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The Travelers #2
Dark City
It’s a year after the invasion of Bell Island, and things are looking up.
Elliot graduates from college and needs to decide what his future holds. Kim has been missing for a few months, with only the rarest of phone calls, but surprises him on Bell Island for his celebratory dinner.
When Elliot receives a bizarre letter from Buzz, he’s told to meet the soldier in Seattle. When they arrive, the clues dry up, and Buzz is nowhere to be found.
As more homicides are reported in the city, the police think a serial killer is on the loose. But Elliot and his friends know its far worse than that. Someone is hunting Spheres…
- GenresAudiobook
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2023
166 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 30, 2023
Dark City picks up almost a year after the events in book 1, with Elliot just graduating his degree, and everyone coming together to congratulate him, with the exception of Kim and Buzz.
As the gang move to their favourite diner, they run into Kim, learning that she has come across another Guide. They also learn that in Seattle, there is something happening, leaving a string of bodies behind disposed of in a similar fashion, and Buzz is in Seattle. Thinking that the Travelers have returned, the Scooby Gang, Elliot, Bones, Kim and Cindy decide to head to Seattle to help bones, and work out what is happening. But they also get a message from Buzz telling them to meet him there, and where to go.
The story moves from Bell Island them, to Seattle, and it is here that Travelers #2 starts to unfold, as Elliot and his friends discover that the Travelers have indeed returned, but it is not them that are killing those humans that have been inhabited by Spheres. There is a vigilante group on the lose in Seattle, The Samaritans, being led by some unknown, wealthy force, who is using mercenary thugs to hunt and kill Sphere hosts.
The Gang now have several missions, locate Buzz, stop The Samaritans, stop the Travelers, locate the Spheres and get them to their ship, and free Kim. But they are outgunned, with little resources. That is, until they find some useful allies, the first being Sherriff Parker, who followed them from Bell Island, knowing what they were going to do, and joins them. There are others, but I won’t give away spoilers. Buzz also returns to the story.
Dark City does not follow the same set of events that happened on Bell Island, as this time it isn’t just the Travelers that are hunting the Spheres, but the Samaritans. They are working for some power, that wants each of the hosts killed, releasing the contained Sphere so that it can be captured or killed by a Traveler.
There is a desperation in this book, as the group try to follow clues left not only by Buzz, but the various murders of the hosts of former Spheres. It makes for a fast flowing and thrilling story, with not only the elements of the Alien Invasion/Action, but a strong Mystery Thriller aspect as well.
Hystad continues to show his exceptional character work, with each of his main characters getting great development in this story, from Elliot as the young man, trying to work out his future, and who he is, to Bones, having just found his purpose, but now dealing with personal tragedy. Kim who has been struggling to find herself since her Guide left, and now with a new one, a renewed purpose as saviour of Spheres of Earth, and young Cindy, eager to prove herself. There are numerous other side characters, Parker and Buzz being standouts.
The world building also continues to be brilliant, with the stunning backdrop of Seattle and this dark overtone of alien invasion permeating every aspect of the city, as the Travelers, and these zealots the Samaritans are lurking around every corner, ready to strike at our heroes.
This is a brilliant sequel to the original book, with a clever continuation to the story, a gritty, thrilling plot, outstanding characters that have continued to grow from book 1, all set against this amazing city. If you liked the first book, you will love this second one, Hystad continues to impress as one of the foremost Authors in Sci-Fi, Alien Invasion, Mil Sci-Fi and Space Opera – this is yet another in his extraordinary list of titles that just shouldn’t be missed.
As the gang move to their favourite diner, they run into Kim, learning that she has come across another Guide. They also learn that in Seattle, there is something happening, leaving a string of bodies behind disposed of in a similar fashion, and Buzz is in Seattle. Thinking that the Travelers have returned, the Scooby Gang, Elliot, Bones, Kim and Cindy decide to head to Seattle to help bones, and work out what is happening. But they also get a message from Buzz telling them to meet him there, and where to go.
The story moves from Bell Island them, to Seattle, and it is here that Travelers #2 starts to unfold, as Elliot and his friends discover that the Travelers have indeed returned, but it is not them that are killing those humans that have been inhabited by Spheres. There is a vigilante group on the lose in Seattle, The Samaritans, being led by some unknown, wealthy force, who is using mercenary thugs to hunt and kill Sphere hosts.
The Gang now have several missions, locate Buzz, stop The Samaritans, stop the Travelers, locate the Spheres and get them to their ship, and free Kim. But they are outgunned, with little resources. That is, until they find some useful allies, the first being Sherriff Parker, who followed them from Bell Island, knowing what they were going to do, and joins them. There are others, but I won’t give away spoilers. Buzz also returns to the story.
Dark City does not follow the same set of events that happened on Bell Island, as this time it isn’t just the Travelers that are hunting the Spheres, but the Samaritans. They are working for some power, that wants each of the hosts killed, releasing the contained Sphere so that it can be captured or killed by a Traveler.
There is a desperation in this book, as the group try to follow clues left not only by Buzz, but the various murders of the hosts of former Spheres. It makes for a fast flowing and thrilling story, with not only the elements of the Alien Invasion/Action, but a strong Mystery Thriller aspect as well.
Hystad continues to show his exceptional character work, with each of his main characters getting great development in this story, from Elliot as the young man, trying to work out his future, and who he is, to Bones, having just found his purpose, but now dealing with personal tragedy. Kim who has been struggling to find herself since her Guide left, and now with a new one, a renewed purpose as saviour of Spheres of Earth, and young Cindy, eager to prove herself. There are numerous other side characters, Parker and Buzz being standouts.
The world building also continues to be brilliant, with the stunning backdrop of Seattle and this dark overtone of alien invasion permeating every aspect of the city, as the Travelers, and these zealots the Samaritans are lurking around every corner, ready to strike at our heroes.
This is a brilliant sequel to the original book, with a clever continuation to the story, a gritty, thrilling plot, outstanding characters that have continued to grow from book 1, all set against this amazing city. If you liked the first book, you will love this second one, Hystad continues to impress as one of the foremost Authors in Sci-Fi, Alien Invasion, Mil Sci-Fi and Space Opera – this is yet another in his extraordinary list of titles that just shouldn’t be missed.
June 10, 2023
Turns out the Spheres have been hiding on Earth for thousands of years.
Elliot Hoffman lived with his parents and kid sister, Cindy, on Bell Island. Elliot drove a flash red Camaro he'd inherited from his uncle, his mother's twin brother, Taylor. Elliot and his best friend Hank "Bones" Larsson with help from Elliot's girlfriend Kim and Bell Island's chief lawman, Sheriff Parker, had helped defeat the alien Travellers who had been stranded on the island after their ship had been damaged while they searched for the other aliens, the Spheres. The Travellers gained life-force and strength from consuming the Spheres who had been hiding on Earth for centuries, some longer! The small, shiny bright Spheres could enter a human body and take it over, leaving the human's spirit trapped to only watch as the Sphere controlled their body. Other Spheres could jointly share the human body with the Sphere in the background. Kim had such a Sphere, an elder who could gather and 'Guide' the Spheres to their new home, safe from the Travellers.
A year after saving some Spheres and sending them to a new home with the Guide Kim carried, Kim has another Guide and is ready to lead the Asol (the Spheres' real name) to another ship. A new group of humans called the Samaritans has shown up. The Samaritans are somehow finding people that are carrying Spheres and killing them, capturing the Asol in traps. Why? Hard to say, but they were efficient and ruthless. Kim enlists the help of Bones, Cindy and Elliot to help her in Seattle. Elliot still has it bad for Kim and would do anything to be close to her and since he has now graduated college, he's working at the Video store on Bell Island and has time to hop on the ferry and help Kim thwart the Samaritans. And Bones, of course, will also help! A new adventure begins!
Amazing characters and a slippery storyline penned by a practiced and gifted storyteller are offering a great read!
Elliot Hoffman lived with his parents and kid sister, Cindy, on Bell Island. Elliot drove a flash red Camaro he'd inherited from his uncle, his mother's twin brother, Taylor. Elliot and his best friend Hank "Bones" Larsson with help from Elliot's girlfriend Kim and Bell Island's chief lawman, Sheriff Parker, had helped defeat the alien Travellers who had been stranded on the island after their ship had been damaged while they searched for the other aliens, the Spheres. The Travellers gained life-force and strength from consuming the Spheres who had been hiding on Earth for centuries, some longer! The small, shiny bright Spheres could enter a human body and take it over, leaving the human's spirit trapped to only watch as the Sphere controlled their body. Other Spheres could jointly share the human body with the Sphere in the background. Kim had such a Sphere, an elder who could gather and 'Guide' the Spheres to their new home, safe from the Travellers.
A year after saving some Spheres and sending them to a new home with the Guide Kim carried, Kim has another Guide and is ready to lead the Asol (the Spheres' real name) to another ship. A new group of humans called the Samaritans has shown up. The Samaritans are somehow finding people that are carrying Spheres and killing them, capturing the Asol in traps. Why? Hard to say, but they were efficient and ruthless. Kim enlists the help of Bones, Cindy and Elliot to help her in Seattle. Elliot still has it bad for Kim and would do anything to be close to her and since he has now graduated college, he's working at the Video store on Bell Island and has time to hop on the ferry and help Kim thwart the Samaritans. And Bones, of course, will also help! A new adventure begins!
Amazing characters and a slippery storyline penned by a practiced and gifted storyteller are offering a great read!
June 8, 2023
Young people save the world from aliens - 3.5 stars
Seattle seems to be a magnet for aliens. Aliens keep coming back; all the aliens want is the earth and the peaceful aliens that have been on the planet, some for thousands of years.
There are three types of aliens in this story: Sark (nasties), spheres, and guides. Spheres can take over human bodies. The action is set in 1985. Some humans have been willing to accept financial assistance from the aliens while other humans have been willing to protect the aliens.
There are fast-moving chase scenes, duplicity, and betrayal if you can hold on until the end. The plot should appeal to adolescents. While there are a few people portrayed as over 21, young people close to college age are the movers and shakers.
If you like UFOs and good people who overcome bad people (and aliens), then you may find this tale amusing. The target audience is young people who want escape fiction.
Seattle seems to be a magnet for aliens. Aliens keep coming back; all the aliens want is the earth and the peaceful aliens that have been on the planet, some for thousands of years.
There are three types of aliens in this story: Sark (nasties), spheres, and guides. Spheres can take over human bodies. The action is set in 1985. Some humans have been willing to accept financial assistance from the aliens while other humans have been willing to protect the aliens.
There are fast-moving chase scenes, duplicity, and betrayal if you can hold on until the end. The plot should appeal to adolescents. While there are a few people portrayed as over 21, young people close to college age are the movers and shakers.
If you like UFOs and good people who overcome bad people (and aliens), then you may find this tale amusing. The target audience is young people who want escape fiction.
March 30, 2023
❤❤🛸👽A UNIQUE VINTAGE ATMOSPHERE!
May 1985:
Elliot had graduated. His little sister Cindy, 17, had taken a photo under the tender eyes of the parents.
Everything has changed a lot since the incredible events of last year.
Elliot hasn't seen life the same way since he discovered the presence of aliens...
-----------------
A very good sequel to the extraordinary adventures of Elliot and his friends in an era of the 1980s that I find extremely well rendered.
Reading this series, I feel a certain nostalgia, a return to adolescence, a unique atmosphere, a feeling of deja-vu or already lived..... less the aliens.
The characters are hyper realistic, the plot of the novel is captivating and we ask ourselves many questions while devouring the novel.
Here is a science fiction/adventure road-trip to discover absolutely, atmosphere guaranteed!
May 1985:
Elliot had graduated. His little sister Cindy, 17, had taken a photo under the tender eyes of the parents.
Everything has changed a lot since the incredible events of last year.
Elliot hasn't seen life the same way since he discovered the presence of aliens...
-----------------
A very good sequel to the extraordinary adventures of Elliot and his friends in an era of the 1980s that I find extremely well rendered.
Reading this series, I feel a certain nostalgia, a return to adolescence, a unique atmosphere, a feeling of deja-vu or already lived..... less the aliens.
The characters are hyper realistic, the plot of the novel is captivating and we ask ourselves many questions while devouring the novel.
Here is a science fiction/adventure road-trip to discover absolutely, atmosphere guaranteed!
March 28, 2023
I just loved this. You think you're safe - until you're not. Buzz is missing in Seattle and the group thinks nothing about going there to find him. They even bring young Cindy as a cover to say they're taking her to a concert Too bad it doesn't take long before she is kidnapped by a group out of Texas called the Samaritans. Eliot is beside himself with worry, but he knows he must continue the quest to find the Esol and the Travellers and the Investor and the ..., well you get the point. There is so much happening and I just love how Nathan Hystad is able to wind the story around and bring us such a wonderful tale. Can't wait to see how he's going to end this series, but I bet it's going to be a doozy of a story and I can't wait.
May 21, 2024
It should not really have been much of a surprise that Seattle proved to be the next playground for the alien Travelers. After all, 200 miles from Bell Island is not that far. And only a year has passed after the events at Bell island.
But this time the stakes are higher....way higher. But the location is also not really familiar.
And a vigilante group is now also hunting the Esol down.
Dark City also evolved more into Urban fantasy now but the action and plot is accelerated as new surprises arise and ten times as many characters are involved on all sides.
For all purposes, a clandestine war is in the offing.
Author Nathan Hystad certainly ramped up the action even more in Dark City.
Enjoy.
But this time the stakes are higher....way higher. But the location is also not really familiar.
And a vigilante group is now also hunting the Esol down.
Dark City also evolved more into Urban fantasy now but the action and plot is accelerated as new surprises arise and ten times as many characters are involved on all sides.
For all purposes, a clandestine war is in the offing.
Author Nathan Hystad certainly ramped up the action even more in Dark City.
Enjoy.
March 16, 2023
Received as an ARC, this is an honest review. For Elliot and his friends and sister, ordinary life isn't the same once aliens have uprooted what you knew is normal. Bizarre secrets from their friend Buzz find the group heading to Seattle and becoming caught up in an investigation involving some rather odd murders pointing back to the aliens that have already wrecked their lives. While Elliot could easily ignore it all and figure out what his future is going to be; he's not that kind of person: innocent lives matters no matter even if they're not human. An amazing, kick ass kind of story where its secrets escalate the adventure. Highly recommended.
March 28, 2023
This second instalment of the Traveler's series is great. Still set in the eighties, but now the group of familiar characters takes to the big city for a new adventure.
Not your usual military science fiction with warring factions in the belt region, but rather takes place on earth with some very unique aliens. Lots of fun.
Highly recommended. I am definitely looking forward to book three.
Not your usual military science fiction with warring factions in the belt region, but rather takes place on earth with some very unique aliens. Lots of fun.
Highly recommended. I am definitely looking forward to book three.
March 28, 2023
Elliot Goes Home
Elliot is done with college, Bones is back from college, Buzz is gone but Kim is still here physically. With the trio back together, kid sister Cindy and crew decide to take a road trip to Seattle after catching the news and spotting Buzz. The travelers must be back and the spheres must be close. Will our hero’s be triumphant again or is this the end?
Elliot is done with college, Bones is back from college, Buzz is gone but Kim is still here physically. With the trio back together, kid sister Cindy and crew decide to take a road trip to Seattle after catching the news and spotting Buzz. The travelers must be back and the spheres must be close. Will our hero’s be triumphant again or is this the end?
January 11, 2024
Good 2nd in Series
Thought this was a good quick read as a follow up to the first in the series. I enjoyed the added depth and characters. It was also fun to see how the original characters had changed and grew into themselves during the coming of age periods in their lives.
Looking forward to the conclusion of the series in book 3.
Thought this was a good quick read as a follow up to the first in the series. I enjoyed the added depth and characters. It was also fun to see how the original characters had changed and grew into themselves during the coming of age periods in their lives.
Looking forward to the conclusion of the series in book 3.
May 2, 2024
Mr Hystad has amplified the characters and provided more insight as to The Travelers and The Spheres that he introduced in "Dark Invasion." "Dark Invasion" is not necessary in order to fully enjoy and understand the characters and the story. That said, both are highly entertaining reads. Really enjoy the ambiance and fast-paced story telling style that is the hallmark of Mr Hystad's tales.
March 29, 2023
Another chapter in this interesting and fun series is out and so is all the trouble and problems. Lots of action ad surprises that kept me reading to the end to see what would happen next and how it would play out. Had to see if they could find Buzz and why he was missing.
April 8, 2023
Action packed
After reading the first book, and not sure if it was more a "Teen" story, I have to say I really enjoyed the second instalment and meeting Elliot, Buzz, Bones and the rest of our Alien fighters, looking forward to the third installment.
After reading the first book, and not sure if it was more a "Teen" story, I have to say I really enjoyed the second instalment and meeting Elliot, Buzz, Bones and the rest of our Alien fighters, looking forward to the third installment.
June 9, 2023
Seattle invasion
Wow what a ride taking the battle to a large city like Seattle. Enjoyed getting to meet new characters that help in the fight and facing the ultimate Champion for the travelers. Secrets were revealed and it had good pacing
Wow what a ride taking the battle to a large city like Seattle. Enjoyed getting to meet new characters that help in the fight and facing the ultimate Champion for the travelers. Secrets were revealed and it had good pacing
April 15, 2023
good ending
glad they defeated the traveller's. I'm not surprised taylor was still alive. great series. look forward to the next book
glad they defeated the traveller's. I'm not surprised taylor was still alive. great series. look forward to the next book
June 20, 2023
A stunning escalation to what was already a wonderful series, our saviours are at it again, but this time there is a lot more to worry about
July 12, 2023
This series surprised me. I'm hooked lol
February 22, 2024
the story continues,love it
I have enjoyed the first two books, looking forward to book three of the series. The team doesn’t disappoint the reader.
I have enjoyed the first two books, looking forward to book three of the series. The team doesn’t disappoint the reader.
April 20, 2024
Fast paced
Never a dull moment. I like the characters and the storyline. Not sure I liked the ending. Overall very good.
Never a dull moment. I like the characters and the storyline. Not sure I liked the ending. Overall very good.
February 11, 2025
simple but good
Nothing earth shattering in the writing and storytelling. But it’s an interesting concept that could have used more descriptive elements.
Nothing earth shattering in the writing and storytelling. But it’s an interesting concept that could have used more descriptive elements.
September 29, 2025
Nice follow up
Good follow up to Dark Invasion
Look forward to the finale with Kim, Elliot and his team . Great plot, characters. Villains and suspense.
Good follow up to Dark Invasion
Look forward to the finale with Kim, Elliot and his team . Great plot, characters. Villains and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews