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Artifact
An ancient, alien technology that will change what it means to be human, a conspiracy begun before the first pyramid was built, and a world threatened by an unimaginable horror.
Deep in the Indian Ocean, Dr. Selene Khan enters an underwater dome thousands of years old, one that is fully operational. She barely escapes to the surface, only to discover that her research vessel has vanished. Can she make it to shore 100 miles away?
On the other side of the world, Agent Jack Elliot uncovers an impossible 900 grams of antimatter. The trail leads him to Egypt, betrayal, and a sinister brainwashing facility. There, in a desperate move, he rescues Dr. Selene Khan, fleeing with her into the desert.
Together, Selene and Jack race to unravel a global conspiracy and learn the truth about an ancient, alien artifact and how civilization really began. Two people must summon the courage and extraordinary ability to stop the world's oldest plan from plunging humanity onto a twisted, evolutionary path.
Artifact is a lightning-paced adventure, utterly unpredictable right up to its stunning conclusion.
Deep in the Indian Ocean, Dr. Selene Khan enters an underwater dome thousands of years old, one that is fully operational. She barely escapes to the surface, only to discover that her research vessel has vanished. Can she make it to shore 100 miles away?
On the other side of the world, Agent Jack Elliot uncovers an impossible 900 grams of antimatter. The trail leads him to Egypt, betrayal, and a sinister brainwashing facility. There, in a desperate move, he rescues Dr. Selene Khan, fleeing with her into the desert.
Together, Selene and Jack race to unravel a global conspiracy and learn the truth about an ancient, alien artifact and how civilization really began. Two people must summon the courage and extraordinary ability to stop the world's oldest plan from plunging humanity onto a twisted, evolutionary path.
Artifact is a lightning-paced adventure, utterly unpredictable right up to its stunning conclusion.
452 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2015
194 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
146 books569 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
January 8, 2017
I listened to Artifact as an audio book on audible during my commute. The story follows a few characters, one a geologist, one a secret US spy, and one a hit man for an underground organization. Without giving too much away, these three characters find their stories intermingling as they learn that the stories of old contain more truths than were expected. The authors did a great job of sprinkling ideas from the bible and ancient Egyptians into the story. It's not a new concept, but the story was well-written and engaging.
January 22, 2018
One of my favorite narrators as well as a very interesting plot concept resulted in a mediocre read.... I do not recommend.
August 14, 2018
You could have cut 200 pages from this book and it would have been excellent. As it was there were 200 pages of Jack getting out of impossible situations, and then Jack and Selene getting out of impossible situations. It just went on and on and on. It got to the point that I just kept rolling my eyes and wondered if I was reading a superheroes book. Then Jack was shot in the chest and Samson took him to this ancient machine and it made Jack better than he was before. That happened at 72% so I was thinking it might get better since the bad guy, Marcus, had the same thing done to him. Then we’d have a superhero and a super-villain in the story-line so I was excited to see what happened. Yeah, no! The machine didn’t really do anything to Jack except make him better and Marcus got away at the end.
Oh, and it’s a good thing Selene had that tuning-fork with her or I don’t know how she would have swam that 100 miles. Really? 100? It couldn’t have been less so it would be more believable?
The things everyone said to themselves was pretty silly, too. Do authors really NOT ask themselves “does that sound right?” And don’t they know what sounds right and what sounds cheesy or just plain stupid.
There were so many things annoying about this book but overall I liked it well enough to finish it but that’s about it.
There’s no sex and no swearing.
As to the narration: I’ve listened to a few of Luke Daniels’ narrations and I enjoyed them immensely but not this one. For one thing I had to speed him up to 1.25 and for some reason he sounded bored through the whole book, no emotions at all.
February 14, 2016
This novel takes Vaughn Heppner, known for his high-octane thrillers in sci-fi and other genres, back down to earth. Specifically, he goes present day. And listed on the author credits is Logan White. Immediately it's clear this isn't the typical Heppner jump right into the action book. Initially I was wary, but I got over it. Quickly. Heppner wouldn't put his name on something unless it met his standards. It starts with opposing story lines. There's the weird: an altered animal that can analyze its surrounds almost like a human, maybe better. There's the scientist, Dr. Selene Khan, and there's the agent Jack Elliot. The novel starts with the set-up on multiple fronts. Eventually, these differing arcs come together. Reading it, I was wondering how that could happen. But getting there got more fun. So I'm assuming the plotting has got to be the influence of White. Whether its his influence or not, Heppner travels a more traditional thriller direction, more like the best sellers. Of course, it's Heppner so there's no normal. Khan and Elliot don't face the normal kind of bad guy. They find themselves up against an enemy so entrenched, so powerful that they could easily end up pancaked. And they almost get cooked. Almost.
October 13, 2015
A strange hum in remote locations around the world. Agents from a secret American agency called D17 are dying in increasing numbers. A D17 investigation into a French company turns up 900 grams of anti-matter, a large man that is a mountain of muscle like never seen and a large dog like creature with an extremely large brain pan. All this leads to one D17 finding things that he does not believe is possible. But he finds out it is, and what is coming no one may survive.
Recommended read, would like to see a series made of this.
Recommended read, would like to see a series made of this.
October 7, 2016
Fallen angels are aliens
Interesting book. Few mistakes better editing would have caught, but they were minimal. Nice mix of science, action, and a little bit of religion. There is enough of an opening to continue as a series, but the book stands on its own. Good read, worth the time.
Interesting book. Few mistakes better editing would have caught, but they were minimal. Nice mix of science, action, and a little bit of religion. There is enough of an opening to continue as a series, but the book stands on its own. Good read, worth the time.
January 15, 2016
I tried but just couldn't get into this book. Too much hopping around to introduce the story line, and too many superlative characters. Stopped reading it after about 75 pages.
March 4, 2018
I got about 40% in to the book and just didn't have any interest in seeing how it would end.
Story: 1 star
Audiobook narration: 3 stars
Overall: 2 stars
Story: 1 star
Audiobook narration: 3 stars
Overall: 2 stars
October 5, 2021
Incredible !!!
Perfection by the combination of two great authors Vaughn Heppner and Logan White writing this beautiful creation is amazing, truly a masterpiece.
Also the authors could not have chosen a better narrator like Luke Daniels for this creation.
Absolutely no doubt about it this book is fully recommended by me !
Oded Ostfeld.
Perfection by the combination of two great authors Vaughn Heppner and Logan White writing this beautiful creation is amazing, truly a masterpiece.
Also the authors could not have chosen a better narrator like Luke Daniels for this creation.
Absolutely no doubt about it this book is fully recommended by me !
Oded Ostfeld.
September 30, 2017
Enjoyable action SF with some pretty good characters. A bit on the pulp side of fiction, which doesn't have to be a bad thing, but I think the author needs to embrace it. He tried to get more literary with the ending, and it didn't fit in my opinion. Not that the ending was bad, more a little annoying... there's an epilogue, but it's not on the topic I expected and wanted.
June 17, 2018
Superb sci fi
This is a sci fi with emotions. One can relate to it. It is not about battles between interstellar civilizations but what two people go through on earth to stop an apocalypse.
This is a sci fi with emotions. One can relate to it. It is not about battles between interstellar civilizations but what two people go through on earth to stop an apocalypse.
September 21, 2019
Exciting book every page full of adventure
I really enjoyed this book, it has all the aspects of a detective novel as well as an adventure, full of information and exciting twist interns
I really enjoyed this book, it has all the aspects of a detective novel as well as an adventure, full of information and exciting twist interns
October 30, 2019
Strange book
Borderline bizarre. Left some unfinished business. I’d kinda like to know what happened to Marcus, just not enough to read a series or in a follow up book. Do us a favor and don’t write anymore.
Borderline bizarre. Left some unfinished business. I’d kinda like to know what happened to Marcus, just not enough to read a series or in a follow up book. Do us a favor and don’t write anymore.
December 16, 2019
Great Reading ,enjoyed every page. You'll like it too.
You will find that this is a good read.
Believe able characters that keep the story line believable.
You're going to enjoy this story.
You will find that this is a good read.
Believe able characters that keep the story line believable.
You're going to enjoy this story.
December 4, 2023
Jam packed with intriguing ideas, and in the end I think it does deserve a sequel. However, there was a long period of years where I was stuck midway through the story, so I understand why it hasn't.
October 2, 2017
Now titled “Artifact”
A page turner, stayed up late to finish! Fabulous some science, global warming, religion & intrigue.
A page turner, stayed up late to finish! Fabulous some science, global warming, religion & intrigue.
September 15, 2019
A great read...
An intriguing concept and a story well told. I was thoroughly entertained and would recommend both this book and its author.
An intriguing concept and a story well told. I was thoroughly entertained and would recommend both this book and its author.
September 24, 2019
Very Good
Couldn't put it down. Sciency enough to keep me interested plus believable good guys and hateable bad guys. Thanks for the good read.
Couldn't put it down. Sciency enough to keep me interested plus believable good guys and hateable bad guys. Thanks for the good read.
January 13, 2020
Yes, yes, yes continue this series
I loved this book and hope enough people read it so you continue the series. Highly recommend this book for a goodcread.
I loved this book and hope enough people read it so you continue the series. Highly recommend this book for a goodcread.
February 28, 2020
fast paced action, enjoyable
Read
May 20, 2020Good, sorry was a while ago, trying to catch up
March 13, 2017
Is very enjoyable book it kept my interest
As I started reading this novel I didn't know what to expect. Is a new author for me get became interesting and intriguing very quickly I could barely put it down.
As I started reading this novel I didn't know what to expect. Is a new author for me get became interesting and intriguing very quickly I could barely put it down.
March 10, 2017
Slow boring and just to fragmented to keep interest. Didn't finish this one. Disappointed.
August 31, 2016
Most of this book it read more like a murder mystery and than a science fiction novel. Page after page had someone killing someone and there was no explanation yet as to why. One thing that REALLY turned me off to the book was in the beginning when Selene, the heroin, came out of a dome in the middle of the ocean an swam 100 miles to shore. That was just off the charts in belief that a person could do that in an open ocean.
The last fifth of the book is when the science fiction plot came out. A person called Mother was trying to take over the world using ancient technology. But no one knew until the last few pages of the book just how she would do that. At the end of the book a lot of people switching sides, which raises eyebrows, and made it easy to end the story. One loose end at the end of the story was there was never a description of what happened to one of Mother's henchmen, Marcus. He ran off but he for sure could continue to cause a lot of problems if he was not caught and disposed of.
In the middle of the book it got boring to me so I put it down for a couple weeks. That's why it took me so long to finish it.
The last fifth of the book is when the science fiction plot came out. A person called Mother was trying to take over the world using ancient technology. But no one knew until the last few pages of the book just how she would do that. At the end of the book a lot of people switching sides, which raises eyebrows, and made it easy to end the story. One loose end at the end of the story was there was never a description of what happened to one of Mother's henchmen, Marcus. He ran off but he for sure could continue to cause a lot of problems if he was not caught and disposed of.
In the middle of the book it got boring to me so I put it down for a couple weeks. That's why it took me so long to finish it.
November 7, 2015
Mother isn't kind.
Ancient technology turns into a battle for stopping the destruction of the earth. Tales of the past entwined with the mythical gods and their technology. Patterns of cataclysmic events from a different perspective. "Mother" wants to reopen portals to let the alien "fallen angels" back upon the earth. Agent Elliot and Selene combine forces with a disreputable man , a genetically enhanced canine, and French agent to stop the inevitable. Great read. Hope it becomes a series.
Ancient technology turns into a battle for stopping the destruction of the earth. Tales of the past entwined with the mythical gods and their technology. Patterns of cataclysmic events from a different perspective. "Mother" wants to reopen portals to let the alien "fallen angels" back upon the earth. Agent Elliot and Selene combine forces with a disreputable man , a genetically enhanced canine, and French agent to stop the inevitable. Great read. Hope it becomes a series.
May 30, 2016
Really?
Our heroine is challenged by people posing as military. She enters an ancient artifact. Her companion is killed defending her life. He tells her is is an agent of the US Government. She returns to her boat to find everyone murdered and the boat steaming away. She dies a 100 mile ocean swim while being searched for by her pursuers. What does she do upon reaching shore? Goes to Egypt to continue her research. Really? Is anyone that stupid?
I rarely put a book down. If it had not been on my Fire I would have thrown it overboard.
Our heroine is challenged by people posing as military. She enters an ancient artifact. Her companion is killed defending her life. He tells her is is an agent of the US Government. She returns to her boat to find everyone murdered and the boat steaming away. She dies a 100 mile ocean swim while being searched for by her pursuers. What does she do upon reaching shore? Goes to Egypt to continue her research. Really? Is anyone that stupid?
I rarely put a book down. If it had not been on my Fire I would have thrown it overboard.
February 12, 2019
This is one of those books that sacrifices believably for action and glamour. I was turned off right away when the authors described Angkor Wat as a building with a door and a (secret) basement—it's primarily a set of covered hallways. I can easily forgive that, but the over-the-top action and sexiness can get a bit tiresome if you're looking for a compelling story. It reads like a Jack Reacher novel with none of the authenticity (such as it is).
October 2, 2016
This book was okay, I think I was expecting something much different. I felt that there was just way too much going on. I think if there had just been one or even two plot devices it might have been better but what drew me in initially ended up just having some passing lines as everything started being revealed in the end. I think there is a good story there just really wasn't for me.
October 26, 2015
An alternate explanation of global warming
I liked the constant action. Switching the viewpoint frequently was less welcomed. People who enjoy apocalyptic conspiracies will dig this.
I liked the constant action. Switching the viewpoint frequently was less welcomed. People who enjoy apocalyptic conspiracies will dig this.
December 4, 2015
Worth the time
book was very good. kept me wanting to come back to it. but somehow I was not satisfied with the climax. I am waiting anxiously for book two. loved the characters!
worth the time
book was very good. kept me wanting to come back to it. but somehow I was not satisfied with the climax. I am waiting anxiously for book two. loved the characters!
worth the time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews