Pathos

by Nathan Hystad

Ethos is real. The crew of Excursion Two made it safely to the colony planet, but where are the colonists?

Jane’s ancestor has recovered from nearly three centuries in a damaged cryochamber, but Linus Vanderbilt is holding onto secrets. He warns them never to use the Link, then disappears with his trusted robot assistant, Atticus.

Captain Calvin Brooks, loyal to the Diplomats his entire career, begins questioning everything he’s ever believed. When he learns of a distant war, he must choose his allegiance, if humanity has a chance of survival.

Luke Dalton, won’t stop until he finds his family, even if it means venturing into a conflict they don’t belong in.

Pathos continues the epic, galaxy-spanning alien colonization story that began with Ethos.

From Nathan Hystad, the Best-Selling author of First Life, The Event, Lost Contact, Taken, and many others.

Genres: Science Fiction

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Geraldine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathos -Link-Book 2 picks up where Book 1 leaves off.

The crew of Excursion Two make it safely to Ethos but the colony is void of people. Where are they? Did any of the colonists survive?

Upon exploring the planet, Jane discovers an ancestor who is revived after 300 years in a cryochamber. Vanderbilt warns them all not to use the “Link”, but doesn’t tell them why. He and his personal robot, Atticus, hold many secrets yet to be revealed and then they disappear.

Should the Excursion Two crew try to use the Link or not? Will it lead them to the original colonists?

The Captain, Calvin Brooks, who has always been loyal to the Diplomats most of his life, is changing his mind.
What has made him change his mind after all these years?

Luke Dalton, still searching for his family finds some solid leads and chooses to go off on his own to find them— behind enemy territory.

There are a lot of moving pieces and parts in this book. It will keep you turning the pages. Nathan Hystad knows how to spin a story and this book is no exception.

Cannot wait for the next book in the series. If you haven’t read the first one, start there.

[Matthew W Seniff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathos is book 2 in the Link series. Pathos has a faster more powerful feel than the previous book in the series. The characters that started life in Ethos are filled with energy as they begin their own journeys. But it’s not just action that is revealed but the technology is already pulling them apart rather than uniting them. I recommend this book to anyone who wants some hard sci-fi and advanced technology in their reading experience.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

💚🤗🌏🪐Exotic and amazing!!

Calvin Brooks no longer felt like the captain of the grounded spaceship.

He had spent years taking orders during the Solar War.

For Calvin, it was now a welcome break...

>>>>>>>

Here's a decidedly exciting and unexpected sequel to the extraordinary adventures of Captain Brooks and his companions!

The reader travels happily between the dangerous new planets.

There's also plenty of suspense and revelations in this second volume.

I loved the original and completely exotic plot, where nothing is planned in advance.

Can't wait for the next one!
I highly recommend it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the first book in this series was awesome. The second book left me confused, as it was difficult to keep track of who was on what planet doing what.

Good note: the theme started in book that you can't trust the government and you can't trust the resistance continues. Let's add that you can't trust the people you thought you were rescuing, and you're not sure about the 'nice' aliens either.

On another note, I'm now two full books into this series and I still don't like or identify with any of the characters.

Recommended for people who liked the first book and can keep track of who is where.

[Gwen Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book.  Finding a wormhole that will go to Ethos, a world deemed Earth-like and good for settlements is a truly amazing accomplishment.  But Excursion One doesn't let Earth know what has happened.  So, Excursion Two is sent to find out.  And upon arrival, where are all the colonists?  The idea of travelling through space and becoming colonists on a strange new world is an exciting idea.  Thank you, Nathan Hystad, for getting the mind's juices blowing.  Now I can't wait for the third book in this series to come out.  What a joy to read.

[Jerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got through books 1&2

I cannot strongly recommend the series. I did get through Book 1 and was entertained, despite the use of the term “Slab” for what anyone else would use tablet. In fact there is at least one place in book 2 where “Jane” takes a detour to get her tablet. The Find All and Replace command apparently missed that reference.

But there were other issues with the book as well. The plot seemed to wonder a bit

I did a fair amount of skipping to finish book 2.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathos was an amazing story as more drama and secrets are revealed and many are asking questions as they deal with everything they have done so far. Plus some twists and surprises add to the overall story and had me glued to see what would happen next ad what hint or clue would make me question everything going on. But the characters and story were a blast to read and had me glued to the end to see it all.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the follow up of the 30 person crew aboard the original colony ship, the crew navigates a wormhole in search of the missing colonists. It's a mystery in a science fiction setting. Following clues they discover new planets. Challenges arise in weird forms as well as beautiful, idealic earth-like planets. Characters and relationships evolve in intriguing and deeper ways. Great read.

[KHB · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic read and follow-up to book one.

Lots of compelling plotlines, it's a hard book to put down.

If you like believable characters and lots of robots, you'll like this one.

It's also a great setup for the next instalment, so definitely looking forward to that.

[Daniel Kupres · Rating 5 out of 5]

PT 2

What an Excursion through time and space. 300 years separates the pioneers from present day but here they are in the flesh ready to shake the settlers to thier core. War is on the horizon and the Sun Colonies are prepared but is it enough?

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

This looks like it's going to be a long series.......

I wish Nathan could just write a 2 or 3 book series instead of on and on. So many authors are doing this now.
I lose interest around book 4. I know longer care about any of the characters. It's sos different day.

[William N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisted

Twisted and contorted. Confusing, to say the least. Cunningham is much more than he seems, and so is just about everyone else. Everyone seems to have a "past." Makes for a good read.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch! Continuing a really good storyline. Narrator is an old pro and does not fail here, a joy to listen to. Highly recommended for Sci Fi fans.

[James Terrell Mauldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this series a lot, looking forward to reading the concluding novel.

[william h. mayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no

Just accept the five star rating.Don't be such a d*** that you have to have me.Say twenty words or more about your g****** bookno