In Search of the Uldans

Galactogon Series, Book 2

By: Vasily Mahanenko

Narrated by: Matt Godfrey

What could be better than space adventures? Captain Surgeon knows the answer to this question - space piracy! Loot, pillage, plunder, and sell all the lucre - that's the motto of the Galactogon pirates, and Surgeon is doing his best to join their number.

But what is to be done when the enigmatic Uldans do not want to leave our swashbuckler in peace and keep laying new mysteries in his path, distracting him from his main goal? How does one become a formidable buccaneer, the scourge of Galactogon's countless star systems, when an indomitable alien invasion is razing empires all across the galaxy?

Time and time again, the game hands Captain Surgeon the Black Spot and time and time again, he refuses to take it. It looks like he will have to work extra hard to realize his dreams of piracy and find the answers to all these mysteries....

©2019 V. Mahanenko; English translation copyright 2019 by Boris Smirnov (P)2019 Tantor

Narrator change - Not Bad

It's always a bit jarring when a new narrator steps in to continue a story and especially when so many character voices have already been established. The snake engineer voice especially had a distinct change. However, the main characters voice feels more like the voice he should have had all along. Fortunately, Matt Godfrey is an excellent narrator, so no reason not to pick this one up based on the change.

As for the story, I found a myself a bit lost at points and didn't enjoy the fight scenes as much as the first book. It never felt like there was much at stake. However, the overarching story is still enjoyable and there remains a big mystery that still needs to be solved. This one wasn't my favorite as I wished the story had a bit more depth, but still a good listen.

It’s hard to say

I agree with most others. The narrator isn’t bad it just isn’t the same. And it does seem like the main character does a complete 180 on his values. Instead of continuing the story, it almost seems like a whole new story. Even though the characters are saying, they are just different.

great job good story

loved it likable character story moves forward without getting hung up on cliffhangers ready for the next one

Pretty solid addition to the series .. mostly

I like Vasily's work. It has a great balance between high fantasy/sci-fi and real life consequences (if you live in the future and spend most of your time in VR -- that kind of real life). Game stats, high adventure, political intrigue in and out of the game. I dig the odd twists and turns the story takes quite a bit. That's why I keep coming back.

What could improve?

I don't buy the grand manipulators story. Its not a major factor to the majority of the story, but it does detract. These big wigs who run governments and businesses are spending their time analyzing human psyche and betting on it for fun? They shake off murder without batting an eye? Yeah -- okay they are sociopaths I guess. Just doesn't work for me. Maybe it works for others. Its not bad enough to worry too much about though. Like I said, the majority of this story is high adventure, witty hijinks and daring escapes.

I am NOT a fan AT ALL of Matt Godfrey's voice in this book. I almost had to quit listening at several points because it sounds like he was crying when he was trying to do a voice. His voice quivers and shakes and his female voices just don't work. Maybe he was sick -- or something. Just - not a fan.

If you like book one. Buy this one. Its a solid continuation of the story.

Afew things lol

Obviously the narrator change is weird but I like this guy much better. The last guy made everything sound way to formal and wasn't good at distinguishing voices. However he calls the snake he like 5 times but then will call her she next chapter (it's she). Everytime a ship is talked about they say her or she like they are pirates from the 1800s which isn't that annoying until you hear it everytime. This usually happens with Russian authors when translated, they always use one phrase or two way to often but this is the only thing I really noticed this guy doing. I also hate the morals they give this guy, he's so indigent, he gets mad when people better than home even talk to him but he somehow gets out of everything, has had to kill himself once. The first book this made sense cuz the devs helped him but now?