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The Girls from Alcyone #2
The Machines of Bellatrix
Alcyone is gone. The Independent stronghold on Scorpii is destroyed. Sigrid and her sisters have fled the Federation to make a new home on the remote world of Medea.
But with a price on her head the size of a planet, and pursued across the galaxy by the Council for Trade and Finance, Sigrid knows she and her sisters are not safe. As long as there are those who would seek to control them, hunt them, they will never be safe.
Unless Sigrid can stop them first.
But to stop them, Sigrid must first find them. But how? And where? Her only clue is a mysterious coded message; one that could serve as either warning or invitation; one that will lead Sigrid to a factory world at the very edge of Federation space, and to a deadly confrontation with her most dangerous enemy yet: the machines of Bellatrix.
But with a price on her head the size of a planet, and pursued across the galaxy by the Council for Trade and Finance, Sigrid knows she and her sisters are not safe. As long as there are those who would seek to control them, hunt them, they will never be safe.
Unless Sigrid can stop them first.
But to stop them, Sigrid must first find them. But how? And where? Her only clue is a mysterious coded message; one that could serve as either warning or invitation; one that will lead Sigrid to a factory world at the very edge of Federation space, and to a deadly confrontation with her most dangerous enemy yet: the machines of Bellatrix.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2013
67 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Cary Caffrey
6 books168 followersCary is the author of the best-selling Girls from Alcyone trilogy and the dark fantasy-romance A Woman of Whispers.
When not staring at blank pages and blinking cursors, Cary can always be found devouring all things pop culture. Current obsessions include Alien, Severance, Mass Effect (still—STILL!), and, yes...Dragon Age!
For more information, visit Cary at carycaffrey.com.
When not staring at blank pages and blinking cursors, Cary can always be found devouring all things pop culture. Current obsessions include Alien, Severance, Mass Effect (still—STILL!), and, yes...Dragon Age!
For more information, visit Cary at carycaffrey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 26, 2017
Oh this is beyond fantastic! Book two continues the amazing story of “The Girls from Alcyone”, and adds timely social commentary:
and, even better, adds nice adult interactions between Sigrid and Suko (as referenced by Leta!):
And ohhhh….the cliffhanger! Happily book three is already on Audible! If it also ends on a cliffhanger while the author drafts book four I’m NOT going to be happy!
This is easily a 5* ranking, and I’m immediately beginning book three!
"Can you believe they actually want you to pay for news here!" Trudy said, pulling up screen after screen until eight separate news feeds floated above the kiosk in holographic glory. "It's criminal! By the very definition, paying for news insures a certain bias. To think you can actually use information as a marketing platform and then maintain any sense of objectivity. It's a fallacy! It's like—" "Thank you, Trudy," Sigrid said, "for that very passionate editorial." "No, really! Check this out. Here's what they're reporting about the bombings in New Shēnzhèn. Publicly, it's all terrorists this and terrorists that. But, here, on the private servers it's something else entirely. Look.
and, even better, adds nice adult interactions between Sigrid and Suko (as referenced by Leta!):
"No way. We are not sharing a room with you two. Nothing personal." "Why? What's wrong with the room?" "It's not the room." Leta chuckled. "Not exactly. You're very… um… you're very loud." Suko leaned close. "Don't listen to them. You're passionate, is all. Wouldn't have it any other way." Sigrid clapped her hands to her cheeks, mortified. "I had no idea."
And ohhhh….the cliffhanger! Happily book three is already on Audible! If it also ends on a cliffhanger while the author drafts book four I’m NOT going to be happy!
This is easily a 5* ranking, and I’m immediately beginning book three!
August 17, 2014
Let me get this out of the way first:
Fuck cliffhangers. I know you want your readers to buy the next book. But leaving me with so many things unsolved for god knows how long, that's just bad writing, in my opinion. Minor plots left open, I don't mind, but this one was so major, the author better makes sure he has a very good explanation for the next book. (waves pitchfork)
Now, the fact that I was so angry, is actually a testament to how much I liked this book. It's a non stop action rollercoaster, with Sigrid and her sisters wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Thousands of people die, entire complexes blown to smithereens. The girls go above and beyond, trying to save New Alcyone. And, props to the author, even though they are stronger than everything else, they screw up too. I think that was a good thing, because it's too easy to go all out and emerge unscathed, just because they can. The girls are very vulnerable, and that brings out a nice balance to all the sci-fi technology saving the day. This book is quite the page turner, albeit a bit short.
But, there's flaws too.
I am a sucker for books that have "little engines that could" characters. A Sigrid Novak. A NM-DEV-1. Characters that no one would think twice about, but step up to the challenge and rise above all expectations, and become pivotal to succes in whatever is thrown at them. But the problem with this, especially in series, is that there is a risk that the character development is in danger to take a backseat in the story. It's too easy to let the main character become all too powerfull, or just take over the place, the situation or whatever they're doing, just because you want an action story.
And I think that is what exactly happened here. The shy, timid, average Sigrid takes the lead here, no questions asked. Suddenly she is the leader. Agreed, this scenario happened also in The Girls from Alcyone, but there it was spread out over 10 years. Several times it is mentioned, in both books, they've picked her because she is special. But there is never an explanation as to why that is. Sure, she kills and maims without hesitation, but so do the other girls. Yet she is more special. .
The growth from shy Sigrid to leader Sigrid was a bit too fast, in my opinion. It happened in a span of weeks. Yet she screws up more than the previous book. Why is that? There is so much action here, there wasn't any room for further exploration into who and what Sigrid exacly is and why she is the chosen one. The book would have been much better with that, I think. But if you don't care about that, and just want action and then some, this book is a blast.
Another point that nagged me was the abundance of tech. No matter what the situation is, the girls carry it. They throw bombs and grenades like there is an infinte supply. Same with the combat ships: they can fire millions of several types of rounds, but seriously, where do they store it? (although props up for never using laserbeams. Physical rounds in space are so much better, no crap with shields absorbing and such. Nothing beats a piece of metal going half the speed of light, imho)
So, as an action book, definitly 5 stars. As a characterdriven book, 3 stars.
But fuck that cliffhanger.
Fuck cliffhangers. I know you want your readers to buy the next book. But leaving me with so many things unsolved for god knows how long, that's just bad writing, in my opinion. Minor plots left open, I don't mind, but this one was so major, the author better makes sure he has a very good explanation for the next book. (waves pitchfork)
Now, the fact that I was so angry, is actually a testament to how much I liked this book. It's a non stop action rollercoaster, with Sigrid and her sisters wreaking havoc everywhere they go. Thousands of people die, entire complexes blown to smithereens. The girls go above and beyond, trying to save New Alcyone. And, props to the author, even though they are stronger than everything else, they screw up too. I think that was a good thing, because it's too easy to go all out and emerge unscathed, just because they can. The girls are very vulnerable, and that brings out a nice balance to all the sci-fi technology saving the day. This book is quite the page turner, albeit a bit short.
But, there's flaws too.
I am a sucker for books that have "little engines that could" characters. A Sigrid Novak. A NM-DEV-1. Characters that no one would think twice about, but step up to the challenge and rise above all expectations, and become pivotal to succes in whatever is thrown at them. But the problem with this, especially in series, is that there is a risk that the character development is in danger to take a backseat in the story. It's too easy to let the main character become all too powerfull, or just take over the place, the situation or whatever they're doing, just because you want an action story.
And I think that is what exactly happened here. The shy, timid, average Sigrid takes the lead here, no questions asked. Suddenly she is the leader. Agreed, this scenario happened also in The Girls from Alcyone, but there it was spread out over 10 years. Several times it is mentioned, in both books, they've picked her because she is special. But there is never an explanation as to why that is. Sure, she kills and maims without hesitation, but so do the other girls. Yet she is more special. .
The growth from shy Sigrid to leader Sigrid was a bit too fast, in my opinion. It happened in a span of weeks. Yet she screws up more than the previous book. Why is that? There is so much action here, there wasn't any room for further exploration into who and what Sigrid exacly is and why she is the chosen one. The book would have been much better with that, I think. But if you don't care about that, and just want action and then some, this book is a blast.
Another point that nagged me was the abundance of tech. No matter what the situation is, the girls carry it. They throw bombs and grenades like there is an infinte supply. Same with the combat ships: they can fire millions of several types of rounds, but seriously, where do they store it? (although props up for never using laserbeams. Physical rounds in space are so much better, no crap with shields absorbing and such. Nothing beats a piece of metal going half the speed of light, imho)
So, as an action book, definitly 5 stars. As a characterdriven book, 3 stars.
But fuck that cliffhanger.
February 20, 2017
Ugh! What an ending!
Like the first book in the series this was highly cinematic and played out like an intense action movie. Unlike the first book, there's not a slow introduction to the world or build up to events. The first page of the book hits the ground running and never stops.
If you have not read the first book in the series, do NOT read this book first. You'll just be confused and not understand the motivation or arcs of the characters.
The writing is strong, new characters are introduced...there are even funny jokes here and there amidst all of the explosions and ass kicking. The author has a well thought out, complex plot, and this time around we get many more Suko and Sigrid scenes. The plot basically has Sigrid assigned to take on everything while Suko's only mission is to keep Sigrid alive. Whose job is more challenging do you think? Lol.
There's an 'Empire Strikes Back' feel in that some of our favorite characters get MESSED up and we're left with a dark cliffhanger ending. Thank goodness the third book is already written.
There's less character development in this second book but with all of the action happening in a short space of time that's the trade-off. I DO really like how there is not a simple good or evil in any of the characters, whether main or secondary, and there's still some mystery as to who the enemies vs good guys are.
This is a well done sequel and again I'm impressed. I'll be running off to read the third book stat.
Like the first book in the series this was highly cinematic and played out like an intense action movie. Unlike the first book, there's not a slow introduction to the world or build up to events. The first page of the book hits the ground running and never stops.
If you have not read the first book in the series, do NOT read this book first. You'll just be confused and not understand the motivation or arcs of the characters.
The writing is strong, new characters are introduced...there are even funny jokes here and there amidst all of the explosions and ass kicking. The author has a well thought out, complex plot, and this time around we get many more Suko and Sigrid scenes. The plot basically has Sigrid assigned to take on everything while Suko's only mission is to keep Sigrid alive. Whose job is more challenging do you think? Lol.
There's an 'Empire Strikes Back' feel in that some of our favorite characters get MESSED up and we're left with a dark cliffhanger ending. Thank goodness the third book is already written.
There's less character development in this second book but with all of the action happening in a short space of time that's the trade-off. I DO really like how there is not a simple good or evil in any of the characters, whether main or secondary, and there's still some mystery as to who the enemies vs good guys are.
This is a well done sequel and again I'm impressed. I'll be running off to read the third book stat.
June 7, 2019
"The Machines of Bellatrix" is an action-packed story about technologically-enhanced young women fighting across the galaxy to protect their new home and themselves from the evil grasp of galactic corporations.
It's also the sequel to "The Girls from Alcyone", which I enjoyed at the time, even if it took me a couple of years to get around to the next in the series.
It's fun, it's action-packed, and if what you're looking for is an absolutely ridiculous amount of guns and high-tech fighting done by seemingly frail young women who just happen to be dating each other, this will definitely be perfect for you. On a closer look, though, the world created is pretty simple and the characters have little time for development. But that leaves it as a fun, light, action-y plot about kicking ass in space and getting oneself in trouble, which, to my mind, is not bad at all. (Except for the cliffhanger at the end, which was kind of a bummer.)
It's also the sequel to "The Girls from Alcyone", which I enjoyed at the time, even if it took me a couple of years to get around to the next in the series.
It's fun, it's action-packed, and if what you're looking for is an absolutely ridiculous amount of guns and high-tech fighting done by seemingly frail young women who just happen to be dating each other, this will definitely be perfect for you. On a closer look, though, the world created is pretty simple and the characters have little time for development. But that leaves it as a fun, light, action-y plot about kicking ass in space and getting oneself in trouble, which, to my mind, is not bad at all. (Except for the cliffhanger at the end, which was kind of a bummer.)
June 17, 2017
This story is both more intense and less intriguing than the first one. There is more action and intrigue, but it became a bit confusing with multiple people having multiple agendas. Good guy do bad things for questionable reasons. Bad guys may be doing the right thing. It all could turn out for the best, but if got very messy in the process.
That said, the characters are interesting and the writing is solid. These enhanced young women are a force to reckon with. I enjoyed their adventures, and how they interact with each other.
The story ends with "To be continued..." but not abruptly. i will read the next one.
PS: There are a couple of scenes of FF sex, so this might not be suitable for tweens.
That said, the characters are interesting and the writing is solid. These enhanced young women are a force to reckon with. I enjoyed their adventures, and how they interact with each other.
The story ends with "To be continued..." but not abruptly. i will read the next one.
PS: There are a couple of scenes of FF sex, so this might not be suitable for tweens.
March 2, 2014
Maybe it's because it has been a while since I read the first book, but I had a hard time really getting into this book. I don't mind dystopias, but they have to be well build. Maybe the first book explained it all very well, but in this book I had problems with the believability of this dystopia.
For one, it doesn't make any economic sense. There are huge factory worlds, but there is no mention what they make and for whom. I mean, the book portrays everyone as being poor except a select few. Then who's going to buy anything those factories make? Then you have the fact that they effectively use slave labor, but at the same time they're very very advanced in technology. Why don't they use robots to run the factories? This while they do have fully automated factories. It's such a contradiction. Then there are the advanced information technologies. Or at least they say they have advanced information technologies. There is little to actually indicate that though. It gets especially tough to believe when, 2/3rds through the novel, Sigrid has to upload a forged authorization into a server. Nothing special there, but it's very odd that it then takes the system a long time to process it. It's supposed to add tension, but for me it just took me out of the story in frustration. It seemed so stupid and arbitrary.
There are so many more things like that. Maybe the author should look into the kinds of things we're already doing when it comes to technology. And he shouldn't forget the cultural and societal implications of a lot of this technology. They can make highly advanced augmented humans, but they can't extend someone's age?
The authors choice of words was a bit weird as well. Like the the word "sensors", when he could have just used "senses". There are more things like that. Word choices that try to make the setting seem more sci-fi, but they fall flat and they didn't add anything.
Ah well, I'm rambling and I haven't even actually finished the book. Not sure if I actually will to be honest. Maybe after I've calmed down a bit and learned not to get so frustrated when I read something that seems highly implausible or just plain stupid. And maybe the author can work on his suspension of disbelief for his next novel. Because to be honest, the premise of highly augmented lesbian girls in a far future setting is one of my favorite story ideas out there.
P.S. This is what I mean with Suspension of Disbelief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspensi...
For one, it doesn't make any economic sense. There are huge factory worlds, but there is no mention what they make and for whom. I mean, the book portrays everyone as being poor except a select few. Then who's going to buy anything those factories make? Then you have the fact that they effectively use slave labor, but at the same time they're very very advanced in technology. Why don't they use robots to run the factories? This while they do have fully automated factories. It's such a contradiction. Then there are the advanced information technologies. Or at least they say they have advanced information technologies. There is little to actually indicate that though. It gets especially tough to believe when, 2/3rds through the novel, Sigrid has to upload a forged authorization into a server. Nothing special there, but it's very odd that it then takes the system a long time to process it. It's supposed to add tension, but for me it just took me out of the story in frustration. It seemed so stupid and arbitrary.
There are so many more things like that. Maybe the author should look into the kinds of things we're already doing when it comes to technology. And he shouldn't forget the cultural and societal implications of a lot of this technology. They can make highly advanced augmented humans, but they can't extend someone's age?
The authors choice of words was a bit weird as well. Like the the word "sensors", when he could have just used "senses". There are more things like that. Word choices that try to make the setting seem more sci-fi, but they fall flat and they didn't add anything.
Ah well, I'm rambling and I haven't even actually finished the book. Not sure if I actually will to be honest. Maybe after I've calmed down a bit and learned not to get so frustrated when I read something that seems highly implausible or just plain stupid. And maybe the author can work on his suspension of disbelief for his next novel. Because to be honest, the premise of highly augmented lesbian girls in a far future setting is one of my favorite story ideas out there.
P.S. This is what I mean with Suspension of Disbelief: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspensi...
December 25, 2022
The girls have begun to build their new home on Medea, or New Alcyone as they have renamed it. But Sigrid knows they are not safe, they will never be safe as long as there are people out there hunting them, and neither will the other girls out there like them. Girls who will be hunted with equal ferocity just because of what they could become, because of their genetics.
After a supply mission goes wrong, Sigrid returns to New Alcyone feeling like a failure. But she brings something back that could be the key to finding out who their hunter with. The trail points at Bellatrix, a run down factory planet on the edge of Federation controlled space. But this is apparently where the girls biggest enemy is, the one responsible for Scorpii and the destruction of Alcyone.
Sigrid is accompanied by Leta, a fan of high speed and flashy vehicles as well as blowing things up, Trudy, who is the best hacker from the original group of girls, and of course Suko, whose main job is keeping Sigrid alive. Together, the four of them venture to Bellatrix to try and end this war. But the Machines of Bellatrix stand in their way, pushing the girls to act fast in order to stay one step ahead and to stay alive.
A very fast based book, lots of stuff blowing up, lots of fire fights, the action doesn't really stop. If you're after lots of stuff going bang and a twisty plot, then you'll enjoy this book. There's also more on Sigrid and Suko's relationship which was nice, including the teasing from the other girls. It's very clear that the girls will do whatever they can to protect their sisters and their home, stretching themselves to their limit to eliminate the threat.
Once you get into it, it's a fun read. But getting into it is partly the problem. Like the previous book, I just wasn't excited to pick it up and read it. The variable chapter lengths were also a downer. Seeing that the next chapter will take you almost 40 minutes to read when you just read a 10 minute one? That's a bit of a yikes to me. I mostly read this in lectures or for a little before bed, and long chapters just won't cut it. I struggled to get back into the book each time I picked it up.
Aside from this issue I have with it, it's a good series, entertaining enough to be worth this reread. The fact I could go straight into book 3, having read it before, and that I could also go straight into it then, made the cliffhanger ending less impactful. BUT I can see the torture it would put readers in at the time if book 3 wasn't out. That's how you know it was a good plot; the cliffhanger ending makes you want to scream and throw the book at the wall (or phone in this case). Because damn was that a spicey ending the left a lot up in the air.
After a supply mission goes wrong, Sigrid returns to New Alcyone feeling like a failure. But she brings something back that could be the key to finding out who their hunter with. The trail points at Bellatrix, a run down factory planet on the edge of Federation controlled space. But this is apparently where the girls biggest enemy is, the one responsible for Scorpii and the destruction of Alcyone.
Sigrid is accompanied by Leta, a fan of high speed and flashy vehicles as well as blowing things up, Trudy, who is the best hacker from the original group of girls, and of course Suko, whose main job is keeping Sigrid alive. Together, the four of them venture to Bellatrix to try and end this war. But the Machines of Bellatrix stand in their way, pushing the girls to act fast in order to stay one step ahead and to stay alive.
A very fast based book, lots of stuff blowing up, lots of fire fights, the action doesn't really stop. If you're after lots of stuff going bang and a twisty plot, then you'll enjoy this book. There's also more on Sigrid and Suko's relationship which was nice, including the teasing from the other girls. It's very clear that the girls will do whatever they can to protect their sisters and their home, stretching themselves to their limit to eliminate the threat.
Once you get into it, it's a fun read. But getting into it is partly the problem. Like the previous book, I just wasn't excited to pick it up and read it. The variable chapter lengths were also a downer. Seeing that the next chapter will take you almost 40 minutes to read when you just read a 10 minute one? That's a bit of a yikes to me. I mostly read this in lectures or for a little before bed, and long chapters just won't cut it. I struggled to get back into the book each time I picked it up.
Aside from this issue I have with it, it's a good series, entertaining enough to be worth this reread. The fact I could go straight into book 3, having read it before, and that I could also go straight into it then, made the cliffhanger ending less impactful. BUT I can see the torture it would put readers in at the time if book 3 wasn't out. That's how you know it was a good plot; the cliffhanger ending makes you want to scream and throw the book at the wall (or phone in this case). Because damn was that a spicey ending the left a lot up in the air.
November 25, 2016
The Machines of Bellatrix is book two in the Girls from Alcyone series, and picks up some time after the first book ends. Sigrid and the other girls have a new home, but find that they are still in danger and Sigrid is tired of having to run.
This book is just as fast paced as the first book, and we find ourselves in a lot of conflict in this one. Sigrid has taken up more of a leadership role and takes her position seriously, often putting herself in the line of fire to help protect the girls. The resulting conflicts and fights were pretty freaking amazing. We see a few new places and get some really great world building in the process. I really like the scope of the universe in these books, because while it is growing it doesn’t feel like and over abundance of knowledge all at once. Then of course there is the new threat that has popped up, and it gets crazy intense especially towards the second half of the book. And holy cliffhanger batman! The way this one ended had me reeling!
Sigrid and Suko still remain my favorite part of this series. I love space travel and exploring new worlds with cool tech, but these two top all of that. Their relationship is one that really provides light in some really dark situations for both women, and I loved that they have such a strong bond even with all the outside issues.
Kristen James does a fantastic job as always in her narration, with a wide array of voices and perfect pacing. I love listening to all of her different works because she really knows how to give individual and unique voices to characters and not have it feel recycled from one series to the next. Not to mention her consistency in the voices despite there being so many.
I’m moving at a snail’s pace this year with my reading due to stress and being busy, but I’m really looking forward to listening to Night Witch as soon as I can.
This book is just as fast paced as the first book, and we find ourselves in a lot of conflict in this one. Sigrid has taken up more of a leadership role and takes her position seriously, often putting herself in the line of fire to help protect the girls. The resulting conflicts and fights were pretty freaking amazing. We see a few new places and get some really great world building in the process. I really like the scope of the universe in these books, because while it is growing it doesn’t feel like and over abundance of knowledge all at once. Then of course there is the new threat that has popped up, and it gets crazy intense especially towards the second half of the book. And holy cliffhanger batman! The way this one ended had me reeling!
Sigrid and Suko still remain my favorite part of this series. I love space travel and exploring new worlds with cool tech, but these two top all of that. Their relationship is one that really provides light in some really dark situations for both women, and I loved that they have such a strong bond even with all the outside issues.
Kristen James does a fantastic job as always in her narration, with a wide array of voices and perfect pacing. I love listening to all of her different works because she really knows how to give individual and unique voices to characters and not have it feel recycled from one series to the next. Not to mention her consistency in the voices despite there being so many.
I’m moving at a snail’s pace this year with my reading due to stress and being busy, but I’m really looking forward to listening to Night Witch as soon as I can.
November 8, 2013
I eagerly anticipated the release of this book, the sequel to The Girls From Alcyone. Caffrey certainly knows how to capture his readers with a driving and fast-paced plot, action, suspense, and at the heart, unforgettable characters who despite their ability to drop you dead with a look, offer very endearing human qualities -- mistakes and all. At the end of the day, this is a love story: the love for home, family, security, a sense of belonging, your soul mate, and to be able to keep all those things safe. The Machines of Bellatrix is just another step towards that goal and for Sigrid and Suko to find their happily ever after.
December 12, 2016
2.5 Stars
As other reviewers have commented, the characters make some nonsensical decisions compared to book #1. I almost stopped reading, but decided to keep going in the hopes the story line would recover. It recovered enough that I was able to re-immerse myself, but YMMV.
This series, in general, is pure fun. As long as the reader doesn't have high expectations of an existential exploration of biological and genetic human warfare or the morality of such, it can be enjoyable.
In my opinion, of the 3 books out there (so far) this is the weakest.
As other reviewers have commented, the characters make some nonsensical decisions compared to book #1. I almost stopped reading, but decided to keep going in the hopes the story line would recover. It recovered enough that I was able to re-immerse myself, but YMMV.
This series, in general, is pure fun. As long as the reader doesn't have high expectations of an existential exploration of biological and genetic human warfare or the morality of such, it can be enjoyable.
In my opinion, of the 3 books out there (so far) this is the weakest.
November 27, 2013
The girls from Alcyone strike again! This time out, Sigrid, Suko, and the others find themselves thrust into a situation that threatens not only their very survival, but the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
Caffrey brings another action-packed story to the table and continues to raise the bar of excellence with this series. With the setup at the end of the book, I am already impatient for the third book. Excellent job!
Caffrey brings another action-packed story to the table and continues to raise the bar of excellence with this series. With the setup at the end of the book, I am already impatient for the third book. Excellent job!
July 5, 2017
Another excellent book! I liked the first book a little better, but the very end hooked me back in. I also appreciate that these books are fairly light on romance or sex. It's there, but far from the focal point.
May 26, 2017
I am absolutely fascinated with this series. Very well written, with a plot that deepens as you read and humor mixed in. Love it.
January 16, 2018
Didn't like it as much as the first one. I will try the 3rd one later.
dnf
July 15, 2021Sigh... Do you ever read a series and you know you should like it... but you're just so bored? I might try again later but I just can't right now
August 28, 2016
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble is Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested a copy of this audiobook from the narrator, author, or publisher for an honest review.
Sigrid, Lady Hitomi and all the girls have a price on their heads. But they need supplies badly in order to continue building their new home and survive. Sigrid is sent to acquire these, and ends up taking a job for supplies that are beyond valuable to them now, to learn that she was tricked. Now, the coordinates to New Alcyone is in the hands of another looking to make some serious cash. The deception opens up the possibilities of trouble for the girls. There are others hunting the girls of Alcyone, and have their own projects in process. And Sigrid is determined to keep them all safe, at any cost.
Dr. Farrington is determined to continue researching what Lady Hitomi Kimura has done with the girls. He's determined to do more than she did. Running to Bellatrix, he finds there are others here with their own facility, and working on what he wants to do.
Kristin is a favorite voice of mine. She does many different tones, accents, and emotions in her voices as we listen to the story. All these differences present help differentiate characters for me, and makes them more individual and personalized. As always, Kristin's voice is crystal clear in speaking and no background noise as well as seamless in flow. A pleasure to listen to.
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble if Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
We learn there is new research being done, and these prototypes might be more dangerous. The things these doctors are doing! They are just mad! But it's the next logical step in what they started to create with Alcyone. Scary.
This book feels more adult to me than the first book as well. The first book was them growing up and training, this is Sigrid and the first set of girls as they fight to survive. There are intimate moments with Sigrid and Suko. The private moments are rather detailed, so definitely adult content. These two ladies have a solid relationship and we see the romance between them through the book. Suko flirts more than Sigrid in stressful moments, but it helps them and us get through the serious moments and reminds that there is love there.
We do get addition POV's with Sigrid. In doing so we learn different directions and plans of others, slowly they come to light as we go through the book, all coming together. I feel there is more story and drive in this book where in the first book we got more of the girls growing up and training, which felt slow to me.
The ending... Oh my! Sigrid... Wow. I can't tell you but it takes the story to a new direction and makes me worry. What has happened? Oh, we were lead to this by everything in this book pointing to here, but it's still a shocker when we get there.
I was engrossed in this story the whole time. For me, this book was better than the first and I'm pleased I continued with the series. Where Sigrid is now... oh I am soooo looking forward to the next book!
****FULL REVIEW****
*I requested a copy of this audiobook from the narrator, author, or publisher for an honest review.
Sigrid, Lady Hitomi and all the girls have a price on their heads. But they need supplies badly in order to continue building their new home and survive. Sigrid is sent to acquire these, and ends up taking a job for supplies that are beyond valuable to them now, to learn that she was tricked. Now, the coordinates to New Alcyone is in the hands of another looking to make some serious cash. The deception opens up the possibilities of trouble for the girls. There are others hunting the girls of Alcyone, and have their own projects in process. And Sigrid is determined to keep them all safe, at any cost.
Dr. Farrington is determined to continue researching what Lady Hitomi Kimura has done with the girls. He's determined to do more than she did. Running to Bellatrix, he finds there are others here with their own facility, and working on what he wants to do.
Kristin is a favorite voice of mine. She does many different tones, accents, and emotions in her voices as we listen to the story. All these differences present help differentiate characters for me, and makes them more individual and personalized. As always, Kristin's voice is crystal clear in speaking and no background noise as well as seamless in flow. A pleasure to listen to.
This book starts like the previous ends, and my kind of story. Action and danger at each decision. I believe the girls would be in trouble if Sigrid doesn't act, yet it was her action that could bring danger to their doorstep and gives Sigrid the reason to correct what was started. There are slower times as they plan to protect New Alcyone by finding those after them. But I felt this was attracting due to the setting up of the people in positions and clues to where they are going and what they will look for. This book kept that feel throughout the story, adding more weight and backing to who Sigrid is after, and why.
We learn there is new research being done, and these prototypes might be more dangerous. The things these doctors are doing! They are just mad! But it's the next logical step in what they started to create with Alcyone. Scary.
This book feels more adult to me than the first book as well. The first book was them growing up and training, this is Sigrid and the first set of girls as they fight to survive. There are intimate moments with Sigrid and Suko. The private moments are rather detailed, so definitely adult content. These two ladies have a solid relationship and we see the romance between them through the book. Suko flirts more than Sigrid in stressful moments, but it helps them and us get through the serious moments and reminds that there is love there.
We do get addition POV's with Sigrid. In doing so we learn different directions and plans of others, slowly they come to light as we go through the book, all coming together. I feel there is more story and drive in this book where in the first book we got more of the girls growing up and training, which felt slow to me.
The ending... Oh my! Sigrid... Wow. I can't tell you but it takes the story to a new direction and makes me worry. What has happened? Oh, we were lead to this by everything in this book pointing to here, but it's still a shocker when we get there.
I was engrossed in this story the whole time. For me, this book was better than the first and I'm pleased I continued with the series. Where Sigrid is now... oh I am soooo looking forward to the next book!
September 21, 2016
Fun fast paced action packed story with an interesting range of characters, space battles, and a lead with super human abilities. The storyline gets a bit confusing at times, but that might just be me. I’m not used to reading space opera with multitudes of point of views, but that doesn’t stop me from looking forward to the next in the series.
August 1, 2014
This continues the very enjoyable space opera that started with The Girls From Alcyone. Like the first book, this is an addictive adventure full of space battles, combat between mechanically enhanced humans, space elevators, corporation-controlled wormholes, and so on. The political messages are not so blatant this time, and generally the writing is tighter and less indulgent.
In this volume, Sigrid and her sisters are on a mission to track down the people who are after them, and this takes them to the industrial world of Bellatrix, which presents a nightmare vision of a world where overpopulation and unethical corporate control have combined to create a not-unlikely dystopia. And their enemies once again are seeking to create superior and less autonomous versions of the cybernetically enhanced girls from Alcyone.
Once again I do have some minor complaints. The main bad guy seems to stay effortlessly several steps ahead of everyone else, and trails plot holes in his wake. The section at the beginning is, I believe, what was published earlier (July 2013) as Merchantman (which I haven’t read), and if so could have used a little restructuring – the flash-forward at the start works for the extract but seems odd in the novel. Chapter Nine is titled The Last Flight of the Ōmi Maru, which screams a whole story that never actually gets told.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable read and The Girls From Alcyone is becoming one of my favourite Sci-Fi series.
In this volume, Sigrid and her sisters are on a mission to track down the people who are after them, and this takes them to the industrial world of Bellatrix, which presents a nightmare vision of a world where overpopulation and unethical corporate control have combined to create a not-unlikely dystopia. And their enemies once again are seeking to create superior and less autonomous versions of the cybernetically enhanced girls from Alcyone.
Once again I do have some minor complaints. The main bad guy seems to stay effortlessly several steps ahead of everyone else, and trails plot holes in his wake. The section at the beginning is, I believe, what was published earlier (July 2013) as Merchantman (which I haven’t read), and if so could have used a little restructuring – the flash-forward at the start works for the extract but seems odd in the novel. Chapter Nine is titled The Last Flight of the Ōmi Maru, which screams a whole story that never actually gets told.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable read and The Girls From Alcyone is becoming one of my favourite Sci-Fi series.
January 8, 2014
Bigger. That's probably the best way to describe the second novel in the Girls From Alcyone series. Bigger enemies, bigger stakes, bigger action packed fight sequences. The story even expands a bit to introduce more characters than Sumo and Sigrid, whom were the stars of the first novel. Let a, the curvaceous redhead from the first book, gets more involved after being MIA for most of the previous story. In terms of new characters we're introduced to a CTF agent, Miranda "Kitten" Kane, and Trudy, a young communications expert from Alcyone. This book was less focused on the romance of Sigrid and Suko, though it's a major motivation for both characters. The ending's a bit of a cliffhanger, though it's more a need for answers than a simple abrupt finale. If you liked The Girls From Alcyone, then you'll love this bigger, badder, katana slinging piece of super soldier female action.
February 25, 2016
Series reminiscent of Space Doc and Honor Harrington
I do love a good space opera! This is, so far, a good beginning to what promises to be lot's of fun!
Sigrid and her compatriots are full of surprises. The characters are well developed and there are plenty of twists and turns to the plots. And like all good future space war stories there are lots of double crossings, plots within plots and some nicely imaginative, if somewhat far fetched, scientific advances in the human genome.
Although I'm enjoying this and hope Mr Caffrey adds many more books to the series, I've always been a sucker for a good assortment of aliens. The Space Doc series will so far be my favorite, but this will probably be a close run to the Honor Harrington group.
Just keep the books well developed and long! Don't fall into the trap of so many authors by putting out quick short stories, (and selling them as novels!). Keep'em coming Cary Caffrey!! And we'll keep buying them.
I do love a good space opera! This is, so far, a good beginning to what promises to be lot's of fun!
Sigrid and her compatriots are full of surprises. The characters are well developed and there are plenty of twists and turns to the plots. And like all good future space war stories there are lots of double crossings, plots within plots and some nicely imaginative, if somewhat far fetched, scientific advances in the human genome.
Although I'm enjoying this and hope Mr Caffrey adds many more books to the series, I've always been a sucker for a good assortment of aliens. The Space Doc series will so far be my favorite, but this will probably be a close run to the Honor Harrington group.
Just keep the books well developed and long! Don't fall into the trap of so many authors by putting out quick short stories, (and selling them as novels!). Keep'em coming Cary Caffrey!! And we'll keep buying them.
June 14, 2014
I disliked this book so much, I'm not even going to put the review on my blog. This book was rather sloppy. The story didn't flow as well. Nor was it as interesting and engaging as the first book. The battle scenes were tedious to read, and I could get no clear picture as to what was happening. Then not to mention the ending was just terrible. On his website it looks as if he is writing a third book, but at the end of this book it states 'The End', So I really don't know what to expect, and I don't even know if I'd want to read another book from this series from the way this book was written, I am not really sure what to expect if there is a third book. If not then the author should have just made one stand alone book instead of a good first book and a sloppy disorganized sequel.
February 27, 2017
I didn't write a review for this book when I finished it nearly 2 years ago, because I was so annoyed with the ending and had decided to just give up on the series.
I hate books with cliffhanger endings, its not like a TV program that you can watch next week to find out what happens. Its been 2 years!!!!! However, I really did like the first book, so eventually I have decided to have a look for the third book, I just hope the author doesn't do this again.
I hate books with cliffhanger endings, its not like a TV program that you can watch next week to find out what happens. Its been 2 years!!!!! However, I really did like the first book, so eventually I have decided to have a look for the third book, I just hope the author doesn't do this again.
November 30, 2013
I really enjoyed the first book, but something was missing from this one. I just didn't feel as invested in it. While I was reading, it carried me along, but any time I would put it down, I didn't feel that push to pick it back up and continue. I think the action overrode the depth of story and characters on this one. It's clearly a transition to the next novel, which I hope will return to the enveloping nature of the first.
August 14, 2014
Fun in an action movie kind of way, with "game-changing" cliffhanger ending, just like in a season finale.
Not liking the sort of amateurish cover art in these books.
There were references to falling to Earth (with capital E) although the events occurred on another world (the titular Bellatrix).
Not liking the sort of amateurish cover art in these books.
There were references to falling to Earth (with capital E) although the events occurred on another world (the titular Bellatrix).
January 4, 2015
Another nice story, not as, I don't know, unique maybe? still good but not as great as the first one. And the end was really shitty, because of that I give only 4 stars. Unlike the first ending that gave opportunities and much room for imagining how it could continue with this ending you can't really do anything but wait for the next book.
June 5, 2014
I love Sigrid and Suko. This was a great follow up to the first book in the series, The Girls From Alcyone.
If you like futuristic sci-fi with genetically and cybernetically enhanced lesbian killing machines (with hearts of gold, of course), then this is probably right up your alley.
If you like futuristic sci-fi with genetically and cybernetically enhanced lesbian killing machines (with hearts of gold, of course), then this is probably right up your alley.
November 10, 2013
Cliffhanger ending.
December 22, 2013
The cover pretty much says it all. A bit formulaic and not what the first book was.
June 12, 2016
OK follow up book to the series. just kind of dragged on. Giving up on this series as it didn't keep my interest.
February 2, 2014
It was a long time since I read The Girls From Alcyone, so I had to piece together the memories of that one while reading this one.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
Overall, I enjoyed it.
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