The Captain's Daughter: Arkship Trilogy Book II

Arkship #2

by Peter F. Hamilton

From an internationally bestselling author comes the second book in the sweeping, never before seen in paperback Arkship trilogy, perfect for readers of Adrian Tchaikovsky and Alastair Reynolds.

With the help of a command AI, the hole in the Daedalus has been fixed by Hazel and her friends. But in the process, they have antagonized the Yi, the aliens who are actually controlling the Daedalus. After a daring escape from the Yi, Hazel and her friends now must convince the people of the Daedalus villages and the village leaders that the Yi exist - and that they must fight back in order to survive. This proves tricky, as those in power don't want their authority challenged.

In order to produce proof of their dire situation, Hazel and her friends have to return to the forward section of the Daedalus to find another surviving command AI so they can find where the Yi are hiding and what their goal is. What Hazel and her friends discover is the terrible secret of the Yi, and what they have been doing on board the Daedalus for the last five hundred years.

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Space Opera, Young Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2022

About the author

Peter F. Hamilton is a British science fiction author. He is best known for writing space opera. As of the publication of his tenth novel in 2004, his works had sold over two million copies worldwide, making him Britain's biggest-selling science fiction author.

Reviews

[Peter Stephen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite what it says, there is no way that this was written by the same author of the Void series, Salvation Sequence or Nights Dawn series. It feels almost simplistic and the plot is completely transparent. Ok for introducing teens to science fiction, but not for ardent readers of Peter F. Hamilton.

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)]

3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable sequel in this accessible science fiction series. Compared to other books by this author, this one was shorter and simpler. That is not necessarily a bad thing. These book felt like nice pallete cleanser between heavier and more complicated books.

I would recommend this science fiction series but readers should start back with the first book to get the best experience.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[PresPetunia · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting progress for the story. However if the heroine cried, "I can't!" one more time I would have thrown her to the Yi myself.

[Chasing Silhouettes · Rating 4 out of 5]

'If there were no stars, there would be no new world. So much of my life had been a lie that discovering they were real was intoxicating.' (Pg 102)

YA Science-Fiction | Innerspace Adventure | Coming-of-Age | Journey to a New World | High-Stakes | This is not a standalone.

After the shocking revelations from book 1, Hazel and her friends realize just how high the stakes are and how deep the secrets go. They exemplify bravery, though courage isn't really a choice. It's do... or they all die.

Hazel hadn't volunteered to be the one to sound the alarm, but she reluctantly did what she had to. As it was war and the people needed to know.

".... This..." his lustrous hand waved at the darkness "...means the life we had is over no matter what the outcome is. And you're the one that started the change." (Pg 23)

It was not without a lot of doubt, fear, and self-blame, though. And being in that kind of position at a young age, having to make dire decisions that would affect all, was not easy. Not to mention being hunted...

'I was the one they wanted. I didn't know if they'd seen me.... But they knew." (Pg 51)

Friendships and relationships tested beyond measure. Seeing is believing. Survival requiring mass effort in a run against time. Exciting, suspenseful, and enthralling!

'You've been out in space. Everything in the universe is falling, but it's all relative.' (Pg 210)

Cannot wait to see how their story ends in the conclusion! Book 3 comes out in December.

ARC copy courtesy of Angry Robot

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel, Fraser, and their friends and relatives have successfully repaired the Daedalus, and in doing so have exposed the alien Yi as the true commanders of the ship. With the Yi using the Electric Captain to control the population over the centuries since the mutiny, humanity fell into an agrarian society with a limited lifespan, being cycled once they reach a certain age or they became ill and unable to contribute to the work required to keep things going. Yet now things are different, and with the information given to her by a command AI, and the revelation that she is a direct descendant of the original Captain, Hazel must convince the other inhabitants of this truth. Not only this, but she must once again travel into Yi territory to find another AI that may be able to help them, and to discover more of what happened during the mutiny. What she discovers of the Yi’s history on the Daedalus, their motivation and presence, only reinforces that she must seek a way to regain control of the ship before it’s too late…

I said in my review of A Hole in the Sky that this isn’t your usual Hamilton, being more focused and on a smaller scale, and the same goes for The Captain’s Daughter – to an extent. Now that the revelation of the Yi has been made there are definite changes to the storytelling, giving more detail and looking into aspects of the Daedalus that weren’t necessarily apparent in A Hole in the Sky. Hamilton is definitely allowing his imagination to flex, and it’s nice to see this expansion in more of the detailed side that I enjoy reading. With more revealed of the Daedalus, it raises plenty of questions that aren’t always entirely answered – but hopefully will do in the concluding volume, Queens of an Alien Sun.

With the story told in the first person from Hazel’s point of view, we don’t always get to see everything that is happening. Yet this doesn’t adversely affect the story in any way, and some of the action sequences work very well done like this, conveying a real sense of fear and urgency that genuinely had me wondering which way things would pan out. We also learn a lot through discussion and revelations to her rather than infodumps, with some of these done very nicely, and left me eager to find out more. Suffice to say that there are revelations and events that really raise the game, and the stakes, for Hazel and the rest of humanity.

Narration is by Elizabeth Klett, and she does a great job once again. Admittedly, it took me a while to get into her style for A Hole in the Sky, but no such issues adjusting this time.

All-in-all The Captain’s Daughter picks up the story and runs with it, barely letting up throughout, and building on every aspect of A Hole in the Sky. Some great stuff here, and while there is the YA label attached to it, that’s more to do with the age of the protagonist, Hazel, than the actual nature and content of the story. I’ll very much be looking forward to the final book in the Arkship Trilogy, Queens of an Alien Sun, likely out this time next year in audio format.

[Kim | Everbooky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moins prenant que le premier à mon sens, cette love story qui n’a aucun sens… Et finalement la lecture me laisse assez indifférente. C’est bien mais 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Dima · Rating 2 out of 5]

While not bad per se, baffling that Peter Hamilton could have written this. The number of times I caught myself rolling my eyes... At least the internal logic of the science sort of makes sense, which is indeed typical of the author.
Briefly the reasons for the 2 stars (vs the 3 I gave the previous installment). First, the plot gave out much less than in the previous book. Previously, it was all new to the reader, and there was a lot to uncover and understand. It was somewhat tense, and intriguing. In this book, the story is made up for half a dozen stand offs between the Yi and the group of humans, which become increasingly Rambo-like, and lacking in fundamental credibility. Second, while Hazel's character is somewhat multidimensional, it has not really developed. It's very frustrating to see her making the same mistakes, one after the other, and cling to the cliches of "hero saves the day" plotlines (e.g., the silly love story, the inability to grasp the big picture or think about implications of basic steps, defaulting to mayhem and violence every step of the way). Finally, there were multiple moments in the story that were so cliche it almost hurt (like the song she listens to at the end of the story; or the dialogue she has with Zorn about their relationship - cringeworthy!).
Hamilton should stick to space opera (for adults!).

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate this book, but it was a little too YA for my taste. The story is intriguing, but it feels oversimplified. I think this would be a great series had Peter F Hamilton written it geared towards a more mature audience. I think hard sci-fi is definitely his wheel house. My other issue was with the audio versions narrator. She does a decent enough job, but her voice would be better suited to that of a teenager in a Victorian era novel. It just feels out of place in a sci-fi novel about an arkship. Since there's only one book left, I'll probably read it since I'm already invested in the outcome.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true adventure that keeps getting more dangerous and ambitious in the second instalment of the Arkship trilogy. This is such a good mix of fast paced action, fights, wonderment and emotions, with a very real and vulnerable female main character, Hazel.

Hazel is surrounded by her tight group of friends, trying to figure out how to fix one problem after the other, whilst travelling through space in search of a new planet where to create a new life. But, although each of them bring something to the undertaking, Hazel is ultimately the ‘chosen’ one to lead the new way, and the author ably conveys her vulnerability, unpreparedness, and the overall feeling of the extensive weight of her responsibility. I see a lot of myself in Hazel, always self-doubting, and not realising how much stronger she is in reality. She is definitely growing, even if she had some setbacks in this book. I hope we’ll see her finally truly blossoming in the last book in the trilogy.

The world building is very original, but I’m finding myself much more curious about the various AI commanders, especially after having encountered the mysterious and alluring hybrid human Josephine. I have a feeling we’ll finally get to know them better in the next book.

If you want to experience a true adventure in space filled with conspiratorial aliens, danger and found family, this trilogy is perfect!

Thanks to Angry Robot Books for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[E M]

mars 2024

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd rate this book 3 1/2 stars. I think most teens would rate it a solid 4 stars.

This is the second book of a three part series beginning with "A Hole in the Sky". If you liked the first book, then you will like this book equally well unless you are an action junkie. Then you will like this book more.

The story: IN the previous book, Hazel managed to stop the slow leak in the ark's hull. She and her friends have also escaped the clutches of the evil aliens called the Yi. (I suppose to the Yi, they seem quite reasonable to themselves.) Hazel is a reluctant leader and the established leadership of the ark is questioning her view of things. They seem to think that she has caused the problems and that there are no aliens. She must now find the Yi, and bring back proof of their existence. Then she can organize the people to fight the Yi and gain control of the ship or they will all be dead.

Any problems with this story? Nothing more than my complaints about the previous book. They were small complaints.

Any modesty issues? Well... the same issues as before. Sex is not described. It is implied. It is also accepted as a normal part of conversation... more than would be today, but nothing rude or garish.

Once again, the book winds up most of the major issues brought up in the beginning and introduces more. Obviously the main objective has always been to gain control where the ship is going. That means gaining control of the engines and steering and such. I don't think I'm giving anything away. That seemed obvious from book one.

I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book of the Arkship Trilogy. The first book, A Hole in the Sky, was published in paperback in January 2026. The third book is expected in December 2026. All three have previously been available as audiobooks.

My colleague Mark Chitty, reviewed this first book for SFFWorld as an audiobook (HERE.) I read it as a paperback back in January. I really liked it, but felt there was nothing I could meaningfully add to Mark’s excellent review (which I read after I’d read the book myself.)

But putting it simply, I felt that it was a young adult type of novel; it very much reminded me of the juvenile classics by Asimov, Clarke & Heinlein, albeit with a more contemporary feel. It was simpler and more direct than Peter’s usual material, but this meant that the plot focussed on the key points of narrative and character without side-stories or detailed background.

And so to Book 2. Warning: As it is Book 2, there may be slight spoilers for Book 1 here, although I will try and keep them to a minimum.

 

Their world lives on, but who will control it? Hazel and the reawakened command AI have repaired Daedelus, the vast generation ship carrying the last of humanity on a centuries long journey to a new world. But can she convince her people of the truth she learned in the process? That humanity is not alone on Daedelus. That the Yi, an alien species, have made it their home.

But those in power don’t want to listen if it means a challenge to their authority. So Hazel must travel again to the ship’s far reaches, to learn what the Yi plan for Daedelus. What she discovers there is far more terrifying than a mere hole in the sky…

After the revelations of Book 1, here Peter extends the science-fictional element more in that the focus has widened to beyond the confines of Hazel’s village. Now that we (and they!) know that they’re on a generational spaceship with antique technology and an alien lifeform, Hazel, her younger brother Frazer, loyal Alice, Shao and her boyfriend Rell have the task of letting other people know what they now know (from Book 1.) Most of this book deals with the fact that they also have to travel forward to the defunct elements of the ship and deal with the alien Yi who have also infiltrated themselves throughout the spaceship.

We become more science-fictional as the group revive and learn to use old technology, under the guidance of John, their recently awakened AI, and others they meet. The last part of the book deals with their attack on the Yi and the consequences of that, setting things up for the third book.

All in all, this is a typical middle book. You need to have read A Hole in the Sky to fully comprehend the actions in The Captain’s Daughter, although Peter does a great job of summarising it at the beginning of this book. Of course, Book 2 sets things up for the third act in Book 3.

Told from the perspective of Hazel, things do move forward in this book, and we get to know more about Hazel and her group as well as the very alien aliens.

It is quite refreshing to read a less complex but still engaging Peter Hamilton book. There are minor annoyances – using the phrase “Oh my dayz” as the main characters do feels dated even now, for example – but generally the book has enough charm and action to keep the reader page-turning. Like before, it is not super-complex, yet it is exciting enough to keep the pages turning until you get to the inevitable ‘To Be Continued’.

Book 3 – Queens of An Alien Sun - is expected in print in December 2026, although the audiobook version is already out there.

[Brian Stabler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Captain's Daughter is a strong follow-up to A Hole in the Sky that expands the world, raises the stakes, and delivers plenty of action, even if it doesn't quite reach the complexity of Peter F. Hamilton's adult science fiction.

With the truth about the Yi now out in the open, Hazel finds herself carrying the weight of humanity's future aboard the Daedalus. As more secrets about the ship's history are uncovered, she must navigate growing dangers while trying to convince others that everything they've been taught about their world is a lie. The story moves at a brisk pace, with new discoveries and revelations arriving regularly enough to keep the momentum going throughout.

One of the book's greatest strengths is the continued exploration of the Daedalus itself. I enjoyed learning more about the ship, its hidden history, and the events that led to humanity's current situation. Hamilton gradually reveals more details without resorting to lengthy infodumps, allowing the mysteries to unfold naturally through Hazel's experiences.

Hazel remains an engaging protagonist. She's determined and courageous, but she's also overwhelmed by the responsibility suddenly placed upon her. Her moments of uncertainty help make her feel believable, and the first-person narration gives the story an immediacy that works particularly well during the action scenes. There are several tense moments where the limited perspective adds to the suspense because neither Hazel nor the reader fully understands what's happening until events unfold.

The pacing is fast and the book is very easy to read. At times it felt more like watching an action-adventure film than reading a traditional science-fiction novel, which made it difficult to put down. However, that accessibility comes with some trade-offs. The plot is relatively straightforward, some twists are fairly easy to anticipate, and readers looking for the intricate world-building and layered storytelling of Hamilton's larger novels may find this series a little lightweight by comparison.

That said, this is very much a YA adventure, and judged on those terms it succeeds extremely well. The story is exciting, optimistic, and refreshingly free from the excessive angst that often creeps into young adult fiction. At its core, it's a compelling tale about ordinary people trying to reclaim control of their future and survive long enough to reach a new world.

Overall, The Captain's Daughter builds effectively on the foundations laid by the first book. While not every mystery is answered and some developments are more predictable than others, the combination of strong pacing, engaging characters, and intriguing ideas made for a thoroughly enjoyable read. I'm definitely interested to see how the story concludes.

Thanks to NetGalley, Angry Robot and the publisher for an advance copy.

[Creotivemedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le deuxième tome de la série « L’Arche spatiale » de Peter F. Hamilton, intitulé « La Fille de la Capitaine », nous plonge une fois de plus dans un univers de science-fiction complexe et captivant. L’auteur nous offre une suite palpitante où l’action, la politique et l’intrigue intergalactique se mêlent habilement.

L’histoire reprend là où le premier tome nous avait laissés, avec Hazel et ses amis confrontés à une menace extraterrestre redoutable, les mystérieux « yis ». L’utilisation d’une IA de commandement pour réparer le vaisseau spatial Daedalus les a mis en conflit direct avec ces entités, déclenchant ainsi une série de rebondissements captivants. Hamilton excelle dans la création d’univers riches en détails et en complexité, et cela se ressent dans la manière dont il développe les relations entre les personnages, les factions politiques et les races extraterrestres.

Ce deuxième tome continue d’explorer les thèmes de la politique, du pouvoir et de l’autorité, en mettant en évidence les tensions entre Hazel et ses compagnons qui cherchent à convaincre les dirigeants humains de l’existence des yis et de la nécessité de les combattre. Ces conflits internes ajoutent une dimension intrigante à l’histoire, car ils révèlent les enjeux politiques et les ambitions individuelles en jeu.

Hamilton excelle également dans la construction de son monde futuriste, en fournissant une profusion de détails sur la technologie, la société et les cultures extraterrestres. Les lecteurs sont immergés dans un univers visuellement saisissant et riche en imagination.

L’action est omniprésente dans ce tome, avec des scènes de combat passionnantes et des moments de tension qui maintiennent le rythme tout au long du récit. Les personnages continuent d’évoluer et de gagner en profondeur, rendant le lecteur encore plus attaché à leur sort.

« L’Arche spatiale, T2 : La Fille de la Capitaine » de Peter F. Hamilton est un roman de science-fiction qui ne décevra pas les amateurs du genre. Il offre une combinaison équilibrée d’action, de politique, d’intrigue et de réflexion sur les enjeux de l’autorité dans un contexte intergalactique fascinant. Hamilton démontre une fois de plus son talent pour la création de mondes et d’histoires captivants, faisant de cette série une lecture incontournable pour les passionnés de science-fiction.

[Kirt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a tough one to get through, and unfortunately, I can only give it 2 stars, which is disappointing considering Peter F. Hamilton is one of my all-time favorite authors. I’ve always loved his intricate, richly imagined sci-fi works and will usually read anything he writes.

Going into this, I knew it was a YA novel and might not be my cup of tea, but I hoped Hamilton’s talent could still carry it. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. The biggest issue for me—something that seems to plague a lot of YA books—is how illogical the characters' actions often feel. The characters, in particular, don’t behave in ways that seem realistic or grounded, breaking the immersion of the story.

A common YA trope that stood out here is having kids as the heroes, not just rising to the occasion but outright telling the adults what to do—and the adults just go along with it without question. This dynamic feels so contrived and unbelievable that it completely pulls me out of the story. While I get that YA books are written to empower younger audiences, the lack of nuance or realism in these relationships makes it hard to take the narrative seriously.

Hamilton’s world-building is still present, and there are glimpses of his usual brilliance. But the YA framing undermines the complexity and depth that I’ve come to expect from his work. For fans of YA or those new to his writing, this might be an enjoyable read, but for someone used to his more mature sci-fi masterpieces, it was a struggle to stay engaged.

In the end, it reinforced for me why YA just isn’t my genre—the constant reliance on these tropes detracts from what could have been a much more compelling and believable story.

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Headlines:
Chosen one but different
Battle for territory and rule
Fast-paced

It was good to see this story progress and see consideration of the mortality of the occupants of this arkship taken seriously. What was somewhat hard to swallow was that Hazel, this young adult, was the leader and decision-maker; she seemed less well equipped in this sequel for that responsibility. That's not to say that she should have felt 'up to it' but there was more of an unrealistic slant to scenes. I feel like the more mature adults could have stepped up more.

I liked the tech evolvement in the story. John, the AI companion to Heather continued to be something of a good guy, more like < AIDAN > but without the errors (IYKYK). I felt discomforted at the obliteration of the Yi at times while also finding it hard to envisage what type-two, type-three Yis were actually like.

The pace was fast, from one drama to another, barely a breath taken. Decision-making was fast and I wanted more reflection and slower pacing.

Overall, I'm unsure how I feel about this book and series. The first started so strong but the second has me waning in interest.

Thank you to Angry Robots for the finished copy.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for more of a connection to the Pushkin story of the same name, but as far as I could tell, the similarity ends with the title.

This book is an unfortunate example of trilogy sophomore slump. To be fair, it's hard to write the second book of a trilogy. The second act of almost any story of the conflict between good and evil needs to develop the characters and their relationships, move them physically toward where they have to be to finish the story, arm them with the weapons and allies that they will need for the final battle, and give some tactical victories to the bad guys along the way. Of course, there is the customary endless fighting, which can be boring. How do you maintain the reader's interest, when the main purpose is to provide a line segment that connects the two ends? I remember seeing these problems in "The Two Towers" when I read "The Lord of the Rings" as a teenager. Mr. Hamilton isn't able to overcome these structural difficulties of any book number two, but he did manage to avoid turning me off completely, so I will move on to book three and hope that it delivers.

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a thrilling YA sci-fi with heart and I am addicted to it. This is the second in a trilogy and I raced through this as much as I did the first one. It was fast paced and action packed. The revelations come thick and fast and you can sense the urgency in the pace that is being set out in the writing. It feels like watching an action movie. I love the main character Hazel, she is trying to cope with the pace and determined to do the right thing, but has quiet moments of self doubt and worries about the consequences of her choices. With her trusted friends around her she is pushing in trying to get answers but the enormity of it all often takes her breath away. The writing style is so accessible and descriptive that I can clearly picture the Daedalus in my mind. 

There is much more tension in this book than the first and I'm one the edge of my seat and desperate for the final book later this year.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for my copy, please can I get the next!! 

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story follows Hazel and her friends on their continued mission to take back command of their Ark ship, the Daedalus, which has been traveling for 500 years after leaving a planet once inhabited by an alien species.

The Yi are not lying down and making it an easy fight; their survival tactics reach psychological levels as they attempt to turn the village people against Hazel. There are moments when the Yi are dehumanized to show they cannot possibly feel the way humans do, a concept John ironically throws his own opinions into as an AI.

John, Hazel's AI, guides them through the Daedalus, serving as a witty companion lightening the mood in a survival story.

The Daedalus feels genuinely immense, a staggering scale that hits the reader whenever the characters explore new areas. Even after witnessing some of the ship's most incredible sectors, Hazel, and her friends are still constantly surprised by new discoveries, ensuring the setting never loses its sense of awe.

Arc provided by Angry Robot via NetGalley

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The inhabitants of a generation ship nearing their new planet must contend with invasive aliens in this sequel to A Hole in the Sky.

Hamilton did this really cool thing in the first book where he presented the world by showing how the characters' assumptions about everything were wrong, and how they were manipulated by an alien force. Here, there's a lot of rehashing the previous book and fighting aliens.I'm still invested in the series and want to know how it ends, but book two felt a bit like filler.

Three and a half stars.

Received via NetGalley.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Captain's Daughter by Peter F. Hamilton is the second book in the "Arkship Trilogy". I almost didn't read this book. The first book in this trilogy, "A Hole In The Sky", read much like one of Heinlein's juveniles. I liked his juveniles when I was much younger, but not so much now in my old age. A friend told me I should read this second installment because the characters had evolved and the story was much more adult than before. He was correct. The main characters are much more serious and determined to save their ship from the alien Yi. They go in search of a means to defeat the Yi, and along the way discover unlikely allies and dangerous secrets that could save or destroy their ship. A much better read in this trilogy.

[Archi CG · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent sequel that consolidates this generation ship (arkship) trilogy. Hamilton flawlessly manages the pacing of political intrigue and survival, making the classic conflict between the social control of human leaders and the alien threat of the Yi feel fresh and technologically tense.

The highlight of the novel is the exploration of shipboard logistics inside the colossal Daedalus and the secrets of the command AIs. Although tailored for a young adult audience, it thoroughly maintains the solid world-building, cosmic scale, and sci-fi precision that characterize the author.

[Larry Noe · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the words guano, sweet and captain were eliminated from the first 2 books of this trilogy (and I suspect the 3rd book), this entire story would have fit into a single, short book. Having come to expect so much from Hamilton from all the books of his I have read in the past, this story, while not bad, just doesn't cut it. The good parts and bad parts seem to balance into a 2.5 starts for me. I rounded up to 3, but almost dumped it into a 2.

[Kenzie LaMar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the trilogy very quickly, one after the other. Young adult Sci-Fi. I greatly enjoyed the ideas explored here. The first book took some time for me to get invested but this second book I was all in and loved it. I don't want to spoil anything just in case someone reads this review before reading the first book. Read my review of the first book to get more details if you want a longer review. I think the second book is the best of the trilogy. I very much enjoyed it.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it only three chapters in before I could no longer stand the tone that Hamilton infused in his main character, Hazel. This really brought to light for me the issues that Hamilton has writing well rounded women. I appreciate that he tried to expand his audience but this was not a successful attempt at that. I very rarely quit series, let alone individual books partway through but I just couldn't stand it.

[Amanda Ehnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great second book to this trilogy. At the beginning, up to the ~40% mark, I was worried the book was going nowhere; it was very slow. Luckily, after that, it picked up and I again became actively invested in the trials of getting rid of the Yi for good. It introduced more twists to the story than I anticipated, and I was pleasantly surprised by this. Overall, a good book and a strong book in the trilogy; I am looking forward to reading the last book.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn’t the hardcore Peter F Hamilton we all know and love. This is a much softer, young adult series. Still, it’s interesting and I’m looking forward to the third installment and the conclusion.

Some definitely unexpected moments and other things are a bit more predictable. It is definitely a less complex plot which should be expected in a YA novel of this length.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s totally YA, but enjoyable enough to listen to while staring out the window of a moving vehicle. Did anyone else wince at the jump at the end of chapter 21 when the small group of protagonists accelerated to terminal velocity, even though there is no force in a rotational artificial-gravity environment that would cause any acceleration?

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel and her friends must travel to the forward section to find another command AI. The alien Yi are not yet under control.
One unfair reviewer complained that the book should have had a closer tie to the historical novel by Alexander Pushkin with the same title. It is an entertaining YA sci-fi novel in the manner of Robert Heinlein, a close sequel to A Hole in the Sky, so no, it shouldn’t.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part two of this trilogy was definitely action-packed. I felt a little more drawn into the story with this one even though it never let me forget that this is YA; a very youngish feeling YA. That aspect of it is going to appeal to some readers more than me.

On to the next one.