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After Moses #2
After Moses Prodigal
Once all Roads led to Rome. Now they lead to Ceres.
The dwarf planet Ceres, once thought of as little more than the biggest rock in the asteroid belt, has become humanity's most populated world in the years since Moses' departure. The desperate and needy of the solar system end up in syndicate run cities far beneath the surface. Few ever see the light of the stars.
The crew of the Sparrow, chasing rumors of a long lost piece of technology, turn to Ceres and find it stands on the brink of the abyss. Powerful crime groups are ready to go to war over old grudges and a misanthropic terrorist aims to use the chaos for his own ends.
In the midst of all this, Grace Anderson finds herself separated from Davey and stranded on the very streets they grew up on. Despite being the youngest member of the crew, she's not without her own part to play in the fates of Ceres, but that's only if Matthew and his crew can stop the world from tearing itself apart...
The dwarf planet Ceres, once thought of as little more than the biggest rock in the asteroid belt, has become humanity's most populated world in the years since Moses' departure. The desperate and needy of the solar system end up in syndicate run cities far beneath the surface. Few ever see the light of the stars.
The crew of the Sparrow, chasing rumors of a long lost piece of technology, turn to Ceres and find it stands on the brink of the abyss. Powerful crime groups are ready to go to war over old grudges and a misanthropic terrorist aims to use the chaos for his own ends.
In the midst of all this, Grace Anderson finds herself separated from Davey and stranded on the very streets they grew up on. Despite being the youngest member of the crew, she's not without her own part to play in the fates of Ceres, but that's only if Matthew and his crew can stop the world from tearing itself apart...
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2020
7 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Michael F. Kane
6 books14 followersMichael F. Kane cut his teeth on science fiction and fantasy. In fact, his first memories of Star Wars are his mother covering his eyes during the rancor scene. Later, he fell in love with the classics, Tolkien, Asimov, Herbert, and more. Somehow, despite the odds being stacked against him, he grew up to be a somewhat respectable human being. By day he's the music director at a mid-sized church, but at night he dreams of unseen lands and places man has never trod. Check out his website to stay up to date on his publishing adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 13, 2025
After Moses Prodigal was the most fun I’ve had reading a book in recent memory. It’s a fitting follow-up to After Moses, full of danger, heart, swift pacing, and sci-fi intrigue to grapple with the easiest comp titles still on the market (Firefly, Star Wars, perhaps even The Man with No Name trilogy).
Michael F Kane has a firm understanding of his characters, and chapter 12 in particular is a powerhouse of a gripping, emotional reveal. I didn’t find any slogs, dips, or dry spots in the whole narrative. The crew of the Sparrow shines all the brighter by the end of the book because we can see what they’ve been through to stay together as a faithful, if flawed, band of kindred spirits. Seriously, this book is REALLY good!
Michael F Kane has a firm understanding of his characters, and chapter 12 in particular is a powerhouse of a gripping, emotional reveal. I didn’t find any slogs, dips, or dry spots in the whole narrative. The crew of the Sparrow shines all the brighter by the end of the book because we can see what they’ve been through to stay together as a faithful, if flawed, band of kindred spirits. Seriously, this book is REALLY good!
December 2, 2025
With the first book, I bought the rest of the series in hardcover after only reading nine chapters. With book two, it was a wise investment that has paid dividends in a great story with a well-paced plot and fantastic prose.
Where book one contained a number of almost vignette stories that added to a whole story and set up the world, book two splits up characters to keep the pacing and change in setting to keep the reader interested. Kane knows how to handle his characters as they are maturing with age or working as a team or being better versions of themselves (or trying to be). While the focus of the story, as seen in the cover, is focused on Grace, she is not a damsel in distress and Davey is a sniveling child that he once was. That's not to say they are perfect and that allows for them to grow as characters even during this story.
While readers may feel the pace of the story is slower at the beginning half of the book, the ramp up to the second half shows why the pacing was needed at the start. This is not to say that nothing happens but in comparison to the second part and with the first book there is a shift. Characters are not sacrificed for the plot and the plot doesn't slow down for the sake of the characters. How characters learn new things or grow is all done as it's happening. There's not a seismic shift that happens in isolation after deep, internal monologue. There is clear growth with the younger characters but with a decision made by another character on the crew, it shifts her entire arc and realise that these are people not written as monoliths but act like real people. Addition of new people are understanding of them make sense and are welcomed. No one has easy to guess decisions or free from reprocussions when they make seemingly easier choices.
My comment in the first book was that it was nice that there wasn't this giant, overarching plot that needs 15 books and 1,000 pages between to get to the end (well, in fact, Kane did it in 6 books). In this book, more of that bigger story unfolds. However, Kane earns the attention and I even forgave the inclusion of a broken MacGuffin puzzle piece that will unlock secret information. With the fun adventures and well-written people to follow, it adds to the fun of the story and it doesn't become the sole driving force of the story. In fact, not having unlimited funds becomes an issue that makes the world feel real (my problem with The Expanse series is Holden and his crew never need provisions or purchase bullets for their Rocinante ship).
Two items of note that were exceptional. The first is that the opening chapter entries are diary-like entries that describe the after-effects of the AI Moses up and leaving one random day. In book one, these really helped build the world and they were fun to read about what a Moses built solar system looked like. In book two, they do just the opposite. The tone is darker for Moses leaving and the impending doom and the slow wind down humanity's former sole reliance on the AI for its way of life in the universe is weighted even more here. Reading these were snapshots of dread and horror to come - I loved it. The second was an inclusion of the introduction of a few characters from a multigenerational line that occurs in a flashback. It does tie into the current story in a big way but the quickness they are introduced and the conclusion of their story happens in the middle of the book and within maybe 50 pages (roughly). Kane's writing shines here in making me care about them, seeing them for what they are and could have been, and ties to the story and to the character that comes through in the end. A character in distress needing forgiveness after a confession and another fatherly character freely offering it shows not just character growth but is the theme of the whole story.
The story does not conclude at a reset. Each person on the ship is not who they are at the beginning. Not all of - in the positive. Kane has a clear perspective and if it wasn't clear from the first book, this book shows he knows where he's going and he cares about the reader in having a good time. While I loved the first book a lot, I really enjoyed this book as a different story but in the same universe that the author believes in. I could not recommend this series more for those who enjoy sci-fi and are searching for a book where hope resides. Final Grade - A+
Where book one contained a number of almost vignette stories that added to a whole story and set up the world, book two splits up characters to keep the pacing and change in setting to keep the reader interested. Kane knows how to handle his characters as they are maturing with age or working as a team or being better versions of themselves (or trying to be). While the focus of the story, as seen in the cover, is focused on Grace, she is not a damsel in distress and Davey is a sniveling child that he once was. That's not to say they are perfect and that allows for them to grow as characters even during this story.
While readers may feel the pace of the story is slower at the beginning half of the book, the ramp up to the second half shows why the pacing was needed at the start. This is not to say that nothing happens but in comparison to the second part and with the first book there is a shift. Characters are not sacrificed for the plot and the plot doesn't slow down for the sake of the characters. How characters learn new things or grow is all done as it's happening. There's not a seismic shift that happens in isolation after deep, internal monologue. There is clear growth with the younger characters but with a decision made by another character on the crew, it shifts her entire arc and realise that these are people not written as monoliths but act like real people. Addition of new people are understanding of them make sense and are welcomed. No one has easy to guess decisions or free from reprocussions when they make seemingly easier choices.
My comment in the first book was that it was nice that there wasn't this giant, overarching plot that needs 15 books and 1,000 pages between to get to the end (well, in fact, Kane did it in 6 books). In this book, more of that bigger story unfolds. However, Kane earns the attention and I even forgave the inclusion of a broken MacGuffin puzzle piece that will unlock secret information. With the fun adventures and well-written people to follow, it adds to the fun of the story and it doesn't become the sole driving force of the story. In fact, not having unlimited funds becomes an issue that makes the world feel real (my problem with The Expanse series is Holden and his crew never need provisions or purchase bullets for their Rocinante ship).
Two items of note that were exceptional. The first is that the opening chapter entries are diary-like entries that describe the after-effects of the AI Moses up and leaving one random day. In book one, these really helped build the world and they were fun to read about what a Moses built solar system looked like. In book two, they do just the opposite. The tone is darker for Moses leaving and the impending doom and the slow wind down humanity's former sole reliance on the AI for its way of life in the universe is weighted even more here. Reading these were snapshots of dread and horror to come - I loved it. The second was an inclusion of the introduction of a few characters from a multigenerational line that occurs in a flashback. It does tie into the current story in a big way but the quickness they are introduced and the conclusion of their story happens in the middle of the book and within maybe 50 pages (roughly). Kane's writing shines here in making me care about them, seeing them for what they are and could have been, and ties to the story and to the character that comes through in the end. A character in distress needing forgiveness after a confession and another fatherly character freely offering it shows not just character growth but is the theme of the whole story.
The story does not conclude at a reset. Each person on the ship is not who they are at the beginning. Not all of - in the positive. Kane has a clear perspective and if it wasn't clear from the first book, this book shows he knows where he's going and he cares about the reader in having a good time. While I loved the first book a lot, I really enjoyed this book as a different story but in the same universe that the author believes in. I could not recommend this series more for those who enjoy sci-fi and are searching for a book where hope resides. Final Grade - A+
June 9, 2025
I chose to revise this from 3 to 4 stars as I write this because I realised that the weight of the rating was more in regard to the previous book as opposed to this book on its own merits. It's not because this book was poor, so much as I found the first book so wonderful.
The book takes a more focused look than the predecessor, and wonderfully plays the title against two distinct items, namely Grace, the prodigal returning to a home/family that she abandoned (or abandoned her), as well as a high stakes threat codenamed "The Prodigal". I always love a good double-entendre.
The characters are well fleshed out, they have their unique traits and don't feel like pieces created from a plot structure, but rather stand on their own amidst the unfolding plot. This was expected from the previous read, and I'm glad Kane continued his style in generating an enjoyable story with identifiable characters.
The plot itself moves along steadily, though the increase in tension does lean towards an over-the-top play of restore faith, save the world, and do it at the last second, but I didn't feel it was done in an overly melodramatic way, this is fantasy science fiction, not MacBeth. The philosophical themes are well-weaved throughout the narrative not shying away from the depravity of human actions. The world building is probably the strongest aspect of this particular novel. While reading it I had the Ender's Game or Tron style vibe in the forefront of my mind the entire time (no so much Firefly this time).
I did find the narrative to be quite crowded with a lot of different narrative threads weaving together with histories interspersed along the way. It was clear enough not to get lost, but often I found myself having to stop and ask, "Why was this person significant again?" which may be a sign of my cognitive skills as opposed to poor narration. Some may find the slower build-up is squeezed into too few pages for the climatic payoff. The story probably could have had 20-30k more words without feeling like it was dragging.
There were a few points that made me scratch my head. I don't wish to spoil anything, so I shall have to remain vague, but items like why Whitaker with his resources and specific assets wouldn't be able to find and retrieve the anemoi without the Sparrow crew's help, or the mechanics behind why "The Prodigal" was equipped with some "convenient components" to enable the success of the Sparrow's crew, though I feel at this point I'm simply picking nits.
The book in and of itself was an entertaining read and I'm glad I took the opportunity. I fully intend to carry on with the series as this series shows to have explosive potential amidst the trash compactor that is the glut of poorly written books on the market today.
The book takes a more focused look than the predecessor, and wonderfully plays the title against two distinct items, namely Grace, the prodigal returning to a home/family that she abandoned (or abandoned her), as well as a high stakes threat codenamed "The Prodigal". I always love a good double-entendre.
The characters are well fleshed out, they have their unique traits and don't feel like pieces created from a plot structure, but rather stand on their own amidst the unfolding plot. This was expected from the previous read, and I'm glad Kane continued his style in generating an enjoyable story with identifiable characters.
The plot itself moves along steadily, though the increase in tension does lean towards an over-the-top play of restore faith, save the world, and do it at the last second, but I didn't feel it was done in an overly melodramatic way, this is fantasy science fiction, not MacBeth. The philosophical themes are well-weaved throughout the narrative not shying away from the depravity of human actions. The world building is probably the strongest aspect of this particular novel. While reading it I had the Ender's Game or Tron style vibe in the forefront of my mind the entire time (no so much Firefly this time).
I did find the narrative to be quite crowded with a lot of different narrative threads weaving together with histories interspersed along the way. It was clear enough not to get lost, but often I found myself having to stop and ask, "Why was this person significant again?" which may be a sign of my cognitive skills as opposed to poor narration. Some may find the slower build-up is squeezed into too few pages for the climatic payoff. The story probably could have had 20-30k more words without feeling like it was dragging.
There were a few points that made me scratch my head. I don't wish to spoil anything, so I shall have to remain vague, but items like why Whitaker with his resources and specific assets wouldn't be able to find and retrieve the anemoi without the Sparrow crew's help, or the mechanics behind why "The Prodigal" was equipped with some "convenient components" to enable the success of the Sparrow's crew, though I feel at this point I'm simply picking nits.
The book in and of itself was an entertaining read and I'm glad I took the opportunity. I fully intend to carry on with the series as this series shows to have explosive potential amidst the trash compactor that is the glut of poorly written books on the market today.
July 25, 2024
I will admit that when I first started into this, it did not go in the direction I was expecting and for just a very brief second, I thought this book was going to be a filler. You know, the story that is necessary to get us from A to B, but is kind of drawn out with little substance because its gonna be full of backstory.
Man, was I wrong! Prodigal centers around Grace (who is pictured on the cover, so no surprise there). She is back on Ceres for a job hunting the Anemoi pieces when she gets drawn back to the streets trying to rescue some kids. Of course this begins the journey into her memories of growing up on the street and even takes us back to where she originally came from (no spoilers here). The way that Kane reveals this story through action and progression FORWARD is masterful. The action at the end of the book was edge of the seat. Interwoven through all of it is the story of the idea of the Prodigal Son, the lost son who returns home to find forgiveness and love in his family, on so many diffrent levels.
Another series of sleepless nights for me as I tried my best to digest this all as fast as I could. Great job, Michael.
Man, was I wrong! Prodigal centers around Grace (who is pictured on the cover, so no surprise there). She is back on Ceres for a job hunting the Anemoi pieces when she gets drawn back to the streets trying to rescue some kids. Of course this begins the journey into her memories of growing up on the street and even takes us back to where she originally came from (no spoilers here). The way that Kane reveals this story through action and progression FORWARD is masterful. The action at the end of the book was edge of the seat. Interwoven through all of it is the story of the idea of the Prodigal Son, the lost son who returns home to find forgiveness and love in his family, on so many diffrent levels.
Another series of sleepless nights for me as I tried my best to digest this all as fast as I could. Great job, Michael.
July 9, 2024
After reading the first book, After Moses, I decided to keep going. I, of course, hoped this one would also be good, but it’s pretty common for the quality of a series to degrade over time. Well this one was at the same level of excellence as the first. This author is an amazing talent, and I’m glad to have found him. And fortunately there are several more in the series!
July 17, 2024
The second exciting instalment in the After Moses series! Michael Kane once again delivers an action packed thrill ride taking place in the dwarf planet Ceres. Gang wars, mad terrorists, and a looming threat above it all. He certainly knows how to end a story with a bang! A definite read!
November 11, 2024
A radiating tale.
Quite the story. Same well developed characters with some nasty new ones. Something of a slow start but builds explosively at the end. Great story. Highly recommended.
Quite the story. Same well developed characters with some nasty new ones. Something of a slow start but builds explosively at the end. Great story. Highly recommended.
November 22, 2024
amazing sequel
I am absolutely loving the route this series is taking and the second installment is enthralling from start to finish. Reading this as a standalone will certainly keep you coming back for more. Can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!
I am absolutely loving the route this series is taking and the second installment is enthralling from start to finish. Reading this as a standalone will certainly keep you coming back for more. Can’t wait to see where the series goes from here!
October 6, 2025
Faster paced than the first one, lots of action and felt like I could watch the action in my minds eye as I was reading better than any book I read before this one. The rest of the series just gets better.
Read
April 17, 2025incredibly detailed
Michael flashes out every character with intense detail. Even the captain of the squad at the end get more words then one might expect.
Michael flashes out every character with intense detail. Even the captain of the squad at the end get more words then one might expect.
November 10, 2025
This series is such a great read. Great writing, character development, humor, tugged heart strings! Author Michael Kane clearly loves science fiction, which has pushed him to excel in writing it.
November 17, 2021
Fantastic Read
Believable characters, fantastic interplanetary travels, good guys, bad guys and lots of those in the middle just trying to make a life in very challenging environments. Appreciate the characters personalities. We all have our secrets and egos to protect. Highly recommend this and the first book. Can’t wait for the next one. Thanks!
Believable characters, fantastic interplanetary travels, good guys, bad guys and lots of those in the middle just trying to make a life in very challenging environments. Appreciate the characters personalities. We all have our secrets and egos to protect. Highly recommend this and the first book. Can’t wait for the next one. Thanks!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews