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The Frontiers Saga: Part 2: Rogue Castes #15
Into the Serpent's Lair
Empires at the brink of war…
A galactic alliance on the horizon…
Worlds on the verge of destruction…
Comrades taking up arms against one another…
Nathan Scott must use all his cunning to save not only his own world, but the worlds of his friends and his enemies. But to do so, he must make a deal with the devil, and risk everything on a fight no one believes he can win.
"Into the Serpent's Lair" is the 15th and final episode of Part 2 of the Frontiers Saga: Rogue Castes.
A galactic alliance on the horizon…
Worlds on the verge of destruction…
Comrades taking up arms against one another…
Nathan Scott must use all his cunning to save not only his own world, but the worlds of his friends and his enemies. But to do so, he must make a deal with the devil, and risk everything on a fight no one believes he can win.
"Into the Serpent's Lair" is the 15th and final episode of Part 2 of the Frontiers Saga: Rogue Castes.
626 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2020
314 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Ryk Brown
61 books855 followersBorn in 1960 and raised on an overdose of television, NASA, and science fiction, Ryk Brown has worked as a cook, rock guitarist, stage lighting technician, and paramedic. He currently resides in Northern California with his wife, daughter, and cat. By day he fixes computers, and by night he creates stories.
Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.)
A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.
Having spent his entire life "thinking stuff up", the advent of digital publishing has finally given him an excuse to write it all down and share it with others. ("Others" meaning someone other than his poor wife and daughter.)
A long-time fan of all things science and space, his goal is to write and publish an on-going series of sci-fi adventures. To be set in his own version of humanity's future, his characters will explore the vast reaches of the galaxy, and perhaps even the universe. He invites you all to join him on this journey through his vivid imagination.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 24, 2021
I have been a fan of Ryk Brown since I read his first book. Ryk Brown has come a long way from a self-publishing author via Amazon to having Recorded Books publish his works. The book feels like it is the last book of the series.
The book is well written. There are lots of space battles and lots of nail-biting suspense. I have grown to like the various characters of this series and hate the thought of not visiting with them again. The ending of the book is a bit of a surprise. I am looking forward to Brown’s next book/series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and thirty minutes. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating the series. Kafer is a voice-over artist and award-winning audiobook narrator.
The book is well written. There are lots of space battles and lots of nail-biting suspense. I have grown to like the various characters of this series and hate the thought of not visiting with them again. The ending of the book is a bit of a surprise. I am looking forward to Brown’s next book/series.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is fourteen hours and thirty minutes. Jeffrey Kafer does an excellent job narrating the series. Kafer is a voice-over artist and award-winning audiobook narrator.
October 24, 2020
I really like this series of books. The interactions between characters are priceless!
The "real time" count downs and relativity factors during battle sequences puts one into
the cockpit or on the bridge with the players.
This entire ride has been my pleasure!! Please do not let it end!!
I get a Star Wars/Indiana Jones visualization while I'm reading this series.
I will be impatiently waiting for the next adventure on this ride
RPM
The "real time" count downs and relativity factors during battle sequences puts one into
the cockpit or on the bridge with the players.
This entire ride has been my pleasure!! Please do not let it end!!
I get a Star Wars/Indiana Jones visualization while I'm reading this series.
I will be impatiently waiting for the next adventure on this ride
RPM
November 28, 2020
A fitting end and climax to another chapter in the lives of Nathan Scott and his crews.
Engaging well described battles as only Ryk can do.
True to the legacies of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and any other Sci Fi Series or Opera you can think of, Ryk does it every way. Eagerly monitoring my InBox for the notification of Ryks' next instalment.
Engaging well described battles as only Ryk can do.
True to the legacies of Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and any other Sci Fi Series or Opera you can think of, Ryk does it every way. Eagerly monitoring my InBox for the notification of Ryks' next instalment.
September 19, 2021
The best book of the series so far. There are a lot plot lines that come to an end. The main characters fates are decided. There are some seriously good and well choreographed space battles that create a lot of tension. Overall this story was great.
November 29, 2020
This final episode (until the next series) covered more ground than any other single book he has written. In fact, had each book covered as much ground, there would have been about 6 books in this series rather than 15 (which is why I gave it 5 stars).
Fun, fast, creative, and satisfying. Ryk Brown is an excellent and imaginative storyteller. Sadly, he is in need of a competent editor (which is easy to overlook, considering the can't-put-it-down story telling). I'm just saying...
By the way, my wife is reading the first series and really enjoying it (but the lack of word editing drives her crazy since she is a natural editor).
Fun, fast, creative, and satisfying. Ryk Brown is an excellent and imaginative storyteller. Sadly, he is in need of a competent editor (which is easy to overlook, considering the can't-put-it-down story telling). I'm just saying...
By the way, my wife is reading the first series and really enjoying it (but the lack of word editing drives her crazy since she is a natural editor).
December 2, 2020
The Last Installment ?
I’ve throughly enjoyed taking this journey with the Aurora and her many crew members. The end is as it should be, bitter sweet. An objective dearly won at great cost but a future with hope, which we can’t thrive without. Congratulations story teller. Keep them coming.
I’ve throughly enjoyed taking this journey with the Aurora and her many crew members. The end is as it should be, bitter sweet. An objective dearly won at great cost but a future with hope, which we can’t thrive without. Congratulations story teller. Keep them coming.
November 29, 2020
Never fails
This is one of the best. I don’t know how you do it Ryk. The story lines and the words bring the whole thing to life for me. I find it difficult to put your books down and consequently end up in trouble for having my nose stuck in a book all the time. Please keep them coming and I will be sure stick my nose in ‘em.
This is one of the best. I don’t know how you do it Ryk. The story lines and the words bring the whole thing to life for me. I find it difficult to put your books down and consequently end up in trouble for having my nose stuck in a book all the time. Please keep them coming and I will be sure stick my nose in ‘em.
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November 24, 2020For a Moment There ...
About a quarter to half way through I wondered where this book was going - which has never happened before! In this entire series so far.
But faith restored just after to the point where I anticipated at least another book before earth was dealt with ...
Nope ... a whole host of stuff was dealt with to the point where I was thinking is this it?
Nope ... another book looms thank god!
Yes this book was gripping & im sure you’ll enjoy it ...
I’ll just never admit to reading another book when I was in the confused stage thinking it had lost its track !!!
Roll on the next one ...
About a quarter to half way through I wondered where this book was going - which has never happened before! In this entire series so far.
But faith restored just after to the point where I anticipated at least another book before earth was dealt with ...
Nope ... a whole host of stuff was dealt with to the point where I was thinking is this it?
Nope ... another book looms thank god!
Yes this book was gripping & im sure you’ll enjoy it ...
I’ll just never admit to reading another book when I was in the confused stage thinking it had lost its track !!!
Roll on the next one ...
October 26, 2025
An exceptional end to this part of the saga!
January 22, 2021
"Into the Serpent's Lair," the 15th in the second part of the Frontiers Saga, wraps up author Ryk Brown's hugely complex galaxy of the future of celestial human society. Mankind spread to the stars eons earlier and suffered near extinction due to the digital plague. Capt. Nathan Scott began rounding up the straggler worlds the exodus had settled with his ship, the Aurora, and help of his loyal crew. They encountered one tyrannical society after another, suffering near defeat at every outing in Brown's series. Still, Nathan and his allies found a way to succeed, ushering freedom and democracy into every planet they could assist. Nathan's tally of enemies grew long, and they continued to threaten ways of life that didn't conform to their dictates. Brown wrote Nathan as an underdog, a guy who won battles but never a war. And even when he won, he lost something. Sometimes quite a lot of somethings and someones. In this episode, Brown counts down to the ultimate encounter and multi-pronged conflict with many major pieces. Yet, he somehow engineers a way to bring every piece together and somehow fit every world and leader into the mix. Nathan's never had resources. He just had superior ideas and a desire to take risks for the common good. He relied on good people, dedicated to their cause. Brown includes a tremendous battle in Lair, but that hardly ends the book. It's almost as if there are two novels here. Or three. The ending is highly satisfying. But I still felt a little uncertain after putting it down. For this guy who has churned out one novel after another with regularity. What's next?
September 20, 2021
Ein spannendes Ende des zweiten Zyklus der Frontiers Saga. Mich hat sogar ein wenig das Gefühl beschlichen, dass Ryk Brown ab der zweiten Hälfte des Buches in Zugzwang geraten ist. Er hätte eigentlich gefühlt noch einen Band mehr benötigt, um all die offenen Handlungsstränge angemessen abzuschließen. Ansonsten schreibt er sehr, sehr ausführlich, manchemal sogar eine Spur zu gedehnt. Ich will ihm nicht vorwerfen, dass seine Bücher ansonsten Längen haben, aber diesmal hat er eben im Vergleich zu den vorigen Teilen die Handlung gegen Ende um Einiges zusammengestaucht.
Man ahnt oder weiß sogar, welche Angelegenheiten noch alle abgeschlossen werden müssen. Daher fragt man sich irgendwann, wie er das noch alles bis zum Ende des Bandes abschließen will. Aber siehe da, die Ereignisse überschlagen sich, Unnötiges wird weggelassen und ruckizucki, ist alles vorbei. Wenn man seinen Schreibstil gewohnt ist, kommt man sich fast ein wenig betrogen vor um die sonst üblichen Details, aber andererseits... wenn er alle seine Bücher von der Handlungsdichte her in dem Stil schreiben würde wie diesen Abschlußband, wäre er ein gefeierter Topautor mit sagenhaften Bestsellern. Dieser Gedanke hat sich bei mir beim Beenden des Buches festgesetzt.
Man ahnt oder weiß sogar, welche Angelegenheiten noch alle abgeschlossen werden müssen. Daher fragt man sich irgendwann, wie er das noch alles bis zum Ende des Bandes abschließen will. Aber siehe da, die Ereignisse überschlagen sich, Unnötiges wird weggelassen und ruckizucki, ist alles vorbei. Wenn man seinen Schreibstil gewohnt ist, kommt man sich fast ein wenig betrogen vor um die sonst üblichen Details, aber andererseits... wenn er alle seine Bücher von der Handlungsdichte her in dem Stil schreiben würde wie diesen Abschlußband, wäre er ein gefeierter Topautor mit sagenhaften Bestsellern. Dieser Gedanke hat sich bei mir beim Beenden des Buches festgesetzt.
April 27, 2021
All of part two of this series has been a drag. Aside from the author just not being a good writer on a technical level, the story has been 98% filler content and then occasionally something that moves the story along a millimeter or two. This book rounds that off nicely by being 3/4 useless filler content and 1/4 extremely rushed ending. More happened in that 1/4 of this book than in a good 4-5 of the other books in the series combined. You can imagine the quality of storytelling that results in.
This is allegedly the end of part two of five of the series as a whole, but I think I'll just get off here. Part one was good enough, but part two never needed to exist. I can't imagine part 3, 4, or 5 is going to fix that unless the author hires some help - both with storytelling and general writing skills.
If I go the rest of my life without seeing a professional writer describe light colors dozens upon dozens of times per book, it'll still be too soon.
This is allegedly the end of part two of five of the series as a whole, but I think I'll just get off here. Part one was good enough, but part two never needed to exist. I can't imagine part 3, 4, or 5 is going to fix that unless the author hires some help - both with storytelling and general writing skills.
If I go the rest of my life without seeing a professional writer describe light colors dozens upon dozens of times per book, it'll still be too soon.
July 6, 2024
At last
It took 15 books, most probably 1 or 2 too many, but we got to the point everyone knew was coming
For.me it all happened all to quickly, yes I know I said it was 1 or 2 too many books, but the ending could have been the last 2 books and have cut out some of the stuff in the middle
By too quickly, I mean it was basically the last half of this book. Suddenly the stars aligned, Nathan made a few decisions and wham, its all done. If empires are defeated, tyrants deposed and confederations formed in 5 days, then so many other wars would be a lot shorter
Sad for me to give this ending only 3*, as so many before it were 4*
It took 15 books, most probably 1 or 2 too many, but we got to the point everyone knew was coming
For.me it all happened all to quickly, yes I know I said it was 1 or 2 too many books, but the ending could have been the last 2 books and have cut out some of the stuff in the middle
By too quickly, I mean it was basically the last half of this book. Suddenly the stars aligned, Nathan made a few decisions and wham, its all done. If empires are defeated, tyrants deposed and confederations formed in 5 days, then so many other wars would be a lot shorter
Sad for me to give this ending only 3*, as so many before it were 4*
October 16, 2020
Happy happy , Joy joy
It's been a great ride so far, the series has helped me with an online space combat game (Elite Dangerous) and I have loved the development of the characters. I'm looking forward to Series 3, leaving Na-Tan and the alliance and traveling back in time to before the Ark was necessary.
Please continue the excellent work, 30 books is a significant accomplishment
It's been a great ride so far, the series has helped me with an online space combat game (Elite Dangerous) and I have loved the development of the characters. I'm looking forward to Series 3, leaving Na-Tan and the alliance and traveling back in time to before the Ark was necessary.
Please continue the excellent work, 30 books is a significant accomplishment
January 24, 2021
Excellent conclusion to a great theories.
Excellent conclusion of a series. Couldn’t ask for much more. The few things I did not like in the book that’s why I gave it a four Star rating. The general needs his own book he is a bad ass. Jessica and Nathan could’ve had a bit more romance in the book yes I know he was her commanding officer but not really. Because he really had no command. Besides that a great book.
Excellent conclusion of a series. Couldn’t ask for much more. The few things I did not like in the book that’s why I gave it a four Star rating. The general needs his own book he is a bad ass. Jessica and Nathan could’ve had a bit more romance in the book yes I know he was her commanding officer but not really. Because he really had no command. Besides that a great book.
April 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this one. It tied up the Part 2 series very well and had a few surprises in it. As usual, the characters are written well and have fun interactions. The space battles were more interesting in this book than they have been in others. I also felt the pace of this book was much better than the others in Part 2. If they had all been written like this, then the whole thing could have been 5-6 books instead of 15.
October 12, 2020
Must read!!!!!
Once you start it’s hard to put this series down. Now that it’s over you can binge read the entire series. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters and loved the interactions. This book tied up loose ends and the best part was the evil lord got his assed kicked in the end!!!
Once you start it’s hard to put this series down. Now that it’s over you can binge read the entire series. I thoroughly enjoyed the main characters and loved the interactions. This book tied up loose ends and the best part was the evil lord got his assed kicked in the end!!!
October 20, 2020
Damn good read.
Having read the whole series up to now, this episode (15) seemed like good denouement and cathartic ending. Having said that, it's a series of books that always leaves you wanting more, even now. How you keep this family going into the future is I assume by introducing a new and bigger threat. To the author well done sir, keep going and thanks.
Having read the whole series up to now, this episode (15) seemed like good denouement and cathartic ending. Having said that, it's a series of books that always leaves you wanting more, even now. How you keep this family going into the future is I assume by introducing a new and bigger threat. To the author well done sir, keep going and thanks.
October 21, 2020
Just finish, when's the next addition out?
As always a great read! The twist and turns flow well! One truly great surprise (and no I'm not spilling the beans) but can say it could have been more explosive!
That being said the direction of this discovery will be an interesting read.
As always a great read! The twist and turns flow well! One truly great surprise (and no I'm not spilling the beans) but can say it could have been more explosive!
That being said the direction of this discovery will be an interesting read.
November 8, 2020
One of the best in a solid series
The story and strategy of plot was well conceived. Curious to see what the next series brings. The bad guys are now allies. So who will the new enemy be and how will new technology eluded to in this book be brought to fight off the yet known new NEMESIS?
The story and strategy of plot was well conceived. Curious to see what the next series brings. The bad guys are now allies. So who will the new enemy be and how will new technology eluded to in this book be brought to fight off the yet known new NEMESIS?
February 4, 2021
This is my favorite space opera series right now. The good guys are very good, and the bad guys are very bad. The spaceships are pretty cool too.
This particular book wraps up the second 15-book season in the series. It's been an amazing series with the Dusahn.
I can't wait to see what happens next. Thirty books in, I'm all in util Mr Brown stops writing them.
This particular book wraps up the second 15-book season in the series. It's been an amazing series with the Dusahn.
I can't wait to see what happens next. Thirty books in, I'm all in util Mr Brown stops writing them.
November 11, 2022
The Best Read so far
I read everyday being retired. I like action space stories. This the best I've read. Has its moments of slowness, but hey are infrequent but essential to the story line. The characters care well developed and easy to identify with. Good read to say the least.
ELK
I read everyday being retired. I like action space stories. This the best I've read. Has its moments of slowness, but hey are infrequent but essential to the story line. The characters care well developed and easy to identify with. Good read to say the least.
ELK
March 16, 2023
Incredible
This is perhaps one of the best series that I have ever read. I would rank it up there with Game of Thrones and the Wheel of Time. Wonderful characters! Great world building, interesting plot lines and exciting battles scenes. Highly recommend that you start at the beginning and read the books in order...it has been worth my time.
This is perhaps one of the best series that I have ever read. I would rank it up there with Game of Thrones and the Wheel of Time. Wonderful characters! Great world building, interesting plot lines and exciting battles scenes. Highly recommend that you start at the beginning and read the books in order...it has been worth my time.
November 4, 2023
Wow!
Did not expect the ending. Excellent series(2). With the Jung, no, no spoilers. If you haven’t read the previous 29 oops, don’t read this one. Each book is excellent but does not stand alone. Except for the first one, but that leads to the second and so on. Best 45 days of readingI have had in a while.
Did not expect the ending. Excellent series(2). With the Jung, no, no spoilers. If you haven’t read the previous 29 oops, don’t read this one. Each book is excellent but does not stand alone. Except for the first one, but that leads to the second and so on. Best 45 days of readingI have had in a while.
December 8, 2024
Fantastic end to the second part! Telles has to be one of the best characters in the series. Ryk has managed to create a wealth of amazing characters. Highly recommended to all Sci-fi fans. I'm not an enthusiastic reader, but I find every book in The Frontiers Saga extremely easy to read and hard to put down. Looking forward to starting Part 3.
October 11, 2020
Amazing
An amazing conclusion filled with action and wrapping up many different plot lines. This is an incredible series that needs expansion and to be treated seriously in the s info community.
An amazing conclusion filled with action and wrapping up many different plot lines. This is an incredible series that needs expansion and to be treated seriously in the s info community.
October 14, 2020
The best episode yet
What a great finish to the second part of The Frontiers Saga! If you are just discovering the series with this episode, go start from the beginning. This has been one of the most entertaining si-if series I’ve read. Can’t wait to see what is next!
What a great finish to the second part of The Frontiers Saga! If you are just discovering the series with this episode, go start from the beginning. This has been one of the most entertaining si-if series I’ve read. Can’t wait to see what is next!
October 16, 2020
A great ending to the arc
Every story must come to a close, and so many did in this book. I won't spoil them, but the greatest ending came with just 2 words - "Goodbye, ______". Looking forward to the next installment!
Every story must come to a close, and so many did in this book. I won't spoil them, but the greatest ending came with just 2 words - "Goodbye, ______". Looking forward to the next installment!
October 17, 2020
A worthy conclusion to act two
Na-Tan and company return in another hair raising adventure that brings the fate of worlds right down to the wire. It makes reading the last 14 books worth it. When is this coming to the silver screen?
Na-Tan and company return in another hair raising adventure that brings the fate of worlds right down to the wire. It makes reading the last 14 books worth it. When is this coming to the silver screen?
October 18, 2020
Thanks for all the fishes!
This is one heck of series, very intense, very action packed, and yet still have time on philosophical musing of leadership, combat, politics, and life. Congratulations on finishing this series! Can't wait for the next!
This is one heck of series, very intense, very action packed, and yet still have time on philosophical musing of leadership, combat, politics, and life. Congratulations on finishing this series! Can't wait for the next!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews