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Survival Wars #2
Bane of Worlds
Following his successful mission to recover the missing warship ESS Crimson, Captain John Duggan finds himself unredeemed in the eyes of his superiors. His duties resume and this time he’s given something easy - escort a cargo ship to a distant planet and bring it home safely. But war is never so predictable and a straightforward mission becomes something much more important. The outcome may well determine the future of humanity. Someone has terrible plans for the ESS Crimson and Duggan is about to find himself party to endless destruction. Even as worlds die, a new threat is waiting on the horizon. Bane of Worlds is a universe-spanning sci-fi adventure, which continues the Survival Wars series.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2017
226 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Anthony James
235 books108 followersAnthony James spent his youth reading what might now be called classic sci-fi and fantasy books. These days, he spends time in his study with the door locked against rampant and ferocious toddlers, writing books of his own.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
That's the third person stuff out of the way.
For anyone who's read any of my books, you'll know that I write action science fiction that pulls no punches and which doesn't cram the good stuff into the last couple of chapters. The action starts early and it doesn't let up. I also take care to mix in plenty of humanity. The characters I write are all distinctly believable, often facing uncaring enemies and overwhelming odds. When they win, it's because they did their best.
Go on. Punch an alien today. Better yet, check out my series of books, each one filled with action, technology, warfare, aliens and against-the-odds survival. Lots of kick-back-and-enjoy weekend or evening reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 16, 2019
The way the previous book ended I expected this book to carry on from where it left off, but over a year has past since the ES Crimson made its way back to New Earth. Apart from the Captain the only crew member that that showed even the slightest character development was the hacker Monsey, typically she is now dead.
This story wasn’t bad but like the first book you know nothing about the characters except for their role on the ship. Their interaction is purely about operating equipment.
In a way this is only half a book, there is a decent basic story, but nothing else. OK we know the captain has a chip on his shoulder and is possibly being persecuted by the Admiral, but by the end of a second book I would expect to have more insight into him and the crew.
This story wasn’t bad but like the first book you know nothing about the characters except for their role on the ship. Their interaction is purely about operating equipment.
In a way this is only half a book, there is a decent basic story, but nothing else. OK we know the captain has a chip on his shoulder and is possibly being persecuted by the Admiral, but by the end of a second book I would expect to have more insight into him and the crew.
January 9, 2020
This is a solid second book in the series. There are some ups, and some downs but neither of which are to radical. The book stays on a steady plain and the plot moves plenty fast enough. The down points without action are breezed through, and we get right back into scenes and situations where the characters are doing interesting things.
We get a little bit more about the main core of characters, but not enough to get me fully invested in them yet. It is nice to see something happen with Duggan and a potential relationship, but that was only hinted at. Nothing much changed with the bridge crew, I'm hoping there is more of that in the upcoming books. It wouldn't be a deal breaker to me if there isn't, but it is something I look for in a good science fiction series. I really want to get behind the characters because of their personalities, not just their accomplishments and tasks.
A lot happens with some of the things from the first book, and we learn a load more about the Ghasts which is good. Having a war with an unseen enemy gets a bit odd. To see them and get some interactions with them adds a lot to the book for me. Of course the dreamer technology has to come in to stir the pot...and some more related things happen...
One thing that stands out to me about this series more than anything is the much needed change of setting in scenes. We get plenty of space combat, but also planet, and a mixture of space and planet. A science fiction book can get repetitive with just space battles, but this book, and this series avoids that so far.
One of the only things I'd like to see from these books is more length. They aren't all that long, and I think more could be added from the series into each book. It is what it is though, and it is hardly a bad thing. This is another solid four out of five for me. I just wish the third book was already recorded. Since it isn't I'll be waiting to continue on with the series.
We get a little bit more about the main core of characters, but not enough to get me fully invested in them yet. It is nice to see something happen with Duggan and a potential relationship, but that was only hinted at. Nothing much changed with the bridge crew, I'm hoping there is more of that in the upcoming books. It wouldn't be a deal breaker to me if there isn't, but it is something I look for in a good science fiction series. I really want to get behind the characters because of their personalities, not just their accomplishments and tasks.
A lot happens with some of the things from the first book, and we learn a load more about the Ghasts which is good. Having a war with an unseen enemy gets a bit odd. To see them and get some interactions with them adds a lot to the book for me. Of course the dreamer technology has to come in to stir the pot...and some more related things happen...
One thing that stands out to me about this series more than anything is the much needed change of setting in scenes. We get plenty of space combat, but also planet, and a mixture of space and planet. A science fiction book can get repetitive with just space battles, but this book, and this series avoids that so far.
One of the only things I'd like to see from these books is more length. They aren't all that long, and I think more could be added from the series into each book. It is what it is though, and it is hardly a bad thing. This is another solid four out of five for me. I just wish the third book was already recorded. Since it isn't I'll be waiting to continue on with the series.
March 31, 2018
This book...man...
The story idea is a good one, although not unique in the genre.
However, the writing... the writing is so badly executed that it took me more than two weeks to read this book. (I always finish books on principle.)
It's funny how high the rating for this book is. (4.41 based on 209 ratings)
So, there are people who like this kind of narrative writing style...
I read the following in a review:
Well hello, the so-called philosophical garbage is part of the message the writer wants you to see through his book. Every good book should have it in just the right quantity. That's just my opinion though.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book.
The story idea is a good one, although not unique in the genre.
However, the writing... the writing is so badly executed that it took me more than two weeks to read this book. (I always finish books on principle.)
It's funny how high the rating for this book is. (4.41 based on 209 ratings)
So, there are people who like this kind of narrative writing style...
I read the following in a review:
"Pure space opera without all the angst and philosophical garbage that populates many books these days."
Well hello, the so-called philosophical garbage is part of the message the writer wants you to see through his book. Every good book should have it in just the right quantity. That's just my opinion though.
I wouldn't recommend reading this book.
April 12, 2018
Listened to the first book and hoped the author would grow and learn. Not so much.
The hero, Captain Duggan, gets in trouble because he jettisons all the cargo from the heavy lifter and it crashes to the planet below. The heavy lifter is able to descend into the atmosphere at will to pick up an enemy warship. It can also boost out of system defying all the rules of orbital mechanics. Why didn't the crew just drop the equipment right on the surface where is could be recovered? Or even better just boost out a few million kilometers, push it into a high orbit and come back for it later. Really wondering if some of these writers even stayed awake for even high school physics.
The enemy ship makes a crater 7 km deep and 500 km long when it crashes??? It weighs 5 billion tons??? And it is still functional??? Okay, wow! And everything falls straight down almost on top of this mine. Did the flat earth society right this book.
They Captain Duggan has to micro manage the captain of the heavy lifter to pick everything up. Okay in my experience in the military that lifter captain would have told Duggan sit down shut up and let me do my job!
And why does everything have to happen with in hours to avoid the enemy when it takes days to travel between stars. And please explain how communication is near instantaneous but space travel takes days or weeks.
The hero, Captain Duggan, gets in trouble because he jettisons all the cargo from the heavy lifter and it crashes to the planet below. The heavy lifter is able to descend into the atmosphere at will to pick up an enemy warship. It can also boost out of system defying all the rules of orbital mechanics. Why didn't the crew just drop the equipment right on the surface where is could be recovered? Or even better just boost out a few million kilometers, push it into a high orbit and come back for it later. Really wondering if some of these writers even stayed awake for even high school physics.
The enemy ship makes a crater 7 km deep and 500 km long when it crashes??? It weighs 5 billion tons??? And it is still functional??? Okay, wow! And everything falls straight down almost on top of this mine. Did the flat earth society right this book.
They Captain Duggan has to micro manage the captain of the heavy lifter to pick everything up. Okay in my experience in the military that lifter captain would have told Duggan sit down shut up and let me do my job!
And why does everything have to happen with in hours to avoid the enemy when it takes days to travel between stars. And please explain how communication is near instantaneous but space travel takes days or weeks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2020
Bane of Worlds is entertaining, a fast, enjoyable read. It lacks some of the character development author James built into the first novel, Crimson Tempest, but makes up for it with an even more intense plot.
In fact some of the character development is oddly missing. James Duggan and his crew are manipulated into murdering billions. Yet even allowing for the facts of war and the enemy's prior destruction of human worlds, they seem more able to compartmentalize and skip over the horrific actions they were part of, albeit without intention. I'd have expected more emotion.
This second book is a set up for the remainder of the series as it switches halfway through from focusing on the Ghast threat to realizing there is a second, even deadlier, enemy.
You can read a slightly different version of this review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/ban...
In fact some of the character development is oddly missing. James Duggan and his crew are manipulated into murdering billions. Yet even allowing for the facts of war and the enemy's prior destruction of human worlds, they seem more able to compartmentalize and skip over the horrific actions they were part of, albeit without intention. I'd have expected more emotion.
This second book is a set up for the remainder of the series as it switches halfway through from focusing on the Ghast threat to realizing there is a second, even deadlier, enemy.
You can read a slightly different version of this review here: https://www.morebooksthantime.com/ban...
November 13, 2017
Juvenile Writing Apparently Penned With A Crayon
“Bane of Worlds,” is a badly, juvenile in tone, apparently written with dull crayon. The level of hobbyist writing is on full display, with cringe worthy page after page, of angry, self obsessed characters. Book 1 had some merit and potential. Book 2 is written at a middle school level. Basically, the author should spend time with his children, instead of locking himself in a room to write (see “Author’s Notes”). His time would be much better spent.
“Bane of Worlds,” is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
“Bane of Worlds,” is a badly, juvenile in tone, apparently written with dull crayon. The level of hobbyist writing is on full display, with cringe worthy page after page, of angry, self obsessed characters. Book 1 had some merit and potential. Book 2 is written at a middle school level. Basically, the author should spend time with his children, instead of locking himself in a room to write (see “Author’s Notes”). His time would be much better spent.
“Bane of Worlds,” is not recommended and was fully read via Kindle Unlimited.
January 10, 2022
Just like the first book, this was an easy and fast read. And like the first book, I find that it lacks a bit in the world description area, especially when it comes to the Ghasts. I still have no real sense of what they are supposed to look like. Whereas, he does a decent job with character building, I still find the characters a bit of a blank slate.
Otherwise, the book is an enjoyable read if you can get past these things, which I obviously did. I just feel that the story could have been better, as it has a lot of potential.
Otherwise, the book is an enjoyable read if you can get past these things, which I obviously did. I just feel that the story could have been better, as it has a lot of potential.
March 18, 2020
A Worthy Successor
Once again Anthony James is making me tired. He keeps putting out one after another in a wonderful series of space opera. I keep reading them late into the night, when I should be sleeping.
In spite of being a series, these books don’t end in the middle of a (metaphorical) sentence. Each book has it’s own beginning, middle, and end, while kicking the door wide open for the next book.
I am already looking forward to the next in the series.
Once again Anthony James is making me tired. He keeps putting out one after another in a wonderful series of space opera. I keep reading them late into the night, when I should be sleeping.
In spite of being a series, these books don’t end in the middle of a (metaphorical) sentence. Each book has it’s own beginning, middle, and end, while kicking the door wide open for the next book.
I am already looking forward to the next in the series.
November 25, 2017
New Enemies Appear , Old Enemies May Become Allies
The war between humanity and the Ghast destroys entire worlds, but new enemies face both nations. Earth's leaders continue to mismanage the war effort. A chance for peace develops, but can bitter enemies bury the hatchet?
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, BOTH THE BOOK AND THE SERIES
The war between humanity and the Ghast destroys entire worlds, but new enemies face both nations. Earth's leaders continue to mismanage the war effort. A chance for peace develops, but can bitter enemies bury the hatchet?
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, BOTH THE BOOK AND THE SERIES
December 28, 2017
This continuation of The Survival Wars series is fully satisfying. Pure space opera without all the angst and philosophical garbage that populates many books these days. Reading this book is like wearing your favorite jeans...very comfortable and just what you want for an enjoyable afternoon read.
July 15, 2018
On a par with the first one: James keeps up the pace nicely, along with the sense that things could go badly wrong for the characters at any moment. Editing could be better (quite a lot of typos), and the character development is similarly vestigial. All that said, I kept reading and went straight to the next book, so it got a lot right!
March 17, 2020
Very Exciting
I’m loving this series with the breathtaking space battles, the twists, and the antics of Captain Duggan. He gets away with an awful lot and still comes out intact. In Bane of Worlds I think he breaks his own record. But if there is to be peace then Duggan needs the freedom to do what he does best. Reading this series is next to really being there. But safer!
I’m loving this series with the breathtaking space battles, the twists, and the antics of Captain Duggan. He gets away with an awful lot and still comes out intact. In Bane of Worlds I think he breaks his own record. But if there is to be peace then Duggan needs the freedom to do what he does best. Reading this series is next to really being there. But safer!
July 3, 2020
The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Friend
I chose to give these two books a five star 🌟 rating because I was captivated by the story line of enemy becoming friend. The characters were strong! The action fast paced! I would recommend these books and congratulate the author. Well done! Amber G
I chose to give these two books a five star 🌟 rating because I was captivated by the story line of enemy becoming friend. The characters were strong! The action fast paced! I would recommend these books and congratulate the author. Well done! Amber G
October 23, 2020
I'm kind of enjoying the series it's just pulp but that's ok.
I find some things annoying like 2 advanced military space going spieces who only have line of sight weapons and don't have satalites or probes to see round planets but do have real-time communication from extreme distances that took weeks at lights speed x15 to travel.
I find some things annoying like 2 advanced military space going spieces who only have line of sight weapons and don't have satalites or probes to see round planets but do have real-time communication from extreme distances that took weeks at lights speed x15 to travel.
February 26, 2021
Same exact plot,different characters
I enjoyed War from a far sun, unfortunately this series has exactly the same plot line, and I mean almost identical! He uses different names for the characters, who are also near identical in both books! Such a shame because he's not a bad writer, but the books are just a money making exercise. I won't be reading any more by this author.
I enjoyed War from a far sun, unfortunately this series has exactly the same plot line, and I mean almost identical! He uses different names for the characters, who are also near identical in both books! Such a shame because he's not a bad writer, but the books are just a money making exercise. I won't be reading any more by this author.
April 6, 2021
While book 2 was good it felt similar to book 1. If book 3 cost the same as book 2 ($0.99) I may have considered making a purchase. The story was interesting and kept my attention. If you like space adventures this is a book and, possibly, series to consider.
It is not necessary to have read book 1 to follow book 2 although it wouldn't hurt.
It is not necessary to have read book 1 to follow book 2 although it wouldn't hurt.
January 24, 2024
Good read.
There was lots of action in this book and a lot of different things that happened . there enemies are now on course to fight with them to defeat a new enemy called the dreamers that are way more advanced then either of the other two factions that were at war. So we will have to see what happens next.
There was lots of action in this book and a lot of different things that happened . there enemies are now on course to fight with them to defeat a new enemy called the dreamers that are way more advanced then either of the other two factions that were at war. So we will have to see what happens next.
December 19, 2018
Enjoyable series.
Whilst space opera isn't to everyone's taste, I confess to enjoy reading this one. The Author avoids too much detail whilst he keeps the story moving, adding sufficient interest en-route. I'm looking forward to reading more.
Whilst space opera isn't to everyone's taste, I confess to enjoy reading this one. The Author avoids too much detail whilst he keeps the story moving, adding sufficient interest en-route. I'm looking forward to reading more.
February 18, 2020
9/10: Fantastic, left me wanting more.
“I can’t act like a hooligan every time, Commander.”
Very much enjoying this series and Captain John Nathan Duggan. I'm on a military sci-fi binge read and I couldn't be happier.
Onto the next!
“I can’t act like a hooligan every time, Commander.”
Very much enjoying this series and Captain John Nathan Duggan. I'm on a military sci-fi binge read and I couldn't be happier.
Onto the next!
February 24, 2020
WOW! Is there 10 stars you can give a book???
I'm blown away by how good these are...
One TINY thing though. I wish the author would use Metric measurements, or English, and not mix them both on the same page. Rant over.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I'm blown away by how good these are...
One TINY thing though. I wish the author would use Metric measurements, or English, and not mix them both on the same page. Rant over.
VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
March 14, 2020
as good as the first
After reading book one it only took a couple of minutes to buy book two. Always sceptical about series books being able to maintain their momentum. Without a doubt James hit the mark. Already got book 3 and looking forward to reading it.
After reading book one it only took a couple of minutes to buy book two. Always sceptical about series books being able to maintain their momentum. Without a doubt James hit the mark. Already got book 3 and looking forward to reading it.
April 16, 2020
In Shock
Ok, been reading skfi for a lot of years and this is the first book to get a rating.
I found the book we'll written with a story line and people you can relate to. Time for book three
Ok, been reading skfi for a lot of years and this is the first book to get a rating.
I found the book we'll written with a story line and people you can relate to. Time for book three
May 6, 2020
Book 2
Book 2 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters have developed well and the plot is well written too. The plot seemed rushed towards the end and the new aliens seems mysteriously advanced. I look forward to book 3.
Book 2 was a fun read and had errors throughout. The characters have developed well and the plot is well written too. The plot seemed rushed towards the end and the new aliens seems mysteriously advanced. I look forward to book 3.
December 8, 2020
Unexpected Changes
Continued storyline and character development with a rather unexpected plot twist near the end of this installment. The core characters continue even as he supporting cast members change. This book ends on a new realization and direction.
Continued storyline and character development with a rather unexpected plot twist near the end of this installment. The core characters continue even as he supporting cast members change. This book ends on a new realization and direction.
April 13, 2021
Finished the book finally.
Couldn’t get into all of the pseudo science.
I was able to see what the writers goal was I. Have two foes have to become allies to defeat a greater enemy but took forever to get there as well as trying to develop a new science
Couldn’t get into all of the pseudo science.
I was able to see what the writers goal was I. Have two foes have to become allies to defeat a greater enemy but took forever to get there as well as trying to develop a new science
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2017
Great
This is an imaginative series and I hope to see much more in the future. The first two books were excellent
This is an imaginative series and I hope to see much more in the future. The first two books were excellent
January 9, 2018
Gteat
This is my second so far and I have really enjoyed the series. Can't wait to start the next book.
This is my second so far and I have really enjoyed the series. Can't wait to start the next book.
May 6, 2018
Wow!
No less than the excitement generated by the first in this series. Well done! Entertaining and imaginative to my tastes.
No less than the excitement generated by the first in this series. Well done! Entertaining and imaginative to my tastes.
October 17, 2018
What an interesting perspective once the ship is returned. How can this tech exist and where did it come from.
August 13, 2019
Wow!
Great read, fun story, well this one took a little while before it took off! I loved the story telling.
Great read, fun story, well this one took a little while before it took off! I loved the story telling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews