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The Artifact #1
The Artifact
Benjamin, Mark, and Chloe were all set to graduate college in a few weeks.
Ben had ordered a strange object from eBay to use as cover art for a book he was writing.
It looked really cool, like a slightly charred old military artifact from 70 years ago. It was possibly part of an engine. After cleaning it up (it was found in a cow field), he placed the strange device on his dorm room desk directly over the wireless charging port. That woke it up.
Unknown to him, the disabled starship hiding on the moon could now communicate with the missing part.
The ship needed two
1) The missing part.
2) A crew to pass itself off as a manned ship (AIs were not supposed to control ships autonomously).
Now, after finishing college, they need to find a way to get the ship to land somewhere safe, supply it, and return the missing component, the artifact.
They suspect the most challenging part will be getting into space. They soon find that the real problem is what awaits them when they reach the alien trading center.
Ben had ordered a strange object from eBay to use as cover art for a book he was writing.
It looked really cool, like a slightly charred old military artifact from 70 years ago. It was possibly part of an engine. After cleaning it up (it was found in a cow field), he placed the strange device on his dorm room desk directly over the wireless charging port. That woke it up.
Unknown to him, the disabled starship hiding on the moon could now communicate with the missing part.
The ship needed two
1) The missing part.
2) A crew to pass itself off as a manned ship (AIs were not supposed to control ships autonomously).
Now, after finishing college, they need to find a way to get the ship to land somewhere safe, supply it, and return the missing component, the artifact.
They suspect the most challenging part will be getting into space. They soon find that the real problem is what awaits them when they reach the alien trading center.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 24, 2024
1969 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
David Collins
30 books24 followersI am a retired software engineer who has worked on various medical/robotic hardware, oceanographic mapping, telecommunications, and submarine communication systems. He currently resides in New Hampshire and has decided to try writing some science fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
January 24, 2025
Needs a strong editor. Author should take English and grammar classes: “diffinitive definition “, even a HS student would not write this. Dialogue is just narration in quotes for the most part. Author does not understand social interaction. Plot had a couple of interesting twists, so I give it a 1. Will not buy any more books by this author.
November 19, 2024
Not sure what this book intends to be
I gave up after about halfway through, there was minimal humor, no suspense, no interesting scientific experiments or findings.
The story is simply unbelievable and lacks any science fascination.
I gave up after about halfway through, there was minimal humor, no suspense, no interesting scientific experiments or findings.
The story is simply unbelievable and lacks any science fascination.
July 1, 2025
I find all the 5-star reviews for The Artifact to be highly suspect. This is, quite simply, the most poorly written novel I have ever read.
How bad is the writing? Think of as many examples of poor writing as you can. I'll wait.
That's not enough. Think of more.
The author has exhibited every one of those. Repeatedly.
An example:
Most of the book is written in the first-person. At one point, the author forgot that they were writing from that perspective, between sentences in a conversation, making it appear as though the protagonist is talking to himself.
There are so many instances of near non-sequitors driving the plot. Middle of a conversation, suddenly they're talking about and doing something else.
The characters are paper-thin. There is no conflict. Even during potential genocide, they just go with the flow. Stuff happens, and they just move on to the next conversation.
I have to imagine the protagonist is an avatar of the author. If I had to guess, judging by the protagonist's interaction and the author's use of female characters, the author had never had a girlfriend, or even a close female friend. The author has probably never had a job. The author has probably never met anyone in the government or military.
Simply put, it just seems like the author has no life experience, no ability to imagine it, and has done no research to fill in any knowledge gaps.
There's an idea for a fun story. But the author doesn't have the chops to tell it.
How bad is the writing? Think of as many examples of poor writing as you can. I'll wait.
That's not enough. Think of more.
The author has exhibited every one of those. Repeatedly.
An example:
Most of the book is written in the first-person. At one point, the author forgot that they were writing from that perspective, between sentences in a conversation, making it appear as though the protagonist is talking to himself.
There are so many instances of near non-sequitors driving the plot. Middle of a conversation, suddenly they're talking about and doing something else.
The characters are paper-thin. There is no conflict. Even during potential genocide, they just go with the flow. Stuff happens, and they just move on to the next conversation.
I have to imagine the protagonist is an avatar of the author. If I had to guess, judging by the protagonist's interaction and the author's use of female characters, the author had never had a girlfriend, or even a close female friend. The author has probably never had a job. The author has probably never met anyone in the government or military.
Simply put, it just seems like the author has no life experience, no ability to imagine it, and has done no research to fill in any knowledge gaps.
There's an idea for a fun story. But the author doesn't have the chops to tell it.
October 3, 2024
Very enjoyable!
February 18, 2025
This is a really well-done book, a type of book that I think could be developed into a science fiction series. You start with college students, a strange artifact that talks, a crashed spaceship on the moon, space pirates and the group of students taking a trip that is, quite literally, out of the world.
Their journey is really neat and the string of events they encounter remain interesting throughout. Definitely a must-read.
Their journey is really neat and the string of events they encounter remain interesting throughout. Definitely a must-read.
October 27, 2024
Fun read with issues
This is a little hard to rate, it’s somewhat enjoyable, quick to read, good pacing; however, the writing style is an off-putting narrative, all tell and no show, and overall comparable to a USA Today level type of thing.
The other issue is the author claims he was aiming for hard sci-fi, but this is more space fantasy than anything else. Other than a nod at centrifugal forces for artificial gravity, it’s written as if science is subjective and reality is based on narrative choices, things like known objective scientific facts, cause effect, planetary and stellar distances, inertia, momentum, etc. are all treated as irrelevant.
This is a little hard to rate, it’s somewhat enjoyable, quick to read, good pacing; however, the writing style is an off-putting narrative, all tell and no show, and overall comparable to a USA Today level type of thing.
The other issue is the author claims he was aiming for hard sci-fi, but this is more space fantasy than anything else. Other than a nod at centrifugal forces for artificial gravity, it’s written as if science is subjective and reality is based on narrative choices, things like known objective scientific facts, cause effect, planetary and stellar distances, inertia, momentum, etc. are all treated as irrelevant.
May 4, 2025
“The Artifact”, first in the series of the same name, has a clunky writing style, very poor editing, and paper thin characters.
Normally that would see a DNF and a single star rating.
But, I am a sucker for Space Opera, not an area where literary skills are often found (there are, of course, exceptions).
A university student, Ben, is due to graduate soon, He is also writing a Space Opera (which allows him means to poke fun at the genre).
He needs a cover but can't afford to employ a professional – Ebay just happens to have a suitably steampunk chunk of metal which would do very nicely.
The ancient artifact turns out to be link to a spaceship hidden on the Moon and a highly intelligent A.I.
It's the start of an out of this world adventure for Ben, his friends, and a motley crew chosen by governments all over the world.
The face danger, make new friends, become fabulously wealthy, and generally have a lot of fun.
There's a fair amount of novel ideas thrown into the mix and a tad more scientific explanation than I feel it needed.
Still, it's a quick read and I (mostly) liked it.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
Normally that would see a DNF and a single star rating.
But, I am a sucker for Space Opera, not an area where literary skills are often found (there are, of course, exceptions).
A university student, Ben, is due to graduate soon, He is also writing a Space Opera (which allows him means to poke fun at the genre).
He needs a cover but can't afford to employ a professional – Ebay just happens to have a suitably steampunk chunk of metal which would do very nicely.
The ancient artifact turns out to be link to a spaceship hidden on the Moon and a highly intelligent A.I.
It's the start of an out of this world adventure for Ben, his friends, and a motley crew chosen by governments all over the world.
The face danger, make new friends, become fabulously wealthy, and generally have a lot of fun.
There's a fair amount of novel ideas thrown into the mix and a tad more scientific explanation than I feel it needed.
Still, it's a quick read and I (mostly) liked it.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
February 13, 2025
Readable
We have some clueless college kids that come across an artifact that is able to use their wireless charger to boot up and start working. It turns out to be a communicator (plus) that tasks to a sentient AI on a derelict space ship. They all decide to crew the space ship to a repair station. Army finds out and wants in on the crew, and broker an arrangement with the Chinese and Russians so there's an international crew all under the command of the college students. So they go off on a first contact mission which has its surprising twists, but not to be outdone, they make a second contact, and due to self evident and obvious common courtesy they gain the unmitigated respect and alliance of the most powerful woman in the universe. This concludes the story (which I always like), but leaves the door open for further adventures as expected to be found in the the sequel. I think I'll read the sequel, even though this book can not be considered great literature.
We have some clueless college kids that come across an artifact that is able to use their wireless charger to boot up and start working. It turns out to be a communicator (plus) that tasks to a sentient AI on a derelict space ship. They all decide to crew the space ship to a repair station. Army finds out and wants in on the crew, and broker an arrangement with the Chinese and Russians so there's an international crew all under the command of the college students. So they go off on a first contact mission which has its surprising twists, but not to be outdone, they make a second contact, and due to self evident and obvious common courtesy they gain the unmitigated respect and alliance of the most powerful woman in the universe. This concludes the story (which I always like), but leaves the door open for further adventures as expected to be found in the the sequel. I think I'll read the sequel, even though this book can not be considered great literature.
July 22, 2025
I was expecting a lot of military talk and posturing, but what I got was "Phone Home" on steroids, with us humans as the alien. The story is well written, the characters are vivid and very interesting, and the plot is far more interesting than I had expected. The premise is three college students buy an artifact on Ebay for almost $55 to be used as a cover photo for the main character's new book. What the artifact turns out to be is a part of an alien ship with a fully manifested AI ( I still think the label is wrong and should be DI for Digital Intelligence. ) who needed the part back and a crew to help the ship pass as a ship that has a biological crew. I am very impressed with this author and as soon as I can afford it, I plan to purchase the rest of the series. I may just have a new Author I will like as much as Michael Anderle and the authors he has helped. All the books he has mentored or written himself are all 5 star reviews.
July 17, 2025
Honestly? I wasn't impressed at first. The writing was not very good but it improved as the story progressed. But was that on purpose? I began to suspect it was as the book is written in the first person and that person is Ben Williams, a soon to graduate college student who self publishes science fiction to earn money, just enough. He buys something he sees on eBay to inspire Chloe who does the cover art for his books which turns out to be an artifact from a spaceship visiting Earth in search of space pirates 2,300 years earlier. Thus begins the group of friends old and new romp through space. As the story progresses, Ben's writing skills improve which makes sense as he hinds his footing, writing about his actual experiences This is an easy, lighthearted tale of probably the most inexperienced and unlikely space travelers I've come across and I was left wanting to delve into book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2024
Slice of Life Sci-Fi?
Well the MC seems to have absurd luck all through the book, right place right time doing the right thing seems to be the theme. It’s a “Find a spaceship, lets explore” type of book with a few twists on the several book I have read with that sort of starting premise. I enjoyed the book even with the seemingly maxed out luck stat the MC has (this book does not have stats). I think the AI is one of the better ones in interacting with the characters and becoming friends with the main ones. A good read.
Well the MC seems to have absurd luck all through the book, right place right time doing the right thing seems to be the theme. It’s a “Find a spaceship, lets explore” type of book with a few twists on the several book I have read with that sort of starting premise. I enjoyed the book even with the seemingly maxed out luck stat the MC has (this book does not have stats). I think the AI is one of the better ones in interacting with the characters and becoming friends with the main ones. A good read.
March 2, 2025
amusing read
The characters are likeable if somewhat underdeveloped and lacking depth. The storyline is amusing - I mean who wouldn’t want to own an alien spaceship? I found the story to be more like scene setting for future books, a lot happened without much description. And I don’t understand why they had to keep asking earth defence forces for permission for things. And some of the interesting characters disappeared. But the writing was entertaining. We’ll see how it all develops.
The characters are likeable if somewhat underdeveloped and lacking depth. The storyline is amusing - I mean who wouldn’t want to own an alien spaceship? I found the story to be more like scene setting for future books, a lot happened without much description. And I don’t understand why they had to keep asking earth defence forces for permission for things. And some of the interesting characters disappeared. But the writing was entertaining. We’ll see how it all develops.
May 15, 2025
Unsuitable for anyone that has attained puberty.
To refer to this as childish and completely lacking in imagination would be kind. However, given the general quality of SCIFI these days, perhaps kindness is in order.
This is simply another installment of the old-fashioned Saturday morning garbage that was common fifty years ago.
If this were a physical book, I would not know a single person serving of the insult the free gift would really be interpreted as being.
If you have a high school diploma, you way higher than this book.
To refer to this as childish and completely lacking in imagination would be kind. However, given the general quality of SCIFI these days, perhaps kindness is in order.
This is simply another installment of the old-fashioned Saturday morning garbage that was common fifty years ago.
If this were a physical book, I would not know a single person serving of the insult the free gift would really be interpreted as being.
If you have a high school diploma, you way higher than this book.
June 2, 2025
I found myself continually struck by the book's understated, matter-of-fact approach. Characters confront genuinely world-altering events with an almost disarming nonchalance, simply taking each development in stride rather than succumbing to drama. This unique narrative choice meant that even encounters with an alien AI, its presence on a lunar ship, or the casual invitation to traverse the cosmos were presented as straightforward occurrences, creating a distinct and somewhat alienating reader experience.
November 14, 2025
A good start to the series
I have read many first books and nowhere near as many second in a series. This is one of the winners. A little on the nerdy side and a little jumbled at times but still enjoyed it.
Main characters you can already feel a connection to, tech that sounds like fun and plausible, and enough world building without bogging down the flow. I did get a chuckle from some of the names, not sure if it was intentional.
Ok, that's enough, I don't do spoilers. Off to read the next book.
I have read many first books and nowhere near as many second in a series. This is one of the winners. A little on the nerdy side and a little jumbled at times but still enjoyed it.
Main characters you can already feel a connection to, tech that sounds like fun and plausible, and enough world building without bogging down the flow. I did get a chuckle from some of the names, not sure if it was intentional.
Ok, that's enough, I don't do spoilers. Off to read the next book.
September 29, 2024
Nice story, with caveat
An enjoyable read/listen.
With the caveat of there being an annoying number of typos, incorrect words and grammatical errors.
Either better proof readers are needed, or it wasn't. I almost got the feel the body of the text was 'fleshed out' by an AI that was skipping a few clock cycles...
Overall, a 3.5, give it 4 based on probably reading the sequel.
An enjoyable read/listen.
With the caveat of there being an annoying number of typos, incorrect words and grammatical errors.
Either better proof readers are needed, or it wasn't. I almost got the feel the body of the text was 'fleshed out' by an AI that was skipping a few clock cycles...
Overall, a 3.5, give it 4 based on probably reading the sequel.
October 10, 2024
Not bad, A good read for a lazy day.
Judging by the blurb I wasn't sure if the book had been written by someone who had English for a second language, or someone had dumped a series of words into a word processor and programmed an AI to write a sci-fi story. A cow field?. WTH. Did he mean a pasture? But as I read the story I sort of adjusted to the author's style and went with the flow. Give it a try and see what you think!
Judging by the blurb I wasn't sure if the book had been written by someone who had English for a second language, or someone had dumped a series of words into a word processor and programmed an AI to write a sci-fi story. A cow field?. WTH. Did he mean a pasture? But as I read the story I sort of adjusted to the author's style and went with the flow. Give it a try and see what you think!
November 27, 2024
Finally
I have been reading a long, long time. My first author was Zenna Henerson. This has been 1 of the few books I could not put down. Great story, great build-up. Being a good person and following the rules does have its benefits. Very good characters and believable story. Nice job with the aliens. I'm hurrying writing this so I can get to the next book. Thank you so much, good job. Respectfully!
I have been reading a long, long time. My first author was Zenna Henerson. This has been 1 of the few books I could not put down. Great story, great build-up. Being a good person and following the rules does have its benefits. Very good characters and believable story. Nice job with the aliens. I'm hurrying writing this so I can get to the next book. Thank you so much, good job. Respectfully!
December 18, 2024
not bad…fairly entertaining
An entertaining read, though a little light on the science. It does require a bit of suspension of belief in that the scenario presented is most unlikely as I could not envision the US military or any World government going along with a group of recent college grads (undergraduates to be more specific) being in charge of a mission such as this. I realize that sounds rather vague but I’m trying not give away any spoilers.
An entertaining read, though a little light on the science. It does require a bit of suspension of belief in that the scenario presented is most unlikely as I could not envision the US military or any World government going along with a group of recent college grads (undergraduates to be more specific) being in charge of a mission such as this. I realize that sounds rather vague but I’m trying not give away any spoilers.
February 25, 2025
Didn't hook me.
It's an interesting plot, but its not polished at all, and the intro is very rushed. There is very little reasoning and reads more like a check list, "we will do this, and we will do this, then we will do that..." then turns into, "we did this, and we did that"
Also, everyone just accepts everything, no questions asked. The whole build up of the story was neglected to get to the "good part" and it lost me.
It's an interesting plot, but its not polished at all, and the intro is very rushed. There is very little reasoning and reads more like a check list, "we will do this, and we will do this, then we will do that..." then turns into, "we did this, and we did that"
Also, everyone just accepts everything, no questions asked. The whole build up of the story was neglected to get to the "good part" and it lost me.
May 28, 2025
I read the book based on all the positive comments and an apparent potential in the story.
I rarely give 2 star book reviews, and ones without a plot or simply boring have their place at 3 stars, however this one on top of the previously mentioned attributes is also poorly written/edited.
I'm hugely curious why/how people gave it 4-5 ⭐ reviews, but it sucks to be the most interesting thing.
I rarely give 2 star book reviews, and ones without a plot or simply boring have their place at 3 stars, however this one on top of the previously mentioned attributes is also poorly written/edited.
I'm hugely curious why/how people gave it 4-5 ⭐ reviews, but it sucks to be the most interesting thing.
June 8, 2025
Into the Unknown
A college student buys a piece of interesting junk online to use as a book cover for a sci-fi book he is writing.
The junk once cleaned up and placed near a charger wakes up and introduced the entity on the other end as an alien AI part of an alien space ship. Mostly in repair mode, dormant, or monitoring signals from each while being stranded on the moon.
Now the fun starts.
A college student buys a piece of interesting junk online to use as a book cover for a sci-fi book he is writing.
The junk once cleaned up and placed near a charger wakes up and introduced the entity on the other end as an alien AI part of an alien space ship. Mostly in repair mode, dormant, or monitoring signals from each while being stranded on the moon.
Now the fun starts.
July 14, 2025
If you are a starship AI crash-landed on the Moon, and you need to recruit a non-mechanical captain, make sure you can design a communicator that is easy to carry and can be rebooted with some future monkey’s cell phone charger.
If you are lucky, the monkey in question will be a college senior with a few buddies looking for a gap year adventure.
Who says science fiction is not educational?
If you are lucky, the monkey in question will be a college senior with a few buddies looking for a gap year adventure.
Who says science fiction is not educational?
September 14, 2025
Not what I expected. The story had promise but it read like a YA book and the computer narration was hard to listen to.
The story is simplistic and not believable. It was bad enough that I will not bother with the rest of the books...even though they are free.
At first I was impressed with the narration but it didn't last. All the characters sound exactly the same and the voice inflection was way off.
The story is simplistic and not believable. It was bad enough that I will not bother with the rest of the books...even though they are free.
At first I was impressed with the narration but it didn't last. All the characters sound exactly the same and the voice inflection was way off.
September 29, 2024
Off to the stars!
A fun read, a young fellow who had just gotten his bachelor's degree was off and away to the stars with his gal, a few friends including his newest, a 2500 year old AI named Jessie. Oh and of course Star Force got involved. Join the fun, grab a copy and go along for the ride!
A fun read, a young fellow who had just gotten his bachelor's degree was off and away to the stars with his gal, a few friends including his newest, a 2500 year old AI named Jessie. Oh and of course Star Force got involved. Join the fun, grab a copy and go along for the ride!
October 5, 2024
Artifacts have surprises
That was a very enjoyable read. I love the twists and turns and all the unexpected adventures that our heroes encountered. Very entertaining and so much fun to get through. I really appreciate writers and your imagination. Thanks for taking me on a great space adventure.
That was a very enjoyable read. I love the twists and turns and all the unexpected adventures that our heroes encountered. Very entertaining and so much fun to get through. I really appreciate writers and your imagination. Thanks for taking me on a great space adventure.
October 10, 2024
Excellent
A truly fun and enjoyable read. I'll order the next book and hope I enjoy it as much as I did this one. It was very enjoyable to not have to wonder if the "science" was accurate or correct. That was obviously not a concern for the author (and certainly not for me either).
A truly fun and enjoyable read. I'll order the next book and hope I enjoy it as much as I did this one. It was very enjoyable to not have to wonder if the "science" was accurate or correct. That was obviously not a concern for the author (and certainly not for me either).
October 18, 2024
It was labeled comedy/science fiction
And the comedy was under played enough that I may have missed some of it.
Solid World building. And no artificial gravity! Which allowed for more non-fantastic science and engineering.
A pleasure to read. Incredibly optimistic international politics.
Enjoy!
And the comedy was under played enough that I may have missed some of it.
Solid World building. And no artificial gravity! Which allowed for more non-fantastic science and engineering.
A pleasure to read. Incredibly optimistic international politics.
Enjoy!
November 19, 2024
Good Story
Young man acquires spaceship. Spaceship with super AI has been dormant for an extended time. Man gathers friends to go on an adventure. Been there done that. But, even though this has been done before, the author is an accomplished storyteller and brings the story to life. This is a well designed and told tale. No harems, just a good old fashioned space opera!
Young man acquires spaceship. Spaceship with super AI has been dormant for an extended time. Man gathers friends to go on an adventure. Been there done that. But, even though this has been done before, the author is an accomplished storyteller and brings the story to life. This is a well designed and told tale. No harems, just a good old fashioned space opera!
November 23, 2024
Fun sci fi adventure
The editing needs some work, but the worldbuilding is good, and the characters are fun. I needed a sci fi adventure with less doom and destruction, and this book provided enjoyment with minimal stress. The nonhumans are interesting, and the adventures often proved humorous.
The editing needs some work, but the worldbuilding is good, and the characters are fun. I needed a sci fi adventure with less doom and destruction, and this book provided enjoyment with minimal stress. The nonhumans are interesting, and the adventures often proved humorous.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews