Time Gate 8, one of humanity's portals between the stars, has been overrun by a mysterious alien intelligence, and the planet Luddeccea is now cut off.
Haunted by those she left behind, Commander Noa Sato is on a desperate mission to save her homeworld. Navigating the ancient Ark, she seeks a hidden gate that will transport her ship to Earth and the Galactic Fleet. But the Luddeccean system harbors dangers, and so does her crew.
The only crew member she completely trusts is James Sinclair, but he doesn't trust himself.
James isn't the man he once was. He has a hunger that is never sated, kills without regrets, and is fitted with extraordinary augments he doesn't remember getting. Can James control his augments, or will they control him?
In a future where almost all humans are augmented, James' answer and Noa's mission will determine the fate of the human race, and the enemy is already within the gates.
C. Gockel got her start writing fanfiction, and she is not ashamed! Much. She received emails, messages and reviews from her fans telling her she should 'do this professionally'. She didn't; because she is a coward and life as a digital designer, copywriter and coder is more dependable. But in the end, her husband's nagging wore her down: "You could be the next '50 Shades of Gray' and I could retire!" Unfortunately, the author isn't much for writing smut. She is sad about this; she'd love for her husband to be able to retire and just work for her so she could nag him.
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
This is the continuation of a fun Sci-fi series. In the first the main characters are planet bound for the most part. In this book we are space traveling. It is very much a space opera. I could almost see this as a television or movie series.
Emily Woo Zeller (Narrator), changes voices seamlessly. She is amazing. Never once did I find myself wondering who was talking or from whose point of view we are looking.
I can't wait to listen to the next book.
Please, if you like sci-fi, especially space travel, seek out the Archangel Project.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Noa's Ark is the second in the Archangel Series. It's a plot-driven continuation... (spoilers for those who haven't read book one)
I still love the universe. I think the ethernet and ports are a timely commentary on smartphones. It reminds me of Russell T. Davies' social commentary in the Doctor Who reboots. In fact, the world-building as a whole is quite solid.
What wasn't my favorite, this time around, was the plotting. The book falls into "middle book" lull. We've done most of the uncovering of fun facts about the universe and we don't fight the big bad or save the day. Instead, we follow Noa and James around various menacing situations. I know the stakes are mankind, but I stopped feeling it.
I think the book could have benefited from a bit more introspection for each of the characters. The events unfold so quickly that most of the reflecting is from James' POV about Noa and himself. I also would have appreciated an arc specific to this book - for some subplot or another.
Honestly? I expect the next book to be better. I want to find out what happens! This book just didn't assuage my appetite.
It’s been years since I read a book and absolutely HAD to get the next one so that I could continue the adventure. Well, this is the second in this series and I absolutely MUST read the next one! All done without cliff hangers! This tale is action adventure at its very best with heart-in-your-throat tension on almost every page. The commander, Noa, is cool under pressure while still being touchingly emotional inside. Her colleague, James, is nervous and impassioned (especially about Noa) but loyally and efficiently does whatever is necessary when needed. All of the primary characters are so real that you want to reach out and touch them. Just go ahead and get the whole series now to save time.
I gave Archangel Down five stars as I absolutely loved it but this book is somehow even better; it could be because C. Gockel has had time to lay the groundwork for the characters in book one and now she can have some fun with them! Noa's Ark picks up immediately following Archangel Down and I can't actually tell you anything about the plot without spoiling book one... so I won't. I devoured this book in one sitting and am really excited to see what happens to our heroes in the next instalment. Do yourself a favour, go out and read book one before you attempt Noa's Ark; this is not a series I would recommended out of order.
I really enjoyed book 1 and 2 of the series, despite the romance being a bit too much for me sometimes. But there's one character that bothers me more than the rest and I'm sorry... this is going to be a bit of a rant.
I just need to say that I hate Kenji.
He's the worst part of the series so far. Don't try to tell me he's "too innocent" to get that he's being played because of his autism or somehow unable to go to the camps to see what they are really like or is totally unaware of humanity's history. There should be enough factual proof, numbers and figures for his so called brilliant mind to see that things aren't adding up and people around him might be lying to him. If he didn't want it to add up that is. He needs it to add up, because he wants tech to be this great evil that he's always felt it was. I mean, his sister was malnourished and missing fingers right there in front of him and said they did that to her in the camps. I don't think he expected them to hurt her, but I think he's fully aware of the horror being inflicted on others. Otherwise he wouldn't have said "they said they wouldn't hurt you" near the end of the first book. If it was assumed no one was getting hurt at these camps, then why would he need reassurance for his sister? And why didn't he at least go to the camp that held her after he met his sister? He turns a blind eye to the suffering because the "bad guys" make him feel normal and accepted. In the same way he's turned off the apps that make him understand people and never even turn them on temporarily to make sure he's not being fooled. Since the story likes to draw parallels to nazi-germany, then Kenji represents the people who choose not to look because believing the lie is easier. He doesn't fit in with the rest of the world and desperately wants to belong. He hates tech, he fears the sentient time gates and he seems to have fired the first shot by blowing up the gates. He wants to "save his people", but all the people suffering and dying are doing so because of him and his group and not because of any damn AI's or whatever.
All that just makes him one of the bad guys, but what really makes me angry is that he's written like this naïve idiot and Noa suffers from so much guilt from leaving him behind. I want her to be angry with him! I want her to feel betrayal for herself, but also for the rest of the people in the system. Her brother is key to everything and his compliance, his ideas and fears, are causing so much death, yet she's the one with nightmares. I want him to have to pay for his crimes in some way. I don't want him to keep the love and respect of people he's hurt. And I'm afraid he will be forgiven all too easily in books to come. Maybe get to be a hero or just a martyr that does the right thing in the end. Well, guess I'll just have to brave it and read on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Excellent sequel. Lots of action and an incredible amount of info in the last 20 pages, leading into the next book. The description of the underwater action was amazing.
This series must be read in order. The first book is Archangel Down. The second book is Carl Sagan's Hunt For Intelligent Life In The Universe (a flashback short story). This is the third book. I can't wait to read Heretic!
Noa and her crew aboard the Ark are doing their best to survive and get to the secret Time Gate hidden within the Kanakah Cloud in order to summon help from the Fleet. What is happening on Luddeccea is as bad, if not worse, than the atrocities committed by the Nazis. James is more important than he should be to her... And at times he really creeps her out. Who is he really? What is he? He resembles her dead husband more than is believable. She can't imagine life without him though, especially since her brother Kenji betrayed her. Why did Kenji turn her in to be sent to a concentration camp? Did he realize what he was doing? Can they repair the ship enough to fulfill their mission? Or will they be caught and turned in? What exactly is the Archangel Project? And how is she involved? Shouldn't she know? What does it have to do with James? Who can she trust?
Archangel Project #1 was a suspenseful, fairly straight-forward narrative of nifty technology, death camps, physically augmented humans, and intense action. Noa’s Ark (Archangel Project #2) ups the ante. Read Archangel Project #1 first. Make sure that Noa’s Ark is already on your reader; this will save you a few minutes of intensive frustration.
This is a wonderful following to the first book! Just as compelling to read as the first! I couldn't be away from the story for very long and made sure find time to read every chance I could!
The end of the last book, read somewhere in the middle of 2023 (so the exact details are a bit fuzzy), saw our MCs, Noa and James stealing a relic of space ship. That’s excellent thinking, but the ship had been mothballed and used as a museum for a long time. Just getting it free of its moorings was a monumental effort.
The ship proves atmo-worthy and they’re off to try to make it to the nearest time gate to get a message through to the fleet. What’s happening on this side of the time gate is illegal - augmented people are being vilified, hunted, and dispatched. Here’s where we run into an issue - James is augmented.
In this instalment of the series (2 of 9), they’re trying to replace the stuff they lost while trying to heave the old spaceship back into the air, but they’re tracked and, wouldn’t you know it, shooting ensues.
While that’s going on in a very turbulent fashion, James feelings for Noa are anything but tame. An ethical issue looms on the horizon that may drive them apart, and the secrets of the crew on the Ark may lead to complete breakdown of their mission.
The author has brilliantly put together some really terrific Sci-f, some of it quite technical, and coupled it nicely with storyline that doesn’t stop long enough to catch your breath. Her characters are interesting and wildly varied. From 10-legged tribbles, to battle-weary troopers, all the way to the time gates. AI or sentient? Are they watching or interfering? They question can be asked of every single character.
Excellent reading, face-paced, keeps you reading far into the night.
I think my dislike of Si-Fi might catch up on me. I have sometimes problems following the technology and architecture of this future. And then again there are moments when I think “10 hours for a full system check? That's a bit long for such an evolved technology” or “Wouldn't the human brain totally overload with all this ethernet and internal app functionality”? I would have thought that if humankind has developed all this advanced technology and uses their brains with so much input that some believes or motives would have to change too. Or maybe not, and this would be the downfall of humanity. So, the archaic behaviours like racism (what does it matter if you are a “throwback” when you can change or select your genetics? And wouldn't it be seen as something special rather than “mistake”?) or the derogatory behaviour against bots (you have created them why feel like you need to diminish them?) has left me with too many questions. All these good points to tackle in a book feel “old-fashioned” in the year 2400-something. Though the core point, “what defines human” is nicely approached. Free will, love, compassion. But I would also add greed and forgiveness. Let's see how all this ends in the next book....
I loved it! The action is non stop and the characters´interaction is amazing. Noa ´s motivations are made clear and James´s slow discovery of his own self is simply excellent. I recommend to read Archangel Down first, and the short story Carl Sagan´s searcjh for Intelligent Life, so that you get to understand better the strange happenings with Fluffy 3 (aka Carl Sagan) and the mysterious One, Eight and Three! The places they visit in their road to freedom are exceedingly well described, especially the underwater world of Atlantia. The skyscape with domes, giant ringed planet, and lacey bridges between thin towers stays in your mind. It couldn´t put it down, and I have already bought the next book in the series: Heretic.
This was an extremely interesting and adventurous story. We learn more about James and Noa as the flashbacks pull in the history that was their individual starting points. The is lots of action as Noa attempts rescues of people stranded across this particular galaxy. With a lot of people looking for her she is constantly on the run, which is hard for someone who is always ready to fight.
Carl Sagan comes through in a pinch and is also a quieting force for the children. If you like action and adventure this will be a good continuation for you as Noa's story plays out in time and space.
A fun middle installment of a space opera, Noa's Ark does its job of progressing the plot, adding characters, deepening attachments and setting up the next book. I honestly expected the book to happen in a different setting, but I was good with it once I'd finished (and downloaded the next book). I'd definitely recommend reading Archangel Down first though.
Can people survive without food? What will people do for food? And what would a Fleet Captain do to help people in need? Noa and James find out the answers when they must stop for repairs at a Waystation. Then have to escape only to hear a call for help. The exciting adventure and rescue comes with hard decisions and with a difficult choice. Is it worth it? Read and find out because I recommend this book 📖 to you.
I have greatly enjoyed reading the books in this series, from the first in which the 'Werfles' decide to give humanity a few more decades to develop telepathy to the present in which some of humanity fear the neural aids required. A star system breaks away and tries to separate itself from "Electronics" but begins to learn that in order to defeat an enemy it must become like that enemy or die.
I do not like that you have to read three books to get to the conclusion of a story. Good writers should not have to stoop to such a marketing tactic. Each book should have a start and an end. But, the second book was better than the first and got me hooked enough to buy a third.
Moving the story along at a very comfortable pace, we follow the motley group through their fight to both freedom and possible enslavement to another intelligent life form. Taking risks and finding xeno-flora and fauna is just another day in the life of the brave.
I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it ended way too soon to suit me! The continuing saga of James and Noa's on again/off again love story gets more involved....and suddenly you find yourself agreeing with Eliza - it's all about love and caring. I recommend this episode to everyone who enjoyed the first!
I wanted to try something different. Although not my usual style, I could appreciated a well written story. I also got a thrill because one of the characters has my name which is very rare. The authors has well used her imagination to create this involved and full length novel. I highly recommend it to this genre's aficionados.
A good read, that keeps you from doing what you are supposed to be doing. Noa keeps getting everyone into trouble to save people in distress. James, the what, we don't know, learns a bit more about himself, and wonders whether he is just a machine. There is a traitor in their midst. The next book beckons. Will they be captured?
Kenji, Noa Sato's brother is working for the Laddecean Guard. He is in complete denial as to the motives of the Laddecean government -- or is it denial?
Excellent characterization and plotting. I look forward to the test of this series.
You won't want to put it down! Non-stop action will keep you on the edge of your seat. Amazing character development and very well thought out futuristic world that is believable.
I started on the first because it was but bought the other two because I couldn't put them down. I love the characters, the way Mr Gockel develops the suspense and the relationships among the crew. An excellent read.
Avoids the typical pitfalls of most sci-fi coming out these days. In other words C. Gockel puts some thought into her stories and characters and the result is an enjoyable read that makes you want to read the next book.
Holy sh*t, this series is slam-bang exciting! as well as emotional and thought-provoking. *little spoiler* Artificial intelligence is judging humanity, and finding ??? Okay, gotta go, have to read the next book!
This fun jaunt takes in technology prejudice, racial prejudice and religious prejudice and rolls it into a fast moving, sometimes violent space adventure.
Just as good as the first book in this series. Loved it. Non-stop action, but not just another space war type space opera. I recommend this to everyone. Great book. Read the first one first, though, it makes this one even better that way.
I found this to be a very good story. Full of suspense, intrigue, and drama throughout the story. I would like the next book but have to wait until I get more money. I highly recommend this book.