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Age of Expansion: Confessions of a Space Anthropologist #2
Giles Kurns: Rogue Instigator
Sometimes, it doesn't pay to get out of bed in the morning.
For Giles Kurns, he is ready to not only get out of bed, but ready to get back into the field and start tracking a new lead for a relic the Federation wants.
Unfortunately, When he and Arlene come close to the potential lead, they find a complication in the ship, and a world that has their own problems.
Problems Giles believes he can help solve.
The only problem is Giles will have to get his hands dirty to accomplish the impossible...
Scroll up to the top of the page and download Rogue Instigator today! You will thank us for it later.
- GenresScience Fiction
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2018
164 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Ell Leigh Clarke
70 books126 followersRelapsing theoretical physicist, professional geek, sci fi novelist, and Doctor Who fan.
Though she is originally from England, she is mostly what her friends call a “digital nomad”, hanging in whichever country calls to her… as long as it has good wifi, and coffee.
@ellleighclarke
Official Ell Leigh Clarke Fan Club for book discussions and shenanigans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ellle... Join Us <3
Though she is originally from England, she is mostly what her friends call a “digital nomad”, hanging in whichever country calls to her… as long as it has good wifi, and coffee.
@ellleighclarke
Official Ell Leigh Clarke Fan Club for book discussions and shenanigans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ellle... Join Us <3
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 29, 2018
A very fun read, with some reservations
Generally speaking, Ms Clarke has a very unique way of telling a story which doesn't mesh well with Mr Anderle 's. That's fine as it is what it is. When Ms Clarke is able to run a story with minimal influence or addendums, she is at her best. Her characters are well thought out and can be seen as people, which isn't as easy as it sounds. However, there are three specific things that I, personally, have some problem with.
Foremost, these stories seem and feel rushed. There's little back story or filler, fluff as we gamers call it. I appreciate some fluff in my stories.
Second, it seems like Ms Clarke shoehorns in characters who are on the autism spectrum. That might not be intentional, but since I have several family members on the spectrum, it's obvious to me. I'm not saying that they have no place, far from it. But it feels like they're included either as a plot device or an unintentional blind spot instead of just allowing to be.
Finally, many of the interactions between the characters have a deep seated sexual tension between them. While that can be fun, when taken too far, it just gets old.
However, these stories are well thought out and entertaining and i look forward to what the future brings to our band of space archaeologists!
Generally speaking, Ms Clarke has a very unique way of telling a story which doesn't mesh well with Mr Anderle 's. That's fine as it is what it is. When Ms Clarke is able to run a story with minimal influence or addendums, she is at her best. Her characters are well thought out and can be seen as people, which isn't as easy as it sounds. However, there are three specific things that I, personally, have some problem with.
Foremost, these stories seem and feel rushed. There's little back story or filler, fluff as we gamers call it. I appreciate some fluff in my stories.
Second, it seems like Ms Clarke shoehorns in characters who are on the autism spectrum. That might not be intentional, but since I have several family members on the spectrum, it's obvious to me. I'm not saying that they have no place, far from it. But it feels like they're included either as a plot device or an unintentional blind spot instead of just allowing to be.
Finally, many of the interactions between the characters have a deep seated sexual tension between them. While that can be fun, when taken too far, it just gets old.
However, these stories are well thought out and entertaining and i look forward to what the future brings to our band of space archaeologists!
May 20, 2022
This was a wonderful second helping of Giles, Arlene, and now Anne.
I loved the plot line, and the various characters portrayed in the story and, frankly, I want more of it!
I want to know if they get Anne's token easily or not, and if it'll make a difference to their knowledge?
I want to see if something will develop between Arlene and Bill - and what they find out about the tokens?
I also want to know, if Giles will get the butterflies in his stomach sorted out enough, to actually ask Molly out! Lol
I really hope that Ell has, or will do, write more of Giles' adventures, especially as it ended with rather a cliffhanger?
So, come on, Ell, please write more? Lol
I'm sad to be finishing this one, not knowing if I'll find out what I want to know, but I just looked at to my reading list, and it tells me that my next read, is book nine of the Ascension Myths' Committed! Yay!
Maybe I WILL get some answers then? Lol
I loved the plot line, and the various characters portrayed in the story and, frankly, I want more of it!
I want to know if they get Anne's token easily or not, and if it'll make a difference to their knowledge?
I want to see if something will develop between Arlene and Bill - and what they find out about the tokens?
I also want to know, if Giles will get the butterflies in his stomach sorted out enough, to actually ask Molly out! Lol
I really hope that Ell has, or will do, write more of Giles' adventures, especially as it ended with rather a cliffhanger?
So, come on, Ell, please write more? Lol
I'm sad to be finishing this one, not knowing if I'll find out what I want to know, but I just looked at to my reading list, and it tells me that my next read, is book nine of the Ascension Myths' Committed! Yay!
Maybe I WILL get some answers then? Lol
May 7, 2018
Ups and a little down
Gender neutral pronouns are ridiculous!!!!!! Also, confusing and interrupted the flow of the story unnecessarily. (Gets off soap box)
I laughed hard and greatly enjoyed this tale. The action unfolded in an amazing way, and was very entertaining. As always, character development, both organic and inorganic, is evolving. Now I need to know what happens next in this part of the Kurtherian universe!
Gender neutral pronouns are ridiculous!!!!!! Also, confusing and interrupted the flow of the story unnecessarily. (Gets off soap box)
I laughed hard and greatly enjoyed this tale. The action unfolded in an amazing way, and was very entertaining. As always, character development, both organic and inorganic, is evolving. Now I need to know what happens next in this part of the Kurtherian universe!
February 26, 2018
Giles Kurns is one of my favorite characters in the Kurtherian Realm. Instead of relying on special abilities, he relies on wit and intellect to solve problems. He has a vision of a world were conflict resolution, not war, is a way to resolve differences. And he makes mistakes, big ones. But is willing to admit them, and fix them, and ask for help.
March 13, 2018
Worth working your way through if you like entertaining, I am interested to see where she takes the series and if it gets any better. I kind of liked the book but the main character's refusal to grow up and his consistent ability to walk into situations that he absolutely knows will kill him and then be surprised when something bad happens gets to be really old after the first time.
April 7, 2018
A Page-turner
Characters to die for. An adventure that just gets better in this second book in the series. Anne, the youngest member (unofficial) of the anthropological questing team, keeps us on the edge of our seats as she works her charm, wit, and chutzpah on Arlene and Giles and everyone else she encounters. Enjoy.
Characters to die for. An adventure that just gets better in this second book in the series. Anne, the youngest member (unofficial) of the anthropological questing team, keeps us on the edge of our seats as she works her charm, wit, and chutzpah on Arlene and Giles and everyone else she encounters. Enjoy.
February 23, 2018
How intriguing
Enjoyed how Anne is so mature, will Giles and Arlene ever really notice. Loved the interactions with the two races and the understanding of the problem. Enjoyed the solution.
Enjoyed how Anne is so mature, will Giles and Arlene ever really notice. Loved the interactions with the two races and the understanding of the problem. Enjoyed the solution.
March 14, 2018
Promotes stupid pronouns
Sorry, but I won’t waste my valuable reading time to books promoting the use of ridiculous SJW puerile gender-bending pronouns. Might have been a good book. Now I am leery about the whole Series as possibly having far left undertones.
Sorry, but I won’t waste my valuable reading time to books promoting the use of ridiculous SJW puerile gender-bending pronouns. Might have been a good book. Now I am leery about the whole Series as possibly having far left undertones.
April 8, 2018
I liked the book, but the whole gender neutral bit, is seriously ridiculous, and seems to me, to be reaching for no apparent reason. Like it's trying to snag "just one more" audience via pandering. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
November 10, 2018
Annie is growing up
Giles and company head out to find a talisman and in up having to stop a War!! They have no idea what they walked into but they have to stop it. Read to find out what they end up doing!!
Giles and company head out to find a talisman and in up having to stop a War!! They have no idea what they walked into but they have to stop it. Read to find out what they end up doing!!
January 9, 2020
The best book yet.
Ms Clarke has done an outstanding job with this series! The characters are interesting and the action fast paced. The plot is complete! No logic knots or dropped threads; just a beautiful motivating story.
Ms Clarke has done an outstanding job with this series! The characters are interesting and the action fast paced. The plot is complete! No logic knots or dropped threads; just a beautiful motivating story.
February 24, 2018
Great read
First review for a Kutherian book, enjoy them very much. I would recommend them highly. They are very addictive, truly!
First review for a Kutherian book, enjoy them very much. I would recommend them highly. They are very addictive, truly!
February 24, 2018
Giles is Back!
Yes Giles is looking for adventure and on the hunt for more artifacts so you know what that means troubles is brewing so let the fun times begin.
Yes Giles is looking for adventure and on the hunt for more artifacts so you know what that means troubles is brewing so let the fun times begin.
March 1, 2018
Entertaining.
Another highly entertaining story from Miss Ell Leigh Clarke. I truly enjoy the Giles Kurns books, but they don't quite have the punch of Molly's stories.
Another highly entertaining story from Miss Ell Leigh Clarke. I truly enjoy the Giles Kurns books, but they don't quite have the punch of Molly's stories.
March 5, 2018
Slowly making sense.
March 6, 2018
Another great story
As always a good story and interesting characters. Looking forward to seeing what develops with Anne. Really can't wait for the next one.
As always a good story and interesting characters. Looking forward to seeing what develops with Anne. Really can't wait for the next one.
April 3, 2018
Outstanding. Need I say more ?
Everyone is watching for the next book. I have my wife entranced with the series. Now on to the next one.
Everyone is watching for the next book. I have my wife entranced with the series. Now on to the next one.
October 15, 2021
Minus 2 stars for stupid f'ing pronouns!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews