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Fenris #2
Alien Shores
Humanity put all its fading hopes in New Eden, a pristine star system 230 light-years from the ravaged Earth. But upon arrival, the would-be colonists encountered the Kresh—a diabolical alien race who quickly captured the human starship and tortured its inhabitants in hopes of learning the coordinates of Earth.
Street-smart Cyrus Gant managed to escape, crashing to the surface of a nearby moon terraformed by the Kresh and inhabited by primitive humans. Now Cyrus pursues a desperate hope bound up in a single boy, a prophesized psionic named Klane—already in the clutches of the Kresh. Soon Cyrus finds himself torn between tracking down this so-called savior and escaping back into space before it’s too late. Yet as he gathers allies and firepower, he's desperate to find a way back to Earth and warn them of this alien menace…only to discover an even greater danger to the future existence of the human race.
The electric interstellar action that began in Alien Honor continues in Alien Shores.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2014
112 people are currently reading
388 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
147 books569 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 7, 2023
So the fantasy of various human ESP and remote action has become too much in this volume. Also, the ending was less than a reasonable conclusion, more of a chapter ending, so this is not a complete story, (neither was the first book, but it at least felt more like an ending).
January 19, 2020
This picks up right where the first left off; Cyrus, our main lead, escapes to the planet/moon and eventually hooks up with the Human primitives in his quest to find the 'anointed one' foretold as the savior of humanity. Heppner seems to have a thing for stereotypes in a big way as Cyrus falls in love with his barbarian princess and the quest continues.
I found this to be something of a comfort read. Alien Shores moves along at a rapid pace and feels like a throw back to the 50s/60s scifi adventure stories. Do not expect sophisticated technology or characters, and the female characters would make even a mild feminist cringe. Nonetheless, it is entertaining opera, and sometimes that is ok. 2.5 stars rounding up to 3.
I found this to be something of a comfort read. Alien Shores moves along at a rapid pace and feels like a throw back to the 50s/60s scifi adventure stories. Do not expect sophisticated technology or characters, and the female characters would make even a mild feminist cringe. Nonetheless, it is entertaining opera, and sometimes that is ok. 2.5 stars rounding up to 3.
May 25, 2015
In the second book of the Fenris series, author Vaughn Heppner gives hero Cyrus Gant at least a shot at surviving two superior alien forces and getting humans out of bondage. He's escaped the saurian Kresh, crash landed on a terraformed moon and is in the process of trying to find the chosen one of legend, the one who can free humanity. Problem is, Cyrus has no idea how to find Klane, the chosen one. And if he did, what's one guy going to do? Turns out Klane isn't all that sure himself. But this is Heppner territory. When it looks the worst, that's when the characters in his novels find that extra something that makes them heroes. They're nothing special. They just believe they can do it. And that resolve enables them to convince others that their cause is just. And Cyrus has nothing but certain death to offer any who follow him. Yet, he convinces a bunch of people who have been reduced to a savage lifestyle to join his cause. This may be the most action-packed of the series. But each book has its focus. This is solid science fiction and another example of Heppner's expansive imagination.
June 7, 2015
The journey
This book picks up where " Alien Honor (A Fenris Novel Book 1)" left off. This has a great storyline. I love the characters. I would call this book more of a journey. The humans had travelled to New Eden where they encountered an unknown alien race. Cyrus's journey was to be a tracker. He had escaped from the Kresh who wanted to rule mankind and treat them like cattle. Cyrus was prophesied that he would track down Klane the anointed one. Cyrus journey took him to Jassac and there his search began. Klane was an apprentice to the Seeker. The Seeker is the one to hold the magic. The Seeker was kidnapped and Klane's journey began in When he went to find the Seeker. It's amazing what their journeys show them. This book has a lot of action, aliens of different kinds and purposeful journeys ending up in one journey for all. The story continues into "Alien Wars (A Fenris Novel Book 3)". This book is fantastic I would recommend it to anyone that loves aliens, space travel, etc. Fantastic!
This book picks up where " Alien Honor (A Fenris Novel Book 1)" left off. This has a great storyline. I love the characters. I would call this book more of a journey. The humans had travelled to New Eden where they encountered an unknown alien race. Cyrus's journey was to be a tracker. He had escaped from the Kresh who wanted to rule mankind and treat them like cattle. Cyrus was prophesied that he would track down Klane the anointed one. Cyrus journey took him to Jassac and there his search began. Klane was an apprentice to the Seeker. The Seeker is the one to hold the magic. The Seeker was kidnapped and Klane's journey began in When he went to find the Seeker. It's amazing what their journeys show them. This book has a lot of action, aliens of different kinds and purposeful journeys ending up in one journey for all. The story continues into "Alien Wars (A Fenris Novel Book 3)". This book is fantastic I would recommend it to anyone that loves aliens, space travel, etc. Fantastic!
June 12, 2016
Really enjoyed book 2. The action packed story is fun and easy to follow. Now, to read book 3.
July 30, 2017
When I began reading this book I was having trouble keeping up with the author. I quickly realized that his skills in building a story were amazing. By the end I was having trouble putting the book down. This is a scifi book with lots of action and adventure as well as a love story. The author has such a detailed imagination which I am so glad he shares with us through his writing.
June 12, 2019
Excellent book
Through engaging story. As usual the storyline pulls you in and has you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend any book written by Mr. Heppner.
Through engaging story. As usual the storyline pulls you in and has you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommend any book written by Mr. Heppner.
December 16, 2021
Good read
It was a
N inter
Ting premise it appears I missed book 1 I'm curious how it progresses we shall see
It was a
N inter
Ting premise it appears I missed book 1 I'm curious how it progresses we shall see
June 29, 2016
***Won in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway***
I think this is one of those 4 Star books within a 5 Star series. I say this because there is no true ending in this book. It seems to leave off inconclusive. I imagine book 1 was the same way. Especially since this novel picked up with the main characters escaping a space station with some alien overlords in hot pursuit.
So, to explain this universe as I have figured it out without reading the first book. Cyrus Gant and Skar escaped High Station 3 and are in search of the Anointed One: the one who will cast away the shackles of slavery for the human race and free them from the overbearing presence of the Kresh (large dinosaur looking aliens). The Kresh currently inhabit some planets, which the humans attmepted to colonize. I assume in the frst book the humans met resistance and we thrown into slavery. The Kresh also have dabbled in genetic modification with their "cattle." This has resulted in some new classes of humans: vomags (soldiers), bo taw (psionic masters), and some other specialized professions.
Of note: another alien insect race are in constant battle with the Kresh on various planets. They are known as Chirr and are worse for humanity overall. In addiiton, cyborgs (think cybermen from Dr Who) are outside the planetary system and want to get in on the fighting so they can convert all the fleshies into new cyborgs.
So we have Cyrus (human) and Skar (a vomag) who escape down to a planetary moon where the Kresh have set up a game preserve, except the game are humans...primative humans. The novel follows cyrus in his quest to find the Anointed One by ways of one of the tribal clans known as Beserkers. The novel also takes point of view into Klane, the Anointed One, as he adventures in the Kresh city on the moon and discovers important truths in the universe. Other POVs include a Kresh and a mentalist (a human psionic that works as a lab tech to get into people's minds).
Overall the story was very fast paced and had lots of action and adventure. It was not hard to adopt to the new universe even without reading the previous book. The author has a page at the back that indicates his influences, but honestly if you did not read that, you would still know as multiple references are made to Spartacus.
Specifically, I enjoyed the new psionic abilities of the characters and how they interacted with varying intelligences...from Kresh to primative tribes and including the other aliens at times. The fighting was somewhat original and the writing was descriptive to give a good picture but at times I did feel like i could lose the multiple refernces to the Latin Kings and more references to the physical differences between the GM humans as I believe there were differnces amongst every class and I found it difficult to keep remebering who looked like what. As a consequence I just picture all of the humans as normal humans...
Note, the cover art depicts a scene from the very first action sequence with Cyrus and Skar. And although it is very good looking, it does not really tell the story of what is happening in this book.
I think this is one of those 4 Star books within a 5 Star series. I say this because there is no true ending in this book. It seems to leave off inconclusive. I imagine book 1 was the same way. Especially since this novel picked up with the main characters escaping a space station with some alien overlords in hot pursuit.
So, to explain this universe as I have figured it out without reading the first book. Cyrus Gant and Skar escaped High Station 3 and are in search of the Anointed One: the one who will cast away the shackles of slavery for the human race and free them from the overbearing presence of the Kresh (large dinosaur looking aliens). The Kresh currently inhabit some planets, which the humans attmepted to colonize. I assume in the frst book the humans met resistance and we thrown into slavery. The Kresh also have dabbled in genetic modification with their "cattle." This has resulted in some new classes of humans: vomags (soldiers), bo taw (psionic masters), and some other specialized professions.
Of note: another alien insect race are in constant battle with the Kresh on various planets. They are known as Chirr and are worse for humanity overall. In addiiton, cyborgs (think cybermen from Dr Who) are outside the planetary system and want to get in on the fighting so they can convert all the fleshies into new cyborgs.
So we have Cyrus (human) and Skar (a vomag) who escape down to a planetary moon where the Kresh have set up a game preserve, except the game are humans...primative humans. The novel follows cyrus in his quest to find the Anointed One by ways of one of the tribal clans known as Beserkers. The novel also takes point of view into Klane, the Anointed One, as he adventures in the Kresh city on the moon and discovers important truths in the universe. Other POVs include a Kresh and a mentalist (a human psionic that works as a lab tech to get into people's minds).
Overall the story was very fast paced and had lots of action and adventure. It was not hard to adopt to the new universe even without reading the previous book. The author has a page at the back that indicates his influences, but honestly if you did not read that, you would still know as multiple references are made to Spartacus.
Specifically, I enjoyed the new psionic abilities of the characters and how they interacted with varying intelligences...from Kresh to primative tribes and including the other aliens at times. The fighting was somewhat original and the writing was descriptive to give a good picture but at times I did feel like i could lose the multiple refernces to the Latin Kings and more references to the physical differences between the GM humans as I believe there were differnces amongst every class and I found it difficult to keep remebering who looked like what. As a consequence I just picture all of the humans as normal humans...
Note, the cover art depicts a scene from the very first action sequence with Cyrus and Skar. And although it is very good looking, it does not really tell the story of what is happening in this book.
January 22, 2015
This novel is a sci-fi sequel. I personally have always loved science, and I really like stories filled with a sense of adventure.
There are a lot of people who do believe aliens and other worlds exist in outer space. What I know for a fact is there was an occurrence my family and I, my friends and an entire city experienced when a bright light lit up a nighttime sky. Everything with a motor went dead until the bright light disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. None of us turned a pasty white color, but everyone was concerned about what caused the strange occurrence. At the time, we lived near a Strategic Air Command base.
So, who really can say what the truth is about aliens and their shores?
I think this author might cast a Teleport Spell on you, and I believe this novel has magical potency.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
There are a lot of people who do believe aliens and other worlds exist in outer space. What I know for a fact is there was an occurrence my family and I, my friends and an entire city experienced when a bright light lit up a nighttime sky. Everything with a motor went dead until the bright light disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. None of us turned a pasty white color, but everyone was concerned about what caused the strange occurrence. At the time, we lived near a Strategic Air Command base.
So, who really can say what the truth is about aliens and their shores?
I think this author might cast a Teleport Spell on you, and I believe this novel has magical potency.
Jeannie Walker (Award-Winning Author)
December 31, 2016
Secrets revealed
This sequel to Alien Honor is as good as the first. Cyrus continues his saga to escape the arrogant Kresh, and now he counts with the help of humans native of Fenris system. Everything depends on a prophecy!
This sequel to Alien Honor is as good as the first. Cyrus continues his saga to escape the arrogant Kresh, and now he counts with the help of humans native of Fenris system. Everything depends on a prophecy!
July 11, 2015
the story originally seemed to be well thought through but
however, further down the road it gets discontinuous. In that sense it is similar to web-mind/highborn mess in previous books, but so far the story is barely connected to previous trilogy (which is good, I think). It seems like author had a sketchy high level plan but fails to fill the gaps sometimes. The characters are sometimes volatile - the author proposes convenient explanations, but it happens too often and too easy. Some characters seem to be completely unnecessary. Like they were supposed to play some important part, but then the plan changed. Or may be they will flourish in the next book and just hang around yet?
Still 5 stars. It's a good read, great background story, feels somehow refreshing. Similar to what I felt reading sci-if stories from 80x. Really appreciated, thank you for a great time
however, further down the road it gets discontinuous. In that sense it is similar to web-mind/highborn mess in previous books, but so far the story is barely connected to previous trilogy (which is good, I think). It seems like author had a sketchy high level plan but fails to fill the gaps sometimes. The characters are sometimes volatile - the author proposes convenient explanations, but it happens too often and too easy. Some characters seem to be completely unnecessary. Like they were supposed to play some important part, but then the plan changed. Or may be they will flourish in the next book and just hang around yet?
Still 5 stars. It's a good read, great background story, feels somehow refreshing. Similar to what I felt reading sci-if stories from 80x. Really appreciated, thank you for a great time
July 15, 2014
I received this book through a Good Reads giveaway. Very enjoyable book to read. If you haven't read the first book (Alien Honor), the first few pages may have you scratching your head but then the story pulls you in with characters that are interesting. In this series, humans are caught between two diffent types of aliens. I will definately keep an eye out for the next book to find out what happens (I will also be buying the first book).
November 17, 2014
Quick read
if you like escapism literature, this works well. The plot, loosely constructed on the Spartacus Revolt, has man tricked in an interstellar voyage to the Fenris System. those planets are inhabited by an assortment of beings hostile to humans. How the human brilliants (there are two) persevere against superior technology and aggressors is the fabric of this book. Sci_Fi light reading it is, and it suits this purpose.
if you like escapism literature, this works well. The plot, loosely constructed on the Spartacus Revolt, has man tricked in an interstellar voyage to the Fenris System. those planets are inhabited by an assortment of beings hostile to humans. How the human brilliants (there are two) persevere against superior technology and aggressors is the fabric of this book. Sci_Fi light reading it is, and it suits this purpose.
May 21, 2016
Quest plus PSI, what more could you want?
There are no fancy waistcoats getting between the reader and the yarn so this series is worth your money and I've given it three stars to reflect this. It's down the line psifi but a little flat in the writing so not really worth four stars. I'd recommended this series to a younger reader fairly new to the genre. If I'd wanted to damn with faint praise I'd only have given three stars.
There are no fancy waistcoats getting between the reader and the yarn so this series is worth your money and I've given it three stars to reflect this. It's down the line psifi but a little flat in the writing so not really worth four stars. I'd recommended this series to a younger reader fairly new to the genre. If I'd wanted to damn with faint praise I'd only have given three stars.
August 8, 2014
first reads book.
I enjoyed the writing style but I felt the storyline did not live up to its full potential. There were times I really got into the story and then it would take a turn and wouldn't hold my attention for very long.
Will I keep my eye out for books by this author? Yes. I will give this author another chance.
I enjoyed the writing style but I felt the storyline did not live up to its full potential. There were times I really got into the story and then it would take a turn and wouldn't hold my attention for very long.
Will I keep my eye out for books by this author? Yes. I will give this author another chance.
June 8, 2015
Twisty and turning
You could not predict the paths of this book at any point in the story until near the end. I like books where I can be surprised even 70% into the book. Good fun read. Nothing too gruesome or even rated R really. Just a good read of sci fi that will make you think about some things.
You could not predict the paths of this book at any point in the story until near the end. I like books where I can be surprised even 70% into the book. Good fun read. Nothing too gruesome or even rated R really. Just a good read of sci fi that will make you think about some things.
September 12, 2014
got this from first reads. I enjoyed the author's writing style very much-I would have given this book 5 stars if it had more of a full story line-instead it just felt like filler and didn't really resolve any issues.
August 19, 2016
Keep Going This was an excellent continuation of this story of Cyrus and Skar. We spend a lot more time with the Berserkers and getting a deeper view of the Kresh. Klane is a bit too odd for me but I’m all in this series.
September 16, 2016
A decent sci fi series that keeps calling to me...
I am not in love with the characters and the world but something in the story just makes me come back. Will look for the next one in the series.
I am not in love with the characters and the world but something in the story just makes me come back. Will look for the next one in the series.
April 21, 2015
Good story. Cyrus Gant is one smart human. The Kresh are pretty bad aliens. The psychic aspect of the story is fascinating. Am looking forward to the continuing story.
August 1, 2015
Still going good, can't wait for the next book.
November 7, 2015
This second companion to the trilogy helps guide the story into an interesting phase and helps bridge the trilogy together into a well written series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews