Messiah

Mammon, Book 2

By: Robert Kroese

Narrated by: Jonathan Beville

Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

As US hegemony fails in the wake of an unprecedented economic crisis, wars erupt across the globe. Meanwhile, a small band of engineers and scientists work in secret on a mission to redirect an asteroid on a collision course with Earth.

©2022 Robert Kroese (P)2022 Tantor

A Surprising Book 2

After listening to book one in the mammon series, called Titan, I was excited to listen to this book which is the second in the series. It was different than I expected, but equally good. This book focuses much more on the lives of characters who were secondary characters in the first book. Kade Kapur, the visionary billionaire who played a major role in book 1 plays a much a smaller role in this book that I expected. Because this story is a completely different kind of story than the first book it is hard to compare them, though without giving away the ending, I can say that the pieces are there for a action packed booked 3. There is more political intrigue and international tension here as well, so if you are a fan of political thrillers you will also enjoy it.

My only criticism of this book is that the plot can sometimes drag at few points that get very heavy into the details of the economy. It's interesting if that's your thing, but for me it was a little a heavy at times. But the author makes up for it in many other ways by expanding on characters that we did not get to know well in book 1.

The narrator Jonathan Beville does a great job handling and bringing to life the many many characters in this book from the menacing to the innocent, and seems to use accents from just about all overhe world. Solid work and performance by the narrator.

Overall, if you liked Titan, you will enjoy Messiah. I know I am hoping for part 3 in this series.

McAfee LIVES!

So after failing once, a second plan to save thevworld is hatched. If you think you know how this book ends- You're wrong! But the highlight for me is the McAfee reference. If you know, you know.

2nd installment hits the ground running.

The pacing & payoffs in this book feel like it's a 3rd book moor than a 2nd. Good thing I finished it right as the 3rd audiobook dropped.

Did not disappoint!

This was a great sequel. Engaging story, great narration. If you liked the first book I highly recommend this one!

AWESOME 2nd installment.

Zero sophomore slump in this trilogy, the stakes kept spiking and there were multiple developments I didn't see coming. Big cliffhanger ending. Can't wait to pre-order Nemesis.

Exciting Sci-Fi Story Set in the Near Future

Robert Kroese nailed the current trajectory of the world power structure with MESSIAH. It was very interesting to read this book during today's climate, extrapolating the economic issues today 1,000x, and seeing similarities between the story and the real world. Fun read and recommend to any fan of hard sci-fi or anyone who wants a glimpse of the next 50 years in the United States.

Meandering, directionless mess of a sequel....

Man...where to start....I liked the first book, Mammon, quite a bit. It was enjoyable with it's concept of a brilliant mind pushing the envelope of what is considered possible, as well as the subverted expectations in the twist of the betrayal toward the end! I had a lot of anticipation for this book's release. So when I saw it available, I immediately downloaded it. Jonathan Belville is as dependable a narrator now as ever...not my favorite, but definitely above average and enjoyable, but the story....You know that thing about subverted expectations that worked so well in the first book? Very effective plot device that furthered the narrative....THIS TIME HOWEVER, it's as if it is the only dramatic tool this author seems to have in his arsenal. Time and again he points the reader in a narrative direction only to jerk the plot out from under them. There are endless economical lectures regarding the evils of QE and hyperinflation that go way overlong in describing the dire circumstances facing the world's economies. It just all became rather too much. It's as if he decided that he would extend his obviously two part story into something entirely different and drag the reader along with him into some apocalypse-lite, where we were looking for some adversity ridden optimism toward the ultimate growth and success of mankind. It's like he forgot what kind of story he was telling or worse, changed his mind along the way--either way, the tale suffers for it, and I actively despise it. If you read the first one looking for a redemption arc or even a cohesive story, give this thing a hard pass. Kroese can't even decide who his main character is from one chapter to the next. So bad it made me angry.