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Hybrid Helix #8
Prey of Angels: Turn Eight of The Hybrid Helix
Rohan has been building alliances and solidifying his abilities, all to keep his friends, his family, his homeworld, and the Empire safe from anything that threatens them, from anywhere in the universe, whether from inside the sector or from a distant galaxy.
He thought he was doing a pretty good job.
He thought he had accounted for everything the real world had to offer.
He thought he had a pretty solid handle on what he needed to worry about.
He was wrong.
Because not every threat is real.
He thought he was doing a pretty good job.
He thought he had accounted for everything the real world had to offer.
He thought he had a pretty solid handle on what he needed to worry about.
He was wrong.
Because not every threat is real.
411 pages, Hardcover
Published February 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 7, 2026
What a banger. It’s always great to be back with Rohan and pals, but this book was really excellent. I especially enjoyed the puzzle box aspect of the plot, where seemingly unconnected stories gradually interweaved to reveal that it was all connected. This is one of my favourite tropes in storytelling and JCM Berne has really nailed it in this one. Fantastic action as always, and really moving the whole series meta narrative onwards as well.
Maybe the best book in the series? I’ll have to ruminate on that a bit.
Maybe the best book in the series? I’ll have to ruminate on that a bit.
February 28, 2026
“She shook her head. “Hyperion said your people have a saying. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one.”
Any book that makes me cry is an automatic five star, and this book made me cry both with its last chapter and epilogue. Just like the main character Rohan’s powers, Joe’s writing prowess keeps leveling up. The ending particularly leaves us in such a place that I cannot wait for the mouthwatering clash that is set up for Book 9. It seems to be the culmination of plot threads that began in Book 4 and I cannot wait.
Coming to this book, once again Joe does everything right. It carries over all of the merits from the previous books and keeps adding to it. The Hybrid Helix series will always deliver in terms of fun, action, and just like the fast and furious movies - focuses on a loyal, found family. I loved that Ang (the space bear) plays a major part in this one. And somehow Joe’s flow keeps getting better with each book - every time I picked up this book I knocked off at least a 100 pages.
Since I’ve committed to not talking much about the plot to avoid spoilers, I’ll simply say that somebody kidnaps one of Rohan’s friends in this book and they go to a place where Rohan cannot follow. I’ll pivot to talking about Rohan’s character arc though. It is incredible and brilliant the way Joe keeps feeding us Rohan’s growth with each book. The balance he has struck with how much of it he shows us overtly and how much of it he shows us covertly is perfect. I mentioned I cried two times earlier - one was because of a plot point but the other is because it was a moment of growth for Rohan. I keep learning so much about myself as I read more books and as I’ve said before character work remains the top most part of a sff book for me. With Rohan’s character arc, Joe has built an emotional connection for me with his series and it is all the more memorable and meaningful for it. Rohan is just so real to me.
If you’ve not yet tried this series yet, do pick up Book 1 (Wistful Ascending) and experience why I feel so deeply about Rohan. I can promise you two things - this series is a lot of fun, and Joe is also taking the readers somewhere special.
Any book that makes me cry is an automatic five star, and this book made me cry both with its last chapter and epilogue. Just like the main character Rohan’s powers, Joe’s writing prowess keeps leveling up. The ending particularly leaves us in such a place that I cannot wait for the mouthwatering clash that is set up for Book 9. It seems to be the culmination of plot threads that began in Book 4 and I cannot wait.
Coming to this book, once again Joe does everything right. It carries over all of the merits from the previous books and keeps adding to it. The Hybrid Helix series will always deliver in terms of fun, action, and just like the fast and furious movies - focuses on a loyal, found family. I loved that Ang (the space bear) plays a major part in this one. And somehow Joe’s flow keeps getting better with each book - every time I picked up this book I knocked off at least a 100 pages.
Since I’ve committed to not talking much about the plot to avoid spoilers, I’ll simply say that somebody kidnaps one of Rohan’s friends in this book and they go to a place where Rohan cannot follow. I’ll pivot to talking about Rohan’s character arc though. It is incredible and brilliant the way Joe keeps feeding us Rohan’s growth with each book. The balance he has struck with how much of it he shows us overtly and how much of it he shows us covertly is perfect. I mentioned I cried two times earlier - one was because of a plot point but the other is because it was a moment of growth for Rohan. I keep learning so much about myself as I read more books and as I’ve said before character work remains the top most part of a sff book for me. With Rohan’s character arc, Joe has built an emotional connection for me with his series and it is all the more memorable and meaningful for it. Rohan is just so real to me.
If you’ve not yet tried this series yet, do pick up Book 1 (Wistful Ascending) and experience why I feel so deeply about Rohan. I can promise you two things - this series is a lot of fun, and Joe is also taking the readers somewhere special.
February 25, 2026
I am disappointed
Not in the story, this was one of Rohans better adventures. No, what I am disappointed about is that after making mention of it in the story, Rohan did NOT introduce Ang to the glories of HONEY. I cannot wait to discover how a 800 pound cyborg bear experiences honey for the first time. I REQUIRE THIS!
Not in the story, this was one of Rohans better adventures. No, what I am disappointed about is that after making mention of it in the story, Rohan did NOT introduce Ang to the glories of HONEY. I cannot wait to discover how a 800 pound cyborg bear experiences honey for the first time. I REQUIRE THIS!
March 24, 2026
Another great installment of the solid and entertaining series. The Hybrid Helix stories are all about a nerdy man with the power of Superman but who comes from an evil Empire (like Invincible) but with a lot more space stations, martial artists, and wacky humor. I regret that they teased a polycule for him, though, but didn't deliver.
February 26, 2026
An original spin on the SuperMan type MC
Multi book series on a hero with most of Superman's powers & sense of responsibility but not limited to nor primarily centered on Planet Earth.
Multi book series on a hero with most of Superman's powers & sense of responsibility but not limited to nor primarily centered on Planet Earth.
February 17, 2026
LOVED IT
Reading a Rohan adventure always feels like coming home to old friends. So I’m always excited when JCM Berne announces a new book in the Hybrid Helix series — and once again, he’s knocked it out of the park. On the surface, PREY OF ANGELS is Rohan going on a video-gamey quest with Ang the Ursan to rescue Ang’s kidnapped girlfriend. Beneath that lies the familiar cascade of complications that always finds Rohan, leaving him unsure which way to turn. And looming over everything is the threat of an unhinged version of the most powerful person in the galaxy: Hyperion. In the tension of trying to do everything at once, Berne spins a fantastic tale full of action, revelations, heart, and humor.
The joy of a well-written series is watching the characters grow. Even though this is the story of a thirty-something Rohan, the series functions as a wonderful second coming-of-age tale. It mirrors something many of us experience — rethinking our place in life after we’ve already been adults for a while. That emotional undercurrent hit especially close to home for me. Add Berne’s philosophy of “Kindness is the new Punk Rock,” and I’m completely sold.
But the book isn’t all fun, sweetness, and light. Early on, Rohan goes dark — really dark. Berne writes that section masterfully. It was such a shock that for a long time I kept wondering if that had really happened. You realize Berne understands how harsh the world can be. Sometimes you don’t get to do the good thing, you have to do the right thing, no matter the cost. And there is a cost — one that Rohan pays. That part was handled beautifully. As was the ending of the book, which brings a whole new light to an almost throwaway moment earlier in the book and opens up Rohan’s world to a completely new dimension.
Masterful.
I sometimes wonder if fans of grimdark fantasy notice the philosophical nuggets Berne scatters throughout these books, hidden beneath the upbeat tone. It’s a bit like how Terry Pratchett’s Discworld isn’t always mentioned in the same breath as Abercrombie or Martin, despite being, in my view, one of the most philosophically rich bodies of fantasy writing in the last thirty years.
In dark times, we need stories that carry light and hope. We need The Dresden Files. We need Hybrid Helix. We need JCM Berne to keep writing.
Or at least, I do.
Reading a Rohan adventure always feels like coming home to old friends. So I’m always excited when JCM Berne announces a new book in the Hybrid Helix series — and once again, he’s knocked it out of the park. On the surface, PREY OF ANGELS is Rohan going on a video-gamey quest with Ang the Ursan to rescue Ang’s kidnapped girlfriend. Beneath that lies the familiar cascade of complications that always finds Rohan, leaving him unsure which way to turn. And looming over everything is the threat of an unhinged version of the most powerful person in the galaxy: Hyperion. In the tension of trying to do everything at once, Berne spins a fantastic tale full of action, revelations, heart, and humor.
The joy of a well-written series is watching the characters grow. Even though this is the story of a thirty-something Rohan, the series functions as a wonderful second coming-of-age tale. It mirrors something many of us experience — rethinking our place in life after we’ve already been adults for a while. That emotional undercurrent hit especially close to home for me. Add Berne’s philosophy of “Kindness is the new Punk Rock,” and I’m completely sold.
But the book isn’t all fun, sweetness, and light. Early on, Rohan goes dark — really dark. Berne writes that section masterfully. It was such a shock that for a long time I kept wondering if that had really happened. You realize Berne understands how harsh the world can be. Sometimes you don’t get to do the good thing, you have to do the right thing, no matter the cost. And there is a cost — one that Rohan pays. That part was handled beautifully. As was the ending of the book, which brings a whole new light to an almost throwaway moment earlier in the book and opens up Rohan’s world to a completely new dimension.
Masterful.
I sometimes wonder if fans of grimdark fantasy notice the philosophical nuggets Berne scatters throughout these books, hidden beneath the upbeat tone. It’s a bit like how Terry Pratchett’s Discworld isn’t always mentioned in the same breath as Abercrombie or Martin, despite being, in my view, one of the most philosophically rich bodies of fantasy writing in the last thirty years.
In dark times, we need stories that carry light and hope. We need The Dresden Files. We need Hybrid Helix. We need JCM Berne to keep writing.
Or at least, I do.
March 19, 2026
I'm always happy to read a new book in this series. There's something comforting about the fact that Rohan will kick everyone's ass. I hope the new cat character will be in future books. I think Berne also incorporated a booktuber in the story who has a really interesting power. I think it's that guy... maybe not?
The only part that I didn't like was when Rohan was trying to convince an enemy not to tell his secret so he wouldn't have to kill the enemy. I do understand why he would behave that way. I just thought it was unlikely to go down like that in a fight. Everything else was excellent though. I was just thinking about how well this series is edited and the proofreading is top notch. I only noticed one typo. These books really stand out among self-published works.
The only part that I didn't like was when Rohan was trying to convince an enemy not to tell his secret so he wouldn't have to kill the enemy. I do understand why he would behave that way. I just thought it was unlikely to go down like that in a fight. Everything else was excellent though. I was just thinking about how well this series is edited and the proofreading is top notch. I only noticed one typo. These books really stand out among self-published works.
March 2, 2026
Great book in a great series.
Really enjoyed it - well written, creative and a very fun read.
Hope this series continues for a long time!
Really enjoyed it - well written, creative and a very fun read.
Hope this series continues for a long time!
Read
June 25, 2026Loved this book. Wouldn't be fair for me to rate it as I'm actually in the book! Find out my thoughts over on BellTube on YouTube when I recap June!
June 3, 2026
I messed up and read this book instead of starting from the beginning 🙃 I never do that nor do I suggest it but one of my favorite book tubers was written into the story so I thought I would just read a couple of pages 😬 I ended up reading the whole thing 🤣 I loved it! Brian....Mr. Belltube himself was great! I hope we get some more of his character in future books! This is my first time reading JCM Berne but I loved the action, a bit of sarcasm humor, and a little bit of mystery. It hit all my "notes" 🤭 . Now I'm going to have to hunt down the other 7 books and read them in order 💓
February 16, 2026
Prey of Angels runs rife with mystery-fuelled adventure. The ball gets rolling immediately, and as more plot threads are woven into this momentous tumbleweed of mystery, more of the worlds we’ve come to know are explored. All the while, Rohan is pushed to his limits, both physically and mentally.
Read the full review at SFF Insiders:
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
*eARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Read the full review at SFF Insiders:
https://www.sffinsiders.com/blog/revi...
*eARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2026
I Beta read this but it still counts as a 2026 read since I didn add it to my 2025 read list :). My shelf, my rules
An explosive start that provides a tantalising glimpse into what the Hyperion-Rohan finale could be (book 9 baby) - it also showcases how much Rohan has grown into his new role. He has taken on the mantle and is willing to take on the cost of his actions.
The Mahabharata has this fantastic sequence that shows how even the "always honest, never told a lie in his life" Yudhistra breaks away from his lifelong creed and utters a lie to win a battle, that will eventually win the war. Rohan faces just that scenario here - as he is forced to do something that goes against all that he has been trying to be in the previous books, in order to win the upcoming war. This is a fascinating study of the costs that comes with power and responsibility and a sense of owning up the messes
The breakneck speed of the initial portion of the book gives away into something more mission-like for one of Rohan's allies and Rohan finds interesting elements to do on Earth. Fan service is properly served here as Joe plays around some of his inspiration and it makes for a fun reading. But what also keeps happening is Rohan's past and his parents coming into play and that makes up for some emotional stakes
This plays out fantastically beautifully at the end - which get pretty damn emotional and you know this is some very strong writing here. Damn if I didnt get a lump in my throat at those sequences. The rest of the plot builds up into positioning Rohan as a leader and the necessary growth steps and that is as always done in fabulous witty style with a lot of heart.
Prey of Angels cannot sustain the initial momentum but that isnt a problem, this is a bit of a positioning book for the explosive finale. What it does really well is introduce newer elements for Rohan to consider as he grows as both a hero and as a man
An explosive start that provides a tantalising glimpse into what the Hyperion-Rohan finale could be (book 9 baby) - it also showcases how much Rohan has grown into his new role. He has taken on the mantle and is willing to take on the cost of his actions.
The Mahabharata has this fantastic sequence that shows how even the "always honest, never told a lie in his life" Yudhistra breaks away from his lifelong creed and utters a lie to win a battle, that will eventually win the war. Rohan faces just that scenario here - as he is forced to do something that goes against all that he has been trying to be in the previous books, in order to win the upcoming war. This is a fascinating study of the costs that comes with power and responsibility and a sense of owning up the messes
The breakneck speed of the initial portion of the book gives away into something more mission-like for one of Rohan's allies and Rohan finds interesting elements to do on Earth. Fan service is properly served here as Joe plays around some of his inspiration and it makes for a fun reading. But what also keeps happening is Rohan's past and his parents coming into play and that makes up for some emotional stakes
This plays out fantastically beautifully at the end - which get pretty damn emotional and you know this is some very strong writing here. Damn if I didnt get a lump in my throat at those sequences. The rest of the plot builds up into positioning Rohan as a leader and the necessary growth steps and that is as always done in fabulous witty style with a lot of heart.
Prey of Angels cannot sustain the initial momentum but that isnt a problem, this is a bit of a positioning book for the explosive finale. What it does really well is introduce newer elements for Rohan to consider as he grows as both a hero and as a man
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews