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The Stone Man #2
The Empty Men
The long-awaited sequel to the #1 Amazon and Audible bestseller The Stone Man, shortlisted for Audible Book of the Year 2015
On a quiet seafront in the middle of the afternoon the sun sets, the clouds part, and something like a pale, elongated human figure appears on the horizon.
For Maria, watching from the beach, it’s proof that she should never have dared to return. Five years earlier, her life shattered by the arrival of the Stone Man, she’d fled the country. But now she can’t escape: suddenly, there are news reports of ‘Empty Men’ materialising all around the coast, and the roads are gridlocked. The Empty Men are killers, and they’re heading inland.
A hundred miles from the sea, lonely, grieving Eric obsessively keeps watch in the ruins of Coventry, never straying far from Ground Zero, the site of the Stone Man’s first appearance. For five years, Eric has known there was a massive government cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the Stone Man and its disappearance, and he’s determined to find the truth.
As Maria battles the Empty Men in a desperate chase for survival, and Eric is caught in a terrifying transformation at Ground Zero, both find themselves on a path leading straight to the heart of the Stone Man mystery.
Chilling, fast-paced and full of stunning twists, this is the highly-anticipated second book in Luke Smitherd’s outstanding Stone Man series.
On a quiet seafront in the middle of the afternoon the sun sets, the clouds part, and something like a pale, elongated human figure appears on the horizon.
For Maria, watching from the beach, it’s proof that she should never have dared to return. Five years earlier, her life shattered by the arrival of the Stone Man, she’d fled the country. But now she can’t escape: suddenly, there are news reports of ‘Empty Men’ materialising all around the coast, and the roads are gridlocked. The Empty Men are killers, and they’re heading inland.
A hundred miles from the sea, lonely, grieving Eric obsessively keeps watch in the ruins of Coventry, never straying far from Ground Zero, the site of the Stone Man’s first appearance. For five years, Eric has known there was a massive government cover-up of the circumstances surrounding the Stone Man and its disappearance, and he’s determined to find the truth.
As Maria battles the Empty Men in a desperate chase for survival, and Eric is caught in a terrifying transformation at Ground Zero, both find themselves on a path leading straight to the heart of the Stone Man mystery.
Chilling, fast-paced and full of stunning twists, this is the highly-anticipated second book in Luke Smitherd’s outstanding Stone Man series.
412 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2020
143 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Luke Smitherd
36 books595 followersLuke Smitherd is the author of The Stone Man (shortlisted for Audible Book of the Year 2015) and its sequels as well as several other novels. A former singer and guitarist, he now writes full time, hosts the comedy music-discussion show Cracker Juice, and performs around Los Angeles as a stand-up comic. He divides his time between the United States and the United Kingdom.
www.lukesmitherd.com
www.lukesmitherd.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
December 27, 2020
A SIMPLE MAN'S REVIEW:
Somehow this is both a sequel but also mostly unrelated? Like, yes, the Stone Men were a thing, but now we have this other thing and we're not going to connect them for you.
The first chapter of this book is the best part of the whole thing - it was so stressful and exactly how I picture it would really happen. Granted, it was set during the first (and better) book, but it really should have set the tone. Unfortunately...
The whole book was basically people running away (one protagonist's view) and people trying to sneak in (the other protagonist's view). We see the new threat but don't learn anything about them. We are provided a bit of backstory for the first book but there isn't a solid connection between the two stories. So other than the Empty Men, nothing really happens. And for a story about aliens, it's pretty boring!
Look, if you loved the first book, then you might like this one, seeing that it's whole purpose seems to be to set up the third book (I hate when authors do this!). But if you're not neck deep in this stuff...
Skip it!
Somehow this is both a sequel but also mostly unrelated? Like, yes, the Stone Men were a thing, but now we have this other thing and we're not going to connect them for you.
The first chapter of this book is the best part of the whole thing - it was so stressful and exactly how I picture it would really happen. Granted, it was set during the first (and better) book, but it really should have set the tone. Unfortunately...
The whole book was basically people running away (one protagonist's view) and people trying to sneak in (the other protagonist's view). We see the new threat but don't learn anything about them. We are provided a bit of backstory for the first book but there isn't a solid connection between the two stories. So other than the Empty Men, nothing really happens. And for a story about aliens, it's pretty boring!
Look, if you loved the first book, then you might like this one, seeing that it's whole purpose seems to be to set up the third book (I hate when authors do this!). But if you're not neck deep in this stuff...
Skip it!
September 11, 2021
Das Cover passt wirklich sehr gut zu dem Cover von Band eins - auch hier fühlt sich der Titel wie Sand oder eben Stein an, was natürlich perfekt passt. Zudem mag ich die Farben wieder sehr gerne und allgemein die Gestaltung vom Cover, auch wenn es etwas ruhiger gehalten ist.
Auch der Schreibstil von Luke Smitherd hat mir wieder gefallen, denn er ist flüssig, gut zu lesen, spannend und hin und wieder auch düster. Mir kamen die Kapitel etwas kürzer vor als in Band eins, was mir persönlich sogar besser gefallen hat, so kommt es mir immer vor, als würde man nur so durch die Kapitel fliegen. Ich bin gut und schnell in das Buch reingekommen und kann nur sagen, dass der Anfang echt genial war und wohl zu meinen liebsten Stellen im Buch gehört :D Aber die Spannung lässt eigentlich bis zum Schluss nicht nach. Die Kapitel sind aus den Sichten von Maria und Eric geschrieben, wodurch es auch sehr abwechslungsreich bleibt.
Luke Smithereds Schreibstil wirklich sehr interessante und unterschiedliche Charaktere, bei denen ich nie das Gefühl gehabt habe, dass da noch etwas fehlt. Klar sind sie nicht perfekt, aber das wäre wohl niemand in der Situation. Mir persönlich haben die Charaktere sogar noch besser gefallen, als die aus Band eins. :D
Insgesamt also wieder ein sehr spannendes und geniales Buch, das mal was ganz anderes ist. Das neue Wesen ist auf eine ganz andere Art und Weise gefährlich und besonders das hat mir echt gut gefallen. Band zwei ist ganz anders als Band eins, weshalb es schwierig ist, die Bücher miteinander zu vergleichen - beide sind jedoch echt gut. Ich kann es also wieder mal empfehlen und freue mich sehr auf alles, was da noch kommt.
4,25/5 Sterne
Auch der Schreibstil von Luke Smitherd hat mir wieder gefallen, denn er ist flüssig, gut zu lesen, spannend und hin und wieder auch düster. Mir kamen die Kapitel etwas kürzer vor als in Band eins, was mir persönlich sogar besser gefallen hat, so kommt es mir immer vor, als würde man nur so durch die Kapitel fliegen. Ich bin gut und schnell in das Buch reingekommen und kann nur sagen, dass der Anfang echt genial war und wohl zu meinen liebsten Stellen im Buch gehört :D Aber die Spannung lässt eigentlich bis zum Schluss nicht nach. Die Kapitel sind aus den Sichten von Maria und Eric geschrieben, wodurch es auch sehr abwechslungsreich bleibt.
Luke Smithereds Schreibstil wirklich sehr interessante und unterschiedliche Charaktere, bei denen ich nie das Gefühl gehabt habe, dass da noch etwas fehlt. Klar sind sie nicht perfekt, aber das wäre wohl niemand in der Situation. Mir persönlich haben die Charaktere sogar noch besser gefallen, als die aus Band eins. :D
Insgesamt also wieder ein sehr spannendes und geniales Buch, das mal was ganz anderes ist. Das neue Wesen ist auf eine ganz andere Art und Weise gefährlich und besonders das hat mir echt gut gefallen. Band zwei ist ganz anders als Band eins, weshalb es schwierig ist, die Bücher miteinander zu vergleichen - beide sind jedoch echt gut. Ich kann es also wieder mal empfehlen und freue mich sehr auf alles, was da noch kommt.
4,25/5 Sterne
September 2, 2021
Der erste Band zum Stone Man fand ich in den Grundzügen gut entworfen, jedoch fand ich teilweise die Kapitel zu lang, sodass sich mein Lesefluss damals sehr gezogen hat. Aber die Plotidee war grandios und ich habe mich schon gefragt, wie es bei diesem Buch weitergehen wird.
Im zweiten Band zum Stone Man springen wir in der Zeit fünf Jahre vor. Diesmal erwartet die Menschen an der Westküste Englands eine neue Bedrohung, welche man als eine weiße, teils durchsichtige Gestalt namens Empty Man bezeichnen kann. Dieser erscheint als recht mysteriös, hat aber nur ein Ziel vor Augen: Maria, die noch unter den Folgen der Begegnung mit dem Stone Man leidet. Parallel dazu rückt Eric Hatton, ein weiterer Protagonist des Romans, ins britische Hauptquartier und erfährt den schrecklichen Plan des Wesens.
In das Buch bin ich gut eingestiegen, da man als Leser direkt mit dem „Empty Man“ konfrontiert wird. Deswegen herrscht eine gute Spannung, wodurch mich das Buch von Anfang an fesseln konnte. Auffällig war meiner Meinung nach, dass irgendwie der Schreibstil bzw. die Übersetzung sich ins Positive gewandelt hat. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass ein viel flüssigerer sowie einfacher Schreibstil in diesem Buch vorlag, als man es aus dem ersten Band kannte. Deswegen kam ich gut durch die Seiten und hatte einen besseren Leseflow.
Die wechselnden Perspektiven – hauptsächlich zwischen Maria und Eric – werden gut umgesetzt. Man erhält somit zwei Blickwinkel auf die neue Katastrophe in Westengland. Der Plot an sich ist meines Erachtens auch viel spannender entworfen. Ich fand, dass im ersten Band die Protagonisten recht passiv agierten. In diesem Band wird der Handlungsverlauf viel aktiver und actionreicher, sodass auch ein tolles Tempo vorliegt. Folglich kann ich somit zu dem zweiten Band sagen, dass sich dieser zum ersten Band viel verbessert hat.
Fazit: Mit „Stone Man – Die Rückkehr“ entwirft der Autor eine spannende Fortsetzung zum ersten Band, indem er eine weitere surreale Kreatur in das Buch integriert. Dadurch erhält das Buch viel Spannung und Mystisches. Zudem nahm ich eine enorme Steigerung hinsichtlich des Erzähl- sowie Schreibstils wahr. Ich freue mich auf Band 3.
Im zweiten Band zum Stone Man springen wir in der Zeit fünf Jahre vor. Diesmal erwartet die Menschen an der Westküste Englands eine neue Bedrohung, welche man als eine weiße, teils durchsichtige Gestalt namens Empty Man bezeichnen kann. Dieser erscheint als recht mysteriös, hat aber nur ein Ziel vor Augen: Maria, die noch unter den Folgen der Begegnung mit dem Stone Man leidet. Parallel dazu rückt Eric Hatton, ein weiterer Protagonist des Romans, ins britische Hauptquartier und erfährt den schrecklichen Plan des Wesens.
In das Buch bin ich gut eingestiegen, da man als Leser direkt mit dem „Empty Man“ konfrontiert wird. Deswegen herrscht eine gute Spannung, wodurch mich das Buch von Anfang an fesseln konnte. Auffällig war meiner Meinung nach, dass irgendwie der Schreibstil bzw. die Übersetzung sich ins Positive gewandelt hat. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass ein viel flüssigerer sowie einfacher Schreibstil in diesem Buch vorlag, als man es aus dem ersten Band kannte. Deswegen kam ich gut durch die Seiten und hatte einen besseren Leseflow.
Die wechselnden Perspektiven – hauptsächlich zwischen Maria und Eric – werden gut umgesetzt. Man erhält somit zwei Blickwinkel auf die neue Katastrophe in Westengland. Der Plot an sich ist meines Erachtens auch viel spannender entworfen. Ich fand, dass im ersten Band die Protagonisten recht passiv agierten. In diesem Band wird der Handlungsverlauf viel aktiver und actionreicher, sodass auch ein tolles Tempo vorliegt. Folglich kann ich somit zu dem zweiten Band sagen, dass sich dieser zum ersten Band viel verbessert hat.
Fazit: Mit „Stone Man – Die Rückkehr“ entwirft der Autor eine spannende Fortsetzung zum ersten Band, indem er eine weitere surreale Kreatur in das Buch integriert. Dadurch erhält das Buch viel Spannung und Mystisches. Zudem nahm ich eine enorme Steigerung hinsichtlich des Erzähl- sowie Schreibstils wahr. Ich freue mich auf Band 3.
November 25, 2024
An ok sequel, made better by knowing its part of a wider tale.
The threats grow, the unexplained powers feel more ethereal, the twists a little wild.
But some bloody brilliant world building of a world responding to the events of book one.
While perhaps weaker than book one..more than enjoyable and interesting enough to make continuing a certainty
The threats grow, the unexplained powers feel more ethereal, the twists a little wild.
But some bloody brilliant world building of a world responding to the events of book one.
While perhaps weaker than book one..more than enjoyable and interesting enough to make continuing a certainty
March 23, 2022
The Empty Men picks up several years after the evens of ‘The Stone Man’ and sees an England that has been rocked by the events that occurred during this time frame, shocked at not just at devastation caused and loss of life, but at the realisation that we are not alone.
In book 1, we followed the stories of Andy and Paul as they tried to work out what was happening, and stop the Stone Man. In The Empty Men, we are introduced to two new characters.
The first is Maria, she was there when the Stone Man came, saw it, and experienced it in all its horror.
5yrs after those events, Maria is at a beach resort, trying to get over those events, when a new event occurs, giant ‘Empty Men’ not the same as the original Stone Man, but similar seen hovering above the water.
The second new character is Eric, someone else who was also deeply affected by the events of ‘the Stone Man’ (NO Spoilers though – you can read that yourself!), and as a result, he is also very aware of the return of the Empty Men, and the threat they pose.
As the Empty Men begin to kill, other events unfold around the original ‘Ground Zero’ location of the events of Stone Man, and both Maria and Eric find themselves drawn to this location (along with some other very fascinating characters).
Smitherd has weaved this intriguing tale, told from two very different perspectives, one from the point of view of a woman whose life was totally shattered 5yrs earlier, and she still hasn’t recovered from this. Smitherd has done a masterful job of capturing the fear, anguish, and pain of her past, but as she moves through Empty Men, you also get to see the real courage that lives within Maria – she is such a brilliant character.
Eric is just as exceptional, deeply troubled by his past, wrapped in conspiracy upon conspiracy, he is struggling to cope with the events that have occurred 5yrs previously, and make sense of them all. Things only get worse when the Empty Men arrive, and things happen at the original Stone Man site. Again, Smitherd has written an absolutely brilliant character, Eric is very authentic and gritty, you can feel his pain and what he is going through.
As the events of Empty Men unfold, both Maria and Eric both have their different agendas to follow, which makes for an intriguing (I just don’t want to give anything away), story that once you get into this, you won’t be able to put it down.
As with Stone Man, the world building continues to be outstanding, with stunning detail. Obviously, it is easy to write about the English countryside, but Smitherd’s detailed descriptions of the ‘Empty Men’ (Without giving away spoilers), all of his depictions, were just so detailed, so incredibly in-depth. Smitherd not only creates this visual image for you, but he creates a full sensory picture for you, so you can feel it, understand what it smells like, the electricity in the air, even if there is a taste. His descriptions are immersive allowing the reader to completely understand what the character is going through at that point in time, and for something like Empty Men, it provides really interesting insight into everything.
The Stone Man was a brilliant story, and it was always going to be difficult to write a sequel, (as Smitherd has said, not everyone was going to be happy with him regardless of what he wrote!), but The Empty Men is as close to the best result you could ever hope for out of a sequel, with brilliant characters, a fantastic storyline that has credible, intelligent and fascinating new threats to follow on from those in the original story, and best of all, it has enough twists and turns and surprises that you won’t see coming to make you think it’s Christmas.
If you liked, read, had any interest in Stone Man – you need to read Empty Men – as you will love it.
In book 1, we followed the stories of Andy and Paul as they tried to work out what was happening, and stop the Stone Man. In The Empty Men, we are introduced to two new characters.
The first is Maria, she was there when the Stone Man came, saw it, and experienced it in all its horror.
5yrs after those events, Maria is at a beach resort, trying to get over those events, when a new event occurs, giant ‘Empty Men’ not the same as the original Stone Man, but similar seen hovering above the water.
The second new character is Eric, someone else who was also deeply affected by the events of ‘the Stone Man’ (NO Spoilers though – you can read that yourself!), and as a result, he is also very aware of the return of the Empty Men, and the threat they pose.
As the Empty Men begin to kill, other events unfold around the original ‘Ground Zero’ location of the events of Stone Man, and both Maria and Eric find themselves drawn to this location (along with some other very fascinating characters).
Smitherd has weaved this intriguing tale, told from two very different perspectives, one from the point of view of a woman whose life was totally shattered 5yrs earlier, and she still hasn’t recovered from this. Smitherd has done a masterful job of capturing the fear, anguish, and pain of her past, but as she moves through Empty Men, you also get to see the real courage that lives within Maria – she is such a brilliant character.
Eric is just as exceptional, deeply troubled by his past, wrapped in conspiracy upon conspiracy, he is struggling to cope with the events that have occurred 5yrs previously, and make sense of them all. Things only get worse when the Empty Men arrive, and things happen at the original Stone Man site. Again, Smitherd has written an absolutely brilliant character, Eric is very authentic and gritty, you can feel his pain and what he is going through.
As the events of Empty Men unfold, both Maria and Eric both have their different agendas to follow, which makes for an intriguing (I just don’t want to give anything away), story that once you get into this, you won’t be able to put it down.
As with Stone Man, the world building continues to be outstanding, with stunning detail. Obviously, it is easy to write about the English countryside, but Smitherd’s detailed descriptions of the ‘Empty Men’ (Without giving away spoilers), all of his depictions, were just so detailed, so incredibly in-depth. Smitherd not only creates this visual image for you, but he creates a full sensory picture for you, so you can feel it, understand what it smells like, the electricity in the air, even if there is a taste. His descriptions are immersive allowing the reader to completely understand what the character is going through at that point in time, and for something like Empty Men, it provides really interesting insight into everything.
The Stone Man was a brilliant story, and it was always going to be difficult to write a sequel, (as Smitherd has said, not everyone was going to be happy with him regardless of what he wrote!), but The Empty Men is as close to the best result you could ever hope for out of a sequel, with brilliant characters, a fantastic storyline that has credible, intelligent and fascinating new threats to follow on from those in the original story, and best of all, it has enough twists and turns and surprises that you won’t see coming to make you think it’s Christmas.
If you liked, read, had any interest in Stone Man – you need to read Empty Men – as you will love it.
January 17, 2021
I absolutely loved book 1 (The Stone Man) because it was an original and unique origin story and had a great first person psychological perspective. I prefer origin stories but decided to try this one. Sadly, it didn't deliver for me. It had too much action, in my opinion.
January 2, 2021
Following on from the stone man (which was a strong enough book to be a stand alone) we are thru back in to a universe that has had two more arrivals since the stone man. We follow Maria and Eric with Linda and Harry thru the fourth arrival and their gripping story of survival and quest for answers.
Well written and an awesome original sci fi. Smitherds does it again.
Well written and an awesome original sci fi. Smitherds does it again.
April 14, 2022
Great second book!
Loved The Stone Man and was excited to find it has become a series! Couldn't put this one down and must say this is the stuff of nightmares. Could someone in Hollywood turn this into a movie or bingeable series already????
Loved The Stone Man and was excited to find it has become a series! Couldn't put this one down and must say this is the stuff of nightmares. Could someone in Hollywood turn this into a movie or bingeable series already????
November 7, 2020
If you're a fan of The Stone Man, purchase The Empty Men now.
If you've never read The Stone Man, read it. It's cheap. Then buy The Empty Men when you're finished.
I've been a fan of Luke's work for ages and have been looking forward to a Stone Man sequel since the original was released half a decade ago. When word got out that it was finally coming, I was excited - but also a bit skeptical. Would it capture the same magic as the first novel? And would it answer the questions I had when I turned the last page?
Suffice to say, I was blown away by The Empty Men. It starts out with one of the most memorable introductions to a novel that I've read in years - getting the blood flowing in just a few short pages. I'm talking a single sequence that outdoes ANYTHING he's written previously. And from there? It never lets up. The action is bigger than the first book. The mythology gets deeper. And even though we're following a new cast of characters, I'd hazard to say that they're even more interesting and better developed than Andy and co were in the original. You'll care about the people on the page, but Luke does such amazing work with pacing and structure that you'll also never get bored. It's fast, clean, and it shows through and through why it took so long for him to publish it: he obviously wanted to deliver the best sequel he possibly could - and he succeeds.
Any criticisms? Not really. Some questions still linger by the end of the novel - and it's clear that Luke is setting things up for future installments. But he does so well placing his chess pieces on the board here that I'd imagine more answers are coming in the very near future.
It's a great book and I couldn't be happier that I got a chance to read/listen to it. Looking forward to The Stone Man Part 3, whenever it comes 'round.
If you've never read The Stone Man, read it. It's cheap. Then buy The Empty Men when you're finished.
I've been a fan of Luke's work for ages and have been looking forward to a Stone Man sequel since the original was released half a decade ago. When word got out that it was finally coming, I was excited - but also a bit skeptical. Would it capture the same magic as the first novel? And would it answer the questions I had when I turned the last page?
Suffice to say, I was blown away by The Empty Men. It starts out with one of the most memorable introductions to a novel that I've read in years - getting the blood flowing in just a few short pages. I'm talking a single sequence that outdoes ANYTHING he's written previously. And from there? It never lets up. The action is bigger than the first book. The mythology gets deeper. And even though we're following a new cast of characters, I'd hazard to say that they're even more interesting and better developed than Andy and co were in the original. You'll care about the people on the page, but Luke does such amazing work with pacing and structure that you'll also never get bored. It's fast, clean, and it shows through and through why it took so long for him to publish it: he obviously wanted to deliver the best sequel he possibly could - and he succeeds.
Any criticisms? Not really. Some questions still linger by the end of the novel - and it's clear that Luke is setting things up for future installments. But he does so well placing his chess pieces on the board here that I'd imagine more answers are coming in the very near future.
It's a great book and I couldn't be happier that I got a chance to read/listen to it. Looking forward to The Stone Man Part 3, whenever it comes 'round.
March 22, 2021
He's gone and done it again!
I remember reading the first book "The stone man" and just being blown away.
It was a book that left me going over and over events that I had read, it just fired up my brain and stayed with me.
Now book two lands and I am wondering, can he do it again?
Yes, yes he can.
I couldn't get enough of this book and devoured it hungrily. Every chance I got I was reading and really struggled to stop to actually get on with stuff in the real world.
I reread "The stone man" before reading "The empty men", and I'm so glad I did.
Luke Smitherd is a fantastic writer and I can't recommend his books highly enough, I have loved every single one.
So if you're on the look out for something to read that's just a bit "different" to anything you may have read, then you can't go wrong with this, or in fact any of his books.
I remember reading the first book "The stone man" and just being blown away.
It was a book that left me going over and over events that I had read, it just fired up my brain and stayed with me.
Now book two lands and I am wondering, can he do it again?
Yes, yes he can.
I couldn't get enough of this book and devoured it hungrily. Every chance I got I was reading and really struggled to stop to actually get on with stuff in the real world.
I reread "The stone man" before reading "The empty men", and I'm so glad I did.
Luke Smitherd is a fantastic writer and I can't recommend his books highly enough, I have loved every single one.
So if you're on the look out for something to read that's just a bit "different" to anything you may have read, then you can't go wrong with this, or in fact any of his books.
August 11, 2021
The Stone Men was a really neat little SF book. It was fresh and original. This one is a bit stodgy. There's too much happening and nothing is resolved. There are also too many 'ready for the movies' scenes, which might be impressive in CGI but just make for dull reading on the page.
The author has an annoying habit of ending passages with sentences like 'But that wasn't as bad as the day would get.' which are probably intended to increase tension but have the opposite effect.
I hope in the third in the series the reader is provided with some answers.
The author has an annoying habit of ending passages with sentences like 'But that wasn't as bad as the day would get.' which are probably intended to increase tension but have the opposite effect.
I hope in the third in the series the reader is provided with some answers.
July 21, 2021
Half a book
I have to give this a bad review, because it ends suddenly, almost mid sentence. Maybe if the next book was included, I would feel differently, but I just feel cheated...
I have to give this a bad review, because it ends suddenly, almost mid sentence. Maybe if the next book was included, I would feel differently, but I just feel cheated...
March 1, 2021
Feels more like a spinoff than a sequel; this is a very different book to The Stone Man, its warmth and chumminess replaced with chilling eldritch horror. The Stone Men themselves may have been imposing and daunting, but they were also slow and seemingly braindead - in comparison, the Empty Men that take their place here display considerably more intelligence, can move with considerably more freedom and speed, and have a much wider range of supernatural abilities. They are an enemy that feels considerably more dangerous, the fight against them feels considerably more hopeless, and the writing reflects this. There's less charm, the new characters feel notably less spirited, and any interactions between them that feel affectionate are used in service of demonstrating the terror of the Empty Men, rather than in developing those characters or relationships. None of this is necessarily a complaint - it's a fine book, inventive and absorbing - but it's absolutely not what I was expecting, and it feels like it's not particularly playing to Smitherd's strengths as a writer either, with a few clunky passages creeping in amidst the need to be a more distant and cold narrator. (One particular deployment of the phrase 'it was the worst thing he'd ever seen' has such extreme Garth Marenghi energy that I honestly think it might be a deliberate reference.) While I thought The Stone Man was a book you should read blind, I think it's better here to know ahead of time that there is a significant shift in focus, mood, and genre.
That said, the spirit of the first book starts to break through in the final few chapters, and the way it ends sets up a third instalment beautifully. That the author's notes at the end mention that this is already partially written is not surprising at all; it feels like Smitherd picked up a bit of inspiration and energy to continue exploring this universe as the story told in this book started to wind down to its conclusion. We'll have to wait and see, of course, but I already feel confident in predicting that the third story in this series will be better, closer in both quality and execution to the first. It will be interesting to review how The Empty Men feels at that point, whether the new ideas and characters it introduces end up feeling vital, whether its tone is synthesized successfully into Smitherd's usual style: ultimately whether it ends up as an important stepping stone or as a curious odd duck within the franchise.
That said, the spirit of the first book starts to break through in the final few chapters, and the way it ends sets up a third instalment beautifully. That the author's notes at the end mention that this is already partially written is not surprising at all; it feels like Smitherd picked up a bit of inspiration and energy to continue exploring this universe as the story told in this book started to wind down to its conclusion. We'll have to wait and see, of course, but I already feel confident in predicting that the third story in this series will be better, closer in both quality and execution to the first. It will be interesting to review how The Empty Men feels at that point, whether the new ideas and characters it introduces end up feeling vital, whether its tone is synthesized successfully into Smitherd's usual style: ultimately whether it ends up as an important stepping stone or as a curious odd duck within the franchise.
January 17, 2021
As the first book left us wanting more, now after years of wondering,we finally get the much demanded second instalment!!
This story is set some time after the first book, which means that although this is a second in the series, this also means that it's not exactly essential to have read the first book and it can be read as a stand alone novel too. There's enough to explain the events of the first book (the stone man) and although there are a couple of cross overs to the characters from the first book the main characters in this are new faces.
Years have passed since the stone man first visited England. The world has returned to a state of normality and the visit remains a distant memory for most , until one day a similar phenomenon starts again. Hovering out at sea a strange figure appears glistening in the afternoon sun. It makes its way closer to shore as people begin to take notice and crowds gather. It stands proudly on the beach, silent and leering ,deadly and still and as the crowds draw nearer, the memories of the stone man return and along with that the fear of what was, what could come rises.
A brave member of the crowd runs out, spurred on by his friends to touch this marvellous wonder and as his hand reaches out, sense of danger being crushed by mates who egg him on and teen pride ,the figure,human like in form disappears as soon as it came and the country stands mouth aghast at what they saw.
As reports of the visits start to circulate the epicentre of the first visit once again takes centre stage and becomes a hive of activity as the country rushes and stumbles to get prepared for the next coming, the next instalment of stone man. But this time it's different. They are different and yet the same...... Impenetrable to gunfire, we are helpless to fight back.....or are we?
The exciting next chapter by Luke Smitherd,I highly recommend all of his books as he has a unique take on writing and likes you to think,to question,to wonder what happens next,to leave you always wanting more.....
This story is set some time after the first book, which means that although this is a second in the series, this also means that it's not exactly essential to have read the first book and it can be read as a stand alone novel too. There's enough to explain the events of the first book (the stone man) and although there are a couple of cross overs to the characters from the first book the main characters in this are new faces.
Years have passed since the stone man first visited England. The world has returned to a state of normality and the visit remains a distant memory for most , until one day a similar phenomenon starts again. Hovering out at sea a strange figure appears glistening in the afternoon sun. It makes its way closer to shore as people begin to take notice and crowds gather. It stands proudly on the beach, silent and leering ,deadly and still and as the crowds draw nearer, the memories of the stone man return and along with that the fear of what was, what could come rises.
A brave member of the crowd runs out, spurred on by his friends to touch this marvellous wonder and as his hand reaches out, sense of danger being crushed by mates who egg him on and teen pride ,the figure,human like in form disappears as soon as it came and the country stands mouth aghast at what they saw.
As reports of the visits start to circulate the epicentre of the first visit once again takes centre stage and becomes a hive of activity as the country rushes and stumbles to get prepared for the next coming, the next instalment of stone man. But this time it's different. They are different and yet the same...... Impenetrable to gunfire, we are helpless to fight back.....or are we?
The exciting next chapter by Luke Smitherd,I highly recommend all of his books as he has a unique take on writing and likes you to think,to question,to wonder what happens next,to leave you always wanting more.....
January 16, 2024
This is a sequel to The Stone Man that strips out most of the issues I had with the original, and then takes everything that was good about it and ramps it all the way up to 11.
It’s been several years since the Stone Man’s first arrival, and a traumatised nation is just about getting back on its feet. Maria is a teacher who narrowly survived an encounter with a Stone Man during the First Arrival, and fled the country shortly afterward, only now daring to return and sort out some family affairs. Eric, meanwhile, is a sort of Stone Man truther, camping out near the site of the initial arrival, ostensibly looking for answers, but also secretly hoping to become part of the story. Both get far, far more than they bargained for when a terrifying new threat arrives, leaving nobody safe.
The Empty Men is a novel that has one pace and it is: breakneck. Once things start kicking off, they continue to kick off, and they do not stop kicking-off for another 300 pages, with the stakes and the level of strangeness ramping up exponentially and never, ever slowing. There are some fantastic sequences, ranging from adrenaline-fueled set-pieces, to mind-bending weirdness, and stomach-churning horror. The characters feel more distinctive, the gimmick of the story being told via someone's Dictaphone recording is mercifully dropped, and the whole thing feels deeper, darker and more daring.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that virtually none of it is explained. Things happen, and you just have to go with it. This is such a middle instalment, and so bursting at the seams with incident, that there’s little opportunity to catch your breath, deliver exposition, or to really delve into why any of this is happening, let alone what it all means. Smithered assures us in the Afterword that he has long known the answers, and that he has a plan for it all mapped out, and at this point I'm happy to believe him, although it will be disappointing if he can't ultimately back that up.
But hell, even if it turns out that he can’t justify any of this, and it all remains an inscrutable foray into random weirdness, it doesn’t stop The Empty Men being one hell of an exhilarating ride.
It’s been several years since the Stone Man’s first arrival, and a traumatised nation is just about getting back on its feet. Maria is a teacher who narrowly survived an encounter with a Stone Man during the First Arrival, and fled the country shortly afterward, only now daring to return and sort out some family affairs. Eric, meanwhile, is a sort of Stone Man truther, camping out near the site of the initial arrival, ostensibly looking for answers, but also secretly hoping to become part of the story. Both get far, far more than they bargained for when a terrifying new threat arrives, leaving nobody safe.
The Empty Men is a novel that has one pace and it is: breakneck. Once things start kicking off, they continue to kick off, and they do not stop kicking-off for another 300 pages, with the stakes and the level of strangeness ramping up exponentially and never, ever slowing. There are some fantastic sequences, ranging from adrenaline-fueled set-pieces, to mind-bending weirdness, and stomach-churning horror. The characters feel more distinctive, the gimmick of the story being told via someone's Dictaphone recording is mercifully dropped, and the whole thing feels deeper, darker and more daring.
If there’s a criticism here it’s that virtually none of it is explained. Things happen, and you just have to go with it. This is such a middle instalment, and so bursting at the seams with incident, that there’s little opportunity to catch your breath, deliver exposition, or to really delve into why any of this is happening, let alone what it all means. Smithered assures us in the Afterword that he has long known the answers, and that he has a plan for it all mapped out, and at this point I'm happy to believe him, although it will be disappointing if he can't ultimately back that up.
But hell, even if it turns out that he can’t justify any of this, and it all remains an inscrutable foray into random weirdness, it doesn’t stop The Empty Men being one hell of an exhilarating ride.
December 30, 2024
The Empty Men is the sequel to Smitherd's novel The Stone Man, which is a tale of how alien devices in the humanoid form and apparently constructed of an indestructible stone-like material, appear in the city of Coventry and wreak destruction through the UK on what appear to be sampling missions to collect tissue from specific humans. In The Empty Men, the story picks up 5 years after the last Stone Man arrival. With alien arrivals apparently at an end, the world is stunned when a new variation appears off the UK coast; giant translucent humanoid figures. Whilst the Stone Man
marched in a straight line destroying everything in it's path, the Empty Men pass through barriers to reach their targets, but like the earlier alien arrivals are unstoppable. The Empty Men move across country, seeking out and killing selected individuals and at the same time the original "ground zero" in Coventry is enclosed by an impenetrable dome. The aliens are up to something inside. As in The Stone Man, there are some people who have an apparently psychic link to the alien devices and the story follows them as they grapple with the new threat, some out on the road and others trapped inside the dome.
Now, I enjoyed The Stone Man and I re-read it prior to reading the sequel. It's a good stand alone book with a satisfactory stand alone ending. The Empty Men is a pale version of the first, with largely the same kind of plot lines and a new cast of characters which I had nothing emotionally invested in. No great surprises, no urgency to read on and it was quite irritating in the end and I was glad when it came to a halt. There is apparently a third book in the offing to clear up the dozens of loose ends left by this one. I shall give it a miss though as I don't care enough to find out what happens next.
marched in a straight line destroying everything in it's path, the Empty Men pass through barriers to reach their targets, but like the earlier alien arrivals are unstoppable. The Empty Men move across country, seeking out and killing selected individuals and at the same time the original "ground zero" in Coventry is enclosed by an impenetrable dome. The aliens are up to something inside. As in The Stone Man, there are some people who have an apparently psychic link to the alien devices and the story follows them as they grapple with the new threat, some out on the road and others trapped inside the dome.
Now, I enjoyed The Stone Man and I re-read it prior to reading the sequel. It's a good stand alone book with a satisfactory stand alone ending. The Empty Men is a pale version of the first, with largely the same kind of plot lines and a new cast of characters which I had nothing emotionally invested in. No great surprises, no urgency to read on and it was quite irritating in the end and I was glad when it came to a halt. There is apparently a third book in the offing to clear up the dozens of loose ends left by this one. I shall give it a miss though as I don't care enough to find out what happens next.
February 10, 2021
Being a sequel to The Stone Man this book has a lot to live up to. Will we see what happened to Paul who ended the previous book in a, shall we say, less than enjoyable situation? Will we find out more of who sent the stone man in the first place and why? Will there be new challenges to face? Can the author recreate the same feel? Well I guess the answers to most of these questions is yes. This is a great read, hence the five stars, but for me it didn’t quite capture the feel of the original and as it’s not the original that’s actually okay. What this is though is another superb read from one of my absolute favourite authors. There’s a great plot, interesting characters and plenty of action and suspense along the way. It’s definitely not a simple retelling of the previous book. Things are ramped all the way up and then some. I loved reading it and can see myself returning to read it again some day, dispute the author's addiction to italics! Seriously though this is first class writing with a book that deals with its greatest challenge, being a sequel to The Stone Man, very well. We meet new characters that all fit somewhere and somehow into the story of these strange beings that are visiting our world. One thing to note is that the author has thankfully been planning a third book so don’t expect everything to be neatly resolved by the end.
March 26, 2023
Good but if you read book 1 ages ago, it's harder to follow
This was an enjoyable read and moves fairly swiftly from dramatic scene to dramatic scene. It does conjure up a series of cinematic visions. Perhaps not as original as book 1, but it does build on that rather than just repeating it. Like a lot of contemporary books, there is very little description of the characters. It seems fashionable for the reader to have to decide how people look and sound. Personally I just find that makes it harder to remember who is who. Having read the first book ages ago, I could not remember the characters names from that and so got confused about who is new and who carries over. It is very much a bridge to book three, at least I hope it is. If we don't get any real explanations or answers at the end of the trilogy I will feel cheated and ultimately have a less favourable view of it. But, I do want to read book three, so the author is doing enough right to drag me back! Worth a read this one, though I reserve judgement on the story until I have read book three.
This was an enjoyable read and moves fairly swiftly from dramatic scene to dramatic scene. It does conjure up a series of cinematic visions. Perhaps not as original as book 1, but it does build on that rather than just repeating it. Like a lot of contemporary books, there is very little description of the characters. It seems fashionable for the reader to have to decide how people look and sound. Personally I just find that makes it harder to remember who is who. Having read the first book ages ago, I could not remember the characters names from that and so got confused about who is new and who carries over. It is very much a bridge to book three, at least I hope it is. If we don't get any real explanations or answers at the end of the trilogy I will feel cheated and ultimately have a less favourable view of it. But, I do want to read book three, so the author is doing enough right to drag me back! Worth a read this one, though I reserve judgement on the story until I have read book three.
June 27, 2021
I was having an issue with this follow up to The Stone Man as it seemed to lack direction and was rather rambling in its approach. It was getting hard to figure out how it was going to bring resolution to the story when it didn't seem all that focused. Well, I got my answer when I reached the end and found out it's the second book of a trilogy, with Book 3 being written as we speak. With that in mind, it's certainly more understandable that it wasn't going in a direction to finish the story once and for all. With that it mind, it's a good filler second book with a satisfying ending, although the Empty Men are not quite as scary or intimidating as the Stone Men and it's unclear why they appear at all in place of the Stone Men. Probably to be answered in Book 3. If you're a fan of TSM, you'll enjoy carrying on the continuation of the story in Book 2, which packs some surprises towards the end. Now bring on Book 3.
December 9, 2020
I have read, and reviewed, everything written by Luke Smitherd and this one doesn't disappoint! This author has such a talent for the unusual and my world is better for it. Buy this book and yours will be too!
I will say, this one is scary. The characters are well fleshed out and feel like friends, which really ramps up the tension when they are in danger, especially when they make choices that lead them into even more danger.
My only problem with this book is that I have finished it and I want more.
If you are new to Luke Smitherd books, you are in for a treat. You will need to increase your book budget. It is very hard to wait for more! Good thing he's prolific.
Keep them coming Luke. Covid has increased my need for you exponentially, and my need has been acute since my first contact!
I will say, this one is scary. The characters are well fleshed out and feel like friends, which really ramps up the tension when they are in danger, especially when they make choices that lead them into even more danger.
My only problem with this book is that I have finished it and I want more.
If you are new to Luke Smitherd books, you are in for a treat. You will need to increase your book budget. It is very hard to wait for more! Good thing he's prolific.
Keep them coming Luke. Covid has increased my need for you exponentially, and my need has been acute since my first contact!
December 15, 2020
The sequel to Luke Smitherd's The Stone Man, and if you're a fan of the original, then this follow-up does not disappoint.
Smitherd manages to bring the same level of verisimilitude to this story that he did with the original, creating fleshed-out characters that feel very grounded and real reacting to an event far beyond what we could imagine doing were contact to occur.
The beauty of the Stone Man stories is the level of helplessness we would likely suffer should such an event occur. This is not a Hollywood blockbuster tale where humanity can solve everything, instead, this is how us as a society, the British community would deal with such events. Politely, and with a stiff upper lip.
Smitherd manages to bring the same level of verisimilitude to this story that he did with the original, creating fleshed-out characters that feel very grounded and real reacting to an event far beyond what we could imagine doing were contact to occur.
The beauty of the Stone Man stories is the level of helplessness we would likely suffer should such an event occur. This is not a Hollywood blockbuster tale where humanity can solve everything, instead, this is how us as a society, the British community would deal with such events. Politely, and with a stiff upper lip.
January 14, 2021
What Luke does best is the genre of “normal people in unusual situations” (is that a genre?). His books are very strange, and deliver shocks, thoughtful insights, and weird stuff - all with someone like you and me stuck in the middle. He has an approachable and readable technique of writing these, and I always enjoy seeing what he is going to come up with next. Like many others, I came to Luke through The Stone Men, and have stuck with him ever since. This is the sequel to that that we didn’t know we needed, and I love it! It raises many more questions than it answers, which is just perfect, and I am looking forward (as always) to what he does next.
February 5, 2021
I'm not sure how I feel about this story. unlike Smitherd's other books, this is written one in the style of other online writers trying to generate book sales by intentionally dragging out a storyline and then abruptly untying it off while telling the reader to read the next book.
its a small complaint really, as I really enjoyed his other works, in particular the stone man, and man on table 10. Stone Man stood on its own, in the fashion that older sci-fi movies would have a dramatic conclusion, but also leaving the viewer using their imagination on what happened next.
overall the storyline was decent, but I dont really know why, but left little disappointed.
its a small complaint really, as I really enjoyed his other works, in particular the stone man, and man on table 10. Stone Man stood on its own, in the fashion that older sci-fi movies would have a dramatic conclusion, but also leaving the viewer using their imagination on what happened next.
overall the storyline was decent, but I dont really know why, but left little disappointed.
March 10, 2021
A worthy successor to the Stone zMan...
...but a bit disjointed and "samey". What set the Stone Man apart was the relentless menace of the invading goliaths. Deeply disturbing, primarily because nobody knew why they arrived nor what to do. Whilst in a way knowledge helps the plot of this sequel, it also detracts dlightly from the story as it presupposes that the reader has followed the same thought trail as the author did when he was writing it. Nevertheless, this is up to Smitherd's usual epic standards and is a must read for sci-fi fans who appreciate fine, inventive writing. BTW how about The Following for book three? Just a thought...
...but a bit disjointed and "samey". What set the Stone Man apart was the relentless menace of the invading goliaths. Deeply disturbing, primarily because nobody knew why they arrived nor what to do. Whilst in a way knowledge helps the plot of this sequel, it also detracts dlightly from the story as it presupposes that the reader has followed the same thought trail as the author did when he was writing it. Nevertheless, this is up to Smitherd's usual epic standards and is a must read for sci-fi fans who appreciate fine, inventive writing. BTW how about The Following for book three? Just a thought...
July 26, 2021
I came to Luke Smitherd and the Stone Man phenomena a bit late. I have no excuse. That of course meant that I had the fun of reading books 1 & 2 back-to-back. They're good. Its tempting to compare Smitherd's style with other writers, but that does both a diservice, so I won't. That said, there's invention here and a deliciously dark sense of humour (which really should be let out to play more). I would humbly suggest that if you like Charles Stross or Ben Aaronovich, to name but two, then you'll probably like this book and its predecessor quite a lot. Unless youre from Coventry, possibly.
Book three is coming soon. I for one am chuffed.
Book three is coming soon. I for one am chuffed.
July 31, 2021
Brilliant follow up, I wasn't expecting one so thrilled to find this. Took me a while to remember how everything was left, as a few things at the beginning of the book didn't match up with what I remembered but of course - the previous book was in the voice of Andy and Paul on the inside, and not everyone else knows what they knew, and did...
The Empty Men are very creepy successors to the Stone Men, adding a new dimension to this book. Overall leaves a lot more questions than answers, but now it is clear that Smothered knows where he's going and the 3rd book is in progress
A worthy sequel!
The Empty Men are very creepy successors to the Stone Men, adding a new dimension to this book. Overall leaves a lot more questions than answers, but now it is clear that Smothered knows where he's going and the 3rd book is in progress
A worthy sequel!
January 27, 2022
I thought the Stone Man #1 was an amazing work of fiction. Whilst sequels don't usually surpass the originals, this was... disappointing.
Andy's flaws and motivations felt so very authentic and his story drew me in. Eric and Marie were no less flawed, but I just couldn't identify with them. I found Marie's 'inner voice' somewhat annoying and a little disruptive to the flow of narrative. Despite the exposition dumps about Eric's backstory, I couldn't get a sense why he 'mattered'.
Perhaps it would have helped to have the book advertised as a two part story - it might have made the lack of ending / cliffhanger a little less blunt.
Andy's flaws and motivations felt so very authentic and his story drew me in. Eric and Marie were no less flawed, but I just couldn't identify with them. I found Marie's 'inner voice' somewhat annoying and a little disruptive to the flow of narrative. Despite the exposition dumps about Eric's backstory, I couldn't get a sense why he 'mattered'.
Perhaps it would have helped to have the book advertised as a two part story - it might have made the lack of ending / cliffhanger a little less blunt.
December 26, 2020
I really did not think that Stone Man should have a sequel. I loved the Stone Man ending that left me imagining what would happen when the current impasse (no spoilers here) would end and the next event was allowed to commence.
The Empty Men does that in true Smitherd fashion. The book left me feeling raw but still wanting more. I hope we do not have to wait too long for the Luke's next book. In the meantime I'm going to go back and read Stone Man.
Once I have recovered from reading Empty Men.
The Empty Men does that in true Smitherd fashion. The book left me feeling raw but still wanting more. I hope we do not have to wait too long for the Luke's next book. In the meantime I'm going to go back and read Stone Man.
Once I have recovered from reading Empty Men.
August 13, 2021
Simply didn’t grab me like TSM did. I didn’t really get where it was going until near the end. That being said, the ending was a surprise and I’m looking forward to the final book in the trilogy but I was hoping for more based on the synopsis.
Would I read it again? Most likely, yes. Even if it was to see if I simply wasn’t in the right frame of mind when reading it the first time. Honestly, I was left disappointed because I didn’t have my questions answered after reading; I now have more questions - and that bugs me!
Will I be buying Book 3? Yes. I need those answers.
Would I read it again? Most likely, yes. Even if it was to see if I simply wasn’t in the right frame of mind when reading it the first time. Honestly, I was left disappointed because I didn’t have my questions answered after reading; I now have more questions - and that bugs me!
Will I be buying Book 3? Yes. I need those answers.
August 28, 2021
A solid second book in the series. More strange creatures doing inexplicable things, more mystery...at some point, I personally began to tire of all the questions and to want some answers. There are hints at answers, but you just want to know the whole explanations and not the guesses and the speculations. The story will feel incomplete without the creatures' side of things - why they did what they did, why in such a weird and inefficient way, and so on. A mysterious ending could be fine in a standalone book, but not in series. I hope we'll get things properly explained in the 3rd book!
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