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The Crypt #2
Voidstrike
You can’t trust your senses—and you sure as hell can’t trust the ship.
The P.U.V. James Keeling has two raid enemy supply lines, and capture live specimens of a flesh-eating, warmongering alien species. The first mission is suicidal. The second might be worse.
But there’s a complication. The operation unfolds in the territory of a neutral power—one whose ships escort the enemy, and whose laws forbid Keeling’s crew from firing back. A single stray artillery shell could spark a second war, one the Planetary Union will not survive.
Through it all, the crew must endure the living nightmare of serving on the Crypt. Every “dive” through transdimensional space peels back another layer of reality. Crewmembers whisper of things seen in the dark, things that shouldn’t exist. Stress compounds. Sanity frays. A crew of rejects, thieves, murderers, and cowards—the “best of the worst“—face death at every turn.
When even your bunkmate might try to kill you, who can you trust?
Book II of The Crypt plunges into unknowable terror, where you can’t trust your own senses—and the ship itself may be the greatest threat of all.
The P.U.V. James Keeling has two raid enemy supply lines, and capture live specimens of a flesh-eating, warmongering alien species. The first mission is suicidal. The second might be worse.
But there’s a complication. The operation unfolds in the territory of a neutral power—one whose ships escort the enemy, and whose laws forbid Keeling’s crew from firing back. A single stray artillery shell could spark a second war, one the Planetary Union will not survive.
Through it all, the crew must endure the living nightmare of serving on the Crypt. Every “dive” through transdimensional space peels back another layer of reality. Crewmembers whisper of things seen in the dark, things that shouldn’t exist. Stress compounds. Sanity frays. A crew of rejects, thieves, murderers, and cowards—the “best of the worst“—face death at every turn.
When even your bunkmate might try to kill you, who can you trust?
Book II of The Crypt plunges into unknowable terror, where you can’t trust your own senses—and the ship itself may be the greatest threat of all.
466 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2026
97 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Scott Sigler
130 books4,347 followersTHE CRYPT: SHAKEDOWN is Book I of a new five-book series. It’s out October 3, 2023 in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast.
#1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
iTunes by subscribing to his podcast. #1 New York Times best-selling author Scott Sigler is the creator of fifteen novels, six novellas and dozens of short stories. He gives away his stories as weekly, serialized, audiobooks, with over 40 million episodes downloaded.
Scott launched his career by releasing his novels as author-read podcasts. His rabid fans were so hungry for each week’s episode that they dubbed themselves the “Junkies.” The first hit is always free …
He is also is a co-founder of Empty Set Entertainment, which publishes his Galactic Football League series. He lives in San Diego, CA, with his wife and wee little Dogs of Døøm.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 28, 2026
Does not disappoint
I waited what feels like forever for this book and was only disappointed that it ended. 10/10, it made me a Sigler Junkie for life!!!
I waited what feels like forever for this book and was only disappointed that it ended. 10/10, it made me a Sigler Junkie for life!!!
February 11, 2026
(2.5 Stars)
I really have to say this up front... This is the lowest I have ever rated a Scott Sigler book, not just from this series...but from Scott Sigler. It pains me to do so. I've been a Sigler Fan Boy since the beginning. I listened to most of his early book narrated directly by him on his podcast (you haven't lived till you hear Scott become Pookie Chang). So trust me when I say... I love Sigler's books, but this installment just didn't work for me.
Conceptually, it was a good story. The characters had the seeds of good characters, but just never grew.
Bottom line, I will read the next in the series, and I hope it will clear some things up, or make up for the weird direction this book went.
I really have to say this up front... This is the lowest I have ever rated a Scott Sigler book, not just from this series...but from Scott Sigler. It pains me to do so. I've been a Sigler Fan Boy since the beginning. I listened to most of his early book narrated directly by him on his podcast (you haven't lived till you hear Scott become Pookie Chang). So trust me when I say... I love Sigler's books, but this installment just didn't work for me.
Conceptually, it was a good story. The characters had the seeds of good characters, but just never grew.
Bottom line, I will read the next in the series, and I hope it will clear some things up, or make up for the weird direction this book went.
February 5, 2026
Excellent
This second installment to the crypt series was excellent. It was a little slow in the beginning but it quickly picked up and I found myself reading constantly. I am excited for the third book!!!!!
This second installment to the crypt series was excellent. It was a little slow in the beginning but it quickly picked up and I found myself reading constantly. I am excited for the third book!!!!!
February 3, 2026
A return to form for Scott Sigler, the creepy grit I've come to need from the Siglerverse.
Voidstrike dives deeper into the grim, claustrophobic hell of the PUV James Keeling, that cursed black-ops warship crewed by the Planetary Union's expendables: the rejects, the criminals, the "best of the worst" that runs on nightmare fuel.
Voidstrike dives deeper into the grim, claustrophobic hell of the PUV James Keeling, that cursed black-ops warship crewed by the Planetary Union's expendables: the rejects, the criminals, the "best of the worst" that runs on nightmare fuel.
February 4, 2026
I’m bummed that it’s over. Wish it was longer! But I’m loving this series. This one felt too short and I do wish a little more happened but I hope we get a sequel quickly.
February 1, 2026
wish it was longer
Fun room can’t wait for the next one. Wish it picked up a bit faster at the beginning, nailed the ending.
Fun room can’t wait for the next one. Wish it picked up a bit faster at the beginning, nailed the ending.
February 6, 2026
I love horror & give me some military sci-fi any day!! This is book 2 of the Crypt series and part of the Siglerverse. You can read it on its own but it’s best after The Crypt book one.
The author continues the story of an insane crew of criminals (thieves, rapists, murderers) and the absolute dregs of society that have been forced one way or another to serve on the James Keeling for 2 years in order to have their records erased. Oh this is such a suicide mission, right?
(weird, I heard the author say the name of the ship in my head just now).
The PUV James Keeling has been nicknamed The Crypt due to the massive amount of MDK!! KILL KILL MAYHAM KILL!! It’s fast paced action/horror goodness that doesn’t let up!
So what are they doing there? Their mission is to raid enemy supply lines & bring a people-eating ALIEN monster back for examination, all without firing a shot.
And if the mission isn’t bad enough the ship travels through transdimensional space (the mud) causing hallucinations, stress, anxiety, paranoia! The ship is confining which adds to the claustrophobic psychological meltdown of the crew & might set you on edge!
Mindy Martigral specializes in xenobiology and is a major in the Planetary Union Fleet. She’s badass. Can you be a damaged badass? The well-fleshed-out, shockingly (as in scary) well-developed characters are brought to life by the narrator Ray Porter. NGL having Joe ledger read me this book was a lovely added bonus.
Fantastic read if you’re looking for a fast-paced, horrific, military sci-fi story. Two thumbs up (5+ stars).
The author continues the story of an insane crew of criminals (thieves, rapists, murderers) and the absolute dregs of society that have been forced one way or another to serve on the James Keeling for 2 years in order to have their records erased. Oh this is such a suicide mission, right?
(weird, I heard the author say the name of the ship in my head just now).
The PUV James Keeling has been nicknamed The Crypt due to the massive amount of MDK!! KILL KILL MAYHAM KILL!! It’s fast paced action/horror goodness that doesn’t let up!
So what are they doing there? Their mission is to raid enemy supply lines & bring a people-eating ALIEN monster back for examination, all without firing a shot.
And if the mission isn’t bad enough the ship travels through transdimensional space (the mud) causing hallucinations, stress, anxiety, paranoia! The ship is confining which adds to the claustrophobic psychological meltdown of the crew & might set you on edge!
Mindy Martigral specializes in xenobiology and is a major in the Planetary Union Fleet. She’s badass. Can you be a damaged badass? The well-fleshed-out, shockingly (as in scary) well-developed characters are brought to life by the narrator Ray Porter. NGL having Joe ledger read me this book was a lovely added bonus.
Fantastic read if you’re looking for a fast-paced, horrific, military sci-fi story. Two thumbs up (5+ stars).
February 17, 2026
another winner from Scott Sigler
A fine entry in the Crypt series. I envy the lucky soul that will be able to binge this series un interrupted.
Book 2 catches us up from where we left off. At 1st I was worried I needed to reread the 1st book to get the full story but Sigler’s writing kept my interest and his fine character work got me up to speed quickly and I realized I was absorbed enough in the story to keep going.
Scott Sigler writes like butter. Once you start to read, I’m so engaged it’s hard to stop.
This novel shines with the very flawed characters on the PUV James Keeling aka The Crypt. We move through the story as the characters do. This is a military Sci-fi novel with great world building but the characters are very hums and relatable.
This is a spoiler free review and I’ll just finish with, read book one if you haven’t and if you have, you’ll probably not need this review because you’re ready to get back into “the Mud”
Enjoy!
A fine entry in the Crypt series. I envy the lucky soul that will be able to binge this series un interrupted.
Book 2 catches us up from where we left off. At 1st I was worried I needed to reread the 1st book to get the full story but Sigler’s writing kept my interest and his fine character work got me up to speed quickly and I realized I was absorbed enough in the story to keep going.
Scott Sigler writes like butter. Once you start to read, I’m so engaged it’s hard to stop.
This novel shines with the very flawed characters on the PUV James Keeling aka The Crypt. We move through the story as the characters do. This is a military Sci-fi novel with great world building but the characters are very hums and relatable.
This is a spoiler free review and I’ll just finish with, read book one if you haven’t and if you have, you’ll probably not need this review because you’re ready to get back into “the Mud”
Enjoy!
February 15, 2026
MAAAAGNIFICENT!!! Book 2 actually surpassed my expectations. Questions answered new questions i need answers to. Scott has been my favorite author for around 15 years. He has a talent for getting me emotionally invested in the characters. Scott's work is unpredictable and anyone can die at any time. Anyone. The Keeling is a fascinating mystery. I learned so much more about the ship and her crew from this book. So many questions i need answers to. Great work Scott. I'm forever grateful for all that you do. 5 stars. I'm looking forward to book 3. FDO delivers again and remains my favorite author. I only have 2 subscriptions 1 is audible and the other is Scott's channel. If you have not read any of his work give it a try. I was hooked from the first book i red. He has multiple book series in multiple universes. The GFL universe is detailed with continuity between all the books 8n that series. Its impressive and immersive. I just got the GFL universe map. Great work Scott thank you
February 12, 2026
What a ride!
Wow, it is hard to put words to the journey this book's takes the reader through. Kudos to Scott Sigler for another amazing tale from the Crypt!
The punches keep on coming in this action-filled military sci-fi horror story. I would say this is Scott Sigler at his best.
Wow, it is hard to put words to the journey this book's takes the reader through. Kudos to Scott Sigler for another amazing tale from the Crypt!
The punches keep on coming in this action-filled military sci-fi horror story. I would say this is Scott Sigler at his best.
February 15, 2026
Man, this book is frustrating. When Sigler is cooking he's cooking, but this book takes 300 pages to get going and doesn't even have the nerve to finish the mission? Parts of it felt like filler material on the way toward a much better Book 3, with SIX EPILOGUES that all tease more interesting subplots and developments in the next book than anything that happened in these 500 pages.
February 18, 2026
4.5*
Any time I think Sigler has reached the limits of wtfery he finds a new angle. The story goes into themes of breaching the unknown, trying to keep a handle on sanity under extreme pressure and not fully understanding your situation and surroundings. He brings the crew members' views to life so well and Ray Porter does an amazing job as narrator.
Any time I think Sigler has reached the limits of wtfery he finds a new angle. The story goes into themes of breaching the unknown, trying to keep a handle on sanity under extreme pressure and not fully understanding your situation and surroundings. He brings the crew members' views to life so well and Ray Porter does an amazing job as narrator.
February 18, 2026
Amazing Sci Fi thriller
Sigler does it again, the sequel to Shakedown builds on the Crypt’s legacy and crew. Great characters dragged through another mission on the ominous ship with seemingly impossible missions. Just as the crew are getting to grips with the Mud, the Keeling changes the rules again!
Sigler does it again, the sequel to Shakedown builds on the Crypt’s legacy and crew. Great characters dragged through another mission on the ominous ship with seemingly impossible missions. Just as the crew are getting to grips with the Mud, the Keeling changes the rules again!
Read
February 6, 2026Excellent as always
Scott is an amazing author. The world is divided into two groups: those that enjoy Scott's work and those that are wrong. My only regret is I didn't pace myself and read the book too quickly.
Scott is an amazing author. The world is divided into two groups: those that enjoy Scott's work and those that are wrong. My only regret is I didn't pace myself and read the book too quickly.
February 12, 2026
Bonkers
Scott Sigler continues his unbeaten streak. Time after time, the FDO (Future Dark Overlord) dips his characters into the unholy soup of his bottomless imagination. We’re just along for the Voidstrike!
Scott Sigler continues his unbeaten streak. Time after time, the FDO (Future Dark Overlord) dips his characters into the unholy soup of his bottomless imagination. We’re just along for the Voidstrike!
Read
February 3, 2026DNF
I listened to about 2/3 but the crass, explicit sexual language was too much for me.
I listened to about 2/3 but the crass, explicit sexual language was too much for me.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews