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The Artifact #4
The Fourth Artifact
Benjamin, Chloe, Mark, and Kibbiea are off on a new adventure, much further away than anyone has ever traveled before.
They are heading out to identify the source of a mysterious signal they detected.
They also now have three instances of Mee Keralatazaku to deal Anya Fathi, the newest instance; Kera Prime, the original 2,000-year-old version; and Meera Fathi, Anya's human clone.
When they reach the distant area of space, they find not one but three different one whose looks are terrifying, one whose current actions are horrible, and one that has accidentally opened a worse Pandora’s box than the one Mee Keralatazaku did.
They are heading out to identify the source of a mysterious signal they detected.
They also now have three instances of Mee Keralatazaku to deal Anya Fathi, the newest instance; Kera Prime, the original 2,000-year-old version; and Meera Fathi, Anya's human clone.
When they reach the distant area of space, they find not one but three different one whose looks are terrifying, one whose current actions are horrible, and one that has accidentally opened a worse Pandora’s box than the one Mee Keralatazaku did.
- GenresScience Fiction
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 7, 2025
583 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 15, 2025
Very good!
February 26, 2025
Artifacts kinda. Refugees definitely.
We take off to find artifacts; get involved in a war; and end up finding refugees. The Stardust II is now loaded to the gills with various aliens that no longer have a home. The decision making is truly minimal and short sighted. We're creating babies left and right especially with those bug-eyed beavers that deliver a hundred at a time. Everybody is just so kumbayah, and excited about creating rug rats, and getting a bigger ship with multiple swimming pools. They're also meeting new races so frequently they've nearly doubled the number of races that they started out with. They've also run into some enigmas that can't be explained, and have been left for the continuing saga of the young and lucky.
We take off to find artifacts; get involved in a war; and end up finding refugees. The Stardust II is now loaded to the gills with various aliens that no longer have a home. The decision making is truly minimal and short sighted. We're creating babies left and right especially with those bug-eyed beavers that deliver a hundred at a time. Everybody is just so kumbayah, and excited about creating rug rats, and getting a bigger ship with multiple swimming pools. They're also meeting new races so frequently they've nearly doubled the number of races that they started out with. They've also run into some enigmas that can't be explained, and have been left for the continuing saga of the young and lucky.
July 24, 2025
This entire series has been a hoot. If the rest of his books are half as good as this series, I will be buying all of them. The characters in this series are very likeable, including the alien characters. This story included a new race of dinosaur like creatures of enormous size and creatures that used light pulses from the their antennae as language. at war and the dinosaurs were losing badly. As with most species, the aggressors, the light pulse language aliens, were arrogant and tried to hack our people and got hacked in return. Guess who was successful. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.
January 15, 2025
Good Read
What David Collins is producing is a good old-fashioned space opera. It is well written with interesting characters and a good storyline. Meeting and interacting with new civilizations and aliens keeps things interesting. Seeing how the author comes up with challenges and how he has the characters approach and solve them is the sign of a good storyteller. If you have read the preceding books in this series, I’m “preaching to the choir “. If you are thinking of beginning the series with this book, go back to book 1 and start from there.
What David Collins is producing is a good old-fashioned space opera. It is well written with interesting characters and a good storyline. Meeting and interacting with new civilizations and aliens keeps things interesting. Seeing how the author comes up with challenges and how he has the characters approach and solve them is the sign of a good storyteller. If you have read the preceding books in this series, I’m “preaching to the choir “. If you are thinking of beginning the series with this book, go back to book 1 and start from there.
January 30, 2025
fresh si-fi
Great story with a lot of fresh new ideas on the future. Really love the characters and plot lines. Keep it up and I’ll be a fan for life.
That being said, you should definitely hire a proofreader or editor. The typos, misspelling, missing/extra words and story line contradictions make fore some very tricky reading.
Some of the blame for crappy editing should be placed squarely on AMAZON. Please set some kind of standards. People spend way too much money on Kindle for you all to not care about quality standards.
Great story with a lot of fresh new ideas on the future. Really love the characters and plot lines. Keep it up and I’ll be a fan for life.
That being said, you should definitely hire a proofreader or editor. The typos, misspelling, missing/extra words and story line contradictions make fore some very tricky reading.
Some of the blame for crappy editing should be placed squarely on AMAZON. Please set some kind of standards. People spend way too much money on Kindle for you all to not care about quality standards.
January 10, 2026
A really neat......
..... chance to make a civilzation like you want. To design beings to correspond to the way you want then, ( the good and the bad). I deeply immerse myself when reading Master Collins works. He is an Adult Author. I mean juvenile writings are good, and are the basis for Science Fiction. We just grab ahold and don't let go for Life! Thank You Mr Collins. For keeping it real and fresh!
..... chance to make a civilzation like you want. To design beings to correspond to the way you want then, ( the good and the bad). I deeply immerse myself when reading Master Collins works. He is an Adult Author. I mean juvenile writings are good, and are the basis for Science Fiction. We just grab ahold and don't let go for Life! Thank You Mr Collins. For keeping it real and fresh!
November 5, 2025
Entertaining science fiction, exploration
Once I start reading one of these books, I can’t stop. These books are about exploration, how to stop wars, interactions among species. You have very few frames of reference to one another, and what to do when you run across situations that seem to not have an answer. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
Once I start reading one of these books, I can’t stop. These books are about exploration, how to stop wars, interactions among species. You have very few frames of reference to one another, and what to do when you run across situations that seem to not have an answer. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
January 10, 2025
Artifact
I just finished reading number 4 in the series and loved every minute of it.Right from the start it keeps you engrossed with plenty of action and science fiction.I can't wait to get the next one.
I just finished reading number 4 in the series and loved every minute of it.Right from the start it keeps you engrossed with plenty of action and science fiction.I can't wait to get the next one.
January 23, 2025
Book 4 in the series
Ben, Mark, and the rest of the crew visit the Nest to meet with Mee and her sisters and show them Tyra the new baby. Then they go to Earth for crew adjustments and start exploring. A great story.
Ben, Mark, and the rest of the crew visit the Nest to meet with Mee and her sisters and show them Tyra the new baby. Then they go to Earth for crew adjustments and start exploring. A great story.
February 17, 2025
Good read
This was a good follow-up and a good read. I read through this one to fast, lol. Now I have to wait for the next installment. This has been a fun series to read. Definitely recommend it.
This was a good follow-up and a good read. I read through this one to fast, lol. Now I have to wait for the next installment. This has been a fun series to read. Definitely recommend it.
February 23, 2025
Awesome story
This adventure is a great story. Collins is a great storyteller. The aliens are fun and so are spacecraft designs designs. I recommend this series highly to anyone who enjoys science fiction stories.
This adventure is a great story. Collins is a great storyteller. The aliens are fun and so are spacecraft designs designs. I recommend this series highly to anyone who enjoys science fiction stories.
April 22, 2025
An excellent continuation of this series
Mr.Collins continues to create plausible new species and societies for his protagonists to encounter and interact with. I particularly enjoy how he finds ways to ensure non violent resolutions to conflict.
Mr.Collins continues to create plausible new species and societies for his protagonists to encounter and interact with. I particularly enjoy how he finds ways to ensure non violent resolutions to conflict.
July 22, 2025
Really enjoyable to read
The story line is good, with just enough action to keep things interesting without filming everything with a battle in every chapter. ?Family? Well, its interesting to follow.
The story line is good, with just enough action to keep things interesting without filming everything with a battle in every chapter. ?Family? Well, its interesting to follow.
September 18, 2025
This series continues to stay interesting, if complex. This trip finds another distant civilization and an ongoing war to stop. The number of found species grows, and a larger, more comfortable spaceship is needed
January 14, 2025
The story goes forth...
I enjoy the series and look forward to the next installment of the artifact series...maybe to several new pools as well.
I enjoy the series and look forward to the next installment of the artifact series...maybe to several new pools as well.
January 15, 2025
Very good read
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes space opera and adventure type of books with lots of action.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend this book to anyone who likes space opera and adventure type of books with lots of action.
January 25, 2025
Good Read
Enjoyable fairly well written. Will be looking forward for the next book. I noticed the author got better at story telling.
Enjoyable fairly well written. Will be looking forward for the next book. I noticed the author got better at story telling.
March 13, 2025
Great job
Another hit, mister Collins has a way to weave a a story with humor,science and interesting people in a way I would hope that we humans would strive to act.
Another hit, mister Collins has a way to weave a a story with humor,science and interesting people in a way I would hope that we humans would strive to act.
April 24, 2025
Great read
I enjoyed reading this fun book. Have enjoyed all the books in the series so far. Like the author's style and the flow of the book.
I enjoyed reading this fun book. Have enjoyed all the books in the series so far. Like the author's style and the flow of the book.
May 7, 2025
the quest continues!
Our intrepid College Kids continue to impress! The fun is shared and infectious! Finally a story with meaning and accptance!!
Our intrepid College Kids continue to impress! The fun is shared and infectious! Finally a story with meaning and accptance!!
August 31, 2025
The Dinosaur planet is friendly.
Trying to meet new people is getting better and better. Even after having to destroy a planet, the tripps finally became friendly
Trying to meet new people is getting better and better. Even after having to destroy a planet, the tripps finally became friendly
October 3, 2025
A better way to stop a war!
A surprising take on alien life. Also strong on wait before you shoot. We need to talk spoken from overwhelming force. Love the concept!
A surprising take on alien life. Also strong on wait before you shoot. We need to talk spoken from overwhelming force. Love the concept!
October 23, 2025
Good read
Hasn’t slowed down yet, still fast moving. Best I’ve read in a good while, will look into more of his work.
Hasn’t slowed down yet, still fast moving. Best I’ve read in a good while, will look into more of his work.
November 5, 2025
good read
This one was a little faster moving some part but still good. I would recommend it to anyone. Who likes SyFy.
This one was a little faster moving some part but still good. I would recommend it to anyone. Who likes SyFy.
December 31, 2025
Continues to be a good series. Dialog can get a little stilted, but I won't argue.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews