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Struggle for Existence
Escaping Earth was just the beginning.
Two days before a comet wiped out civilization, mysterious pods carried dozens of people to a strange menagerie inhabited by deadly specimens from Earth’s past.
Sierra Preston made first contact with an alien that had been observing humans from an invisible floating platform. The creature claimed the comet was sent by a race known as gorgers and warned that no one could leave the menagerie.
Sierra isn’t about to let that stop her.
The Preservation of Species trilogy continues in Struggle for Existence , a post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure filled with unforgettable heroes, terrifying monsters, and heart-pounding action.
Two days before a comet wiped out civilization, mysterious pods carried dozens of people to a strange menagerie inhabited by deadly specimens from Earth’s past.
Sierra Preston made first contact with an alien that had been observing humans from an invisible floating platform. The creature claimed the comet was sent by a race known as gorgers and warned that no one could leave the menagerie.
Sierra isn’t about to let that stop her.
The Preservation of Species trilogy continues in Struggle for Existence , a post-apocalyptic science-fiction adventure filled with unforgettable heroes, terrifying monsters, and heart-pounding action.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2025
88 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 3, 2025
Struggle For Existence by Geoff Jones is the second book in The Preservation Of Species trilogy. It picks up where Rule Of Extinction, the first book in the trilogy left off. I LOVE apocalyptic and dystopian novels, and I am super excited to share this series with you.
We have some familiar characters and new ones are introduced. We are not going to like all the characters. We have to have some villains…right? Randall is a good villain, a character we can love to hate. I love authors that can create such a despicable character. I also like to see them get what they deserve by the time the story is told.
The monsters are fabulous and I do wonder about the caretakers. And that’s all I’m saying about that.
There is so much I want to tell you about this fabulous series, but I don’t want to give it away. I loved finding out for myself, and I want you to have that experience also. I will tell you that the story moves at a rapid pace, danger oozes off the pages and you need to be careful about choosing a favorite character. They may not survive to return in Book III, Beasts Of Prey.
As much as I loved the first book, Rule Of Extinction, I loved the second one, Struggle For Existence even more. From the moment I picked up my ereader, I didn’t want to set it down. I ‘flipped the pages’, eager to find out what would happen next, at the same time I wanted to slow down and savor the story as it unfolded.
I can hardly wait for Beasts Of Prey!
We have some familiar characters and new ones are introduced. We are not going to like all the characters. We have to have some villains…right? Randall is a good villain, a character we can love to hate. I love authors that can create such a despicable character. I also like to see them get what they deserve by the time the story is told.
The monsters are fabulous and I do wonder about the caretakers. And that’s all I’m saying about that.
There is so much I want to tell you about this fabulous series, but I don’t want to give it away. I loved finding out for myself, and I want you to have that experience also. I will tell you that the story moves at a rapid pace, danger oozes off the pages and you need to be careful about choosing a favorite character. They may not survive to return in Book III, Beasts Of Prey.
As much as I loved the first book, Rule Of Extinction, I loved the second one, Struggle For Existence even more. From the moment I picked up my ereader, I didn’t want to set it down. I ‘flipped the pages’, eager to find out what would happen next, at the same time I wanted to slow down and savor the story as it unfolded.
I can hardly wait for Beasts Of Prey!
March 29, 2025
I received Struggle for Existence by Geoff Jones as an ARC reader, and wow.. I could not put this book down. I actually stopped reading two other books just to fully dive into this one, it was so compelling. The first book in the series had plenty of tension and intrigue, but this sequel takes it to another level entirely. The drama in this one? INSANE.
There were moments that left my jaw on the floor and others that had me genuinely tearing up. The story is emotionally intense, and the pacing is relentless in the best way. Every chapter gave me something new to latch onto, and I was constantly thinking about what would happen next.
One of the strongest aspects of this series continues to be the characters. Each one has such a clear and unique voice, and I found myself loving some and absolutely hating others in a way that made me even more invested. There’s so much depth here, loss, hope, love, betrayal, and it all feels earned.
We also get a deeper understanding of the aliens that saved humanity, what actually happened to Earth, and more about the dangerous and fascinating life that now inhabits the islands. Every piece of the worldbuilding felt like a puzzle snapping into place, and it was so satisfying.
This is such a strong continuation of the series, and it left me even more excited for what comes next. If you enjoyed the first book, prepare to be blown away by this one. It’s everything I hoped for and more. And I can’t wait for book 3!
There were moments that left my jaw on the floor and others that had me genuinely tearing up. The story is emotionally intense, and the pacing is relentless in the best way. Every chapter gave me something new to latch onto, and I was constantly thinking about what would happen next.
One of the strongest aspects of this series continues to be the characters. Each one has such a clear and unique voice, and I found myself loving some and absolutely hating others in a way that made me even more invested. There’s so much depth here, loss, hope, love, betrayal, and it all feels earned.
We also get a deeper understanding of the aliens that saved humanity, what actually happened to Earth, and more about the dangerous and fascinating life that now inhabits the islands. Every piece of the worldbuilding felt like a puzzle snapping into place, and it was so satisfying.
This is such a strong continuation of the series, and it left me even more excited for what comes next. If you enjoyed the first book, prepare to be blown away by this one. It’s everything I hoped for and more. And I can’t wait for book 3!
November 12, 2025
First, Came…
Stephen King’s THE STAND
Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle’s LUCIFER’S HAMMER
Arthur C. Clarke’s CHILDHOOD’S END
Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD
Harlan Ellison’s A BOY AND HIS DOG
Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle’s FOOTFALL
David Gerrold’s A MATTER FOR MEN
Robert A. Heinlein’s TUNNEL IN THE SKY
And now…
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES
By Geoff Jones
A journey for humanity to save itself, from the impending doom of an Extinction-level event: The Ender, a comet hurdling toward earth!
And yet, the ultimate threat is not only from the stars, but from Humanity itself!
In the tradition of Stephen King's THE STAND, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournell's.. LUCIFER’S HAMMER, Arthur C. Clarke’s CHILDHOOD’S END, Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD, Harlan Ellison’s A BOY AND HIS DOG, Robert A. Heinlein’s TUNNEL IN THE SKY, and many other great postapocalyptic/post-humanity adventures…
Comes THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES, a science fiction thriller told in three different books by author Geoff Jones!
A grand adventure told in three parts:
RULE OF EXTINCTION
STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE
BEASTS OF PREY
It’s essentially one 1,245-page book, split into three cliffhanger novels.
Jones is wonderfully skilled in the art of juggling multiple characters.
While maintaining a steady and cohesive dramatic narrative!
Each book in the series shows humanity at its best and worst.
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES shows just how complex and grey-filled we are.
No one’s perfect.
No one’s out of the reach of heroism.
No one’s above cruelty.
Yet, despite all of that, as “Humans,” we are still “worthy” of existence!
And just when you think you’ve figured out one of the books’ players and their story—
Jones throws in a narrative monkey wrench, ramping up the tension, to put you right back on the edge of your seat!
Also…
As much as I love Hard Science fiction, I also really appreciate sci-fi that is never fully explained!
The speculative science in Jones’ books is understandable, but still takes on a slightly “magical” flavor in the classic Arthur C. Clarke way, due to its just-out-outside-of-our-reach nature.
Overall…
Given how each book is written, my only recommendation:
Buy all three (RULE OF EXTINCTION, STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE, BEASTS OF PREY) now!
Especially as Audible audiobooks, narrated by Stacy Carolan, who brings the myriad of characters to vivid reality with every unabridged hour!
Slip on your headphones or turn up your car speakers, and go on a grand weekend adventure!
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES is a great sci-fi/thriller yawn!
Stephen King’s THE STAND
Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle’s LUCIFER’S HAMMER
Arthur C. Clarke’s CHILDHOOD’S END
Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD
Harlan Ellison’s A BOY AND HIS DOG
Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle’s FOOTFALL
David Gerrold’s A MATTER FOR MEN
Robert A. Heinlein’s TUNNEL IN THE SKY
And now…
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES
By Geoff Jones
A journey for humanity to save itself, from the impending doom of an Extinction-level event: The Ender, a comet hurdling toward earth!
And yet, the ultimate threat is not only from the stars, but from Humanity itself!
In the tradition of Stephen King's THE STAND, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournell's.. LUCIFER’S HAMMER, Arthur C. Clarke’s CHILDHOOD’S END, Cormac McCarthy’s THE ROAD, Harlan Ellison’s A BOY AND HIS DOG, Robert A. Heinlein’s TUNNEL IN THE SKY, and many other great postapocalyptic/post-humanity adventures…
Comes THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES, a science fiction thriller told in three different books by author Geoff Jones!
A grand adventure told in three parts:
RULE OF EXTINCTION
STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE
BEASTS OF PREY
It’s essentially one 1,245-page book, split into three cliffhanger novels.
Jones is wonderfully skilled in the art of juggling multiple characters.
While maintaining a steady and cohesive dramatic narrative!
Each book in the series shows humanity at its best and worst.
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES shows just how complex and grey-filled we are.
No one’s perfect.
No one’s out of the reach of heroism.
No one’s above cruelty.
Yet, despite all of that, as “Humans,” we are still “worthy” of existence!
And just when you think you’ve figured out one of the books’ players and their story—
Jones throws in a narrative monkey wrench, ramping up the tension, to put you right back on the edge of your seat!
Also…
As much as I love Hard Science fiction, I also really appreciate sci-fi that is never fully explained!
The speculative science in Jones’ books is understandable, but still takes on a slightly “magical” flavor in the classic Arthur C. Clarke way, due to its just-out-outside-of-our-reach nature.
Overall…
Given how each book is written, my only recommendation:
Buy all three (RULE OF EXTINCTION, STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE, BEASTS OF PREY) now!
Especially as Audible audiobooks, narrated by Stacy Carolan, who brings the myriad of characters to vivid reality with every unabridged hour!
Slip on your headphones or turn up your car speakers, and go on a grand weekend adventure!
THE PRESERVATION OF SPECIES is a great sci-fi/thriller yawn!
July 24, 2025
When I finished the last page, I gasped and screamed "It's over!?" Nearly 400 pages flew by, just like when I read the first book in the series.
Jones blesses us with more action, a never-ending fight for survival, and so many delicious twists as we find out more about these alien caretakers and what's been going on with Earth.
I already can't wait for the next book. I'll be cancelling all plans and spending the day reading when it's out.
Jones blesses us with more action, a never-ending fight for survival, and so many delicious twists as we find out more about these alien caretakers and what's been going on with Earth.
I already can't wait for the next book. I'll be cancelling all plans and spending the day reading when it's out.
June 5, 2025
Geoff Jones has delivered another fast paced, intense adventure. We jump right back into the chaos. Our characters understanding of the world and their place in it is constantly expanding, but it feels like their options are shrinking.
The indomitable human spirit, the very thing that made us so successful on earth, is now threatening humanities continued survival. The Caretakers don’t want specimens that interfere. They are completely unprepared for sustaining a species that is constantly curious and pushing boundaries. The cast of characters is growing and they continue to be diverse and authentic. The writing is character focused and our protagonists decisions, good or bad, drive the plot. It’s refreshing to have such a broad scope of characters and being able to understand their motives and decisions, even if they don’t align with what you believe or expect.
Even in this curated enclosure you have to fight for survival and nothing is guaranteed. We lose a few more characters along the way. No one is safe. The threat could be alien, specimen or human. Despite being provided an environment to survive the end of the world human beings aren’t content. Curiosity, the need for power, freedom or control forces them to push the limits. Alien technology in human hands creates huge opportunities, and danger.
The world is rich, fascinating and constantly expanding. There’s so much joy in exploring the extinct creatures that have been captured as specimens and how they interact with humans. We also get to learn more about the alien life that saved the last of humanity and the species that has colonised the earth after the Ender.
On the surface Struggle for Existence is a compelling, sci-fi adventure. Under this, there’s a study of the human condition.
How do we move forward when the world we define ourselves by has completely changed? What does it mean to adapt and what do we lose in doing so? What’s the cost of survival - Are you willing to pay it?
In highlighting the Caretakers obliviousness to human needs, intelligence and innovation it shines a light on the ethics of captivity in our world and the fragility of our position at the top of the food chain.
Our characters manage escape the enclosure and travel home. Though it’s almost unrecognisable. This isn’t the first extinction event the Earth has weathered and like many other extinction events, the dominant species before is rarely left standing afterwards. Another species has filled the void humans left, but it’s not quite what you’d expect. Much about the Gorgers is still unknown.
Ultimately the human population is still under the caretakers control, but with more knowledge and technology they’re clawing back their independence. The terrifying part is that at any point the population could be purged and the experiment of captivity could start again, with any knowledge and advances lost. Would we come to same end result?
I can’t wait to dive back into this world.
Burning questions:
- do the Gorgers have eusocial society, with variations of gorgers with specific functions?
- Why is the Caretaker population so low?
- Did anyone survive on earth? (Bunker). How would our pod humans and any survivors co-exist.
- Is the future of our species in space or back on our home planet?
The indomitable human spirit, the very thing that made us so successful on earth, is now threatening humanities continued survival. The Caretakers don’t want specimens that interfere. They are completely unprepared for sustaining a species that is constantly curious and pushing boundaries. The cast of characters is growing and they continue to be diverse and authentic. The writing is character focused and our protagonists decisions, good or bad, drive the plot. It’s refreshing to have such a broad scope of characters and being able to understand their motives and decisions, even if they don’t align with what you believe or expect.
Even in this curated enclosure you have to fight for survival and nothing is guaranteed. We lose a few more characters along the way. No one is safe. The threat could be alien, specimen or human. Despite being provided an environment to survive the end of the world human beings aren’t content. Curiosity, the need for power, freedom or control forces them to push the limits. Alien technology in human hands creates huge opportunities, and danger.
The world is rich, fascinating and constantly expanding. There’s so much joy in exploring the extinct creatures that have been captured as specimens and how they interact with humans. We also get to learn more about the alien life that saved the last of humanity and the species that has colonised the earth after the Ender.
On the surface Struggle for Existence is a compelling, sci-fi adventure. Under this, there’s a study of the human condition.
How do we move forward when the world we define ourselves by has completely changed? What does it mean to adapt and what do we lose in doing so? What’s the cost of survival - Are you willing to pay it?
In highlighting the Caretakers obliviousness to human needs, intelligence and innovation it shines a light on the ethics of captivity in our world and the fragility of our position at the top of the food chain.
Our characters manage escape the enclosure and travel home. Though it’s almost unrecognisable. This isn’t the first extinction event the Earth has weathered and like many other extinction events, the dominant species before is rarely left standing afterwards. Another species has filled the void humans left, but it’s not quite what you’d expect. Much about the Gorgers is still unknown.
Ultimately the human population is still under the caretakers control, but with more knowledge and technology they’re clawing back their independence. The terrifying part is that at any point the population could be purged and the experiment of captivity could start again, with any knowledge and advances lost. Would we come to same end result?
I can’t wait to dive back into this world.
Burning questions:
- do the Gorgers have eusocial society, with variations of gorgers with specific functions?
- Why is the Caretaker population so low?
- Did anyone survive on earth? (Bunker). How would our pod humans and any survivors co-exist.
- Is the future of our species in space or back on our home planet?
March 18, 2025
This is a book you don't want to see end! This series could be 20 books long, I'd never tire of reading them! I'm so invested in the characters and how they're working out the answers to where they are, why they're there, and how to get back to earth. I love the way the author ties up every loose end, never forgetting the details. I appreciate a thorough, concise author that can weave a seamless, easy to read and envision story that totally engrosses me! I could not put this down and I can't get my hands on book three fast enough! The action and tension is palpable. Geoff Jones is an amazing world-builder, on par with the likes of Blake Crouch and Jeff Wheeler. You will not be disappointed adding this to your TBR list (definitely at the top!)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2025
I dove into this as soon as I saw it had been released. I was a huge fan of the first book but this one was equally as enthralling if not more so.
After the events of the first book where meet the slug-like Caretakers, we delve more into their environment and the truth behind why everyone is being kept in this Earth zoo.
In truth it goes further with that exposure than I was expecting and it was thrilling from start to finish.
The blend of space based scifi and dinosaurs is brilliant and the characters develop brilliantly with nobody left behind in this aspect.
I have to be honest, I find Barry quite irritating but apart from that, I loved everything about this book and cannot wait for the final instalment later this year.
After the events of the first book where meet the slug-like Caretakers, we delve more into their environment and the truth behind why everyone is being kept in this Earth zoo.
In truth it goes further with that exposure than I was expecting and it was thrilling from start to finish.
The blend of space based scifi and dinosaurs is brilliant and the characters develop brilliantly with nobody left behind in this aspect.
I have to be honest, I find Barry quite irritating but apart from that, I loved everything about this book and cannot wait for the final instalment later this year.
April 8, 2025
We’re right back into it, picking up where we left off at the end of the previous book. I won’t go too much into spoilers here, but I sincerely recommend you check this series out. If you’re a fan of sci-fi and you love seeing aliens and spaceships and stuff, but you’re also a giant dork who loves dinosaurs, Geoff Jones is here to say “why not both?”
Our heroes (and the rest) are attempting to figure out the strange new life they’ve been offered by the caretakers, following a cometary impact that wiped out the rest of life on Earth. Things are significantly more complicated than they initially seemed, and I can tell you, they already seemed pretty complicated. Fortunately, these are Geoff Jones characters, and they are nothing if not cool-headed and sensible in the face of complexity.
I’m kidding, they’re feral apes with their nipples clamped to one another with alligator clips and it’s fucking hilarious.
I once again almost threw my increasingly busted-arse kindle across the room when the first major fake-out of the story happened (I shan’t go into detail but let’s just say torpor was involved), but Jones doesn’t deal in cheap shots. Things get dicey as the party splits in their exploration of their new world, and Randall – fucking Randall – decides his face isn’t quite rock-cave-innable enough yet, so he also takes part in the story.
As always, it’s the characters who make this story come alive even if the setting and assortment of creatures wasn’t enough to push the action along – it’s the characters who make you care about it. Bless Kevin and his stating of the obvious. Bless Morrie and his attempts to make shit right. Bless Dean, who was also there (and give him a break! He asked for one seven times in this story. I counted).
We also meet some new characters, including Tyrell who I have great love for and expect we will see more of even if his role so far has been … let’s say minor but noteworthy. He was also, in perhaps my favourite and most understated storytelling element in this series, introduced already in the first book. With the “before the Ender” format of backstory creation, we get to revisit some of the things we thought we knew in the first book, and see them from a new perspective. It not only perfectly encapsulates the “you never really know another person’s story” / “don’t judge a person on their worst moments” philosophy in a clever and subtle way (oh you weren’t expecting subtlety from a Geoff Jones book? What have we just learned about judging people?) … not only that, but it shows that Jones has this all mapped out. Or that he’s pretty good at crafting retcons.
A sassy child in a well-known and beloved meme asks the eternal question: Why not both?
They’re both valuable tools in the author’s arsenal.
Is Scott going to die of didn’t-fucking-listen (this one actually gets answered in the book, it’s not rhetorical)? How badly is Randall going to have to cop it to make up for all the shit he’s done? Is Kim going to find her mum in Randall’s Wank Bank (hereinafter RWB)? Is the dog going to get hurt? (Spoiler for this book if you’re one of those readers who needs to know: the dog is currently still fine, Kona is our special champ and we will not abide a moment’s harm to a single floof on her snoot.) Is Tyrell going to eat that dinosaur head? And speaking of heads, where exactly are we heading with all this?
Maybe the meters have answers to our questions! Probably not, but hey – it could happen.
Sex-o-meter
A slightly less horny instalment in the series, although there’s still a certain amount of horny (it’s mostly Cameron and Randall carrying this one). I’m not sure I care for Cameron and David’s whole thing but let’s see, humans are human and David and Cameron both remain real ones (although, if I can take a moment, the closest I think I came to actual carnal apogee was when Priya took Cameron’s fucking gun off her, that should have come with a content warning for graphic depictions of a metasexual nature). Anyway, for now I think Barry and Kim are representing the childish concept of monogamous loyalty quite well and I can plant my flag with them. Randall continues the general rapey vibe of the first book and is able to expand it in new and interesting directions with the introduction of the RWB, like companies using “A.I” to “supplement their customer offering”. It’s exactly as gross, I stand by that comparison. I’m giving this book a genteel severed gore-splattered drooling dinosaur head out of a possible sex kind of head (also with gore-splatter and drool).
Gore-o-meter
As I keep saying and one day people will appreciate, this is a Geoff Jones book so you should know by now. This book has the full offering, from wide-awake live surgery to the gross dino-splatter we love so much, with a bunch of guns and machetes and acid and other stuff thrown in. Four and a half flesh gobbets out of a possible five again for this one, because I still think we can do better … but not much better. For the sake of my stomach.
WTF-o-meter
I’m conflicted over the aliens in this story. Not over whether I like them or not – I love them, there’s a real shortage of proper alien aliens in sci-fi – but whether I buy their whole deal. Yes, on the one hand they’re alien, and it is arrogant to assume they would have the same mentality and approach as we do. And yes, they’re short-handed (or the alien equivalent). But the sheer yawning absence of fucks given by these guys, while the zoo exhibits take over the admin system … look, the characters comment on it and I am confident there is going to be a satisfying explanation in book three, but if humans can recognise an advanced sentient species despite its alienness, the aliens should be able to spot the signs in humanity. And by ‘signs’, I mean ‘one of them made an RWB out of our cataloguing system’. Still, I wasn’t thrown by it, only intrigued. The sheer otherness of these creatures is perhaps the main source of WTF here, and it’s so fun to read.
But anyway yeah, what the holy ever-loving fuck is going on with these slapdash-arse aliens and the discount arachnids? Did they send the Buenos Aires Asteroid (or was it a false flag? I mean, not to get sidetracked but if the movie was anything like the book it was definitely a false flag … but this isn’t about Starship Troopers)?
Do we get answers? The meters were meant to help us!
My Final Verdict
Another very easy-to-read page-turner from Jones. I finished this in about three extended sittings because it was just so damn good. I might have given this four and a half stars if I had the option, but only to leave room for further heights of entertainment. As it is, I certainly can’t put it at a four, and the fact is this book is a step up from the first instalment and the first instalment was also excellent. So. Five stars!
Our heroes (and the rest) are attempting to figure out the strange new life they’ve been offered by the caretakers, following a cometary impact that wiped out the rest of life on Earth. Things are significantly more complicated than they initially seemed, and I can tell you, they already seemed pretty complicated. Fortunately, these are Geoff Jones characters, and they are nothing if not cool-headed and sensible in the face of complexity.
I’m kidding, they’re feral apes with their nipples clamped to one another with alligator clips and it’s fucking hilarious.
I once again almost threw my increasingly busted-arse kindle across the room when the first major fake-out of the story happened (I shan’t go into detail but let’s just say torpor was involved), but Jones doesn’t deal in cheap shots. Things get dicey as the party splits in their exploration of their new world, and Randall – fucking Randall – decides his face isn’t quite rock-cave-innable enough yet, so he also takes part in the story.
As always, it’s the characters who make this story come alive even if the setting and assortment of creatures wasn’t enough to push the action along – it’s the characters who make you care about it. Bless Kevin and his stating of the obvious. Bless Morrie and his attempts to make shit right. Bless Dean, who was also there (and give him a break! He asked for one seven times in this story. I counted).
We also meet some new characters, including Tyrell who I have great love for and expect we will see more of even if his role so far has been … let’s say minor but noteworthy. He was also, in perhaps my favourite and most understated storytelling element in this series, introduced already in the first book. With the “before the Ender” format of backstory creation, we get to revisit some of the things we thought we knew in the first book, and see them from a new perspective. It not only perfectly encapsulates the “you never really know another person’s story” / “don’t judge a person on their worst moments” philosophy in a clever and subtle way (oh you weren’t expecting subtlety from a Geoff Jones book? What have we just learned about judging people?) … not only that, but it shows that Jones has this all mapped out. Or that he’s pretty good at crafting retcons.
A sassy child in a well-known and beloved meme asks the eternal question: Why not both?
They’re both valuable tools in the author’s arsenal.
Is Scott going to die of didn’t-fucking-listen (this one actually gets answered in the book, it’s not rhetorical)? How badly is Randall going to have to cop it to make up for all the shit he’s done? Is Kim going to find her mum in Randall’s Wank Bank (hereinafter RWB)? Is the dog going to get hurt? (Spoiler for this book if you’re one of those readers who needs to know: the dog is currently still fine, Kona is our special champ and we will not abide a moment’s harm to a single floof on her snoot.) Is Tyrell going to eat that dinosaur head? And speaking of heads, where exactly are we heading with all this?
Maybe the meters have answers to our questions! Probably not, but hey – it could happen.
Sex-o-meter
A slightly less horny instalment in the series, although there’s still a certain amount of horny (it’s mostly Cameron and Randall carrying this one). I’m not sure I care for Cameron and David’s whole thing but let’s see, humans are human and David and Cameron both remain real ones (although, if I can take a moment, the closest I think I came to actual carnal apogee was when Priya took Cameron’s fucking gun off her, that should have come with a content warning for graphic depictions of a metasexual nature). Anyway, for now I think Barry and Kim are representing the childish concept of monogamous loyalty quite well and I can plant my flag with them. Randall continues the general rapey vibe of the first book and is able to expand it in new and interesting directions with the introduction of the RWB, like companies using “A.I” to “supplement their customer offering”. It’s exactly as gross, I stand by that comparison. I’m giving this book a genteel severed gore-splattered drooling dinosaur head out of a possible sex kind of head (also with gore-splatter and drool).
Gore-o-meter
As I keep saying and one day people will appreciate, this is a Geoff Jones book so you should know by now. This book has the full offering, from wide-awake live surgery to the gross dino-splatter we love so much, with a bunch of guns and machetes and acid and other stuff thrown in. Four and a half flesh gobbets out of a possible five again for this one, because I still think we can do better … but not much better. For the sake of my stomach.
WTF-o-meter
I’m conflicted over the aliens in this story. Not over whether I like them or not – I love them, there’s a real shortage of proper alien aliens in sci-fi – but whether I buy their whole deal. Yes, on the one hand they’re alien, and it is arrogant to assume they would have the same mentality and approach as we do. And yes, they’re short-handed (or the alien equivalent). But the sheer yawning absence of fucks given by these guys, while the zoo exhibits take over the admin system … look, the characters comment on it and I am confident there is going to be a satisfying explanation in book three, but if humans can recognise an advanced sentient species despite its alienness, the aliens should be able to spot the signs in humanity. And by ‘signs’, I mean ‘one of them made an RWB out of our cataloguing system’. Still, I wasn’t thrown by it, only intrigued. The sheer otherness of these creatures is perhaps the main source of WTF here, and it’s so fun to read.
But anyway yeah, what the holy ever-loving fuck is going on with these slapdash-arse aliens and the discount arachnids? Did they send the Buenos Aires Asteroid (or was it a false flag? I mean, not to get sidetracked but if the movie was anything like the book it was definitely a false flag … but this isn’t about Starship Troopers)?
Do we get answers? The meters were meant to help us!
My Final Verdict
Another very easy-to-read page-turner from Jones. I finished this in about three extended sittings because it was just so damn good. I might have given this four and a half stars if I had the option, but only to leave room for further heights of entertainment. As it is, I certainly can’t put it at a four, and the fact is this book is a step up from the first instalment and the first instalment was also excellent. So. Five stars!
April 21, 2025
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
After a comet wiped out most life on Earth, the few humans rescued by bizarre aliens are struggling to escape their high-tech terrarium. Only, the Earth is infested with violent, spidery 'gorgers' and the rescued humans don't even get along with each other very well.
Review
As with its predecessor, Rule of Extinction , this is a solid, well put together book. The characters are credible and engaging, the science doesn’t throw up red flags, the pace is smooth, the prose is sound. And yet…
Yet I wish it were reaching a bit further. It does, of necessity, pose some philosophical questions about the nature of basic human character, but I wish it went a little beyond that, especially because those were pretty well developed in the prior book. Not every book has to be a serious treatise, of course – escapist adventure is fun too. But this does feel a little like a pulp era series with updated characters. Plot-wise, there are interesting developments, with new critters, technology, and locations. But essentially, this doesn’t feel to me like it is aiming for more than solid adventure, which it does provide.
I did get a little tired of some of the shortcuts preserved from the previous book. For example, there’s a genuine, practicing doctor in the group (an anaesthesiologist), but a recurring theme is that everyone expects the only real scientist (an astronomer) to know everything – including about biology. I could buy how maybe some lay people would think ‘scientist = knows all science’, but not that the doctor himself goes along with it.
There’s also, for plot purposes, at least one (though arguably more) decision that’s idiotic, unfair, risky, and naturally a complete disaster. While I tried to see this as the characters acting as fallible humans, it just didn’t sit right and felt manufactured. There’s also at least one scene that felt a lot more violent than it needed to be.
The series is billed as a trilogy, and the plot moved well, but the ending felt more like the beginning of a five or more book series, not the buildup to a third book conclusion. So far, Jones has been reasonably solid, but I’m curious as to how all this gets wrapped up satisfactorily in just one more book. On the plus side, I am interested to read that book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Summary
After a comet wiped out most life on Earth, the few humans rescued by bizarre aliens are struggling to escape their high-tech terrarium. Only, the Earth is infested with violent, spidery 'gorgers' and the rescued humans don't even get along with each other very well.
Review
As with its predecessor, Rule of Extinction , this is a solid, well put together book. The characters are credible and engaging, the science doesn’t throw up red flags, the pace is smooth, the prose is sound. And yet…
Yet I wish it were reaching a bit further. It does, of necessity, pose some philosophical questions about the nature of basic human character, but I wish it went a little beyond that, especially because those were pretty well developed in the prior book. Not every book has to be a serious treatise, of course – escapist adventure is fun too. But this does feel a little like a pulp era series with updated characters. Plot-wise, there are interesting developments, with new critters, technology, and locations. But essentially, this doesn’t feel to me like it is aiming for more than solid adventure, which it does provide.
I did get a little tired of some of the shortcuts preserved from the previous book. For example, there’s a genuine, practicing doctor in the group (an anaesthesiologist), but a recurring theme is that everyone expects the only real scientist (an astronomer) to know everything – including about biology. I could buy how maybe some lay people would think ‘scientist = knows all science’, but not that the doctor himself goes along with it.
There’s also, for plot purposes, at least one (though arguably more) decision that’s idiotic, unfair, risky, and naturally a complete disaster. While I tried to see this as the characters acting as fallible humans, it just didn’t sit right and felt manufactured. There’s also at least one scene that felt a lot more violent than it needed to be.
The series is billed as a trilogy, and the plot moved well, but the ending felt more like the beginning of a five or more book series, not the buildup to a third book conclusion. So far, Jones has been reasonably solid, but I’m curious as to how all this gets wrapped up satisfactorily in just one more book. On the plus side, I am interested to read that book.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
December 28, 2025
That's a lot of aliens.
And also not a lot.
I was a little iffy about this book at first because it looked like we were going to have yet another "evil yet charismatic leader" in charge of our survivors. Those subplots were the weakest points of book one for me (didn't help that there were two of them back to back) and I wasn't looking forward to having yet another repeat. Speaking vaguely for spoiler reasons, the arc takes a delightful left turn and leaves us wide open to focus on the greater mysteries for book three.
What this book mainly focused on uncovering the secrets about their prison and where they are. Our humans get a greater foothold in understanding the alien technology (and being able to use it against the "care takers") as well as working together as a more cohesive unit. There are still the usual giant creature fights and a variety of side characters getting mauled. Although the feeling of "literally anyone could die" from book one has ebbed a little bit as I started to get a vibe for who has the necessary plot armor and who is fodder. In most cases I could clock which characters were joining the side quest as dinosaur food. Although there's always the chance one of our armored-up characters could die in a grandiose sacrifice at the end of book three.
The mysteries themselves were interesting enough that I didn't care how I barely understood half the descriptions of the alien tech. (To be fair, that could be the fact I was listening to the audiobook, auditory processing can be a bitch.) Obviously I can't discuss them in depth here, but there were several "oh shit" moments sprinkled throughout the book that made for some fun turns.
The best part was the ending. Our subplot was wrapped neatly up with a fun twist and it's on to the plotline proper. I have a feeling book three is going to pick up only moments after this one and take off running.
While I did spend a large portion of the first half of the book afraid we were retreading ground, the book overall was a fun romp with even more sci-fi elements than the first one. Can't wait to see where it goes in book three!
And also not a lot.
I was a little iffy about this book at first because it looked like we were going to have yet another "evil yet charismatic leader" in charge of our survivors. Those subplots were the weakest points of book one for me (didn't help that there were two of them back to back) and I wasn't looking forward to having yet another repeat. Speaking vaguely for spoiler reasons, the arc takes a delightful left turn and leaves us wide open to focus on the greater mysteries for book three.
What this book mainly focused on uncovering the secrets about their prison and where they are. Our humans get a greater foothold in understanding the alien technology (and being able to use it against the "care takers") as well as working together as a more cohesive unit. There are still the usual giant creature fights and a variety of side characters getting mauled. Although the feeling of "literally anyone could die" from book one has ebbed a little bit as I started to get a vibe for who has the necessary plot armor and who is fodder. In most cases I could clock which characters were joining the side quest as dinosaur food. Although there's always the chance one of our armored-up characters could die in a grandiose sacrifice at the end of book three.
The mysteries themselves were interesting enough that I didn't care how I barely understood half the descriptions of the alien tech. (To be fair, that could be the fact I was listening to the audiobook, auditory processing can be a bitch.) Obviously I can't discuss them in depth here, but there were several "oh shit" moments sprinkled throughout the book that made for some fun turns.
The best part was the ending. Our subplot was wrapped neatly up with a fun twist and it's on to the plotline proper. I have a feeling book three is going to pick up only moments after this one and take off running.
While I did spend a large portion of the first half of the book afraid we were retreading ground, the book overall was a fun romp with even more sci-fi elements than the first one. Can't wait to see where it goes in book three!
April 26, 2025
Struggle for Existence has More Locations, More Intense Threats, and More Action!
Note: I read an ARC in return for an honest review.
If you enjoyed Rule of Extinction, you’re going to love this book! It begins right after the events depicted in the first book. If you haven’t read Rule of Extinction, do that before reading this book. If you already have, you can expect to see more dinosaurs and aliens.
Some mysteries are solved while others are compounded. This book takes us much further into the realm of what’s really going on. The aliens depicted are fascinating in how they differ from humans. The suspense is relentless as more surprises are revealed.
Many of the characters from the first book are back, along with some new faces. David and Cameron get to know each other better while Sierra and Priya make several startling discoveries. Toward the end, they come together to face multiple threats. I am bummed to have reached the end of the book before I can continue the story in the final book of the trilogy, Preservation of Species!
Note: I read an ARC in return for an honest review.
If you enjoyed Rule of Extinction, you’re going to love this book! It begins right after the events depicted in the first book. If you haven’t read Rule of Extinction, do that before reading this book. If you already have, you can expect to see more dinosaurs and aliens.
Some mysteries are solved while others are compounded. This book takes us much further into the realm of what’s really going on. The aliens depicted are fascinating in how they differ from humans. The suspense is relentless as more surprises are revealed.
Many of the characters from the first book are back, along with some new faces. David and Cameron get to know each other better while Sierra and Priya make several startling discoveries. Toward the end, they come together to face multiple threats. I am bummed to have reached the end of the book before I can continue the story in the final book of the trilogy, Preservation of Species!
May 18, 2025
“Struggle for Existence” is book 2 of the Preservation of Species” series. While a sequel, this review was done as a standalone. Do not read ahead if you don’t want any spoilers to book 1.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. As I mentioned above, this is a standalone review, but I absolutely recommend reading the first book prior to starting this one. While the author does a quick recap, I think you’d really miss out on a lot of the character development and the emotion/horror of what happened prior to this tale. It also sets you up for some of the more shocking moments during this story and carries over absolute disdain for that damn Randall. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. As I mentioned above, this is a standalone review, but I absolutely recommend reading the first book prior to starting this one. While the author does a quick recap, I think you’d really miss out on a lot of the character development and the emotion/horror of what happened prior to this tale. It also sets you up for some of the more shocking moments during this story and carries over absolute disdain for that damn Randall. Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
May 7, 2025
Another book in this series I could not put down. It picks up straight after book 1 and puts the characters into more danger with new creatures and new locations, again it shows the best and worst of the humans. The writing is excellent with great characters with lots of action, tension and not a little horror, and again Geoff is not afraid to kill off characters in unpleasant ways. I highly recommend this series and look forward to the third book although I wonder how he will fit the rest of the story into just one book. there are still lots of unanswered questions. I received a complimentary copy from the author and am leaving a voluntary honest review.
December 23, 2025
I'm finding the story interesting, even exciting, but I can't get over how poorly written these books are. The characters are caricatures, the grammar is simplistic and the general writing style feels like an admittedly talented 8th grader wanted to write a really cool story about dinosaurs. I'll still read the last one because I am interested in where the story is leading, but I won't feel good about myself doing it!
June 26, 2025
I was hesitant to start it, thinking, what if it isn't as good as the first book? But as soon as I started it, I couldn't pull away. This story was incredibly well written, with riveting characters and action (not to mention dinosaurs). The narrator did a fantastic job, as well. I highly recommend this series, and I look forward to the conclusion!
August 18, 2025
Lots of Rollercoaster rides.
I really enjoyed reading this (book 2) and book 1 of the series. I will definitely be getting book 3.
I really enjoyed reading this (book 2) and book 1 of the series. I will definitely be getting book 3.
December 25, 2025
Geoff Jones strikes again, ladies and gentlemen.
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