Colony War

The Elderon Chronicles #2

by Tarah Benner

From the author of Colony One comes an action-packed sequel to the near-future conspiracy.
An army of bots is roaming the space station — hijacked by a terrorist inside BlumBot International. The bots share a hive mind that learns and adapts, making them the most deadly adversaries Jonah has ever faced.

Jonah and Maggie are prepared to fight alongside the Space Force, but how can they defeat an army that never eats, never sleeps, and never grows tired? To protect the colony, they must join forces with Tripp Van de Graaf — the cocky young executive with dimples for days. Tripp makes no effort to hide his attraction toward Maggie, and Jonah hates him instantly. But Tripp’s company holds the key to defeating the bots: their human creator, Ziva Blum.

When Maggie, Tripp, and Jonah learn that more humanoids are hibernating on Earth, they must race to stop a madman bent on destruction and save the world from a robot apocalypse.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Dystopia, Romance, Space Opera

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2018

About the author

Tarah Benner is the author of more than 25 books, including Witches of Mountain Shadow, Mountain Shadow Mysteries, The Fringe, the Elderon Chronicles, the Lawless Saga, and more.
She lives and writes in sunny Colorado with her two dogs, a cat, a toddler, and her beloved partner in crime. When she’s not writing, she enjoys breakfast, hiking, yoga, and martial arts.

Reviews

[Empress Reece (Hooked on Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars...

Loved it! Non-Stop action, murderous AI's, a journalist in over her head and a military Sergeant with a past that keeps rearing its ugly head...what more can you ask for?! : )

I have to say Tarah Benner's Author's Notes are absolutely fascinating! I look forward to reading those just as much as I do the actual book. She presents an amazing amount of factual data about the world we live in that is just scary. If you ever read any of her books, you've got to read her notes in the back; they're very interesting and informative. I spent at least two hours after I finished the book just looking up all of the topics she mentioned.

[Anissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books in a series that you read and realize, you could have skipped entirely for all the forward momentum in plot that took place. The relevant bits could have been pared down and split between the first book and the third (heaven help me, I'm going to begin reading that one tonight). 

The story picks up quite literally where the first book leaves off because the first didn't have an ending, just an abrupt full stop scene cut. So the bots are going rogue and Maggie and Jonah are basically trying to be the double team solution. As the story plays out here, it's often an aimless, nonsensical and irritating unplanned mess. They run, they posture, they make to be daring and brave but alas, it's all sturm and drang as most of it results in nothing worthwhile (that's pretty much saved for the last quarter of the book). 

One of the more annoying things here is that Maggie's undercover and fake Space Force credentials have come to light yet when it serves the plot, she's treated and spoken of as though those credentials are real. I almost tossed the book when this happened in interaction with actual military personnel on Earth. Worse, Jonah did all the talking and it really made her redundant in the scene. As far as utility to a fight, it made no sense for Jonah to have Maggie accompany him to chase down Buford, especially as Jonah was heretofore most worried about Buford killing her. Buford's left Elderon for Earth? Leave Maggie on the station. But no, Jonah asks her to help him go apprehend Buford and she goes. Mind, she's only had one week of firearms training (which finally occurs to him when they actually have to fight) and he seeks out no one else in his cadet group (Ping's hurt but Kholi and the other two have apparently disappeared into the ether).

There's more but I just don't want to go on. Suffice it to say, this ended with me not even liking Jonah any longer. Maggie, I can still stand but she's got some annoyance points racked up here. Also, there's very little Tripp in this one as he's still on Elderon and continues to have no POV chapters. The tech industry parts are still some of the best of the book but the characterizations are lacking. As I don't like Jonah, the attraction between him and Maggie really falls flat.

If you must, I'd recommend reading the last quarter because the action was well done. I'll even give the author's Afterword some points because it's well done, informative and really shows how she researched for her story.

[Ben Kindall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book after surprisingly enjoying the first in the series. The bad writing really stuck out to me more and the story didn’t make up for it this time. A forced romance, an evil villain with no real motive other than being an angry brother, killer robots whose only method of killing was trying to choke someone out. Seriously, there were like seven or eight “near death” experiences and every single time the robot just tried to choke the main characters to death. It just felt lazy. They’re supposed to be these advanced robots, have some creative writing please. The two main characters have really not built any romantic chemistry over the first two books, but the author feels the need to randomly interject one character noticing the others smell or appearance, at the most insane times. Our two main characters are dying of heat exhaustion and the female character takes the time to mention that he smells like oranges… like why? They survive a robot choke attack and then make out against a wall, even though their partner had just been choked to death and his body was lying on the ground. I finished the final 300 pages of this book just to say I was done with it, not for enjoyment and I highly doubt I’ll revisit this series to see where the story goes.

[Destiny Ciera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series so far

Book one for five stars, this one gets four. It didn't quite good up to book one. There were many times that I felt the tech got too complicated for the story telling. It started feeling more like I needed to Google things to sort out what was going on. Don't get me wrong, Ms. Bennett is a great story teller but this book just didn't give me as much character substance as usual for her. There wasn't much of the characters relating to each other. When looking back, you realize that this entire book takes place in like a couple days tops. She just got the deal best out of her a few days ago and suddenly she's up and around like nothing ever happened. They never eat, sleep or simply dialogue. It almost seems like she just follows Jonah around but neither of them have much direction or purpose. I don't know, I feel like if the third book doesn't give more attention to making the reader feel a connection to the person of the characters as well as showing me how they connected t with each other (not just the main characters, although pri.still them, but side characters as well like Jared and Tripp and others) then I feel like I will be facing my first real letdown by Fatah Benner. I've read all of her books and have been obsessed with each one. I really hope this series will turn out just as great but it will need a little less tech Fed emotions and more character building and story content. I'm keeping the higher than deserved star rating for now because book one was excellent and I have high hopes for book three so hoping that with all the pieces together, this one will end up as a sufficient filler.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reality!!!

This continuation of the story of the colony on Elderon was difficult to put down. The research by author Benner is put to good use as advanced technology, politics and personal vendetta are skillfully employed as Jonah and Maggie and the Space Force face off with robots, hacked and dangerous.

The what, who and why are exposed in this fast-paced, exciting story set in the not so distant future while the burgeoning romance between Space Force officer Jonah and news reporter Maggie begins to heat up. Reality is hitting on all fronts!

Benner paints a picture using "advanced" technology and everyday devices we use today to make life "easier" to create a community and lifestyle that is so close to "real" it is chilling. I see how smoothly the corporate politics have eased into our lives as we mildly acquiesce to their need. This plot is such an eye-opener! Reality!

I anxiously await the next book in this engrossing series, and having received an ARC I highly recommend to readers of science and technology and those who want dystopian genre steeped in reality.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting

This series by Tarah Benner has been a joy to read. She has done her research on and created a very logical future communication system. She has made the system benign (so as to keep folks from freaking out and getting caught up in something other than the "big brother" issues). Read her authors notes - they are fascinating.
This book focuses on life on Elderon, the first totally private space station/luxury resort. The upside and down of initial occupation and running of the resort is perfectly rendered. She has a perfectly reasoned explanation why robots will be responsible for all the things we take for granted when we take a vacation.
When the very dark side of robotics rears its ugly head, it's easy to see why some people freak out at the thought of robots being our house cleaners, dog walkers or anything else.
If possible I would have given the book four and a half stars for thinking sergeants were officers, but that rounds to five stars.
I'd tell you this is a different kind of kindlier, friendlier space opera, but its villains are nasty and tragedy seems to be just around the corner.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much fighting and drama I enjoyed the mystery and science fiction. But there were times I had questions like how many times can they get thrown around until they don’t get up? Like I get that they strong and motivated but damn they get beat bloody and take no breaks, don’t sleep, eat or go to sleep. I don’t know If im fixating but I would have liked for that to be included. Everything seemed important and their time was running out to figure out who was behind the attacks. I found it exciting that they would all working together building connections. It’s crazy to think that they can just fly to earth whenever they want, the trust Maggie and Jonah have built is interesting. Since they don’t really know much of each other but their actions and motives.

[Kasandra Kurutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dystopian and SciFi

Non-stop action from page 1 with a seamless transition from Colony One. The thought that went into this story line is amazing and intricate. Just when you think a situation will be solved, it takes a turn.
As always, in books I love, there is the love interest that blossoms in the face of tragedy and grows. And I love the strong woman that isn't over the top, in that strongness, still has her vulnerabilities.

[Monica Peavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man this book is so exciting!

Maggie and Jonah are embroiled in battle on the space station and then they go to Earth or there's more bots and more technology and they keep winning little battles and they don't seem to get a break?
It looks like they need to get back to the space station but they're on Earth so this is quite a series?
I think this would make an excellent television series about getting into more detail it's just too much going on to explain it all.

[Michele Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! It is the second series of this author’s I’ve read and it is just nonstop sci-fi fun and action! The ending author’s commentary is one of my favorite parts! People truly don’t realize how many of their basic rights they are giving away freely by agreeing to and using technology - as a tech major, I definitely see the benefits of technology but so many just don’t even consider things they have as a convenience could be terrifying in the wrong hands! Keep them coming!!!

[Afonso Loureiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a bit of a let down. The first book was very good.

It seems that the characters forgot things they learned in the first book. Basic things like what are your enemies weak spots.

There is also a sequence of three short paragraphs where Maggie simply realizes things. Sentence, realization. Sentence, realization. Sentence, realization.

The story becomes very, very linear, in a sharp contrast with the first book.

[A Schaeffs · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way the book is written and considering the way technology is taking over our lives, the plot is horrifying and gripping. I have bought into Maggie, and how can we not like Jonah? Trip is kind of thrown in the middle, a little of a cliché but with his influence and wealth the story can move forward.

I really enjoy the action in this series, whether in the space station or on earth, the plot thickens and I am more sold on the series than with the first book.

[Suki Rickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2 colony

Book 2 had a few errors throughout and was a slow book. The characters and plot had potential, but was the same as the first book but on Earth instead. I will not read book 3. It will probably be the same but back at the space station, so it will repeat itself.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as book one. I know it’s fiction, I know it’s science-fiction I also know that making the villain a super duper evil I know everything and can predict everything ruins it for me
And the stuff the two main characters do on earth are stupid.

[●Gina● · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book started this series out strong but the second felt like it was severely lacking something. I stopped caring about the robot war and even the romance between Jonah and Maggie because so much yet nothing was happening at the same time.

[Debbie Reale Hallowell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Future forseen

Close enough to the world we live in to be perfectly plausible. So while the book is entertaining it is scarier for the implication to our future.

[anna moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!

You got me with the ending of the first book. I was on a jaunty ride and then boom! I have been waiting for the sequel, I was not disappointed. Hurry up with the next one.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars.

This book was a good sequel. Lots of fast-paced action. Can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully it’s not too far away.

[Sandy Evanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colony War

It was an interesting book to read. I could do without the cussing though. The political propaganda at the end was way too much.

[Jennifer Creador · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!!

Another gripping plot. Another page turner. I truly loved this book almost as much as the first. And finally a kissing scene!!!!

[Dave T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting follow-up

This was a good continuation of the first book. These are definitely not standalone stories and need to be read in order.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is more focussed on the problem of fighting robots, but I do enjoy Tripp acting as the deus ex machina each time they need to do something crazy

[Dana Safford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still has my interest

This is a fast-paced romp through a future that is not recognizable. I couldn't put it down.
On to the third book.

[Anna Koke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had higher hopes for this book following the first in the series. Still liked it but not eager to continue the series yet. Might come back to it

[Thais · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment has the same flaws as the first. When everything is new on the first book, here just became repetitive, nothing new is added. There is more action, but with a plot this thin, it's not really enjoyable. Some of the characters actions are questionable and the villain is plain and his goals are generic. I want to how they will defeat the threat, but I'm hoping the next installment isn't just a repetition of this one.

The narrator did an amazing job, specially her male voice, it's quite surprising the variety of voices she can make.

[Ann G. Roy · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was a waste of time. DNF.