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Star Crusades Nexus #2
Machine Gods
Machine Gods is the second book in the epic new series set in the Star Crusades universe that chronicles humanity’s first steps away from Alpha Centauri and beyond.
After decades of war, the Alliance reached the Orion Nebula and discovered the advanced but shattered remnants of the T’Kari. People and ships are diverted to this rich area of space to continue its exploration and exploitation.
After decades of war, the Alliance reached the Orion Nebula and discovered the advanced but shattered remnants of the T’Kari. People and ships are diverted to this rich area of space to continue its exploration and exploitation.
221 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2012
8 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Thomas
217 books130 followersMichael G. Thomas, is a writer, martial artist and military historian. He has written books on European martial arts and military history as well as Zombie Survival books and fiction. He is the co-founder of the prestigious Academy of Historical Fencing that teaches traditional armed and unarmed European martial arts. His specialist subject areas are teaching the use of the medieval two handed longsword and the German long knife in both the UK and other parts of Europe.
His academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.
Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.
His academic background is as varied as his writing with degrees in Computing, Classical Studies and Machine Learning. In recent years he has undertaken substantial research in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as Ancient Greek and Byzantine military history.
Michael is currently completing his Champions of the Apocalypse Series and Star Crusades science fiction series.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 30, 2013
This is the second book in the Star Crusades Nexus series. I would say that this book is on the same level as the previous book. That is, a good reading but not fantastic. When this books starts it kind of jumps ahead in time and just skips over a bunch of events. For instance, Spartan’s security company is in trouble, not by any fault of him but by the usual political meddling into private business. This entire jump ahead business bugged me a bit. I have to say that it got me off to a bit of a bad start.
The parts of the book revolving around the Jötnar and Spartan are quite enjoyable though, as in the previous book, and there are a fair amount of action in this book as well. Most of it is down on one of the moons in the Orion Nebula though. Also, as with the previous book, it feels like it is jumping around a bit without a clear thread. Actually, the entire plot is somewhat dubious at times but it comes together to an enjoyable read anyway. It has enough forward momentum to make you want to see where it goes.
The book doesn’t have much of a conclusion. You get the feeling that the book is just part one of what could very well have been a single larger book. Actually, these books are not very long and they could probably have benefited by the author not trying to get them out as quickly but rather write longer books and take the time to go through the book, the plot and the pacing an extra time to make sure everything is coherent.
Anyway, the book was enjoyable and made me want to go on reading the series.
Oh by the way, why the bloody hell did the artist of the book cover decide to show a semi modern, clearly atmospheric, bomber or attack craft against the backdrop of what clearly looks like the command tower of a ancient vet navy battle ship? Artistic freedom and all that but come on…
The parts of the book revolving around the Jötnar and Spartan are quite enjoyable though, as in the previous book, and there are a fair amount of action in this book as well. Most of it is down on one of the moons in the Orion Nebula though. Also, as with the previous book, it feels like it is jumping around a bit without a clear thread. Actually, the entire plot is somewhat dubious at times but it comes together to an enjoyable read anyway. It has enough forward momentum to make you want to see where it goes.
The book doesn’t have much of a conclusion. You get the feeling that the book is just part one of what could very well have been a single larger book. Actually, these books are not very long and they could probably have benefited by the author not trying to get them out as quickly but rather write longer books and take the time to go through the book, the plot and the pacing an extra time to make sure everything is coherent.
Anyway, the book was enjoyable and made me want to go on reading the series.
Oh by the way, why the bloody hell did the artist of the book cover decide to show a semi modern, clearly atmospheric, bomber or attack craft against the backdrop of what clearly looks like the command tower of a ancient vet navy battle ship? Artistic freedom and all that but come on…
October 22, 2012
I don't know, maybe it's because I'm expecting more from the Star Crusade Nexus series, but this book seemed to me to be without a conclusion.
Intellectually I understand what Michael is doing, but the book just "felt" like it finished this chapter without a satisfactory ending. It will not however stop me buying the rest of the series as I'm eager to see how this all ends.
The story continues the increasingly fragile nature of the Alliance through the personal stories of Spartan, his wife Teresa, their son Jack. I'm generally bad at writing these, so I'll skip the usual summation of plot which you can read in the book's description. I enjoy Michael's writing and the battle sequences really place you into the combat.
If you love military science fiction, then you would be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out Machine Gods (but start with Legions of Orion if you can). Available for $3.99 at Amazon and Smashwords.
Intellectually I understand what Michael is doing, but the book just "felt" like it finished this chapter without a satisfactory ending. It will not however stop me buying the rest of the series as I'm eager to see how this all ends.
The story continues the increasingly fragile nature of the Alliance through the personal stories of Spartan, his wife Teresa, their son Jack. I'm generally bad at writing these, so I'll skip the usual summation of plot which you can read in the book's description. I enjoy Michael's writing and the battle sequences really place you into the combat.
If you love military science fiction, then you would be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out Machine Gods (but start with Legions of Orion if you can). Available for $3.99 at Amazon and Smashwords.
June 6, 2014
Spartan and crew and new adventures
Good continuation of Spartan and crew..lot of misspelled words , I'm surprised spell check does not work, perhaps a proof reader could assist. Good story though
Good continuation of Spartan and crew..lot of misspelled words , I'm surprised spell check does not work, perhaps a proof reader could assist. Good story though
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews