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Artifice: Book Two of the Prison Ship Sheol Saga
The Bedlam Galaxy lies at the heart of the Laniakea Supercluster and is a focal point for all of the wormhole transits spanning that great expanse. Among the many races drawn to and inhabiting its 10,000+ stars, humanity is one of the most recent and longest anticipated additions. Once nearly driven to the brink of extinction by violent and irreconcilable gender divides within the dominant cultures of their homeworld, new technologies emerged to save the species from their own folly and helped propel them into a new age of interstellar exploration. Inevitably, that drive into the stars led to the discovery of their own wormhole transit at the edge of the solar system, and from there they ran straight into the waiting arms of Bedlam's great multi-species intergalactic trade and defense alliance, known colloquially as the Alliant.
Having been coerced to board the all female maximum-security galactic prison ship known as the Sheol in order to perform one vital repair, Vahkis Greye has so far managed to survive dozens of potentially lethal incidents. He has faced constant attempts on his life by marauding aliens, homicidal inmates, out-of-control robots, and even his own government. And if that wasn't enough, the ship itself is coming down around him. Singularity core failures, multiple hull breaches, an overloaded computer core, a mysteriously absent ship's AI, and rapidly dwindling supplies are just a few of the legion of threats that could have potentially snuffed out all life onboard the ship.
So clearly, it's been a rough couple of days.
But Greye is also no longer alone. Phyra Astarte, the lone surviving shock trooper of the ashtor fleet that attacked the Sheol now stands at his side, lending him her considerable strength as well as her optimism for the future. The mad Alexandra twins work day and night in their medical lab to ostensibly aid him in his efforts, though they clearly have machinations of their own in the works. Reverie Pixi, a thief and burglar of the notoriously soft-fingered and fox-like skipp race, who has the genetic ability to bend and manipulate light around her body, and of course, the ever-distracting Lilia Namaah, eishethi leader of the largest remaining gang on the ship. They, along with a genetically modified Alliant pilot and a nameless trace girl found within a hellish unmarked cell in the bowels of the ship, have joined him in his fight to survive all that the galaxy has to throw at them.
But perhaps the most direct threat of all has been lurking within the armored walls of the Sheol since the very first shot was fired and now, with the ship's most vital functions all but secured, it has begun to move against them. Pursued from within and without, Greye and his companions must find a way to solidify their control over the Sheol, or the end that awaits them will truly be the stuff of nightmares.
Having been coerced to board the all female maximum-security galactic prison ship known as the Sheol in order to perform one vital repair, Vahkis Greye has so far managed to survive dozens of potentially lethal incidents. He has faced constant attempts on his life by marauding aliens, homicidal inmates, out-of-control robots, and even his own government. And if that wasn't enough, the ship itself is coming down around him. Singularity core failures, multiple hull breaches, an overloaded computer core, a mysteriously absent ship's AI, and rapidly dwindling supplies are just a few of the legion of threats that could have potentially snuffed out all life onboard the ship.
So clearly, it's been a rough couple of days.
But Greye is also no longer alone. Phyra Astarte, the lone surviving shock trooper of the ashtor fleet that attacked the Sheol now stands at his side, lending him her considerable strength as well as her optimism for the future. The mad Alexandra twins work day and night in their medical lab to ostensibly aid him in his efforts, though they clearly have machinations of their own in the works. Reverie Pixi, a thief and burglar of the notoriously soft-fingered and fox-like skipp race, who has the genetic ability to bend and manipulate light around her body, and of course, the ever-distracting Lilia Namaah, eishethi leader of the largest remaining gang on the ship. They, along with a genetically modified Alliant pilot and a nameless trace girl found within a hellish unmarked cell in the bowels of the ship, have joined him in his fight to survive all that the galaxy has to throw at them.
But perhaps the most direct threat of all has been lurking within the armored walls of the Sheol since the very first shot was fired and now, with the ship's most vital functions all but secured, it has begun to move against them. Pursued from within and without, Greye and his companions must find a way to solidify their control over the Sheol, or the end that awaits them will truly be the stuff of nightmares.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2024
235 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 7, 2024
As good as the first one
June 11, 2024
It’s got promise
The book has promise. But also seems to reveal some serious incel tendencies of the author.
In its entirety it’s interesting. The main character is alright, the side characters can be fun.
The way that the main character just overlooks seemingly major things by basically saying ‘oh well, anyways’ is very obnoxious as a character flaw.
Overall I’d say that it’s a worth a read, but I’d hardly call it hard sci-fi. The authors little self effacing blurb at the beginning of the book talking about hard sci-fi and writing about the prison system comes off as more vainglorious and laughable than anything else.
The book has promise. But also seems to reveal some serious incel tendencies of the author.
In its entirety it’s interesting. The main character is alright, the side characters can be fun.
The way that the main character just overlooks seemingly major things by basically saying ‘oh well, anyways’ is very obnoxious as a character flaw.
Overall I’d say that it’s a worth a read, but I’d hardly call it hard sci-fi. The authors little self effacing blurb at the beginning of the book talking about hard sci-fi and writing about the prison system comes off as more vainglorious and laughable than anything else.
June 14, 2024
Excellent series! More please!
I just finished book two and wow! Well thought out, exciting & spicy space based science fiction. The story may have been a little slow to develop in book one, (Bedlam), but it’s an exciting ride after that. Stick with it because it’s where context is developed. The author does such a good job of making alien races real and making the reader feel like you can picture what’s going on. I marvel at that when a writer can work that magic. The author weaves in love, compassion, empathy and graphic sex and sexual themes that are steamy but fit in with the story and doesn’t let them take over the big picture. On the other side of the spectrum is cruelty and violence salted in that sadly is not so hard to imagine in a high tech universe. However, the ragtag mix of good guys win in the end after edge of seat battles and struggles and live to continue the adventure. If this checks some boxes for you I hope you enjoy it as much as me. I’m eager to see what comes next!
I just finished book two and wow! Well thought out, exciting & spicy space based science fiction. The story may have been a little slow to develop in book one, (Bedlam), but it’s an exciting ride after that. Stick with it because it’s where context is developed. The author does such a good job of making alien races real and making the reader feel like you can picture what’s going on. I marvel at that when a writer can work that magic. The author weaves in love, compassion, empathy and graphic sex and sexual themes that are steamy but fit in with the story and doesn’t let them take over the big picture. On the other side of the spectrum is cruelty and violence salted in that sadly is not so hard to imagine in a high tech universe. However, the ragtag mix of good guys win in the end after edge of seat battles and struggles and live to continue the adventure. If this checks some boxes for you I hope you enjoy it as much as me. I’m eager to see what comes next!
January 18, 2026
A frikkin mazing! Sci-fi Harem for the win!
If you read the first book then you already know. You don’t need me review, you probably didn’t even stop to write your own review before hoping to this book. I did the same, but forced myself to leave a review on the first book just like I forced myself to write this one. Because this book deserves it. If you haven’t read the first book….then what the heck are you doing here? Go back and get the first one, you would be catastrophically missing out if you skip the first one. Anyways.. sci-fi, harem, fem nazis sentient AI, and of course our very favorite demon girl. This book has it all. The only regret you will have is if you don’t read this book.
If you read the first book then you already know. You don’t need me review, you probably didn’t even stop to write your own review before hoping to this book. I did the same, but forced myself to leave a review on the first book just like I forced myself to write this one. Because this book deserves it. If you haven’t read the first book….then what the heck are you doing here? Go back and get the first one, you would be catastrophically missing out if you skip the first one. Anyways.. sci-fi, harem, fem nazis sentient AI, and of course our very favorite demon girl. This book has it all. The only regret you will have is if you don’t read this book.
June 14, 2024
Death Star Prison Riot
To say that this is a unique story is just the beginning. I'm at a loss for the best words to describe the situation. The author leaves us questioning if there are holes in the story or if we just don't fully understand the technology and its limitations. What would you do if you became an unexpected warden of a Death Star size, all women's, prison ship damaged in battle and hunted by the military that needs to hide the secrets on board. I'm reading to find out. People do die, and battles are lost and won. But in the end, this is just background for the next book. Can't wait to see what happens next.
To say that this is a unique story is just the beginning. I'm at a loss for the best words to describe the situation. The author leaves us questioning if there are holes in the story or if we just don't fully understand the technology and its limitations. What would you do if you became an unexpected warden of a Death Star size, all women's, prison ship damaged in battle and hunted by the military that needs to hide the secrets on board. I'm reading to find out. People do die, and battles are lost and won. But in the end, this is just background for the next book. Can't wait to see what happens next.
June 17, 2024
4.5 stars. Not quite as good as the first one, but still in the top 10% of books I've read this year. I found there was a bit more sex than the story really needed, so that's the missing .5.
It did get pretty dark as the author warns at the beginning, but not unremittingly so. Pacing, with the exception of the sex marathons in a couple of spots, was good. The ship is a very dynamic environment by itself, even without the events of the wider galaxy intruding, so there is lots to work with.
There is definitely plenty of story potential remaining here, so I look forward to book 3 and beyond.
It did get pretty dark as the author warns at the beginning, but not unremittingly so. Pacing, with the exception of the sex marathons in a couple of spots, was good. The ship is a very dynamic environment by itself, even without the events of the wider galaxy intruding, so there is lots to work with.
There is definitely plenty of story potential remaining here, so I look forward to book 3 and beyond.
November 24, 2025
It's good
If you like the previous book, you're going to like this one. I'm really rooting for the main character. Get a chance to get the ship fixed up to his liking also. The other characters are well developed and have their own viewpoints and things they want to accomplish I would tell you more about the plot, but I really feel that would just take away from the book for you. There's decent action, adventure sex. Looking forward to reading the third book in the series. Hopefully you'll have the audible versions of this coming out soon. Fingers crossed! I apologize for any spelling errors or lack of coherence. I'm writing this review with voice to text
If you like the previous book, you're going to like this one. I'm really rooting for the main character. Get a chance to get the ship fixed up to his liking also. The other characters are well developed and have their own viewpoints and things they want to accomplish I would tell you more about the plot, but I really feel that would just take away from the book for you. There's decent action, adventure sex. Looking forward to reading the third book in the series. Hopefully you'll have the audible versions of this coming out soon. Fingers crossed! I apologize for any spelling errors or lack of coherence. I'm writing this review with voice to text
July 23, 2024
The writer has an interesting story and lots of opinions
Maybe it’s purposeful, so I’ll give them that. The characters have a lot of options about the world, some in reaction to the world they’re out in. But a lot of it comes off as… ironic. Still a fun story, still planning on reading it all the way through and looking forward to whatever comes next, but whether it’s because of the political climate of both the story and irl, I’m 2/3rds through the book and the gender relation commentary keeps coming off as jarring where in other stories I don’t mind or completely miss it.
Maybe it’s purposeful, so I’ll give them that. The characters have a lot of options about the world, some in reaction to the world they’re out in. But a lot of it comes off as… ironic. Still a fun story, still planning on reading it all the way through and looking forward to whatever comes next, but whether it’s because of the political climate of both the story and irl, I’m 2/3rds through the book and the gender relation commentary keeps coming off as jarring where in other stories I don’t mind or completely miss it.
June 19, 2024
Amazing.
Loved this book. The writing is great, and it's got enough character that every sentence is worth reading, which actually forced me to slow down a bit and enjoy it.
The actual plot is really engaging because there's so much going on. You never know what's actually going to make an impact.
Wouldn't change a thing. Half wish there were more sweet moments, but there really are too many fires to put out for those to even happen often.
10/10.
Loved this book. The writing is great, and it's got enough character that every sentence is worth reading, which actually forced me to slow down a bit and enjoy it.
The actual plot is really engaging because there's so much going on. You never know what's actually going to make an impact.
Wouldn't change a thing. Half wish there were more sweet moments, but there really are too many fires to put out for those to even happen often.
10/10.
June 21, 2024
Another fine addition to the collection!
Bought it as soon as I saw it, was not disappointed by the sequel at all, as riveting and thrilling as the first, if not more so. I eagerly await the next one in the series after thoroughly devouring both this one and the previous one as a refresher. I hunger for more tales in the wake of the prison ship Sheol, let it be a long running and extensive series full of captivated fans clamoring for more!
Bought it as soon as I saw it, was not disappointed by the sequel at all, as riveting and thrilling as the first, if not more so. I eagerly await the next one in the series after thoroughly devouring both this one and the previous one as a refresher. I hunger for more tales in the wake of the prison ship Sheol, let it be a long running and extensive series full of captivated fans clamoring for more!
July 18, 2024
Great book 2
Stumbled across this author book and thought I would give it a try. Loved it so much that after I read I bought it. And then held off on reading this one a bit since I knew once I started I would keep going. And I was right. This book starts off right after book 1 and gives you more. More fights more just everything. And what a roller coaster ride it is. Really can’t wait for book 3.
Stumbled across this author book and thought I would give it a try. Loved it so much that after I read I bought it. And then held off on reading this one a bit since I knew once I started I would keep going. And I was right. This book starts off right after book 1 and gives you more. More fights more just everything. And what a roller coaster ride it is. Really can’t wait for book 3.
July 26, 2024
I’m not getting all this “Incel” vibe from other reviews, the feminazis are the “baddies” that’s all there is to it! I’m also not a sci-fi expert so don’t have the knowledge to delve into the intricacies and pick holes in whether the space drive would work in that manner or not, I’m just going with the flow!!
Read this straight after book one, enjoying the series and character development really looking forward to the next one, so get writing!
Read this straight after book one, enjoying the series and character development really looking forward to the next one, so get writing!
June 13, 2024
Fun read with the continued journey of the Sheol
Book two combined the escape from the Alliant Fleet with a lot of internal ship challenges. Trying to get the ship in order and survive the fleet chasing them, the Greye family deals with an AI that is dangerous to all the prisoners, feminazis and failing systems. It was a quick read. I look forward to the next book.
Book two combined the escape from the Alliant Fleet with a lot of internal ship challenges. Trying to get the ship in order and survive the fleet chasing them, the Greye family deals with an AI that is dangerous to all the prisoners, feminazis and failing systems. It was a quick read. I look forward to the next book.
June 29, 2024
Still interesting, more sex
The first book was a good romp. This one is too... But I guess I was hoping for more story and less erotica. Frankly, I skipped forward past much of it.
I would still get the next one,I want to know what's next!
The first book was a good romp. This one is too... But I guess I was hoping for more story and less erotica. Frankly, I skipped forward past much of it.
I would still get the next one,I want to know what's next!
August 22, 2024
this is actually a good read
I’m a scifi junkie, this book was a little out from what I typically read. But the storyline was really good, even with the sex. Looking forward to a chapter 3.
I’m a scifi junkie, this book was a little out from what I typically read. But the storyline was really good, even with the sex. Looking forward to a chapter 3.
November 21, 2025
Helluva read!
Even taking the spice out, this was a very good space opera. I enjoyed every page.
Although following the MC can be exhausting! Poor guy never seems to catch a break.
Even taking the spice out, this was a very good space opera. I enjoyed every page.
Although following the MC can be exhausting! Poor guy never seems to catch a break.
June 8, 2024
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the demoness. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine fantasy harem adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the demoness. I anxiously await the sequel.
June 9, 2024
A great sequel
A good series with lots of interesting characters I can't wait to see the next book definitely read this for the fun ai and robots
A good series with lots of interesting characters I can't wait to see the next book definitely read this for the fun ai and robots
June 23, 2024
Book 2 is a great time
The first book was good, but this one I could not put down. Thanks to the author for such a fun time and I am looking forward to book 3.
The first book was good, but this one I could not put down. Thanks to the author for such a fun time and I am looking forward to book 3.
July 1, 2024
A wonderfully dark adventure!!!
An absolutely terrific dark adventure!!! This second book really drove home the author's desire for "Grey Wolf" style of MC!
An absolutely terrific dark adventure!!! This second book really drove home the author's desire for "Grey Wolf" style of MC!
July 7, 2024
no dull moments
It honestly feels like the series had and has more potential for development with a fairly solid premise and diverse cast.
It honestly feels like the series had and has more potential for development with a fairly solid premise and diverse cast.
July 17, 2024
Man, I wish this series have 10 book for me to read. I put this next to Neural wraith and Mob sorcery. Any recommendations for series to read? I am struggling with finding similar series. 😫
October 8, 2024
AI fun Time
The book was same has previous only one improvement was the protagonist actually getting fights. I hope you try an improve the sci-fi elements more.
The book was same has previous only one improvement was the protagonist actually getting fights. I hope you try an improve the sci-fi elements more.
May 18, 2025
Good book.
This is a good book with a fun story line. I throughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more adventures in this universe.
This is a good book with a fun story line. I throughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more adventures in this universe.
October 25, 2025
A strong follow-up to the first book sees the MC tackling new problems, new and sadistic antagonists, and the general hassles of being in charge.
The MC is still a decent person, though he's getting a little ruthless as he gets pushed into directions he doesn't want to go.
The harem expands, and there are some side members that get to join in on the fun. One of the side members does die in the book, which is something many that read haremlit will find intolerable. I didn't consider them a full harem member, and it does promote character growth on the MC's part.
I still find this a very compelling series to date, and I wonder where the author will go next.
The MC is still a decent person, though he's getting a little ruthless as he gets pushed into directions he doesn't want to go.
The harem expands, and there are some side members that get to join in on the fun. One of the side members does die in the book, which is something many that read haremlit will find intolerable. I didn't consider them a full harem member, and it does promote character growth on the MC's part.
I still find this a very compelling series to date, and I wonder where the author will go next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews