The Fifth Artifact

The Artifact #5

by David Collins

Ben, Chloe, Mark, and the others are off on another adventure, back where they had just stopped one interplanetary war. Now, they are searching for the mystery ship. What could it be up to?

They rescue two new beings, but things go awry as their planet doesn't even want them back.

Then they discover some more refugees, only some are not what they claim to be, and they land in the middle of another war, all while planning a wedding between Meera and Dylan.

After that, the ship finds a derelict that looks like it came out of a 1950s campy movie, only one that someone shot full of holes.

Genres: Science Fiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2025

About the author

I 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.

Reviews

[Dan]

Quite good!

[David Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

The adventure continues

This has been an easy lighthearted and very enjoyable reading journey. I am fascinated with all the descriptions and explanations of what is going on. Fascinating, full of information that sounds plausible and causes me to wonder.... What if? I am looking forward to the next book!

[William S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an interlude

There's no attempt to establish a goal to this book. We have several minor adventures, none of which are completed. We accumulate a few more aliens to the crew, and we come home with a few artifacts which we decide to melt down without investigation into bullion. We narrowly escape a planet being controlled by an apparently hostile AI. We got shadowed by an unknown alien that we learn nothing about. We come across evidence of a conflict which leaves an artifact behind, but we know nothing of the combatants or their location. During our next trip out, we'll have lots of people whose attitude about our taking artifacts will be open to potential hostility, and that doesn't include the new people we'll run across..

[Bryan S. Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of Aliens, How Would handle them?

I am not sure what the 5th artifact was in this series. However they found lots of aliens and problems to deal with. I have come to enjoy the series quite a bit. Lots of different things going on between Lots Lots of new technology and finding new alien races to deal with. I like the fact that the Captain is a good guy.

[Jennifer Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great premise, good story...

The science in this series is fascinating, the premise of this series is unique, the story throughout the series is interesting and engaging. The references and quotes from classic science fiction Star Wars and Star Trek is very amusing. I would have given this series a solid 5 stars if not for 1 thing..the dialogue. The dialogue is unrealistic in that it doesn't sound like real life it's annoying that there are very few contractions making the dialogue needlessly run-on. There are sections of the dialogue that are repetitive. Read the series for the science and adventure.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. This adventure involves two rescue operations and a two new species. One involved rescuing a couple from a liquid filled container and the female of the first rescue attacked one of the newer aliens, not knowing what was going on, during the rescue. This caused problems with the alien rescuer. Secondly, four individuals were rescued from a desolate planet that involved two clans fighting each other. Once again, the "Ender of Wars" showed up and outclassed all of them. I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

[Laura Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weird and wild First Contact science fiction

The stories are getting wilder and wilder. They're also generating very amazing characters. I suggest starting with the first book in reading it to this book. I really like all of the adventures, the new aliens, and how often humanoids tend to war on one another is very interesting. I will definitely read the next book in this series.

[RUDOLPH C TENCH JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several more aliens discovered and another war stopped

Good reading I find it hard to put down. The frequency with which they keep discovering derelict space ships and stranded crews strains my suspension of disbelief. Still I enjoy the series and intend to keep reading.

[Marie Joyal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Improving story line. Stay with this series.

Series started a bit weak, but apparently strong enough to continue on.
Each book is better than the previous.

Worth a rainy day read. Nice concept.

[Christopher Belan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explore the stars, end wars, become rich.

These books are an easy read, have simple goals with good and bad guys and scratch that itch for adventure with a pinch of violence. I'm enjoying the series.

[Michael Bonkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better

The situations encountered keep being creative and unusual. The problems and solutions are unique. The resolution is also creative and unique to each situation.

[Jack Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making friends and helping others.

As the crew travels to new locations, they continue finding new derilects and rescuing Alliens. Sometimes there's a conflict between 2 different species, but the crew will assist if they can.

[Gary M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Hasn’t slowed up one bit.
Most series have a lot of filler that I will skim after reading the first couple of books and recognize when it starts. These books are story 100%.

[Brent Hulsebus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artifacts in true David Collins style!

Neat series, keeping us guessing in book 5 (which is 5th artifact)? Looking forward to the next set of adventures!

[bob rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

This series is one of the most imitative stories I have read. Finished this 5th book in two settings. On to book six!

[Gary Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

And I'm so glad there is a book 6. This story is just too good to have it end here... So, continuing on.... 🙂

[Peter Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good continuation of the story.

Excellent further expansion of the story. Great additional continuation of the general theme of the original concept of the Artifact.

[PAUL D · Rating 5 out of 5]

escapism!

Fun, funny, serious and understandable! Just the way I like it! These books are so good, I haven’t watched television in a month!

[Tina H Wellman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still good

I am really enjoying the series. Not so much having to come up with something to say after I read each one of the books. See what we can do about that.

[Barbara Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

a very enjoyable read

The story line is fun and varied enough to remain fresh. I’ve read straight through the first five books and thoroughly enjoyed all of them.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good episode.
Many acts to choose from in this segment. Complexities among species continue to confound initially, but eventually succumb to the evolving skill of the explorers.

[Charlie Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pace and Action

Well balanced adventure with new situations and characters while keeping the story rolling plus some nifty actions/conflicts. An easy and enjoyable read.

[ritchie]

Good series

I liked the continued drama.
It does get confusing with three new or meeras
Money seems to abound even in spave

[Oran Viator · Rating 5 out of 5]

good reading. a

A bit faster moving in this segment. Enjoyed it more as I kept reading. I would recommend this to anyone.