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Starship Medusa #1
Void Ripper
On Mars, Jason had stumbled across the escape pod to a 3,500-year-old derelict spacecraft. The AI for the ship then informed Jason that due to him having some traces of alien DNA, he was now the Captain of a massive alien Starship. That 'should' have been good news.
Except that most of the Mars and Earth government agencies had different ideas about the alien ship. And the ships AI, having been derelict for centuries... It now has some issues...
But the real problem was that Jason's DNA had an additional trait that shouldn't be there... The last time anyone had one of the forbidden DNA traits, it started the war that left the ship derelict. Maybe the only way to fight the aliens... It is to become something from their nightmares...
Except that most of the Mars and Earth government agencies had different ideas about the alien ship. And the ships AI, having been derelict for centuries... It now has some issues...
But the real problem was that Jason's DNA had an additional trait that shouldn't be there... The last time anyone had one of the forbidden DNA traits, it started the war that left the ship derelict. Maybe the only way to fight the aliens... It is to become something from their nightmares...
- GenresScience Fiction
225 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2022
581 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
David Collins
30 books24 followersI am a retired software engineer who has worked on various medical/robotic hardware, oceanographic mapping, telecommunications, and submarine communication systems. He currently resides in New Hampshire and has decided to try writing some science fiction books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 2, 2024
Forced myself to finish.
When I stopped reading, I realized I was on the final page. Decided to finish the chapter and the epilogue. Once I got use to the editing and pacing issues in the beginning, I really started to enjoy it. Would have been four stars. I would have been looking forward to the next book. Unfortunately, it took an immediate dive on the second to last page.
Spoilerish...
The 28 year old MC becomes a whiny "aww shucks please don't bully me I'm super duper sorry miss it won't happen again" type of person ON THE LAST PAGE! Right after the crew convinces an AI (who is only supposed to listen to the captain/MC) to forcibly change his face. Then a passenger, not in the chain of command, threatens the MC/captain's life with a backpack nuke (while lightly patting his cheek) on a "converted" military vessel. Not to mention, the person that threatened his life, and that of the crew-ship-AI by proxy, is a 17 year old with telepathy that can control minds! The MC says aww shucks. NOBODY BATS AN EYE! Even the AI that is supposed to protect its captain/ship/crew and self. I don't know why the author decided a terrorist should control things using threat of mind control and setting off nukes. All that in the last four pages. No, I won't be reading the rest of the series. I hope his other books aren't as similar. I may give his others a shot.
When I stopped reading, I realized I was on the final page. Decided to finish the chapter and the epilogue. Once I got use to the editing and pacing issues in the beginning, I really started to enjoy it. Would have been four stars. I would have been looking forward to the next book. Unfortunately, it took an immediate dive on the second to last page.
Spoilerish...
The 28 year old MC becomes a whiny "aww shucks please don't bully me I'm super duper sorry miss it won't happen again" type of person ON THE LAST PAGE! Right after the crew convinces an AI (who is only supposed to listen to the captain/MC) to forcibly change his face. Then a passenger, not in the chain of command, threatens the MC/captain's life with a backpack nuke (while lightly patting his cheek) on a "converted" military vessel. Not to mention, the person that threatened his life, and that of the crew-ship-AI by proxy, is a 17 year old with telepathy that can control minds! The MC says aww shucks. NOBODY BATS AN EYE! Even the AI that is supposed to protect its captain/ship/crew and self. I don't know why the author decided a terrorist should control things using threat of mind control and setting off nukes. All that in the last four pages. No, I won't be reading the rest of the series. I hope his other books aren't as similar. I may give his others a shot.
August 12, 2023
The story looked very promising but I was disappointed. By page 29 my opinion dropped from 5 to 3 stars. I kept going untill page 59 and then gave up.
The writing is not bad but not good either. There is illogical jumping between who tells the story. The verb tenses tend to change without reason which disturbs the flow of the story.
There is too much technical detail and none on the why of characters behaviour. That doesn't have to be elaborate but is necessary. A compelling story revolves around people, not MTEV's.
The first 30 pages feel more like the author is writing from a personal grudge, not an insight in human nature. This also makes the dialogue between the characters feel very unnatural.
Maybe book two in this series is better but I'm not going spend money to find out. Sorry.
The writing is not bad but not good either. There is illogical jumping between who tells the story. The verb tenses tend to change without reason which disturbs the flow of the story.
There is too much technical detail and none on the why of characters behaviour. That doesn't have to be elaborate but is necessary. A compelling story revolves around people, not MTEV's.
The first 30 pages feel more like the author is writing from a personal grudge, not an insight in human nature. This also makes the dialogue between the characters feel very unnatural.
Maybe book two in this series is better but I'm not going spend money to find out. Sorry.
May 22, 2025
It digressed from Sci-Fi into Weird.
July 2, 2025
Not as feel-good as I'd prefer.
But decent enough, I suppose. There was an incident where the mc didn't show enough consideration for someone and helped lead to a bad outcome for them. It might have happened regardless, but it would have been nice.
Also, the ending seemed a little rushed. The MC quickly acclimated to some things that one would assume would take more time. Then his crew basically overrode his ability to choose, and his AI went along with it. He seems too comfortable with giving MORE power and access to people who have reason to subvert his gains and agenda for their own. People who took his agency with cooperation from the AI... I have concerns.
Other than that, it's pretty good. There's a slight pacing issue. Where parts of the story are disjointedly fleshed out to varying degrees. The more single dimensional aspect that the dark lord narrative (another of his books) carried can be seen a bit here as well but to a lesser degree. Not that I mind it. I love Jerry Boyd's stuff, and his books have more of it.
Overall, I'd recommend the book, but I hope the series improves or at least doesn't trigger my irritation.
Only truly epic books get to drag me through the mud anymore. 😏
But decent enough, I suppose. There was an incident where the mc didn't show enough consideration for someone and helped lead to a bad outcome for them. It might have happened regardless, but it would have been nice.
Also, the ending seemed a little rushed. The MC quickly acclimated to some things that one would assume would take more time. Then his crew basically overrode his ability to choose, and his AI went along with it. He seems too comfortable with giving MORE power and access to people who have reason to subvert his gains and agenda for their own. People who took his agency with cooperation from the AI... I have concerns.
Other than that, it's pretty good. There's a slight pacing issue. Where parts of the story are disjointedly fleshed out to varying degrees. The more single dimensional aspect that the dark lord narrative (another of his books) carried can be seen a bit here as well but to a lesser degree. Not that I mind it. I love Jerry Boyd's stuff, and his books have more of it.
Overall, I'd recommend the book, but I hope the series improves or at least doesn't trigger my irritation.
Only truly epic books get to drag me through the mud anymore. 😏
December 28, 2024
More on a theme - AI spaceship gets a human captain
I have read 3 different stories from David Collins, and all have that same theme: an AI controlled spaceship that has spent too long monitoring Earth, now has a more ‘human’ AI than standard. A human becomes the captain, how does Earth and the ‘Aliens’ react.
This story adds genetics from Aliens in humans as a twist, and a few ‘superhuman’ abilities into the mix. I think the pace was a bit off, I barely made it through the middle section of the book as the story started to pick up again the book ended. Will probably read book 2, but if an author I prefer drops a book, I will probably temporarily stop reading it to read that one instead.
I have read 3 different stories from David Collins, and all have that same theme: an AI controlled spaceship that has spent too long monitoring Earth, now has a more ‘human’ AI than standard. A human becomes the captain, how does Earth and the ‘Aliens’ react.
This story adds genetics from Aliens in humans as a twist, and a few ‘superhuman’ abilities into the mix. I think the pace was a bit off, I barely made it through the middle section of the book as the story started to pick up again the book ended. Will probably read book 2, but if an author I prefer drops a book, I will probably temporarily stop reading it to read that one instead.
August 5, 2024
Good to Excellent
Excellent world building. Complicated characters. Engaging plot lines.
The Author seems to have not yet mastered "show not tell". Lots of informative narratives. Different POVs. Narration.
I don't give anything 5 stars unless they are Hugo/Nebula nominated or winners.
I have read enough of the Authors work to know if the rest of his books have more show and less tell.
I have read through the end of this three book series and I believe you will enjoy it. It has really nice wild hook ending!
Excellent world building. Complicated characters. Engaging plot lines.
The Author seems to have not yet mastered "show not tell". Lots of informative narratives. Different POVs. Narration.
I don't give anything 5 stars unless they are Hugo/Nebula nominated or winners.
I have read enough of the Authors work to know if the rest of his books have more show and less tell.
I have read through the end of this three book series and I believe you will enjoy it. It has really nice wild hook ending!
Read
October 2, 2025One reviewer wrote:
The whole concept of strands and aspects took this story from hard sci-fi into a fantasy story. Unfortunately, the complete lack of character development and interpersonal relationship makes it fail at both.
It digressed from Sci-Fi into Weird.Another mentioned how the whole story-line fell on the last few pages as the MC/Capitan faced a mutiny from his crew and AI. Like me, that reviewer was ready to DNF until they realized they were on the last page.
The whole concept of strands and aspects took this story from hard sci-fi into a fantasy story. Unfortunately, the complete lack of character development and interpersonal relationship makes it fail at both.
July 17, 2024
How is this so highly rated?
The book starts off mostly okay, goes slightly off-kilter by the middle and dueces the bed by the end. Utter nonsense. Do not waste your time.
NTS: Discontinue series
The book starts off mostly okay, goes slightly off-kilter by the middle and dueces the bed by the end. Utter nonsense. Do not waste your time.
NTS: Discontinue series
October 2, 2024
poorly written
Poorly written. Poor development. Poor pacing. Poor explaining.
Main character is eh.
Interpersonal relationships are eh.
Author doesn’t develop characters nor personalities. They read like cardboard cutouts.
The empath character is beyond stupid.
Human characters spend a lot of time explaining things to thousands year old hyper intelligent AI.
Not worth reading.
Poorly written. Poor development. Poor pacing. Poor explaining.
Main character is eh.
Interpersonal relationships are eh.
Author doesn’t develop characters nor personalities. They read like cardboard cutouts.
The empath character is beyond stupid.
Human characters spend a lot of time explaining things to thousands year old hyper intelligent AI.
Not worth reading.
November 11, 2024
I enjoyed it but need some work
While I enjoyed the story, the author needs to refine his craft a bit more. The story is fun and unique , but there is not a lot of transitioning between who's talking and what's going on. There is a lack of environmental description, making it hard to imagine much of the world and environment. The characters are not bad and somewhat unique. i Expect, there'll be some big surprises in the second book.
While I enjoyed the story, the author needs to refine his craft a bit more. The story is fun and unique , but there is not a lot of transitioning between who's talking and what's going on. There is a lack of environmental description, making it hard to imagine much of the world and environment. The characters are not bad and somewhat unique. i Expect, there'll be some big surprises in the second book.
November 20, 2023
Excellent sci fi adventure
The worldbuilding is fascinating, and the characters are engaging. The story is definitely a page-turner with some laugh-out-loud humor, but bad stuff happens (including graphic violence). Pitter is a wonderful character, and I'm looking forward to his further quirky development.
The worldbuilding is fascinating, and the characters are engaging. The story is definitely a page-turner with some laugh-out-loud humor, but bad stuff happens (including graphic violence). Pitter is a wonderful character, and I'm looking forward to his further quirky development.
August 15, 2024
Confusedly/interesting Interestingly/confusing
That sums up the book premise, it has a interesting concept but a somewhat convoluted way of telling the story. It is both interesting and slightly frustrating at the same time. I recommend this book if you can suspend your logical thinking and just roll with the storyline.
That sums up the book premise, it has a interesting concept but a somewhat convoluted way of telling the story. It is both interesting and slightly frustrating at the same time. I recommend this book if you can suspend your logical thinking and just roll with the storyline.
September 23, 2024
Great introduction
I really got into the book from the beginning. The story line developed quickly though I was confused with the constant, “ you are in charge no I am in charge and now we make the rules again. “ Why this change in aspect as well. I will have to see where it all leads. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
I really got into the book from the beginning. The story line developed quickly though I was confused with the constant, “ you are in charge no I am in charge and now we make the rules again. “ Why this change in aspect as well. I will have to see where it all leads. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 19, 2024
Interesting
I very much enjoyed this premise. Quite talented for the author to wait past midpoint to introduce what the title inferred. I would have taken more time introducing technology of the ship. Anti gravity would throw our economy into a tail spin. It would also be wildly profitable! But that is merely the greedy part of me. I recommend this story!
I very much enjoyed this premise. Quite talented for the author to wait past midpoint to introduce what the title inferred. I would have taken more time introducing technology of the ship. Anti gravity would throw our economy into a tail spin. It would also be wildly profitable! But that is merely the greedy part of me. I recommend this story!
November 2, 2024
Got it as part of Audible plus, concept sounded interesting, even though the story was okay, I will not buy any of the followup in audio due to the artificial voice used in the series. Use a human narrator who is capable of a emotional reading range! otherwise the story was not too bad and I feel the author will get better over time.
December 4, 2024
good story with a few minor issues
It really needs a good editing pass—some bad punctuation, lots of missing and misplaced quote marks (“), and missing, extra, and wrong or misspelled words. It also jumps viewpoints a little less than smoothly.
That aside, I am still interested enough to try book 2.
It really needs a good editing pass—some bad punctuation, lots of missing and misplaced quote marks (“), and missing, extra, and wrong or misspelled words. It also jumps viewpoints a little less than smoothly.
That aside, I am still interested enough to try book 2.
December 11, 2024
Didn't like the story
I dislike that as Captain Jason was transformed against his will and the AI who I supposed to follow the Captain allowed this, also showing video to everyone after Jason explicitly said to keep secret. After waking up Molly is apparently in charge via threat and coercion... I won't continue this series.
I dislike that as Captain Jason was transformed against his will and the AI who I supposed to follow the Captain allowed this, also showing video to everyone after Jason explicitly said to keep secret. After waking up Molly is apparently in charge via threat and coercion... I won't continue this series.
December 31, 2024
This book is a bit annoying in that it does not exhibit human exceptionalism or uniqueness. In fact at the first opportunity, the main characters abandon their humanity with little to no debate or reservation. I would much rather have preferred the same universal lore, but with the characters trying to maintain their humanity and fight against the aliens
May 5, 2025
Very enjoyable Space & Alien Sci-Fi story.
Void Ripper has it all! Great plot, great characters, and adventure galore. There are also a great cast of varied and very interesting aliens. I’m really looking forward to book two in this great series. Get this book and read it NOW. You WILL be glad you did! :)
Void Ripper has it all! Great plot, great characters, and adventure galore. There are also a great cast of varied and very interesting aliens. I’m really looking forward to book two in this great series. Get this book and read it NOW. You WILL be glad you did! :)
June 12, 2025
Hidden DNA
As Earthlings exploration of Mars increases one man in charge of motor pool finds himself called out again to repair a transport that is being driven like it's indestructible. After trading a working transport he and his understudy left behind find an alien ship, and wow do things change quickly.
Good Read.
As Earthlings exploration of Mars increases one man in charge of motor pool finds himself called out again to repair a transport that is being driven like it's indestructible. After trading a working transport he and his understudy left behind find an alien ship, and wow do things change quickly.
Good Read.
August 20, 2024
AI controlled spaceships
An AI controlled spaceship that has been empty for over 3000 years finds an ancestor to hijack into becoming its captain. What he does with it will surprise you.
An AI controlled spaceship that has been empty for over 3000 years finds an ancestor to hijack into becoming its captain. What he does with it will surprise you.
December 3, 2024
Excellent
Gotta keep reading... As much as I hate to admit my confusion, at least it's intelligent and not just filled with endless blood and guts, death and destruction because the author doesn't have enough creativity to write something actually intelligent. 🙂
Gotta keep reading... As much as I hate to admit my confusion, at least it's intelligent and not just filled with endless blood and guts, death and destruction because the author doesn't have enough creativity to write something actually intelligent. 🙂
December 25, 2024
A good book
I enjoyed this book. I found it very interesting. But towards the end of this book I thought it got a little too graphic some of the horror scenes in it. I will still be down loading the next book in this series.
I enjoyed this book. I found it very interesting. But towards the end of this book I thought it got a little too graphic some of the horror scenes in it. I will still be down loading the next book in this series.
January 5, 2025
A very interesting well told tale
I found the aspect and strand ideas that this story was built around very interesting concepts. I'm sure they will be further developed in subsequent books. The story arc is well developed and keeps you reading.
I found the aspect and strand ideas that this story was built around very interesting concepts. I'm sure they will be further developed in subsequent books. The story arc is well developed and keeps you reading.
February 21, 2025
Great Start
The author did a good job with the background development. The characters were also well developed and pretty realistic. I enjoyed the humor built into the story and can’t wait to see what happens in books 2 & 3.
The author did a good job with the background development. The characters were also well developed and pretty realistic. I enjoyed the humor built into the story and can’t wait to see what happens in books 2 & 3.
February 21, 2025
like the start of this series
Liked the story, except the character Molly, she is what is wrong and using skill for power and her own gain. Hope this character changes a bit as is manipulative as all hell and might be what stops me reading the rest of the series
Liked the story, except the character Molly, she is what is wrong and using skill for power and her own gain. Hope this character changes a bit as is manipulative as all hell and might be what stops me reading the rest of the series
April 2, 2025
Fun story
Fun story with several interesting characters. It appears to have been edited primarily with a spell checker, there are tons of typos and grammatical errors. I recommend it.
Fun story with several interesting characters. It appears to have been edited primarily with a spell checker, there are tons of typos and grammatical errors. I recommend it.
April 19, 2025
Absolutely a very fun read.
Absolutely a very fun read. A well written mix of SYFY and whimsy. Hard syfy fans and alien lovers alike will enjoy this series. Great fun, could hardly put it down!
Absolutely a very fun read. A well written mix of SYFY and whimsy. Hard syfy fans and alien lovers alike will enjoy this series. Great fun, could hardly put it down!
October 12, 2025
a winding trail of discovery
It started out slow but really picked up the pace after the artifact was discovered. From there it got more and more fun. I’ll be reading book to immediately!
It started out slow but really picked up the pace after the artifact was discovered. From there it got more and more fun. I’ll be reading book to immediately!
June 17, 2024
Very good
This is popcorn sci-fi at its best. It is a rather short read, so be warned. It's still well worth the read.
Highly recommended.
This is popcorn sci-fi at its best. It is a rather short read, so be warned. It's still well worth the read.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews