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Lacuna #2
The Sands of Karathi
Drawn to a desert world by the legacy of a traitor, the crew of the TFR Beijing discover something abandoned, something forgotten... something mysterious.
Buddha once said, "An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast...
... for a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind."
The scars of betrayal runs deep... and Captain Melissa Liao will find out just how far the slighted will go for revenge.
Book two of the Lacuna series.
Lacuna: Demons of the Void
Lacuna: The Sands of Karathi
Lacuna: The Spectre of Oblivion (Coming December, 2012!)
Buddha once said, "An insincere and evil friend is more to be feared than a wild beast...
... for a wild beast may wound your body, but an evil friend will wound your mind."
The scars of betrayal runs deep... and Captain Melissa Liao will find out just how far the slighted will go for revenge.
Book two of the Lacuna series.
Lacuna: Demons of the Void
Lacuna: The Sands of Karathi
Lacuna: The Spectre of Oblivion (Coming December, 2012!)
182 pages, ebook
First published May 5, 2012
43 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
David Adams
54 books74 followersI've always been writing in my mind. I have way, way, way too many stories to tell and far too little time to tell them.
I've been involved in Star Trek roleplay-by-emails for a few years, where basically I learned my craft, but it's only last year that I actually started putting these thoughts to paper.
By day I'm a software engineer. But by night I write a little science fiction, a little fantasy, a little humour and comedy, and a little erotica under pen names.
I've been involved in Star Trek roleplay-by-emails for a few years, where basically I learned my craft, but it's only last year that I actually started putting these thoughts to paper.
By day I'm a software engineer. But by night I write a little science fiction, a little fantasy, a little humour and comedy, and a little erotica under pen names.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 6, 2014
Mr Adams is going to hate me even more but here we go.
First: This book is way way better than the first one, which I also reviewed.
I'm not sure how long Mr Adams took to write this but there is a clear difference between his ability to write between the beginning and the end. A big difference I think. It's clear he really put some work into the final scenes, which I actually thought where OK. OK in the sense that I wanted to read some more. We had far better character development here, but the majority still remain faceless shadows with few personal quirks or expressions to separate them from the other mannequins.
Second: *spoilers here*
Commander Melissa whatever is still the same inept inexperienced fool she was before. Every decision she makes seems to endanger the ship, such as connecting an alien AI to her ships main frame with all the ships weapons still active, with the inevitable results to an island inhabited by unreasonably friendly alien\enemies??? Never heard of sandboxing Melissa? These aliens had somehow upset the AI many years before and thus their descendants deserved a nuking for some reason??? Why did Melissa do this? Because it seemed charming and friendly and trustworthy. It's an enemy computer!!!
She's always crossing her arms or putting hers hands on her hips, nothing else, just these two things.
She is seemingly happy to place her ship in ridiculous situations for seemingly selfish reasons. 'I want to go there to rescue my lover. Oh, and anyone else that happens to have survived too, of course *furtive glances*'. And uses every major asset Earth has to do this. Don't worry. The bad guys won't bother Earth at all while all our ships are away.
She is far too familiar with her crew, especially that red head engineer who she let's get away with such vulgarities that I want to shake some sense into her.
I wished this engineer had been crushed by the hull of the derelict. This woman's only emotives were sulking or swearing. So annoying.
One thing Commander Melissa did that really annoyed me was use the term 'Beijing Actual'. This took right from the story to the bridge of the Galactica, which was not what you wanted to happen. I want to stay immersed here, not be imagining Adama and sexy blonde robots. But then again ...maybe
The final scene is also reminiscent of BSG by where they jump in just meters from an alien stronghold and have to hold out whilst people are rescued.
*spoiler*
The AI! Cliche in a box. After being abandoned by its creators it somehow goes all Wall-e and gets sentient for some reason. Why does this happen? Did the rest of the machines from its production line go all Robby the robot too? And it has an English accent? Why not latin or some ancient alien dialect? Why wasn't its spider body dismantled after it went all HAL on us?
I've just finished this book and because I have a bad memory I'm forgetting stuff already, but other complaints are - story way too linear, none of her crew seems to die for any reason, the humans are always better pilots than the bad guys, the indestructible armour almost fails - again, we are introduced to our own renaissance Klingons - seriously! When looking for the alien wreck they land right on it, first time. And I mean literally right on it. Every event that sees the ship or crew endangered is resolved by a fortunate event - every one. The rescued crew of the Tehran seem immediately capable of operating their ship despite being brutalized and tortured for a long time. The alien prison seems to have a ridiculous amount of protection for some reason - it's a prison! Rora Pente never had so much. The bad guy ships are undefeatable but Earth suddenly gets platforms that can protect it.
There's plenty more, too.
Oh, and the biggest cliche of them all - - - - comes right at the end and I'm not going to mention it as it's so obvious.
So if you don't like the stories, why read them? I hear you ask. Because I find them enjoyable, that's why.
And yes, I will get the next book. I think that says enough.
I just hope it has a few twists and turns and things out of the ordinary.
First: This book is way way better than the first one, which I also reviewed.
I'm not sure how long Mr Adams took to write this but there is a clear difference between his ability to write between the beginning and the end. A big difference I think. It's clear he really put some work into the final scenes, which I actually thought where OK. OK in the sense that I wanted to read some more. We had far better character development here, but the majority still remain faceless shadows with few personal quirks or expressions to separate them from the other mannequins.
Second: *spoilers here*
Commander Melissa whatever is still the same inept inexperienced fool she was before. Every decision she makes seems to endanger the ship, such as connecting an alien AI to her ships main frame with all the ships weapons still active, with the inevitable results to an island inhabited by unreasonably friendly alien\enemies??? Never heard of sandboxing Melissa? These aliens had somehow upset the AI many years before and thus their descendants deserved a nuking for some reason??? Why did Melissa do this? Because it seemed charming and friendly and trustworthy. It's an enemy computer!!!
She's always crossing her arms or putting hers hands on her hips, nothing else, just these two things.
She is seemingly happy to place her ship in ridiculous situations for seemingly selfish reasons. 'I want to go there to rescue my lover. Oh, and anyone else that happens to have survived too, of course *furtive glances*'. And uses every major asset Earth has to do this. Don't worry. The bad guys won't bother Earth at all while all our ships are away.
She is far too familiar with her crew, especially that red head engineer who she let's get away with such vulgarities that I want to shake some sense into her.
I wished this engineer had been crushed by the hull of the derelict. This woman's only emotives were sulking or swearing. So annoying.
One thing Commander Melissa did that really annoyed me was use the term 'Beijing Actual'. This took right from the story to the bridge of the Galactica, which was not what you wanted to happen. I want to stay immersed here, not be imagining Adama and sexy blonde robots. But then again ...maybe
The final scene is also reminiscent of BSG by where they jump in just meters from an alien stronghold and have to hold out whilst people are rescued.
*spoiler*
The AI! Cliche in a box. After being abandoned by its creators it somehow goes all Wall-e and gets sentient for some reason. Why does this happen? Did the rest of the machines from its production line go all Robby the robot too? And it has an English accent? Why not latin or some ancient alien dialect? Why wasn't its spider body dismantled after it went all HAL on us?
I've just finished this book and because I have a bad memory I'm forgetting stuff already, but other complaints are - story way too linear, none of her crew seems to die for any reason, the humans are always better pilots than the bad guys, the indestructible armour almost fails - again, we are introduced to our own renaissance Klingons - seriously! When looking for the alien wreck they land right on it, first time. And I mean literally right on it. Every event that sees the ship or crew endangered is resolved by a fortunate event - every one. The rescued crew of the Tehran seem immediately capable of operating their ship despite being brutalized and tortured for a long time. The alien prison seems to have a ridiculous amount of protection for some reason - it's a prison! Rora Pente never had so much. The bad guy ships are undefeatable but Earth suddenly gets platforms that can protect it.
There's plenty more, too.
Oh, and the biggest cliche of them all - - - - comes right at the end and I'm not going to mention it as it's so obvious.
So if you don't like the stories, why read them? I hear you ask. Because I find them enjoyable, that's why.
And yes, I will get the next book. I think that says enough.
I just hope it has a few twists and turns and things out of the ordinary.
November 29, 2012
After reading the first book: LACUNA: DEMONS OF THE VOID, I couldn't wait and read this one the very next day. In the first novel they brought it to us. In this one we take it to them. A top level Science Fiction Thriller, I will definitely be reading the conclusion of the series LACUNA: THE SPECTRE OF OBLIVION when it comes out in December.
June 20, 2012
Fantastic book. Riveting to the very end. Kept my interest from the very first word to the very last one.
October 15, 2012
Now we're getting somewhere! The first novel was good, but this one is great. The universe building has begun. I am really looking forward to future installments of this series. Lots of potential.
April 26, 2013
I thought this was a fantastic book, I'll write up specifics tomorrow. I have a lot to say!
October 21, 2017
This was worse than book 1. I'm going to rant now under spoiler tags.
September 20, 2020
Book two
I preferred the first book but after a few chapters this one sucked me in as much as the first one. It continues right where the first book left off. We meet a new character gen who is mentally unstable and bent on revenge. Most of the bad things that happen are because of stupid decisions. I just wish there was more with the other ship.
I preferred the first book but after a few chapters this one sucked me in as much as the first one. It continues right where the first book left off. We meet a new character gen who is mentally unstable and bent on revenge. Most of the bad things that happen are because of stupid decisions. I just wish there was more with the other ship.
December 28, 2020
I really like this series by David Adams. In the first book I found myself genuinely excited and anxious to turn the page sometimes, and not many books had affected me that way in the past. Regarding the story, the writing and the setting per say, nothing is really out of the ordinary, but there is just something that grabs me in those books. I guess David Adams simply write/think and construct stories to my liking. I mean everything is good as I guess David Adams simply write/think and construct stories to my liking. I mean everything is good in the book, the pacing, the characters, the action, but also it's nothing that you (we) have not seen before. Like I said, it must be a question of style, of stars aligning because I found that series to be one of my favorites so far.
September 15, 2018
The writing was clunkier than the first of the series, and the world-building also fell flat. It wasn’t worth reading. I’ll give the next one a try only because the first was quite good.
February 25, 2015
I should probably say that I've read the second book of the Lacuna series because it's been great since the beginning. Well... It wasn't. And it was my mere curiosity (and a bit of boredom - I have to read only something simple these days, too much work to do) that I picked this up.
Yet I cannot say that this one doesn't have any potential - I believe it can find its fanbase quite easily, actually. But I'm afraid I don't belong to the fans. It hasn't convinced me about the authenticity of the story -
I have read the Battlestar Galactica (and also watched the series) a short time ago, and unfortunately, I do possess quite detailed memory for a certain period of time about every book I picked up. Yes, it depends on many factors (e.g., how long it was, how much time I spent with it in my hands, and whether it entertained me or not). Unfortunately, I still remember the Battlestar Galactica well - so I couldn't but notice some things that reminded me of that particular universe in Sands of Karathi.
In the Lacuna, maybe I haven't associated anything with Galactica. But now it was too much.
First, the Jump drive. Although it's another kind of technology here, it serves the same purpose, thus travelling to specific coordinates with faster-than-light drive. The coordinates - a specific set of number, a space GPS (okay, it is probably the same across the fandoms, because how otherwise should we interpret a specific place in three dimensions?).
Second, the fighters. They were also Marks. You know, the moment when the Galactica was supposed to be transformed into a museum? There were Mark II type fighters... And it clicked in imaginary place in my mind. So why the hell does everyone name the type of the fighter plane a "Mark"?
And third, the situation, when Cmdr. Melissa Liao listens to the dialogue between the pilots. Although she prefers referring to them by numbers than by callsigns, here they go. They are not the same, but the situation when they are shouting like "He's behind you!" and "Watch out!", it reminds me of one of uncountable interferences of humankind with toasters.
Well, I should forget the Battlestar Galactica soon, otherwise it will ruin my perspective...
The book was short. And I noticed, so it makes a point when somebody says that you recognize a good story when you finish the book and realize that it already ended.
However, because everybody knows that Melissa is pregnant, and because James Grégoire has been rescued, I'm seriously considering that I won't read the story further.
Actually, I think I picked it only because she was pregnant (what a deal - they are adults and surely know how babies are made, so what should be expected when the two of them had sex almost as frequently as it was mentioned in Fifty Shades?); and because I wanted to know what happened to Tehran, the third Pillar of Earth. Adams "told" me in this part, so there's no rush - and maybe also no need - to read the third part.
A little bit disappointing, isn't it?
Yet I cannot say that this one doesn't have any potential - I believe it can find its fanbase quite easily, actually. But I'm afraid I don't belong to the fans. It hasn't convinced me about the authenticity of the story -
I have read the Battlestar Galactica (and also watched the series) a short time ago, and unfortunately, I do possess quite detailed memory for a certain period of time about every book I picked up. Yes, it depends on many factors (e.g., how long it was, how much time I spent with it in my hands, and whether it entertained me or not). Unfortunately, I still remember the Battlestar Galactica well - so I couldn't but notice some things that reminded me of that particular universe in Sands of Karathi.
In the Lacuna, maybe I haven't associated anything with Galactica. But now it was too much.
First, the Jump drive. Although it's another kind of technology here, it serves the same purpose, thus travelling to specific coordinates with faster-than-light drive. The coordinates - a specific set of number, a space GPS (okay, it is probably the same across the fandoms, because how otherwise should we interpret a specific place in three dimensions?).
Second, the fighters. They were also Marks. You know, the moment when the Galactica was supposed to be transformed into a museum? There were Mark II type fighters... And it clicked in imaginary place in my mind. So why the hell does everyone name the type of the fighter plane a "Mark"?
And third, the situation, when Cmdr. Melissa Liao listens to the dialogue between the pilots. Although she prefers referring to them by numbers than by callsigns, here they go. They are not the same, but the situation when they are shouting like "He's behind you!" and "Watch out!", it reminds me of one of uncountable interferences of humankind with toasters.
Well, I should forget the Battlestar Galactica soon, otherwise it will ruin my perspective...
The book was short. And I noticed, so it makes a point when somebody says that you recognize a good story when you finish the book and realize that it already ended.
However, because everybody knows that Melissa is pregnant, and because James Grégoire has been rescued, I'm seriously considering that I won't read the story further.
Actually, I think I picked it only because she was pregnant (what a deal - they are adults and surely know how babies are made, so what should be expected when the two of them had sex almost as frequently as it was mentioned in Fifty Shades?); and because I wanted to know what happened to Tehran, the third Pillar of Earth. Adams "told" me in this part, so there's no rush - and maybe also no need - to read the third part.
A little bit disappointing, isn't it?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2017
Curse you David Adams! I conjure in my own memory banks the cartoon character of Dick Dastardly and his constant companion Muttley, who would swear like a sailor underwater completely nonsensically. My reason for mentioning this, other than being constantly distracted with such useless connections, is that this Australian has such fantastic storytelling ability that his Lacuna series only gets better with each ensuing volume. "The Sands of Karathi" tell the story of a strange message coming from some obscure galaxy. Commander Melissa Liao and her merry band of ass-kickers on the starship Bejing have just completed hammering the holier than thou cat people and realize that the humans are way out of their league fighting this Alliance. That earth and its governments went ahead and developed a warp drive despite a warning from the alien overlords to cease and desist means that they face annihilation as a species. Not a good thing. The entire human race decided to roll the dice with this under powered offensive attempt, and winning despite the odds lined up against them weighs heavily on Liao. She appears to be the one everybody looks to in times of conflict, a small woman with the steel resolution. Karathi is a planet on the fringes of Alliance space. The planet is nothing. What's on the planet basically sets up a key plot point for the rest of the series. And battles ensue. Do they ever.
August 30, 2014
This was a little better than the first book. However, I still am not liking the main character at all. She was a little kinder this time around; a little, but some of her actions had me wondering about her lack of sense in some aspects. Then you have this all powerful thing that just goes crazy and they allow it to exist rather than destroying it like they should have. I wish I did like her, because there are aspects to her I admire such as her intelligence and her concern for her crew and the alien scientists. However, I still found her abrasive and again I really disliked the engineer.
The pacing seemed a bit slow and again I have some issues with the lack of research on military protocols. I also think the love story aspect is a bit superfluous and doesn't really add anything to the story except to drag it out a little more. I'm sorry, but I found it really boring. I'm just trying to get through this series as I had promised a friend I would read all of them. While the books I've read so far have been alright, they're not really enjoyable for me and I'm finding it a chore to read them; not a good sign.
That being said, I found I did like it slightly better than the first book and I did like the fact that you get to meet a few more aliens in the book and I did like the space battles and the sci-fi tech because that made things a bit more interesting.
The pacing seemed a bit slow and again I have some issues with the lack of research on military protocols. I also think the love story aspect is a bit superfluous and doesn't really add anything to the story except to drag it out a little more. I'm sorry, but I found it really boring. I'm just trying to get through this series as I had promised a friend I would read all of them. While the books I've read so far have been alright, they're not really enjoyable for me and I'm finding it a chore to read them; not a good sign.
That being said, I found I did like it slightly better than the first book and I did like the fact that you get to meet a few more aliens in the book and I did like the space battles and the sci-fi tech because that made things a bit more interesting.
September 11, 2016
Very good
It is as good as the previous one. Looking toward to the next in the series. I'm pretty sure it all be as good as the two first ones.
It is as good as the previous one. Looking toward to the next in the series. I'm pretty sure it all be as good as the two first ones.
October 2, 2016
Could use a few more edits...
but I did enjoy the story. I had some issues with the justification for the AI's behavior, one minute he is a barely contained fireball of rage the next he claims he can't read emotional queues, and the next he can turn off the emotion in his voice at will. Also, why does it matter to Ben if he's alone? Are AI programmed to be social? And, why didn't they power him down before they left? Even if you set aside the ethical questions isn't it prudent to conserve resources in case someone else crash lands on that planet?
but I did enjoy the story. I had some issues with the justification for the AI's behavior, one minute he is a barely contained fireball of rage the next he claims he can't read emotional queues, and the next he can turn off the emotion in his voice at will. Also, why does it matter to Ben if he's alone? Are AI programmed to be social? And, why didn't they power him down before they left? Even if you set aside the ethical questions isn't it prudent to conserve resources in case someone else crash lands on that planet?
February 21, 2015
Good Sequel
In the first sequel of the Lacuna series, Chinese officer Melissa Liao pays a visit to a desert planet while continuing to seek answers to why the alien race invaded her homeworld. The desert planet is somewhat reminiscent of those from the Dune and Star Wars series, but this equal, like its predecessor, is recommended.
In the first sequel of the Lacuna series, Chinese officer Melissa Liao pays a visit to a desert planet while continuing to seek answers to why the alien race invaded her homeworld. The desert planet is somewhat reminiscent of those from the Dune and Star Wars series, but this equal, like its predecessor, is recommended.
May 8, 2014
A lot better than the first book although it's still pretty much run-of-the-mill military sci-fi in space. There's no strict adherence to use of rank, or a lot of technical details, so it makes for a light and fast read which, in this case, is a good thing.
72/100
72/100
Want to read
February 27, 2013Kindle freebie, 2/27/13
June 6, 2013
Good read!
November 11, 2014
Story kept me going at a good pace.
A great continuation on the first book, Can't wait to start the third one.
plenty of action and crew interaction.
A great continuation on the first book, Can't wait to start the third one.
plenty of action and crew interaction.
October 2, 2016
2nd in the series, not good enough for me to continue reading any more, started getting a bit slow.
December 26, 2016
great series
Great series. Can not wait to get I to the next book. Let the story continue! Plenty of twists and tirns
Great series. Can not wait to get I to the next book. Let the story continue! Plenty of twists and tirns
September 4, 2015
Honestly, I gave up on this book a while ago.
April 14, 2017
I like this series! Easy to read, but there's plenty of action, yet I was able to keep up with it. Bloody Ben is a hoot!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews