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AI Fleet #2
Devastator
Jain thought he'd never go back. Ten years had passed since he last had dealings with humans and their machines. He was happy. He'd built a base for himself and his Void Warriors around the barren moon of a gas giant, where they planned to live out their immortal days in peace. And then humanity came looking for them. Hunting them. Now they have no choice but to return. But what they find waiting for them in human territory will make them wish they'd never left their new home.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2018
362 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Isaac Hooke
102 books506 followersIsaac Hooke is the best-selling author of the Ethan Galaal series of thriller novels, as well as the SF-themed ATLAS trilogy. When Isaac isn't writing, publishing, and blogging, he's busy cycling and taking pictures in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He has a degree in Engineering Physics.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
You can follow Isaac on Twitter @IsaacHooke and his website http://IsaacHooke.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 9, 2021
It could have been great instead it became merely silly.
There were way too many examples. I am loathed to go back and re-read, but, from memory -
The mimic's hour was 1.314 times that of an Earth hour... Let that sink in a moment, I don't think I can do justice to how stupid a statement that is.
Or, when referring to the appearance of 200 ships, "[The mimics] like their whole numbers". Why, yes! Who would want 199.5 ships? But more, if one presumes the author meant "They like their powers of ten", that might have been insightful if we discovered the aliens had 10 digits on their hands or similar...
I could go on. I guess if you don't pay the slightest attention (I recommend having a stiff drink before reading) you might be able to overlook the howlers on each page. Maybe you can even forgive the hacking attempt being pictured as a medieval RPG. At some point though, you will inevitably be faced with one too many laughably clunky analogies and be dragged screaming back to reality.
Similar errors were in the first book, but less frequently so. "Devastator" is so full of glaring holes it's really hard to find a discernable plot - which is a shame, as it really promised to be a great plot.
There were way too many examples. I am loathed to go back and re-read, but, from memory -
The mimic's hour was 1.314 times that of an Earth hour... Let that sink in a moment, I don't think I can do justice to how stupid a statement that is.
Or, when referring to the appearance of 200 ships, "[The mimics] like their whole numbers". Why, yes! Who would want 199.5 ships? But more, if one presumes the author meant "They like their powers of ten", that might have been insightful if we discovered the aliens had 10 digits on their hands or similar...
I could go on. I guess if you don't pay the slightest attention (I recommend having a stiff drink before reading) you might be able to overlook the howlers on each page. Maybe you can even forgive the hacking attempt being pictured as a medieval RPG. At some point though, you will inevitably be faced with one too many laughably clunky analogies and be dragged screaming back to reality.
Similar errors were in the first book, but less frequently so. "Devastator" is so full of glaring holes it's really hard to find a discernable plot - which is a shame, as it really promised to be a great plot.
May 27, 2019
Good story
I enjoyed the book and the series so far. A few notes tho, the story felt forced. Very mechanical which is much the nature of the machinery in the book. But more mechanical writing. Almost a list of instructions on what happened next. This happened, then this happened, then he did this. It was difficult to get a good immersion in the story.
The ideas and overall plot was great, the author just needs more writing experience. Keep writing and developing your technique. Definitely an author I’ll keep my eye on and read everything written by.
I enjoyed the book and the series so far. A few notes tho, the story felt forced. Very mechanical which is much the nature of the machinery in the book. But more mechanical writing. Almost a list of instructions on what happened next. This happened, then this happened, then he did this. It was difficult to get a good immersion in the story.
The ideas and overall plot was great, the author just needs more writing experience. Keep writing and developing your technique. Definitely an author I’ll keep my eye on and read everything written by.
December 11, 2018
I just can not get my mind around starships as characters in a book. This is what the main characters in this book are, Mind-refurbs built into AI capsules inside a gigantic starship. These were once humans that for some strange reason, volunteered their brains for transplanting into AI cores when they died. Some knew that the technology to do that didn’t exist when they died, so they really didn’t know what they were agreeing to. Most of the Mind-refurbs are or were military and once the military gets ahold of you, the don’t let go.
Jain is the main character and he leads the Void Warriors. The Void Warriors are a collection of surviving starships from a battle that happened prior to the first book. In that book, Jain was the first one to come to and realized what had happen after he again realized what he was. He was damaged some in the battle because not all of his memories are intact. Still, he know enough to get his starship (himself) repaired and ready for combat again. The other Mind-refurb starships, I think there’s six or so in total, do make a similar recovery with Jain around to tell them what he things happened. They all agreed to let Jain lead them and the set about trying to find out who had attacked and what their mission had been.
During that first mission, the Void Warriors found out who the enemy was and tried to report back to Earth Command. Instead, they were accused of making up a story about an alien enemy while they actually went rogue and destroyed the rest of the fleet themselves. Seeing how they had no concrete evidence of the alien enemy, the Void Warriors fled human controlled space so as not to be reprogrammed.
There is an inordinate amount of discussion about the fact that while their AI brains can be backed up and later restored, they don’t believe they will still be themselves. The believe that they die no matter what and the restored copy of themselves will be an entirely different person. They won’t remember anything thatg happens from the time they died or were destroyed until the time they are recovered from a backup copy. While this is a good philosophical debate, it doesn’t really matter because the Mind-refurb that died will be dead, end of discussion. If the copy realizes it’s just a copy of the original, so what, they are alive and the original (or other copy) is gone; get on with it!
Anyway, back to this book. The Void Warriors are trying to figure out who the new enemy is and why they are attacking humanity. They are accosted by a human fleet in a remote star system where they have been repairing and building new ships for the last ten years. This human fleet tells them that they can come back to Earth if they will assist Earth Command in defeating the new enemy, who have been named the “Mimics” because they can appear to be human spacecraft anytime they want. That’s what happens in this encounter. The friendly human appearing fleet is really the Mimics who are seeking to destroy the Void Warriors. The Mimics are also Mind-refurbs so there are no humans in any of these books apparently!
So, can the Void Warriors defeat this new group of Mimics and can they really return to Earth and help defend humanity. It seems strange though, in that humanity has already been destroyed. Most everyone on Earth and other colonies have become Mind-refurbs by transferring their consciousness into highly advanced android bodies. Keep in mind, these Mind-refurbs will live for all eternity since they have no frail human forms any more. I’m not sure what they are fighting for since the enemy is the same thing, Mind-refurbs.
Again, this series continues with book 3, although it’s not given a title in this book. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of these, although I did say that in my first book review!
Jain is the main character and he leads the Void Warriors. The Void Warriors are a collection of surviving starships from a battle that happened prior to the first book. In that book, Jain was the first one to come to and realized what had happen after he again realized what he was. He was damaged some in the battle because not all of his memories are intact. Still, he know enough to get his starship (himself) repaired and ready for combat again. The other Mind-refurb starships, I think there’s six or so in total, do make a similar recovery with Jain around to tell them what he things happened. They all agreed to let Jain lead them and the set about trying to find out who had attacked and what their mission had been.
During that first mission, the Void Warriors found out who the enemy was and tried to report back to Earth Command. Instead, they were accused of making up a story about an alien enemy while they actually went rogue and destroyed the rest of the fleet themselves. Seeing how they had no concrete evidence of the alien enemy, the Void Warriors fled human controlled space so as not to be reprogrammed.
There is an inordinate amount of discussion about the fact that while their AI brains can be backed up and later restored, they don’t believe they will still be themselves. The believe that they die no matter what and the restored copy of themselves will be an entirely different person. They won’t remember anything thatg happens from the time they died or were destroyed until the time they are recovered from a backup copy. While this is a good philosophical debate, it doesn’t really matter because the Mind-refurb that died will be dead, end of discussion. If the copy realizes it’s just a copy of the original, so what, they are alive and the original (or other copy) is gone; get on with it!
Anyway, back to this book. The Void Warriors are trying to figure out who the new enemy is and why they are attacking humanity. They are accosted by a human fleet in a remote star system where they have been repairing and building new ships for the last ten years. This human fleet tells them that they can come back to Earth if they will assist Earth Command in defeating the new enemy, who have been named the “Mimics” because they can appear to be human spacecraft anytime they want. That’s what happens in this encounter. The friendly human appearing fleet is really the Mimics who are seeking to destroy the Void Warriors. The Mimics are also Mind-refurbs so there are no humans in any of these books apparently!
So, can the Void Warriors defeat this new group of Mimics and can they really return to Earth and help defend humanity. It seems strange though, in that humanity has already been destroyed. Most everyone on Earth and other colonies have become Mind-refurbs by transferring their consciousness into highly advanced android bodies. Keep in mind, these Mind-refurbs will live for all eternity since they have no frail human forms any more. I’m not sure what they are fighting for since the enemy is the same thing, Mind-refurbs.
Again, this series continues with book 3, although it’s not given a title in this book. I don’t think I’ll be reading any more of these, although I did say that in my first book review!
October 24, 2018
"That would have hurt if I were human."
In seconds, a Cosmo storm destroyed ten years of work, the shipyard and the tentative start to make the planet habitable one day, the seeds and three-D printers, and the ship filled with research equipment. But at least all of the Mind Refurbs survived and 18 of the new ships they had.built. Earth had given up on them so they had given up on Earth. They had hoped to make a new home there, tucked away somewhere safe. But 'nowhere is really safe,' as they had just learned. And what to do next? Stay and start again or move on?
Their question is quickly resolved for them when a distant small fleet of ships is seen approaching, Piranha, Rampart and Narcissus class U.S. Navy ships by their shapes. Then Admiral Maxwell Fergusson hails them, requesting their help against the aliens in return for forgiveness and the right to return to earth...I
Another explosively exciting episode in the lives of Jain and his Mind Refurb friends, once human but now with the bodies of warships. As usual, the book is mostly filled with non stop battling action, both close contact and ship to ship, all told in a visual and imaginative way, and with, once again some pondering on what makes a human. And throughout the thrill, an all pervasive humour.
An excellent, well written military science fiction, with three dimensional characters and some thoughts to ponder when the fighting does down. Also, despite being the second in a series, can be read as a stand alone. Recommended to all military S.F. fans as well as everyone who enjoys lots of fighting fun.
In seconds, a Cosmo storm destroyed ten years of work, the shipyard and the tentative start to make the planet habitable one day, the seeds and three-D printers, and the ship filled with research equipment. But at least all of the Mind Refurbs survived and 18 of the new ships they had.built. Earth had given up on them so they had given up on Earth. They had hoped to make a new home there, tucked away somewhere safe. But 'nowhere is really safe,' as they had just learned. And what to do next? Stay and start again or move on?
Their question is quickly resolved for them when a distant small fleet of ships is seen approaching, Piranha, Rampart and Narcissus class U.S. Navy ships by their shapes. Then Admiral Maxwell Fergusson hails them, requesting their help against the aliens in return for forgiveness and the right to return to earth...I
Another explosively exciting episode in the lives of Jain and his Mind Refurb friends, once human but now with the bodies of warships. As usual, the book is mostly filled with non stop battling action, both close contact and ship to ship, all told in a visual and imaginative way, and with, once again some pondering on what makes a human. And throughout the thrill, an all pervasive humour.
An excellent, well written military science fiction, with three dimensional characters and some thoughts to ponder when the fighting does down. Also, despite being the second in a series, can be read as a stand alone. Recommended to all military S.F. fans as well as everyone who enjoys lots of fighting fun.
June 26, 2021
Not a bad read, I found this series to be reminiscent of the Bobiverse series in that the ships are controlled by A.I.s. Unlike the Bobiverse series where the brain engrams of the people replicate themselves into new space ships. This series has the person in a single ship that is able to make a backup of themselves for protection. This is the 2nd book in the series and the story does draw you into it.
November 2, 2018
As always, a great story by Hooke.
This is just another good read by Isaac Hooke. I enjoy every book he writes. There are a few grammar and spelling issues, but nothing major. The thing that bugs me the most is the use of peak instead of peek. But it doesn't detract from the story.
This is just another good read by Isaac Hooke. I enjoy every book he writes. There are a few grammar and spelling issues, but nothing major. The thing that bugs me the most is the use of peak instead of peek. But it doesn't detract from the story.
February 10, 2019
Good book if you like stories concerning artificial intelligence.
I found this another good book in the series, I enjoy things that have to do with artificial intelligence space warfare and aliens. All those are included in this book if you enjoy those things you will enjoy this book but read the series from book one. Going to read the next book in the series.
I found this another good book in the series, I enjoy things that have to do with artificial intelligence space warfare and aliens. All those are included in this book if you enjoy those things you will enjoy this book but read the series from book one. Going to read the next book in the series.
April 5, 2019
The Improbable Solution
Jain leads a diverse fleet of space ships called the Void Warriors. After being alone for some time, building a new home, they are accosted by a human appearing fleet. Things go south as they must figure out who is who, and find solutions to problems they are facing. I like the action, humor, and strategy. I look forward to the next book.
Jain leads a diverse fleet of space ships called the Void Warriors. After being alone for some time, building a new home, they are accosted by a human appearing fleet. Things go south as they must figure out who is who, and find solutions to problems they are facing. I like the action, humor, and strategy. I look forward to the next book.
June 9, 2019
Are you still human if you inhabit an alien ship?
A great military sci-fi action series and I loved every page.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure.
The change from space battles to squad based action was thrilling and not something I had read before.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
A great military sci-fi action series and I loved every page.
Great characters with realistic situations and lots of action and adventure.
The change from space battles to squad based action was thrilling and not something I had read before.
I look forward to more from this series 😁
November 2, 2018
Enjoyable, familiar reading leaving you wanting the next one.
Following in the footsteps of his other AI series, this is familiar territory that still stands on its own as an enjoyable read. I personally will continue to follow this author's series.
Following in the footsteps of his other AI series, this is familiar territory that still stands on its own as an enjoyable read. I personally will continue to follow this author's series.
November 9, 2018
Confusing
I found this book to be confusing. Although the story line is consistent the players are not. Various configurations and abilities appear and disappear without any preamble or explanations.
I found this book to be confusing. Although the story line is consistent the players are not. Various configurations and abilities appear and disappear without any preamble or explanations.
November 21, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book. It was a clever, fresh idea, and I mostly liked the 2nd half of this book, but the battle scenes dragged on and it felt as though Isaac ran out of ideas. I did a lot of speed reading in this one. Just didn't catch me.
November 22, 2018
Mind refurbs unite?
Another exciting chapter in the void warriors adventure. A fun universe has been created and it is super enjoyable how well all the books work together getting the readers ready for another chapter in the universe
Another exciting chapter in the void warriors adventure. A fun universe has been created and it is super enjoyable how well all the books work together getting the readers ready for another chapter in the universe
December 28, 2018
Think think think!
Read and follow carefully. Good book but you could easily get lost in this storyline. I enjoyed this book but I need to go back and review parts of it to fully understand meaning.
Read and follow carefully. Good book but you could easily get lost in this storyline. I enjoyed this book but I need to go back and review parts of it to fully understand meaning.
December 31, 2018
A Very Good Read
Another tale from Isaac Hooke's Mind Reverb universe. This isn't great literature but it IS a good read. So grab a glass of your favorite beverage, a bowl of your favorite munchies and sit back for a ride.
Another tale from Isaac Hooke's Mind Reverb universe. This isn't great literature but it IS a good read. So grab a glass of your favorite beverage, a bowl of your favorite munchies and sit back for a ride.
January 19, 2019
super engagement sequel to a captivating and unique storyline - which I found very engaging and hard to put down. Raced through both books in two weeks!! REALLY enjoyed it. Can't wait for 3rd book!!
September 9, 2021
Read the series
A very entertaining group of books by an imaginative author.. I have enjoyed many evenings reading his stories. Only one complaint is that water would not disappear with current gravity parameters.
A very entertaining group of books by an imaginative author.. I have enjoyed many evenings reading his stories. Only one complaint is that water would not disappear with current gravity parameters.
November 17, 2018
Devastator
I guess if I read the “about this book” section I would have realized the age groups to which it was intended to appeal. I’m turning 70 soon .....moving on...
I guess if I read the “about this book” section I would have realized the age groups to which it was intended to appeal. I’m turning 70 soon .....moving on...
November 27, 2018
Vanillia
December 2, 2018
This series is more cartoonish than science fi. I appreciate the author's effort but it is spinning in circles.
December 6, 2018
Into the Future.
The ideas having AI in control of the warship in space and making all the decisions works out to be a great story line.I
The ideas having AI in control of the warship in space and making all the decisions works out to be a great story line.I
December 9, 2018
Nice book
It is entertaining but not much depth to the characters. Not much else to say except that you should read.
It is entertaining but not much depth to the characters. Not much else to say except that you should read.
December 11, 2018
Good book, but not as good as the furst
Certainly a good continuation of the series but cliched and a bit harder to read without wincing at the sci-fi wit
Certainly a good continuation of the series but cliched and a bit harder to read without wincing at the sci-fi wit
February 2, 2019
Drawn out battle scenes
Not as enjoyable as the first book. Some battle scenes were drawn out and there was one scene at the enemy home world that didn’t make sense at all
Not as enjoyable as the first book. Some battle scenes were drawn out and there was one scene at the enemy home world that didn’t make sense at all
July 3, 2021
Good fun and interesting to read
May 26, 2021
First the bad: The science isn't really there. The lightning and black hole weapons just wouldn't work and the explanation is that it is stolen alien tech that was installed but not understood.
The one thing that really got me was in the first book one alien vessel almost destroys the fleet on its own. Now there is a fleet of aliens that outnumbers the mind-refurbs by 2:1 and yet they lose.
The good: Nice action, good character interplay, interesting situations.
As long as you aren't too demanding this is an enjoyable diversion.
The one thing that really got me was in the first book one alien vessel almost destroys the fleet on its own. Now there is a fleet of aliens that outnumbers the mind-refurbs by 2:1 and yet they lose.
The good: Nice action, good character interplay, interesting situations.
As long as you aren't too demanding this is an enjoyable diversion.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews