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The Augmented #2
Rise of Renegades
Ero has done the impossible. He's altered the human genome to make slaves more valuable. From world to world whispers are spreading of these powerful new augments. Branded as renegades, Ero and his brother Skorn are hunted by dangerous enemies, including Visika, the head of the Burning Ghosts, the most feared criminal organization across the Empire. Hoping to recruit more soldiers for House Bright’Lor, Captain Reklin returns to the Hammerdin homeworld, only to find his family threatened by clan leaders. His best chance to keep his family safe is the Sovereign Crucible—a fight to the death against a clan champion. Reklin has trained his entire life for combat but he cannot survive the coming fight. Not alone. Siena is one of the new Augments, but while others have only one or two abilities, she has many, and continues to discover more. As her talent rises, she is caught between her tenuous friendship to Ero, Skorn’s ambition, and a growing list of greedy factions. All see her value. None see her courage. It’s a lethal oversight, because when Siena decides she is done being a slave, the whole of the Empire will feel the chains shatter. Book 2 in The Augmented Space Opera Series from #1 Amazon Bestseller Ben Hale is here. It's perfect for lovers of both Star Wars and Star Trek, as well as fans of authors such as Chris Fox, J.N. Chaney, and Lindsay Buroker.
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2021
37 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Ben Hale
50 books352 followersAs an avid snowboarder from Utah, Ben grew up with a passion for learning. This thirst for knowledge led him to sports, music, and academic endeavors. After a year of college, he did volunteer work in Brazil and became fluent in three languages. Graduating from the University of Central Florida, he started and ran several successful businesses before publishing his first novel in June of 2012. By the end of the year he'd sold almost ten thousand copies of The Second Draeken War, and he began writing full-time. Now spanning 10,000 years, ten titles, and two series, The Chronicles of Lumineia represents a sprawling YA series that has sold over fifty thousand copies, and continues to expand its readership across all ages. Each of his books has been inspired by his wonderful wife and five beautiful children.
To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, check out his website at Lumineia.com. You can also follow Ben on twitter @ BenHale8 or on Facebook.
To contact the author, discover more about Lumineia, or find out about upcoming novels, check out his website at Lumineia.com. You can also follow Ben on twitter @ BenHale8 or on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 9, 2021
Another book in the series that soars brightly amongst the stars.
July 18, 2021
Actual rating 2 1/2 stars. An on-going 4-star plot that is absolutely brutalized by some of the most inept and ham-fisted editing I've ever seen. I really didn't think it would get worse after the first book but the proofing in this book was not only - again - distracting, it was truly unprofessional.
Positives - this is a classic space opera that is built around enough twists and turns in the political arena to satisfy any fan of the genre. The sentient species that are in play are perfectly balanced against each other and Hale does an excellent job in keeping all of their traditions, strengths and oh yes weaknesses well-represented. From different types of planets, star systems, space battles and more, the general plot of this book is fantastic. I even found myself slowly warming to the concept of dragons being present on this strange unknown world initially called Earth, even if the tilt towards Terry Brooks-ian sci-fantasy wasn't the strongest aspect of the story. The final scenes and especially the epilogue leave me hungry to complete the trilogy when I dive into book 3 later this weekend.
Negatives - ooo boy. I don't know if we have professional editors working on these or if this is a group of 'trusted beta readers'... but someone needs to be replaced pronto. And that's being polite. From the over-use of various adjectives (folks: "taciturn" is not a word that needs to be used as much as it is) to the gender flip-floppings that pop up too many times (he or she, make up your mind!), it was just painful to make it through some of these sections. I said enough about this in my review of the first book so I really don't want to waste more time rehashing this. It needs to be fixed because these stories deserve!!! it.
And like last time, I'll leave you with some examples. Note that I couldn't include even a fraction of the most glaring mistakes - including edits that seemed to have been accomplished with a machete that, for example, left people speaking to unidentified colleagues (Laurik just starts screaming at... the beach?) or appearing in places that hadn't been described beforehand. And when the audience becomes so accutely aware of these mistakes that it interupts the flow of reading, well... 'nuff said.
For example:
“Did you know she had a water augment?” Alina asked. “Since when?”
“Since I saw her and Kensen arrive this morning in a boat,” she said. “The craft was made of water that had been hardened like glass.”
“When?”
“Two weeks ago,” she said.
(soooo... when they arrived this morning two weeks ago... TIME DILUTION BABY!!!)
"Since Ero was going to meet the Head of House Mor’Val, second in the Empire, he decided it would best if he looked the part, so she changed out his cloak and donned a fitted blue tunic..."
(he, she, they, we... is it politically correct to criticize pronouns? Ero, just know we'll support you no matter what!)
The soldier’s precious was flawless, his balance perfect.
(MY PRECIOUS!!!)
“I’m the basement of one of the houses,” she snapped...
(I am the basement... I am the walrus... coo coo cachoo...)
Positives - this is a classic space opera that is built around enough twists and turns in the political arena to satisfy any fan of the genre. The sentient species that are in play are perfectly balanced against each other and Hale does an excellent job in keeping all of their traditions, strengths and oh yes weaknesses well-represented. From different types of planets, star systems, space battles and more, the general plot of this book is fantastic. I even found myself slowly warming to the concept of dragons being present on this strange unknown world initially called Earth, even if the tilt towards Terry Brooks-ian sci-fantasy wasn't the strongest aspect of the story. The final scenes and especially the epilogue leave me hungry to complete the trilogy when I dive into book 3 later this weekend.
Negatives - ooo boy. I don't know if we have professional editors working on these or if this is a group of 'trusted beta readers'... but someone needs to be replaced pronto. And that's being polite. From the over-use of various adjectives (folks: "taciturn" is not a word that needs to be used as much as it is) to the gender flip-floppings that pop up too many times (he or she, make up your mind!), it was just painful to make it through some of these sections. I said enough about this in my review of the first book so I really don't want to waste more time rehashing this. It needs to be fixed because these stories deserve!!! it.
And like last time, I'll leave you with some examples. Note that I couldn't include even a fraction of the most glaring mistakes - including edits that seemed to have been accomplished with a machete that, for example, left people speaking to unidentified colleagues (Laurik just starts screaming at... the beach?) or appearing in places that hadn't been described beforehand. And when the audience becomes so accutely aware of these mistakes that it interupts the flow of reading, well... 'nuff said.
For example:
“Did you know she had a water augment?” Alina asked. “Since when?”
“Since I saw her and Kensen arrive this morning in a boat,” she said. “The craft was made of water that had been hardened like glass.”
“When?”
“Two weeks ago,” she said.
(soooo... when they arrived this morning two weeks ago... TIME DILUTION BABY!!!)
"Since Ero was going to meet the Head of House Mor’Val, second in the Empire, he decided it would best if he looked the part, so she changed out his cloak and donned a fitted blue tunic..."
(he, she, they, we... is it politically correct to criticize pronouns? Ero, just know we'll support you no matter what!)
The soldier’s precious was flawless, his balance perfect.
(MY PRECIOUS!!!)
“I’m the basement of one of the houses,” she snapped...
(I am the basement... I am the walrus... coo coo cachoo...)
August 27, 2021
Good book, great storyline, a little slow for my taste.
This is an excellent space opera, a little slow for me. I think that could be a bit faster character development between all the main protagonist in the story. I also believe that there should be a bit more action. This was an OK book the second one in the series, don’t know how long the series will go but due to the slowness of this book I would probably think several more books
It is worth the read even though in my opinion a bit slow.
This is an excellent space opera, a little slow for me. I think that could be a bit faster character development between all the main protagonist in the story. I also believe that there should be a bit more action. This was an OK book the second one in the series, don’t know how long the series will go but due to the slowness of this book I would probably think several more books
It is worth the read even though in my opinion a bit slow.
July 1, 2023
Another good read from The Augmented book bundle.
Book 2 continues with Ero, Siena, Reklin and Skorn all doing their thing and every one wondering if one of them is going to kill the other, which seems to happen all the time and no one seems to care. I mean, really, Ero and Skorn are planning to kill their father and neither of them can stand their mother. It's crazy but good.
No romance and no swearing, NONE.
As for the narration: Eric Michael Summerer, Reba Buhr and Jay Snyder are all wonderful.
Book 2 continues with Ero, Siena, Reklin and Skorn all doing their thing and every one wondering if one of them is going to kill the other, which seems to happen all the time and no one seems to care. I mean, really, Ero and Skorn are planning to kill their father and neither of them can stand their mother. It's crazy but good.
No romance and no swearing, NONE.
As for the narration: Eric Michael Summerer, Reba Buhr and Jay Snyder are all wonderful.
February 3, 2022
A spectacular view of what is to come!
If you've read the Chronicles in publishing order, you know what's to come, even if only in the distant future, as well as hints of what is to be in the war, even what causes it. If you started here, you still get to enjoy a great story. Augments, friendship, subterfuge, and sabotage. A wonderful combination for a book.
If you've read the Chronicles in publishing order, you know what's to come, even if only in the distant future, as well as hints of what is to be in the war, even what causes it. If you started here, you still get to enjoy a great story. Augments, friendship, subterfuge, and sabotage. A wonderful combination for a book.
May 24, 2022
It was a middle book, but still engaging. I find it a blended SF and fantasy typed book, because of the pace of the action and the description/ world building. I liked the characters development and links, I enjoyed the small surprises/ cliff hangers, in on place I known what will happen, no augmentation on my part. Let’s see what the third instalment will bring.
December 2, 2022
Outstanding Sequel
This sequel even enhances the the draw of the first book. It has even more surprises in it then the first book did. It even carries the surprises right up to the end. Do Not read this book out of sequence as that would take a lot of the enjoyment out of first book as this book is completely reliant on the first book. Please enjoy this sequel.
This sequel even enhances the the draw of the first book. It has even more surprises in it then the first book did. It even carries the surprises right up to the end. Do Not read this book out of sequence as that would take a lot of the enjoyment out of first book as this book is completely reliant on the first book. Please enjoy this sequel.
January 13, 2024
Fantastic mix of fantasy and Sci-fi, throw in a healthy dose of Warhammer 40k, add some dragons and x-men like abilities and you have a winning formula, I would recommend this to everyone, what boss?? EVERYONE !!!!!!
June 10, 2021
The rare case were a series improves over time. Book one was good book two better and the plot lines are developing to continue that trend.
June 10, 2021
Fantastic
I couldn't put it down. Great story. Great characters. Just well done across the board. I looking forward to the next book.
I couldn't put it down. Great story. Great characters. Just well done across the board. I looking forward to the next book.
July 6, 2022
Read the first novel (and yes it needs a good edit). But only got three quarters of the way through this before my attention drifted. Interesting story premise.
August 7, 2022
It's been a while since I read the first one, but I'm glad I got back to this series. I've been enjoying the character growth and the plot is certainly holding my interest.
September 22, 2023
4.5
A continuation of a great storyline. I am so looking forward to the next book. The author has done an amazing job of creating the prehistory of Earth.
A continuation of a great storyline. I am so looking forward to the next book. The author has done an amazing job of creating the prehistory of Earth.
September 28, 2025
Great book loved the story can’t wait to listen to the next one I highly recommend this book 📖 😀⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍
September 13, 2021
Can't wait for book 3. Never see the twists coming. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews