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Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact

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"Humans? We should have exterminated them all. Granted, they're tasty, occasionally even useful for dirty work, but they just can't be trusted."
- Aarashkvachora the Cruel, Grand Laywoman of the Creesh, 1st Speaker of the Council

2000 years have passed since our spiral arm's united spacefaring peoples defeated their ultimate nemesis in a heroic defensive struggle. An aggressive, ruthless species had spread further and further, destroying entire civilisations. Only a genocide born of desperation, the total annihilation of their home system and all significant colonies, could stop the hated aggressors.
Frank Gazer is one of their descendants - but he has no interest in weeping for humanity & Earth or mourning mankind's power loss. He is a prospector, body and soul. As the cold war between two competing star empires escalates alarmingly, he sets out for a seemingly lucrative comet. But the stray harbours a secret that could seal not only Frank's fate but also that of thousands of worlds ...

After the humorous Avatar series and the Goliath Chronicles' space thrillers, The Ultimate Artefact is a fast-paced space opera by bestselling author Ivan Ertlov. Sense of wonder, galaxy-wide adventures and bizarre encounters. Not only for fans & connoisseurs of HEAVY F.A.K.K.², Titan A.E., The Dark Zone, but an unforgettable reading pleasure for all friends of extraordinary science fiction.
may contain traces of nuts, antimatter and fellatio trout.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

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Ivan Ertlov

107 books26 followers

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5 stars
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18 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Callibso.
1,013 reviews20 followers
May 30, 2022
Ich hatte am Anfang Probleme mit diesem Buch, es wurden mir einfach zu viele Figuren eingeführt, es gab zu viele Völker, Namen und Kurzbeschreibungen. Dabei hatte ich ohnehin den Eindruck, dass es zwar viele Völker gibt, diese aber irgendwie doch alle wie Menschen sind. Sie sehen nur anders aus, handeln aber doch wie Menschen.
Die Sprache des Romans gefiel mir manchmal gar nicht, sein Humor ist nicht mein Fall und auch die vielen Schlachtschilderungen der zweiten Handlungsebene hätte ich nicht gebraucht.
Gut gefallen hat mir hingegen die Grundidee der Welt, in der Menschen Ausgestoßene der Völkergemeinschaft sind und die Schilderung der Zusammenarbeit verschiedenster Völker, wobei mir das auch wieder zu einfach ging.
Dafür war es aber auch meist schön spannend.
Profile Image for Falko.
268 reviews
March 11, 2021
Eine neue Space Opera von Ivan, und was für eine.

Und neues Universum, ein neues Team, welches man auf seinen Abenteuern gegen neue Feinde begleitet.
Zur Halbzeit des Buches stieß mein Körper im Sekundentakt Glückshormone aus, so pudelwohl fühlte ich mich auf dem Zenit der Schreibkunst des hochgeschätzten Autors. Tatsächlich hat er mich mit dem Finale überrascht (der Raumkampf), ein tolles Ende gab es auch... und bis dahin war es der gewohnte Ritt auf einer Euphoriewelle, die man beim Lesen von Ivans Romanen wie üblich geboten bekommt.

Die vier (fünf) Teammitglieder sind mir alle direkt ans Herz gewachsen sowie das gesamte Universum an sich, ich freue mich daher sehr auf die Fortsetzung.


Lieblingsstellen:
"Ihre Mandibeln klickerten unbewusst, ihr Schlund sonderte bereits Verdauungsenzyme ab, die sie wohl nach der Audienz mit einem Substratbrocken neutralisieren musste. Schließlich galt es als unschicklich, als grobe Verletzung der diplomatischen Immunität des Botschafters, diesen aufzufressen. Wahrscheinlich war das sogar irgendwo in einer Subsektion der Vorschriften ausdrücklich festgehalten."

"Blinzelnd hob er seine Lider, sah in die riesigen, von Besorgnis um ihn geprägten Augen der Astrotelepathin, die sich über ihn gebeugt hatte. Eine interessante Perspektive voll neuer Erkenntnisse.
»Du hast wunderschöne Ohren, Dila.«"

"Und es ist immer leichter, zu zerstören, als zu beschützen."
Profile Image for ReadingIsMyWayToDream.
474 reviews3 followers
February 26, 2021
Stargazer – Das letzte Artefakt ist eine starke Geschichte mit großem World-Building, die mich ein begeistertes Resümee ziehen ließ. Warum? Das erfährst du spoilerfrei unten im Text.

Meine Meinung zum Cover:
Das Cover ist diesem Buch ist richtig cool gemacht. Abgebildet wurden vier Protagonisten mitsamt einem mysteriösen Schiff. Durch die Farbgestaltung kommt eine neugierig machende Stimmung auf. Für mich hat es eine starke Wirkung, die neugierig macht.

Meine Meinung zum Inhalt:
Das neue Werk von Ivan Ertlov hat mich mit seinem großen World-Building und dem starken Verlauf begeistert. Zu Beginn lose wirkende Fäden ziehen sich zu einer kraftvollen und aussagekräftigen Geschichte zusammen. Der Autor holt den Leser zu einem aufregenden Abenteuer mit unerwarteten Wendungen und grandiosen Ideen ab.

Anfangs hatte ich mit den vielen Völkern Probleme. Es fiel mir schwer, mir alle Beschreibungen zu merken. Doch das legte sich mit der Zeit und ich bekam ein lockeres Bild. Wissen zu ihrem Verhalten, ihrer Geschichte, die Wesenszüge und was sie ausmacht, wurde mir vermittelt. Am Anfang eines jeden Kapitels gab es Gesetzesauszüge für das Volk, das beinahe vernichtet wurde. Sie gaben mir Verständnis, warum und wie mit ihnen umgegangen wurde/wird. Während dem Verlauf der Geschichte gelang es dem Autor auf subtile Art zu polarisieren. Der Autor hat wirklich ein Händchen dafür dies geschickt zu tun. Sonstige Anspielungen auf politische Lagen, Filme, Bücher usw. ließen mich schmunzeln.

In den ersten Kapiteln musste ich mich in der Welt zurechtfinden und beobachtete, wohin mich das Ganze führen würde. Der Einstieg war ungewöhnlich – auf positive Art. Mit der Sprecherin wurde ich anfangs nicht warm. Frank war mir auf Anhieb sympathisch. Sein Charakter ist nicht heldenhaft und er hat seine Fehler, doch sitzt sein Herz am rechten Fleck. Zudem gab es weitere Protagonisten, die ich sehr mochte. Vor allem der Borsht hat es mir angetan. Es war famos zu erleben, wie das Team zu einer Einheit wurde und sich weiterentwickelte. Der Autor hat sich für ein bestimmtes Volk beeindruckende Namen ausgedacht. Aussprechen kann ich sie nicht mal ansatzweise und finde sie trotzdem cool.

Abgesehen von den kleinen Startschwierigkeiten fand ich schnell Gefallen am Geschehen. Spätestens nach 30% war ich vollkommen gebannt. Ganze 65% des Buches las ich mit kleinen Pausen an einem Tag. Die Spannung war immens hoch und der Plot herausragend. Das World-Building ist unglaublich umfangreich. Ich merkte, wie viel Mühe und Arbeit der Autor hingesteckt hatte. Dabei schaffte er es, alles stimmig und im Laufe des Geschehens einzuweben. Man wird als Leser nie mit Informationen überladen. Gleichzeitig brachte der Autor Witz, Humor, tiefe Gefühle und Ernsthaftigkeit ein. Der Komet versetzte mich in Staunen. Ich hatte niemals mit einer derartigen Wendung gerechnet und klebte regelrecht mit den Augen an den Zeilen. Wenn ich eine Pause machte, verfolgte mich das Geschehen in meinen Gedanken. Selbst wenn ich es nicht wollte, ertappte ich mich nach einiger Zeit beim Nachdenken, wie es wohl weitergehen wird. Die Ideen sind wahnsinnig gut und ich frage mich, woher der Autor seine Inspiration zu sowas nimmt. Die Technologie, der Plot, die vielen kleinen Elemente, die zu etwas Großem werden – all das ist wunderbares Material zu einer guten Reihe.

Die Schlachtszenen wurden vom Autor sehr lebendig dargestellt. Ich kenne das bereits aus anderen Büchern des Autors und wusste, dass ich hier einiges geboten bekommen werde. Wobei mich der Handlungsstrang um Frank, je näher das Ende des Buches heranrückte, viel mehr gefesselt hat. Eine zweite große Wendung bahnte sich ihren Weg und ließ mich noch schneller lesen. Erstarrt las ich mit großer Neugier weiter und wurde fürstlich belohnt. Der Band ist abgeschlossen, doch lässt er viele Möglichkeiten für weitere Geschichten offen. Ich habe zudem gehört, dass wohl weitere Bände erscheinen sollen und kann es kaum erwarten.

Mein Fazit:
Die Geschichte um Frank Gazer, seine Crew und dem Kometen hält kraftvolle Wendungen, enorm viel Spannung und ein umfangreiches World-Building bereit. Ich bekam eine gewaltig spannende Space Opera zu lesen, die mit grandiosen Ideen und vielen beeindruckenden Szenen aufwartet. Spannung und mitfiebern ist garantiert. 65 Prozent des Buches wurden von mir an einem einzigen Tag gelesen, weil ich kaum mehr vom Buch wegkam. Wenn ich nicht las, verfolgte mich das Geschehen in meinen Gedanken. Am Anfang hatte ich leichte Startschwierigkeiten, doch legten sich jene schon bald und trübten mein Leseerlebnis in keiner Weise. Für mich ist das richtig gute Science-Fiction, die man nicht so schnell wieder vergisst. Sie hat Tiefe und eine starke Aussagekraft. Zudem polarisiert der Autor subtil und bringt im selben Moment Humor ein. Klare Leseempfehlung an alle Sci-Fi Fans.

Ich vergebe 5 von 5 möglichen Sternen!

Das Buch wurde von mir vorabgelesen. Meine Meinung wurde dadurch nicht beeinflusst!
244 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2022
It wasn't for me

At this point still reading but a few things about the writing are bothering me to wit ""Wait, did you say we have a ship?"  That was the last line of the chapter.  ""Yep, a vessel. Another smaller one," is the start of the next chapter however it's completely different ppl in a different place.  So I'm half way down the page before I realize it's not making any sense.  


I don't know if I'll finish the book, it's taking my enjoyment of reading away.


I did like the footnotes, so there is that.


"Actually an interplay of several reasons, all a conglomeration of sociological factors and traditional values. A sequence of interactions that are apart from the expectation ..." causes my eyes to glaze over, ok it had the same reaction on Frank the human but I hear enough political speak on the news each night.  Yes I know 'why' the author did it but it still stiffled any pleasure reading it.


It kind of reminds me of Guardians of the Galaxy but without the rocking music.  The aliens all hate humans.  


I did push through and finished it, it did get more interesting but having to push myself to read it when I could have been reading other books I'd enjoy was probably a waste.  All in all not a bad book but not my cup of tea.

Profile Image for Evelyn.
1,326 reviews29 followers
June 27, 2021
This is a beautifully written novel and I'm thrilled to learn that the author has several other books. They've gone straight to the top of my reading list.
Ivan’s voice and narrative power are absorbing and sublime. He captures emotions and interactions between the characters with a grace and beauty of language that seems both rare and distinct to me. He’s constructed an "adventure" story to drive the narrative, and even though as a reader I know something has gone wrong, the suspense continues.
My only quibble, if I can even call it like that, is the final chapter. I believe it could have been better developed and with more details. He still had me captivated but not with the same intensity as I felt throughout the rest of the novel. I wish I could give this read 5 stars since it had the potential.
Profile Image for Pearl.
537 reviews7 followers
June 30, 2021
I wish I have enjoyed it but as much as I have tried, this book just didn't make it for me. Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact by Ivan Ertlov is a promising science fiction book that mainly centers around the spacial events. I actually love the concept of the book, but at some point I felt like it fell short in different areas. I was kind of lost because of the heavy descriptions and many details and terms. Plus, there were way too many characters and I felt like it couldn't focus on one.

I understand that the author may have loved challenges and he doesn't sit in his comfort zone when it comes to the plot and world building, but I just thought that it didn't click to me in the end. I still found some interesting things in this book though, like the hidden secrets revealed in certain parts.
871 reviews28 followers
June 22, 2021
“Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact” is easily one of the most entertaining books in the science fiction genre I have encountered. With a surprisingly relatable cast of characters and an engaging and unique plot surrounding a species war in a space opera context, it will appeal to readers across genres.

Written by bestselling author Ivan Ertlov, this fast-paced story is full of galaxy-wide adventures and bizarre encounters. After reading it, I was mostly impressed by the world building. In fact, this author has wisely designed an entire cosmos with countless civilizations, two opposing coalitions with dozens of very different spacefaring peoples.

All in all, I enjoyed this story very much and I will definitely recommend reading it.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,338 reviews23 followers
June 22, 2021
Frank Gazer is a prospector through and through. He is uninterested in the lost civilization of humanity; he is only looking out for himself and how he can turn a profit. His life is turned upside down though, when he finds an unusual comet and figures out that it will affect so many trillions of beings more than just himself.
There is certainly a great deal of imagination here. Space opera is the right word to describe this book, there are a multitude of characters, all being juggled at the same time and interacting in various ways. The writing is well done however, some of the dialogue seemed a bit stilted and forced. The word building was good, but with everything going on in this book, I had a harder time following the story and so I am not sure if I would pick up the next book.
Profile Image for Susel.
555 reviews8 followers
June 23, 2021

Ivan Ertlov is one of my all-time favorite authors! He cannot write fast enough for me, since I always read his books in one sitting. His stories are always original and engaging.
Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact is such an entertaining sci-fi novel. For those who are looking for a well-written and exceptional fantasy book with amazing characters and a gripping plot then this is the book.
The characters are well-developed, likable, and engaging. I also like the author’s creative descriptions for the various places, events, and sci-fi elements. There is nothing that I disliked about Stargazer.
I would recommend this great book to all fans of sci-fi fantasy and I give it well-deserved five stars!
Profile Image for Celeste.
995 reviews26 followers
June 25, 2021
“Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact” is the first book in the series “Stargazer” written by Ivan Ertlov. This space opera blends science fiction, humor, action and irony to captivate readers from the first page. The plot is creative and out of the ordinary and so it is complex and requires the reader’s full attention but the book is worth it and entertainment is guaranteed. As we start turning the pages, we immerse more and more in this fantastic universe designed by the author with a mastery which I contemplate with awe. The original story is complemented by a clever and clear narrative style. The characters are very well constructed and described and they spice up the plot. I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it.
Profile Image for ELISABET.
166 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2021
I would recommend this book to fans of futuristic plots mixed with sci-fi. I have read Generation 23, another futuristic novel from the same author. I really appreciate the notable personality of Ivan Ertlov for writing. I could discover much of that in the main character, Frank Gazer. Once again, I enjoyed the journey through the original landscapes. Also, with respect to the back cover of the book, I completely agree that there are bizarre encounters.

Stargazer is a futuristic novel with a serious background but with entertaining and starling scenarios, where Frank Gazer struggles for survival after the discovery of a comet. He does not want to be very much involved in the contemporary battles but he is definitely put into action.
Profile Image for Kourtney Bradley.
483 reviews11 followers
June 29, 2021
Fast paced sci-fi

Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact is book one of two in the Stargazer series and one that readers of space science fiction will surely adore. Something I always look for in a good story is suspense and a sense of adventure where you can feel the character dynamic, and this story has it all. There were a few instances where the dialogue between characters felt a bit unnatural, but with the setting being futuristic, it seems to be not unheard of for the communication to be different than what we're currently used to. There are multiple character introductions involved in the story, so this one is best recommended for readers who like their stories with a fast pace and full involvement. This one's a great choice for all those sci-fi lovers!
Profile Image for Karyn H.
568 reviews10 followers
June 24, 2021
An Exciting And Fun Sci-Fi Story

The author Ivan Ertlov proves himself in this novel as one fine author to watch out for when it comes to sci-fi mysteries. Stargazer is a well-woven novel with interesting characters and beautifully developed settings. It features many foreign words and writing styles all wrapped up in one for a captivating read. The novel is built around the main character Frank Gazer whose main interest is in mining the body and soul. Frank Stumbles upon a comet with many hidden secrets, which was the beginning of his fight for survival. Stargazer is a great novel for lovers of Sci-fi Mysteries.
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,544 reviews28 followers
June 24, 2021
An absorbing Sci-fi novel
Ivan Eartlov has penned “Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact”, a compelling futurist novel.
In this story, an unknown danger attempts to destroy humanity and Frank strives to avoid it. Throughout this adventure, there would be lots of dangerous, awkward and even crazy situations. There is a bit of everything, but I enjoyed it.
It is a well-written novel with well-developed characters. The scenes are so well described that I felt immersed in this futurist story. There are lots of turns and twists that kept me at the edge of my seat. All the time, I wanted to keep on reading to see what happens next. It is entertaining and I highly recommend it.

Profile Image for Susan B.
495 reviews10 followers
June 25, 2021
I must say I based myself on the cover to purchase this book, but as soon as I started reading it, I realised I made a good decision.
Stargazer: the ultimate artefact is the first book of a promising saga that belongs to the category of science fiction. It revolves around strange creatures which invade the planet and get rid of entire civilizations. The storyline is definitely futuristic, and this
is what makes it even catchier since I believe we all ask ourselves what the future beholds in terms of species and humans.
Ten chapters packed with intense sequences of events make up this book written in an easy manner and with dialogues mingled in it that make the reading faster. Loved it!
Profile Image for Ivana S..
595 reviews12 followers
June 26, 2021
Firstly, I found a bit hard to get hooked on “Stargazer” but then, after some chapters, I had a great time with it. It is a thrilling tale about good versus evil. It tells the story of the terrible genocide that space people have suffered and how they have managed to survive. But the cold war continues, who can stop it?

The characters are well-portrayed and the setting is presented with photographic details so I could easily feel that I was inside the story. Also, the book is well written. All these made me continue reading.

To conclude, I would gladly recommend this book, no matter what age readers are. I learnt it was worth giving an opportunity.
Profile Image for Carol M..
246 reviews2 followers
June 27, 2021
Stargazer: The Ultimate Artefact is an incredible adventure space novel which is action-packed and really absorbing. It is written by talented author Ivan Ertlov who has created other must read best-selling stories. In this one, the fate of both, the main character and of the worlds, is being challenged. I really enjoyed this story due to its characters and mixture of genres. There are strange space creatures, comets and spacecrafts. It is humorous and at the same time trilling. It combines funny scenes with adventure and mystery. The author has done an amazing job at creating an intriguing atmosphere and has also depicted this futuristic world incredibly well. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Jimmy Jefferson.
1,043 reviews10 followers
June 18, 2021
Sci-fi thriller

This is a sci-fi thriller that is well written with great descriptive scenes and characters. The story is about a guy named Frank Gazer who is only interested in body and soul mining. When he discovers a comet that has some unforeseen secrets, he is forced to use all his abilities to survive. This is a good read and great for the sci-fi fans out there. The characters are developed and plentiful and the storyline is interesting and twisted. Check this one out folks. It is a good read.
Profile Image for Jorogarn.
99 reviews2 followers
October 30, 2021
Mein erstes Buch von Ivan Ertlov, die Empfehlung kam vom Otherland und auf der BuCon 2021 las er daraus vor. Ich bin begeistert und habe insbesondere mit den Menschen mitgelitten…
Unbedingte Empfehlung, freue mich schon auf das nächste!
Profile Image for Larry B Gray.
Author 6 books155 followers
March 12, 2022
Awesome Adventure

Fast paced, action packed adventure that never let up from start to finish. I really got into the storyline and got behind the characters. I loved this book and I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for René.
45 reviews
July 24, 2021
Das beste Buch von Ertlov, welches ich bisher gelesen habe (und ich habe mich davor schon sehr gut von seinen Werken unterhalten gefühlt).

Kurz hatte ich beim Entdecken des Artefakts die Avatar vor Augen, aber hier wären wohl unvereinbare Welten aufeinandergeprallt.

Also: Klare Leseempfehlung. Freue mich auf Teil 2.
Begebe mich nun auf die Suche nach der Terranischen Volksfront.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews