Relic Hunted

Crax War Chronicles, Book 2

By: Terry W. Ervin II

Narrated by: James Conlan

Intelligence picks up Security Specialist Keesay's contract, hoping to direct the Relic's tenacity and skills against his nemesis, the Capital Galactic Investment Group. But the rogue corporation has its own plans concerning Keesay: a bounty on the security specialist's head.

Time is running out for mankind, with the Crax striking deep into human territory, targeting colonies on Pluto and Io. Keesay knows whatever plans others might have, fighting the Crax is more important than blending in, or looking over his shoulder.

Stepping forward, Keesay accompanies Special Agents Guymin and Vingee on their mission to rescue key prisoners taken by Capital Galactic, before they're handed over to the Crax. In doing so, Keesay pits his shotgun and brass knuckles, and his daring, mysterious connection to the rat-like Chicher, against anyone that gets in his way.

©2016 Terry W. Ervin II (P)2016 Gryphonwood Press

An Imax Space Opera in 3D on audible

Poor, poor Kra. The man just can't seem to catch a break. He only does what he thinks is right and ends up hunted and hounded for things out of his control. His memories have been used in a way that have created enemies for him. People that just want him dead. Fortunately, Kra is a man of resources and he manages to keep himself alive as he tries to figure a way out of his mess. He does this via a little bit of knowledge of an alien language and being considered one of the tribe by another alien species.

This series, hell, this book is packed full of massive space battles that actually keep your interests going. All I could think of while I listened was how that imperial cruiser flies over your head at the beginning of Star Wars a New Hope at the beginning of the movie. The impact that scene carried is felt throughout this book. I'm not comparing it to Star Wars, because I hate Star Wars, but that scene was undeniably cool and the fact that this book resonates such images is awesome. I am more familiar with Terry W. Ervin II's fantasy work, but the man can clearly pull off sci-fi/space opera stuff without blinking. The one problem that Kra can't get by is women. He definitely has female issues as he finds himself at the mercy of a murderous malcontent maven who also has revenge in her heart for the man. They'll probably get married.

Like I said, the action in the book is undeniable and the battle scenes are a hit, a most palpable hit. The aliens are the only wild card, as I think they could be fleshed out a tad more than they have been, but I anticipate big reveals in the third book in regards to them. There is a reason the language is so important. Conlan isn't a bad narrator, he has a good voice but has a tendency to read a little wonky in a few places. Nothing bothersome, but his reading did throw me once or twice. He does do voices which is a plus. I'd say he's upper middle of the pack narration. Not a break out, but not bad either.

Lots of Action

This is clearly a sequel, but I enjoyed it without having heard the first one. The character is a love able, good soul who likes to think he’s a bad boy (but who always does the right thing!)

Basically, he wanders around space fighting the humans who are betraying the human race by siding with aliens in a war. He isn’t a technical person (that’s what relic refers to) and yet he always manages to come through with an understanding of tech that saves the day.

Overall, this is an exciting action book. It does have violence, gore, depictions of torture (mostly mental) and about as much plot as you’d expect.

The narrator does a great job. Definitely adds to the story.

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for a fair review

Keep them comming

Great 2nd book in this series. Loved the need to deal with the fall out of the first story. Now we need to add a 3rd on to the list.