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The Artifact #8
The Eighth Artifact
The crew of the Stardust III plans to enter the portal and explore the source of the mysterious radio beacon in the M33 galaxy.
On their way there, they discover ships full of refugees fleeing one disaster, only to be heading into another.
Then, they are almost ready to enter the portal, when survivors, displaced from Earth, are discovered in a place where it is impossible for them to be.
Finally, fully equipped, well-armed, and with a small fleet of ships, they enter M33…Only to discover that not all answers are what you want to hear, and that one race is attacking the damaged ships…
On their way there, they discover ships full of refugees fleeing one disaster, only to be heading into another.
Then, they are almost ready to enter the portal, when survivors, displaced from Earth, are discovered in a place where it is impossible for them to be.
Finally, fully equipped, well-armed, and with a small fleet of ships, they enter M33…Only to discover that not all answers are what you want to hear, and that one race is attacking the damaged ships…
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
222 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
David Collins
30 books24 followersI am a retired software engineer who has worked on various medical/robotic hardware, oceanographic mapping, telecommunications, and submarine communication systems. He currently resides in New Hampshire and has decided to try writing some science fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 30, 2025
I really hope his writing improves
There is a lot I like about these books or I would never have gotten this far. It's hard to get past the bad writing. And it's really bad. I keep reading thinking that the next book surely will be better but, 8 books in and there's no improvement in the writing style. But Mr. Collins manages to overcome that with interesting characters, compelling plot, and consistency in character and plot from book to book. If Mr. Collins is reading this, here's the secret: The way to improve writing is by reading. Stop writing for a while and read the classics. I'm not talking about classic sci-fi, good writing is good writing. Please. I want to love your books.
There is a lot I like about these books or I would never have gotten this far. It's hard to get past the bad writing. And it's really bad. I keep reading thinking that the next book surely will be better but, 8 books in and there's no improvement in the writing style. But Mr. Collins manages to overcome that with interesting characters, compelling plot, and consistency in character and plot from book to book. If Mr. Collins is reading this, here's the secret: The way to improve writing is by reading. Stop writing for a while and read the classics. I'm not talking about classic sci-fi, good writing is good writing. Please. I want to love your books.
November 11, 2025
And First Contact gets even weirder...
This series is about a young man who orders a metallic part on the internet for a book cover and finds out that it's actually part of a spaceship. He and his friends go out into the galaxy. They have many first contact situations. Each book gets successively stranger and stranger. Their problems are also getting more twisted and difficult. I literally cannot put down these books when I start reading them. I recommend starting with the first book and reading all the way through. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
This series is about a young man who orders a metallic part on the internet for a book cover and finds out that it's actually part of a spaceship. He and his friends go out into the galaxy. They have many first contact situations. Each book gets successively stranger and stranger. Their problems are also getting more twisted and difficult. I literally cannot put down these books when I start reading them. I recommend starting with the first book and reading all the way through. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
August 31, 2025
Rescued a few people
Getting into tiffs with spiders, and rescuing various people stranded in M33 seemed to be the focus of this book. Chloe breaks down, and says she never wants to go back again. The search for the beacon has a disappointing result. For those who think science is involved, I disagree. It's just fantasy fiction. (600 seconds calculates to something less than five minutes. I've already criticised the centrifugal arrangement).
Getting into tiffs with spiders, and rescuing various people stranded in M33 seemed to be the focus of this book. Chloe breaks down, and says she never wants to go back again. The search for the beacon has a disappointing result. For those who think science is involved, I disagree. It's just fantasy fiction. (600 seconds calculates to something less than five minutes. I've already criticised the centrifugal arrangement).
October 26, 2025
A lively episode in this quite interesting series.
The crew continues to search for and assist other species. Navigating other galaxies requires serious adjustments for their FTL propulsion units. but their AI manages the modifications adroitly. A real enemy, the Spiders, are genuine pirates and require some homemade weapons to defeat them.
The crew continues to search for and assist other species. Navigating other galaxies requires serious adjustments for their FTL propulsion units. but their AI manages the modifications adroitly. A real enemy, the Spiders, are genuine pirates and require some homemade weapons to defeat them.
July 29, 2025
I read all 8 books one after another. I would the describe the series as refreshing. No prolonged wars. No flawless heroes. Not overly military but not sappy. Just an adventure with the characters having good intentions but ready to kick ass if something does not appear right.
July 30, 2025
Two days
As the subject says, I read David's current book in two days. That means three things: I loved it; I read too fast, and I spend a lot of my free time reading.
Did I mention I loved it? Ah yes ! It is right there!
As the subject says, I read David's current book in two days. That means three things: I loved it; I read too fast, and I spend a lot of my free time reading.
Did I mention I loved it? Ah yes ! It is right there!
August 1, 2025
Into the Unknown side
Back into the new Galaxy through a portal. Trying to find friendly aliens only to find disabled ships with working and malfunctioning lifepods some under attack. Hoping to save the friendlier of the aliens the diverse crew goes to work. Good Read.
Back into the new Galaxy through a portal. Trying to find friendly aliens only to find disabled ships with working and malfunctioning lifepods some under attack. Hoping to save the friendlier of the aliens the diverse crew goes to work. Good Read.
August 8, 2025
Tries too hard
Tries too hard to be funny. Kind if like a weak Galaxy Quest. Too many character at this point. I've enjoyed the series up to this point but, the attempts at humor are childish and fall flat.
Tries too hard to be funny. Kind if like a weak Galaxy Quest. Too many character at this point. I've enjoyed the series up to this point but, the attempts at humor are childish and fall flat.
August 7, 2025
Hooked on this series!
Eight books so far and still cannot wait for the next in the series. Love the characters ANF the play between them.
Eight books so far and still cannot wait for the next in the series. Love the characters ANF the play between them.
September 1, 2025
Just not entertaining
This book has to many unknown aliens, to many names, nothing laught out load funny. This book just not as fun as the others
This book has to many unknown aliens, to many names, nothing laught out load funny. This book just not as fun as the others
September 21, 2025
This is a good book
Very good book, and it did keep me in touch with the book . Every good that it keeps you into the book. Lo
Very good book, and it did keep me in touch with the book . Every good that it keeps you into the book. Lo
July 27, 2025
I like this series so much that I am anticipating the "Ninth Artifact" and want it now! In this adventure the crew finds more new species of aliens to rescue as well as an aggressive species. Arachnophobes beware! I really like that this crew is trying their best to help the weak and rescue the survivors no matter what they look like. The plot is straightforward and the premise is finding the creators which they have not done yet. This is an excellent series and I highly recommend both this book and the entire series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews