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Astral Prime #2
Wizard Zero: Mission 2
An ancient ruin holds miraculous technology and a deadly secret.
When a survey team unearths buildings on prospective mining planet, at first, it’s hailed as an archeological jackpot. But the ancient structures are more advanced than anyone’s seen. And the hedge against technology is a wizard.
Cedric and Hiroko lead a team to study the mysterious underground facility from a lost age. And when they discover the alien caretaker, he’s none too happy that primitives have infested his home.
Wizard Zero is the second book in the Black Astral Prime series. It hearkens back to location-based space sci-fi classics like Babylon 5 and Star Deep Space Nine. Astral Prime builds on the rich Black Ocean universe, introducing a colorful cast of characters for new and returning readers alike.
Come along for the ride as a minor outpost in the middle of nowhere becomes a key point of interstellar conflict.
When a survey team unearths buildings on prospective mining planet, at first, it’s hailed as an archeological jackpot. But the ancient structures are more advanced than anyone’s seen. And the hedge against technology is a wizard.
Cedric and Hiroko lead a team to study the mysterious underground facility from a lost age. And when they discover the alien caretaker, he’s none too happy that primitives have infested his home.
Wizard Zero is the second book in the Black Astral Prime series. It hearkens back to location-based space sci-fi classics like Babylon 5 and Star Deep Space Nine. Astral Prime builds on the rich Black Ocean universe, introducing a colorful cast of characters for new and returning readers alike.
Come along for the ride as a minor outpost in the middle of nowhere becomes a key point of interstellar conflict.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2018
7 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Morin
193 books612 followersI am a creator of worlds and a destroyer of words. As a fantasy writer, my works range from traditional epics to futuristic fantasy with starships. I have worked as an unpaid Little League pitcher, a cashier, a student library aide, a factory grunt, a cubicle drone, and an engineer--there is some overlap in the last two.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
Through it all, though, I was always a storyteller. Eventually I started writing books based on the stray stories in my head, and people kept telling me to write more of them. Now, that's all I do for a living.
I enjoy strategy, worldbuilding, and the fantasy author's privilege to make up words. I am a gamer, a joker, and a thinker of sideways thoughts. But I don't dance, can't sing, and my best artistic efforts fall short of your average notebook doodle. When you read my books, you are seeing me at my best.
My ultimate goal is to be both clever and right at the same time. I have it on good authority that I have yet to achieve it.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 25, 2018
I have the same feeling about chief engineer Kane as other reviewers. He needs to go head first down the waste reclaim.
December 20, 2023
If the first series (Black Ocean: Galaxy Outlaws) was Firefly-esque, then this Astral Prime series is very like Deep Space Nine from the Star Trek universe. This second book is where it gets very interesting as different species show up at the space station to bid on gravity stones and an archaeological dig shows that the Astral planet has layers which will take some unpacking (I'm looking forward to that in future books). I even began to enjoy Chief Engineer Kane who is very difficult to like. However, watching him juggle several hostile forces with no resources than his wit (honed by juggling engineering requests while doing no work at all), made me at least appreciate that he was more capable than he'd seemed thus far.
Definitely fun.
Definitely fun.
July 13, 2018
This story started a little slow out of the gate, in my opinion. It seemed a little sluggish til about a quarter of the way through. All the lead up and negotiating for the dragonheart stones was kind of boring. But, what wasn't boring was meeting new species. We finally get to meet an Eyndar and a Zheen. A wolf-like species and a praying mantis-like species, respectively.
Although, the characters are colorful and for the most part likeable, one character that grates on me is chief engineer Kane. He is so obnoxiously arrogant and downright mean it makes it hard to read any scene he is in. Even though I'm sure the authors intended for the character to be this way, because he is actually a coward at heart, enough already! I want to see him put in his place! I find no comic relief from his name calling.
Things don't pick up til the director, Hiroko, decides to take the trade ambassadors to the surface of the planet to visit the ruins. That's when all the fun starts. This is where most of the action takes place and some true colors are shown by the characters. Not to mention some very interesting discoveries.
While this is taking place on the surface, our friend Kane, is on the station juggling 3 different captains of warships threatening to open fire if they don't get to speak to their people who are indisposed. It's fun watching Kane squirm a little bit.
With a big surprise ending, we are left to wonder the fate of Astral Prime. Even with a slow start, this ends big. Looking forward to the next installment.
I was offered a review copy of Wizard Zero for my unbiased opinions of the book. I offer this review with my thoughts. I thank J.S.Morin and M.A.Larkin for this opportunity.
Although, the characters are colorful and for the most part likeable, one character that grates on me is chief engineer Kane. He is so obnoxiously arrogant and downright mean it makes it hard to read any scene he is in. Even though I'm sure the authors intended for the character to be this way, because he is actually a coward at heart, enough already! I want to see him put in his place! I find no comic relief from his name calling.
Things don't pick up til the director, Hiroko, decides to take the trade ambassadors to the surface of the planet to visit the ruins. That's when all the fun starts. This is where most of the action takes place and some true colors are shown by the characters. Not to mention some very interesting discoveries.
While this is taking place on the surface, our friend Kane, is on the station juggling 3 different captains of warships threatening to open fire if they don't get to speak to their people who are indisposed. It's fun watching Kane squirm a little bit.
With a big surprise ending, we are left to wonder the fate of Astral Prime. Even with a slow start, this ends big. Looking forward to the next installment.
I was offered a review copy of Wizard Zero for my unbiased opinions of the book. I offer this review with my thoughts. I thank J.S.Morin and M.A.Larkin for this opportunity.
June 21, 2019
Wizard Zero picks up where Shadow Planet left off only now more aliens are introduced as well as the creators of the shadow planet. If you haven’t read Shadow Planet, I suggest you read it first.
YF-77, a mining station that has been abandoned by its corporate sponsors when the corporate sponsors went broke is hovering around the Shadow Planet. They have discovered flying reptiles called dragons (some really nasty-tempered ones at that) grow gravity stones inside them. The stones are used to navigate the Astral Plane under the direction ofd wizards.
Characters who aren’t who they appear to be and the appearance of aliens, two races of which have battled humans in the past — one race that looks and sounds like humanoid wolves and one that resembles oversize praying mantis’s. The wolf-like aliens have brought along a stuunji, who resembles an oversize rhinoceros, to also bid on the gravity stones but only as a diversion so they can walk away with the .
And then members of YF-77 break into a sealed underground facility. Not a good idea to wake up very powerful ur-aliens who want to wipe you out.
The story veers from one crises to another with some of the characters working to sabotage what ever the station director, Hidoko Fujika, tires to do to keep her people safe while trying to find a way to earn money to keep it up and running.
Calvin Black, who appears to be a mediocre wizard, turns out to be more but he has head problems of his own that he tries to hide as he has been doing on YF-77.
This is another Black Ocean book that is filled with action, humor, and characters that react like real people. The only thing I could find wrong with it is I want to know what happens next and when binge reading you come to the end too soon .
YF-77, a mining station that has been abandoned by its corporate sponsors when the corporate sponsors went broke is hovering around the Shadow Planet. They have discovered flying reptiles called dragons (some really nasty-tempered ones at that) grow gravity stones inside them. The stones are used to navigate the Astral Plane under the direction ofd wizards.
Characters who aren’t who they appear to be and the appearance of aliens, two races of which have battled humans in the past — one race that looks and sounds like humanoid wolves and one that resembles oversize praying mantis’s. The wolf-like aliens have brought along a stuunji, who resembles an oversize rhinoceros, to also bid on the gravity stones but only as a diversion so they can walk away with the .
And then members of YF-77 break into a sealed underground facility. Not a good idea to wake up very powerful ur-aliens who want to wipe you out.
The story veers from one crises to another with some of the characters working to sabotage what ever the station director, Hidoko Fujika, tires to do to keep her people safe while trying to find a way to earn money to keep it up and running.
Calvin Black, who appears to be a mediocre wizard, turns out to be more but he has head problems of his own that he tries to hide as he has been doing on YF-77.
This is another Black Ocean book that is filled with action, humor, and characters that react like real people. The only thing I could find wrong with it is I want to know what happens next and when binge reading you come to the end too soon .
March 28, 2019
Maho Saigai Mining Station YF-77 was alone in the Black Ocean. The megacorp had declared bankruptcy and left the station and all its workers adrift. It was only through the most incredible turn of luck and fate that they discovered what could be their potential salvation. a planet adrift in the Astral depths. Exploring the planet for possible exploitable resources the landing party is attacked by what can only be described as a dragon!
While fleeing from the creature, they stumble upon a mysterious doorway hidden deep in the cracks and crevasses that were their escape from attack.
Now...in the second book of the BLACK OCEAN: ASTRAL PRIME series, the crew of the YF-77 has turned the dragon attack into a potential life saving bonanza. But, in what could be an even more incredible treasure, they find their way through that same hidden doorway and into a maze of discovery and terror. As they make their way through they stumble upon mysteries and artifacts that may be older than any civilization in known universe...and...even more incredible, the beginnings and foundations of MAGIC. All of these things that may make them rich beyond their wildest dreams...that is...if they manage to survive and escape from what could be the death of them all.
J.S. Morin and Matt Larkin continue their amazing universe building in the BLACK OCEAN with each story and every new book. The rich characters and worlds make each creation as exciting as the first...and...with over 27 books in the various series, you'll have many hours of thrills and enjoyment as you lose yourself in each new adventure.
While fleeing from the creature, they stumble upon a mysterious doorway hidden deep in the cracks and crevasses that were their escape from attack.
Now...in the second book of the BLACK OCEAN: ASTRAL PRIME series, the crew of the YF-77 has turned the dragon attack into a potential life saving bonanza. But, in what could be an even more incredible treasure, they find their way through that same hidden doorway and into a maze of discovery and terror. As they make their way through they stumble upon mysteries and artifacts that may be older than any civilization in known universe...and...even more incredible, the beginnings and foundations of MAGIC. All of these things that may make them rich beyond their wildest dreams...that is...if they manage to survive and escape from what could be the death of them all.
J.S. Morin and Matt Larkin continue their amazing universe building in the BLACK OCEAN with each story and every new book. The rich characters and worlds make each creation as exciting as the first...and...with over 27 books in the various series, you'll have many hours of thrills and enjoyment as you lose yourself in each new adventure.
July 4, 2018
“Come along for the ride as a minor outpost in the middle of nowhere becomes a key point of interstellar conflict.”
That line was pure catnip with me as the kitty drawn into J.S. Morin and M.A. Larkin’s marvelous Black Ocean: Astral Prime series universe when it first started with Shadow Planet: Mission 1. And now we are back to further adventures with Cedric The Brown and Fujita Hiroko and the author’s fusion of magic and scifi hard tech in Wizard Zero: Mission 2 (Black Ocean: Astral Prime). Once more for bold adventure and pure fun in a book that’s wonderfully written, with a strong cast of lead and supporting characters and superb works (universe) building. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
That line was pure catnip with me as the kitty drawn into J.S. Morin and M.A. Larkin’s marvelous Black Ocean: Astral Prime series universe when it first started with Shadow Planet: Mission 1. And now we are back to further adventures with Cedric The Brown and Fujita Hiroko and the author’s fusion of magic and scifi hard tech in Wizard Zero: Mission 2 (Black Ocean: Astral Prime). Once more for bold adventure and pure fun in a book that’s wonderfully written, with a strong cast of lead and supporting characters and superb works (universe) building. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises - the book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, it is easy to highly recommend. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.
July 4, 2018
I enjoyed this second mission in the new Black Ocean series just as much as the first-- maybe more, since I'm getting a feel for the characters and enjoying that they also seem to be coming into their own. I'm also deeply enjoying the further look into the mythos of the Black Ocean universe(s), and can't wait to see what more Morin and Larkin have in store.
My only complaint might be that the character deaths (of which there are more than in the first series) often seem cheaper-- more like red-shirt deaths or deaths in Doctor Who to explain just how dangerous the monster of the week is. Hiroko feels each one of these deaths, but I have a harder time feeling it with her, which pulls me a little out of the story. But that's really the only thing I have to complain about, and I can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My only complaint might be that the character deaths (of which there are more than in the first series) often seem cheaper-- more like red-shirt deaths or deaths in Doctor Who to explain just how dangerous the monster of the week is. Hiroko feels each one of these deaths, but I have a harder time feeling it with her, which pulls me a little out of the story. But that's really the only thing I have to complain about, and I can't wait for more.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2018
The new black ocean stories are quite enjoyable. The new cast of characters are well suited to the stories and other than wanting Kane to either undergo a life changing experience or a slow painful death, I'm liking how they are interacting.
In this story, the mysterious planet that they have run across yields even more mystery and problems. They have yet to solve their cash flow issues while cracking open quite the can of worms. I'm looking forward to where things go from here.
In this story, the mysterious planet that they have run across yields even more mystery and problems. They have yet to solve their cash flow issues while cracking open quite the can of worms. I'm looking forward to where things go from here.
May 25, 2019
Gonna be honest... This one started out a bit boring.. But the more they have revealed about this Shadow Planet and such the more interesting this story has become. Soemthing I also enjoyed was how much clearer more of the races in this fictional world are fleshing out. I'm seeing some potential for some seriously cool stuff in future books.
June 12, 2024
Calvin's secret is out and the newly discovered planet holds a terrifying truth that means this story is going to take a very dark and serious direction, far different from that which previous fans of the Black Ocean series are used to reading.
July 15, 2018
Review
Another cracking episode in this brill new series!Looks like I'm going to have to move strait onto mission three!Well done them men.
Another cracking episode in this brill new series!Looks like I'm going to have to move strait onto mission three!Well done them men.
June 18, 2019
This story line just got really interesting.
June 19, 2019
A lot of fun. Reading various alien POV adds a wonderful kick to this second installment of the Astral Prime series.
January 6, 2020
Must read. Expands the black ocean universe significantly.
November 24, 2020
Here we go, after a slower start in the first book, this one picks up the pace to what we were used to in galaxy outlaws.
April 26, 2022
The shadow world gets explored and is found to hold a base of the progenitors. AND THEY ARE STILL THERE!
July 21, 2023
Great book love the story and the book narration I highly recommend this book 👍📖⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 15, 2019
TBRThe 2nd installment of Astral Prime picks up basically straight from the end of Part 1, with the crew of Station YF-77 having found the ‘Shadow Planet’, and on that planet, having discovered ‘Dragon’ like creatures that have ‘Gravity Stones’ for hearts. These Heart Stones are powerful enough to emit the Gravity on large Military vessels, without all the messy complications usually associated with this sort magic/tech.
To enable the future of her Station, Hiroko has arranged for the sale of the Gravity Stones, and this attracts several interesting buyers, including the Stuunji, the Eyndar, and much to the Eyndar’s horror, the Zheen.
This book is a mixture of extremely fun moments, intensely powerful moments, highly political and military moments, but all it comes down to is sheer willpower.
During some very tense and also highly humourous moments of negotiation (nothing like having a Stuunji, a Zheen and an Eyndar all bidding on an item!), Hiroko decides to take the Ambassadors down to the planet to see first hand a new Archaeological site that has been discovered, a temple ruin that is billions of years old, pre-dating the existence of all known races. This visit to the temple however does not go as planned, and the team of Ambassadors, as well as the away team including Hiroko and Calvin are also trapped, possibly in mortal danger.
Suddenly the story goes from a bidding war over gravity stones to all the senior characters being trapped in an ancient temple that has some amazing ramifications for the Galaxy, and at the same time, the station crew are arguing with captains of all the ships trying to find out what has happened to their Ambassadors, threatening violence if they are not returned. Just when it couldn’t get worse, the ARGO Earth Navy arrive to try and take authority, even though they are out of ARGO space.
This is a full-on space adventure, with some brilliant combat scenes, the attention to detail is just masterful, giving the story just that extra edge. The character writing is what we have come to expect from these Authors, with such in-depth detail. Calvin’s internal struggle over what he is doing, what he is becoming, as well as the burden he carries to the station is a truly intriguing part of the story, it is incredibly well done. So is the character of Hiroko, and her inner battle with her traditions, but her loyalty to her crew, as well as trying to keep the station not just afloat, but start to turn things around for everybody (apart from people like Kane, who just has to watch and make sure he isn’t doing something nefarious)
‘Wizard Zero’ is were the crew of Station YF-77 really understand what the Shadow Planet is all about and what they have stumbled across, and it is also were the story really picks up.
This is an outstanding sequel to’ Shadow Planet’, and really shows just how brilliant the Authors are, even after all the other Black Ocean books, they still continue to turn out books of this quality. Can’t wait for Part 3!
To enable the future of her Station, Hiroko has arranged for the sale of the Gravity Stones, and this attracts several interesting buyers, including the Stuunji, the Eyndar, and much to the Eyndar’s horror, the Zheen.
This book is a mixture of extremely fun moments, intensely powerful moments, highly political and military moments, but all it comes down to is sheer willpower.
During some very tense and also highly humourous moments of negotiation (nothing like having a Stuunji, a Zheen and an Eyndar all bidding on an item!), Hiroko decides to take the Ambassadors down to the planet to see first hand a new Archaeological site that has been discovered, a temple ruin that is billions of years old, pre-dating the existence of all known races. This visit to the temple however does not go as planned, and the team of Ambassadors, as well as the away team including Hiroko and Calvin are also trapped, possibly in mortal danger.
Suddenly the story goes from a bidding war over gravity stones to all the senior characters being trapped in an ancient temple that has some amazing ramifications for the Galaxy, and at the same time, the station crew are arguing with captains of all the ships trying to find out what has happened to their Ambassadors, threatening violence if they are not returned. Just when it couldn’t get worse, the ARGO Earth Navy arrive to try and take authority, even though they are out of ARGO space.
This is a full-on space adventure, with some brilliant combat scenes, the attention to detail is just masterful, giving the story just that extra edge. The character writing is what we have come to expect from these Authors, with such in-depth detail. Calvin’s internal struggle over what he is doing, what he is becoming, as well as the burden he carries to the station is a truly intriguing part of the story, it is incredibly well done. So is the character of Hiroko, and her inner battle with her traditions, but her loyalty to her crew, as well as trying to keep the station not just afloat, but start to turn things around for everybody (apart from people like Kane, who just has to watch and make sure he isn’t doing something nefarious)
‘Wizard Zero’ is were the crew of Station YF-77 really understand what the Shadow Planet is all about and what they have stumbled across, and it is also were the story really picks up.
This is an outstanding sequel to’ Shadow Planet’, and really shows just how brilliant the Authors are, even after all the other Black Ocean books, they still continue to turn out books of this quality. Can’t wait for Part 3!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews