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The Artifact #2
The Second Artifact
In the first book, Ben had ordered a strange object from eBay. It turned out to be the missing part from an alien spacecraft. One with an AI that needed a crew so it could pass itself off as a non-AI ship.
Having survived their first adventure in space, they now had a new, larger, and much faster ship. Returning to Earth should have been the easy part.
They also had a wedding to plan.
Unfortunately, nothing goes as planned.
They are sent to a new destination in space to meet with a new alien species, with whom the other aliens' first contact didn't go very smoothly.
Along the way, they stumble across a new artifact, something ancient and possibly more dangerous than anything they have encountered.
What do you do with a piece of technology that can upset the balance of power in the galaxy?
Having survived their first adventure in space, they now had a new, larger, and much faster ship. Returning to Earth should have been the easy part.
They also had a wedding to plan.
Unfortunately, nothing goes as planned.
They are sent to a new destination in space to meet with a new alien species, with whom the other aliens' first contact didn't go very smoothly.
Along the way, they stumble across a new artifact, something ancient and possibly more dangerous than anything they have encountered.
What do you do with a piece of technology that can upset the balance of power in the galaxy?
243 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2024
About the author
David Collins
30 books25 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 58 reviews
November 1, 2024
Quite good!
November 2, 2024
Male focused sci-fi fantasy, needs editing
2.5 Stars (I had higher hopes, but nope.)
The main characters are collage students, soon recent graduates. They have accidentally contacted an alien ship without a crew, and in the first book, took it for a spin. The story line is interesting, and absurdly technical sections are short. (An attempt at hard science, but electricity? Really?) It moves along at a normal pace, but the swearing (much increased in book 2) is wearing my patience thin.
They and their friends are typical nerds, some hoping for hot alien women (green skin is especially preferred). Prepare to roll eyes often! This part is fairly mild but persistent through books 1 and 2.
The second most annoying thing is the "failure to edit." Words, not fancy punctuation. A simple read-through would have sufficed for someone practiced at reading a newspaper or newsletter. Complaints abound in reviews, but there are no corrections on book 1 yet, so I'm not overly hopeful the next book, when it comes, will be improved.
I have not decided yet, whether I like any of the characters enough to read a third book.
Warning: These books stop mid-action.
2.5 Stars (I had higher hopes, but nope.)
The main characters are collage students, soon recent graduates. They have accidentally contacted an alien ship without a crew, and in the first book, took it for a spin. The story line is interesting, and absurdly technical sections are short. (An attempt at hard science, but electricity? Really?) It moves along at a normal pace, but the swearing (much increased in book 2) is wearing my patience thin.
They and their friends are typical nerds, some hoping for hot alien women (green skin is especially preferred). Prepare to roll eyes often! This part is fairly mild but persistent through books 1 and 2.
The second most annoying thing is the "failure to edit." Words, not fancy punctuation. A simple read-through would have sufficed for someone practiced at reading a newspaper or newsletter. Complaints abound in reviews, but there are no corrections on book 1 yet, so I'm not overly hopeful the next book, when it comes, will be improved.
I have not decided yet, whether I like any of the characters enough to read a third book.
Warning: These books stop mid-action.
March 21, 2026
Meh, kind of disappointing
Aliens, FTL space travel, over-the-top heroes, assassins, terrorists, beyond imaginable wealth, cocky humor, and interspecies sex, this story has a lot of things, but what it lacks is a real plot. The story and the main characters just seem to bounce around from event to event, racing around the galaxy, have a wedding or two, kill some terrorists, and upgrading their ship.
The science part of this sci-fi story is a bit lean, never getting very technical or theoretical even. Fiction certainly, science, not so much. Fantasy fiction would be a better description.
There was a somewhat interesting storyline about the potential influence on human evolution by an ancient species with a very similar genetic makeup, but near the close of the story it looked doubtful. Not really enough here for me to continue this series.
Aliens, FTL space travel, over-the-top heroes, assassins, terrorists, beyond imaginable wealth, cocky humor, and interspecies sex, this story has a lot of things, but what it lacks is a real plot. The story and the main characters just seem to bounce around from event to event, racing around the galaxy, have a wedding or two, kill some terrorists, and upgrading their ship.
The science part of this sci-fi story is a bit lean, never getting very technical or theoretical even. Fiction certainly, science, not so much. Fantasy fiction would be a better description.
There was a somewhat interesting storyline about the potential influence on human evolution by an ancient species with a very similar genetic makeup, but near the close of the story it looked doubtful. Not really enough here for me to continue this series.
February 17, 2025
Barely readable
So we meet up with the Creetonas, and Mark satisfies his need to meet up with a green princess. Negotiation is dumb as the Creetonas threaten confiscation of Ben's new starship so Ben shows off his tactical superiority. This causes more enlightened people to get involved, and a treaty is negotiated. They try to find survivors from the world of the device, but end up damaging the ship with debris from the exploding star system. So going back to earth Mark and his princess decide to marry. A wedding is planned, and interrupted by terrorists. It also provides an opportunity for Mee to have a fling. It also motivates Ben to add weaponry to his starship. Ready for book three and the continuing saga of the band of college adventurers?
So we meet up with the Creetonas, and Mark satisfies his need to meet up with a green princess. Negotiation is dumb as the Creetonas threaten confiscation of Ben's new starship so Ben shows off his tactical superiority. This causes more enlightened people to get involved, and a treaty is negotiated. They try to find survivors from the world of the device, but end up damaging the ship with debris from the exploding star system. So going back to earth Mark and his princess decide to marry. A wedding is planned, and interrupted by terrorists. It also provides an opportunity for Mee to have a fling. It also motivates Ben to add weaponry to his starship. Ready for book three and the continuing saga of the band of college adventurers?
March 26, 2025
lazy space opera. Also we get to see the author's view of gender roles. Chloe introduces herself as "benjamin's wife" and doesn't seem to have anything to do. To be fair, other than the housework, none of them have much to do flying the ship or learning anything as the AI knows and does it all. The author just seems to have himself as the point of view character so there is no interiority. There is a cramped ship full of people with nothing to do, including military personnel, and all there is is occasional muttering about pool access. (yes, they have a small pool. How do I know it is small? Detailed measurements are repeatedly given).
July 23, 2025
I really like this series! The characters feel real in my mind, and the writing surprised a few laughs out of me. The plot is straightforward and the premise is meeting yet another race of people who others aliens were unable to communicate with. A show of strength had to be done, and the new aliens decided to play nice after all. I also really like the interactions with many of the characters and yes romance is involved. I highly recommend this book. Yes there is some cussing, but nothing too over the top.
November 3, 2025
Fun escapist exploration science fiction
My last review was 5 stars. This is, for the most part, fun escapist exploration science fiction. However, I should have given it four stars because of one plot point. A college aged man, Mark, sleeps with two women whose governments told them to sleep with him for favors or control. That is sexual harassment. It is realistic that the situation exists in the story. It is unrealistic that none of the other female characters saw a problem with this. It makes me detest the character and not enjoy a later love story.
My last review was 5 stars. This is, for the most part, fun escapist exploration science fiction. However, I should have given it four stars because of one plot point. A college aged man, Mark, sleeps with two women whose governments told them to sleep with him for favors or control. That is sexual harassment. It is realistic that the situation exists in the story. It is unrealistic that none of the other female characters saw a problem with this. It makes me detest the character and not enjoy a later love story.
October 16, 2024
A very good sequel to The ArtifAct.
I enjoy the writing style and the quirky characters. It seems as though these folks are very similar to most of my school friends. Or perhaps they are a composite of my own self image. The technical aspect are nicely developed and plausible enough.
I recommend both books in this series and look forward to the next edition. Yes, I have fantasized the lovely green alien princess.
I enjoy the writing style and the quirky characters. It seems as though these folks are very similar to most of my school friends. Or perhaps they are a composite of my own self image. The technical aspect are nicely developed and plausible enough.
I recommend both books in this series and look forward to the next edition. Yes, I have fantasized the lovely green alien princess.
Read
May 4, 2025A good read. Relaxing. Not too violent (blood, guts, and gore).
A bit sophomoric and simplistic, and just a little bit too much militarism. I just started book three, but may not go beyond that if the storyline continues as is.
Sci/Fi does not need to involve pages of discussions of the military and/or of weapons, but few current generation writers seem to be able to create a good storyline without resorting to it.
A bit sophomoric and simplistic, and just a little bit too much militarism. I just started book three, but may not go beyond that if the storyline continues as is.
Sci/Fi does not need to involve pages of discussions of the military and/or of weapons, but few current generation writers seem to be able to create a good storyline without resorting to it.
May 4, 2025
“The Second Artifact” has all the faults of the first book in the series - poor writing style, editing that is noticeable for its absence, and one-dimensional characters.
It also has a sense of humour that doesn't completely work - the whole sex with alien green-skinned women thing is probably meant to be funny, but it isn't.
If you read “The First Artifact” expect more of the same.
It reads like a shaggy dog story that just doesn't know when to stop.
2 Stars.
It also has a sense of humour that doesn't completely work - the whole sex with alien green-skinned women thing is probably meant to be funny, but it isn't.
If you read “The First Artifact” expect more of the same.
It reads like a shaggy dog story that just doesn't know when to stop.
2 Stars.
October 20, 2024
Still as Strange
I expect sci-fi to present new worlds and concepts, and this series certainly does that in spades. While there is conflict, most of the damage is done out of scene and does not significantly impact our protagonists. Background development is okay, if a bit thin at times. Overall theme remains positive, and the main storyline is continued in the next installment.
I expect sci-fi to present new worlds and concepts, and this series certainly does that in spades. While there is conflict, most of the damage is done out of scene and does not significantly impact our protagonists. Background development is okay, if a bit thin at times. Overall theme remains positive, and the main storyline is continued in the next installment.
November 23, 2024
Fun sci fi adventure
A few bad things happen, but mostly the book is a bit of a romp. Meeting new nonhumans, discovering new artifacts, making friends with the nonhumans (yeah, the guys are nerds, and the book was written by a man, so...) is definitely the major theme of this series. Doing good whenever possible makes me happy, and the cast of characters is fun.
A few bad things happen, but mostly the book is a bit of a romp. Meeting new nonhumans, discovering new artifacts, making friends with the nonhumans (yeah, the guys are nerds, and the book was written by a man, so...) is definitely the major theme of this series. Doing good whenever possible makes me happy, and the cast of characters is fun.
December 14, 2024
A good follow-up book
I like the story, not overly complex, likeable MC’s and not a non-stop rollercoaster of action, but enough action and storyline to keep it an interesting read as more relationships are started and new aliens are indoctrinated into the new collective of FTL sentient beings. I will read book 3.
I like the story, not overly complex, likeable MC’s and not a non-stop rollercoaster of action, but enough action and storyline to keep it an interesting read as more relationships are started and new aliens are indoctrinated into the new collective of FTL sentient beings. I will read book 3.
April 26, 2025
Simple Fun!
So far, this entire story is a Fabulous Festival of Toung In Cheek Nuance! A bunch of College Kids reunite to form a new age ‘Friendship Syndicate Space forse. That users in a new era of peaceful coexistence with a most dangerous entity who craves Banana Chips and horny college sex!
So far, this entire story is a Fabulous Festival of Toung In Cheek Nuance! A bunch of College Kids reunite to form a new age ‘Friendship Syndicate Space forse. That users in a new era of peaceful coexistence with a most dangerous entity who craves Banana Chips and horny college sex!
August 11, 2025
getting better as I go
Still missing something in the writing that gives the characters depth without exposition but the storytelling is great and after two books the action has given the characters some depth that the writing lacks.
Story and characters and world building is solid so I will press on to the next book and see if the writing continues to improve
Still missing something in the writing that gives the characters depth without exposition but the storytelling is great and after two books the action has given the characters some depth that the writing lacks.
Story and characters and world building is solid so I will press on to the next book and see if the writing continues to improve
November 17, 2025
A lot of story building
This book moves our story along with more adventures, intrigue and new characters.
I have a few opinions on how the main characters are dealing with their situation but you may decide differently. Again, no spoilers, I leave the discovery to you.
Yes, I'm starting the next book immediately.
This book moves our story along with more adventures, intrigue and new characters.
I have a few opinions on how the main characters are dealing with their situation but you may decide differently. Again, no spoilers, I leave the discovery to you.
Yes, I'm starting the next book immediately.
October 13, 2024
Excellent
And of course I'll buy the next book... This is such a fun read I almost dread reading the next book because when a story is as enjoyable as this is you don't want it to end!!! 🙂
And of course I'll buy the next book... This is such a fun read I almost dread reading the next book because when a story is as enjoyable as this is you don't want it to end!!! 🙂
October 14, 2024
Pretty good - I liked it!
Book \ story improves after the first 1\3. Slow moving beginning.
No graphic violence. Some sexual innuendo - nothing graphic!
- Happy to see that people are discovering Mr Collins books!
Book \ story improves after the first 1\3. Slow moving beginning.
No graphic violence. Some sexual innuendo - nothing graphic!
- Happy to see that people are discovering Mr Collins books!
October 28, 2024
Great series
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
What a fun book.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
What a fun book.
November 8, 2024
Not quite as good as the first
I’m giving this five stars. But if all these series, there’s always a fall off I think the reader expects too much all being said this was a very entertaining book that you should read.
I’m giving this five stars. But if all these series, there’s always a fall off I think the reader expects too much all being said this was a very entertaining book that you should read.
November 27, 2024
Good sequel
Focusing on earth and the new species they found was a very good way to handle this story. The challenges of trying to incorporate new language with new expectations with a different method of reproduction is well done.
Focusing on earth and the new species they found was a very good way to handle this story. The challenges of trying to incorporate new language with new expectations with a different method of reproduction is well done.
December 6, 2024
Awesome Series
I really enjoy the way David's characters interact and behave towards others and other species. I have been hooked since the first of his books and I've re-read most. All were outstanding and I hope he keeps them coming!
I really enjoy the way David's characters interact and behave towards others and other species. I have been hooked since the first of his books and I've re-read most. All were outstanding and I hope he keeps them coming!
December 7, 2024
Book 2 in the series
Ben, Chloe, and Mark return to Earth in their new ship to pick up a crew of scientists, military, and support personnel. Then the adventure begins. A great story.
Ben, Chloe, and Mark return to Earth in their new ship to pick up a crew of scientists, military, and support personnel. Then the adventure begins. A great story.
January 4, 2025
A very well written and interesting sequel to the first story.
I enjoyed this story more than the first book. It may have something to do with the obvious maturation of the primary characters, as I am in the later stages of my life.
I enjoyed this story more than the first book. It may have something to do with the obvious maturation of the primary characters, as I am in the later stages of my life.
February 4, 2025
the continuation of a good story
I enjoyed reading the second artifact. The plot twist that adds a new kind of FTL and ancient ancestor possibilities is very interesting. I look forward to the next book.
I enjoyed reading the second artifact. The plot twist that adds a new kind of FTL and ancient ancestor possibilities is very interesting. I look forward to the next book.
February 28, 2025
A really fun romp through the universe!
I loved “The First Artifact” and I loved “The Second Artifact” even more. I also have really high hopes for “The Third Artifact.”
Great characters, great plot, great action!
Read this book series. You WILL be glad you did! :)
I loved “The First Artifact” and I loved “The Second Artifact” even more. I also have really high hopes for “The Third Artifact.”
Great characters, great plot, great action!
Read this book series. You WILL be glad you did! :)
March 10, 2025
Artifact2
I loved this story. The people in the the story are believable , funny and the type of people would not flying around the place with. This would mane a great tv show or a movie.
Great job of story telling, heading for book three.
Joe
I loved this story. The people in the the story are believable , funny and the type of people would not flying around the place with. This would mane a great tv show or a movie.
Great job of story telling, heading for book three.
Joe
April 7, 2025
Space the first Frontier, and..
Really interesting read and well put I like the level of creativity With twists and turns That seem Quite normal But you quickly realize nothing's really normal
Really interesting read and well put I like the level of creativity With twists and turns That seem Quite normal But you quickly realize nothing's really normal
April 20, 2025
great Read
I like the book. It was fun to read. I think the audible version was good too. It was interesting that the audible version seemed to be interesting in sort of a more unique way.
I like the book. It was fun to read. I think the audible version was good too. It was interesting that the audible version seemed to be interesting in sort of a more unique way.
April 26, 2025
Another view of humanity
I liked the insights to the possible human origins. I disliked the variations of alien people; too farfetched. I found this story fascinating and well written.
I liked the insights to the possible human origins. I disliked the variations of alien people; too farfetched. I found this story fascinating and well written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews