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Federation Chronicles #2
Acheron Salvation
Quinton Aldren thought he could leave his past behind him.... He was wrong.
First came the development of a Personality Matrix Construct - PMC, transferring human consciousness into a machine. It changed the galaxy and the way wars were fought. Then something went wrong with PMCs and the Federation Wars toppled the galactic order. PMCs became a menace to be hunted and exterminated.
Long after the Federation Wars, the galaxy limps on. Spacers carve out an existence upon the bones of the old worlds, but things are about to change...something has begun broadcasting signals to reactivate PMCs that were stored in secret.
Quinton Aldren is a PMC. His consciousness was uploaded and stored over a century ago, before the Federation Wars. All Quinton wants is to leave his past behind, but the broadcasts keep occurring. More PMCs are coming online, and not all of them are entirely stable. Federation War machines are on the hunt for them, and they don’t care who gets in their way.
First came the development of a Personality Matrix Construct - PMC, transferring human consciousness into a machine. It changed the galaxy and the way wars were fought. Then something went wrong with PMCs and the Federation Wars toppled the galactic order. PMCs became a menace to be hunted and exterminated.
Long after the Federation Wars, the galaxy limps on. Spacers carve out an existence upon the bones of the old worlds, but things are about to change...something has begun broadcasting signals to reactivate PMCs that were stored in secret.
Quinton Aldren is a PMC. His consciousness was uploaded and stored over a century ago, before the Federation Wars. All Quinton wants is to leave his past behind, but the broadcasts keep occurring. More PMCs are coming online, and not all of them are entirely stable. Federation War machines are on the hunt for them, and they don’t care who gets in their way.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2021
192 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Ken Lozito
61 books467 followersKen Lozito is the best-selling author of multiple science fiction series, including First Colony, Ascension, & Federation Chronicles. He writes about first contact, colonization, exploration, heroic tales, redemption stories, and old-fashion adventure stories with rich and interesting characters. He’s had over a million books sold and loves the fact he’s been able to reach so many amazing readers with his stories. Readers have lost precious hours of sleep while they read just one more page.
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
Ken worked in IT Security for almost twenty years before becoming a full-time author. When not writing, he enjoys hiking, reading, playing with the dog, and binge-watching shows.
You can find out more about Ken and upcoming books on his website at http://kenlozito.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
April 10, 2021
This another absolutely fantastic story by Ken Lozito. Love the characters and interesting storyline. Can’t wait for the third book!
November 28, 2024
This was good. I like seeing Quinten figure out the world he woke up in.
May 29, 2021
We're back with PMC Quinton Aldren. If you remember your acronyms, PMC stands for Personality Matrix Constructs which boils down to walking, talking sentient computers. These were former humans who had chosen (volunteered) to have their brain downloaded into an Energy Storage System (ESS) which was then supposed to be in stalled in these PMCs. A PMC then could walk around and talk just like a real human, but they didn't have the frailties of a human. And they were just as intelligent as a super computer when things went right. They were subsequently used by the military to enhance weapon systems, naturally.
Unfortunately, PMCs began going insane and started attacking anyone and everyone. They were eventually outlawed and any found active were to be destroyed. Another group of purely automated military hardware was created to seek out these PMCs and end them, but this group was going way beyond their original directives in that once the latched onto any PMC activity, the completely destroyed everything associated with it without mercy! Entire space stations had been wiped out and domed cities obliterated because the Sentinels detected a PMC signal of some kind coming from the space station or domed city. The Sentinels didn't ask questions or attempt to track down the exact source of the PMC signal, they just destroyed anything and everything in the vicinity of said signal until it was no longer detected. Then they moved on. Quinton Aldren is a PMC and he should be dead.
After supposedly preparing to die on an old Acheron Confederacy Naval (ACN) space station, his consciousness was transferred to a highly advanced and experimental ACN starship that had managed to flee the ACN stations destruction. He woke up in an artificial body designed specifically to hold an ESS and be a fully functional PMC. This was the first time Quinton had felt this way since his shut-down a long, long time ago. That shut-down was to have been temporary, but it turned into to centuries. Now he awoke in a totally different universe, one that he was hunted for, while not knowing why or how come. He's been learning and leaning on some humans who have agreed to help him if he can help them against the Sentinels. So, now he and his "friends" aboard the ACN Wayfarer are trying to find out where the Sentinels are controlled and get them to stop.
It turns out though, that another PMC has been operating as the leader of one faction of salvagers. That's what comprises present day civilizations is group or clans of salvagers who sort through the wrecks of the previous Federation War and attempt to recover working technology. It now appears that two groups, the Union and the Collective, are fighting each other, with the Union leader sending false PMC signals into Collective space getting the Sentinels to do his attacks for him. What he doesn't know is that a PMC by the name of Admen Desher was planting false PMC signals everywhere and causing the Sentinels to attack everybody, civilians that had nothing to do with either salvage clan. Quinton had to stop this killing.
The way he's going to do this is by commanding another supposedly ACN space station. He has already found several former ACN PMCs and has them working with him and his human friends. Still, he's different because he is the only one of the PMCs classified as a "Commander". So when he arrives at the space station, he finds he can take command of all it's facilities. This is a huge, huge construct! And, it turns out that it's actually a very gigantic, moon-sized starship! This just might give him a chance against the million of Sentinels in the galaxy. Maybe!
Good reading and very interesting. I'm looking forward for book three, but as of yet, there's no mention of when it will be available.
Unfortunately, PMCs began going insane and started attacking anyone and everyone. They were eventually outlawed and any found active were to be destroyed. Another group of purely automated military hardware was created to seek out these PMCs and end them, but this group was going way beyond their original directives in that once the latched onto any PMC activity, the completely destroyed everything associated with it without mercy! Entire space stations had been wiped out and domed cities obliterated because the Sentinels detected a PMC signal of some kind coming from the space station or domed city. The Sentinels didn't ask questions or attempt to track down the exact source of the PMC signal, they just destroyed anything and everything in the vicinity of said signal until it was no longer detected. Then they moved on. Quinton Aldren is a PMC and he should be dead.
After supposedly preparing to die on an old Acheron Confederacy Naval (ACN) space station, his consciousness was transferred to a highly advanced and experimental ACN starship that had managed to flee the ACN stations destruction. He woke up in an artificial body designed specifically to hold an ESS and be a fully functional PMC. This was the first time Quinton had felt this way since his shut-down a long, long time ago. That shut-down was to have been temporary, but it turned into to centuries. Now he awoke in a totally different universe, one that he was hunted for, while not knowing why or how come. He's been learning and leaning on some humans who have agreed to help him if he can help them against the Sentinels. So, now he and his "friends" aboard the ACN Wayfarer are trying to find out where the Sentinels are controlled and get them to stop.
It turns out though, that another PMC has been operating as the leader of one faction of salvagers. That's what comprises present day civilizations is group or clans of salvagers who sort through the wrecks of the previous Federation War and attempt to recover working technology. It now appears that two groups, the Union and the Collective, are fighting each other, with the Union leader sending false PMC signals into Collective space getting the Sentinels to do his attacks for him. What he doesn't know is that a PMC by the name of Admen Desher was planting false PMC signals everywhere and causing the Sentinels to attack everybody, civilians that had nothing to do with either salvage clan. Quinton had to stop this killing.
The way he's going to do this is by commanding another supposedly ACN space station. He has already found several former ACN PMCs and has them working with him and his human friends. Still, he's different because he is the only one of the PMCs classified as a "Commander". So when he arrives at the space station, he finds he can take command of all it's facilities. This is a huge, huge construct! And, it turns out that it's actually a very gigantic, moon-sized starship! This just might give him a chance against the million of Sentinels in the galaxy. Maybe!
Good reading and very interesting. I'm looking forward for book three, but as of yet, there's no mention of when it will be available.
April 22, 2021
Actual rating 3++ stars but I'm in no mood to quibble about an actual rating (or the lack of half-star options). I really did like this book albeit less than book 1... which is probably because I really REALLY wanted book 2 to just totally outstrip that one. But alas and foresooth and all that...
First and foremost, Lozito's great set-up just continues to grow in terms of the immensity and complexity of what all is happening. Or has happened. Or will happen. I'm not really sure and hey, if anyone can claim they're understanding ALL of this, well, allow me to offer you a two-fingered ACN salute! The ending of this book is extremely satisfying and all it makes want to do is get book 3 that much faster.
Having said that, I do want to quibble a bit. One thing I wish this book had contained was more of Q's actual past memories. We know he has them now but we never REALLY address what he was in the past and what influences made him the man (+/-) he is today. He mentions it himself from the bridge of the new (no spoilers), but then only addresses memories back to when WE joined him at the beginning of book 1. Not enough for me.
Also, I thought some of the plotting in book 2 got a bit repetitive. Fly to a base, start to do business, Sentinels attack. Repeat, rinse, spin dry, etc. Yes, it helped us establish the rapport and budding friendships on the Wayfarer but it just seemed to be a little too unvaried for my tastes. Perhaps off-setting that somewhat was the evolution of 'The Union' in all this (not to be confused with the DUC mind you... I think), as well as what at first seemed to be a rather 'innocent' meeting with a given information broker. That didn't work now, did it?
Finally, my own impatience is showing because I want, nay, NEED some of the mysteries from even book 1 addressed. I mentioned Stumpy in my last review and I'm still not willing to believe we have a fuzzy Baby Yoda on hand with no real contribution to the overall outcome. What a waste if that DOES happen. Also, why did Captain M's eyes change color in book 1? I know we're getting all flirty with our local hard-wired Commander and all, but are we going to learn her secrets sooner rather than later? And while we're at it, if anyone wants to delve into the mysteries of certain purple-skinned imposters (or say, provide video coverage of same doing normal chores like sun-bathing, showering, etc.), I'm up for that, too.
Bottom-line: still a very fun, very suspenseful space opera that would do the founding fathers and mothers of the genre very proud! Now gimme book 3 dammit!
First and foremost, Lozito's great set-up just continues to grow in terms of the immensity and complexity of what all is happening. Or has happened. Or will happen. I'm not really sure and hey, if anyone can claim they're understanding ALL of this, well, allow me to offer you a two-fingered ACN salute! The ending of this book is extremely satisfying and all it makes want to do is get book 3 that much faster.
Having said that, I do want to quibble a bit. One thing I wish this book had contained was more of Q's actual past memories. We know he has them now but we never REALLY address what he was in the past and what influences made him the man (+/-) he is today. He mentions it himself from the bridge of the new (no spoilers), but then only addresses memories back to when WE joined him at the beginning of book 1. Not enough for me.
Also, I thought some of the plotting in book 2 got a bit repetitive. Fly to a base, start to do business, Sentinels attack. Repeat, rinse, spin dry, etc. Yes, it helped us establish the rapport and budding friendships on the Wayfarer but it just seemed to be a little too unvaried for my tastes. Perhaps off-setting that somewhat was the evolution of 'The Union' in all this (not to be confused with the DUC mind you... I think), as well as what at first seemed to be a rather 'innocent' meeting with a given information broker. That didn't work now, did it?
Finally, my own impatience is showing because I want, nay, NEED some of the mysteries from even book 1 addressed. I mentioned Stumpy in my last review and I'm still not willing to believe we have a fuzzy Baby Yoda on hand with no real contribution to the overall outcome. What a waste if that DOES happen. Also, why did Captain M's eyes change color in book 1? I know we're getting all flirty with our local hard-wired Commander and all, but are we going to learn her secrets sooner rather than later? And while we're at it, if anyone wants to delve into the mysteries of certain purple-skinned imposters (or say, provide video coverage of same doing normal chores like sun-bathing, showering, etc.), I'm up for that, too.
Bottom-line: still a very fun, very suspenseful space opera that would do the founding fathers and mothers of the genre very proud! Now gimme book 3 dammit!
September 26, 2021
The quality of this book, is what book 1 should have been.
This was a much more interesting book than the first. The plot was more focused on its goal, the characters come together better and relationships are established.
The plot of this book flows better than the first. The story is more streamlined with less tangents and less filler. The plot moves along at a good speed and nothing feels left behind or left to drag out too long.
The characters are, finally, starting to click and relationships are forming, creating a more compelling journey. The tropes from the first book are mostly left behind and while it is sometimes a little predictable, the journey of these characters is more engaging. Reducing the characters, in the first half of the book, goes a long way to bring the story together and establish the mood for the relationship. Slowly adding new and re-introduced old characters is a good way to set the stage and build upon it, rather than have to sort through a jumble of characters and feelings all at once.
The voice narration, by Phil Thron, is once again excellent. Never a bad narration by Phil. His male voices are varied and distinct. His female voices are plausible. His narration is great and I love listening to him.
All in all, this was a great book. Better than the first. The plot was was less wasteful. Relationships more established. Characters better written.
I am excited to see what book 3 will bring.
This was a much more interesting book than the first. The plot was more focused on its goal, the characters come together better and relationships are established.
The plot of this book flows better than the first. The story is more streamlined with less tangents and less filler. The plot moves along at a good speed and nothing feels left behind or left to drag out too long.
The characters are, finally, starting to click and relationships are forming, creating a more compelling journey. The tropes from the first book are mostly left behind and while it is sometimes a little predictable, the journey of these characters is more engaging. Reducing the characters, in the first half of the book, goes a long way to bring the story together and establish the mood for the relationship. Slowly adding new and re-introduced old characters is a good way to set the stage and build upon it, rather than have to sort through a jumble of characters and feelings all at once.
The voice narration, by Phil Thron, is once again excellent. Never a bad narration by Phil. His male voices are varied and distinct. His female voices are plausible. His narration is great and I love listening to him.
All in all, this was a great book. Better than the first. The plot was was less wasteful. Relationships more established. Characters better written.
I am excited to see what book 3 will bring.
April 23, 2021
Compelling read, great series
A great sequel.
I had to read back a bit to remember what had happened but that's just me.
I really enjoyed following Quinton further, his sardonic humor is great.
Build up with the plot was steady and plenty going on in the meantime. This book clarified many parts of the plot and what is going on, but leaves plenty yet to clear up.
I liked that Ken wrapped this up nicely, the next book will be a continuation of the plot, with new perameters - I won't give anything away here.
The end came as a sudden surprise (reading on my kindle) so I'm looking forward to the next book as I'm interested where Ken takes Quinton as a character.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, this series so far is proving to be a compelling read!
A great sequel.
I had to read back a bit to remember what had happened but that's just me.
I really enjoyed following Quinton further, his sardonic humor is great.
Build up with the plot was steady and plenty going on in the meantime. This book clarified many parts of the plot and what is going on, but leaves plenty yet to clear up.
I liked that Ken wrapped this up nicely, the next book will be a continuation of the plot, with new perameters - I won't give anything away here.
The end came as a sudden surprise (reading on my kindle) so I'm looking forward to the next book as I'm interested where Ken takes Quinton as a character.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, this series so far is proving to be a compelling read!
May 9, 2022
I was surprised by the light tone at the start of the book. It didn't seem in keeping with the ending of the last book, nor the situation the protagonist was facing.
Things returned to normal after the first third of the book but the pace rarely elevated to exciting. The shadow of the psycho spider was always in the background, begging to be acknowledged. In the end, that sub-plot was resolved in an unsatisfying manner. I.e. One that had little to do with the history of the character.
As you can probably tell, I'm losing enthusiasm for this series.
Things returned to normal after the first third of the book but the pace rarely elevated to exciting. The shadow of the psycho spider was always in the background, begging to be acknowledged. In the end, that sub-plot was resolved in an unsatisfying manner. I.e. One that had little to do with the history of the character.
As you can probably tell, I'm losing enthusiasm for this series.
April 16, 2021
Wow. This was a fantastic part two to the storyline begun in Acheron Rising
Hat tip to Mr. Lozito! Without giving anything away...he has put together a unique story that i really enjoyed. If you liked Joshua Dalzelle's later Omega Force universe novels or Doug Dandrige's Empires at War series...then you will most likely really enjoy these. Now I am stuck waiting to see what the next installment might look like! Great story!
Hat tip to Mr. Lozito! Without giving anything away...he has put together a unique story that i really enjoyed. If you liked Joshua Dalzelle's later Omega Force universe novels or Doug Dandrige's Empires at War series...then you will most likely really enjoy these. Now I am stuck waiting to see what the next installment might look like! Great story!
January 30, 2022
WOW. Lozito pulls off another tour de force. He finally learns of and confronts his unknown nemesis, finds that things are not always as they seem, solidifies his core team of Maelyn, Becker, Simon, Oliver, Guttman, and his fellow PMCs, and takes the first steps toward retaking the battle to the foe. Lozito is as good a storyteller as you are ever going to find and each episode in the Federation Chronicles sets a new pinnacle of his craft. Enjoy!
April 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Read it in one go today, so I can genuinely say I couldn’t put it down.
Story was fun and it was great to be back with the characters from the first book. Can’t wait for the third instalment :)
Story was fun and it was great to be back with the characters from the first book. Can’t wait for the third instalment :)
April 24, 2021
Excellent follow up.
The second book in the series answers a lot of questions and opens up a world of possibilities for the series. Very good stuff. Looking forward to the next installment!
The second book in the series answers a lot of questions and opens up a world of possibilities for the series. Very good stuff. Looking forward to the next installment!
May 12, 2021
So who's ship is bigger?
This series just gets better, good characters and even some pretty good laughs. I think Quinton has the hots for Maelynn but what do I know. Great story NIW I need to see about a third book.
This series just gets better, good characters and even some pretty good laughs. I think Quinton has the hots for Maelynn but what do I know. Great story NIW I need to see about a third book.
September 3, 2021
Audio book review. Have read/listened to many of this author's works and I think this series is really fresh and moves along nicely. Plenty of great characters and the narrator is one of the best. If your looking for great space adventure with small amount of space military try this series.
September 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this series so far!
I really enjoyed this series so far! The timeline and depth, the backstory and plot twists, the scope and breadth plus character growth. Honestly I’m really enjoying this….!
I really enjoyed this series so far! The timeline and depth, the backstory and plot twists, the scope and breadth plus character growth. Honestly I’m really enjoying this….!
September 30, 2021
The Federation Chronicles are Fantastic!
Do you like SciFi? Military SciFi? Artificial Intelligence? Robotic-Human. Integration? Then The Federation Chronicles is just what you need to fill your craving!
Do you like SciFi? Military SciFi? Artificial Intelligence? Robotic-Human. Integration? Then The Federation Chronicles is just what you need to fill your craving!
December 31, 2021
A solid entry in the series
This was a good second book. The main character seeks to find his place in a distrustful galaxy. He sets himself a higher path than he really wants due to his moral compass.
This was a good second book. The main character seeks to find his place in a distrustful galaxy. He sets himself a higher path than he really wants due to his moral compass.
February 25, 2022
mr lozito never fails to entertain!
Yet another excellent book among his many volumes! On a galaxy wide scales with many plots and subplots, action with good guys and bad guys. Personalities are well written. I recommend this book!
Yet another excellent book among his many volumes! On a galaxy wide scales with many plots and subplots, action with good guys and bad guys. Personalities are well written. I recommend this book!
March 25, 2022
Go big or go home
The aftermath of an galactic apocalypse is not a fun place to be, if you were in the losing side.
Great characters realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one 😀
The aftermath of an galactic apocalypse is not a fun place to be, if you were in the losing side.
Great characters realistic situations and lots of action.
I look forward to the next one 😀
July 1, 2022
Salvation Required
It’s really getting good. Commander Aldren is coming up to speed and the galaxy is the promise. There are so many things that can happen but hopefully the Commander will come out on top. Only time will tell.
It’s really getting good. Commander Aldren is coming up to speed and the galaxy is the promise. There are so many things that can happen but hopefully the Commander will come out on top. Only time will tell.
September 23, 2023
Much better than the first book
The story is finally coming together, the first book really left me hanging. This book ties all the loose ends together and explains what is really going on.
The story is finally coming together, the first book really left me hanging. This book ties all the loose ends together and explains what is really going on.
September 27, 2023
Excellent
Guess I need to get book 3. Gotta see how this ends. Someone said a good book is one you can't wait until it ends and then when it does you're sad... So even though it ended the good news is there's one more. 🙂
Guess I need to get book 3. Gotta see how this ends. Someone said a good book is one you can't wait until it ends and then when it does you're sad... So even though it ended the good news is there's one more. 🙂
April 11, 2024
Absorbing - kept me reading
I like space operas and a series that keeps you on your toes. Ken Lozito’s Federation Chronicles kept me reading way past my bedtime. I just bought the third book in the series and I may check out his other books as well.
I like space operas and a series that keeps you on your toes. Ken Lozito’s Federation Chronicles kept me reading way past my bedtime. I just bought the third book in the series and I may check out his other books as well.
April 19, 2024
best space opera
This is the best space opera that I’ve read in ages. Wow what a story line, I couldn’t put it down ! I’ve never read any of Ken Lozito’s books that I know of , but I’ll be looking him up!
This is the best space opera that I’ve read in ages. Wow what a story line, I couldn’t put it down ! I’ve never read any of Ken Lozito’s books that I know of , but I’ll be looking him up!
May 2, 2024
Book 2 in the series finds our hero Quinton looking to destroy the Sentinels. In the meantime the Collective is also trying to kill all their competition.
Large battles and more information becomes clear about the war and who the good guys really were.
Tons of action
Large battles and more information becomes clear about the war and who the good guys really were.
Tons of action
April 10, 2021
... and then the author turned the volume knob up to 11, so I am eagerly waiting for book #3!
April 11, 2021
Great book
I loved it! Main character was supported well. Story progressed at a decent rate. Not to much Information overload. After all we're not PMC's
I loved it! Main character was supported well. Story progressed at a decent rate. Not to much Information overload. After all we're not PMC's
April 12, 2021
Very good!!
I throughly enjoyed book 2! Can't wait for book 3. It had some really funny moments, and or 2 jaw droppers too. Keep up the good work!!
I throughly enjoyed book 2! Can't wait for book 3. It had some really funny moments, and or 2 jaw droppers too. Keep up the good work!!
April 23, 2021
Great second book in series
Great second book in series. Quite traditional space opera series but all the better for it. Dont expect any emotional complexity.
Great second book in series. Quite traditional space opera series but all the better for it. Dont expect any emotional complexity.
April 27, 2021
Couldn't put it down
Kenneth really knocked it out of the park again. It just seemed to flow chapter to chapter building and building until finally salvation
Kenneth really knocked it out of the park again. It just seemed to flow chapter to chapter building and building until finally salvation
May 2, 2021
Had to catch up
After a long review of book one, and the slow roll into the meat of book two, action was unlimited. Good subplots and an ending teaser. Let’s get on with three.
After a long review of book one, and the slow roll into the meat of book two, action was unlimited. Good subplots and an ending teaser. Let’s get on with three.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews