What do you think?
Rate this book
Derelict #2
Counterattack
Adrift in an unknown sector of space, Slater and the crew of the Franklin are cut off from friendly support and surrounded by enemies on all sides.
The mysterious council means to destroy him, but a derelict core is a deadly opponent, and Captain Slater will stop at nothing to get his crew home safely.
The mysterious council means to destroy him, but a derelict core is a deadly opponent, and Captain Slater will stop at nothing to get his crew home safely.
300 pages, Paperback
First published August 10, 2020
321 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
August 31, 2020
Moderately disappointed by a non-core novel.
I disagreed with the choice of using too-classic core mechanics for a space derelict "dungeon" in the first book, but was willing to give it a chance.
The second instance of the series completely abandons the main dungeon core themes in favor of a classic mil-fi novel. Except the science-fictional is barely remarkable in the absence of the dungeon core management themes, the characters are flat and telegraphed, and the plot moderately unremarkable. So you end up with a fantasy races in space novel, a thin veneer of dungeon mechanic, and nothing much more.
The series is set up for a rebound in a new direction after this, but I will definitively not keep reading the adventures of Dungeon Core Slater. I am not convinced this will be anything interesting, based on the first two entries.
I disagreed with the choice of using too-classic core mechanics for a space derelict "dungeon" in the first book, but was willing to give it a chance.
The second instance of the series completely abandons the main dungeon core themes in favor of a classic mil-fi novel. Except the science-fictional is barely remarkable in the absence of the dungeon core management themes, the characters are flat and telegraphed, and the plot moderately unremarkable. So you end up with a fantasy races in space novel, a thin veneer of dungeon mechanic, and nothing much more.
The series is set up for a rebound in a new direction after this, but I will definitively not keep reading the adventures of Dungeon Core Slater. I am not convinced this will be anything interesting, based on the first two entries.
August 13, 2020
Fast action pack read! warning spoilers
The second book in the series starts off where the last ended. Once the action starts it doesn’t stop. This book focuses more on space battles of ship against ship which is augmented and enhanced by normal on board dungeon raids. Loved the more space battle ship feel to it instead of floating cargo container dungeon feel.
Spoiler
Would have loved to seen more of the battle with the council from humanity standpoint, felt rushed and was disappointed that it ended so fast with the council derelicts; but I can see how some may have slip past and went into hiding. Would love to see what happens from here on out. Hopefully more of the space dragon shows up since we get the half page of her talking and explaining she has kids. Interested in how the series shapes up and goes on from here. Still 5/5.
The second book in the series starts off where the last ended. Once the action starts it doesn’t stop. This book focuses more on space battles of ship against ship which is augmented and enhanced by normal on board dungeon raids. Loved the more space battle ship feel to it instead of floating cargo container dungeon feel.
Spoiler
Would have loved to seen more of the battle with the council from humanity standpoint, felt rushed and was disappointed that it ended so fast with the council derelicts; but I can see how some may have slip past and went into hiding. Would love to see what happens from here on out. Hopefully more of the space dragon shows up since we get the half page of her talking and explaining she has kids. Interested in how the series shapes up and goes on from here. Still 5/5.
July 26, 2021
Quick backtrack.... the first book in the series esrablished the hero, the universe, and its inhabitants. Necessary, and interesting. Some shooting, killing, and stabbing also necessary to set the tone of these stories. I gave it a low “3”. Not too bad for summer reading.
This second book, however, pretty much goes nowhere, and, most of the way thru — unlikely to finish — is mind-numbing. Wholly repetitive situations, lots of numbers, and endless discourses on available core power. Absolutely as boring as a 2nd rate Engineering text. We don’t even get to know if the few characters are tall,short, have wavy hair, or like to play chess?
So, the missing elements are...an interesting story, and characters about which to care.
Blah!
This second book, however, pretty much goes nowhere, and, most of the way thru — unlikely to finish — is mind-numbing. Wholly repetitive situations, lots of numbers, and endless discourses on available core power. Absolutely as boring as a 2nd rate Engineering text. We don’t even get to know if the few characters are tall,short, have wavy hair, or like to play chess?
So, the missing elements are...an interesting story, and characters about which to care.
Blah!
October 12, 2021
Humanity Triumphant?
Captain Slater as a long trek home with the fate of humanity riding on his success. The Council, which controls the Derelict Cores of the galaxy, and all the space faring races the Council manipulates thereby are trying to destroy his rebuilt ship and and his Derelict Core. The Council fears the fact that Derelict Cores made from human minds by P.I.X.I.s are capable of destroying their P.I.X.I.s and escaping the Council's control -- just as the Elves had proven capable of millennia before. Slater knows he must succeed, or all of humanity will be hunted into extinction.
This novel is a form of Dungeon Core fiction, but may appeal to fans of the LitRPG and wider Fantasy genres as well as those who enjoy playing RPGs.
Captain Slater as a long trek home with the fate of humanity riding on his success. The Council, which controls the Derelict Cores of the galaxy, and all the space faring races the Council manipulates thereby are trying to destroy his rebuilt ship and and his Derelict Core. The Council fears the fact that Derelict Cores made from human minds by P.I.X.I.s are capable of destroying their P.I.X.I.s and escaping the Council's control -- just as the Elves had proven capable of millennia before. Slater knows he must succeed, or all of humanity will be hunted into extinction.
This novel is a form of Dungeon Core fiction, but may appeal to fans of the LitRPG and wider Fantasy genres as well as those who enjoy playing RPGs.
August 30, 2020
A great series that combines military sci fi and Dungeon Core
Derelict follow Captain Slater, whose space ship is attached by forces loyal to an evil interstellar council which seeks to use its orc and kobold (and others) forces to maintain its power.
Slater, transformed into a ship’s core is now able to transform and modify his derelict ship into humanity’s last chance for survival.
The second book in the series continues Slater’s effort to get back to human space and find a way for humanity to
Triumph. Great space battles and word building, with the military thriller we expect from the author of Limitless Lands.
Derelict follow Captain Slater, whose space ship is attached by forces loyal to an evil interstellar council which seeks to use its orc and kobold (and others) forces to maintain its power.
Slater, transformed into a ship’s core is now able to transform and modify his derelict ship into humanity’s last chance for survival.
The second book in the series continues Slater’s effort to get back to human space and find a way for humanity to
Triumph. Great space battles and word building, with the military thriller we expect from the author of Limitless Lands.
August 17, 2020
What can I say, the guy did it again! For the past 3 books (Limitless Lands and Derelict Series) the plot has been extremely engaging and the endings very poignant. This second book in the Derelict series was full of twists and turns with a very original plot. You never know exactly what’s going to happen, very refreshing in a genre full of tropes and recycled plots.
Dean’s quality of the stories has been increasing with every book and I hope that he gets the recognition he deserves. The only complaint I have is that the books aren’t longer ... oh well, quality vs quantity I suppose.
Dean’s quality of the stories has been increasing with every book and I hope that he gets the recognition he deserves. The only complaint I have is that the books aren’t longer ... oh well, quality vs quantity I suppose.
December 5, 2020
(I listen to the audible version)
I loved this book it was so much fun and I can't wait for more. Both Dean Henegar and Jack Voraces make this book unique and exhilarating. Dean is able to put an amazing amount of detail without it dragging on or a loss of focus and is able to keep the reader's attention and interest meanwhile Jack brings to life the characters while giving them their own individual personalities and simply put absolutely phenomenal book all the way around trust me you do want to read/listen to this book.
I loved this book it was so much fun and I can't wait for more. Both Dean Henegar and Jack Voraces make this book unique and exhilarating. Dean is able to put an amazing amount of detail without it dragging on or a loss of focus and is able to keep the reader's attention and interest meanwhile Jack brings to life the characters while giving them their own individual personalities and simply put absolutely phenomenal book all the way around trust me you do want to read/listen to this book.
April 8, 2021
Overall a good idea and good writing
I liked the story though some parts dragged and the updates on research were ... confounding. Research was completed but only in passing between chapters with no finish or completed alert.
The ending is also abrupt. Nice 10 years later and poof. Time flow was very difficult to see throughout.
That was the bad. The good is a lot of races somehow used by the mysterious council. A decent battle and dragon and... well done.
Not perfect but a really good second book to a series I'll be following.
I liked the story though some parts dragged and the updates on research were ... confounding. Research was completed but only in passing between chapters with no finish or completed alert.
The ending is also abrupt. Nice 10 years later and poof. Time flow was very difficult to see throughout.
That was the bad. The good is a lot of races somehow used by the mysterious council. A decent battle and dragon and... well done.
Not perfect but a really good second book to a series I'll be following.
March 13, 2025
Ohhhh! Wow! Soooooooo good! Yeah, I know it's a Military Syfi but believe/you me it's so much better when it's a litRPG, 'cause there's Gnomes, Orks, Trolls, and Billage Rats! And Captain Slater has his hands full with the counsil ships all wanting to take him out! Luckily he's gotten a few human, and even an Elf as allies. Good thing too, because they're all fantastic and help him level up his core everytime there's a new ship to fight.
You don't wanna miss out on this CounterAttack! So yeah grab the book, better yet grab the boxed set and enjoy the heck outta it!
You don't wanna miss out on this CounterAttack! So yeah grab the book, better yet grab the boxed set and enjoy the heck outta it!
August 18, 2020
Fun
A great continuation of the last book Slater expands and fights back. The story and MC progress much faster than in the previous book. There’s a twist or two, and an arc ending. The story world is left open for future books, but most avenues explored in this one are closed. I do wish for more. In all it was a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. Enjoy.
A great continuation of the last book Slater expands and fights back. The story and MC progress much faster than in the previous book. There’s a twist or two, and an arc ending. The story world is left open for future books, but most avenues explored in this one are closed. I do wish for more. In all it was a really enjoyable read and I highly recommend it. Enjoy.
September 2, 2020
Yahoo!
What an amazing book! I absolutely love it! The part with humanity finally taking down the council was a blast, even though it was a bit short. Thank goodness Slater is still alive. I look forward to reading the new adventures that await him in the third volume. Keep up the awesome work!!
What an amazing book! I absolutely love it! The part with humanity finally taking down the council was a blast, even though it was a bit short. Thank goodness Slater is still alive. I look forward to reading the new adventures that await him in the third volume. Keep up the awesome work!!
September 7, 2020
Ha, and more of the space faring dungeon we love so much. Good stuff, even if there isn't as many ship to ship battles as I'd like. That's ok though, since there are a few, and it's not really a dungeon's job to fight outside itself, so the story fits the circumstances it should follow as a dungeon story, but one can always want more.
But, for what it's worth, I like this series, and if there's more, I'll happily read them.
But, for what it's worth, I like this series, and if there's more, I'll happily read them.
September 24, 2020
Good sequel
I enjoyed the book a lot. Some reviews complain that the second book is too much like the first and I disagree. It moves away from the dungeon aspect and doesn’t bog down with reading stats. There is more time spent on the characters and their interactions. I only wish there was more detail in the last chapter and that it would have been written out into several.
I enjoyed the book a lot. Some reviews complain that the second book is too much like the first and I disagree. It moves away from the dungeon aspect and doesn’t bog down with reading stats. There is more time spent on the characters and their interactions. I only wish there was more detail in the last chapter and that it would have been written out into several.
August 12, 2020
Damn good book
This was an awesome story. Dean Henegar is a gifted storyteller. He sucks you into his world and makes you believe everything is real. His characters have a life of their own.
This was an awesome story. Dean Henegar is a gifted storyteller. He sucks you into his world and makes you believe everything is real. His characters have a life of their own.
August 21, 2020
Meh
Allotof holes in the strategy, actions and tecknology. Also allot of useless details about mob developments that are unimportant in the story. Some battles are rushed through, others detailed, strategy makes no sense in the circumstances presented.
Allotof holes in the strategy, actions and tecknology. Also allot of useless details about mob developments that are unimportant in the story. Some battles are rushed through, others detailed, strategy makes no sense in the circumstances presented.
October 9, 2020
Great fun read.
Same concept delivered in a unique way.
The MC is a power but has weakness in built for exploration on how to achieve the goal.
Well cannot wait, for the next challenge now.
Same concept delivered in a unique way.
The MC is a power but has weakness in built for exploration on how to achieve the goal.
Well cannot wait, for the next challenge now.
November 8, 2020
Ends with a Murmur
Lots of action, and yet not a lot of satisfaction at the end of the book. The storyline ends rather quietly, hinting there might be more, and left me feeling unsatisfied.
Lots of action, and yet not a lot of satisfaction at the end of the book. The storyline ends rather quietly, hinting there might be more, and left me feeling unsatisfied.
February 2, 2023
Overly simplified.
The lack of any real characters makes this feel shallow. The humans are as fleshed out as the Mobs. The changes to the core seem more a catch all to simplify the storyline.
The lack of any real characters makes this feel shallow. The humans are as fleshed out as the Mobs. The changes to the core seem more a catch all to simplify the storyline.
May 17, 2023
I've just finished all 3 books currently released, while I am disappointed it wasn't actually a complete series like I'd thought, I am excited for more! Slater and his dungeon could do so very much good. I loved the book series. Thanks Dean.
August 14, 2020
Wonderful
A great sequel. Higher stakes and greater rewards. Sacrifices are made enemies defeated and still with elements of a good litrpg
A great sequel. Higher stakes and greater rewards. Sacrifices are made enemies defeated and still with elements of a good litrpg
August 15, 2020
Good story
I found the story unique and very interesting and look forward to seeing the next installment of this series of books
I found the story unique and very interesting and look forward to seeing the next installment of this series of books
August 24, 2020
So good!
I am thoroughly enjoying this new series by Mr. Henegar! The action scenes are really well written and the dungeon/ship building is extremely entertaining
I am thoroughly enjoying this new series by Mr. Henegar! The action scenes are really well written and the dungeon/ship building is extremely entertaining
August 24, 2020
Big fan
I try not to give to many 5 star review. With that I really like the series, was surprised how it ended. Looking forward to book 3.
I try not to give to many 5 star review. With that I really like the series, was surprised how it ended. Looking forward to book 3.
August 26, 2020
Good story
Liked it very entertaining and fast paced looking forward to the next volume in this series certainly worth waiting for
Liked it very entertaining and fast paced looking forward to the next volume in this series certainly worth waiting for
August 27, 2020
Great book
Stellar work once again from Dean Henegar! Hopefully, there's more to come. Lots of action and space combat, dungeon building and twists!
Stellar work once again from Dean Henegar! Hopefully, there's more to come. Lots of action and space combat, dungeon building and twists!
September 11, 2020
Space opera
Decent finale but no intention of continuing with this series. I think the book presented itself as rushed and incomplete
Decent finale but no intention of continuing with this series. I think the book presented itself as rushed and incomplete
September 13, 2020
A sequel that lives up to the original
I read the first one yesterday and I spent most of today to read this one. A great recommendation from me to you to read this series!
I read the first one yesterday and I spent most of today to read this one. A great recommendation from me to you to read this series!
October 21, 2020
Awesome
Battle and Bravery ... Key points to any great adventure ... and this ... Wad a GREAT Adventure ... Complete as is ...
And I am READY for more....
Battle and Bravery ... Key points to any great adventure ... and this ... Wad a GREAT Adventure ... Complete as is ...
And I am READY for more....
November 17, 2020
Book two
Read this as it was being written on Royalroadl. I found the concept of a deep space ship dungeon to be unique and interesting.
Read this as it was being written on Royalroadl. I found the concept of a deep space ship dungeon to be unique and interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews