Gods and Men

Ruins of the Earth #2

by Christopher Hopper, R.C. Bray (Narrator)

Listening time 11 hours 54 minutes

Humans are herded like sheep for the slaughter.

And their only hope for survival lies with a team who just left the planet.

Following their successful mission to destroy the slaver ring in New York City, Wic and the members of Phantom Team pass through the Antarctic’s origin ring and find themselves deep in the heart of the Androchidan Empire.

But as the scope of the alien species' operation becomes apparent, Phantom Team realizes they can’t standby as humanity is culled into submission. Efforts must be made to slow the enemy’s progress, if not stop it altogether.

Under Wic’s leadership, the team devises a plan to infiltrate and neutralize part of the Androchidan’s operation. Allies are made, and resources are acquired. But when enemy spies find evidence of collusion, it is only a matter for time before the Phantoms’ hopes of thwarting the enemy are dashed.

Will Wic and his elite team of warriors succeed in reversing the tide of the Androchidan invasion? Or will they succumb to the unrelenting power of the most notorious slaver operation in the galaxy?

Genres: Science Fiction, Audiobook, Science Fiction Fantasy, Fiction, Military Fiction, Humor, Fantasy

Audible Audio

First published November 8, 2020

About the author

Christopher Hopper is an American novelist, creator and co-author of the best-selling mil-scifi series Ruins of the Galaxy with J.N. Chaney.

His other series include Resonant Sun, The Sky Riders, The White Lion Chronicles, and The Berinfell Prophecies.

Christopher lives with his wife and four children in the 1000 Islands of northern New York. He loves flying FPV race wings and RC planes, performing music with his wife, and traveling to distant lands—physical and fictional.

He's had breakfast with Winnie Mandella, canoed with dolphins in Southern California, kite-surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived on 19th-century shipwrecks in the 1000 Islands, sailed a yacht in St. Martin, posed with white rhinos in the wilds of South Africa, spoken on national television in Mexico City, performed a concert on a Dutch beach, and climbed the Great Wall of China.

For more on Christopher, visit his blog at christopherhopper.com.

Reviews

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Get in *STAB* then get out" is a great plan, as human as possible. What could go wrong, right?!

[Meenaz Lodhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come soon.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 2023
Re-read because I started the 4th book of the series and totally had forgotten what was going on. Still loved it again - Wic is such a great character. And this time we got to go off world!

January 2022
If you like action and strategy, this is definitely your book. There were several laugh-out-loud moments. I thought the ending was a little drawn out, but the epilogue made it worth it. One thing I appreciated was the way the A.I. came in and out of the story, giving time to focus in on a couple of new characters and the development of the team. I liked the setup for the next book, because you got a peek at what's to come as well as a happy ending.

Overall, a great series which on audio is frustrating to wait for - because R. C. Bray is so busy! I'm really looking forward to the next one.

[Cornapecha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ante la perspectiva de estar cayendo en otro bloqueo lector, me tiré de cabeza al segundo libro de esta saga descerebrada y absurda, pero entretenida.

Esta entrega sigue donde terminó la primera, los nueve protagonistas roban una nave alienígena y se van, ellos solos, cruzando un portal dimensional, a protagonizar un contraataque contra todo el imperio androquí. Con dos cojones, siete yanquis de opereta y dos rusos aún más tópicos contra toda una raza alienígena que esclaviza a otras especies e invade planetas en un visto y no visto. Es tan delirante que acaba resultando entretenido, además como ya están hechas las presentaciones, aquí todo es acción y fantasmadas desde la primera página.

Pues eso, si desconectas el cerebro y el sentido común te pasas un buen rato viendo como nuestros héroes desafían toda lógica posible para enfrentarse ellos solos a (casi) todos los androquís y su superioridad tecnológica en medio de diálogos pueriles y golpes de suerte cósmicos.

No puede ser tan mala una saga donde el protagonista que más brilla es un rifle todopoderoso que habla con el acento de John Cleese. O eso quiero pensar...

[David P. Duffy · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Silly and Inane*

“Gods and Men” is Book 2 of the authors’ ‘Ruins of Earth’ series that continues the silly and inane — read mindless — saga of a hearty, small band of American Special Operators and Russian mafia taking on an alien invasion force on the aliens’ world.

The plot devices used to push along the story by the authors are woefully childish and disingenuous.

[Margarita Gacía · Rating 3 out of 5]

Acción a raudales, humanos contra malditos alienígenas!!!
Esta vez el Escuadrón Phantom lleva la guerra al territorio de los androquíes. Van a conseguir información, volar por los aires todo lo que puedan, y quizás encontrar aliados por el camino.


Muchos momentos de tensión, derivados de tener que estar infiltrados en terreno enemigo, los rusos continúan siendo la mayor fuente de diversión para mi y sabemos mucho más de la invasión, de los androquíes y otras especies (como plus).

Como super fan de la serie Stargate sg-1, todo me parece muy familiar. Y entretenido. Pero dejándote el cerebro en casa.

[John Remedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the cool sequel where Phantom Team travel to the alien world and land some sort of blow to the wanton destruction of humanity, or at least the rate of it. But, when you meet some alien rebels who outfit you with everything you asked for even the crazy hazardous mission you've thought up loses some of its drama, hey?

Despite R. C. Bray's amazing narration continuing as the series progresses, everything just falls into place a little too easily. The drama, turns and twists just lose emotional impact when every member of the group has a full set of armour, a rifle, a pistol and their preferred type of explosive device, a universal translator, and the knowledge of how it all works. The humour of Sir Charles, Phantom Lord was enough to keep me smirking sporadically throughout the book, but not enough to stop this sequel feeling very by-the-numbers.

I will continue the series, but when it starts to feel like a Michael Bay novel, then I will put the series down.

EDIT: I could have sworn they changed the pronunciation of the alien race from andro-chidan to androch-idan, but I'm racing through these books as I can switch my brain off, so don't quote me.

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caveat: I'm writing this ~4mo after having read the book, and my memory isn't the best. I blew through this series so quickly that it all blended together and I don't really have any memorable details, so this is the same review for each book.

Someone I know was excitedly explaining the plot of a series that had this military dude fighting off an alien invasion with a snarky AI who was just hilarious. My response was oh yeah I love that one, Expeditionary Force, right? Nope… Ruins of the Earth. So we each decided to try the other series out.

For me, personally, this is We Have Expeditionary Force At Home. This is Expeditionary Force for those who thought Skippy was too weird, and wanted more guns and boots on the ground. For those who never got to meet Col. Smythe, or those who did and wanted the Marines instead of the SAS. For those who thought ships named "It Was Like That When We Got Here" or "How'd That Work Out For You" were just a bit much.

So, clearly I prefer Expeditionary Force. But. I ran out of it. This fits the same niche of something I can turn my brain off for, and it was entertaining enough and fine for that. It's not great, it's not mind-blowing, but I read the whole series, I got a few chuckles of out it, and I didn't hate it.

…probably just going to re-read ExFor next time though.

[jboyg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regardez: The Law Of Diminishing Returns


Very mixed feelings about this book/series. On one hand it's a pretty decent military SF story, with more action than a room full of MMA fighters jacked up on crank, on the other it's relentless attempts at humor border on moronic and the relationships between characters are at times ridiculous, not to mention the antics of a sentient alien weapon who never met a cheap joke he can resist. So, eventually the sloppy mishmash of comic book story lines fades away to japery and folderol in a meaningless finale wherein the earth is saved and alls well that ends well. Probably not a good idea to read crap like this while perusing Emily St. John Mandel 's Station Eleven". But that's what happened and it suffered in comparison.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read my review of the first book in this series, "Ruins of Earth", then you know I was kind of on the fence about whether I liked the book or not. Well, that one turned out OK and this one does continue the story only now that I know what kind of writing I'm getting, I don't have a real problem with all the inane humor. When someone that's in combat walks around with a talking rifle, that's pretty stupid if you ask me. But, no one did ask and they exist in this book. In particular, our main character, Wic (short for Patrick), a retired Gunnery Sergeant of the US Marine Corps, has a talking rifle named "Chuck". It's an alien rifle and certainly not of human origin.

"Chuck" is an extremely dangerous weapon in the hands of someone other than a human. You can read how Wic came to be with Chuck in the first book and find out how the AI in the rifle was given a new personality that set off all this comedy stuff in the book. I think there is actually less comedy in this book than in the first one or I was better prepared for it. Still, while I don't mind humor in science fiction books, I'm just not ready for a talking rifle although I do see how that could come in handy if the thing was a intelligent as what Chuck appears to be. Still, if all it does is talk and not shoot, then it's not really worth carrying around right?

So, Wic has put together a team of various combat veterans, a young private and his scientist friend, Dr. Aaron Campbell, and they have armed themselves, stolen an alien transport shuttle and are going through the Antartica portal to find out where these aliens are coming from and stop the slave ring that his just about all of humanity in its grasp. They have absolutely no idea of what they will run into nor of how they are to accomplish anything. It's once we get there, we'll figure it out.

So, they go through the portal and find out they arrive inside a huge hanger where there a literally thousand of other alien transport shuttles. They quietly manage to get the shuttle landed and then keep it shut tight because they realize they can't even breath the atmosphere outside this shuttle! Not a good way to start. Wic has one alien helmet and some armor that will allow him to actually breath and walk out side the shuttle so he's going to try and find an armory where he can grab more helmets and armor to outfit the rest of the Phantom Team. Surprisingly, he gets this done. Then they decided to move out into this alien structure not knowing anything about it. They have no access to a map of the place nor much intel on what they might find. So, the success of whatever they are going to do isn't very high.

Unfortunately, it's also difficult to act like an alien all the time. They pull it off for awhile, but soon find themselves in a shootout inside one of the other hangers with no way to get back to their shuttle. It looks like their little escapade into alien territory isn't going to last very long and not going to help humanity much. That is until some aliens with peculiar markings on their armor start blasting other aliens and looking to rescue Wic and his team. Not long after this they meet General Peegra Cordan, Lietuenant Insarka Kindesh and Lieutenant Farkoo Tersmik. While the General is surprised to see them, he wants Wic's team to join his forces against these corporate slavers. Wic doesn't think that's the right move for now so he says, "No!", and asks for some Intel help from the General. The General gives him some, but clearly indicates that Wic and his small team won't be alive very long to use it. Not that he's going to do anything to them, they just don't have any idea of how large an operation this slave activity really is. So Wic gets the idea that the General isn't going to be much help. Still he and his team must to do something to help the millions of humans who are about to die here and on Earth.

Things look pretty bleak until Lieutenant Insarka says she's there to help with whatever they need and being the daughter of the General, she's got connections in the right place. So, maybe, just maybe Wic and his Phantom Team can do something. But what can a small team of his do against millions of aliens? Read and find out.

[Don Viecelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review Number 201:

This review is on Gods And Men (Book 2 in the Ruins of the Earth Series) by Christopher Hopper and J.N. Chaney. This is the second book I have read by these two authors. It is just as exciting as the first book in the series. This is a Military Science Fiction story about a group of soldiers with memorable characters and exciting military action scenes fighting an alien invasion that entered Earth through an ancient stargate with devastating consequences.

The story begins with a brief overview of what happened to Wic and his Phantom Team of fighters before they enter the Antarctic’s origin ring or stargate located at the Ellsworth Subglacial Highlands Excavation Site to find a way of defeating the aliens from the Androchidan Empire who are intent on enslaving or killing everyone on Earth.

Wic is still leading a team of warriors and two Russian allies along with some captured alien weapons that help even the fight against the aliens who have superior weapons. This includes a smart weapon with artificial intelligence that bonds with the person using it. Wic names it Chuck and they have a semi-confrontational relationship that leads to a lot of comical banter as the story progresses. Considering the circumstances, Chuck provides a lot of crucial information that aids Wic and his team as they fight for human survival.

Wic’s team takes control of an alien dropship and enters the stargate in Antarctica that transports them to the Androchidan military base on another planet. The aliens have a huge underground facility where they are processing the humans taken from Earth. In a matter of days, all humans on Earth will be sold into slavery on other worlds for profit or worse.

Fortunately, there are other aliens of the same species that wish to overthrow the aliens in power. They join Wic’s team as they try to disrupt the current plans the aliens have for all humans on Earth. The odds for success are very low, but Wic and his team decide the fight is worth the effort to save what’s left of humanity even if they are all killed or captured in the process.

I give this book Five Stars because the story is thrilling, action packed and full of suspense. The story builds a whole new alien universe. The main characters are memorable, entertaining and heroic. The plot is well constructed, contains excellent fighting scenes and flows smoothly from one scene to another. The dialogue and writing style are excellent. The science is believable and creative. This is one of the best MSF series I have read so far! I look forward to reading the Book 3 in this new series from these two authors to see what happens next to Wic’s Phantom team of warriors.

Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a full month to get done, normally that's a sign of a book I really like that I try to stretch out. OR, something I do not like and that I end up abhorring and dreading to read. Unfortunately, this time it is a case of the latter. There were some reasons for this, but mainly it simply feels like it drags on and on. It starts well enough and pushes things in a rather fun direction and then it just gets all muddled. And one point the story presents the characters with a choice, one that has a high risk to humanity id they act, and one that has collateral damage but significantly less risk, and the characters merely need not act at all.

Predictably the characters all decide to take the risk. Even the one character that should've objected. It seems a bit contrived, and from that point on it seems like the characters are just handed out advantages time and time again. As the next book puts it, the universe seems to have handed them out a win. It does not feel like the first book or the first part of this book, no struggle no earned victories. I will finish the series but I am not hopeful that it will get better. Since the story has already been contrived to keep the bad guys engaged.

[Leslie Baptiste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the storyline, don’t like the main protagonist.

I like the storyline, the eclectic cast of characters and that page turning action. What I don’t like is the main protagonist inconsistencies in behavior. What marine on gods green earth would not cover up when there’s eminent explosion coming on that they would look up and want to see what the detonation looks like. That to me was extremely silly and took me out of the storyline. Another commander would not try to micromanage his troops, he would get on with the task at hand and get his part of the assignment done instead of losing concentration and focus. Then at other times Patrick Wick seems brilliant. He seems very insightful and right on the ball besides those issues I find this a good story I will try to get through another book after all we’re all still working through this pandemic.
Give the book a try, as well as a series the things that bother me, may not bother you.

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gods and Men (Ruins of the Earth Book 2) don't miss it!

Without a doubt, this is one of the strangest, surprising, enjoyable, and believe it or not, funniest dialogue ever to be combined into one book. You can never go wrong with any book written by Christopher Hopper & J.N. Chaney. This is Book 2 of 'Ruins of the Earth' series. If you haven't already, read Book 1. Do not misunderstand my prior description, 'Gods and Men' is a serious life and death conflict between aliens, humans, and other vulnerable species. You will have no problem knowing who to root for in this book.
If you enjoy audible books, then you've hit the jackpot. R.C. Bray brings his skillful performance as few can to this excellent adventure. ENJOY! -Mr.Bill

[Steven Milburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomely hillarious action.

The authors are quick of witt interspersing a ton of action. What creativity they bring to this series. It's not just science fiction. it's not just comedey. it's not just action. The jokes aren't just one or two per book as a side joke. They are integrated into the storyline and action. This story ark is nothing like i have encountered before. The character development is second to none, and that's saying a lot as I am a huge fan of James Rollins, who is a master of working multiple characters at a time in his stories. Well done, authors, well done.

[John Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a series of three. I think it's better if you read the first book in the series before starting this one. Like the first book the storyline is very good, lots of action and banter between the characters and an alien AI that is befriended in the first book. The aliens are real bad characters and you find yourself really wanting the heroes to kick their butts. I enjoyed this book as it kept me engaged and I am looking forward to the third book when it gets release late January 2021.

[David Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission impossible alien style!

The phantoms go through the ring and reach the staging post where the humans are processed before being sold on to clients. There they meet a resistance group and plan a daring mission (impossible) to create war between the human harvesters and their clients, as well as send the humans to 'safer' worlds. The AI Chuck is again a great source of light relief as the stakes get higher, as well as being an integral part of the team.
Another fun read as the events unfold with a twist or two..... and lots of exploding alien bodies!

[Kevin Gardiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow! All that in 3 days?!?!

Interesting premise,but not up to Stargate standard. I'm sure that's known as plagiarism
I know you didn't inform mr Cleese because he would not give permission!!
Any chance of that gun shutting up or at least talking like a robot? It's wise cracking is not funny
Where did the phrase 'YUT' come from? It's awful!
How come the densest man on the planet is in charge? Ghost would have been preferable. HE doesn't talk nonsense
Messrs Chaney and hopper have produced plenty of enjoyable tales in the past, but this one tarnishes their reputation

[Kay Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome episode!

Pat and his Phantoms lay siege to the aliens with lots of battles and explosives. And there are laughs along with the rest. But the Phantoms strength lies in the relationships they share. The characters are brilliantly portrayed and the worlds make you yearn to travel with them. It’s so easy to become invested in this series, and cheer for the group. The ending is a cliffhanger to beat all cliffhangers. It will be a hard wait for book 3.

[Diane Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gods and Men is the second book picking up where the first left off. Action-packed suspense on every page. The characters are well defined. I know them all well now.

The author has some funny characters and exchanges throughout. This book goes out of this world. The place it winds up is original and scary. I loved this book. I wanted to listen to Gods and Men straight through but life gets in the way. The narration is excellent.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up where the last novel left off, the alien invasion is well and truly under weigh, and humanity is pretty much screwed. So...why not take the battle to them on their ground? You know, on the other side of the portal which is the beachhead for the invasion.

That's Wic and Phantom Team's idea, anyway. An unlikely counter-offensive ensues. Another fun book in the series; I might move on to book 3 at some point, but taking a break for now.

[Gail Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next one!!!!

The book was excellent! A little slow at points, but once you get through that it takes right back up again and you can't wait to see where it goes from there. Action was always very good, can't wait to see what happens next. And always Beware of the flounder turkey alliance!!

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the next volume

An exciting continuation of Ruins of the Earth. The authors write really exciting books packed with action and wonderfully developed characters, both human and AI. This is an intense military sci-fi epic that skillfully balances horror and humor in a way I wouldn't have thought possible.

[John Holley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good!

Look.... If you read Ruins of the Galaxy, then you are going to want to read this series. I am not going to reveal the story, but you are going to WANT to read this book and book 1.
I am about 15 seconds away from buying book three.

Damn Hopper and Chaney!
They keep costing me money!

John

[Family Acct · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting book!

My husband and I really enjoyed this book it was exciting all the way through. It was also humorous and witty lot’s of fun banter between characters and a little romance is good for me. As I’ve mentioned before there’s always to much swearing so I have to improvise with some funny responses.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent second entry in the series. It appears to wrap up a lot of threads, which I found odd, since that rarely happens by the second book. No complaints though, it makes for a good story. Of course, by the end, there's a whole new subplot brewing, so I'm sure further books in the series will be interesting reading too.

[Peter Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed and packed with action.

This the second in the series is a dystopian tome with a twist - and then another twist and another.
If you want a read that grabs you by the eyeballs and just drags you into a story that is intense as it is readable - then read this but, first, read the first one.
Really enjoyable and quirky story really well told.

[DAVID · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Storyline

Well you have done it again another great storyline. Six must have more lives than a cat lol.. Phantom Lord must is just too funny pmsl. I keep getting dirty looks off my partner lol for bursting into laughter. Looking forward to the next episode

[Carole Eshenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long story short time

This part of the adventure takes place in just a few days. Humans are being “harvested” and it is up to Wic to help save them. Much alien tech is introduced. And a cliffhanger.

[C.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast-paced sci-fi action

This was an excellent follow-up to the first book in the series; WIC and Team Phantom return to take on the invaders of their planet on the aliens' turf. With newfound allies, WIC and the Phantoms get into the "splick" and OTF, big time. Great read!