What do you think?
Rate this book
Too Old to Die #2
Hearts of Men
A universe in turmoil. Apathetic allies. Death sweeping through the human colonies.
Gareth Weston travels with a ragtag group of criminals and soldiers, intent on exploring a secret military base. They hope to uncover something to help them with their struggle against the alien aggressors, anything to give humanity an edge in the coming weeks. What they find instead is a mausoleum with something far more horrifying than they ever imagined.
Meanwhile, Admiral Thomas Gaston works to bring together the allies of humanity in an effort to push back the enemy forces through traditional warfare. But with his one fleet, he finds himself on the run. With no prospects, few hopes, and dwindling resources, they stumble upon a survivor from Earth. One who may hold the key to their survival, or confirmation of their doom.
Gareth Weston travels with a ragtag group of criminals and soldiers, intent on exploring a secret military base. They hope to uncover something to help them with their struggle against the alien aggressors, anything to give humanity an edge in the coming weeks. What they find instead is a mausoleum with something far more horrifying than they ever imagined.
Meanwhile, Admiral Thomas Gaston works to bring together the allies of humanity in an effort to push back the enemy forces through traditional warfare. But with his one fleet, he finds himself on the run. With no prospects, few hopes, and dwindling resources, they stumble upon a survivor from Earth. One who may hold the key to their survival, or confirmation of their doom.
- GenresScience Fiction
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2022
584 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
John Walker
1,219 books164 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 20, 2022
Solid addition to the(Too Old To Die) series
Continuation of the (Too Old to Die) series the Author provides an excess of detail trying to explain the various characters dilemmas and their efforts to survive the invasion of the aliens there are so many characters involved that I found it impossible to empathize or even really care what happened to many of these whiny frightened and some times less than credible characters.
Continuation of the (Too Old to Die) series the Author provides an excess of detail trying to explain the various characters dilemmas and their efforts to survive the invasion of the aliens there are so many characters involved that I found it impossible to empathize or even really care what happened to many of these whiny frightened and some times less than credible characters.
June 29, 2022
This seems to be a story where everyone of the plot streams seem to be heading towards the same thing. I'm not sure that's what's going to happen, but I bet it does. Still, in this book, nothing much does really happen to get the various parties together. In the last book, Gareth Weston met up with his daughter, Lieutenant Commander Chelsea Weston, in a rather explosive way. They all had met at a military refueling station only to find it had been taken over by some pirates not affiliated with Lyra Vahst. She and her small group had gone there to steal fuel and get some classified maps. Lyra was looking for some kind of hidden military outpost or warehouse that she thought could be looted and make them rich. Unfortunately, the pirates at the refueling station weren't friendly. She and her two sidekicks barely escaped when the fueling station blew up.
They all managed to get on the small starship that was owned by Dr. Keppler. Former Commander Weston, Chelsea's Dad, had flown that ship from Earth to find his Daughter. While doing that, he became aware of the refueling depot and helped get everyone away from it before it exploded. Everyone included a Sergeant Driver, a quasi-bodyguard for an Ambassador, Lyra, Barty, Zed, and of course Chelsea. While this was going on, a Corporeal Sarah Tesh and one other had managed to flee a space station above an Earth colony planet only to crash on the planet and find that the Veldon were invading.
The Veldon's as you read in the last book, made an unprovoked and very surprising attack on Earth, destroying the five Earth fleets and then bombarding all the population centers on the planet. That was also why Commander Gareth Weston and Dr. Keppler had to flee Earth. Admiral Thomas Gaston was commanding a fleet way out in the middle of nowhere space so they weren't around when the Earth attacked. Now he finds himself in the position of being the only surviving human fleet, but no where near capable of taking on the Veldons. So, he's trying to find out what exactly happened on Earth and what other military assets might also have survived. He does find out that the Defense Secretary had managed to escape and fled to Korla space. The Korla were an alien race that were supposed to be allied with Earth. Admiral Gaston was hoping the Korla would begin assisting in his fight against the Veldon. The Sec. Def. had been in discussions with the Korla government, but it didn't seem promising.
Back to Commander Weston and his group, they have located a very secret, classified supposed military outpost that might provide them refuge for a time if they can get into it. This is the bulk of this story. They crash-land Dr. Keppler's starship on the station and now have to find another ship in order to get back to anywhere. Unfortunately, the station is occupied by some rather strange humans. They are definitely not friendly.
So, I think the Admiral's fleet, Commander Weston's group and even Corporal Tesh will all some how get together and then see what they can do against the Veldons. It's going to be interesting to see how this all ends since there doesn't seem to be any other military forces capable of attacking and defeating the Veldons. In the meantime, they have or are thoroughly destroying everything on the planet. Even if these humans some how do defeat the Veldons, they might not have a planet to go home to.
This series continues in book 3, "War Torn", which I have already placed on my reading list.
They all managed to get on the small starship that was owned by Dr. Keppler. Former Commander Weston, Chelsea's Dad, had flown that ship from Earth to find his Daughter. While doing that, he became aware of the refueling depot and helped get everyone away from it before it exploded. Everyone included a Sergeant Driver, a quasi-bodyguard for an Ambassador, Lyra, Barty, Zed, and of course Chelsea. While this was going on, a Corporeal Sarah Tesh and one other had managed to flee a space station above an Earth colony planet only to crash on the planet and find that the Veldon were invading.
The Veldon's as you read in the last book, made an unprovoked and very surprising attack on Earth, destroying the five Earth fleets and then bombarding all the population centers on the planet. That was also why Commander Gareth Weston and Dr. Keppler had to flee Earth. Admiral Thomas Gaston was commanding a fleet way out in the middle of nowhere space so they weren't around when the Earth attacked. Now he finds himself in the position of being the only surviving human fleet, but no where near capable of taking on the Veldons. So, he's trying to find out what exactly happened on Earth and what other military assets might also have survived. He does find out that the Defense Secretary had managed to escape and fled to Korla space. The Korla were an alien race that were supposed to be allied with Earth. Admiral Gaston was hoping the Korla would begin assisting in his fight against the Veldon. The Sec. Def. had been in discussions with the Korla government, but it didn't seem promising.
Back to Commander Weston and his group, they have located a very secret, classified supposed military outpost that might provide them refuge for a time if they can get into it. This is the bulk of this story. They crash-land Dr. Keppler's starship on the station and now have to find another ship in order to get back to anywhere. Unfortunately, the station is occupied by some rather strange humans. They are definitely not friendly.
So, I think the Admiral's fleet, Commander Weston's group and even Corporal Tesh will all some how get together and then see what they can do against the Veldons. It's going to be interesting to see how this all ends since there doesn't seem to be any other military forces capable of attacking and defeating the Veldons. In the meantime, they have or are thoroughly destroying everything on the planet. Even if these humans some how do defeat the Veldons, they might not have a planet to go home to.
This series continues in book 3, "War Torn", which I have already placed on my reading list.
June 16, 2022
Excellent!
I won't do a synopsis, but this is a very good book. I understand the serialized nature of the story to fit into the kindle unlimited pricing, but this story is definitely worth buying.
I won't do a synopsis, but this is a very good book. I understand the serialized nature of the story to fit into the kindle unlimited pricing, but this story is definitely worth buying.
July 16, 2022
Great Adventure
An amazing action packed sci-fi adventure that was awesome. The multiple plot lines kept me on the seat of my chair, full of intrigue and thrilles. The characters just keep getting stronger and believable. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
An amazing action packed sci-fi adventure that was awesome. The multiple plot lines kept me on the seat of my chair, full of intrigue and thrilles. The characters just keep getting stronger and believable. I really like this book and I highly recommend it.
June 8, 2022
ok
Plot gets a bit cut up jumping from character set to different set. Normal writing technique but it got to me in this book. Was more a distraction than a writingbtool
Plot gets a bit cut up jumping from character set to different set. Normal writing technique but it got to me in this book. Was more a distraction than a writingbtool
June 11, 2022
review
Once again too much vulgarity. That’s not necessary. Including taking the Lord’s name in vain. Most good writers abstain from that
Once again too much vulgarity. That’s not necessary. Including taking the Lord’s name in vain. Most good writers abstain from that
February 21, 2023
Zoe meet chelsea
So Lyra and her crew meet up with Chelsea and Gareth. They decide to go after the treasure. Alfy goes off to play a sting, and enlists Tesh as an unsuspecting accomplice. Tesh is new to the story having escaped from an attack by the Veldon against a colony. That story is left incomplete. Meanwhile the fleet is floating around trying to figure out what's happening. That story is also incomplete. So we get into an exciting adventure at the treasure station learning that there are all sorts of dangerous things going on because the station turns out to be a military research station where things didn't go very well. It doesn't go well for our little band either, but they escape by the hair of their chinny chin chin. That's when Chelsea meets Zoe or vice versa. Results of the meeting are postponed until the next episode. Come back next Saturday for the next exciting episode of TOO OLD TO DIE. As you can tell, I'm not a fan of serials. I thought this was a three book and you're done type serial, but I've just realized this series is going to go on and on with no ending in sight. That's why the low star rating. I want my books to finish. That can be done without compromising a sequence of stories like the Adam Cain series. This book doesn't do that.
So Lyra and her crew meet up with Chelsea and Gareth. They decide to go after the treasure. Alfy goes off to play a sting, and enlists Tesh as an unsuspecting accomplice. Tesh is new to the story having escaped from an attack by the Veldon against a colony. That story is left incomplete. Meanwhile the fleet is floating around trying to figure out what's happening. That story is also incomplete. So we get into an exciting adventure at the treasure station learning that there are all sorts of dangerous things going on because the station turns out to be a military research station where things didn't go very well. It doesn't go well for our little band either, but they escape by the hair of their chinny chin chin. That's when Chelsea meets Zoe or vice versa. Results of the meeting are postponed until the next episode. Come back next Saturday for the next exciting episode of TOO OLD TO DIE. As you can tell, I'm not a fan of serials. I thought this was a three book and you're done type serial, but I've just realized this series is going to go on and on with no ending in sight. That's why the low star rating. I want my books to finish. That can be done without compromising a sequence of stories like the Adam Cain series. This book doesn't do that.
November 22, 2022
Series not complete yet
Okay, I really liked this series thus far, except for the fact that it is not complete! I HATE starting an incomplete series! It's too hard for me to keep track of all of the series that I have started to read but have not been completed by the author. I'm going to need to create a dang spreadsheet....
But again, I really liked how John Walker writes and he does a GREAT job with creating likeable, realistic characters. The plots are awesome, and he has created some nice cliffhangers in the last two books. Worth the read, for sure, but I hate the wait.
Okay, I really liked this series thus far, except for the fact that it is not complete! I HATE starting an incomplete series! It's too hard for me to keep track of all of the series that I have started to read but have not been completed by the author. I'm going to need to create a dang spreadsheet....
But again, I really liked how John Walker writes and he does a GREAT job with creating likeable, realistic characters. The plots are awesome, and he has created some nice cliffhangers in the last two books. Worth the read, for sure, but I hate the wait.
January 10, 2023
Okay but kinda wordy
Liked the plot, but of course no answers or ending to anything in order to get us to buy the next book. I kinda hate that. Enjoyed what I have read, but kinda wordy in spots. Seriously, having multiple storylines can become frustrating, especially when the author never finishes even one of them. It's like the old movie serials that never ended, but just kept going on and on in order to make more money. Bleah.
Liked the plot, but of course no answers or ending to anything in order to get us to buy the next book. I kinda hate that. Enjoyed what I have read, but kinda wordy in spots. Seriously, having multiple storylines can become frustrating, especially when the author never finishes even one of them. It's like the old movie serials that never ended, but just kept going on and on in order to make more money. Bleah.
May 18, 2023
Thieves and criminals
So earth is decimated along with multiple colonies and every know fleet asset was ended. But a variety of people are trying to resurrect a force to go back at the enemy. The main character is a retired military guy with an implant that contains his dead wife’s intelligence is available to save the day.
So earth is decimated along with multiple colonies and every know fleet asset was ended. But a variety of people are trying to resurrect a force to go back at the enemy. The main character is a retired military guy with an implant that contains his dead wife’s intelligence is available to save the day.
November 8, 2022
I am really enjoying this series
So far and I really like the character development. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. The patient is really good the characters really enjoyable.
So far and I really like the character development. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. The patient is really good the characters really enjoyable.
December 27, 2022
fairly good read!
Nice second book. Still a little disjointed. Good character development but a few implausible twists, like the pirate faking the diplomatic angle. Also the two pirates reversing roles somewhat. Anyway onward to book #3!
Nice second book. Still a little disjointed. Good character development but a few implausible twists, like the pirate faking the diplomatic angle. Also the two pirates reversing roles somewhat. Anyway onward to book #3!
Read
January 11, 2023Lots of space stations and planets under attack
Alien invasion plot, but we have alien allys, if they want to get involved. this seems a lot like a star trek story updated. Nice action scenes.
Alien invasion plot, but we have alien allys, if they want to get involved. this seems a lot like a star trek story updated. Nice action scenes.
March 2, 2025
Second in the box set I am reading. A bit like out of the frying pan into the fire, some of them seem to just always find a way to end up in a fix. Like all the books the story ends in an exciting finish where they only just escape
September 30, 2022
Great continuation
Simply put, if you liked the first one, you'll like this one. It reminds me of old school space operas.
Highly recommend.
Simply put, if you liked the first one, you'll like this one. It reminds me of old school space operas.
Highly recommend.
October 16, 2022
I liked it, not a lot, but I liked it. Book two in the series. Kept me interested enough. Some good action sequences and banter. Probably read the next one.
October 18, 2022
Good Read
I enjoy this book but still the reason for the attack on earth is not clear waiting for the explanation in the next book.
I enjoy this book but still the reason for the attack on earth is not clear waiting for the explanation in the next book.
January 30, 2023
Too many pieces in this jigsaw puzzle
There's like 5 story lines running, so far. I know they will converge near the end, but it does make for a bit of confusion.
There's like 5 story lines running, so far. I know they will converge near the end, but it does make for a bit of confusion.
May 26, 2023
Excellent continuation of the story!
As a continuation of the story started in book one, this book develops the characters more and enlarges the plot with surprises!
As a continuation of the story started in book one, this book develops the characters more and enlarges the plot with surprises!
January 1, 2024
Exciting if you can keep the characters straight
Too many scenarios and characters for my poor brain but the ones I could remember were in dyer straights right up to the end.
Too many scenarios and characters for my poor brain but the ones I could remember were in dyer straights right up to the end.
February 11, 2025
An ambassador and her bodyguard/lover barely escape capture or death by Veldons and head to a far away fuel depot. Lyra and her two men stop at the same depot on their way to get info in their attempt to find a secret base they hope has treasure. Chelsea Weston chases Lyra to the same depot. Things happen and Chelsea hooks up with her father and Keppler. The rag tag crew end up with the same idea of where to go. Then everything goes south.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews