Defiance

Beyond the Wall, #2

by Lucas Bale

The darkness in the human heart is infinite.

Earth is gone. Centuries have passed since life ended on the blue planet. Humanity's survivors are now dispersed among distant colonies, thousands of light years from the barren, frozen rock that was once their home.

At a time when power means everything, the ultimate power, the imperium, rests with the Consulate Magistratus. In return for its protection, citizens must concede their rights absolutely. The Magistratus controls interstellar travel, access to technology, even procreation. Every citizen is implanted with a device to monitor their location, health and emotions. Freedom, religion and self-determination are anachronisms. Humanity's true history only survives in whispers of a secret archive.

The murder of a man in the lowest caste is seen as inconsequential, but Weaver, one of the few Caesteri lawmen who still believes in justice, refuses to ignore it. Fighting his own indoctrination, and the voice inside his mind that forces him to ignore his conscience, he follows the trail of evidence all the while struggling to hang on to the thin thread of his humanity.

The killer he hunts is violent and unstable, and haunted by her own callous ghosts. A woman who sells her body to fuel her drug addiction. She possesses an almost supernatural ability navigate the wormholes which connect humanity's distant colonies - an ability the Magistratus fears and must eradicate. Weaver will follow her to a planet the Magistratus has abandoned, where the only law is that of criminals. And then to the furthest reaches of space, where the truth that awaits them leads to the corrupt heart of the Republic - a truth the Magistratus will do anything to conceal.

The war to control humanity's future is about to begin...

Defiance is the second book in the Beyond the Wall series, an epic, hard science-fiction space opera about the future of humanity and the discovery of the truth of its past.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks, Dystopia

301 pages, Paperback

First published November 17, 2014

About the author

Lucas Bale writes intense, thought-provoking science-fiction thrillers that dig into what makes us human and scrape at the darkness which hides inside every one of us.

His debut novel, The Heretic, is the gateway to the award-winning Beyond the Wall series, an epic space opera with an edge of hard science fiction about the future of humanity and the discovery of the truth of its past.

He wasn't always a writer. He was a criminal lawyer for fifteen years before he discovered crime doesn't pay and turned to something that actually pays even less. No one ever said he was smart, but at least he's happy.

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas Bale = page turning thrillers!

It took me a little while to figure out what was going on in relation to the first book, but by the time I got to the third chapter, I was deep into the story and the flow. Or maybe I should say riptide! Lucas Bale has shown himself to be an incredible writer, and his ability to craft a good book is amazing.

Looking forward to the next book, Mr. Bale!

[E.J. Fisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had the entire Beyond the Wall series gathering dust on my Kindle for a while now. I finally got around to reading Book 1, The Heretic, back over the summer and was impressed enough that I knew I'd eventually want to continue the series. Many readers have likened it to Firefly (may it rest in peace) and I couldn't agree more.

I was inspired to pick the series back up and start Defiance after reading Bale's installment in the recent speculative fiction anthology, Crime and Punishment. I was pleased to find that the book started out with a recap of everything that had happened in The Heretic, since it had been long enough since I'd read it that I was afraid I'd forgotten some of the important details. Then my eyes narrowed a little when I read the disclaimer that this book would be featuring an entirely new cast of characters and would not be a direct continuation of Book 1. No, I thought, I wanted to find out what happens. But I shrugged and pressed on anyway.

And I'm glad I did.

Those of you who know me and my writing could probably guess that I have a soft spot for bounty hunter/assassin-type characters and characters with red eyes, so when Defiance introduced us to two new characters with these traits, I got really excited. I was still a little disappointed that I wouldn't get to find out what was happening with Shepherd, the preacher, and the other characters from the first book, but Weaver and Natasha both captured my attention right off the bat. I should also mention that I have a soft spot for stories where characters -- especially equally-skilled characters -- are hunting each other (yeah, I'm kind of a morbid freak), so I found that dynamic really interesting. Natasha is intelligent and resourceful. Weaver is jaded and calculating. Both are inherently human and are therefore captivating and likable.

The story begins as sort of a classic cat-and-mouse detective story, with Weaver searching for Natasha after she committed a murder. He's always been very by-the-book, but the more he learns throughout his investigation, the more he begins to question everything he believes in. I found that interesting, having him be a member of the group that was (and still is) essentially the "bad guys" in the first book; you still find yourself rooting for him, but you're not necessarily hoping he fulfills his mission. You're hoping he learns the truth. Similarly, while evading her relentless pursuer(s), Natasha realizes she got more than she bargained for. Both characters end up attempting to uncover deadly secrets -- the same deadly secrets -- and their very lives depend on their ability to do so.

(I also have a soft spot for deadly secrets)

As with Book 1, Defiance leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger as these two characters' worlds finally collide (almost, anyway). Bits and pieces of information were revealed that hint at tie-ins with The Heretic and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how the whole story ends up coming together. But being as there's a fourth book in the works, I'm not sure if that's going to happen in Book 3 or not. I guess I just need to go find out ;)

This series was crafted very much like Hugh Howey's Silo trilogy, with the first two books introducing two seemingly separate stories that are finally connected in the final installment -- or in this case, installments. That definitely takes a lot of care and discipline on Bale's part. And now, since I have to work the word "spiffing" into this review just to annoy him.... Spiffing plot structure, sir!

[Nadine Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing your second book is not easy and it’s even more difficult when that second book is part of a trilogy but Lucas Bale is back with ‘Defiance’
The safest option for Bale would have been for Defiance to be a continuation of the story of Shepherd and Jordi, as told in Book One - ‘The Heretic’. However, Bale has put these characters to one side and immediately throws us into a world where the despair and decay cling to you like a second skin. The setting for Defiance is the dark and hostile world of Jieshou and the new characters of Weaver and Natasha are just as complex as the environment they inhabit.

Without giving away any spoilers, we have the classic traits of not only a good sci-fi book but also of an excellent thriller. There are people being hunted whilst the hunter wrestles with his own demons in a world with questionable politics.

The Heretic was an exciting debut from Lucas Bale, which was worthy of all of the five star reviews. So has he done it? Has Bale written a worthy successor to The Heretic? The answer is yes he has. Bale’s strength is clearly in creating worlds that have a strong sense of realism. Not only is Defiance a brilliant, page-turner it also successfully showcases Bales growing skills as a writer.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Second Book in a Series -Ever

When the prologue Defiance said that none of the characters in the Heretic would be in this book, but it would be highly relevant just the same, I have to admit, I almost didn't read it. Do not let this fact stop you f of rom reading Defiance. Defiance has got to be the the best second book in .a sci first series that I have ever read. The fact that it has all new characters plays a role in why this book is so good.

I thought The Heretic was exciting, with the converging of multiple story lines and the surprise at the end, but Bale takes some serious risks with Defiance and they paid off in spades. This work that starts out full throttle with an intelligence officer for the government investigating a murder by a female navigator. The navigator jumps to a different planet to take a job on a freighter out in free space, beyond the Wall. Our intelligence officer must follow. His informant is undercover, and he is privately investigating the events from The Heretic. The informant's cohort gets slaughtered as part of a black ops program. And so the story begins.

In fact many of the story lines are driven by the black ops squad appearing from nowhere, protecting something the government wants no one to know, so in most cases everyone dies. It doesn't matter how old the plot is, the Magistratus is ready to cover up the mess. When you have a rich history, you can see how this black ops business could get complicated and messy.

In that sense, it reminds me of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, because of the density of the different plotlines and the sophistication of the backstory that goes into both the characters and the plots, minus the rambling. It also reminds me of Iain Banks for the worldbuilding.

This story really is an E-ticket ride from start to finish. I cannot wait to get to book three. ( I think that is the first time I have ever expressed that sentiment.) This author is one to watch, as he clearly can write at Bestseller level.

Highly Recommended !

[Ted Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Defiance is part of author Lucas Bale's Beyond the Wall series. Each novel so far is set in the same universe and is clearly building toward a greater storyline, but the characters and story arcs within the this book are different from those in the first book Heretic. This works fine for me, and in fact I enjoyed this story much more than Heretic, perhaps due to the more space opera settings in the latter part of the story.

Defiance gives us three protagonists. Weaver was initially the most intriguing for me, as he was a conflicted figure, working directly for the totalitarian regime while logically not believing in its goals. He has the largest arc in the book, and certainly an exciting one, though there were a few moments where I didn't fully understand the choices he made.

Natasha, a drug-addicted navigator/murderer, was initially confusing for me, because I had trouble understanding why she was murdering people and what made her sell her body to random men. I feel like I missed something, because I never quite understood what drove her to the choices she made, whether it was the drugs or a symptom of withdrawal from the thrill of navigating or something else. But her story arc became my favorite once she arrived at the salvage around a strange habitable planet. We are still left with a mystery about the planet and the people living there--who felt to me a little like the reavers from Firefly--but we got enough of a taste to really want more.

The last arc was Elias, a subject of the newly-elected consul. What we see of him is interesting, but his arc isn't fleshed out very much in this book, so we'll have to see what comes next. Bale's writing was good in Heretic and is even better in Defiance. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes, especially since Defiance ends in a highly intriguing situation with Weaver and Natasha about to meet after both crash land on the mystery planet.

[Kath Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in Lucas Bale’s Beyond the Wall series. I enjoyed the first a great deal, although it necessarily had the feeling of a precursor. It had to set up the premise for the story arc which follows. In this book, we are straight into the action with a different group of protagonists and yet we come to see a connection with the finale of the first book, Heretic. There’s a huge amount of action in this book and some very exciting passages when we begin to realise what’s happening to some of our characters. This is no one-thread book. It’s a testament to the writing that when I was carried away in one scene, I was almost upset to be dragged away to another, much though I hadn’t wanted to leave that one behind on a previous chapter end.

I’d find it hard to define this series. It’s sci-fi, it’s speculative fiction but it’s also thriller, adventure story and a great deal more. The tension and the body count are ratcheted up as the book progresses and I finished the second half in a single, concentrated session. I find Lucas Bale’s writing style to be rich and evocative and I’m very glad it’s not going to be long before the next book is the series is available. Highly recommended.

[Stephanie Embry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earning that fifth star from me means that a book has to be something special--it really has to make me want to crawl into the world and never leave. Bale completely achieves that. Like many of the other reviewers, I was baffled at first by the change of characters. I had assumed this was a typical series, and I was looking forward to the continued adventures of the characters from book one. (That's yet more praise, by the way--Bale made me want to spend more time with the characters in book one. He made me care about them.) The character development in Defiance is every bit as good as The Heretic. There's an immediate connection, an immediate feeling of care that is established for the characters.

The world of The Heretic and Defiance continues to dazzle. A beautifully written sci-fi with an amazing premise and well-written characters, and an author voice that I could easily spend ten more books reading.

[Patrick Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, inevitably, as this is a Lucas Bale book,it’s a page turner.That rule was established with the Heretic, the first book in the Beyond The Wall Series.
Without disclosing the plot,this is the tale of the hunter and the hunted. The motives of both seem questionable to begin with and yet weaved into the background of a society that is recognisable and alienating similtaneously.
The whole book has the word play of Will Self, the visceral violence of Neil Cross and the epic sweep of Iain Banks- that’s quite a combination, but Bale manages to combine those elements and takes the reader on a roller coaster of tension which you don't want to stop. Really going find it hard to wait for the next one....

[Tommy Muncie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the most exciting book I’ve read all year, Defiance takes the risk of not picking up immediately where it’s predecessor Heretic left off, and offers only small links to Heretic’s plot. The result, a story set in the same world but showing an entirely different angle, coupled with the strong female lead Heretic lacked, is spectacular.

During Heretic I did stop to wonder what it must like to be on the ‘bad guys’ side of this world, and wondered who a consul could be and how someone might become one, or the people close to that person. I got the feeling that it was not as black and white as a consul and his guard simply being monsters or otherwise amoral people. As soon as I got into Defiance my curiosity was quenched almost straight away - it’s a novel packed with questions about who the bad guys really are, with its questions and mystery creating a page turning quality that turns whole days into reading marathons.

Just when I thought Lucas Bale’s economical, polished style could probably not be bettered, the author himself does just that, as the three interlocking 3rd person stories run frenetically from pace to pace yet at no point rely too heavily on plot or become bogged down in info dumping or science technicalities. The focus is always on the characters and their assessment of the human condition and why they do the things they do, despite being a hard science fiction story.

When the hard science does come in, particularly in the exceptionally considered dynamics of space crafts and the resulting chaos the characters experience inside them, it’s well delivered even if there is a stretching of what’s possible (after all, if it were science fact then it would not be science fiction, a fact to be considered when certain characters see space ships launching weapons from an astonishing distance, just to name one instance of dramatic license.)

The crossing of sci-fi with the horror genre is put to mesmerising use in this novel, with its second half going for the ‘What happened on this ship’ trope, and a generous helping of ‘What’s behind the door,’ all done with the kind of finesse that keeps a well used crossover of ideas fresh. So fresh in fact that putting this book down will leave lingering images for probably quite some time!

Granted, there are times when a character’s train of though in action situations states the obvious to the reader, and there’s a fair bit of what I call ‘puzzling out loud’ that could occasionally be cut, but in most places I honestly couldn’t think of a way of avoiding this. The style of action building and fast problem solving is at least consistent throughout the whole book.

To read Lucas Bale is truly to take a master class in getting modern sci-fi right, and it’s sure to entertain anyone even if they don’t ransack it for writing tips the way I will doubtless do as I go through my bookmarks. Perhaps better still, it would accessible reading even for those who have never picked up science fiction in their life. A challenge in places perhaps, but the best kind.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is based on an advanced reader’s copy provided to me by the author.)

I greatly enjoyed Lucas Bale’s The Heretic when it released earlier this year, finding it to be the beginning of an ambitious science-fiction series with a heck of a lot of promise. Book Two in his Beyond The Wall series, Defiance, struck me as even better in nearly every way.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the narrative that propels the book’s central characters into action. Starting off with a murder and the hunt for a fugitive, the story expands on the mythology introduced in The Heretic and the scope of the Imperium’s domain and the power of the Magistratus. We’ve got murder, a fugitive on the run, political chicanery, a lost spaceship, and more. While not a direct continuation of The Heretic, although there are references made to the events that occurred in that book, Defiance is a bit more like a necessary side-journey.

Bale’s series is what he calls ‘series episodic.’ There’s a large, overarching story connecting the two works, although the characters are different and separated by the vast reaches of space. They inhabit the same universe and live under the same threatening weight of the Imperium’s fist. With new characters comes a new locale, as well, and the world of Jieshou feels vastly different than The Heretic’s Herse. The central characters of Weaver, a sort-of policeman, and the fugitive, Natasha, whom he spends the book hunting, are new faces to the expanding cast and take center stage this time around. Through their eyes, we get to familiarize ourselves with the criminal underworld of Jieshou’s Bazaar, and find Weaver up against some significant odds.

I felt that the characterizations were stronger, and the threats they faced to be more immediate and more prevalent. Weaver has a terrific bit of inner conflict, often arguing with himself over the merits of obeying orders versus following a more morally correct path. Natasha, too, is an intriguing sort and seems to possess a rare quality that allows her to navigate through the wormholes connecting the empire, and to pass through the farther reaches of the Imperium’s domain and beyond The Wall, a section of uncharted and uninhabited space. Or is it? Hmmm…

As Bale produces these novels to be part of a larger whole, we’re left with one heck of a cliffhanger. Most of the mysteries introduced along the way are resolved, but plenty more gets teased in order to set up Book Three.

The Beyond The Wall series is shaping up to be a terrific showcase for Bale’s talents with plenty of future-past mythology and an expanding scope that is starting to feel as large as the universe itself. Recommended.

[Toby Stainton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the Beyond The Wall series has a different setting and characters and doesn't directly lead on from events in the Heretic. It's a bold move by the author and it may leave some readers scratching their heads but I feel it works very well. Where the Heretic is a short prelude, Defiance builds on this universe and adds additional bleak dystopian layers.I like that there are no clear 'good guys and bad guys' in the book, the characters are complex and interesting and there's plenty of intrigue and mystery to suck you in to the book. There are of course references to the events in the first book and I suspect the two narratives will cross paths again. It's Space Opera up there with the likes of Peter F Hamilton and I'm very much looking forward to the third installment.

[Stefano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a novel by a new author is a bet, an investment in time and money, both scarce resources nowadays. Moreover the second installment in a series is always critical, I was wondering if the elements that kept me turning pages in the first part would be there, again. Well, they are, and even more engaging than before.
I enjoyed this volume, even if it had new characters and settings that were not in The Heretic, but that I hope to know more about in the future episodes.
Definitely a page-turner.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great follow-up to The Heretic! In Defiance, we get to meet a new set of main characters and are introduced to the wider world of the Beyond the Wall series. I was hooked into Natasha's character immediately, and found her storyline to be the most gripping of the three characters we bounce between. And I loved reading about Jieshou and its aristocratic/mafia-esque power plays. I honestly wish the book had been twice as long -- I just wanted so much more!

Next, please!

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant author, brilliant book. I actually had an elevated heart rate in many sections, according to my heart rate watch which just happened to be on at the time. Some would argue that the ability to build and msintain tension is one of the most important skills of narrative writing, and Lucas does it as well or better than any author I've read. Do yourself a favour and read the 'Beyond the Wall' series.

[David Dawson]

Even better than the first one.

I am really loving this author, and this series. If you liked his first book, you'll love this one. I said in my review for The Heretic, that he reminds me of Hugh Howey, and it shows even more in Defiance. His world building in this book is taken to another level. Any one who loves good sci-fi, or just great story telling, should really watch Lucas Bale.

[Tookiebunten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Lucas Bale could be my new favourite author. I thought the Heretic was great, Defiance is better. The found the characters, pacing and the plot the carries on the Beyond the Wall series to be excellent. It's a proper page turner. If you're into your science fiction then I can't recommend this highly enough. Another 5 stars for me. Can't wait for the next in the series!

[David Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving this author, and this series. If you liked his first book, you'll love this one. I said in my review for The Heretic, that he reminds me of Hugh Howey, and it shows even more in Defiance. His world building in this book is taken to another level. Any one who loves good sci-fi, or just great story telling, should really watch Lucas Bale.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucas has produced another cracking piece of work; I’m really enjoying his writing and characters. Left me with a few questions though as to where we are going, so I eagerly await the next episode in the series.

[Seamus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully epic second book from the amazing Beyond The Wall series.

Lucas Bale is an up and coming indie writer, who has built his own unique literally universe and belongs in the same ranking as Michael Bunker & Hugh Howey!

[Wesley F · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defiance is the second in the Beyond the Wall series but isn't really a sequel to the first novel. It takes place after The Heretic but it is an entirely new set of characters and settings with only a weak connection to the events of the first novel, which was a little disappointing. At the same time it was gritty, action-packed, and smart. If viewed as part of an epic, it is a good read, but standing by itself, it is average at best.

The book has three concurrent plots going on involving three characters that never interact with one another. Weaver is an agent of the Magistratus, the all-powerful imperial power that dominates all humanity. He is sent to find the killer of a powerful political leader. The suspect, Natasha, is a drug-addicted navigator specializing in interstellar travel. Her life has been difficult and you get the impression she was a patsy. She's just trying to "get by." The third is Elias, a servant of the new Consul, a powerful political office. He learns there is something going on related to the death of the last Consul, a conspiracy involving a distant planet called Herse.

Writing a book with concurrent plots is difficult, especially when the three hardly ever intersect. George R.R. Martin is one of the few that can do it well. Dan Brown is another example. Bale is a good writer and he did manage to keep the shifts in perspective smooth but I had a hard time staying connected to the story. There were times I was captivated by the Weaver and Natasha story lines, but at other points it felt like tedious backstory and needless details.

Martin has a talent for offering up backstory in small doses in is novels, while also wrapping it in dialogue and plot that doesn't feel contrived. Defiance had a tendency to dump it, distracting from the action. Most sci-fi novels have infodumping, however. By comparison Bale had a little less than average. The dialogue could be a bit cheesy at times, with a lot of thuggish posturing, but for the most part if fit well with the gritty style of the book. Imagine Pulp Fiction in space.

Defiance needs the third book. By itself, it just isn't much. If it fits into a larger story arc, I think it could be very powerful but I really want to read more before passing full judgement on the Beyond the Wall series. After two books, I feel like I've only gotten a small glimpse of the wider universe ruled by the Magistratus. There are too many unanswered questions.

Be prepared for a gritty, complicated story with real characters, not two-dimensional cliches. There are some things that might be too graphic for some readers but it isn't gratuitous. It is a good fit for hard sci-fi readers who prefer realism.

[Liquid Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Global warming destroys Earth and nearly all its inhabitants. The rich, backed by actual intelligence, forge a new path and take to the stars; using wormholes and Terra-forming to create new habitats for humanity. Although the numbers are a fraction of what once was, the Corporation evolved into the Consulate Magistratus, which is a reigning religious/politico force that eradicates anyone who dares question its authority.

Defiance, Beyond the Wall Book Two, is scantly related to the series launch, Heretic. Defiance tells the tale of Weaver, a Caesteri (detective) who has a bit of a moral compass but is still a tool of the Magistratus. He has a few moments of kindness, but overall his story didn’t resonate as well as Shepherd (Book One). He is definitely a fighter and intelligent survivor.

Weaver is sleuthing a murder and follows evidence to a Shanty Town on a desolate planet looking for a female Navigator. We have a couple other characters and some interesting sub-stories about poverty and survival. They are left open-ended.

The action is much slower. There are some good moments, but overall the pace of the book is slower than its precursor. There is violence and near-demonic nightmares out beyond the Wall. Again, more may be fleshed out on the mysterious ship and crew.

Where I felt Book One ended and left the story wide for a continuance, Book Two was more of a cliff-hanger. Now, I’m confused if the third book will continue Heretic, Defiance, or lead readers on yet another cast and adventure.

Overall it isn’t a bad story and the writing is decent. But I’m comparing the story and pace to the series launch – as well as the character development – and calling this a solid Space Opera leisurely read.

**Note** The author responded via a comment on the Amazon review and says that everything will tie together.

[Steven Halberd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Defiance is the title of Lucas Bale's second entry in his Beyond the Wall series. But don't think you have to start with the first book of the series, The Heretic. Defiance introduces new themes and characters; it can be read as a stand-alone volume.

Plot Summary: The Universe is controlled by the Magistratus. Those who plot against them are silenced. Elias serves a new leader of the Magistratus and he finds that his master may not be what he seems. Will Elias support his master if he moves against the all-powerful Magistratus? Weaver is a enforcer within the Magistratus. He is on the trail of Natasha, a talented yet troubled pilot who is working with those who oppose the Magistratus. The Magistratus moves against the opposition and a chase across the galaxy ensues. All roads lead to a mysterious unknown habitable planet and the seemingly deserted vessel that orbits it.

Should You Read It? I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lucas Bale is an excellent writer and draws us further into his series with bold and memorable characters. This surprised me after finishing The Heretic, but it becomes clear that the two books will be drawn together in a third installment. The three characters I referenced all grow and change in this book based on the thrilling obstacles they encounter. At the end of Defiance, Mr. Bale surprised me by introducing some horror scenes that reminded me of the Alien movies. Defiance straddles the science fiction, suspense and horror genres very adeptly. Highly recommended!

[Lonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this second installment of the series. The writing is fast paced, taut, and keeps you turning the pages. The writing is good enough that I was able to overlook basic science errors, although they took me out of the story when they cropped up. I'm not sure how anyone can use the term galaxies instead of star systems in 2015. Haven't seen that one since Lost in Space in the 60's. The characters must have incredible eyesight to be able to see spacecraft in orbit from the surface of the planet as well as missles launched from said spacecraft. Hopefully when the explanation for the Wall is revealed, it will have some basic accurate science underpinnings. I have really enjoyed the Heretic and Defiance, but I've been reading a lot of self-published SF lately and am distressed by the lack of scientific knowledge displayed in what is supposed to be... Science fiction.
That said, I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, and hope Mr. Bale can avail himself of someone who has a modicum of scientific knowledge to correct these errors.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow start

I immensely enjoyed book one of the Beyond the Wall Series. I had much difficulty getting into the rhythm of the second book until about halfway through. There are snippets of connecting the two, but no definitive links as of yet. Momentum picked up and by the end I was hooked once again. I do hope that book three will bring the first two together

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great plot

I enjoyed the characters - fleshed out nicely within multiple plot lines that are rich in detail but still leave us wondering how this will all get woven together. This author keeps getting better and better.

[Bill Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner, even better than the first. Different characters and a different side of the same developing story. I loved the first book, and this one is even better!

This is why I don't like to start a series that is not completely written--I can't wait for the next one!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good sci-fi thriller

I am giving this book a five star rating because it is just a great series. I don't even read a lot of this genre but, this author pulls you in and despite the characters flaws you do like them.

[Jola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent story by Lucas Bale. He should be on top of the best-sellers lists. I very much enjoyed this story with its amazing characters and plot. Keep up the good work!

[Frances I. Guempel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Defiance

This was a harder read than the first book . They stand alone until you get to the 3rd book to connect them. I will be waiting for # 3 see you there!

[Debbie Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler Alert! Don't read my last paragraph if you haven't read finished this book!

This book has good story, worlds and characters. However, some scenes seemed to be too long. Also, as the author points out in the beginning, it doesn't appear to be related to the first book. Is this a ploy to make you continue the series? I don't like being maneuvered, but as the "books" are so short, on I went. This could certainly have been condensed into one book. I'm not sure why many Kindle authors do this unless it's for more money. Can't blame them for that, but it is somewhat frustrating for the reader.

Last point: What happened to Skoryk and his men? Will they show up in the next "book"?