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The Chronicles of Fid #2
Behind Distant Stars
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07G95MZ2S
The reputation took decades to earn.
He'd become the world's most feared supervillain!
But then he saved the world...
News cameras had captured every moment of the battle in which the notorious Doctor Fid single-handedly averted an alien invasion. As details emerge, the public discovers how close the Earth had come to inescapable subjugation...or to complete annihilation.
With the threat ended and those responsible brought to justice, questions arise as to what the future holds for Doctor Fid. There are many who now wonder if the veteran supervillain has changed his ways. There are many who think that Doctor Fid may not be a monster after all.
New dangers arise and new enemies emerge, and through it all Doctor Fid struggles to decide what role he will play. Will Doctor Fid choose to become the hero that the world needs?
Or will he remain the villain that the world's heroes deserve?
Any fan of the superhero genre will love this supervillainous novel. Read book two in the series that critics have called innovative, snarky and ridiculously fun!
The reputation took decades to earn.
He'd become the world's most feared supervillain!
But then he saved the world...
News cameras had captured every moment of the battle in which the notorious Doctor Fid single-handedly averted an alien invasion. As details emerge, the public discovers how close the Earth had come to inescapable subjugation...or to complete annihilation.
With the threat ended and those responsible brought to justice, questions arise as to what the future holds for Doctor Fid. There are many who now wonder if the veteran supervillain has changed his ways. There are many who think that Doctor Fid may not be a monster after all.
New dangers arise and new enemies emerge, and through it all Doctor Fid struggles to decide what role he will play. Will Doctor Fid choose to become the hero that the world needs?
Or will he remain the villain that the world's heroes deserve?
Any fan of the superhero genre will love this supervillainous novel. Read book two in the series that critics have called innovative, snarky and ridiculously fun!
378 pages, ebook
First published August 30, 2018
75 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 15, 2020
I loved jumping back into this book series! Fid’s Crusade was such a fun origin story about a villain which was so cool since the books are usually about the hero and it was nice to see the other side for a change. And this book just continued on with his storyline after the initial origin story.
This time, we got to see more growth and development of Doctor Fid’s character and see that he is a real person with just as many emotions as the rest of us.
My favorite part was once again the villains bar. It is a very minor part of the book but I just think it is cool to have like this hub where all the villains go to have a drink and share stories and stuff.
Any book that has superheroes, villains and intense action scenes will always pull me in and this one did just that. I found it hard to put down at times and wanted to just keep going to see what would happen next! I am really looking forward to the final book in this trilogy!
This time, we got to see more growth and development of Doctor Fid’s character and see that he is a real person with just as many emotions as the rest of us.
My favorite part was once again the villains bar. It is a very minor part of the book but I just think it is cool to have like this hub where all the villains go to have a drink and share stories and stuff.
Any book that has superheroes, villains and intense action scenes will always pull me in and this one did just that. I found it hard to put down at times and wanted to just keep going to see what would happen next! I am really looking forward to the final book in this trilogy!
October 25, 2022
That was pretty good
This has a nice arc, put the premise might make your eyes roll.
In the end, it work out well with a fun ride most all the way there.
This has a nice arc, put the premise might make your eyes roll.
In the end, it work out well with a fun ride most all the way there.
December 31, 2020
The notorious Dr. Fid returns with something of a public relations problem. It turns out that saving the world—even when you had to beat the heck out of a ton of super heroes to do it—softens your image as the baddest of the bad. Add to that a couple of unfortunate instances caught on tape—like saving a falling cat—and the world is asking if Fid has had a change of heart. Could he be becoming the thing he hates the most—a super hero?
Fid, being Fid, decides to use this confusion to pretend to become the hero in question, just so he can further expose how unworthy heroes are of the public’s respect, but in doing so begins to learn that the world is much more complicated than the black and white image he has clung to throughout his career and the journey he has started down might just be more true than he wants it to be.
It’s amazing that a novel that is as heavily psychological as this one is, could also be packed to the gills with amazing action scenes. David Reiss has given more thought to the armored hero / villain than the creators of Iron Man ever did and the reader benefits tremendously from this care on his part. Plus, Fid is a scientific genius to put Tony Stark and Reed Richards to shame and this time he really has to put his IQ to the test as he struggles to unravel numerous complicated puzzles in both his heroic / villainous career and his personal life.
Add to that his developing relationship with a couple of heroes you know he wants to like, his touching guardianship of Whisper, a child AI who oh so obviously reminds him of his long dead little brother, and even his deteriorating relationships with the villains of the world who are convinced he’s going soft, and you have a wonderfully well-rounded novel filled with action, mysteries, and genuine personal growth.
Part of the strength of the series is that I’m really not certain where Fid will end up in his personal journey, but I’ve already started the next book so I can find out.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
Fid, being Fid, decides to use this confusion to pretend to become the hero in question, just so he can further expose how unworthy heroes are of the public’s respect, but in doing so begins to learn that the world is much more complicated than the black and white image he has clung to throughout his career and the journey he has started down might just be more true than he wants it to be.
It’s amazing that a novel that is as heavily psychological as this one is, could also be packed to the gills with amazing action scenes. David Reiss has given more thought to the armored hero / villain than the creators of Iron Man ever did and the reader benefits tremendously from this care on his part. Plus, Fid is a scientific genius to put Tony Stark and Reed Richards to shame and this time he really has to put his IQ to the test as he struggles to unravel numerous complicated puzzles in both his heroic / villainous career and his personal life.
Add to that his developing relationship with a couple of heroes you know he wants to like, his touching guardianship of Whisper, a child AI who oh so obviously reminds him of his long dead little brother, and even his deteriorating relationships with the villains of the world who are convinced he’s going soft, and you have a wonderfully well-rounded novel filled with action, mysteries, and genuine personal growth.
Part of the strength of the series is that I’m really not certain where Fid will end up in his personal journey, but I’ve already started the next book so I can find out.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
May 16, 2021
I went into the first book with nervousness, because I didn't know anything about it. I went into this book with tons of personal hype and it exceeded my expectations. But I'm so nervous and excited about the next book.
Thing I want:
An alternate scene where Fid didn't call Red Ghost out. I would have hated it if the book did that, but...
Edit:
I believe this is the most gory of the trilogy. Most of the reasons are pretty heavy spoilers for the last fifth of the book, but... Terry gets into a public accident and that lasts... Also we learn more about the Ancient and he was horrible!
Thing I want:
An alternate scene where Fid didn't call Red Ghost out. I would have hated it if the book did that, but...
Edit:
I believe this is the most gory of the trilogy. Most of the reasons are pretty heavy spoilers for the last fifth of the book, but... Terry gets into a public accident and that lasts... Also we learn more about the Ancient and he was horrible!
April 6, 2019
I can't exactly recall how I heard about "Fid's Crusade" by David H. Reiss, but I'm glad I picked up. As a big fan of any kind of superhero fiction, this interesting slant on the genre was squarely in my wheelhouse. "Behind Distant Stars" is the second book in the series and pivots in an exciting new direction following the first novel.
Smooth and consistent, the same comments from my review of book #1 still apply. In this novel, the author adds some more twists;
- Dr. Fid becomes much more human, continuing his journey started in the first book
- His secret identity life becomes just as dangerous as his other role
- Much more interaction outside of combat with other characters.
- Little more insight to the character.
Very satisfying as was the first.
- The novel moves wicked fast, but pack an immense amount of detail and emotion in each chapter.
- Combat choreography is suitably 4 color and fun to read.
- Our anti-hero protag, Dr. Fid, is well-developed, with clear voice and motives. Very enjoyable.
- One of the more interesting aspects of the work is how Reiss is able to leverage tropes and conventions in the genre and make it them work on his behalf. No handwavium needed to explain that the bad guy has powered battle armor. Very clever in opting to use things that way.
I found it really enjoyable and fun. No deep or profound thoughts, really. Just a bunch of compelling characters, an uncommon POV and high-action adventures.
Smooth and consistent, the same comments from my review of book #1 still apply. In this novel, the author adds some more twists;
- Dr. Fid becomes much more human, continuing his journey started in the first book
- His secret identity life becomes just as dangerous as his other role
- Much more interaction outside of combat with other characters.
- Little more insight to the character.
Very satisfying as was the first.
- The novel moves wicked fast, but pack an immense amount of detail and emotion in each chapter.
- Combat choreography is suitably 4 color and fun to read.
- Our anti-hero protag, Dr. Fid, is well-developed, with clear voice and motives. Very enjoyable.
- One of the more interesting aspects of the work is how Reiss is able to leverage tropes and conventions in the genre and make it them work on his behalf. No handwavium needed to explain that the bad guy has powered battle armor. Very clever in opting to use things that way.
I found it really enjoyable and fun. No deep or profound thoughts, really. Just a bunch of compelling characters, an uncommon POV and high-action adventures.
March 10, 2020
The second book in the Chronicles of Fid series was just as good as the first. Just like the last one, this is primarily a character study of Doctor Fid, but there was a bit more cohesive plot all the way through this time. There's also plenty of action as well. I've been really enjoying seeing the genius inventor on the villain side instead of the hero side.
I feel like some things that were barely touched on in the first book were expanded on and explained a little bit more, which I liked. There was a lot more delving into the past to see motivations and the specifics of certain events.
I liked the character growth of Doctor Fid in this one a lot. I won't go too far into it to avoid spoilers, but the slow changing of his viewpoint based on the events that occur, and the self reflection were well done. I really liked that part of it.
This one had a few funnier parts to it. I don't know if it's because I know the characters a little better, but there were some times that I laughed out loud while reading, which is always good for me.
Overall this was another great Superhero book with epic battles, high stakes, and a really interesting main character. I took some time between reading the first and second book, but I'm going to have to immediately jump into the third one.
I feel like some things that were barely touched on in the first book were expanded on and explained a little bit more, which I liked. There was a lot more delving into the past to see motivations and the specifics of certain events.
I liked the character growth of Doctor Fid in this one a lot. I won't go too far into it to avoid spoilers, but the slow changing of his viewpoint based on the events that occur, and the self reflection were well done. I really liked that part of it.
This one had a few funnier parts to it. I don't know if it's because I know the characters a little better, but there were some times that I laughed out loud while reading, which is always good for me.
Overall this was another great Superhero book with epic battles, high stakes, and a really interesting main character. I took some time between reading the first and second book, but I'm going to have to immediately jump into the third one.
March 2, 2020
I like how the reader feels regarding Doctor Fid's actions, that foundation built upon on how he feels about what he's doing up until the end of the book. Things definitely got a bit more brutal, as even in the last book we only ever really got snippets on why he's seen as such a monster (before, I mostly just got the impression people were more threatened by what he can do and the property damage he caused than what he did do.). Breaking super powered hero's limbs is one thing, mercilessly killing a villain is a step up from that. The history lessons on his career are nice snippets as well, I especially liked the impressionistic image I got of people's terror at basically seeing the equivalent of Superman getting beat and hurt by the good doctor. At first, the reminders of his silhouette in the armor was getting a bit tedious but it grew on me as I really do love the image of his armor in my mind(When I now think of the most pleasing armor I can think of for a hero/villain, it's no longer Iron Man, it's Doctor Phid's). Once again, a superb book but oh how I dread reading the next one as it means I may never find a villain story as good as this in my future book hunts.
February 12, 2022
Middle book syndrome aplenty - but it also has to be said that the final boss fight is five stars writing, clever, twisty, and fully lives up to the quality of the first book.
Strangely enough that otherworldly battle at the beginning of the end reminded me (at first) of how author Terry Pratchett, good as he was, could never quite nail the trope of eldrich horrors in the grandstands. Reiss does a really good job of that here.
Three and a half stars rounded down instead of up - and that's mostly because the cliffhanger involves Whisper, the AI kid sidekick that is the least interresting person (if that's the right word) in the series.
I get that she's necessary for the tone of the book the author is aiming for and the human balancing civilian side persona of Doctor Fid, but she's also a large speed bump in terms of hindering more comedy - I would have prefered the tone going in another direction with maybe a second sidekick wielding experimental gadgets in minor battles and delivering funny lines for both heroes and Fid to play on, that would have made for better overall balance
Strangely enough that otherworldly battle at the beginning of the end reminded me (at first) of how author Terry Pratchett, good as he was, could never quite nail the trope of eldrich horrors in the grandstands. Reiss does a really good job of that here.
Three and a half stars rounded down instead of up - and that's mostly because the cliffhanger involves Whisper, the AI kid sidekick that is the least interresting person (if that's the right word) in the series.
I get that she's necessary for the tone of the book the author is aiming for and the human balancing civilian side persona of Doctor Fid, but she's also a large speed bump in terms of hindering more comedy - I would have prefered the tone going in another direction with maybe a second sidekick wielding experimental gadgets in minor battles and delivering funny lines for both heroes and Fid to play on, that would have made for better overall balance
December 10, 2024
In the first book Fid is painted as almost amoral with a soft side. In this book he is rescuing crying schoolchildren and, literally, getting kittens from trees. It's not a bad book but it feels like it drifted a bit far from the original premise.
The action was good, the characters generally good, I liked the dialogues and just wish there had been more words-based conflict. The narration was good but perhaps slightly overdone in places.
The book also spent far, far too long in the past. There were lots of flashbacks to Fid's childhood and early years that really only covered things that were already sufficiently explained in book 1.
All in all it's a perfectly fine sequel but didn't quite live up to book 1's example.
The action was good, the characters generally good, I liked the dialogues and just wish there had been more words-based conflict. The narration was good but perhaps slightly overdone in places.
The book also spent far, far too long in the past. There were lots of flashbacks to Fid's childhood and early years that really only covered things that were already sufficiently explained in book 1.
All in all it's a perfectly fine sequel but didn't quite live up to book 1's example.
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June 6, 2025I liked this book better than the first book! There were no official business meetings like there were in the first, so I imagine that was just to establish what Fid did in his day job. We now only see him taking dinner meetings and they don’t last nearly as long. The banter is still fun and it’s nice to see him make some tentative friends. There is a little more gore in this book for those that would care about that sort of thing. Where the deaths in the last book were more “off screen” or how the deaths happened were glossed over, we now have “on screen” and some detail.
October 18, 2019
Behind Distant Stars follows the same formula as Fid's Crusade. The story is more streamlined and linear (less jumping). The moral/mental dilemmas are once again excellent and we get to see Fid on a foray as a prospective hero. But as a villain turned hero, is he really all that different from the false-heros he hates?
The overarching plot is not as strong as the first book imo, and i did not feel that the situation created required as much of his attention. The ending fight scene felt a little deus-ex. But the ending and wrapup were fantastic and i picked up the next book soon after.
The overarching plot is not as strong as the first book imo, and i did not feel that the situation created required as much of his attention. The ending fight scene felt a little deus-ex. But the ending and wrapup were fantastic and i picked up the next book soon after.
April 3, 2019
Hail Fid!
I am sick and tired of the "grim-dark" style of storytelling that now pervades all media. I like it when the bad guys lose and the good guys win. Dr. Fid is a good, old-fashion anti-hero that you can really get behind and root for. That is not to say that he is a simple character or doesn't perform some questionable acts and things don't always go his way. But, in the balance you can count on Dr. Fid to come through for you.
I am sick and tired of the "grim-dark" style of storytelling that now pervades all media. I like it when the bad guys lose and the good guys win. Dr. Fid is a good, old-fashion anti-hero that you can really get behind and root for. That is not to say that he is a simple character or doesn't perform some questionable acts and things don't always go his way. But, in the balance you can count on Dr. Fid to come through for you.
February 15, 2020
Enthralled yet beffled
I was gobsmacked by how engrossed and engaged I was by the first book. Just thoroughly enthralled and invested. A fantastic exhibition of literary entertainment. So riddle me this: how does this David Reid's guy maintain this level of badassery a second time? I am stumped. Oh well, guess it's time to see if he can pull out the hat trick.
I was gobsmacked by how engrossed and engaged I was by the first book. Just thoroughly enthralled and invested. A fantastic exhibition of literary entertainment. So riddle me this: how does this David Reid's guy maintain this level of badassery a second time? I am stumped. Oh well, guess it's time to see if he can pull out the hat trick.
September 15, 2018
I'm not one to write reviews. I rather read. That said, I really liked the story. I did miss the the parts the writer left out. The actual evil deeds. Glossing over the details. Suddenly our anti-villain has the spine of someone. Thats like a whole chapter skipped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2018
Dr Fid(P.H.D.)punisher of false Superheroes
There is no such thing as magic, just science we don't understand yet is the theme of this book. It is also show why a villian who doesn't have to follow the law can get more done. Can't wait for the next book.
There is no such thing as magic, just science we don't understand yet is the theme of this book. It is also show why a villian who doesn't have to follow the law can get more done. Can't wait for the next book.
November 20, 2018
Redemption via Violence
The second installment of the Chronicles of Fid, is an awesome tale of redemption and reversion... I am looking forward to the third of the chronicles. This is a MUST READ for those involved with the super-hero genre. Thank You.
The second installment of the Chronicles of Fid, is an awesome tale of redemption and reversion... I am looking forward to the third of the chronicles. This is a MUST READ for those involved with the super-hero genre. Thank You.
November 16, 2023
Great second book.
Great continuation of the first book, can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I'm curious to see if Fid ever going to leave the Earth, even if temporarily.
Great continuation of the first book, can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I'm curious to see if Fid ever going to leave the Earth, even if temporarily.
February 1, 2024
Doctor Fid is a very complex character. He is dealing with a lot in this episode. Saving the Earth? Well, is that for a villain or a hero? Maybe it needs both. The action is great, and of course we are left in awe of Doctor Fid.
January 1, 2019
A thoroughly enjoyable series
This series has been an enjoyable reading experience. Interesting and creative along with moments of unexpected emotion. Please give them a chance.
This series has been an enjoyable reading experience. Interesting and creative along with moments of unexpected emotion. Please give them a chance.
January 30, 2019
Fid returns triumphant.
Love the developing story. Characters have depth and variety. Plot is quirky but runs at a good pace. Easy to read and good fun.
Love the developing story. Characters have depth and variety. Plot is quirky but runs at a good pace. Easy to read and good fun.
May 6, 2019
Leaves you wanting for more. Rarely has second book been as good as first if not better in atrilogy and this book achieves that with ease.
Off to Books 3....
Off to Books 3....
May 23, 2019
Great
While the ending was a bit of a dissappointment the book was quite good with plenty of action and plot twists, a truly fine read.
While the ending was a bit of a dissappointment the book was quite good with plenty of action and plot twists, a truly fine read.
August 16, 2019
Epic
Such a great Gorham book I really enjoy this series I'm off to read the third one I think this author is really cool and I love the universe and I get to visit thank you David
Such a great Gorham book I really enjoy this series I'm off to read the third one I think this author is really cool and I love the universe and I get to visit thank you David
May 26, 2022
Excellent sequel.
July 27, 2022
Kind of slow in places. Easy to put down.
September 28, 2022
Reiss does a good job of portraying a genius intellect. It never feels like he's stretching to sound smart... and the science is close enough to the "real" to be believable.
November 26, 2022
Good continuation to the series, lets see who Sid needs to break to get his sister back. I am glad the author deal with MC guilt regarding what happened to his brother, at least he has the prescense of mind to acept his fault in it. BUt the revange against the pranc was quite vicious and exagerated.
February 21, 2023
The second book about the notorious Dr. Fid picks up a little while after the first.
Fid has had a good thing going: Super-smart, extremely genre-savvy, he has a host of technological toys that have made him one of, if not the, top supervillains of the world. And he has a driving passion to punish all the heroes that don't measure up to his standards of heroism to push him into the villain side of things.
That last also caused him to deliberately send himself insane, something he has long since drawn back from, so that he can properly live his double-life as the CEO of a cutting edge tech firm that he uses to introduce some truly useful technologies. And that, you know, sort of led him into saving the world.
Public opinion is, naturally, mixed on this development. As is Fid. This is a deeply character-driven story, as Fid insists to himself, and everyone else, that he doesn't deserve to be seen as anything but a monster, the monster he was quite happy to be a decade or so before. But there are people who, looking at his current actions, see someone deserving of a good measure of trust—and in spite of his internal protests, he lives up to these expectations.
Of course, there is plenty of purely external conflict to go around too, which forms the main skeleton of the story, while the character side provides the muscle. We get some more world building; its not as fundamental as in the first book, but certainly interesting, and plot-relevant. The stakes seem lower than the first book (where do you go after saving the world?), but—spoiler—not so much. As a needed warning, the last part changes tone noticeably, and gets... extremely violent. I'm glad it was in text, I don't know if I could take much of it in a visual medium. But, again, it's plot-relevant.
So, an extremely successful second book, that does not fall into sequelitis, and is just a bit better than the original. It does end on something of a cliffhanger however!
Fid has had a good thing going: Super-smart, extremely genre-savvy, he has a host of technological toys that have made him one of, if not the, top supervillains of the world. And he has a driving passion to punish all the heroes that don't measure up to his standards of heroism to push him into the villain side of things.
That last also caused him to deliberately send himself insane, something he has long since drawn back from, so that he can properly live his double-life as the CEO of a cutting edge tech firm that he uses to introduce some truly useful technologies. And that, you know, sort of led him into saving the world.
Public opinion is, naturally, mixed on this development. As is Fid. This is a deeply character-driven story, as Fid insists to himself, and everyone else, that he doesn't deserve to be seen as anything but a monster, the monster he was quite happy to be a decade or so before. But there are people who, looking at his current actions, see someone deserving of a good measure of trust—and in spite of his internal protests, he lives up to these expectations.
Of course, there is plenty of purely external conflict to go around too, which forms the main skeleton of the story, while the character side provides the muscle. We get some more world building; its not as fundamental as in the first book, but certainly interesting, and plot-relevant. The stakes seem lower than the first book (where do you go after saving the world?), but—spoiler—not so much. As a needed warning, the last part changes tone noticeably, and gets... extremely violent. I'm glad it was in text, I don't know if I could take much of it in a visual medium. But, again, it's plot-relevant.
So, an extremely successful second book, that does not fall into sequelitis, and is just a bit better than the original. It does end on something of a cliffhanger however!
October 22, 2021
The weird science, magic and "everything goes" vibe of comics is weird to digest in book form, but it's a testament to the premise's cool factor that I came back for the second book. This one I feel suffers a lot of 2nd-in-a-trilogy crisis. It lacks direction and starts like a series of disconnected anecdotes, and even if it all comes together a bit near the end, the payoff of progress being made is lacking throughout.
Doctor Fid also varies wildly between ruthless villain and noble paladin, but the overall impression is not as much an anti-hero as he's a confused person. The writing is less than stellar; Fid's inner monologues and quips are dorkier than before, a style that hurts action scenes the most (I just checked my review of the 1st book and I made a similar complaint there, the action feels detached), and many characters are shallow (or worse, unrealistic), with the lack of a clear plot thread making that more obvious than in the first book. Still, Fid's concept and design is fantastic, a great power fantasy in a world that really draws you in, the magic users are a good choice of villain, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Doctor Fid also varies wildly between ruthless villain and noble paladin, but the overall impression is not as much an anti-hero as he's a confused person. The writing is less than stellar; Fid's inner monologues and quips are dorkier than before, a style that hurts action scenes the most (I just checked my review of the 1st book and I made a similar complaint there, the action feels detached), and many characters are shallow (or worse, unrealistic), with the lack of a clear plot thread making that more obvious than in the first book. Still, Fid's concept and design is fantastic, a great power fantasy in a world that really draws you in, the magic users are a good choice of villain, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
January 22, 2020
Completely enjoyable
A great romp on the villain side but with a character who remains sympathetic. Best entry into the super hero genre I've read in some time
A great romp on the villain side but with a character who remains sympathetic. Best entry into the super hero genre I've read in some time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews