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Lost Starship #8
The Lost Artifact
Star Watch defeated the Swarm Invasion Fleet, but at a terrible cost in destroyed star systems, smashed battleships and billions of dead. In the aftermath of the costly victory, chaos threatens as worlds leave the Commonwealth of Planets, face mass starvation or succumb to increased piracy.
The war against the Swarm Imperium has just begun. Humanity needs unity or each planet will fall alone.
Brigadier O’Hara of Star Watch Intelligence stumbles onto a secret conspiracy. Someone is trying to destroy the Commonwealth from within, and they have an alien artifact of incredible power.
O’Hara summons Captain Maddox. Although she fears to lose him, she knows that Maddox and his crew have the best chance of finding the hidden enemy. If the captain fails, the Commonwealth will be powerless to stop its destruction. What O’Hara doesn’t know—it would probably break her heart if she did—is that she has just sent Maddox into the most harrowing battle of his career.
The war against the Swarm Imperium has just begun. Humanity needs unity or each planet will fall alone.
Brigadier O’Hara of Star Watch Intelligence stumbles onto a secret conspiracy. Someone is trying to destroy the Commonwealth from within, and they have an alien artifact of incredible power.
O’Hara summons Captain Maddox. Although she fears to lose him, she knows that Maddox and his crew have the best chance of finding the hidden enemy. If the captain fails, the Commonwealth will be powerless to stop its destruction. What O’Hara doesn’t know—it would probably break her heart if she did—is that she has just sent Maddox into the most harrowing battle of his career.
516 pages, Paperback
Published February 20, 2018
823 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Vaughn Heppner
135 books570 followersYou can visit Vaughn at www.vaughnheppner.com
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
I was born in Canada and remember as a small boy crawling in my snow-fort. I closed my eyes, and when I tried to open them, they were frozen shut. I didn't panic, but wiped away the ice crystals, unglued my eyes and kept on building my tunnel. Those were great days! I moved to Central California before seventh grade and couldn't believe I lived in a land where oranges grew on trees and you could pick grapes from the vine.
I used to wonder what I wanted to do with my life, what kind of work specifically. I was miserable not knowing and bordering on desperate. Then one day a friend gave me his typewriter. I began working on a novel. A different person told me it was much easier on a computer, so I bought one and began getting up at 4:30 A.M. each morning before work, writing for three hours. My eyes were unglued once again as the pang of misery left my gut. I knew exactly what I wanted to do: write. So now that's what I do, I write, and write, and write, and I love it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
March 7, 2018
A great addition to the series, with lots of detail on how Maddox works through some difficult situations he finds himself and crew in. There was nonstop twists and turns in this book. Definitely recommend.
June 29, 2021
Quite good!
May 24, 2022
This is the book that finally prompted me to write another review of the series. Apparently in the minority, I'm among those who think the series is starting to wear thin enough that the willing suspension of disbelief, and the acceptance of the existence of unique single individuals upon who major events in history continually turn is eroding quickly. I've begrudgingly accepted the premise of the solitary hero (with merry band of accomplices) enough that I've actually made it through the 8th book in the series, having basically binged volumes 3-8, having read the first two earlier. (Binged is a relative term-I read a little bit every day before sleeping, so I guess it's been weeks and months getting through these 6 volumes.) I guess that says something about the series and Vaughn Heppner's skill as a writer, but it's really starting to feel like he's "phoning it in." Not every saga needs to go on forever, and not every saga needs to end with a nice bowtie ending. The pacing and level of action has certainly slowed down. There's lots of reflection, but most of it is personal, and I'd really like to read more reflection on the broad cultural ethics, sociology and psychology of this universe. Even the level of interstellar intrigue and comparisons of species value systems seems less designed to get the reader thinking and more to say "hey, this is part of the formula for successful sci-fi writing so I must include at least a little of it sprinkled here and there." Also, another matter bothers me. At least Star Trek gives an occasional nod to the ship's crew as if they matter. Throughout almost this entire Lost Starship series, the rest of the crew has been given short shrift, barely ever mentioned and certainly never developed as characters of any significance. That's hundreds of regular ordinary working stiffs getting ignored while the focus remains on the top echelons. Not the future I hope for, and not exactly an egalitarian portrayal; giving all the credit to a few the top (and mostly the hero protagonist) rather than the folks in the trenches. That bothers me quite a lot. It's as if we have never moved beyond our contemporary lopsided valuing of a small elite above all in the future instead of the future equal society without prejudice that most sci-fi author hopefully predict. Even character development has thinned out. Oh, we see hints here and there of changes in how characters think, but again it feels obligatory rather than purposeful. The borderline misogyny has been present throughout, perpetuated by female stereotypes as only a male could imagine them (and I say this as a CIS-gendered white male.) The strong female characters are a pretense, its female strength as imagined by a man, not a woman. Why has the series taken this path of a non-improved humanity? No faith left in humanity, Vaughn? Watching too many superhero films? Yes, one person can change the universe. But in 8 books in a row (and yet more after that?) My credulity is strained beyond its limit. I'll probably continue reading on, but not in a streak, and if things don't change I may decide to move on without finishing it, which would make me sad.
February 26, 2019
The eighth installment of author Vaughn Heppner’s Lost Starship series opens with the android Yen Cho hunting an assassin, with the Swarm Imperium intending to conquer Earth, as well. An interesting break from other science-fiction stories mentioned early on is that Human Space is ruled by multiple political entities dependent upon culture. The main text following the prologue opens ninety-seven days later at Smade’s Asteroid, where primary protagonist Captain Maddox is held prisoner, with an implant having been surgically inputted into his brain, although he attempts escape, a pirate base occupying the mentioned celestial body.
Finlay Bow is Maddox’ key to escape from the Asteroid, and in the meantime, a clone of the Methuselah Man Strand awakens and vows vengeance against Maddox. Yen Cho the crew of the Victory ultimately captures, with regular interrogations for intelligence. The ancient Adok starship ultimately comes into the orbit of the planet Gideon II, where they find a Builder robot who also serves as a source for information. Strand has sporadic confrontations with the Victory, at one point sending a virus aboard the ship to weaken its systems, with AI Galyan seeking to retain control, and at some points departing the vessel’s systems in a robotic form.
The second half of the story devotes several chapters to Commodore von Helmuth and the Hindenburgers aboard the rogue ship Bismarck, who feel ostracized by the Windsor League and confront the Victory as well. Maddox ultimately has to deal with the clone Strand again, with the novel ending satisfactorily, and sure to please fans of its predecessors, although those new to the series will definitely want to start from the beginning of the franchise. As with a few prior novels, moreover, the twist of duplicate characters plays some role, although this reviewer definitely found the book a bright spot in independent science-fiction.
Finlay Bow is Maddox’ key to escape from the Asteroid, and in the meantime, a clone of the Methuselah Man Strand awakens and vows vengeance against Maddox. Yen Cho the crew of the Victory ultimately captures, with regular interrogations for intelligence. The ancient Adok starship ultimately comes into the orbit of the planet Gideon II, where they find a Builder robot who also serves as a source for information. Strand has sporadic confrontations with the Victory, at one point sending a virus aboard the ship to weaken its systems, with AI Galyan seeking to retain control, and at some points departing the vessel’s systems in a robotic form.
The second half of the story devotes several chapters to Commodore von Helmuth and the Hindenburgers aboard the rogue ship Bismarck, who feel ostracized by the Windsor League and confront the Victory as well. Maddox ultimately has to deal with the clone Strand again, with the novel ending satisfactorily, and sure to please fans of its predecessors, although those new to the series will definitely want to start from the beginning of the franchise. As with a few prior novels, moreover, the twist of duplicate characters plays some role, although this reviewer definitely found the book a bright spot in independent science-fiction.
July 21, 2018
Describing a Vaughn Heppner book to somebody unfamiliar with the author is next to impossible without a lot of background. There's this ancient spaceship, controlled by an alien construct, the last of his kind and thousands of years old. And Captain Maddox is a brilliant tactician, half man and half new man. His ace pilot is a former drunk but without peer in space. His second in command trusts him but is always ready to counter his random, risk-taking nature. His girlfriend is one of the strongest women anywhere and ready to throttle anybody who threatens her man. His best friend is an old soldier with a mechanical arm who never lets him down. And his enemies are many, topped by a so-called Methuselah man named Strand, who always has a contingency plan. "The Lost Artifact," the eighth novel in the Lost Starship series, starts with our hero Maddox about to be exterminated. He misjudged his opponents and let them get the upper hand. Maddox must rely on the help of a relative stranger to get free and the good will of an android, who may or may not be interested in the extermination of the human race. Strand, who is in the custody of the New Men, nonetheless is the antagonist. His plans unfold because he is in custody and they spin so far out of control that Maddox will be hard pressed to even slow them down much less get the problem solved and the bad guys immobilized. I'd been reading a lot of thrillers and mysteries when I plugged myself into Heppner yet again, and it made me realize what a vast and complex imagination this guy has. I mean I offered up some detail but he goes so far beyond that. Maddox is good, but his enemies are far stronger and better equipped. He only succeeds because of his loyal team and their combined wits. Heppner's a master at his craft.
June 17, 2018
I thoroughly enjoy Vaughn Heppner's work and look forward to additions to the Lost Starship series. I agree with some of the reviewers on here - I did feel that this book was maybe rushed to market and was a little disjointed. We did get to see more of the love between Maddox and his wife. I think his wife deserves more of the fleshing out that he did in his earlier books - she's clearly very capable but she's been more sidelined. I like Maddox's brilliant insights but some of his leaps of logic which are always right are a bit of a stretch but he did start in intelligence I suppose. The plot makes some leaps - like why did the Builder switch to ally after previous behavior (I'm trying not to ruin plot points). I think the Strand clones couldn've been more fleshed out as well as it was an interesting plot point. Perhaps we'll see more of them in another installment. I'm not sure how man are planned for the series. I don't personally like a series that goes indefinitely so hopefully there will be one to possibly two more that tie it all together and bring closure. I know we'll see lots of other awesome sci fi from this writer so will have plenty of other books to jump to after this. All in all, it's a fun read, full of adventure and expanding our views of the universe and I enjoy getting lost after a day's hard work in this fiction. If you haven't already, I'd start at the beginning and go on this adventure with Captain Maddox from the beginning.
January 6, 2019
This book is better than the other books of the series. I would give it 3 1/2 stars if I could.
It is difficult to talk about the story without giving away too much of the plot. The Commonwealth has been saved from The Swarm, but that was only the first wave. The Commonwealth must unite against this common enemy, but someone wants humanity to die... to be replaced by a race of "New Men" or no one at all. Thus, an ancient artifact is dredged up to be used against the human race. It is Captain Maddox's job to find the evil-doer and stop him from using the artifact.
Any problems with the story? Not really. It seems that the human race has an abundance of enemies. The narrative also seems smoother than previous books in the series. If you have read this far you have already forgiven the author for any clumsiness in the narrative. This also seems to be a transitional book, moving the story along to get to a position the author wants all the characters to be in. That happens often to authors, especially when the main threat has been defeated... even temporarily.
Any modesty issues? There is the occasional use of the word "d-mn". Beyond that? None that I recall.
I am on to the next book in the series, "The Lost Star Gate".
It is difficult to talk about the story without giving away too much of the plot. The Commonwealth has been saved from The Swarm, but that was only the first wave. The Commonwealth must unite against this common enemy, but someone wants humanity to die... to be replaced by a race of "New Men" or no one at all. Thus, an ancient artifact is dredged up to be used against the human race. It is Captain Maddox's job to find the evil-doer and stop him from using the artifact.
Any problems with the story? Not really. It seems that the human race has an abundance of enemies. The narrative also seems smoother than previous books in the series. If you have read this far you have already forgiven the author for any clumsiness in the narrative. This also seems to be a transitional book, moving the story along to get to a position the author wants all the characters to be in. That happens often to authors, especially when the main threat has been defeated... even temporarily.
Any modesty issues? There is the occasional use of the word "d-mn". Beyond that? None that I recall.
I am on to the next book in the series, "The Lost Star Gate".
February 25, 2018
Another stellar entery in the Saga of Captain Maddox. However this book felt really weak compared to the last one.
The last one had epic action and had a real interesting story to follow and the stacks were really high for the earth. We also got epic space battles and a lot of great moments for Captain Maddox to shine.
However in this book the great parts are only a few it mostly follows the story of Yen Cho and you can gleam exact plot from the first few chapters. The writing was the same for Meta and O'Hara and Riker. They made only a few appearances just for the sake of it. Even though the plot was weak still nothing beats Captain Maddox and his team.
The last one had epic action and had a real interesting story to follow and the stacks were really high for the earth. We also got epic space battles and a lot of great moments for Captain Maddox to shine.
However in this book the great parts are only a few it mostly follows the story of Yen Cho and you can gleam exact plot from the first few chapters. The writing was the same for Meta and O'Hara and Riker. They made only a few appearances just for the sake of it. Even though the plot was weak still nothing beats Captain Maddox and his team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2022
What happened Vaughn???
I'm sorry. I loved Vaughn Heppner with his earlier series. But his latest books are boring with no action and nothing exciting. It's like he got comfortable and doesn't want to make compelling stories anymore. Dear Vaughn, if you want to make great books, please follow BV Larson's undying mercenary series. BV Larson brings his A game and Vaughn you've lost us as readers and for the first time in my life I'm stopping buying your books. It's not worth being bored with this series and everything you've put out lately. I couldn't even finish space marine. Vaughn is a disappointing hard pass. I'm sorry not Sorry.
Mark
I'm sorry. I loved Vaughn Heppner with his earlier series. But his latest books are boring with no action and nothing exciting. It's like he got comfortable and doesn't want to make compelling stories anymore. Dear Vaughn, if you want to make great books, please follow BV Larson's undying mercenary series. BV Larson brings his A game and Vaughn you've lost us as readers and for the first time in my life I'm stopping buying your books. It's not worth being bored with this series and everything you've put out lately. I couldn't even finish space marine. Vaughn is a disappointing hard pass. I'm sorry not Sorry.
Mark
March 12, 2018
This book brought back some of the human alien interactions I missed since the early books, specifically when Maddox took over Victory and his conversations with Galyan. The author is really good at imagining conversations a human will have with AI/Aliens. I am also glad that he didn't try to out do the story from the last time by blowing up a galaxy this time. I hope the retrieved builder artifacts relate to the next book as this story for the most part was a one off in the grand scheme of "Victory saving the commonwealth". Overall, an entertaining read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2018
Rushed
I was somewhat disappointed. I am a Lost Starship series fan. This book however seemed very disjointed and without the crew camaraderie of the previous books. Lots of alluded to love between Maddox and Meta without any storyline pertinance. Very contrived with quick shallow subplots and it almost seemed like the storyline was truncated in spots. It was like a writing effort that was more outline than polished story. I hope this trend is reversed as I have really enjoyed books 1-7.
I was somewhat disappointed. I am a Lost Starship series fan. This book however seemed very disjointed and without the crew camaraderie of the previous books. Lots of alluded to love between Maddox and Meta without any storyline pertinance. Very contrived with quick shallow subplots and it almost seemed like the storyline was truncated in spots. It was like a writing effort that was more outline than polished story. I hope this trend is reversed as I have really enjoyed books 1-7.
March 1, 2018
Amazing, spellbinding, can’t put it down!
If you like stories that link together, have believable sci fi action and wind you around the authors little finger, start reading this series from the beginning!
This series of books are well written and are “can’t put the damn things down” books.
My only frustration is that there are only eight books so far. Mr Heppner, put down that cup of coffee and get typing :-)
If you like stories that link together, have believable sci fi action and wind you around the authors little finger, start reading this series from the beginning!
This series of books are well written and are “can’t put the damn things down” books.
My only frustration is that there are only eight books so far. Mr Heppner, put down that cup of coffee and get typing :-)
May 27, 2018
The series continues
Perhaps my least favorite of all of the series books so far. I don't know why, but it seems to lack the supporting characters involvement in some way. The main character also seemed more superficial and have less depth than in the beginning of the series. I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm hoping the next one will generate some of the excitement i got from reading most of the other books in this series.
Perhaps my least favorite of all of the series books so far. I don't know why, but it seems to lack the supporting characters involvement in some way. The main character also seemed more superficial and have less depth than in the beginning of the series. I can't quite put my finger on it but I'm hoping the next one will generate some of the excitement i got from reading most of the other books in this series.
June 12, 2018
Mr. Heppner delivers another amazing story in continuation of his "Lost Starship" series. Just when I think that the scope can't get any bigger, the author proves me wrong! These books are amazing adventures into unknown parts of space and a believable introduction into alien races and technology that is mind boggling, yet realistic. You truly get a feel for how vast and empty the universe can be and yet, it really isn't.
March 9, 2018
Give Yourself At Least A Complete Day To Read This Book
Mr. Heppner has written a spellbinding and compelling 8th book in this series. You will start and not want to stop. There are plenty of twists and situations that will leave you wanting more. Captain Maddox and crew do not disappoint.
Mr. Heppner has written a spellbinding and compelling 8th book in this series. You will start and not want to stop. There are plenty of twists and situations that will leave you wanting more. Captain Maddox and crew do not disappoint.
March 31, 2018
Great book
Loved the book, the series and your writing style. However I really hate the manner it forces one to make when writing the review. Seems like if you really want to hear what people think, then someone would spend a little time in making this better at accepting my (user) input. Anyhow, this entire series has been awesome and I look forward to many more.
Loved the book, the series and your writing style. However I really hate the manner it forces one to make when writing the review. Seems like if you really want to hear what people think, then someone would spend a little time in making this better at accepting my (user) input. Anyhow, this entire series has been awesome and I look forward to many more.
January 30, 2019
Early in the series, I wrote a tepid review. Obviously, however, Heppner kept my attention... and I have not read a bunch of my favorite authors whose books I have in my Kindle ready to read. The plots are detailed and intricate and keep having great twists - that are sometimes not expected, but usually make sense. I started #9 and will likely finish within a few days - and will get on with some other reading until #10 is published.
April 11, 2019
The Lost Artifact is another well told entry in the 'Lost Starship series'!
Vaughan Heppner continues to weave his magic in The Lost Starship series. Combining his great story telling ability, with truely interesting and complex characters. I highly recommend this and his other works.
Vaughan Heppner continues to weave his magic in The Lost Starship series. Combining his great story telling ability, with truely interesting and complex characters. I highly recommend this and his other works.
June 11, 2019
For 8 books now the intelligent of SW did nothing to other functions agents. At 100x within one book they make it vectory and fuck shit around... And the AI is playing house and can't seem to do what an AI shop supposed to do, the writer physics aren't that good I had to turn off my engineering side off to enjoy this series, I should hve stopped after book 4.
April 29, 2021
Another great book
If this book is any indication then the nest book will be a wonder. But I'd like to know how the capt, escapes from it armored space suit when it died when in the last book or was it the book before thet the lt. Or capt of the space marine couldn't and almost suffocated inside wnen the czpt. Froze him inside the suit..?
Great book
If this book is any indication then the nest book will be a wonder. But I'd like to know how the capt, escapes from it armored space suit when it died when in the last book or was it the book before thet the lt. Or capt of the space marine couldn't and almost suffocated inside wnen the czpt. Froze him inside the suit..?
Great book
April 27, 2023
Better and better
The Lost starship series began with wonderful imagination and innovative science fiction but with clunky prose and stilted dialogue. With every book heppner's writing skills have improved and his imaginative science fiction story writing has become ever more enjoyable. An excellent read, I'll be looking forward to the next one.
The Lost starship series began with wonderful imagination and innovative science fiction but with clunky prose and stilted dialogue. With every book heppner's writing skills have improved and his imaginative science fiction story writing has become ever more enjoyable. An excellent read, I'll be looking forward to the next one.
August 24, 2025
This started a little different than the other books which didn’t draw me in, I was worried that this book was going to not be as good as the previous ones. About half way through, however, it picked up and I really enjoyed it. Our heroes still were fighting for the fate of the galaxy against all odds with familiar, well clones of familiar characters causing trouble.
March 12, 2018
First half interesting
Turned into a boring chase scene
Tech and alien mystery was fun for half the book
The second half was not entertaining or believable
When they run out of story they string chase scenes together
Maddox was nearly killed three times, boring
Turned into a boring chase scene
Tech and alien mystery was fun for half the book
The second half was not entertaining or believable
When they run out of story they string chase scenes together
Maddox was nearly killed three times, boring
March 13, 2018
Another good book in a series.
This book continues in the tradition of. The rest of the books in the series with a fast paced compelling story. This leaves me wanting more in the series.
This book continues in the tradition of. The rest of the books in the series with a fast paced compelling story. This leaves me wanting more in the series.
March 21, 2018
Patience Virture
The best of Captain Madax n his crew. Even in doubt he was able to hold the crew together and defeat so many adversary and succeed! Looking forward to reading the series. Can't wait to see what new adventure the admiral is going to send them on next!
The best of Captain Madax n his crew. Even in doubt he was able to hold the crew together and defeat so many adversary and succeed! Looking forward to reading the series. Can't wait to see what new adventure the admiral is going to send them on next!
April 7, 2018
Twists and turns
Another book with a plot that twists and turns. Good loghthearted reading. If you like the othwrs in the seriea you will like this...but there isnt really anything new.
Another book with a plot that twists and turns. Good loghthearted reading. If you like the othwrs in the seriea you will like this...but there isnt really anything new.
April 7, 2018
Just another awesome book by VH.
Smart writing, deep characters and a twisting story heading to an epic climax. What more could a reader possibly ask for? Just buy it, read it and like me, impatiently wait for the next Lost installment.
Smart writing, deep characters and a twisting story heading to an epic climax. What more could a reader possibly ask for? Just buy it, read it and like me, impatiently wait for the next Lost installment.
April 26, 2018
Read all 8 books...
I've read all 8 of the books in the series now. Each book can stand alone, but do yourself a favor and start with the first and work forward...you won't be sorry!
I've read all 8 of the books in the series now. Each book can stand alone, but do yourself a favor and start with the first and work forward...you won't be sorry!
May 20, 2018
Overall, pretty good, and enjoyable!
Overall, pretty good, and enjoyable!
Thanks!
However, the first third of Part 1 read like it was written by a teenager. I almost put it away, but plowed on, and was well rewarded.
Overall, pretty good, and enjoyable!
Thanks!
However, the first third of Part 1 read like it was written by a teenager. I almost put it away, but plowed on, and was well rewarded.
June 5, 2018
Return Engagement
This was a pleasant return to Heppner’s universe. Once again the twists and turns of his plot have exceeded expectations. While outside the normal science we’re used to I enjoy the “stretch” the author gives to its plausibility.
This was a pleasant return to Heppner’s universe. Once again the twists and turns of his plot have exceeded expectations. While outside the normal science we’re used to I enjoy the “stretch” the author gives to its plausibility.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews