Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
ASIN B00H913AIM moved to the most recent edition

“Buckle up--this is another crazy ride!”

The Scrapyard Ship sci-fi adventures continue with HAB 12, the second book in the series:

Captain Jason Reynolds faces new challenges, not only on Earth but from the far side of the universe as well. The only way to stop the Craing this time will be to square off with them on their home turf. 

Jason's been informed that three powerful Craing warships, having similar technology as The Lilly, will soon be en route to Earth. The Alliance must destroy the Craing's wormhole means of distant space travel to avert Earth's total annihilation. Unfortunately, there's no way to reach the Craing worlds in time, at least not through conventional means. 

It's up to Jason and his hand-picked assault team to traverse, by advanced phase-shifting means, through the hazardous environment of HAB 12. This is an adventure fraught with carnivores of a Jurassic Age magnitude, and a terrain so deadly that turning back may be their only hope of survival.

271 pages, ebook

First published December 8, 2013

325 people are currently reading
193 people want to read

About the author

Mark Wayne McGinnis

57 books278 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
554 (37%)
4 stars
503 (34%)
3 stars
303 (20%)
2 stars
89 (6%)
1 star
29 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Alastair McDermott.
Author 15 books12 followers
April 2, 2019
Abandoned

I wasn't crazy about book 1, but wanted to give this a chance. Unfortunately, the curve is going the wrong direction, so I'm out.

The final nail for me was when the squad of battle hardened Navy SEALs, along with their alien warrior allies, enter what they know is the absolutely most hostile environment accessible to them, filled with dangerous creatures that literally killed half their squad mates in the previous book. At this point, on entering the “hab”, they use up 100% of the charges of a weapon that can give them a massive tactical advantage, and meanwhile allow themselves to be surrounded, completely unnoticed, by the enemy.

Yes, while that is bad enough, in true Billy May's style, “but, wait, there's more!”

In the above scenario, it turns out that they haven't discussed and tested important changes to their main rifle design, which means they don't fire when expected. This is what we're expected to believe of these experienced, battle hardened Navy SEALs, the best of the best of them who have come through major fighting where they lost half their numbers.

Somehow I managed to struggle on. After what the main character describes as "an impromtu demonstration of the weapons system" about 6 hours into their journey, after a major battle - our inept SEAL team leader loses the majority of his alien warrior allies to a environmental issue, with a shrug and on we go. He walks into an obvious trap. Hey, those Navy SEALs obviously ain't what they used to be.

At this it's going from "so bad it's awful" to "so bad it's hilarious". We're talking approaching "Oh, John Ringo, No!" levels of ridiculous (featuring less prostitutes).

I'm trying, I really am, but this is too much.

(Yeah, spoilers whatever, if you want to read these, this review isn't what'll spoil you).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jim.
1,228 reviews50 followers
January 20, 2014
How Many Problems Can You Handle At One Time?

This book certainly takes off right where it left in the first book. Nothings happening until all of a sudden everything starts happening. After saving the Earth, Capt Reynolds seems to have lost touch with his outpost in New Mexico. Since that's his major and only operating base you'd think he would be keeping close contact wit it. Well he's not and since he left it with an Admiral who's a megalomaniac, she has taken over the place with her in charge of everything, naturally. OK, so Jason goes out there, gets captured and then takes back everything. End of uprising, end of that Admiral.

Then he finds out that the Craing are sending three ships just like the Lilly which must be stopped at all cost. After talking with some of the captured Craing, he finds out they have a wormhole generator which allows them to travel vast distances. Reynolds decides he needs to shut down this generator. So Ricket tells him how to shutdown the Craing wormhole generator, but, in order to get to the Craing system, they must go through the Zoo, and not through one of the easy sections either! So off he and some of his best warriors and support personnel. They only have to keep from getting eaten by the native wildlife or killed by some wild Craing.

Oh, now that the Captain is out on a mission his XO is in charge. He has the unfortunate luck to fall into a trap and pirates take over the Lilly. Captain Reynolds now has to shut down the Craing wormhole generator, get back to his ship and take back from the pirates while not getting his ex-wife and daughter killed.

This is just the middle of the book! I guarantee you'll get worn out reading this book. It's hard to put down so plan on losing some sleep. I hope this series keeps going for a good long while. It sure did end in a bad place, just when another BIG problem has come up!
1,420 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2018
Too fast, no thought

I really wanted to see how the story played out but the characters all act so stupidly in the face of challenges that it became irritating. The only characters that seem aware of their environment are the ex-wife and the eight year old daughter.

The plot moves way too fast, so that character development needn't occur. The flat characters have the same immediate reaction dialogue and no one thinks. This allows for badly plotted intrigues, betrayal and murder. If the plot slowed down for a moment instead of jumping from one easily side stepped crisis to the next, there might be an opportunity to see the logical structure of this universe.

The funniest episode was placing five hundred spaceships in the U.S. desert and imagining that the military or government, any military or government would not try to confiscate them. It never occurs to the main character to push for identifying all the enemy hybrids on the planet before rushing off to save the planet. It's also not clear just what the damage was to the Alliance fleet, except it was destroyed.

There is an unexplained super alien from an extinct race, who released control of super ships, yet no one questions the existence of the super alien. The AI tells characters that their new control was released by one of the extinct alien race. They respond with that's neat and go on about their routine.

This book made me sad rather than disappointed.
490 reviews25 followers
July 5, 2016
Immature, Ignorant, Sloppy, Lazy and Just Dumb

"HAB 12'" is Book 2 of the series. Fully read Book 1, thought maybe the potential merit of the story might overcome the numerous flaws and faults of the author. Book 2 proved the fallacy of that idea-made it to 65% and couldn't take the stupidity anymore and DNF.

The eBook author is frankly, ignorant, lazy and sloppy in his work. The science is beyond nonsensical, it's actually "fantastical," wholly removed from reality. The military knowledge is gleamed from CNN and cartoons, hence the author does not have a clue. The author repeats, repeats and doesn't expend any effort in a narrative or plots that can be remotely possible. He has characters that are both one-dimensional and unlikeable throughout. Lead character is so sexually fixated on both human women and alien beings (writer never clarified if other species "really" female or compatible), that no focus on multiple missions on hand, leading to lots of casualties and death. There are three (3) editors listed for the book. Really? If so, can you sue an editor for malpractice? The editing job is horrible.

The eBook author has, like so many, no sense of pride. To publish commercially such a total wreck of an eBook, shows only greed and hubris.

The eBook, series and author are not recommended.

Read via Kindle Unlimited.

253 reviews
July 18, 2014
This is were I lost a lot with the series. I mean a soldier would not use or take a weapon without test firing and working with it. It would be like taking a book off the self to read without reading the back or opening it to see if has words in it. NO one does that especially if it is meant to keep you alive! OK I am reaching for an example but the plot scenario ticked me off big time!!!!!
The problem was I bought this book and the next in the series at the same time. So I continued to read and overall it was OK but I am not enthused just to many character issues and plot problems. If I hadn't bought next book might have stopped. Will continue reading just with NO enthusism just wanting to see the end.
Profile Image for Michael.
Author 168 books38 followers
September 20, 2017
If you haven't read the first book in the series Scrapyard Ship (Scrapyard Ship Series), you should before tackling this one as most of this book won't make much sense. However, I'd caution you for making the time commitment with book one, and the possible expectation of enjoying a good series, as it went downhill for me in comparison to book one.

Similar to the first book in the series, this wasn't the best piece of science fiction I have read, nor was it the worst. It did, however, provide several opportunities for me to think "b.s." as some of the scenes and situations just weren't believable. At $3.99 for the Kindle version, in comparison to similarly-priced science fiction offerings, I was expecting a lot more - I would give this book and the series a pass.
39 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2015
Dig it up and party on

Amazing. Where do these Authors get the ideas from? Must be dreams, stuff they read, things they have done and seen. Thinking outside the box many of us are in.
This Sci-fi series is off to a good start, so I bought the entirety knowing I'll have a great time after reading book 1. Book 2 was good. Book 3 awaits.
And it all began in a scrapyard, who woulda thought. Very exciting, compelling tales of adventure. Thanks Mark
3,198 reviews26 followers
June 20, 2019
A MWM. SYFY. Novel (SSSB - 2)

An MWM. SYFY. novel, the second in the Scrapyard Ship series, which takes off from where the first novel left off. We find our intrepid heros fighting back against the invading aliens as they attempt to harvest humans. The hero of book 1 returns and gathers the American fighters he thinks he can trust, but the enemy have integrated themselves into American society at all levels. This is an excellent resd for the genre.....DEHS
302 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2014
A great second outing in this series, I am really enjoying this series and the speed at which these books are released, we dont have to wait long between cliff hangers! I love the technology and fresh ideas as well as the slowly unraveling of the mystery of the threats as well as the builders of the ship.

Scifi at its best, highly recommended.
Profile Image for Tim Karas.
8 reviews
June 4, 2015
It's even better than the first book in the series. To keep the enemy from sending 3 advanced space ships to Earth, part of the crew go through a portal in the zoo, so they can destroy massive lasers that form a wormhole. While the team is battling hazards between portals, their ship is captured by space pirates. Plenty of superb action!
4 reviews
January 4, 2014
Fun read

Just finished HAB 12 and look forward to the next installment of the
Scrapyard Ship series. Although it sometimes borders on fantasy it does stay within the bounds of ST. A page Turner.
8 reviews
June 10, 2015
Han 12

Ideally enjoyed the series thus far. I find the story innovative and captivating. The characters great and deverseifed. In short I can't wait to read the next one.
429 reviews3 followers
August 27, 2017
GREAT

This was another Great Book. I will continue to read the books in this series. I have really enjoyed this series.
Profile Image for Richard W. McCuistian.
156 reviews1 follower
June 30, 2019
It's hard to stop reading these - McGinnis is a lot of fun, and his books move rapidly and with a purpose. He's a great storyteller
3 reviews
November 29, 2019
Another enjoyable read

Another fast and wild space cowboy novel. Not deep but exciting. Wildly entertaining. Enjoy the ride. Need an action thriller? You got it.
4 reviews
February 16, 2023
Well written. Flows. SEALS would not let down their guard.

The author shows his fine skill. The novels flow. It isn't evident if a number of features in the storyline are original or borrowed. It could be that they are borrowed.
Biggest problem in the storyline takes place with the SEALS leadership and response during some of scene. SEALS are consumers warriors. When a hostile presents itself in a kill or be killed scene and the SEAL leadership just stands waiting for a response from the hostile biggie there is something wrong with the authors perception of highly trained top warriors response in the field.
One has to agree with some of the other people who have reviewed these novels when it comes to Captain Reynolds' ex-wife and daughter. The author could have saved us the trouble of getting to know these characters. I enjoyed one person's assessment and his dislike for these two characters. He expressed a wish that they be spaced early on in the storyline.
As we are aware that science fiction is fantasy, however, there are things in the storyline that appear weak. The biggest failure is how the author treats the SEALS performance as consulate and ultimate warriors. Lack of consistency is the biggest flaw.
For the most part the first novel in the series held up somewhat better than the second, but this reader tired of some of the characters early on, and consequently passed over certain passages as quickly as possible.
It is this readers opinion that the further reads would be rather tedious and most probably unworthy of the effort.
Profile Image for Jen.
2,170 reviews155 followers
April 8, 2024
OK are these Craing bad guys or wimps?

This was ok - well narrated by L. J. Ganser. But I have questions. Why is it the Captain always has to go on the away missions? Isn't he supposed to take care of the ship? And what's with the pirates? If you set up the series with an alien race as the bad guys, then it seems like the conflict ought to be with them.

These guys don't have any qualms about murdering each other. Seriously. Certainly Jason Reynolds has no qualms about it and it's really very Seal-like that he takes charge with a gun.

That instant teleport stuff is interesting but seems convenient. And the Habs existing in other dimensions of space is kind of cool.

Ricket, poor Ricket. He seems to have to solve every single problem. Like he's the only one who can. Not sure why that is. And this crew is running out of Seals.

Which brings me to the question as to why this isn't a more international crew. Is it because the spaceship was located in the US?

And good grief, pick a girlfriend or a wife. Because really? Men.

Of course I'll be reading the rest of the series, but I'm struggling. Things need to improve.
Profile Image for Keith.
2,142 reviews6 followers
April 19, 2021
Jumped the Shark

Overall assessment = Meh
While the protagonists have in their possession some truly remarkable technology, they are apparently mentally deficient if one is to judge them by their actions. I expect more from a plot than losses from compounded human errors, sometimes mitigated by seemingly magical tech. The blatant disregard for life and the blasé attitude towards defense and safety protocols decries the military background claimed for these special forces soldiers.

The attitudes and errors were egregious enough to push me out of this series. What little I enjoyed was quickly overshadowed in book 2 by the volume of stupid behaviors. I’m done with this series.
33 reviews
December 30, 2024
I was really hoping the writing would be better in the second installment of the Scrapyard Ship series, but alas, I was again left disappointed. McGinnis still has zero nuance in his prose jumping from action to action with minimal setup or motivation built into the story. It results in a clunky plot line at best. He still relies on dues ex machina far too much. Without any trace of character development beyond a surface level, there isn't much meat on the bone. I bought a couple of the series for $1 at a library book fair and am regretting filling in the others from Amazon on blind faith. I suppose with almost 10 books in the series, there is hope for improvement, but it is small.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,455 reviews
August 28, 2017
Hab 12 is the second book in the Scrapyard Ship series. It can be read as a standalone though it does end in a cliffhanger. There is violence.

The book blurb adequately describes the story so I'm not going to repeat that information. There are some confusing elements to this storyline. Overall the story is average, though I question the way the soldiers are portrayed. Even with not overly impressed with Hab 12, I do want to read the next book to find out what happens next.
91 reviews4 followers
July 25, 2020
If you have not read the first book in the series, "Scrapyard Ship," go no further! There is no point reading this book until you've read the first. Actually, you should not read the first book, either. Yeah, it's that bad. How bad? Glad you asked. Have you ever seen the kids' cartoon shows G.I. Joe from back in the eighties? Maybe Speed Racer? Those shows are more realistic, have better plots, and more character development than this series.
Profile Image for James Thompson.
80 reviews
August 13, 2020
Finished Book 2
Rating:: 2 Stars
Well I am going to continue through the next book only because I want to complete the series.

Book two was a disapointment. I had to go back and start over because of the change in direction of the story. There are many redeeming parts in the book. I really want to see where this series is going.

Do not read this book without reading book 1.
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews19 followers
July 15, 2019
Peril, Peril, Peril

Jason and his crew experience danger after danger as he keeps his loved ones and Earth safe. I like the action, humor, and romance. Will they find the solutions to the problems before more of their friends die. I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for saintlouis.
133 reviews
April 20, 2022
And this is only book two?

Truly high adventure, speculative fiction and powerful storytelling all rolled into one. I couldn’t put this one down. Fascinating storyline, I can’t wait for book 3. Great read
36 reviews
June 12, 2022
Great story lines

This is the 2nd book in the series. The series picks up where the last book ended. This book has humor, action, mystery, and character development. If you like action and humor this is your book.
Profile Image for Noah Rosenberg.
180 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2024
It could have been better, but it was entertaining none the less. Im giving it a bit lower of a score because the main character is a Navy Seal and does not in any way act like one tactically, sort of brought me out of the story.
1 review
December 11, 2019
Hab 12

Thoroughly enjoyed the book my kind of story, will read more of this series as and when I get a chance
88 reviews
June 5, 2021
Surprised

I wasn't expecting to like this series as much as I do. More twists and turns make it lots of fun.
3 reviews
June 12, 2021
I’m hooked. I can’t get free. On to book 3!

Wow, what a run. It’s like pieces of every sci fi book out there. I gotta see where this goes!
Profile Image for Mike.
48 reviews2 followers
July 16, 2021
I really enjoyed Hab12. Like the characters and the plot just keeps getting deeper.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.