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Space Race #2
Space Battle
The race has ended. The new prize is survival. In the aftermath of the thwarted alien invasion, Arlo teams up with his old nemesis to seek a potential ally. With the creation of FTL outfitted Racers, they’re finally able to cross great distances in a short period of time. What they find at Refuge is shocking. Aided by their new friends, Arlo must fight his way home, bringing information vital to Earth’s continued existence. At least now it’s two against one. The Space Battle is on. From the author of The Survivors and Baldwin's Legacy comes the stunning sequel to Space Race
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 30, 2021
93 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 13, 2021
This is a really fascinating sequel to the original, as in this second book, there are no races like the first, gone are the flashy spectacles of race challenges, instead, our intrepid heroes are facing a daunting enemy, and they may be all that stands between them and the utter annihilation of everything that they know and love.
In this second book, we are introduced to the crew of the Obelisk 17yrs ago, and as the story progresses, we move back and forth between present time and the events of what happened with the crew of the Obelisk when they encountered the Velibar all those years ago, up until the battle at the end of book #1.
It makes for a really engaging, interesting, and intriguing read, as Hystad has been very clever, giving us a general gist of the story, but not enough that we have al of it.
Most of the story is told from the eyes of Arlo ‘Hawk’ Lewis, the main character of the series, and we get to not only ‘see’ the story from his point of view, but also understand what Hawk is feeling, his emotional state at the time.
The ‘main’ story being told is Hawk and his crew (Jade, Luther and R11- Holland of course is still missing after the events of book 1), being asked to go on a mission to a place known as ‘Refuge’ in the hopes of finding an ally against the Velibar.
They have been training in new ‘Pods’, designed on their race pods, but with upgraded weaponry and shields, so that they are able to hold their own in a fight. Hawk has put together a new team, along with his original Race Team, to go along with him, and this consists of Varn Wallish, as Hawk knows that even though he is a pain, he is still an excellent pilot. Then he gets his old friend Jinx, because of his unique skills, as well as Bello’s friend Aster, because she is almost as good in a fight as Luther.
Without giving too much away, this book moves from one that sees the group, and others racing pods in a spectacular race around the Solar System, with this rather intense, deeply political race to see who will win the prize of the rights to the Proxima system, to suddenly realising that they are not alone. That the first mission to Proxima by the Obelisk was not lost as they assumed, it ran into a life form that is vastly superior to them (or so everyone believes, especially the Velibar), along with several other new races as well.
And now, it is a desperate ‘Race’ to see if they can find out what is going on – is Preston Lewis actually the traitor he seems? Although they managed to defeat the Velibar ships at this first encounter, are they in fact safe for a while, or have they just opened a huge can of intergalactic worms, and now the Velibar and their allies are going to return to crush the Earth? Or can Hawk and the selection of people he has, his ragtag crew as it is, race out into the unknown to try and desperately find someone, or something, that can aid them in their fight?
As with the first book, the character work is just brilliant, we get to see a much deeper side of Arlo (Hawk) in this book, as he grown out of his shell now, having gained back some of his credibility from when he left the racing circuit. He is no longer annoyed when people call him ‘Hawk’, in fact, he almost encourages it, and he is now comfortable with his role as leader of this group. He is even comfortable with leading Varn, and it is rather fascinating watching these two former enemies actually change and becoming almost friends in this second book.
Along with this is all the other characters, Luther, Jade, Jinx, Aster, R11, all of home are just so exceptionally well written and I could happily write an essay on each, of how in-depth, and just amazing they are, the backgrounds they have, and how much they have adapted and grown from the original characters we met in book 1. Hystad really brings his characters to life, and they become a part of your life as you read these books, you want to know more about them, and you become very engaged with them, it is a shame when you reach the end of a book, especially the end of the series.
The other aspect of this story that is so extraordinary, is the world (galaxy) building, which in this 2nd book, has just become so much more amazing with the detail, and multi-faceted nature of the worlds that Hystad has created for us to be a part of. Again, without giving away spoilers, with the gang moving out into the galaxy, we get to see more parts of the galaxy as well as come across more interesting things (again, without trying to give too much away!!!) and Hystad’s descriptive work is just masterful!
The intense, gritty nature of the combat, which at times, is both violent, and incredibly brutal, is very realistic, giving you this feeling that you are right in the thick of it as an object flies through the air, striking someone and wounding them, you can hear them screaming, and see the blood flying – it so realistic and just so lifelike – makes reading this series just so engaging.
This second book is even better than the first, and you seriously could not put the first one down (I listened to it in 1 or 2 sittings, it was just so good, I couldn’t stop – I am already 3/4’s of the way threw the third book, having only started it a few hours ago, it is stunning. This is a wonderful series, one that is full of exceptional characters who are desperately trying to save their home, their loved ones, fighting for their lives. Originally, it was against evil corporations, but they have been cast into insignificance, against the threat of an overwhelming alien threat, and now the crew of the Pilgrim must again save the earth, if there is time, if they can find help!!
Do Not Miss this series, you will regret it!!!
In this second book, we are introduced to the crew of the Obelisk 17yrs ago, and as the story progresses, we move back and forth between present time and the events of what happened with the crew of the Obelisk when they encountered the Velibar all those years ago, up until the battle at the end of book #1.
It makes for a really engaging, interesting, and intriguing read, as Hystad has been very clever, giving us a general gist of the story, but not enough that we have al of it.
Most of the story is told from the eyes of Arlo ‘Hawk’ Lewis, the main character of the series, and we get to not only ‘see’ the story from his point of view, but also understand what Hawk is feeling, his emotional state at the time.
The ‘main’ story being told is Hawk and his crew (Jade, Luther and R11- Holland of course is still missing after the events of book 1), being asked to go on a mission to a place known as ‘Refuge’ in the hopes of finding an ally against the Velibar.
They have been training in new ‘Pods’, designed on their race pods, but with upgraded weaponry and shields, so that they are able to hold their own in a fight. Hawk has put together a new team, along with his original Race Team, to go along with him, and this consists of Varn Wallish, as Hawk knows that even though he is a pain, he is still an excellent pilot. Then he gets his old friend Jinx, because of his unique skills, as well as Bello’s friend Aster, because she is almost as good in a fight as Luther.
Without giving too much away, this book moves from one that sees the group, and others racing pods in a spectacular race around the Solar System, with this rather intense, deeply political race to see who will win the prize of the rights to the Proxima system, to suddenly realising that they are not alone. That the first mission to Proxima by the Obelisk was not lost as they assumed, it ran into a life form that is vastly superior to them (or so everyone believes, especially the Velibar), along with several other new races as well.
And now, it is a desperate ‘Race’ to see if they can find out what is going on – is Preston Lewis actually the traitor he seems? Although they managed to defeat the Velibar ships at this first encounter, are they in fact safe for a while, or have they just opened a huge can of intergalactic worms, and now the Velibar and their allies are going to return to crush the Earth? Or can Hawk and the selection of people he has, his ragtag crew as it is, race out into the unknown to try and desperately find someone, or something, that can aid them in their fight?
As with the first book, the character work is just brilliant, we get to see a much deeper side of Arlo (Hawk) in this book, as he grown out of his shell now, having gained back some of his credibility from when he left the racing circuit. He is no longer annoyed when people call him ‘Hawk’, in fact, he almost encourages it, and he is now comfortable with his role as leader of this group. He is even comfortable with leading Varn, and it is rather fascinating watching these two former enemies actually change and becoming almost friends in this second book.
Along with this is all the other characters, Luther, Jade, Jinx, Aster, R11, all of home are just so exceptionally well written and I could happily write an essay on each, of how in-depth, and just amazing they are, the backgrounds they have, and how much they have adapted and grown from the original characters we met in book 1. Hystad really brings his characters to life, and they become a part of your life as you read these books, you want to know more about them, and you become very engaged with them, it is a shame when you reach the end of a book, especially the end of the series.
The other aspect of this story that is so extraordinary, is the world (galaxy) building, which in this 2nd book, has just become so much more amazing with the detail, and multi-faceted nature of the worlds that Hystad has created for us to be a part of. Again, without giving away spoilers, with the gang moving out into the galaxy, we get to see more parts of the galaxy as well as come across more interesting things (again, without trying to give too much away!!!) and Hystad’s descriptive work is just masterful!
The intense, gritty nature of the combat, which at times, is both violent, and incredibly brutal, is very realistic, giving you this feeling that you are right in the thick of it as an object flies through the air, striking someone and wounding them, you can hear them screaming, and see the blood flying – it so realistic and just so lifelike – makes reading this series just so engaging.
This second book is even better than the first, and you seriously could not put the first one down (I listened to it in 1 or 2 sittings, it was just so good, I couldn’t stop – I am already 3/4’s of the way threw the third book, having only started it a few hours ago, it is stunning. This is a wonderful series, one that is full of exceptional characters who are desperately trying to save their home, their loved ones, fighting for their lives. Originally, it was against evil corporations, but they have been cast into insignificance, against the threat of an overwhelming alien threat, and now the crew of the Pilgrim must again save the earth, if there is time, if they can find help!!
Do Not Miss this series, you will regret it!!!
May 15, 2021
Login this series
Another awesome series. I get so invested in the series and can't wait until the next book when I get to the end. I read a book with a 24 hour period and get upset if my phone rings or a family member talks to me Beck am so into the story, they are taking me back to reality.
Another awesome series. I get so invested in the series and can't wait until the next book when I get to the end. I read a book with a 24 hour period and get upset if my phone rings or a family member talks to me Beck am so into the story, they are taking me back to reality.
November 16, 2024
Aliens are aliens are aliens. The Velibar certainly is an ancient alien nation who subjugated many other alien races for thousands of years.
Their attempted attack on humanity was serendipitously stopped by Arlo Lewis and friends.
Yet, humanity also knèw they were simply lucky. There is simply no way that a next attack would not be successful.
Yet humanity also have hidden technology. Would that help?
Or would a visit to Refuge and even more subjugated aliens provide clues to a way to stop the Velibar. Or not.
Space Battle by author Nathan Hystad certainly is a tense and very twisty second release in a trilogy that will have your hair rising in surprise page by page. There is so much treachery bandied about that it is small wonder that Arlo and crew can survive their visit to Refuge.
Really?
Enjoy.
Their attempted attack on humanity was serendipitously stopped by Arlo Lewis and friends.
Yet, humanity also knèw they were simply lucky. There is simply no way that a next attack would not be successful.
Yet humanity also have hidden technology. Would that help?
Or would a visit to Refuge and even more subjugated aliens provide clues to a way to stop the Velibar. Or not.
Space Battle by author Nathan Hystad certainly is a tense and very twisty second release in a trilogy that will have your hair rising in surprise page by page. There is so much treachery bandied about that it is small wonder that Arlo and crew can survive their visit to Refuge.
Really?
Enjoy.
March 30, 2021
This is a great continuation to book one in this sci-fi trilogy. I have really enjoyed the series so far with book one being a very unique setup for this fantastic installment.
Same believable characters that I loved in Space Race 1 along with several new ones. The character development is excellent and many I've grown to both like and dislike.
Again I enjoyed the concept of corporations running the world instead of governments. It's a strange idea that adds to the plot greatly.
There's lots of moving parts in this book with several stories running concurrent. It's quite hard to put down as you just want to find out what will happen. Most issues were resolved by the end of this story with a nice hook to the final book.
I look forward to the next installment.
Same believable characters that I loved in Space Race 1 along with several new ones. The character development is excellent and many I've grown to both like and dislike.
Again I enjoyed the concept of corporations running the world instead of governments. It's a strange idea that adds to the plot greatly.
There's lots of moving parts in this book with several stories running concurrent. It's quite hard to put down as you just want to find out what will happen. Most issues were resolved by the end of this story with a nice hook to the final book.
I look forward to the next installment.
April 3, 2021
This is the second book in the Space Race series. Like the earlier book the action is first rate and used as needed to support the plot. The characters continue to grow into their roles much like they do in real life. The world building continues to be astoundingly good especially the E.T.s. I noted in my review of Space Race that the ending seemed rather “deus ex machina” but that was put to rest by elements of this book. The plot has some great twists and turns that even kept me guessing. I thoroughly recommend this book but you need to read Space Race first as it relies heavily on it. I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 12, 2022
What a blast this was to read. Thank you for that, Nathan Hystad. After winning the great Space Race in the last book, Arlo "Hawk" Lewis is chosen to lead a small group to answer a "hello" message from somewhere called the Refuge. Isn't that what we've always wondered about? Is there anyone else out there? Well, Arlo is being given the opportunity to find out who - or what - is there. And hopefully to find their teammate Holland, who previously disappeared. And maybe find Arlo's grandfather Preston and Holland's mother Catarina. And so many more. Can't wait to now start the next book in this series
March 30, 2021
Arlo survived the great Space Race and battle for Earth so of course things are back to normal, NOT!! Arlo and his friends have a new mission and plans. Thus begins another great adventure, full of snark, friends and enemies, secrets reveals and a threat as Arlo and his teams are off to the Refuge. It was a great story as it slowly builds to Arlo blasting off to fly on a mission that he hopes will lead to ultimately defeating the Squid. Read to find out what happens after Arlo builds his teams to find Refuge.
June 8, 2021
500 Piece Puzzle
This story gets complicated. There are so many people and so many races, so many good guys and so many bad guys that it becomes difficult to put all the pieces together. It's like a 500 piece puzzle. Frazzled. Disjointed. Some things were too simple. People who can hack EVERY digital device, locked door, or even robots in a few seconds makes it too easy and too unbelievable. Still, I finished it and that is not true for every book I start, so I gave it four stars.
This story gets complicated. There are so many people and so many races, so many good guys and so many bad guys that it becomes difficult to put all the pieces together. It's like a 500 piece puzzle. Frazzled. Disjointed. Some things were too simple. People who can hack EVERY digital device, locked door, or even robots in a few seconds makes it too easy and too unbelievable. Still, I finished it and that is not true for every book I start, so I gave it four stars.
July 19, 2021
A race for adventure
The first book was an exciting adventure, full of action. And this book, the second in the series, has not disappointed. The adventure continues, but this time the plot draws you in with suspense. The characters are amazing, the protagonist understandable and engaging, all which makes this book so fun to read and enjoy. It has me looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
The first book was an exciting adventure, full of action. And this book, the second in the series, has not disappointed. The adventure continues, but this time the plot draws you in with suspense. The characters are amazing, the protagonist understandable and engaging, all which makes this book so fun to read and enjoy. It has me looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 23, 2021
-- Space Battle (Space Race -2)
Good Story -- This was a lot better than the previous book. The story was more engaging than book one. I liked the book. Will move to book - 3 now.
Good Story -- This was a lot better than the previous book. The story was more engaging than book one. I liked the book. Will move to book - 3 now.
April 9, 2021
One long battle
The book is to easy to put down. I hoped for more ,but actually got less. Not going for the. Next book
The book is to easy to put down. I hoped for more ,but actually got less. Not going for the. Next book
May 16, 2021
A very nice read. It followed Space Race very well with character development. Looking the the next chapter.
September 7, 2021
Reviewing all three together here:
Space Race #1 - 4 stars
Space Race #2 - 3.5 stars
Space Race #3 - 3 stars
All in all fun easy sci fi beach reads. If you enjoy them for what they are, they will do the job. If you want them to be something else, they will disappoint. I didn't want to put them down and the pages breezed by. Interesting concepts, and nice to see he didnt get wrapped up in the tech and the physics. It's the future. Things are possible, and they happen. Great. Easy reading.
That said, there was the possibility to make the characters slightly deeper and bring is some actual conflict, some emotional strife, some "not being amazing all the time". They were all just too good at their jobs (even when their original skillset had nothing to do with the new job), and there was never any real risk. A couple loose ends that never needed to be opened to begin with that bug me, but alas.
As the books progressed, the amount of double crosses and what not got a bit much as the humans were simply too trusting. Big reveals didn't feel that big, but in the end were a fun read.
Space Race #1 - 4 stars
Space Race #2 - 3.5 stars
Space Race #3 - 3 stars
All in all fun easy sci fi beach reads. If you enjoy them for what they are, they will do the job. If you want them to be something else, they will disappoint. I didn't want to put them down and the pages breezed by. Interesting concepts, and nice to see he didnt get wrapped up in the tech and the physics. It's the future. Things are possible, and they happen. Great. Easy reading.
That said, there was the possibility to make the characters slightly deeper and bring is some actual conflict, some emotional strife, some "not being amazing all the time". They were all just too good at their jobs (even when their original skillset had nothing to do with the new job), and there was never any real risk. A couple loose ends that never needed to be opened to begin with that bug me, but alas.
As the books progressed, the amount of double crosses and what not got a bit much as the humans were simply too trusting. Big reveals didn't feel that big, but in the end were a fun read.
February 6, 2022
Better than the first
September 3, 2022
Arlo continues to find the aliens at Refuge who had sent them a message in the last book. Now he just has to figure out who he can trust.
No romance and no swearing to speak of.
As for the narration: Marc Vietor did a great job.
No romance and no swearing to speak of.
As for the narration: Marc Vietor did a great job.
June 1, 2021
The Race has been won but a darker battle is about to begin. With view points from Arlo's grandfather's doomed mission aboard the Obelisk that had been sent to check out Proxima to the present day as humanity deals with the haunting revelation that they are not alone. But these aliens have been watching, waiting for the time to strike out and destroy humanity's expanse into the stars. The race is on not win a planet but survive a vicious alien assault. Filled with edgy action and an ever expanding journey into deep unknown universe, highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews