit and trickery, not numbers or force. The alien race is really fleshed out and have their own distinct personality.
This was written wonderfully. The plot is great. Not to spoil to much but the appeal of this series is that human beings are initially too weak to face an alien species but overcome the aliens through deceit and trickery, not numbers or force. The alien race is really fleshed out and have their own distinct personality.
March 3, 2013
I want to say that I really enjoy the series and look forward to seeing what will happen to all the characters. I just wish the story flowed a little more coherently. I understand the need to see both the Kobani and what is happening within the Federation. I simply got annoyed that the author by trying to give us both at once (as well as the Krall POV) we were left with a story that felt much more patchy and it was hard to really get into the book without a character to really follow. (I also understand this i s a hall mark of many space-operas but it makes it hard for me to really enjoy a book when I get jumped around so much.)
Spoliers
Spoliers
spoliers
I was also surprised so little happened with the Federation. I mean in the almost 20 years it seemed that the main body of humans couldn't seem to get on a true war footing. I am also wondering where the veteran Krall are. I mean most of the invading force is their novice warriors, what are the veteran warriors doing during that time? Do they continue the inter-clan wars? I mean they have so much humanity to choose from I would think at least a few geniuses would help slow the Krall more than has happened. At the least given how dogs seem to react that adding them for reconnaissance makes sense to me.
I was also surprised about the Krall throwbacks and how they are portrayed as inferior (aren't they the same breed who killed off the Olt'kitapi?). If they are truly different and held as a separate class and given how their species seems to be able to direct their evolution have they continued on a parallel evolutionary chain? It was hinted that the Krall took biological matter from Koban to try and help develop the superconductive nerves, is that all they really need or has there been any problems on their end? In the end the Krall are becoming a bit more cliche they don't seem to have the set backs and problems other than certain individual Krall that make them seem fully fleshed out.
The evolution of the SG's and TG's I really enjoyed. The question I keep coming to is if the new Kobani strain of humanity, does it taste any better to the Krall now that so much of their muscles have been modified. I am also surprised now that some of the new TG's are 18 that none seem to be pregnant and giving birth to the wholly born TG generation. (Have the SG's been able to breed with the humanity standard? can the sg'd have true TG's in-vitro at this point?) I think the Frilling issue is a bit of a dues ex machina but the use of it for interrogation had me grinning. I would have expected that trying to Frill an alien mind could be hard or have consequences for a human reader. As with the Krall I wish we saw some more struggle even if in 20 yrs they could have overcome any number.
Spoliers
Spoliers
spoliers
I was also surprised so little happened with the Federation. I mean in the almost 20 years it seemed that the main body of humans couldn't seem to get on a true war footing. I am also wondering where the veteran Krall are. I mean most of the invading force is their novice warriors, what are the veteran warriors doing during that time? Do they continue the inter-clan wars? I mean they have so much humanity to choose from I would think at least a few geniuses would help slow the Krall more than has happened. At the least given how dogs seem to react that adding them for reconnaissance makes sense to me.
I was also surprised about the Krall throwbacks and how they are portrayed as inferior (aren't they the same breed who killed off the Olt'kitapi?). If they are truly different and held as a separate class and given how their species seems to be able to direct their evolution have they continued on a parallel evolutionary chain? It was hinted that the Krall took biological matter from Koban to try and help develop the superconductive nerves, is that all they really need or has there been any problems on their end? In the end the Krall are becoming a bit more cliche they don't seem to have the set backs and problems other than certain individual Krall that make them seem fully fleshed out.
The evolution of the SG's and TG's I really enjoyed. The question I keep coming to is if the new Kobani strain of humanity, does it taste any better to the Krall now that so much of their muscles have been modified. I am also surprised now that some of the new TG's are 18 that none seem to be pregnant and giving birth to the wholly born TG generation. (Have the SG's been able to breed with the humanity standard? can the sg'd have true TG's in-vitro at this point?) I think the Frilling issue is a bit of a dues ex machina but the use of it for interrogation had me grinning. I would have expected that trying to Frill an alien mind could be hard or have consequences for a human reader. As with the Krall I wish we saw some more struggle even if in 20 yrs they could have overcome any number.
November 19, 2013
Once determining humans were a "worthy enemy," they leave the remaining captured humans to die on Koban. Surely the fearsome predators will wipe the humans out quickly, especially since the Krall destroy the electric gates protecting them and destroy all of their fusion bottles.
While the Krall spent the last 25,000 years breeding for strength and agility, they haven't given a thought to their own intelligence. After all, they have slave races to build their warships and weapons. Warriors don't need to concern themselves with knowing how to do such things.
This book has some VERY lengthy battle scenes. After adjusting to the merciless, bloodthirsty Krall attitude in the first book, I found myself wanting to giggle at times at how they conducted their battles. As if they are players in a giant video game, each trying to earn the most "kill points" by killing humans, they eagerly run off their ships and immediately begin shooting at anything and everything. It becomes clear very quickly that most of these Krall are not very bright. While humans are inferior in many ways, when it comes to intelligence and cleverness they've got it all over the Krall.
The humans on Koban start modifying their genes and the children they bear have such enhanced strength and other abilities that they are superior in every way to the Krall. But will a few hundred of them be enough to turn the tide of the Human-Krall war?
There is a lot of brutality in this book, as one would expect with a war going on. The wonderful thing about reading is I can easily skip a paragraph if things are getting too gory. I don't feel Bennett glories in the violence, as some authors seem to do, but the book is full of violence.
I love the way the humans have learned to communicate with the rippers (love that name!) and wolfbats. Instead of trying to conquer Koban by being superior to every other creature, the humans are able to find other ways to adapt.
While the Krall spent the last 25,000 years breeding for strength and agility, they haven't given a thought to their own intelligence. After all, they have slave races to build their warships and weapons. Warriors don't need to concern themselves with knowing how to do such things.
This book has some VERY lengthy battle scenes. After adjusting to the merciless, bloodthirsty Krall attitude in the first book, I found myself wanting to giggle at times at how they conducted their battles. As if they are players in a giant video game, each trying to earn the most "kill points" by killing humans, they eagerly run off their ships and immediately begin shooting at anything and everything. It becomes clear very quickly that most of these Krall are not very bright. While humans are inferior in many ways, when it comes to intelligence and cleverness they've got it all over the Krall.
The humans on Koban start modifying their genes and the children they bear have such enhanced strength and other abilities that they are superior in every way to the Krall. But will a few hundred of them be enough to turn the tide of the Human-Krall war?
There is a lot of brutality in this book, as one would expect with a war going on. The wonderful thing about reading is I can easily skip a paragraph if things are getting too gory. I don't feel Bennett glories in the violence, as some authors seem to do, but the book is full of violence.
I love the way the humans have learned to communicate with the rippers (love that name!) and wolfbats. Instead of trying to conquer Koban by being superior to every other creature, the humans are able to find other ways to adapt.
May 27, 2016
The Cons:
For many of the reasons I really enjoyed the first book, this second installment seemed to fall short. Elements that seemed almost quaint in the first book started becoming superfluous. Specifically the hen pecking element and feminine superiority complexes. It came off as sexist and overly slapsticky. I'm gonna call it "Forced Fem". It's comedic appeal had grown old in the first book and became intolerable in this sequel. Another serious problem was how the author attempted to force the book to stand alone by continually rehashing elements of the previous stories plot. I found myself zoning out, during many parts of the book, which was mostly due to back fill, or the author telling instead of showing us the story. The book also fell victim to explaining pseudoscience in detail, making the already suspension of disbelief even more difficult. I suppose the actual step into the young adult genre was also at times comedic relief, but the many new under-developed characters were mostly static.
The Pros:
The antagonists, Krall, continued ridiculousness, did work for me. Their larger than life arrogance, was able to be ridiculous enough to add the needed comedic relief. The action sequences in the book also added, the much relief needed to the other elements that were just falling flat. I found myself thinking in many chapters, when will the military campaigns begin? The few chapters that included the military engagements were the saving grace of this book. With out them, I doubt I would have been able to finish. Fair star rating is about 2.7935632 stars.
For many of the reasons I really enjoyed the first book, this second installment seemed to fall short. Elements that seemed almost quaint in the first book started becoming superfluous. Specifically the hen pecking element and feminine superiority complexes. It came off as sexist and overly slapsticky. I'm gonna call it "Forced Fem". It's comedic appeal had grown old in the first book and became intolerable in this sequel. Another serious problem was how the author attempted to force the book to stand alone by continually rehashing elements of the previous stories plot. I found myself zoning out, during many parts of the book, which was mostly due to back fill, or the author telling instead of showing us the story. The book also fell victim to explaining pseudoscience in detail, making the already suspension of disbelief even more difficult. I suppose the actual step into the young adult genre was also at times comedic relief, but the many new under-developed characters were mostly static.
The Pros:
The antagonists, Krall, continued ridiculousness, did work for me. Their larger than life arrogance, was able to be ridiculous enough to add the needed comedic relief. The action sequences in the book also added, the much relief needed to the other elements that were just falling flat. I found myself thinking in many chapters, when will the military campaigns begin? The few chapters that included the military engagements were the saving grace of this book. With out them, I doubt I would have been able to finish. Fair star rating is about 2.7935632 stars.
February 19, 2016
This review is based on the Audio Book
Stephen Bennett continues the story of the Flight of Fancy crew and passengers. This time, they are accompanied by another few tens of thousand new humans captured by the Krall.
Am I enjoying the series? Yes, it is intriguing. Why am I scoring it only 3 stars? It could be a lot better. I find the "He thought about saying he wanted to go on the journey" and then having the character say it very repetitive, and almost to the point that I would put it down. Also, the omnipotent POV used in the book can get a little rough around the edges.
Bennett has put in a great amount of time making sure his facts are about as perfect as possible. Only thing is, the humans have technology that is far under what we currently have. This is a little bit of a sore point for me, because I think of them using a PDA and wonder, would they not have something a little better? Or the implanted transducers which have the range of a low power walkie-talkie and unable to transmit a simple signal over a small distance.
I am going onto the next book in the series, hoping against hope that since this book was better than the first by a remarkable amount, that he continued studying how to create a sound novel from start to finish.
Stephen Bennett continues the story of the Flight of Fancy crew and passengers. This time, they are accompanied by another few tens of thousand new humans captured by the Krall.
Am I enjoying the series? Yes, it is intriguing. Why am I scoring it only 3 stars? It could be a lot better. I find the "He thought about saying he wanted to go on the journey" and then having the character say it very repetitive, and almost to the point that I would put it down. Also, the omnipotent POV used in the book can get a little rough around the edges.
Bennett has put in a great amount of time making sure his facts are about as perfect as possible. Only thing is, the humans have technology that is far under what we currently have. This is a little bit of a sore point for me, because I think of them using a PDA and wonder, would they not have something a little better? Or the implanted transducers which have the range of a low power walkie-talkie and unable to transmit a simple signal over a small distance.
I am going onto the next book in the series, hoping against hope that since this book was better than the first by a remarkable amount, that he continued studying how to create a sound novel from start to finish.
Read
March 20, 2020Solid sci-fi, but NOT YA genre
Language takes this book out of the realm of Young Adult fiction. And loses a star. Would not be less than a PG-14 rated movie. Add to that some gory and graphic descriptions of violence. NOT YA.
If those are of no concern, Stephen W Bennett writes intense high-action sci-fi. And it is indeed, Science fiction, as opposed to fantasy or magic genre.
This was written some years back, plus Bennett is as old as me, and I chuckled there were no transgendered individuals. Then I rolled on the floor - guys wanted gene modifications of "strength, endurance, and cold adaptation" but femininity was the goal of none. ROFL. (No criticism intended to other readers, just that some of us have grown weary of so many female 'hero' characters and this masculine slant is refreshing to my ilk.) Argh! ROFL. (But, do not doubt, the gals in this novel can hold their own on any level.)
Language takes this book out of the realm of Young Adult fiction. And loses a star. Would not be less than a PG-14 rated movie. Add to that some gory and graphic descriptions of violence. NOT YA.
If those are of no concern, Stephen W Bennett writes intense high-action sci-fi. And it is indeed, Science fiction, as opposed to fantasy or magic genre.
This was written some years back, plus Bennett is as old as me, and I chuckled there were no transgendered individuals. Then I rolled on the floor - guys wanted gene modifications of "strength, endurance, and cold adaptation" but femininity was the goal of none. ROFL. (No criticism intended to other readers, just that some of us have grown weary of so many female 'hero' characters and this masculine slant is refreshing to my ilk.) Argh! ROFL. (But, do not doubt, the gals in this novel can hold their own on any level.)
August 15, 2015
OK storyline, horrible proofreading
The storyline is fine for light reading, but the proofreading is horrible. The author and his "expert" proofreader have a level of English proficiency equivalent to an average seventh-grader. Throughout the book they use the non-word "Mam" (always incorrectly capitalized) in place of the word "ma'am." They consistently and incorrectly capitalize the verb "jump" and the noun "white-out" (not referring to the correction fluid). Punctuation appears to be random, especially with regard to plurals vs. possessives. Virtually every page has at least one glaring error. It makes the reading much less enjoyable. My advice to the author is to find a proofreader who has passed eighth-grade English.
The storyline is fine for light reading, but the proofreading is horrible. The author and his "expert" proofreader have a level of English proficiency equivalent to an average seventh-grader. Throughout the book they use the non-word "Mam" (always incorrectly capitalized) in place of the word "ma'am." They consistently and incorrectly capitalize the verb "jump" and the noun "white-out" (not referring to the correction fluid). Punctuation appears to be random, especially with regard to plurals vs. possessives. Virtually every page has at least one glaring error. It makes the reading much less enjoyable. My advice to the author is to find a proofreader who has passed eighth-grade English.
March 10, 2016
This book begins the transition to the next generation of Kobani.
I enjoyed this a great deal, partly because I'm the kind of person who likes positive things to happen. A book that has one negative event after another depresses me. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this, and immediately bought the next one in the series.
I love the genetic modification theme, and the continual development of the Kobani universe.
The reversal of the men's & women's roles continues to be entertaining and thought provoking.
I enjoyed this a great deal, partly because I'm the kind of person who likes positive things to happen. A book that has one negative event after another depresses me. I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this, and immediately bought the next one in the series.
I love the genetic modification theme, and the continual development of the Kobani universe.
The reversal of the men's & women's roles continues to be entertaining and thought provoking.
August 18, 2015
An excellent continuation of the Koban story but seems truncated.
Turns into more of a transition book than a full story but the author does advance the plot even if it's only by sayin 'and ten years later, this is what happened'.
Still, a new cast of characters is introduced pretty well and the story of the war with Humanity and the humans on Koban continues quiet well.
Not quite as good as the first but an great transition to what I hope will be a meatier remainder of the series.
Turns into more of a transition book than a full story but the author does advance the plot even if it's only by sayin 'and ten years later, this is what happened'.
Still, a new cast of characters is introduced pretty well and the story of the war with Humanity and the humans on Koban continues quiet well.
Not quite as good as the first but an great transition to what I hope will be a meatier remainder of the series.
January 30, 2016
The war has started! I really enjoyed this book, It showed the people on Koban and how they develop into what they are. You also get a different point of view of the progress of the war from the human and the alien side of things, overall this is cool experience. I think this book was different than the first in a lot of way and in some respects better. Overall its a good and worthy read that i would really recommend to anyone enjoying sci fi.
April 23, 2016
A bit better than the previous novel of the series but some of the issues still remain. For example there's still more telling than showing especially with the time jumps where we keep getting expositions and dialogues at times seem overly forced.
Overall it's still a very interesting premise and the series is progressing slowly (a bit too slowly but that's understandable).
Will read the remainder of the series definitely just not sure when...
Overall it's still a very interesting premise and the series is progressing slowly (a bit too slowly but that's understandable).
Will read the remainder of the series definitely just not sure when...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2014
After the ending of the previous that ended with the a group of humans that proved that would be a wordy prey for the alien race tha war against humanity started. Mean while the group of humans left on the alien world adapted to bring the war back to the alien race that is destroying humanity, the end leaves you wanting to start the third book. Great book and can't wait to start the third.
August 1, 2014
This book kicks ASS!
If you are into space operas like The Mote in Gods' Eye with a mix of the moral but yet the constant skirting the line of ethical challenges that genetic manipulation brings to humanity, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! This book made the leaps from R&D, alpha/beta tests, all the way thru to generational effects without a stutter.
Pick it up you'll enjoy it.
If you are into space operas like The Mote in Gods' Eye with a mix of the moral but yet the constant skirting the line of ethical challenges that genetic manipulation brings to humanity, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! This book made the leaps from R&D, alpha/beta tests, all the way thru to generational effects without a stutter.
Pick it up you'll enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2016
Another long but good book. It continues the action where the first book left off and as far as I am concerned could incorporate books 3 & 4 so that I don't have to stop to purchase the rest of the series. Writing is like a blend of Andre Norton & Arthur C Clark. It was a bit more technical in places, but that was me.
October 23, 2016
A next stage in Koban series. The big war is progressing, part of the story is how humans attempt to re-establish all wartime tactics. On Koban side we have more genetics research and integration with planet wildlife.
The story slowly advances to more action part where some less one sided fighting can happen.
The story slowly advances to more action part where some less one sided fighting can happen.
April 8, 2022
Strong science, complex environment.
A competition for survival between two species with different evolution paths and ages: smashing physical power and higher technology versus superior adaptability and long-term planning ability.
A competition for survival between two species with different evolution paths and ages: smashing physical power and higher technology versus superior adaptability and long-term planning ability.
December 15, 2016
Great book series! I tend to review after reading all available in series. One or Two of the books tend to struggle and drag on but over all its a great series. Its not really much for in depth character development. However if you like Scifi and action at all. You Will like this series.
March 26, 2013
The second book was even better than the first. I am eagerly awaiting the next.
August 3, 2014
Great story line. Loved it
February 9, 2015
Absolutely brilliant
December 24, 2014
Enjoyed this book just as much as the first.
December 5, 2024
I like the story; but the writing style annoys me. I actually started to cringe every time "such as" or "and so forth" was used. Maybe it's just me. English is not my first language.
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