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Galactogon #2
Auf der Suche nach den Uldanern
Was könnte mehr Spaß machen als ein Weltraumabenteuer? Kapitän Chirurg kennt die Antwort – Weltraumpiraterie! Plündern, rauben, brandschatzen und das ganze Diebesgut verkaufen – das ist das Motto der Piraten von Galaktogon, und Chirurg tut sein Bestes, um sich ihnen anzuschließen. Doch was tun, wenn die mysteriösen Uldaner unseren Haudegen nicht in Ruhe lassen wollen und ihm immer wieder neue Rätsel in den Weg legen, die ihn von seinem eigentlichen Ziel ablenken? Wie wird man ein eindrucksvoller Freibeuter, eine Plage für die unzähligen Sternensysteme Galaktogons, wenn eine unbezwingbare Alien-Invasion die Imperien der ganzen Galaxie verwüstet? Immer wieder bekommt Kapitän Chirurg vom Spiel den Schwarzen Punkt gezeigt, der einem Piraten den Tod verheißt, und immer wieder muss er Wege finden, um zu überleben. Es sieht so aus, als müsste er noch härter arbeiten, um seine Piratenträume Wirklichkeit werden zu lassen und die Antworten auf all diese Geheimnisse zu finden …
- GenresScience Fiction
587 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2021
160 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
About the author
Vasily Mahanenko
89 books1,105 followersBe the first to know when Vasily Mahanenko’s next book is available! Follow him at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/v-mah... to get an alert whenever he has a new release, preorder, or discount!
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
Vasily Mahanenko is a fantasy author working in the new genre of LitRPG - the MMO-based fantasy and sci fi. His Way of the Shaman series took Russian literature by storm in 2012.
Vasily dipped into his college-days insider knowledge as a hardcore gamer in order to create a believable world of the virtual-reality MMO game. His bestselling series combines fiction and video games, telling the story of Shaman and his friends stuck in the ruthless reality of Barliona. He used his more than ten years' experience as an ERP implementation project manager to approach his writing in a well-organized manner, working to a strict schedule, a set of deadlines and even a budget. At the moment, the series boasts six novels with the seventh one in the works - this time the author expands on stories of Shaman's companions and those who helped and supported him in his trials and tribulations.
The first book of the series has already been translated into English, with more translations to follow, aiming to make the Way of the Shaman series available to the English-language reader in its entirety.
Vasily's other passion is space exploration which is why he now works on a follow-up series entitled Galaktiona. Set in a space-simulator based world, the first book of the series in already finished while Vasily works on its sequel.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 26, 2026
🚀 Space Pirates, Alien Mysteries & Missed Depth: A Sequel That Expands—But Doesn’t Always Evolve
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
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Pacing issues: Too many plot threads, not enough depth.
Shallow emotional engagement: Events happen, but rarely linger.
Repetitive progression loop: Win → escalate → repeat, without meaningful variation.
Missed thematic depth: Piracy vs identity could have been explored more deeply.
Fast-paced, easy-to-read storytelling
Fun, chaotic sci-fi adventure tone
A constantly evolving plot that keeps curiosity alive
Strong setup for future installments
Fans of LitRPG with sci-fi settings
Readers who enjoy fast-paced, plot-heavy adventures
Those already invested in the Galactogon series
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
What happens when a LitRPG space adventure promises piracy, alien secrets, and galaxy-spanning stakes—but struggles to balance all three?
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In Search of the Uldans picks up right where the first book left off, throwing us back into the chaotic, opportunistic life of Captain Surgeon—a player-turned-space rogue navigating a universe where game mechanics and real consequences blur.
⚡ Plot & Momentum: Bigger Stakes, Busier Narrative
This sequel doubles down on scale. Surgeon is no longer just surviving—he’s chasing identity as a space pirate while being pulled into something much larger: the mystery of the Uldans and a looming alien conflict.
On paper, it’s compelling: piracy, politics, alien lore, and constant escalation. In execution, however, the narrative often feels overloaded. The book moves fast—sometimes too fast—jumping from one conflict to another without allowing tension to fully develop.
The result? A story that feels busy rather than immersive.
👨🚀 Protagonist: Entertaining but Inconsistent
Surgeon remains an engaging lead—resourceful, sarcastic, and endlessly adaptable. Watching him manipulate systems, enemies, and opportunities is still one of the book’s biggest draws.
But there’s a noticeable inconsistency in his characterization. At times, he feels like a strategic mastermind with powerful connections; at others, he reverts to impulsive, almost simplistic decision-making that undercuts his growth. This unevenness is something even readers have pointed out, noting his reliance on luck over intelligence in key moments.
🌌 Worldbuilding & Concept: Strong Ideas, Thin Execution
The universe of Galactogon remains rich with potential—alien races, advanced tech, and game-like systems layered over political intrigue. The concept of the Uldans, in particular, adds a strong sense of mystery and long-term narrative promise.
However, the depth doesn’t always match the ambition. The world often feels like a backdrop for events rather than a living, breathing system. Some readers describe it as “linear” and lacking complexity, which becomes more noticeable as the scale increases.
🎮 LitRPG Elements: Still Fun, Less Impactful
The LitRPG mechanics—progression, strategy, resource management—are still present, but they don’t hit as hard as in Book 1. The novelty has worn off slightly, and instead of enhancing tension, they sometimes feel like routine checkpoints.
⚖️ Where It Falters
Pacing issues: Too many plot threads, not enough depth.
Shallow emotional engagement: Events happen, but rarely linger.
Repetitive progression loop: Win → escalate → repeat, without meaningful variation.
Missed thematic depth: Piracy vs identity could have been explored more deeply.
🌠 What Still Works
Fast-paced, easy-to-read storytelling
Fun, chaotic sci-fi adventure tone
A constantly evolving plot that keeps curiosity alive
Strong setup for future installments
🧾 Final Verdict
In Search of the Uldans feels like a classic middle-book dilemma—it expands the universe, raises the stakes, and sets up future payoffs, but doesn’t fully stand strong on its own.
It’s entertaining, yes—but also frustrating in how much more it could have been.
If Book 1 was about discovery, Book 2 is about direction—and that direction still feels uncertain.
📌 Recommended For:
Fans of LitRPG with sci-fi settings
Readers who enjoy fast-paced, plot-heavy adventures
Those already invested in the Galactogon series
September 19, 2021
I listened to book 1 and book 2, and the differences between them are large. I loved book 1, the narrator giving each character a unique voice that made listening a blast. The snake had a Brooklyn accent, and Surgeon had the approach of a stoner who terrible things happen to but he's always relaxed as things work out in his favor each time. Additionally, the orb ship is called the Yal-Rok (I listened so I"m guessing at the spelling) but in book 2 this changes to the Warlock.
The good: the plot is fantastic as well follow Surgeon around the galaxy as he turns each situation to his advantage, pissing off Guild leaders, Emperor's, Viceroy's and numerous others along the way. Money is his focus, and he plays to his strengths to pull in more and more money. It would have been nice to see profit & loss column at the end of the book, just to assess how well he did in book 2.
I will also mention that in both books 1 and 2 that there are no noticeable Russian translation issues.
The not quite so good: we see a lot less of Marina in book 2, which is disappointing. I enjoyed the back and forth between them in book 1, and while it does make sense for Surgeon to go his own way I still wish there would be more interplay between them going forward. The narrator of book 2 not only changes the names of items from book 1, but doesn't have the flexibility to make women sound like women like they did in book 1. Brainiac doesn't have the sass of book 1, and I've already mourned the loss of the New York accent for snake. Surgeon at times sounds like a whiny brat at times, which is also a big change from book 1.
I would very much like book 3 to be narrated by the same guy from book 1. Now that I can compare the two, it felt like the first narrator respected the book and the book 2 narrator did not.
Overall, I loved both books but the narrator of book 2 dropped the score by a point. I'm really looking forward to book 3.
4/5*
The good: the plot is fantastic as well follow Surgeon around the galaxy as he turns each situation to his advantage, pissing off Guild leaders, Emperor's, Viceroy's and numerous others along the way. Money is his focus, and he plays to his strengths to pull in more and more money. It would have been nice to see profit & loss column at the end of the book, just to assess how well he did in book 2.
I will also mention that in both books 1 and 2 that there are no noticeable Russian translation issues.
The not quite so good: we see a lot less of Marina in book 2, which is disappointing. I enjoyed the back and forth between them in book 1, and while it does make sense for Surgeon to go his own way I still wish there would be more interplay between them going forward. The narrator of book 2 not only changes the names of items from book 1, but doesn't have the flexibility to make women sound like women like they did in book 1. Brainiac doesn't have the sass of book 1, and I've already mourned the loss of the New York accent for snake. Surgeon at times sounds like a whiny brat at times, which is also a big change from book 1.
I would very much like book 3 to be narrated by the same guy from book 1. Now that I can compare the two, it felt like the first narrator respected the book and the book 2 narrator did not.
Overall, I loved both books but the narrator of book 2 dropped the score by a point. I'm really looking forward to book 3.
4/5*
May 27, 2019
This was a pretty good book. None of the typical LitRPG errors with grammar, and considering it was translated from russian, that's no mean feat all by itself.
If you liked the first one in the series, this one won't disappoint. If you didn't read the first one, you might want to do that just so you have the background, but the story is enjoyable enough even without knowledge of the first book, you'll simply be lacking in details about how things happened, but very little of that is necessary to enjoy this part of the story.
If you're not an LitRPG or gamelit fan, it won't matter, since very little of the book actually deals with stats and leveling, so even regular scifi fans can enjoy this book.
If you liked the first one in the series, this one won't disappoint. If you didn't read the first one, you might want to do that just so you have the background, but the story is enjoyable enough even without knowledge of the first book, you'll simply be lacking in details about how things happened, but very little of that is necessary to enjoy this part of the story.
If you're not an LitRPG or gamelit fan, it won't matter, since very little of the book actually deals with stats and leveling, so even regular scifi fans can enjoy this book.
April 28, 2019
Book two
Mistakes: I found only one that I am sure of. Another might just be the way the MC talks as it was consistent throughout the book. I do not like the abbreviation IRL when a character is talking to another, written messages are fine, but nobody really talks like that.
Plot: Loot and action!
Characters: I like that the MC doesn't play small, or safe. He plays the game.
8/10 looking forward to book three.
Mistakes: I found only one that I am sure of. Another might just be the way the MC talks as it was consistent throughout the book. I do not like the abbreviation IRL when a character is talking to another, written messages are fine, but nobody really talks like that.
Plot: Loot and action!
Characters: I like that the MC doesn't play small, or safe. He plays the game.
8/10 looking forward to book three.
September 17, 2025
Where is this strange foe coming from?
Book 2 of the Galactogan series. This one is a strong builder for the conclusion. The looming threat, I loved the asides about the way the game company is doing things to generate profit, continues as this unknown foe continues to sweep the galaxy. Can they be stopped? The surprising twists in the very end make it very exciting to get on to book 3, the concluding book in this series.
Book 2 of the Galactogan series. This one is a strong builder for the conclusion. The looming threat, I loved the asides about the way the game company is doing things to generate profit, continues as this unknown foe continues to sweep the galaxy. Can they be stopped? The surprising twists in the very end make it very exciting to get on to book 3, the concluding book in this series.
May 6, 2019
A continuation of a fun story and sci-fi world
I was a it confused at first when the main characters ship had changed names and a few other details confused me from the first book, but all in all a fun continuation of the first book. The ending was very amusing. I look forward to the next release in the series. May it not be as long as it took to get this one.
I was a it confused at first when the main characters ship had changed names and a few other details confused me from the first book, but all in all a fun continuation of the first book. The ending was very amusing. I look forward to the next release in the series. May it not be as long as it took to get this one.
September 13, 2021
Tou chaotickou snahou prepájať jednotlivé "misie" táto séria stratila pre mňa čaro. Vyzerá to, ako keby autor narazil na ďalšiu dejovú odbočku a potom hľadal, ako ju napasovať do deja. To, že kniha niekam smeruje, poznám len podľa názvu tretej knihy. Inak sa druhý diel podobá na "sequel".
Ale musím priznať, že slovo kuloloď zaraďujem medzi moje obľúbené české slová.
Ale musím priznať, že slovo kuloloď zaraďujem medzi moje obľúbené české slová.
November 27, 2023
At the start of the book the former main plot is stated to be finished just to be back on the table at the end of the book...
The author makes the MC an even more pathological sociopath who burns (almost) all bridges for no real reason and succeeds only through plot armor all the time.
I am no fan of the whole forced-to-marry-for-reasons-but-being-okay-with-it story arc..
The author makes the MC an even more pathological sociopath who burns (almost) all bridges for no real reason and succeeds only through plot armor all the time.
I am no fan of the whole forced-to-marry-for-reasons-but-being-okay-with-it story arc..
May 8, 2019
Very Very G Great!!!!!
Now this author knows how to write a tremendously great story that's highly entertaining from start to ending I enjoyed reading this story and can't wait for the Next book!!!!!!!
Now this author knows how to write a tremendously great story that's highly entertaining from start to ending I enjoyed reading this story and can't wait for the Next book!!!!!!!
June 5, 2019
Pirates life for Me
Another enjoyable entry in the series. The real world stuff was a bit all over the place but the in game scenarios were fun and engaging. Looking forward to book 3.
Another enjoyable entry in the series. The real world stuff was a bit all over the place but the in game scenarios were fun and engaging. Looking forward to book 3.
January 18, 2020
Book 3 is not in KU
Pissed, the end of this trilogy is not available in Kindle unlimited. Nasty trick! The story and writing are 5 star, the ethics of the author are not. Very disappointed with this bait and switch tactic.
Pissed, the end of this trilogy is not available in Kindle unlimited. Nasty trick! The story and writing are 5 star, the ethics of the author are not. Very disappointed with this bait and switch tactic.
November 22, 2023
A pirate's life is a life for him
Our main character got his goal in a way. I loved how he captured a ship and would not give it back without a fight. The twist at the end was the biggest surprise. Excited for the next book.
Our main character got his goal in a way. I loved how he captured a ship and would not give it back without a fight. The twist at the end was the biggest surprise. Excited for the next book.
May 2, 2019
Can not wait for the next book to come out
Fun to read slow at first in the beginning and then gets more reviting as it goes a must read
Fun to read slow at first in the beginning and then gets more reviting as it goes a must read
June 23, 2019
Fantastic litrpg
I read this book in less than a day. Vasily is a master of litrpg and this is a fire e addition to his collection.
I read this book in less than a day. Vasily is a master of litrpg and this is a fire e addition to his collection.
June 23, 2020
I must lost all my patience at the end of book one. I have zero interest in finishing this puerile book.
August 1, 2020
A worthy sequel
I just really enjoy Vasily’s writing. Buying book three right now.... so grateful for e-books ! Keep up the good work Vasily !
I just really enjoy Vasily’s writing. Buying book three right now.... so grateful for e-books ! Keep up the good work Vasily !
Read
January 29, 2021did not finish.
February 12, 2021
One of the worse books by the author (not the worst though) but he's very consistent so this is still worth reading. Much like the first book in the series.
November 25, 2021
Mám rád sci-fi, mám rád piráty, mám rád LitRPG, ale tohle mě moc nebavilo. Zmatená a takové trochu odfláknuté. Hodnocení spíš něco mezi ** a ***.
April 26, 2019
Great continuation
This is a great continuation of the series. Picked up where book one left off with a curveball. Can’t wait till book 3!!
This is a great continuation of the series. Picked up where book one left off with a curveball. Can’t wait till book 3!!
January 7, 2025
Once again - nice read, quite lineal with no big complexities. It was pretty shallow and sometimes disturbingly stupid.
Imagine you have this top player who somehow becomes pirate, but wants to go against the flow and does whole new take on piracy and is almost in a business of being data broker, does have high standing relations (such as emperor and several high government officials in several entities) - and suddenly he is fixated on "being a pirate and needing to loot or gain benefit instantly". Player is not as intelligent as he believes and pure luck is more.
Also economic system of this book is a joke. But if you can live with it, yeah go ahead
Imagine you have this top player who somehow becomes pirate, but wants to go against the flow and does whole new take on piracy and is almost in a business of being data broker, does have high standing relations (such as emperor and several high government officials in several entities) - and suddenly he is fixated on "being a pirate and needing to loot or gain benefit instantly". Player is not as intelligent as he believes and pure luck is more.
Also economic system of this book is a joke. But if you can live with it, yeah go ahead
January 30, 2022
Měli jste někdy z nějaké knihy pocit že je lepší než první díl ale zároveň i horší?
Druhý díl je zajímavější a akčnější než první, ale ponechal si už jen nezbytné množství litRPG prvků, takže teď připomíná spíš space operu s prvky litRPG než plnohodnotné litRPG. Zároveň akce střídající akci je zábavná, ale tak trochu šablonovitá. I tak ale hltám stránku za stránkou a jen doufám, že v dalším díle to něčím oživí.
V tomhle žánru je očekávatelné že hlavní hrdina bude vyhrávat, takže tohle už beru jako normální. Navíc pořád očekávám na pozadí někoho kdo tahá za nitky a usnadňuje Alexovi cestu. A určitě ne pro Alexovo blaho. Všechny ty situace jsou zajímavé, ale pochybuji že by se k nim “obyčejný„ hráč jako Alex, dostal tak snadno. Jsem zvědavá jak to třetí díl rozlouskne.
Druhý díl je zajímavější a akčnější než první, ale ponechal si už jen nezbytné množství litRPG prvků, takže teď připomíná spíš space operu s prvky litRPG než plnohodnotné litRPG. Zároveň akce střídající akci je zábavná, ale tak trochu šablonovitá. I tak ale hltám stránku za stránkou a jen doufám, že v dalším díle to něčím oživí.
V tomhle žánru je očekávatelné že hlavní hrdina bude vyhrávat, takže tohle už beru jako normální. Navíc pořád očekávám na pozadí někoho kdo tahá za nitky a usnadňuje Alexovi cestu. A určitě ne pro Alexovo blaho. Všechny ty situace jsou zajímavé, ale pochybuji že by se k nim “obyčejný„ hráč jako Alex, dostal tak snadno. Jsem zvědavá jak to třetí díl rozlouskne.
December 28, 2025
This book is filler... They start the book telling you the entire plot is canceled, and then end the book by saying never mind its back on.
That being said the story was still enjoyable. If they just wrote it so it continued the original plot it would probably be rated higher. I am interested in finishing the series with the third book regardless.
That being said the story was still enjoyable. If they just wrote it so it continued the original plot it would probably be rated higher. I am interested in finishing the series with the third book regardless.
April 21, 2025
Easy read, just fun and light with an unexpected end. 3.5 stars
Reread in 2025 and downgraded score to 3.0 stars.
Reread in 2025 and downgraded score to 3.0 stars.
May 5, 2019
Read opening chapters here - magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/g...
What could be better than space adventures? Captain Surgeon knows the answer to this question - space piracy! Loot, pillage, plunder and sell all the lucre--that's the motto of the Galactogon pirates, and Surgeon is doing his best to join their number.
But what is to be done when the enigmatic Uldans do not want to leave our swashbuckler in peace and keep laying new mysteries in his path, distracting him from his main goal? How does one become a formidable buccaneer, the scourge of Galactogon's countless star systems, when an indomitable alien invasion is razing empires all across the galaxy?
Time and time again, the game hands Captain Surgeon the Black Spot and time and time again he refuses to take it. It looks like he will have to work extra hard to realize his dreams of piracy and find the answers to all these mysteries...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews