The Invisible War

Dark Space #2

by Jasper T. Scott

THEIR SHIP IS DAMAGED
Ethan Ortane has just met his long lost son, Atton, but the circumstances could have been better. After a devastating bio-attack and the ensuing battle, they've fled Dark Space aboard the Defiant to get away from the crime lord, Alec Brondi, who's just stolen the most powerful vessel left in the Imperial Fleet--the Valiant, a 5-kilometer-long gladiator-class carrier.
THEY ARE LOW ON FUEL
They need reinforcements to face Brondi, but beyond Dark Space the comm relays are all down, meaning that they must cross Sythian Space to contact the rest of the fleet. Making matters worse, they are low on fuel, so they can't jump straight there. They'll have to travel on the space lanes to save fuel, but the lanes are controlled by Sythians now, and they are fraught with entire fleets of cloaked alien ships.
AND THERE IS NO WAY OUT
With Brondi behind them, they can't go back, and they can't afford to leave the last human sector in the galaxy to the crime lords, so they must cross through enemy territory in the Defiant, a damaged, badly undermanned cruiser with no cloaking device. Making matter worse, trouble is brewing aboard the cruiser, dropping their chances of survival from slim... to none.

Genres: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Fiction, Adventure, Science Fiction Fantasy, Audiobook, Amazon

370 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 2013

About the author

Jasper Scott is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 20 sci-fi novels. With over a million books sold, Jasper's work has been translated into various languages and published around the world.

Jasper writes fast-paced books with unexpected twists and flawed characters. Join the author's mailing list to get two FREE books: https://files.jaspertscott.com/mailin...

Reviews

[Phil · Rating 2 out of 5]

I do not know why I kinda like this series, but if you are in the mood for a mindless military space opera, you might enjoy it also. In the first volume, we learned that the empire of humanity was essentially wiped out by aliens from nearby galactic cluster and the remnants of humanity are in a what was formally a penal colony called 'dark space'. Our main protagonist, Ethan, is a former smuggler that ran afoul of the biggest mob boss in dark space, and was unwittingly used to carry a bioengineered plague to the flagship of the fleet that has holed up in dark space. It works-- just about everyone died, but Ethan, along with a handful of survivors manages to flee the ship and exit dark space, hoping to link up with another remnant of humanity. The Invisible War chronicles the adventures of the escaped fleet ship Defiant as it has to cross alien controlled space, but of course runs into all kinds of trials and tribulations along the way...

Scott must have grown up on Star Wars and Battlestar Galatica as this features 'novas' as space fighters seemingly always in battle with the alien 'clamshells', and always ridiculously outnumbered. Basically, this is one non-stop action thriller employing every trope in the genre. Nonetheless, if you can get by the silliness, Scott gives us plenty of outrageous twists and turns and keeps the story moving along at a great pace. Pulp space opera right out of the Golden Age, and no, not updated for modern sensibilities. 2 battlestars!!

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining space listening 🎶🔰

Another will written space opera fantasy world 🌎 paranormal family and friends relationships adventure thriller novel by Jasper T. Scott (Dark Space book two). I had a difficult time tying this novel with book one although it has been a period time since I listened 🎶 to book one. Give it a try it may work for you. I continue on to book three. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa read all kinds of different books 📚. 2023 😀😯👒

Jasper T. Scott is one of my favorite authors. Happy reading in 2023🌙
There are just too many authors and/or series that I enjoy, oh such fun HA HA happy day

[Brian Wilkerson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Jasper Scott asked me to review his second Dark Space Novel, Invisible War. I gave his first book an A+ , and to this day it shares this honor with few others. I had high expectations of this book, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. I will examine Plot, Characters, and Polish before assigning a grade.

PLOT

There are a lot of problems here. 1.) The title says "Invisible War" but it's more like a roadtrip with bickering children. 2.) The stupidity of many characters. 3.) The Scythians' disparity of power. 4.) There are three (possibly four) plotlines in this story that never intersect and have no bearing on each other. 5.) There's no resolution for any of the plotlines at the end of the book.


The main plot is entirely moving from Point A to Point B. I figured, "Okay, they'll be there by the end of the next chapter and then we can move on." Instead of a quick trip, the event is stretched out over hundreds of pages. The interludes to other plotlines make it feel even longer. There's no plot development. It's just a series of things going wrong to make the overall situation worse. By the end it was starting to feel like there was a sadistic game master in charge of this plot instead of the talented author from the last one.


Everyone's carrying an idiot ball to facilitate this cosmic train wreck.
1. The previous overlord made a video of the "holo-skinner disguised as the overlord" thing, including directions where to find spare holoskins, it's labeled "legacy" and Atton doesn't delete it when the Big Bad is moments from taking over his ship. You'd think he'd have a "Emergency Delete" program for a case like this. This leads to Brondi's expanded evil plan.
2. Ethan makes no attempt to resemble the previous overlord except for his holo-skin, which makes everyone suspicious of him, and he steamrolls people with Supreme Overlord authority. This makes everyone happy to overthrow him. He gives Kurlin a sample of his blood which leads to the man learning his secret, and when blackmail comes, he fails to point out that Kurlin and himself were in a position of Mutually Assured Destruction until it was no longer helpful, and instead, a spiteful Taking-You-With-Me move.
3. In addition to his failed computer security, Atton silences loose ends in the worst possible way which makes him look worse later. On Tvtropes, it's what we call a "Revealing Cover Up".
4. Kurlin is obsessed with getting off the Vailant because he thinks its dangerous despite the entire universe being dangerous to humans at this point. For some reason he thinks he will be safer in one space station than another when both are in enemy territory.

There are three plotlines here (maybe four). There's the ship moving to Obsidan Station, Brondie dealing with an invisible soldier in his stolen ship, and Destra (Ethan's wife) doing stuff ten years before this story starts. None of them intersect or influence each other. Anyone of these could be a full story (and no doubt a good one based on the last book) if they were given the space of a full book, but they're not. They're compressed together and the author switches based on a reason that I cannot fathom. It's the same mistake highschoolers and college freshman make; your premise is not specific enough and so your paper is a generalized and unfocused mess. It's especially appalling because the first book was so focused and cohesive.

There is no ending for any of the storylines. The action simply cuts off at the darkest point. It's that Goading Cliffhanger that infuriates me. It's not an author tactic; it's a business tactic. I don't like being left hanging. I want closure for the book's conflict, especially in a series. To do otherwise is lazy and greedy.

CHARACTERS

From a character perspective, the only good part of this story was Alara's identity crisis. In the last story, a slave chip was implanted in her that overrode her personality with a different one and the bulk of her scenes in this plot are about her dealing with that dissonance. It was interesting to see her perspective on it contrasted with that of others that knew her before, and those that didn't.

The section on Idiot Balls from the previous section states how I feel about the other characters.

The Scythians are still a void. After two stories I expect to learn something about them but I know nothing about them. They might as well be random space monsters for all the influence they have on the plot. It was okay in the first book because they were in the background, but now they're not, and so I want to see some motivation.

POLISH

Nothing major in terms of spelling or grammar. The only polishing problem is the story splicing mentioned earlier.

I considered giving this book the lowest grade but I ultimately decided against that. It has some good points and it's not as bad as another book I reviewed.

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Dark Space II: Invisible War" a D-

This is a free review request. I received nothing for it except a free copy of the book.

[Clay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall this was pretty dull. I didn't care for any of the characters, not because of what they did, but because they all seemed so bland. Not much really happens apart from some space battles and everyone ends up stranded in space or on an unhospitable planet awaiting death at the end of the book.

One of the more aggravating bits in the book for me was going back and forth between events that happened ten years prior to "present time" to follow a minor character (first introduced here) and see her story unfold but not connect it up with the rest of the narrative, nor resolve itself. I guess all this is to entice the reader to get the 3rd book in the sequence, but I don't think I'll be falling for that on this series.

[Cynthia Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the Invisible War. We finally get to see the full strength of the Synthian army. No wonder humans didn't stand a chance! I hope to learn more about their motivations in future books.

The shift from Ethan (Overlord) was a little strange. He also seemed to have change a bit, his decisions seemed a bit harsher. He's a bit uneven tempered.

However, I really enjoyed the focus on Alara. Previously she was a little one dimensional so it was nice for her to turn into someone I could really root for. Same goes for Destra. It's nice when an author can get kick ass female charectors into a story.

The space fighting was well done. It's hard for me to keep up with scenes like those but I was able to in this book.

I'm really loving this series! I'm just dying to get some answers and Mr. Scott sure knows how to create cliff hangers!

[Scott Whitmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a brief prologue, Dark Space (Book 2): The Invisible War by Jasper T. Scott (@JasperTScott) picks up right where the action-packed first book of the series left off (see my review) with more of the same. It makes for a fun, fast-moving popcorn-movie type of read.

In his bid to rule Dark Space, the isolated part of the galaxy that had become humanity’s hiding place after losing a devastating war to the alien Sythians, crime boss Alec Brondi captures the largest remaining human warship by unleashing a devastating biologic weapon.

Led by former smuggler Ethan Ortane and his son Atton, a small contingent escapes from Brondi by passing through a jump gate into Sythian-controlled space. Their only hope to re-capture Dark Space is to link up with the isolated remnants of humans resisting the skull-faced conqueror aliens, who possess cloaking technology that allows them to become invisible to human eyes and sensors.

As if fighting through enemy-controlled space isn’t hard enough, there are plenty of other obstacles for Ethan and his son to overcome, including the threat of their crew discovering some unsavory secrets about them. Atton is the latest in a long line impersonating the Supreme Overlord and it was his father who — unwittingly — delivered the deadly bio-agent that killed tens of thousands as the centerpiece of Brondi’s plan. And then there is that highly unusual passenger located in the lower part of the ship…

Dark Space 2: The Invisible War is both a sequel and a prequel, as the narrative shifts to explain how Destra Ortane, mother of Atton and wife of Ethan, survived the initial Sythian assault on her planet ten years earlier. I enjoyed Destra’s story just as much as the main plot involving Ethan and Atton, and I hope she plays an even larger role in the future.

The various plot threads of the book end in a series of cliffhangers that have me anticipating the next installment in this series. For more on the author and his writing, visit his website.

[Michael Pang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look to my review of book #1, much of the same (the space battles, etc.) with definite improvements by the author. I like the addition of some backstory (flashbacks in time to discover what happened to main character's wife) which was interesting. It appears that the author expanded and grew while writing this sequel to his debut. In short, everything you liked from the 1st book plus some added depth to the overall story.

[Guerino · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story reminds me of battlestar galactica

[Remy G · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second installment of author Jasper T. Scott’s Dark Space series does not immediately continue its predecessor’s events, but rather begins a decade before the franchise’s “present” with the villainous Sythians attacking Roka City and its population evacuating, among them being Destra Ortane, whose son Atton he allows her uncle Captain Reichland to take care of. There are many intermediary sections within the text following the adventures of Destra, who joins a man and woman named Digger and Lessie, along with their son Dean, and takes care of a wounded officer, their events ending on a planet paradoxically hot and cold.

The “current” events open ten years After Exodus (AE), with the antagonistic Alec Brondi listening to enemy transmissions, vowing vengeance against those who had stolen the Kavarath, with the Defiant lost as well, further surprised that a nearby Dark Gate is working, and quickly implodes. The forces of good, spearheaded by protagonist Ethan Ortane, recently reunited with his son Atton, seek alliance with enemies of the Sythians, the Gors, one named Tova seeking her mate Roan, who sporadically wreaks havoc aboard the Valiant. Throughout the book, the forces of the Imperium seek contact with Obsidian Station, from which Tova can contact other Gors.

Meanwhile, Ethan continues to mend his relationship with Alara, who still thinks her name is Angel due to intervention by Brondi, and she simultaneously makes an effort to become a star pilot, doing well in training, also dealing with her parents Dr. Kurlin and Darla, who also seek to rekindle her true memories. The use of holoskins to impersonate certain luminaries serves as a lynchpin in the major plot twists of the story, with Ethan and Kurlin ultimately receiving repercussion for their actions in the first book and partway through the second.

The mystery of what awaits the forces of good at Obsidian Station serves as a driving point throughout the story, which is overall a satisfactory read, being generally straightforward and consequentially easy to follow, the backstory on Destra Ortane keeping the narrative fresh and providing good backstory to the “present” events of the series. The division of the chapters into subchapters, however, would have been welcome to both clearly indicate a change of perspective regards to location and characters and make the book readable in smaller bursts. Regardless, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this story to those who enjoyed its precursor.

[Daniel Kupres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part 2, as we continue to follow Ethan and Alara and their subsequent capture by the crime lord Brondi. Brondi’s plot is to take over the last remnants of the Imperium by capturing the Overlord’s ship and the approximately 50,000 occupants by sending Ethan to do the job. Once his mission is complete, his debt will be paid off and Alara will be set free for them to live happily ever after, except that he’s still devoted to his wife that may or may not be alive.

Part of Brondi’s approach to his takeover, was to blackmail a doctor into creating a virus that only they had the cure to, which he infected Ethan with. Once Ethan is sent on his mission, via a Nova pilot who, they captured and through the holoskin technology infiltrates the ship and infects the ship.

This is where it gets a little too convenient. The Overlord is a holoskinner himself and discovers Ethan is also and reveals himself to be his long lost son Atton. When they discover each other, they swap places and prepare for Brondi, only to have to abandon ship with a smaller ship and Brondi’s personal Corvette. It is then after stealing his ship that Ethan learns that the doctor who created the virus is being held captive as well as Alara but she is now Angel the pleasure girl as she has had a slave chip implanted. As she battles with her identity, Ethan and Atton set out plan to take back their ship with a skeleton crew but with a secret weapon.

While this series may not be for everyone, I thoroughly enjoy it and find this one to be better than the first book. Its entertainment!

[Eddie Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book in the series was not good, but somehow it managed. All the way until the very lame reveal at the end. The second (this one) starts with a series of pathetic reveals and surprises (weird, new, hitherto unknown alien races, that look just like humans, only a bit bigger, a missing, presumed dead wife/mother following in the wake of the missing, presumed dead son). And then, the miserable vocabulary (with words like "frek" -- really, what's wrong with, jasper t sconn? can't you say the most common word in the English fucking language?), it's just too much. I had to lay it down.

[Asl4u · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed this book even more than the first - the only thing i wish is the the writer understand that simply changing a letter in a word does not change the profanity. If your characters are going to say fuck - just make it fuck. you’re not fooling anyone - with Frack and crack and you’re not reducing the PG rating - you’re simply calling attention to the fact that you know you’re being socially inappropriate.

[Gwen Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

well, that's a lot of twists and turns. Who knows who is who? Holoskinners make an interesting twist to follow people and trying to keep the truths and the lies straight is a job unto itself. And Alara/Kiddie/Angel - if only she could remember who she is and how she knows how to fly the Mark I and a corvette. Great skills to have when you don't know who you are. Then things really start to unravel. Now I can't wait to get into the third book in this series.

[odedo1 Audio book worm. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continues enjoyment !


Jasper T. Scott continue with a great enjoyable writing of the Dark Space series.
Beautiful characters, two different aliens at war with each other, a mutiny and much much more which is simple to understand, easy readings or listening.
Just science-fiction fun !

All that is wrapped by the perfect narration of William Dufris.

Recommended with all my heart for a fun weekend in bed.

Oded Ostfeld.

[Gareth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good so far

I'm enjoying this series of books. This one took me a lot longer to finish as I was very busy between but it is written good enough that you can jump back into it relatively easily. The story can go in any direction at the moment. As a bit of a miserable sod I'm enjoying the crap situations that the characters keep finding themselves in! Good so far

[John F. Wells Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great chapter for Ethan and Allara, Brondi is imprisoned and all seems well. Hopefully the Gor will be treated fairly as they try to remain free from being used as slaves. It will be interesting to see what direction Atta takes with the fleet and will Gina ever not be angry.I will be starting the fourth book soon.

[C.M. Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan Ortane finds the son he thought lost to him forever is still very much alive. Now they are fleeing the Crime lord who blackmailed Ethan in to helping him take over one of the most formidable Military ships left to mankind. Fleeing Brondi into hostile enemy space they face danger at every turn. Sci-Fi at its best.

[Wenzel Roessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is like a fast food version of a military soap opera space science fiction story, it fills you up but it's not good for you! If 99% of the people you worked with on a spaceship were killed and you had to escape through space deep in the enemy territory, hopelessly outmatched and outgunned, wouldn't this bother you? The characters in this book seem to take it all in stride.

[Sotolf Flasskjegg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another high quality book, and though it feels a bit like a transport from the first to the third book it has some really good moments, it seems like everything I pick up by Scott is well worth a read, so I'll for sure continue on with the series, great book.

[Alon Lankri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good continuation, the stakes keep rising and the arcs interweave well. But the Destra and Alara arcs I find unnecessary, telling vs implying. I found myself flipping through them. The female characters here are flat.

[Mrs. Rita W. Bantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting SF, but not as free flowing as I would have liked.

A complicated but interesting plot, unfortunately using contrived names. Lacked character identification and memorable heros. But I am left wanting more.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dark Space series is deeply engaging with likable (or not) characters that are well developed and entertaining. I enjoyed book 2 The Invisible War as much as I did book one and now I’m ready for book 3 which is waiting for me in my Kindle, hurray.

Kindle Unlimited

[Keith A Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and enjoyable space story

Nice pace, develops multiple story lines, easy to follow considering its book #2. On to book 3 in the saga! I am hooked.

[Chris Lira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment. Pace and complexity right where I like them.

[Paul Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

Jasper does it again with the continuing story that draws you into the world of Dark Space and great characters. Can't wait to the next one.

[Juan 🇵🇷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first one, can't wait to pick the next installment.

[Arika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps you hooked

Good characters with lots of twists and turns. Could use more world building but doesnt take away from the fun.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survival

This one has more twists and turns , but it's definitely well able to keep your attention and keep you reading to the end , then wanting more.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intricate plot

Takes too long to sort out the who and why, and remains just a story - it never draws the reader in