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The Locus Series #2
Expedition
The sins of the distant past echo far into the future. An uneasy peace settles over the strange new world into which the M/S Atlantica has been thrust. The cruise ship leads her war-weary fleet on its first, tentative steps beyond simple survival. But an expedition to the mainland changes everything, sparking a chain of events leading to a devastating new conflict. For Karl Grayson, soldier, spy and traitor, there is no forgiveness for the murder and destruction he brought on the Fleet. Nor is his long mission over to hunt those responsible for the Locus and its terrifying repercussions. His prey will do anything to protect their secrets. Jack Cohen, who fought so hard to protect Atlantica, is caught between Grayson and his quarry. Cohen’s decisions will test his morals, and may cost him the woman he loves. Amid betrayal and lies, enemies become allies, old friends become the deadliest of foes, and the ships of the Fleet clash in battle. And this world may yet prove itself to be more hostile than they could ever have imagined. Please subscribe to my spam-free mailing www.scifiexplorations.com Other works by Ralph Kern -The Sleeping Gods Novels- Endeavour Erebus -The Locus Series- Unfathomed Expedition Osiris (Out early 2018) -Short stories appear in the following- Through the Wormhole First Contact War Colony Alt Legacy Fleet
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2017
171 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 3, 2021
I was hesitant to read these next two books because I quite frankly didn't see much "science fiction" in the first book, "Unfathomed". Well, I can tell you now that I'm very, very glad I read this one and the final book, "Osiris". This is one heck of a story. I can't believe how well written the whole series turned out. How do authors come up with all these details?
This book, "Expedition" gives us a lot of backstory about Karl Grayson and his tie-in to Mr. Conrad Wakefield. Right now, if you were reading the book like me, you didn't like Grayson much. He was a man on a mission, but we didn't know much about why. You'll find out very soon why. I think you'll also find out you can't stand Conrad Wakefield after you find out what he did. And that's the big problem. Soon everyone is going to find out what his secret is and he's not the only one implicated. Even Admiral John Reynolds, one of the supposed "good guys", isn't so good.
Ok, so where did everyone go? Well, at the very last of the first book, the M/S Atlantica, the USS Paul Ignatius, and a collection of pirate vessels where heading towards a supposed weather disturbance much like what they encountered just before they found themselves in a completely different world. From that disturbance emerged another ship, the Osiris which turns out to be a very, very significant event.
The Osiris' owner, Conrad Wakefield, "billionaire technology magnate" was aboard and he had the explanation as to how all of this happened. You need to read Chapter 64 - Day 24 very closely to understand how these ships and people came to be where they are now, 10 million years in the future! Still, I'm a little confused on why everyone seemed to arrive at different times. Maybe you can figure that out.
For the most part in this book, everyone is working together to establish some kind of "colony" on the only piece of land in this entire area. The pirates have began devoting themselves to farming the land with the help of those on the Atlantica. Remember, there are thousands of people on that cruise liner, most with nothing to do, so some of them see the need to pitch-in and help get their farming effort working out.
Then they spot something black coming out of a mountain about fifty miles away from their community. A helicopter is dispatched to investigate when a geologist aboard the Atlantica tells everyone that such a mountain peak shouldn't even exist there and certainly not an active volcano. Little did they know that this mountain and what came out it was going to be a very big problem. These people aren't getting any breaks!
So, getting back to the backstory about Karl Grayson and Conrad Wakefield. It's all very interesting and kind of explains a lot. Still, the determination of Karl Grayson in completing his mission is shocking. This guy doesn't quit. You'll see that Jack Cohen, a Marine now out of the service, is still a very capable guy who can give Grayson a lot of trouble if he wants to. And then you have the USS Ignatius. That's a war ship with a very aggressive Captain commanding. What will this ship, it's Captain and crew do if everything stays peaceful? Ah, that won't happen, will it?
I think once you get into the meat of this book, you won't want to stop and will continue on with the third and final book in the series, "Osiris". What I hope to find in this final book is an good explanation and the end to a lot of different things. There's things going on that need to be finally explained, people need to be rescued and what's going to happen to everybody?
This book, "Expedition" gives us a lot of backstory about Karl Grayson and his tie-in to Mr. Conrad Wakefield. Right now, if you were reading the book like me, you didn't like Grayson much. He was a man on a mission, but we didn't know much about why. You'll find out very soon why. I think you'll also find out you can't stand Conrad Wakefield after you find out what he did. And that's the big problem. Soon everyone is going to find out what his secret is and he's not the only one implicated. Even Admiral John Reynolds, one of the supposed "good guys", isn't so good.
Ok, so where did everyone go? Well, at the very last of the first book, the M/S Atlantica, the USS Paul Ignatius, and a collection of pirate vessels where heading towards a supposed weather disturbance much like what they encountered just before they found themselves in a completely different world. From that disturbance emerged another ship, the Osiris which turns out to be a very, very significant event.
The Osiris' owner, Conrad Wakefield, "billionaire technology magnate" was aboard and he had the explanation as to how all of this happened. You need to read Chapter 64 - Day 24 very closely to understand how these ships and people came to be where they are now, 10 million years in the future! Still, I'm a little confused on why everyone seemed to arrive at different times. Maybe you can figure that out.
For the most part in this book, everyone is working together to establish some kind of "colony" on the only piece of land in this entire area. The pirates have began devoting themselves to farming the land with the help of those on the Atlantica. Remember, there are thousands of people on that cruise liner, most with nothing to do, so some of them see the need to pitch-in and help get their farming effort working out.
Then they spot something black coming out of a mountain about fifty miles away from their community. A helicopter is dispatched to investigate when a geologist aboard the Atlantica tells everyone that such a mountain peak shouldn't even exist there and certainly not an active volcano. Little did they know that this mountain and what came out it was going to be a very big problem. These people aren't getting any breaks!
So, getting back to the backstory about Karl Grayson and Conrad Wakefield. It's all very interesting and kind of explains a lot. Still, the determination of Karl Grayson in completing his mission is shocking. This guy doesn't quit. You'll see that Jack Cohen, a Marine now out of the service, is still a very capable guy who can give Grayson a lot of trouble if he wants to. And then you have the USS Ignatius. That's a war ship with a very aggressive Captain commanding. What will this ship, it's Captain and crew do if everything stays peaceful? Ah, that won't happen, will it?
I think once you get into the meat of this book, you won't want to stop and will continue on with the third and final book in the series, "Osiris". What I hope to find in this final book is an good explanation and the end to a lot of different things. There's things going on that need to be finally explained, people need to be rescued and what's going to happen to everybody?
March 15, 2019
Brilliant
No spoilers here honest
I like the characters. I wasn't liking a couple because I didn't trust them, but when you find out about them more you see why
Good action scenes Ralph must have either experience or joined a pro to get them right
Amazing insight to weaponry and slow motion thought into some scenes
Bring on book 3
No spoilers here honest
I like the characters. I wasn't liking a couple because I didn't trust them, but when you find out about them more you see why
Good action scenes Ralph must have either experience or joined a pro to get them right
Amazing insight to weaponry and slow motion thought into some scenes
Bring on book 3
October 30, 2017
I enjoyed Unfathomed, but as the story was quite self-contained I didn't feel in any rush to read the sequel, especially because of the size of the TBR pile I have. However, after reading an advance copy, all I can say is: If you enjoyed Unfathomed you'll love Expedition - Kern's best novel yet. :)
December 7, 2017
Great second book in this series. Was not to sure of the flipping back and forth from past to present like it did for most of the book, however the book flowed very well and added much needed back info and also added some new found respect for the character Karl Grayson.
December 22, 2017
Overall the work was entertaining although I found the "flashback" technique a bit tedious as was the evident reliance on spell checker to take care of useage problems. I'd suggest use of a grammar checker if available.
June 23, 2018
As good as the first.
This story is definitely heating up, and it appears as though we are on course for one heck of a climax. The writer ended this book with a cliffhangar that will leave you gasping for more.
This story is definitely heating up, and it appears as though we are on course for one heck of a climax. The writer ended this book with a cliffhangar that will leave you gasping for more.
December 25, 2017
Had an enjoyable experience in reading this the second novel in this series. Excellent characters wonderful story line. Thanks Ralph .
March 10, 2018
Not as good as the first book
This book too was full of action but it was hard to ignore the large number of typos, grammatical errors, missing words etc.
This book too was full of action but it was hard to ignore the large number of typos, grammatical errors, missing words etc.
July 1, 2018
Great
Addictive summer read. I've been staying up way to late Mr. Kern. A great option for summer reading. Go for it.
Addictive summer read. I've been staying up way to late Mr. Kern. A great option for summer reading. Go for it.
July 4, 2018
Unique story!
Unique story, very well written and a very good plot. Could not it down. Looking forward to book 3 in this series.
Unique story, very well written and a very good plot. Could not it down. Looking forward to book 3 in this series.
August 1, 2025
3.5 stars Very gripping and intriguing.
November 13, 2017
Kern is getting better and better with each new book. Expedition is a terrific book with depth, great characterizations and nail biting action. I couldn't recommend this book to highly. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews