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The Valkeryn Chronicles #2
The Dark Lands
The wolf lives inside us all
Valkeryn has fallen, the great king dead, and the Wolfen scattered. The monstrous Lygon and Panterran now rule. Arnold 'Arn' Singer, the youth from the past and perhaps the last human beingalive on the planet, flees to the dark lands with the heir to the throne.
He seeks answers to the missing Ancients - Arn's ancestors - mankind itself.
But back in his time the world continues to destabilize. The time distortion the mighty Tevatroncollider created is growing larger and beginning to consume everything around it. The gatewayvortex must be closed, Arn holds the key, and our world and its future is at stake.
Colonel Marion Briggs leads a team of Special Operations soldiers into the distant future world, fullyarmed and with one order - bring back Arn or his body. But there are more dangers in this strangeand beautiful world than anyone knew. More horrors dwell in the deep jungles, below the inlandseas and deep below the earth. There are things that can change the shape of two worlds, tear atsanity, and stretch friendships and loves to the limit.
Valkeryn has fallen, the great king dead, and the Wolfen scattered. The monstrous Lygon and Panterran now rule. Arnold 'Arn' Singer, the youth from the past and perhaps the last human beingalive on the planet, flees to the dark lands with the heir to the throne.
He seeks answers to the missing Ancients - Arn's ancestors - mankind itself.
But back in his time the world continues to destabilize. The time distortion the mighty Tevatroncollider created is growing larger and beginning to consume everything around it. The gatewayvortex must be closed, Arn holds the key, and our world and its future is at stake.
Colonel Marion Briggs leads a team of Special Operations soldiers into the distant future world, fullyarmed and with one order - bring back Arn or his body. But there are more dangers in this strangeand beautiful world than anyone knew. More horrors dwell in the deep jungles, below the inlandseas and deep below the earth. There are things that can change the shape of two worlds, tear atsanity, and stretch friendships and loves to the limit.
400 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2013
43 people are currently reading
616 people want to read
About the author
Greig Beck
46 books1,147 followersHi GoodReaders, I’m an Australian author residing in Sydney with my wife, son and a mad Golden Retriever named Jessie. My novels are now available globally, also in Large Print and now in full AUDIO format.
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
I grew up spending my days surfing at Bondi Beach before entering a career in Information technology which took me around the world. After completing an MBA, i was appointed both an Australasian director of a multinational software company, and tasked with setting up the USA arm of the organisation.
Today, I spend most of my time writing... with plenty left over for surfing.
More information about me and my works can be found at either www.greigbeck.com, or join me on FaceBook (Greig Beck Author).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 23, 2022
A powerful conclusion to the series, though at times it feels like it’s trying to do a bit too much and too fast. It can feel a bit rushed but overall it manages to wrap things up with a very satisfying ending.
May 17, 2015
A well written sequel to 'The Return of the Ancients', and the character development is now present which seemed to be missing from the first book. Once again the reader gets to follow Arn as he searches, not only for answers about what happened to mankind, but also seeks the Far Wolfen with Grimson.
Meanwhile in present times chaos is threatening after the particle collider accident which took Arn into the future. Fermilab is placed under military control, and out of the hands of the scientist's hands. A rescue mission is mounted to try and locate Arn and the Ruby Diamond, but not everything goes as planned. There are plenty of oddities which Arn and Grimson meet on their quest, but can they save the days in their respective time lines? Various battles are fought, with friend becoming foe, and vice versa. So if you enjoyed the first book, you will also like the sequel.
Meanwhile in present times chaos is threatening after the particle collider accident which took Arn into the future. Fermilab is placed under military control, and out of the hands of the scientist's hands. A rescue mission is mounted to try and locate Arn and the Ruby Diamond, but not everything goes as planned. There are plenty of oddities which Arn and Grimson meet on their quest, but can they save the days in their respective time lines? Various battles are fought, with friend becoming foe, and vice versa. So if you enjoyed the first book, you will also like the sequel.
November 26, 2013
Just finished reading the second book in this series and boy it was brilliant, it was even better than the first book Return of the Ancients. It had more military action in this book and the action never lets up. Greig has not written a bad story yet and I have thoroughly enjoyed all his books. Just do yourself a favour and read it, you won't be disappointed.
November 14, 2015
I've had a great run with books of late, and The Dark Lands is no exception. Brilliantly told, fantastic battle scenes, and unending tension that keeps you on your toes. Loved it, but sorry to see it end.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
November 27, 2022
Before I say anything I most warn you that I was in for a shock when this book has an open-ending type. You’re given what happen and possibly what could’ve(did) if you look at this from a non-linear perspective in timeline events.
The story finishes most of the major events and the evil cat-people get the fur all kick-out of them real good don’t want spoiler it but ya it’s a war war of different ages savagely done right. Do I felt at time side chacthers of page actions where left dry like in scene a chacther brings wolf slllies but not any detsil on where they were found are how he got them to the battle so fast but that was what I can the author saving on write to stick the battle scenes of later chs.
I truly Greig Beck makes a third book or a tie-in series for this has I really want the details of what really happened.
The story finishes most of the major events and the evil cat-people get the fur all kick-out of them real good don’t want spoiler it but ya it’s a war war of different ages savagely done right. Do I felt at time side chacthers of page actions where left dry like in scene a chacther brings wolf slllies but not any detsil on where they were found are how he got them to the battle so fast but that was what I can the author saving on write to stick the battle scenes of later chs.
I truly Greig Beck makes a third book or a tie-in series for this has I really want the details of what really happened.
February 1, 2022
After reading the first book, I couldn't not read this one straight after, I just needed to know what happened next just as I now wish there was a third so that again I could see what happens next....
I love this world that's been created, I love the characters, their fury, their passion, their all or nothing emotions and mentality. There are some huge changes for the characters, one in particular of which I felt was perfectly done, and the evolution of the story has been a journey of it's own...yet another fantastic read.... The creatures are unimaginable and get bigger, the teeth get sharper, the foes grow in number and even some pretty big, unexpected allies come to aid in what is a world changing battle. These two books are definately up there in my top set of favourite series.
I love this world that's been created, I love the characters, their fury, their passion, their all or nothing emotions and mentality. There are some huge changes for the characters, one in particular of which I felt was perfectly done, and the evolution of the story has been a journey of it's own...yet another fantastic read.... The creatures are unimaginable and get bigger, the teeth get sharper, the foes grow in number and even some pretty big, unexpected allies come to aid in what is a world changing battle. These two books are definately up there in my top set of favourite series.
October 31, 2022
Great book
Great series. This book was all so believable, and had a tremendous cast. I enjoyed these books so much I read both in about a week. It has it all, love, hate, action, suspense and adventure, and some comedy thrown in. All I can do is recommend to all. Might not be for young ones as there is a lot of blood and guts and lots of killing.
Great series. This book was all so believable, and had a tremendous cast. I enjoyed these books so much I read both in about a week. It has it all, love, hate, action, suspense and adventure, and some comedy thrown in. All I can do is recommend to all. Might not be for young ones as there is a lot of blood and guts and lots of killing.
April 7, 2023
For a YA book it was pretty entertaining. The action was pretty intense and he did include a lot of action. Not so much character development in this book unfortunately. I wish he would have written this as a two-parter and added more detail but that's just my own personal preference. I do recommend this series to anyone it is pretty captivating.
March 14, 2022
Fantastic ending to a series that had it all, action, adventure, romance, a fantasy and real world setting, time travel, monsters and noble creatures and some heartwarming moments with fantastic character growth.
This book deserves more attention then it has gotten.
A fantastic read.
This book deserves more attention then it has gotten.
A fantastic read.
March 21, 2019
I am so glad that I decided to read Book 2. What an imagination. Fun story to read. At first I thought it was too YA, but, I am glad I was wrong. I am glad that you can get it on Kindle now.
March 19, 2021
The Dark Lands
Better than the first Valkeryn if that’s possible. I need another Valkeryn book . So far I haven’t been disappointed all of his books are good.
Better than the first Valkeryn if that’s possible. I need another Valkeryn book . So far I haven’t been disappointed all of his books are good.
May 26, 2021
Great read
I gave it 5 stars because the story held my attention straight through until the end of the second book. Gripping storyline with a brand new approach to wolves and man
I gave it 5 stars because the story held my attention straight through until the end of the second book. Gripping storyline with a brand new approach to wolves and man
August 25, 2022
finally finished... and i didn't like the book, but that is just bc this book wasn't my cup of tea.
February 1, 2024
Brilliant story good against evil some good twists and turns
July 1, 2014
Life changed quickly for Arn Singer, he was on a field trip at the fermilab in Illinois and while holding a crystal was accidentally transported through time. He is still on Earth but in the future and everything has changed. He was taken in by a group of wolf like creatures called the Valkeryn. They were at war with the other creatures on earth called the Lygon and Panterran. Arn was just a bored teenager with a crush on a girl who thought he was a geek. Now he is seen by the Valkeryn as the one that can save them. This is the story behind Return Of The Ancients: The Valkeryn Chronicles 1.
In Valkeryn 2: The Dark Lands by Greig Beck the wolfen empire has fallen and Arn is on the run in a harsh jungle with the young Valkeryn prince in his care. There are other wolfen survivors including the princess and some scattered warriors, but things look bleak. Back in present day earth the marines are planning on entering future earth to retrieve Arn and the Crystal that sent him there. Without the crystal present day earth is lost and so is the future. To make things more complicated the girl who Arn is in love with is on her way to save Arn. Arn needs all the help he can get to survive against the blood thirsty creatures in the future.
The Dark Lands is a multi-layerd action adventure that has a lot going on. This book has a love story, battle scenes, strange creatures, time travel and several heroes and villains. This is an epic fantasy full of twists and turns. The characters are all well-developed and go through a lot of changes and come out different in the end. In the beginning there is a line about a good wolf andbad wolf fighting for control. The one that wins is the one that you feed. Unlike some fantasy novels there are no shades of grey here, its good versus evil and all of the good characters get put to the test and sometimes evil wins out.
My favorite part of this book was the love triangle between Arn, the girl he loves named Becky and the Wolfen Princess Eilif. I liked how Becky is not really interested in Arn until she looses him and then she is willing to risk her life to save him. Elif is like a normal teen girl and is more in love with a fantasy version of Arn rather than the real person. Then we have Arn himself who changes throughout the book. He isn’t interested in either girl, what he really cares about is surviving in the harsh jungle environment and keeping Prince Grimson alive. In one of my favorite scenes Elif and Becky are in a jail cell together and they kind of instinctively know they are in competition with each other, they exchange insults even though they’re not sure if Arn is really alive.
Along with the love story there are epic fight scenes in Valkeryn 2. It’s hard to pick a favorite action sequence in this book but I think my favorite was when three marines are forced to fight in an arena surrounded by hostile creatures. The ending of the battle shocked me and I had to reread it again because I couldn’t believe it. Lets just say things get gruesome. I think the main point of this book was that you always have to have hope. All the main characters suffer and battle impossible odds for survival, they don’t loose hope and come out stronger literally and figuratively, if you read the book you’ll understand. The Dark Lands Valkeryn 2 creates its own mythology and is one exciting adventure that you don’t want to miss.
In Valkeryn 2: The Dark Lands by Greig Beck the wolfen empire has fallen and Arn is on the run in a harsh jungle with the young Valkeryn prince in his care. There are other wolfen survivors including the princess and some scattered warriors, but things look bleak. Back in present day earth the marines are planning on entering future earth to retrieve Arn and the Crystal that sent him there. Without the crystal present day earth is lost and so is the future. To make things more complicated the girl who Arn is in love with is on her way to save Arn. Arn needs all the help he can get to survive against the blood thirsty creatures in the future.
The Dark Lands is a multi-layerd action adventure that has a lot going on. This book has a love story, battle scenes, strange creatures, time travel and several heroes and villains. This is an epic fantasy full of twists and turns. The characters are all well-developed and go through a lot of changes and come out different in the end. In the beginning there is a line about a good wolf andbad wolf fighting for control. The one that wins is the one that you feed. Unlike some fantasy novels there are no shades of grey here, its good versus evil and all of the good characters get put to the test and sometimes evil wins out.
My favorite part of this book was the love triangle between Arn, the girl he loves named Becky and the Wolfen Princess Eilif. I liked how Becky is not really interested in Arn until she looses him and then she is willing to risk her life to save him. Elif is like a normal teen girl and is more in love with a fantasy version of Arn rather than the real person. Then we have Arn himself who changes throughout the book. He isn’t interested in either girl, what he really cares about is surviving in the harsh jungle environment and keeping Prince Grimson alive. In one of my favorite scenes Elif and Becky are in a jail cell together and they kind of instinctively know they are in competition with each other, they exchange insults even though they’re not sure if Arn is really alive.
Along with the love story there are epic fight scenes in Valkeryn 2. It’s hard to pick a favorite action sequence in this book but I think my favorite was when three marines are forced to fight in an arena surrounded by hostile creatures. The ending of the battle shocked me and I had to reread it again because I couldn’t believe it. Lets just say things get gruesome. I think the main point of this book was that you always have to have hope. All the main characters suffer and battle impossible odds for survival, they don’t loose hope and come out stronger literally and figuratively, if you read the book you’ll understand. The Dark Lands Valkeryn 2 creates its own mythology and is one exciting adventure that you don’t want to miss.
May 25, 2014
I gave this 2 stars. Don't get me wrong here, I like the characters and the idea of the book, in fact that's why I read the 2nd one. The problem is realism.
Part of that I think stems from an Aussie trying to describe Delta Force operatives and how the government would handle such a situation.
1st off, it's pretty much Hoo-rah!! not hua. 2ndly, if the entirety of the planet depended on retrieving that diamond, then there is no way they'd only send about 20 deltas in there. They'd have entire platoons in there once the portal was scouted.
Edward and Becky going in as easy as they did, made zero sense. Not only that but going in as easily as they did even heightened the incredulity. Further, near the end, they left the diamond in the hands of a whiny girl and a geeky guy, even though throughout the deltas time in the future, they kept saying that everything depended on getting that diamond back thru the portal.
And going further, the whole romance between Becky and Arnold was non-existent. Definitely no love connection there, thus no reason for her to even go and risk her life. Just didn't make any sense other than to try and throw in the awkward who would Arnold pick, which was blatantly obvious.
That being said though, I did like the imagination of some of the tech. I like the overall vision of the future. What I would have wished for was to add more about the guardians, they seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought with no purpose. So unless there is a plan for them in the 3rd book, even basically having them in other than to kind of show where the wolfen came from was pointless.
Part of that I think stems from an Aussie trying to describe Delta Force operatives and how the government would handle such a situation.
1st off, it's pretty much Hoo-rah!! not hua. 2ndly, if the entirety of the planet depended on retrieving that diamond, then there is no way they'd only send about 20 deltas in there. They'd have entire platoons in there once the portal was scouted.
Edward and Becky going in as easy as they did, made zero sense. Not only that but going in as easily as they did even heightened the incredulity. Further, near the end, they left the diamond in the hands of a whiny girl and a geeky guy, even though throughout the deltas time in the future, they kept saying that everything depended on getting that diamond back thru the portal.
And going further, the whole romance between Becky and Arnold was non-existent. Definitely no love connection there, thus no reason for her to even go and risk her life. Just didn't make any sense other than to try and throw in the awkward who would Arnold pick, which was blatantly obvious.
That being said though, I did like the imagination of some of the tech. I like the overall vision of the future. What I would have wished for was to add more about the guardians, they seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought with no purpose. So unless there is a plan for them in the 3rd book, even basically having them in other than to kind of show where the wolfen came from was pointless.
May 7, 2016
Great conclusion
Greig Beck's Valkeryn Chronicles comes to a close in this second book which ties up loose ends and brings the story to a conclusion. Beck deftly mixes sci-fi with fantasy and gives us a world that is populated by creatures evolved after the fall of Man. There are some rather pointless characters in this second book which could have been cut out to improve the overall flow of the story. Nevertheless a good read and a nice conclusion to this story. Hopefully he'll revisit it with more books set in the same world.
Greig Beck's Valkeryn Chronicles comes to a close in this second book which ties up loose ends and brings the story to a conclusion. Beck deftly mixes sci-fi with fantasy and gives us a world that is populated by creatures evolved after the fall of Man. There are some rather pointless characters in this second book which could have been cut out to improve the overall flow of the story. Nevertheless a good read and a nice conclusion to this story. Hopefully he'll revisit it with more books set in the same world.
August 4, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I've grown to love the works of this author and while this is/was a young young adult novel, I actually liked it. The story was wrapped up neatly and characters showed growth..well the important ones at least. There were a few things that seemed implausible but didn't detract from the storyline too much.
Another good job by Grieg Beck
I've grown to love the works of this author and while this is/was a young young adult novel, I actually liked it. The story was wrapped up neatly and characters showed growth..well the important ones at least. There were a few things that seemed implausible but didn't detract from the storyline too much.
Another good job by Grieg Beck
May 18, 2014
Brilliant
April 6, 2014
Great conclusion to an imaginative series. Have read everything by Greig Beck and he does no disappoint. Looking forward to Gorgon and his involvement in new SNAFU series
July 6, 2014
I really enjoyed that one . And by the way it ended , I really hope there will have to be a sequel . Fingers crossed
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November 23, 2013Great sequel
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews