Michael returns to fulfill a promise to his love, but the world isn't the same place.
Michael just wants a little sleep. The last few days has been a bit of a learning overload after coming back a hundred and fifty years after he was blown apart by a backpack nuke.
The world destroyed itself, there are anti-gravity cars and ships, and his love is in the stars... somewhere.
Plus, there is a Vampire trying to make Europe his personal fiefdom. Akio and Yuko are trying to find him, and he has a young female Wechselbalg and male Vampire to keep on the straight and narrow.
Michael has his own brand of justice, and this world is now understanding the Patriach is back.
Nothing will be the same.
** As noted in other series set in the Kurtherian Universe, there IS cursing in this book, occasionally, it's funny, too. **
Damn it, the next one isn't written yet! Do you know how annoying that is. Message to Michael (the author) write faster :).
Now this episode was again spectacular. As I said in my last review this would be spectacular on the big screen. But in my mind it is already there. The author has a very simplistic way off writing. That is not an insult but a compliment. He tells the story using simple words and plenty of description. You are right there, in the thick of it and shouting for justice to be served.
Only thing missing is Bethany Anne's colourful use of words. But I guess Michael is still remembering. They help humans protect what is left of Paris. Something like four thousand werewolves are attacking on orders of the Duke. Michael now has the help of Akio and Yukon who Bethany Anne left behind to help with keeping the world safe from the underworld and await Michael's return. Also to help Michael return to her in the stars.
Once they defeat the werewolves, Michael sets out to find the Duke. The Duke however has escaped Paris and is now plotting Michael's downfall. So me I'm off to find something else to read. This series of books are incredible. Enjoy!
I still think Anderle writes males better than he writes females. This book was just a continuation and it might as well have said "to be continued" at the end of it, too.
That said, Anderle has a way of catering with fan service that's pretty easy to fall into even when his characters are 2 dimensional and there are so many they are running together.
I have waited like so many other fans for the return of the "Arch Angel " to make his return on his honor. I was not disappointed and found it unbelievable that this one is better than the first. One man destined to return for his love. One woman determination that he when he does return because he promised left some behind for his return. This story is about people genetically engineered by aliens and took the fight beyond the stars to see justice served. I love the sense of honor and loyalty to all....I can't get enough!! Please write faster. The addition to the Kurtherian Gambit is awesome but some of us what the Queen and her Messiah
Nothing wrong with this one, just not my cup of tea, I guess I need a little more story and little less gore and killing. Not sure if I'll continue with this series.
The book is a series of action scenes with very little meat in between. The characters are one-note and boring. Every male supporting character acts like an adolescent member of the Three Stooges. Every male antagonist is cartoonishly evil and stupid. Every female character is a Mary Sue.
As with other books in this series, the protagonist grossly overpowers every obstacle in his way. It doesn't matter what the circumstances are, he'll win because for all intents and purposes, he's a god: He has telepathy, fast healing, super speed, can turn insubstantial, pyrokenisis, call down lightning, slip into the etheric. He has no weaknesses and that makes him BORING.
Mr. Anderle (and the other authors writing side series to the main series) need to learn how to develop a character beyond their handful of archetypes (Read stuff from Lindsey Buroker for good examples). You could quite literally swap Michael for Bethany Anne, Jaqueline for Ectarina, Mark for Nathan, the resistance fighters for team BMW and it wouldn't change the book at all.
A good enough ride of adventure, Michaels is even more overpowered now and we have an understanding of who this 'Duke' character is.
More large scale battles and his "sense" of people being redeemable.
As before this is a good pulpy action series but definitely more of a snack in quality when it comes to literature. Will I read the next one? Yes, I like having all the details of a universe when I can and this is still enjoyable.
Note Audiobook quality gets near 5 stars except for some grating mispronunciation at the beginning. Graphic Audio always delivers.
Michael really shows his powers in this story. Not only as a way to protect the humans doing their best to make life worth living, but to show the 'Duke' that he'll not put up with his evil ways.
When he realises who this Duke is, he knows it's down to him to find him, and destroy him, before he causes any more innocents to die. With the help of the Vampire, Mark, and the Pricolici Were Jacqueline, Michael joins forces with Akio, Yuko, and Eve, in a battle to save the people of Paris where Michael suspects that the Duke is also living, in preparation of taking it over.
I love reading about Michael, but was glad to read that he could also be fallible, but isn't too proud to ask his friends to help him, either.
I realised, while reading this story, that their group has plenty of work ahead of them. Not only in finding, and removing, the Duke, but also in preparing a space ship, so that they can be ready to join Bethany Anne as soon as they possibly can.
I'm so glad that the next book on my reading list, is the third book in this series: Darkest Before Dawn, as I really want to know if they can catch the Duke, before he finds a way to destroy Michael forever!
I can't imagine that happening after all the years that Bethany Anne has been waiting for him to come, but writers can be a sneaky lot at times, so I wouldn't put it past one of them! Lol
Anyhoo, I'm in the middle of reading the author's notes, before I go on to DBD, so I'd better get on with it, so I can get on with reading what happens next, in the life of Michael and Co.
After having bought and read EVERY book re the KU, I find that I can actually tell the diff of a MA only book and ones that he is a co-author. I truly love the other series and it is great to have other KU books to read while waiting for BA to show up again. There were so many wonderful tie-in's and explanations going on during the conversations between chars that helped me put together so many niggling questions. Truly enjoyed this one, not sure what I am going q Dr when #21 hits the mkt, hopefully MA has a new series already in the back ground. My only caution regarding a prolonged life for the author will be to start thinking now of the reunion of Michael and BA....not much time (bookwise). Make it good MA or everything you have worked for will be for naught. Honor demands that you do this right... In the future when re-reading the 21 book series, to know that the end is so special, that 200+ hours of reading a GREAT Series will culminate with all things being set right as the universe is a better place with Might and RIGHT missing Love and Mercy. Better yet give us #22 that is nothing but re-union and Epilog.
The Darkest Night is the second book in The Second Dark Ages series by Michael Anderle.
Thankfully we stepped out of the western-esque type areas into a more dilapidated post-apocalyptic type cities. Some with varying advances in technology to wow the readers. Like the flying cars, I so appreciated those.
Yuko, Akio, and Eve rendezvous with Michael, Jacqueline, Mark, and Sabine (a very new and temporary addition at the beginning of the book). Destroy somewhere roughly around 2,000 Wechselbalg in the defense of the surviving humans population in France. Where in which we discover ‘The Duke’s’ true name: William. The book leaves off with William making plans for how to capture Michael in myst form. Very David circa early Kurtherian Gambit.
A lot more to go through before Michael has both worked out his current anger, saved humanity enough to appease his honor, and found a way to reach his waiting love.
Love this series, the connection between all of them is the ethric, sure you could argue the point, but for me the rules of this universe is a stable Constancy. Be it in the time before or flung so far in the future, it holds true in all of the Gambit series. The fact of having the stories driven by great character development, along with enough factual information let's my inner nerd/geek rest easy knowing that the rules are there and enforced. Anyway well written and executed, I admit that I'm far more curious about The Queen Bitch and how/when the lovers will unite, while building the groundwork for the age of madness. Thank you for your books being on Amazon unlimited. Having been unable to work I would be unable to enjoy this universe with such a tight budget for myself.
I enjoyed this ride down the cataract towards the water fall of action and enjoyment. I am looking forward to the reuniting of Bethany Anne and Michael. In the meantime I am appreciating the humor, honor, and smartass banter of Michael and his crew. Behavior and goals change as original goals are accomplished. Michael is determined to stop the Duke, permanently. Will the Duke become a viable threat in his research to kill Michael. I anxiously await the next book.
Just finished the second the the series. I'm trying to get through Bethany Anne's stories before finishing Michael's. They're just so much fun I can't seem to get enough. In this story it's interesting to discover that Yuku plays such a big part. I need to finish up the initial series to see how she gets how to this point. Love Eve aka Adams wife. I got a kick out of that. Mark and Jacqueline seem to be getting along quite well. A techy vamp. Is Aiko finally going to find happiness?
This KU library selection continues the story of Michael's return from the mostly dead as he and his companions travel to a post apocalyptic France and Japan fighting evil and waiting for Bethany Anne to return from space. But Michael is up against an old foe again, his grandson William, The Duke. And only time and the next book will tell how that goes. I've already checked it out of the KU library and can't wait to get started, even though I was disappointed in the ending. It appears William is unknowingly following in David's, his father's, footsteps.
Michael, the kids, Akio, Yuko, Eve and Sabine become The Magnificent Seven in an awesome battle for Paris. The kids are getting more comfortable as a pair and Michael keeps popping up with some rather amazing skill sets. William the buttwad manages to escape with his assistant, leaving his lair booby trapped thinking he could manage to take both Michael and Akio out at the same time. NOT!! It looks like a William is scheming to come up with a trap to capture Michael in his Myst form and then destroy him. Good luck with that one William.
I tried to make it last. Read a chapter, stop to play solitaire, read a few more chapters. Tried a little sleep. Couldn't do it. Finished it. Now I have to start the countdown to the next book. I'm very happy Michael is with Akio, Yuko, Eve and the others. Next adventure please. Back to rereading the omnibus for the second or third time. Thank you for another great book.
Once upon a time, I almost set TKG series aside because of this main character being undone. The following book, Mr. Anderle made mention of what he was planning to do to fix it. Fix it he has, in an incredible way that has made the entire universe richer, while using this as an excellent binding for all of the different story arcs. Looking forward to the next one and all the ones following.
I love these stories. Michael is fast becoming my favorite author. This was a great book. I admit I have a small fear for future editions of this series, but I don't know how to discuss it without spoiling the books for other readers. Many, if not most of them might not have a problem with it anyway. It's strictly a personal problem I have with certain plots and has nothing to do with how the book was written.
I a. So addict to the TKG series and all of the spin offs about the timelines and the other characters in the book. You and your fellow authors are doing such a great and wonderful job. I love how you all bring the characters to live for us readers. I laugh and cry and find myself angry on behalf of the characters. I think you for sharing your stories with us. Looking forward to the next books due to come out.
WOW, Michael Anderle, you have done it again! Another exciting read that makes it very hard to put down until finished. Lots of twists, adventure and war along with an old adversary to keep us on the edge of our seats. Anderle certainly knows how to paint a picture with words that allows the reader to be able to imagine the scenes in their minds. Well done!! Onto the next book....
Michael, Jacqueline and Mark are back and better than ever! Mark adjusted time being a powerful vampire and Jacqueline is finding her own power. The three meet up with some old friends and unleash hell on some misbehaving weres while on the trail of the Duke. Love this book because Michael is figuring out how the etheric enhanced him, though he still hasn’t figured out how to grow back his hair!
What can I say about this book, except it was awesome!! I have sort of a man-love for Michael. He's a bad-ass like BA. They belong together, and can't wait for the reunion (I know it's coming soon). Michael deals his for of justice, and gathers followers of a like mind. This whole Kurtherian series is inspiring, that even in the darkest of times, there are always people who have honor, and believe in justice.
I love having Michael back! Now, of course, I want to wrap him in bubble wrap and keep him somewhere safe until Bethany Anne is there to keep him safe. Why can't these people stay out of trouble? LOL! Really exciting stories and characters that you come to care about as the series goes on. I'm always excited to get the next book, and I think that's where I'm headed now. Enjoy! ✋🐺
Old friends meet up and kick butt! More then that we see how strong the queens own in staying the Course. The ones left behind meet up with their destiny,they show their Strength of character and the ability to follow through. Excited to see what is in store for this group of friends
Michael! What can I say, I just love this series and this book did not disappoint! It's getting intense and the build up for the reunion is making my heart go thumpity thump! I love the new characters they've introduced and how even after so many books, I am still constantly surprised!
Solid five stars. Michael is one badass alpha hero. Can't wait to read the next one. I'm stoked that Akiro and the small team remaining are back in the picture. I'm dying for the HEA that I'm sure will eventually happen. The wait is a b$#@% though.
Spoiler alert! Michael is back, in the last book he pieced together what happened to the world. While he's waiting for Bethany Anne he's just going clear up a few problems. There are lots of werewolves and vampires. I think you'll love it. My advice thought I'd to read the whole series. Get to know everyone
Author has set up different dimensions in a Universe that adheres to stories that all circle back to Betthany Anne. Michael is responsible for creating the Matriarch. He left her in the mountains with Tom. (Tom, which was the first Kutherian Bethany Ann kicked into shape.) Spoiler. Great reads.