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Nomad #2
Mother Death
Solomon has passed judgement.
The AI has chosen his ideal humans for Project Nomad, mankind’s first extrasolar colony on Opis, forty light years from an Earth ravaged by more than a century of disease, famine, and war. Now his band of soldiers, farmers, and scientists have one final chance to launch the Ainatio corporation’s ageing interstellar ship, Shackleton, and join the crew of Cabot at Nomad Base.
They have a deal. The Alliance of Asian-Pacific States, Earth’s last surviving superpower, will let the launch go ahead in exchange for the instant communications research that made Nomad possible. But an unknown informer betrays a deadly secret: Solomon is the sole survivor of a banned class of AIs that were shut down after causing millions of human deaths. APS can’t allow him to escape. They have to stop the launch and destroy him as well. But Solomon is ready to go to war to complete his mission.
While the situation on Earth spirals out of control, Captain Bridget Ingram is doing a deal of her own with newly-discovered neighbours on Opis. The alien crew of a warship have offered to share a technology that’ll change the future of humanity. But they want something in exchange: protection.
The aliens haven’t told Ingram the whole story, though. She’s going to find out very soon who they need to be protected from, and why. It’s too late to stay neutral and too late to abort the mission. If she doesn’t take the biggest gamble of her life — one that could destroy the fledgling colony before it’s even begun — the rest of the colonists will never make it to Opis.
Nomad has to succeed. Humanity’s future will depend on it.
The AI has chosen his ideal humans for Project Nomad, mankind’s first extrasolar colony on Opis, forty light years from an Earth ravaged by more than a century of disease, famine, and war. Now his band of soldiers, farmers, and scientists have one final chance to launch the Ainatio corporation’s ageing interstellar ship, Shackleton, and join the crew of Cabot at Nomad Base.
They have a deal. The Alliance of Asian-Pacific States, Earth’s last surviving superpower, will let the launch go ahead in exchange for the instant communications research that made Nomad possible. But an unknown informer betrays a deadly secret: Solomon is the sole survivor of a banned class of AIs that were shut down after causing millions of human deaths. APS can’t allow him to escape. They have to stop the launch and destroy him as well. But Solomon is ready to go to war to complete his mission.
While the situation on Earth spirals out of control, Captain Bridget Ingram is doing a deal of her own with newly-discovered neighbours on Opis. The alien crew of a warship have offered to share a technology that’ll change the future of humanity. But they want something in exchange: protection.
The aliens haven’t told Ingram the whole story, though. She’s going to find out very soon who they need to be protected from, and why. It’s too late to stay neutral and too late to abort the mission. If she doesn’t take the biggest gamble of her life — one that could destroy the fledgling colony before it’s even begun — the rest of the colonists will never make it to Opis.
Nomad has to succeed. Humanity’s future will depend on it.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
889 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2021
87 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Karen Traviss
107 books1,535 followers#1 New York Times best-selling novelist, scriptwriter and comics author Karen Traviss has received critical acclaim for her award-nominated Wess'har series, and her work on Halo, Gears of War, Batman, G.I. Joe, and other major franchises has earned her a broad range of fans. She's best known for military science fiction, but GOING GREY and BLACK RUN, the first books in her new techno-thriller series RINGER, are set in the real world of today. A former defence correspondent and TV and newspaper journalist, she lives in Wiltshire, England. She's currently working on SACRIFICIAL RED, the third book in the Ringer series, and HERE WE STAND, book three in the NOMAD series.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 24, 2021
I have seen a few fans of GE be less than supportive of this authors previous book because it didn’t follow in a linear fashion with the GE universe, I loved the Best of Us and I can only say I am very happy that Karen has taken the characters and universe she created and is following her path with this, it’s a superb read and my only complaint is that it’s not in audio (Karen did explain the costing problems so I understand why) book 3 please 😀
December 20, 2021
Finally, more Nomad Base
After despairing that we would never see the rest of the Nomad story, happily, Traviss returned with a sequel. It is just as good as the first book, although I wish it would move a little faster, and spend less time on extended thoughts by one character or another. Nonetheless, a gripping story, well worth the read, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
After despairing that we would never see the rest of the Nomad story, happily, Traviss returned with a sequel. It is just as good as the first book, although I wish it would move a little faster, and spend less time on extended thoughts by one character or another. Nonetheless, a gripping story, well worth the read, and I can’t wait for the sequel.
January 1, 2022
Great sci fi read in the galaxy Edge universe
This, and its predecessor, is a slower style story but A more human one than I’m used to in this universe. It compliments Aspach and Coles writing very well.
The author reminds me a little Adrian Tchaikovsky in her style but not as deep.
Highly recommend you read
This, and its predecessor, is a slower style story but A more human one than I’m used to in this universe. It compliments Aspach and Coles writing very well.
The author reminds me a little Adrian Tchaikovsky in her style but not as deep.
Highly recommend you read
September 3, 2022
This is the second Nomad book, following on from 'The Best of Us'.
Most of earth has been hit by die back - a virus that is killing major food crops. A few countries have isolated to avoid it, but many (America and Europe in particular) have been turned into a dead wasteland. Asia is one of the survivors (so far), as is Britain.
Ainatio, the tech/research company located in the American wilderness next to the tiny self-sufficient town of Kill Line, has managed to launch a ship full of settlers in cryo-suspension towards a far off planet, Opis, where Solomon the ethical autonomous AI and his bots have set up a basic colony fit for humans. Solomon has hitherto been able to flit (virtually) between Earth and Opis, but the FTL link has now been lost and Sol is on Earth. The initial ship has already arrived. The ship launched in the first book has 45 years to go and the third ship is being prepped to take a third batch of settlers, including the Kill Line residents, but they are a few months short of being able to launch.
The same human characters we met in the first book are upfront again. Chiefly these are three military types: Chris the rough-around-the-edges leader of a ragtag bunch of survivors who are camped close to Kill Line. Marc, tough soldier with connections to British Intelligence, and Trinder, in charge of Ainatio Security. On Opis the colony set-up crew are shocked by the arrival of some crow-like aliens whose tech is amazingly advanced, as is their ability to learn English. The Ainatio folks back on Earth are hamstrung by the arrival of a Korean investigative team, led by Tim Pham, supposedly hunting the origins of another die-back strain, but in reality sniffing around for FTL tech. The Koreans would also destroy Solomon if they knew that he was sentient.
The narrative swings between Earth and Opis, where news of not-so-friendly-aliens puts the small colony on alert. There are ethical questions throughout as things develop and the fragile peace between Tim Pham and Ainatio is stretched to breaking point. There's a massive technological advance (from the aliens) which is a major game changer. Are our guys the good guys or the bad? It all depends on your point of view. I love Karen's writing, the way she manages to include a lot of logistics while making it tense and exciting. I'm so looking forward to the third book, 'Here we Stand.'
Most of earth has been hit by die back - a virus that is killing major food crops. A few countries have isolated to avoid it, but many (America and Europe in particular) have been turned into a dead wasteland. Asia is one of the survivors (so far), as is Britain.
Ainatio, the tech/research company located in the American wilderness next to the tiny self-sufficient town of Kill Line, has managed to launch a ship full of settlers in cryo-suspension towards a far off planet, Opis, where Solomon the ethical autonomous AI and his bots have set up a basic colony fit for humans. Solomon has hitherto been able to flit (virtually) between Earth and Opis, but the FTL link has now been lost and Sol is on Earth. The initial ship has already arrived. The ship launched in the first book has 45 years to go and the third ship is being prepped to take a third batch of settlers, including the Kill Line residents, but they are a few months short of being able to launch.
The same human characters we met in the first book are upfront again. Chiefly these are three military types: Chris the rough-around-the-edges leader of a ragtag bunch of survivors who are camped close to Kill Line. Marc, tough soldier with connections to British Intelligence, and Trinder, in charge of Ainatio Security. On Opis the colony set-up crew are shocked by the arrival of some crow-like aliens whose tech is amazingly advanced, as is their ability to learn English. The Ainatio folks back on Earth are hamstrung by the arrival of a Korean investigative team, led by Tim Pham, supposedly hunting the origins of another die-back strain, but in reality sniffing around for FTL tech. The Koreans would also destroy Solomon if they knew that he was sentient.
The narrative swings between Earth and Opis, where news of not-so-friendly-aliens puts the small colony on alert. There are ethical questions throughout as things develop and the fragile peace between Tim Pham and Ainatio is stretched to breaking point. There's a massive technological advance (from the aliens) which is a major game changer. Are our guys the good guys or the bad? It all depends on your point of view. I love Karen's writing, the way she manages to include a lot of logistics while making it tense and exciting. I'm so looking forward to the third book, 'Here we Stand.'
June 26, 2023
Epic!! World building at its finest.
July 5, 2025
Excellent! Compelling action and surprising plot motivators. Enjoying these very long entries in this superb trilogy (I usually avoid long novels; am I being persuaded to try more? Maybe, if they're sci-fi by this author). Recommended.
Read
July 20, 2025The pacing of the first part of this book ran a little slow and long for me, and I usually love slow and long.
Otherwise, hardly any faults at all, and I enjoyed it immensely.
I am starting to realize that scientists, farmers, animals, and emotional AIs are among my favorite combinations of characters. Especially if you throw in kids and parents of various ages.
Otherwise, hardly any faults at all, and I enjoyed it immensely.
I am starting to realize that scientists, farmers, animals, and emotional AIs are among my favorite combinations of characters. Especially if you throw in kids and parents of various ages.
December 27, 2021
Excellent read! I am sad that this is no longer a part of the GE universe, but the quality of this story is more than enough to sustain this series
January 4, 2022
A well written sci fi story
Mother Death is the second book in the Monad series. It is long at over 870 pages, but the story is engaging and well written. There are several characters that are sometimes difficult to differentiate, but all are interesting and relatable. As a veteran and thirty plus year law enforcement officer, I really enjoy how the author explores the relations between military personnel, law enforcement, and those they choose to protect. The introduction of alien species is very interesting and different than most of the books I've read since the early 70's. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
Mother Death is the second book in the Monad series. It is long at over 870 pages, but the story is engaging and well written. There are several characters that are sometimes difficult to differentiate, but all are interesting and relatable. As a veteran and thirty plus year law enforcement officer, I really enjoy how the author explores the relations between military personnel, law enforcement, and those they choose to protect. The introduction of alien species is very interesting and different than most of the books I've read since the early 70's. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
January 23, 2024
Excellent
I decided to continue this series before I completed the final Legion book and the side stories. It always entrigued me on what was going on before the first Legionnaire story, and especially why Earth was such a mystery.
Karen Traviss writes a profound, deep story with a myriad of moving parts and overlapping story arcs. There's plenty of dialogue and internal thoughts which bring out other sides to characters.
It's all about hard decisions being made with incomplete information, and the subsequent repercussions of such actions. It's also a nice touch that the aliens that are found in this series, as far as I remember, have not been mentioned in the other Lege books.
I decided to continue this series before I completed the final Legion book and the side stories. It always entrigued me on what was going on before the first Legionnaire story, and especially why Earth was such a mystery.
Karen Traviss writes a profound, deep story with a myriad of moving parts and overlapping story arcs. There's plenty of dialogue and internal thoughts which bring out other sides to characters.
It's all about hard decisions being made with incomplete information, and the subsequent repercussions of such actions. It's also a nice touch that the aliens that are found in this series, as far as I remember, have not been mentioned in the other Lege books.
July 14, 2022
Need more disagreement among viewpoint characters
Need more disagreement among viewpoint characters. Every viewpoint character more or less agreed on the hard moral and ethical decisions, which was a bit boring.nthwew was one character who disagreed with the choices they made (as did I, to an extent, but not to the point of condemnation) but he wasn't a viewpoint character. Also why did Fred's POV drop off for the last 25% of the book? Still mostly enjoyable and I will purchase and read the next one
Need more disagreement among viewpoint characters. Every viewpoint character more or less agreed on the hard moral and ethical decisions, which was a bit boring.nthwew was one character who disagreed with the choices they made (as did I, to an extent, but not to the point of condemnation) but he wasn't a viewpoint character. Also why did Fred's POV drop off for the last 25% of the book? Still mostly enjoyable and I will purchase and read the next one
March 3, 2025
I love the Nomad series so much. Honestly some of the GE offshoot series are better than the main series.
This book is no exception, sure it had some lulls, but overall I really, really enjoyed it. Karen Traviss has such an excellent way with words that I was easily able to paint the scenes. Put voices to characters, like Marc became a mix of Karl Urban, and Ghost from COD.
But the part that really got me, was the last page. I loved it. I ain't gonna spoil it for those who haven't read the book, go read it. Enjoy the buildup to the epilogue. It's a very worthwhile adventure.
This book is no exception, sure it had some lulls, but overall I really, really enjoyed it. Karen Traviss has such an excellent way with words that I was easily able to paint the scenes. Put voices to characters, like Marc became a mix of Karl Urban, and Ghost from COD.
But the part that really got me, was the last page. I loved it. I ain't gonna spoil it for those who haven't read the book, go read it. Enjoy the buildup to the epilogue. It's a very worthwhile adventure.
December 11, 2023
I preferred the best of us because I think the pacing was a little slow here, sometimes it would take a hundred pages for an hour or two to pass. I was initially very disappointed to hear that Nomad was being removed from the Galaxy’s Edge canon, but now I understand why. This story works better as a standalone.
May 2, 2023
I have really enjoyed this series
I have read both one and two now I'm going to dive into number three. This is a great series. And I would even like to see it go even further. I have a very deep appreciation for this author. May she write many more just as good!!!
I have read both one and two now I'm going to dive into number three. This is a great series. And I would even like to see it go even further. I have a very deep appreciation for this author. May she write many more just as good!!!
April 8, 2024
A little long and slow at times but a solid story and sequel to the first book. I wish we got more background on Chris, Marc and Ingram. We get snippets, more than the first book but not enough in my opinion. Will be reading Book 3 for sure.
September 15, 2025
It’s a good story
I’m intrigued with the characters but if I have to be honest I got to a point of speed reading. I love the characters but I’m not altogether in love with the storyline. I’ll revisit the last book one day.
I’m intrigued with the characters but if I have to be honest I got to a point of speed reading. I love the characters but I’m not altogether in love with the storyline. I’ll revisit the last book one day.
December 16, 2021
Not as good as the first, but a good setup for the next book.
May 15, 2022
A Must Read Series
I am hoping two things.....that this book quickly is released in Audio and that the next book in this series is published tomorrow!
I am hoping two things.....that this book quickly is released in Audio and that the next book in this series is published tomorrow!
July 23, 2022
An excellent sequel to The Best of Us with enough twists and turns, doubts and dreams to keep one occupied.
July 8, 2023
Love this series and the way it addresses complicated moral issues.
January 11, 2022
A worthy sequel to TBOU. If you liked that book, you'll love MD. Its a great addition to the Nomad lore, and you get plenty of exposure from characters you wanted more from in TBOU. Captain Ingram stands out as a character Karen Traviss has mastered. The Royal Navy is weird, after all, but KT handles it with a clear comprehension of tropes and characterization.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews