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Silver Ships #12
Artifice
The great spheres and probes of Artifice, humankind’s enemy, haunt every inhabited world near and far. The Omnians’ long and arduous search for Artifice has ended. They’ve located Artifice’s lair in the Talus system.
The sentient digital entity rules a vast swath of worlds, known as the federacy, through ruthless intimidation. Its insidious programs are embedded in every races’ digital systems — warships, shuttles, stations, domes, comm platforms, and power plants. One misstep by a race could see its citizens exterminated in vast numbers. The survivors, if there were any, would be thrown back to the days before spaceflight.
Artifice has had millennia to secure its base. Powerful battleship fleets guard the system’s periphery and the approaches above and below the entity’s planet, Toral. Probes surround the system and warn of unauthorized encroachment, and Artifice has control of the planet’s army of bots.
The Omnian expeditionary fleet, led by Alex Racine, desperately needs allies in order to defeat or circumvent Artifice’s defensive measures. The Omnians are curious about the fleet of black-hulled battleships, which bear a resemblance to Artifice’s probes and guard the Talus system. The SADEs, the Omnians’ digital friends, believe that the sentients aboard the black fleet and Artifice share a common history.
Whether or not the Omnians can gather allies, they don’t intend to abandon their goal and return to Omnia. They mean to capture or destroy the entity, Artifice, or die trying.
The sentient digital entity rules a vast swath of worlds, known as the federacy, through ruthless intimidation. Its insidious programs are embedded in every races’ digital systems — warships, shuttles, stations, domes, comm platforms, and power plants. One misstep by a race could see its citizens exterminated in vast numbers. The survivors, if there were any, would be thrown back to the days before spaceflight.
Artifice has had millennia to secure its base. Powerful battleship fleets guard the system’s periphery and the approaches above and below the entity’s planet, Toral. Probes surround the system and warn of unauthorized encroachment, and Artifice has control of the planet’s army of bots.
The Omnian expeditionary fleet, led by Alex Racine, desperately needs allies in order to defeat or circumvent Artifice’s defensive measures. The Omnians are curious about the fleet of black-hulled battleships, which bear a resemblance to Artifice’s probes and guard the Talus system. The SADEs, the Omnians’ digital friends, believe that the sentients aboard the black fleet and Artifice share a common history.
Whether or not the Omnians can gather allies, they don’t intend to abandon their goal and return to Omnia. They mean to capture or destroy the entity, Artifice, or die trying.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2018
554 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
S.H. Jucha
45 books469 followersFrom my early years to the present, books have been a refuge. They’ve fueled my imagination. I’ve traveled to faraway places and met aliens with Asimov, Heinlein, Clarke, Herbert, and Le Guin. I’ve explored historical events with Michener and Clavell, and I played spy with Ludlum and Fleming.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
There’s no doubt that the early sci-fi masters influenced the writing of my first two series, The Silver Ships and Pyreans. I crafted my stories to give readers intimate views of my characters, who wrestle with the challenges of living in space and inhabiting alien worlds.
Life is rarely easy for these characters, who encounter aliens and calamities, but they persist and flourish. I revel in examining humankind’s will to survive. Not everyone plays fair or exhibits concern for other beings, but that’s another aspect of humans and aliens that I investigate.
My stories offer hope for humans today about what they might accomplish tomorrow far from our home world. Throughout my books, humans exhibit a will to persevere, without detriment to the vast majority of others.
Readers have been generous with their comments, which they’ve left on Amazon and Goodreads for others to review. I truly enjoy what I do, and I’m pleased to read how my stories have positively affected many readers’ lives.
If you’ve read my books, please consider posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads for every book, even a short one. Reviews attract other readers and are a great help to indie authors, such as me.
The Silver Ships novels have reached Amazon’s coveted #1 and #2 Best-Selling Sci-Fi book, multiple times, in the science fiction categories of first contact, space opera, and alien invasion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 30, 2019
This is book twelve in the Silver Ships Series. I have enjoyed every book so far. At the end of the last book, Alex Racine and the Omnium Expeditionary Fleet had discovered Artifice. I have noted each time Alex discovers the enemy he has converted them to his cause because they are victims of a superior force. Will the trend continue or is Artifice the master race? I continue to be amazed at Jucha’ s imagination. The book is full of battles and almost unsolvable problems. My favorites are still the SADES, particularly Julian. I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fifteen hours and twenty-eight minutes. Grover Gardner has done an excellent job narrating the series. Gardner is an award-winning audiobook narrator. He was the Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voice of the Century Award.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fifteen hours and twenty-eight minutes. Grover Gardner has done an excellent job narrating the series. Gardner is an award-winning audiobook narrator. He was the Audiofile Magazine’s Best Voice of the Century Award.
March 25, 2022
Superb!
December 22, 2018
Twelve books! Man, that’s a lot of books for one series. But, this has been one of the best series that you can read. It’s also one of those series where you have to start at the beginning. Mr. Jucha fills his books with so much human interaction, sensitivity to others and a way of doing things that don’t show up in other books. Yet, this series also has fighting scenes both in space and on the ground. I haven’t read any other book where a group of nice people utterly destroy whomever they are facing and make the defeated foe fell wonderful about what just happened.
Now on with this book. We finally get to face our supreme nemesis, Artifice. As you read in the previous books, this is the entity that has been terrorizing the entire known universe. He’s been watching every star system until he feels that they need to be destroyed so as not to challenge his supremacy. Alex Racine and his group of Omnians have come to confront this entity and destroy it if necessary.
They have previously met the Nu’all which were the first emissaries from Artifice that were sent to destroy those they encountered. Their ships were large and very silver with smaller ships that acted like starfighters. Alex and his bunch were able to defeat the Nu’all and even captured one of their large vessels. There they freed the Swei Swee, crab-like intelligent creatures who actually built the silver ships. They began building them for Alex and that bond has existed ever since. It didn’t take Alex’s highly intelligent people long to figure out how to construct their own silver ships, which they did in abundance. The Omnians also met up with the Dischnya, dog-like aliens that like to fight. Once again, Alex made lasting friends with the Dischnya who are now part of his entourage. So, as you can see, the Omnians are anything but a single group of beings. And that’s what Alex Racine has done in all twelve books, bring people or aliens of all kinds together to form one peace-loving group.
Now the again face another of Artifice’s dangerous emissaries in the form of huge black ships. These ships are from the Toralians and they come to confront Alex and his Omnian fleet. Alex finds out that their entire civilization is bound to Artifice through his computer programming in all of their electronic devices. Artifice can send commands to every device he controls which would then wipe-out the targeted civilization or at least set it back to their dark ages. Even the Toralian ships are rigged to destruct at Artifice’s command if they don’t do as he says.
Strangely, though, the Toralians are confronting Alex and the Omnians for reasons much different than expected. Can they be a solution to Alex’s desire to rid the galaxy of Artifice’s tyranny? Another great book in the series that you don’t want to miss. It’s kind of hard to put down because this is science fiction at its best.
Oh, and according to the author, this isn’t the end because his next book, Sojourn, already has a title!
Now on with this book. We finally get to face our supreme nemesis, Artifice. As you read in the previous books, this is the entity that has been terrorizing the entire known universe. He’s been watching every star system until he feels that they need to be destroyed so as not to challenge his supremacy. Alex Racine and his group of Omnians have come to confront this entity and destroy it if necessary.
They have previously met the Nu’all which were the first emissaries from Artifice that were sent to destroy those they encountered. Their ships were large and very silver with smaller ships that acted like starfighters. Alex and his bunch were able to defeat the Nu’all and even captured one of their large vessels. There they freed the Swei Swee, crab-like intelligent creatures who actually built the silver ships. They began building them for Alex and that bond has existed ever since. It didn’t take Alex’s highly intelligent people long to figure out how to construct their own silver ships, which they did in abundance. The Omnians also met up with the Dischnya, dog-like aliens that like to fight. Once again, Alex made lasting friends with the Dischnya who are now part of his entourage. So, as you can see, the Omnians are anything but a single group of beings. And that’s what Alex Racine has done in all twelve books, bring people or aliens of all kinds together to form one peace-loving group.
Now the again face another of Artifice’s dangerous emissaries in the form of huge black ships. These ships are from the Toralians and they come to confront Alex and his Omnian fleet. Alex finds out that their entire civilization is bound to Artifice through his computer programming in all of their electronic devices. Artifice can send commands to every device he controls which would then wipe-out the targeted civilization or at least set it back to their dark ages. Even the Toralian ships are rigged to destruct at Artifice’s command if they don’t do as he says.
Strangely, though, the Toralians are confronting Alex and the Omnians for reasons much different than expected. Can they be a solution to Alex’s desire to rid the galaxy of Artifice’s tyranny? Another great book in the series that you don’t want to miss. It’s kind of hard to put down because this is science fiction at its best.
Oh, and according to the author, this isn’t the end because his next book, Sojourn, already has a title!
January 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this installment of the Silver Ships saga. Lots of excitement and lots of details of activities. If you have not done so already you need to read installment one, The Silver Ships, to fully understand the characters. One thing that I loved about this series is the characters have variety, they are not all basically modifications of what humans look like. They represent a variety of alien cultures from the Swei Swei that look like crabs to the Dsynia that look like dogs. They are small and large.
I had two disappointments in the book. First, I expected that at the end the Artiface computer entity would be destroyed because of all of the death and destruction that it caused. I was very disappointed that the Sade's wanted to take over a project of rehabilitating it. And the second disappointment for me is there is another book coming in this series. I felt like finding and destroying of incapacitating Artiface would be a great place to end the series. Now apparently there is more and I wonder when will this end. I may be a little reluctant to read another book in this series. But this has been a great series.
I had two disappointments in the book. First, I expected that at the end the Artiface computer entity would be destroyed because of all of the death and destruction that it caused. I was very disappointed that the Sade's wanted to take over a project of rehabilitating it. And the second disappointment for me is there is another book coming in this series. I felt like finding and destroying of incapacitating Artiface would be a great place to end the series. Now apparently there is more and I wonder when will this end. I may be a little reluctant to read another book in this series. But this has been a great series.
June 22, 2019
I found this book to be an odd experience. It was a third longer than most books in this series, however it felt short. Having said that it wasn't as enjoyable and the ending was unsatisfying.
I wonder if this book would have been better served, split into 2 books. The first half of making allies felt underdeveloped. As well the fight felt drawn out, but rushed. Combat is not this authors strong suit, and it comes out a little too much here.
Once again, we have the same formula, bad enemy really wants to be friends, except for a few people. Alex is really the only one who can bring it all together. The first half of this book is entertaining, even if it is "paint by numbers". It doesn't get the full treatment it would typically have if it was the sole story to the book. Instead we are half involved in 2 alien species, and then we rush off to war.
The ending is what really threw it for me. 12 books leading to the confrontation with Artifice, and it doesn't really get resolved, this are left very up in the air. Poor way to end a book.
I look forward for the next book, but I am cautious about picking it up.
I wonder if this book would have been better served, split into 2 books. The first half of making allies felt underdeveloped. As well the fight felt drawn out, but rushed. Combat is not this authors strong suit, and it comes out a little too much here.
Once again, we have the same formula, bad enemy really wants to be friends, except for a few people. Alex is really the only one who can bring it all together. The first half of this book is entertaining, even if it is "paint by numbers". It doesn't get the full treatment it would typically have if it was the sole story to the book. Instead we are half involved in 2 alien species, and then we rush off to war.
The ending is what really threw it for me. 12 books leading to the confrontation with Artifice, and it doesn't really get resolved, this are left very up in the air. Poor way to end a book.
I look forward for the next book, but I am cautious about picking it up.
December 6, 2018
This was on pace to be a solid 4 stars, but the back end was a little disappointing. Probably 3.5 stars. Still enjoyed it. Still want more entries.
The beginning was excellent. All of Jucha's great characters at their best (not a whole lot of character development for the primaries, but new species did). The first half had the makings of the series best since Meridien (other than Nu'all which was very good).
It lost its tension way to quickly and I found myself noticing the problems had no adjustments made by the antagonists.
To avoid spoilers I'll be vague, but why stop trying to address the Christorlan's? Why not bring in more (loyal/aggressive) fleets? All the bots could do was tread/ride? No flying? No throwing? No use of technology?
I still enjoy this series, but it needs a good dose of a worthy antagonist(s).
The beginning was excellent. All of Jucha's great characters at their best (not a whole lot of character development for the primaries, but new species did). The first half had the makings of the series best since Meridien (other than Nu'all which was very good).
It lost its tension way to quickly and I found myself noticing the problems had no adjustments made by the antagonists.
To avoid spoilers I'll be vague, but why stop trying to address the Christorlan's? Why not bring in more (loyal/aggressive) fleets? All the bots could do was tread/ride? No flying? No throwing? No use of technology?
I still enjoy this series, but it needs a good dose of a worthy antagonist(s).
September 28, 2020
Elements of Artifice are absolutely superb, but occasionally plot points lack substantive backing and motivation. For example the need to risk all to attack Artifice directly is somewhat loosely based on a motivation to avoid damaging the planets polar regions - a ‘home’ planet that has not homed biologicals for millennia? The subsequent bond of the Toralians to their historical home comes too late to explain the Omnians willingness to risk all in the endeavour. Similarly the Sisters are incredibly disconcerting and our protagonist relents to their whims too easily, like a victim descending the basement stairs in the lowest budget horror movie.
These improbable directions have occurred throughout the series, but they seemed to have been limited to the earlier books and it is disappointing to see their return. That said, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable story.
These improbable directions have occurred throughout the series, but they seemed to have been limited to the earlier books and it is disappointing to see their return. That said, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable story.
January 28, 2019
Whelp, I'm glad I reached the end of the main story arc, but that's enough for me.
The confrontation with the big-bad seemed drawn out and anticlimactic. The author seemed to shoehorn situations into the story, whether they made sense or not. You get the idea.
Anyhoo, I've enjoyed the series for the most part. I'll probably check out some of Jucha's other works.
The confrontation with the big-bad seemed drawn out and anticlimactic. The author seemed to shoehorn situations into the story, whether they made sense or not. You get the idea.
Anyhoo, I've enjoyed the series for the most part. I'll probably check out some of Jucha's other works.
December 4, 2018
The first few books of the series was refreshing, but all good things come to an end, as should the silver ships. To be up front, I skimmed that last 1/3 of the book, I only read the book hoping it was the end. The final battle was a disappointment, after killing billions the Artifact is easily subdued, and on the potential road to rehab ? Main character Alex, after 11 books seems to be losing his cool, this character has developed to be super Gandhi. Another book is in the works, I for one will not be reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2018
I'm hooked on this universe
Between the characters, the triumph of good and the look into a universe of sentient races working together I can never get enough. Watching a lone miner come from a humble beginning to where he is now has been a great experience. I lose sleep every time a new part of the story gets released. I'm saddened every time the story comes to an end. S.H. Jucha has brought this story to life for me.
Between the characters, the triumph of good and the look into a universe of sentient races working together I can never get enough. Watching a lone miner come from a humble beginning to where he is now has been a great experience. I lose sleep every time a new part of the story gets released. I'm saddened every time the story comes to an end. S.H. Jucha has brought this story to life for me.
December 10, 2018
Getting too much complicated
I loved!! The series, I was waiting for the new episodes, but, every nice thing has its end. The story got too complicated. All the races and their details... , it was the first time I skipped most of the book, just to get to the end to see any twist that will convince me to continue the series, but.. Alas, I think its only me. The creativity of the author levelled beyond my ability to catch-up.
I loved!! The series, I was waiting for the new episodes, but, every nice thing has its end. The story got too complicated. All the races and their details... , it was the first time I skipped most of the book, just to get to the end to see any twist that will convince me to continue the series, but.. Alas, I think its only me. The creativity of the author levelled beyond my ability to catch-up.
December 20, 2018
Confusion
I have read thousands of books, and this one is not one of the best. It was way to long and it was difficult to determine who was on who's side. There were way too many characters to keep up with. Even Alex could not make a decision without consulting dozens of other characters. So many of the names were similar to other characters I could keep it straight who did what. Three was just too much going on!
I have read thousands of books, and this one is not one of the best. It was way to long and it was difficult to determine who was on who's side. There were way too many characters to keep up with. Even Alex could not make a decision without consulting dozens of other characters. So many of the names were similar to other characters I could keep it straight who did what. Three was just too much going on!
December 20, 2018
I've loved this entire series so far. Jucha has a great imagination. He frames his story in a way that is believable and enjoyable. Without a lot of gratuitous violence and sex, the stories are engaging, exciting and addictive. I'm a fan and will continue to read everything he produces. Where does Alex Racine go from here? There are still many worlds to explore in the universe! Keep up the terrific work.
January 8, 2019
New Alien races presented new challenges, the human nemesis is defeated but the danger still present.
New Alien races presented new challenges, the human nemesis is defeated but the danger still present. Alex Racine and his friends have discovered new worlds and gained new allies and friends. But the Original nemesis after being defeated was the entity that controlled some of the new enemies for the humans
New Alien races presented new challenges, the human nemesis is defeated but the danger still present. Alex Racine and his friends have discovered new worlds and gained new allies and friends. But the Original nemesis after being defeated was the entity that controlled some of the new enemies for the humans
April 29, 2019
Refreshing viewpoint on many sci-fi Staples.
I love reading science fiction and I have really enjoyed this series more. It has the optimistic outlook that star trek had and not as techie as that series. In general it has some interesting view points on the issues of AI, society and how we choose to interact with those that are different than us. All the while still being guided by a moral compass. Life is precious. I find it refreshing really.
I love reading science fiction and I have really enjoyed this series more. It has the optimistic outlook that star trek had and not as techie as that series. In general it has some interesting view points on the issues of AI, society and how we choose to interact with those that are different than us. All the while still being guided by a moral compass. Life is precious. I find it refreshing really.
May 10, 2019
More alex... Which is good
Love this series. The book is long but fully fulfills the details of Alex's latest trial. The omnians but resist the artifact and bring peace and safety to the federation. This is not easy and requires Alex to risk much and seek out more allies. This is Alex and what he does and why we love these books. Looking forward to more adventures with Alex and company.
Love this series. The book is long but fully fulfills the details of Alex's latest trial. The omnians but resist the artifact and bring peace and safety to the federation. This is not easy and requires Alex to risk much and seek out more allies. This is Alex and what he does and why we love these books. Looking forward to more adventures with Alex and company.
December 2, 2018
Excellent episode of this great series. The familiar cast is consistent in their behavior. New species are introduced, an evil is possibly eliminated and new problems introduced. As usual there is fast paced action that is mesmerizing and leaves you eager for the next book. Alex and his disparate group of aliens and SADES continue to grow and change for the better.
December 24, 2018
I waited so long for Artifice, I had to go back and read the others again! Artifice is just as exciting and compelling as the other novels in the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this addition, though I was a bit surprised at the ending. I look forward to seeing some things that need to be "buttoned up" in book #13.
January 28, 2019
I really enjoyed the first half of the book, but as the story progressed I began to wonder what was going on, instead of rushing towards a climactic ending the second half of the book seemed to drag. Eventually the story came to a conclusion, but it was slightly disappointing, to be honest it was a bit of an anticlimax.
April 15, 2019
Robert's Review
Always the one more detail that is brought up at the end of every exhaustive effort. I see our weary travelers will have another mission to challenge their vision of a quiet prosperous corner of the galaxy. Bring on the next challenge then and we shall rise too it. Thanks for a GoodRead.
Always the one more detail that is brought up at the end of every exhaustive effort. I see our weary travelers will have another mission to challenge their vision of a quiet prosperous corner of the galaxy. Bring on the next challenge then and we shall rise too it. Thanks for a GoodRead.
April 28, 2019
A satisfying account of the defeat of Artifice.
The defeat of Artifice begins with the acquiring of a very interesting race of allies. The defeat is accomplished only after the acquiring of more alliances. The obstacles that must be overcome are numerous and interesting, very well thought out and some quite surprising.
In all, a good read.
The defeat of Artifice begins with the acquiring of a very interesting race of allies. The defeat is accomplished only after the acquiring of more alliances. The obstacles that must be overcome are numerous and interesting, very well thought out and some quite surprising.
In all, a good read.
November 22, 2022
Although this book was the climax to the whole Nu'All / Artifice saga it was a bit of an anti-climax in some ways. There is plenty of action, probably 10 times the amount of a normal Silver Ships book but maybe this time the author's compassionate pacifist convictions spoiled the ending somehow. Maybe its that or I like revenge more than he does!
November 29, 2018
A great in terrific series.
It's not often that I find a book series in which I find every book to be enjoyable to read and re-read. Artifice continues to deliver the goods. My only regret is the time before the next book is published.
It's not often that I find a book series in which I find every book to be enjoyable to read and re-read. Artifice continues to deliver the goods. My only regret is the time before the next book is published.
December 17, 2018
The will to survive drives Alex and friends to save new worlds.
Our heroes make new allies to help defeat the controlling AI. Can the Sades, sisters and humans converted the surviving races to positively handle the future? Enjoy the ride as the adventure grows.
Our heroes make new allies to help defeat the controlling AI. Can the Sades, sisters and humans converted the surviving races to positively handle the future? Enjoy the ride as the adventure grows.
December 18, 2018
Great, as usual.
Much a has done it again. I would expect this book will make the best sellers list, just as the previous titles have. Well done, Mr. Jucha. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, book 13.
Much a has done it again. I would expect this book will make the best sellers list, just as the previous titles have. Well done, Mr. Jucha. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, book 13.
December 27, 2018
Another excellent installment in the silver ships series. Really enjoyed it.
Another excellent installment in the silver ships series. Really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see what happens next! Take a look!
Another excellent installment in the silver ships series. Really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see what happens next! Take a look!
December 27, 2018
Great series of books, and enjoyable story line.
Inpossible to put down once started. Enjoyable to the very end . Space Opera at it's best with consistent characters and it's theam.
Inpossible to put down once started. Enjoyable to the very end . Space Opera at it's best with consistent characters and it's theam.
December 29, 2018
Great
Lots of challenges, fights, problems and new raced encountered in this book. Alex, SADEs, friends and Sisters plus allies and enemies abound. There is clearly another story to come, but the problems of this book come to a satisfying conclusion.
Lots of challenges, fights, problems and new raced encountered in this book. Alex, SADEs, friends and Sisters plus allies and enemies abound. There is clearly another story to come, but the problems of this book come to a satisfying conclusion.
January 9, 2019
Question?
With a series secrets as this where you learn to love and left we the characters. To be part of their lives and to watch a universe grow with all its parts. To see a whole new face being born. How much more can you say than excellent.
With a series secrets as this where you learn to love and left we the characters. To be part of their lives and to watch a universe grow with all its parts. To see a whole new face being born. How much more can you say than excellent.
January 12, 2019
More books please!!!
I have found each and every one of these 12 books to be fantastic I love the way they work together lead you from one to the other just keep bringing them books on thank you much
I have found each and every one of these 12 books to be fantastic I love the way they work together lead you from one to the other just keep bringing them books on thank you much
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews