Ancient Among Us

Battle for Forever #2

by Edward Savio

Alexander X and his friends have had stadiums collapse on them, ancient teachers following them, driven cars through buildings, had entire streets blown up around them. They've been chased, beaten, drugged, and nearly sliced in two by falling sheets of glass. And that...was just on Saturday. Now, Alexander must get himself out of the U.S. and try to convince others like him to stop a plan that would allow them to survive, but kill most everyone else.

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Science Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

448 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 30, 2019

Reviews

[The Schmeegle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quickly becoming one of my favorite series!! Delicious history lessons wrapped in a great fictional story that entertains and moves quickly. The ending is...well...I just hope book 3 comes out soon.

In this one the three teenagers, well two of em are teenagers and one just looks and feels like one, leave Boston and go on this hero's quest dodging bad guys and trying to follow clues or what seem like clues to the UK then Paris. Purposefully trying to be vague so no spoilers but the story definitely expands and we learn more about Alexander. Being 1500 he gets these like deja vu spells so the story is the story but it's in the flashbacks he kinda relives history. So although it isn't really time Travel Amazon has these books listed as #1 and #2 for Time Travel Fiction.

Totally worth the time commitment. RECOMMEND

[Patrick Pilz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story by Ed Savio, Wil Wheaton at his best in the Audiobook version.

Alexander X travels through time with his companions (Dr. Who?), just very very slow in the search of his father, likely a prick (Star Wars)? He needs to solve puzzles along the way that are tied to history (Dan Brown? Robert Langdon?) of civilization. This is the 2nd part of his journey, which takes him from Boston to Europe.

You can certainly tell that Edward Savio was inspired by some of the great stories of our times, and you won't be disappointed. The audiobook version feels almost like sitting in a movie, like the opposite of a silent movie. I read somewhere that the story is in development for a TV Show called 'Eternals', and I just wish that this is going to happen.

Just understand that this is book 2 of the series, and this one is more like the Empire Strikes Back: It may be at the end the best of them all, but it still bridges Parts 1 and 3. Look forward to 3.

[Andy Klein · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m reminded of Mark Twain. Golf is a long walk spoiled. This book was a decent premise spoiled. You have to suspend your disbelief with the initial premise. Sure. That’s ok. But when the book turns into one impossible premise after another compounded with limitless Forest Gumpian brushes with every important figure in the last 1,500 years, it becomes too much to take. Couple that with Alexander’s limitless supplies of cash, weapons, living historical figures as friends, and world class combat skills and you get total crap. Talk about a decent premise spoiled. And one last thing. Uncle Alexander was also Augustus? Really? Alexander “died” at 32. Augustus was a well known figure whose history since birth was well documented. He was adopted by Caesar when he was 20. He lived until 77. Did Alexander apply magic aging makeup for 40 years? Did he fool his mother pretending to be 5 years old when he was 34? Simply absurd.

[Leo Goldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I liked the 2nd one more than 1st. Great action plus interesting history fiction part.

[Katherine Rupley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, good mix of history and action, well written characters, interested to see what happens next.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

good Teen Fiction - I'll keep going.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story lost me here. At one point I just shrugged at all the craziness going on. It was fun in the first book, but the momentum was lost and I found myself not caring.

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook and wil Wheaton is still awesome. The book was less so. The first book was a lot of fun, but this one seems to drag. Nothing really happens. They’re running around Europe this time but that’s about it. I think the author could have cut out at least half of the memories of our main character to insert real story line. There is a point wheee I’m definitely supposed to be feeling upset and sad about events in the book, but instead I’m just upset because the book is basically over and I felt as if I hadn’t really gotten anywhere since book 1.

Still a great premise, just could have used some editing.

[Jess Greenland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two starts right where book one leaves off. There is no recap of prior things, if you're going to read this book be sure to have finished the first one.

The characters draw you even deeper into the world and you almost forget that between the start of the first book and the end of the second is at most a week. So much happens! The author does a great job of pulling you into flashbacks of Alexander's life without making them feel forced or out of touch. A lot of research and prep work has gone into the moments that are described.

[John Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the eternal Alexander. He is 1,500 but looks 15. The author rides an interesting tight wire between youth and experience for the main character. It is filled with historical insights and twists. Not afraid to risk characters or setting to further the story line. Wil Wheaton does a great job reading the audio-book. Looking forward to book 3.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "formula" for these books makes for great listening. The protagonist ages at a slower rate that normal, so he is hundreds of years old, even though he looks like a teenager. So he has adventures (it's complicated) BUT interwoven into this narrative are accounts of things he has done (usually with someone famous, like Shakespeare, or lesser-known historical figures overlooked today) in the distant past. He writes these historical detours with an eye toward setting the historical record straight in some cases (like the story of Gustave Whitehead, who flew before the Wright brothers). Not great literature but it is written well, and the audiobook is read by Will Wheaton, so it's essentially perfect reading for a nice, long road trip.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK so book two leaves the U.S. No spoiler there, it's in the description. Alot of action, more bad guys, alot of fun story in London then Paris. Places I've never seen and now want to. More of my favorite parts which are the deep dives into history. More than once I had to stop and google something and sure enough, yeah, that really happened in history. That ending though...Book 3 is supposed to be out Spring of 2020 and it won't be soon enough!!! Spoiler: Cliffhanger...

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is half a book. If this is the way this series is going to go, don't waste your time. They spent about 100 years in the airport and absolutely nothing happened to advance the plot. Then, something unexpected happened and the book just ended. I truly respect an author's hustle. They want to string us along to make a buck. That is fine, but something has to be resolved or completed to call a book a book. I usually give this stunt one star, but because there was a surprise, I'll up it to two.

[Monica Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent follow-up to Alexander X read by will Wheaton on Audible. I listen to them back to back. I’m really looking forward to the next one. Alexander suffers a huge loss at the end of this book and still hasn’t found his father. If there’s a long gap between now and when the next book comes out, I may want to re-listen to at least the second half of this book. At the very least, everything after they arrive in Paris.

[L.M. Pampuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Gosh! This book... Better than the first! Savio takes readers on a wild ride through Western Mass, Boston, and Europe. His characters evolve and surprise along the way. I could not stop reading!
My only despair coming at the end... Not because of the ending, just the fact the book was finished.
My Artemis Fowl fans out there - READ THIS BOOK! Along with a wonderful story, a substantial view of human nature.
Now write and release the next in the series... Please :)

[James Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

A filler book in a series which was entertaining but not great. The plot did not move at all from the start of the book but the characters did manage to visit three countries and blow up a lot of stuff. I would say if you are not totally invested in the series this is a book you could skip.

*****Spoiler*****
His friend Daniel is dead by the end of the book (now you know the only plot movement)

[Geoffrey Bailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was completely unable to suspend my disbelief. I slogged through it because I had bought this and the first one on-sale on Audible. I bought them more for Wil Wheaton than anything else although before reading the premise seemed interesting. Wil as always did a fabulous job of narrating and really was the only polish on this particular turd.

[Fate's Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

Things continue to be ridiculous but fun as the teens go on the run across the Atlantic. The obsessive old girlfriend felt like a bit much, but the real shocker happened beat the ending and I'm kind of astonished that Savio went that direction with it. As usual Wil Weaton is an excellent voice actor and brings a necessary something extra to this story.

[Johnann Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another intriguing chapter to the story of Alexander. Each step deeper into the story the more interested and connected I felt with the characters. I feel like I NEED to know what will happen next.
As I said in my review of book 1, I believe this is a wonderful book for young adult or teen readers. It is also a thought provoking boom for a history buff.

[Larry Pressley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasurable easy reading. Excellent imagery and entertaining historical tie-ins.

Pleasurable easy reading. Excellent imagery and entertaining historical tie-ins. The premise of a subgroup of humans who are genetically prone to live longer lives and some who are historical characters from past eons give this tale of survival and morality it's edge. Highly recommended.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at some of the turns this book took. It was a good continuation of the story (if you haven't read the first book, Alexander X, you will be totally lost). Wheaton's narration worked really well for me. It usually does. I really want to know what happens next, so I hope Savio gets a third book out soon.

[Kristin Runyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun series that doesn’t take itself too seriously and yet Savio has done a lot of research to dispel historical myths. The writing could’ve become pedantic, but Savio weaves these historical corrections into the plot seamlessly. And Wil Wheaton is a masterful reader. Looking forward to adding it into my high school libary and recommending it to students.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 rounded up. Another book that had a lot of action scenes while slowly building a world/story. Definitely some Dan Brown the-clues-are-everywhere type of mystery. Wil Wheaton’s narration is holding my interest.

[James L. Dornhecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book, when you are fighting,and then running , hiding , afraid. Well e

These are the books you don't want to read. These books will do it to you..Some 78. years reading, few have done what Battle For Forever 1and 2 has done. They will move you.

[Patrick Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this “hidden immortals walk the earth” genre. This has the history flashback fun that you get from something like the better Highlander Movies or the TV show; without the beheadings or level of violence that would make me hold a few more years before sharing with my kids.

[MrKeyNotes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book one was what persuaded me to get this one. Book one was 5 stars but book 2 just seemed like a loss of creativity and the prolonging of moving the story forward will see what book 3 brings and am only decided to go for book three because I want to see what happens

[Yvette Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot of detail in this book. I give the writer many props for setting the stage but I feel like it's a true sophomore book. I was upset with the ending but knew that it was bound to happen to make the main character seek revenge. I very much so look forward to the third book.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less enjoyable than the first book. The story felt like the National Treasure movie that ran against time. The antagonists' presence is always there omnipresently but never surfaces.

It's a good book and somewhat enjoyable. It would make for a great tv show.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but a bit too many lengthy tangents.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually try to avoid starting unfinished series because the waiting for the next book is agonizing. Oops! This series is good, I'm looking forward to the next one