Haunter Grey - Journey

Last Ark - Haunter Grey Book 2

Fiction - Science Fiction
491 Pages
Reviewed on 03/16/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

The Haunter Grey series by Ross C. Miller kicked off with Castor Efrata-Landeez surviving Unity's assault, and landing in Regia's captivity. Encountering a mentor, he learns to harness "numbers." With Rabid, they target Unity's fleet disruption. On Termina Two, Castor impresses Major Garrant and leads the Resistance. Seeking to strengthen their forces, he faces Valhalla's challenges, planning a daring assault on Unity. Garnering allies, he rises to Rear Admiral aboard the Haunter Grey, fueling hope against Unity's dominance. Now, in this second book, Haunter Grey: Journey, for millennia, the Unity fleet has eradicated subhumans and their worlds. Against all odds, they encounter an unexpected Resistance. 01.3.G, soon to be Gianna, a former Unity Lord, grasps the grim reality: Unity's survival on Regia, their prison planet, is doubtful. More Unity will inevitably fall, facing the fate of 01.3.G's captain and successor. Gianna's sole objective is to avert mass extinction, a threat previously deemed unachievable by Unity.

"We all must walk this path, if we are to survive...” In true Ross C. Miller form, Haunter Grey: Journey begins with a frenzied, adrenaline-fueled confrontation with visceral descriptions of physical combat from within. It's all systems go from there and just does not slow down. I like that the moral complexity spans the whole story, and we are concerned with further exploring tech advancements, like a decision to shed biosuits and the implications of using Congee for healing and prosthetic integration. These are small in the scope of the whole story but show the depth of Miller's thoughtful integration of pretty much everything he writes. The star of this book really is Gianna and she runs the full gamut of emotions, machinations, and diplomacy, regardless of motive. I love Castor, and Gianna has a spectacular character arc. She challenges conventional notions of right and wrong and the greater good versus individual integrity. Another great read in the series. Recommended.

Tammy Ruggles

Haunter Grey - Journey: Haunter Grey Book 2, by Ross C Miller, is a compelling, immersive science fiction novel that will leave you wanting more, and thank goodness Book 3 is something to look forward to. Betrayal cuts deep on both sides, but this is what 01.3.G has to do in order to preserve the people she cares about. Gianna, once a Unity Lord, knows the Unity fleet will be challenged trying to survive on the prison planet known as Regia, and it's on Gianna's shoulders to save her people from annihilation. It was once thought that Unity could never be destroyed, but now things are chillingly different. How can one person make an impact--persuade the Resistance--and turn things around?

If you enjoyed Origin, then you will become invested in the continuing story of Castor and crew. And if you're new to the series, then don't worry, since the author adds information to the narrative that makes it easy to catch up. The contrasting goals of the leaders in this novel make for a nail-biting read. Castor makes it clear that no one is to be killed in this age-old war unless absolutely necessary. But the Unity is the polar opposite and kills as seen fit. Miller again brings fans a cast of characters that are well-realized, unique, and so interesting to get to know. For example, Rabid is a split-personality schizophrenic in a constant battle with himself--one side is a deadly killer who is trying to choke Lessa to death in the prologue. I really like the interactions between Castor and Lessa. The backstories of the characters help solidify the reader's relationship with them.

This author knows how to balance narrative with dialogue while keeping the action at a heart-pounding pace, and he's good with inner dialogue. For a novel on the longer side, it goes by quickly, and you're ready for part 3. The inner struggles of the characters, especially Gianna, make you feel for them, and it's easy to get caught up in the life-or-death struggles. I enjoy Miller's confident, competent style. You know he has everything under control and knows how to deliver an entertaining story full of action, pathos, and universal themes. Fans of classic science fiction like Star Trek will fall in love with Haunter Grey - Journey: Haunter Grey Book 2 by Ross C Miller.

K.C. Finn

Haunter Grey: Journey is a work of fiction in the science fiction, action, and adventure subgenres, and is the second novel in the Last Ark - Haunter Grey collection penned by author Ross C Miller. It is best suited to mature teen and adult reading audiences. We pick up the action whilst 01.3.G, now known as Gianna, faces a daunting dilemma in which she must betray her own people to save them. After millennia of Unity dominance, encountering a Resistance force challenges everything Gianna thought she knew about her society's invincibility. As she navigates the complexities of loyalty, survival, and morality, Gianna grapples with the realization that her people's very existence is threatened by an unexpected adversary. With the fate of her species hanging in the balance, Gianna must confront the harsh reality of war and decide whether one person's actions can truly make a difference in a conflict spanning thousands of star systems.

Author Ross C Miller has crafted an atmospheric and exciting sci-fi sequel with a narrative packed with tension, moral dilemmas, and high-stakes action. The character of Gianna is compelling, and her internal struggles form the highs and lows of the story arc as she grapples with her conflicting loyalties. This powerful character-led element is emphasized by Miller’s attention to detail in speech and thought presentation, allowing us to really get into the psyche of his characters and making their experiences all the more relatable. The exploration of themes such as sacrifice, redemption, and the nature of power gives the action-packed plot a slow-burning background poignancy, making it a thought-provoking read that lingers with you long after turning the last page. Overall, Haunter Grey: Journey is a worthy continuation of the series that delivers suspense, intrigue, and profound questions about humanity's capacity for both good and evil, and I would certainly recommend it to fans of the series so far.

Paul Zietsman

The second in a series of science-fiction novels, Haunter Grey: Journey by Ross C. Miller, is an enthralling story of action and adventure that explores an array of themes including self-knowledge, truthfulness, and loyalty. Gianna, or 0.1.3.G, is on the planet Regia after the Unity fleet has been overtaken by humans that form part of the Resistance. Regia had previously been the Unity's prison planet for humans, yet now, Gianna, along with other members of the Unity, are being held captive here. Gianna assumes leadership on Regia but soon learns that what has been taught about its origin is not as cut and dried as it once seemed, and also that their chances of survival on this prison planet are slim at best. Must Gianna betray her own people to save them?

Haunter Grey: Journey opens with a scene of terrifying assault and 'boom!', the reader is thrust directly into the action. Ross C. Miller's development of the storyline is on point, with a good balance of dialogue, happenings, and action. The characters are authentic and endearing, and, as was the case in the previous novel, I was especially impressed with the character Admiral Castor, his oddities, and the way he is developed by the author. There is mention of a character who has violent and lethal outbursts as being schizophrenic or possibly having dissociative identity disorder. Readers will be able to discern between fiction and fact to avoid misconceptions about people who suffer from mental illness. Haunter Grey: Journey is a science-fiction novel that is thrilling and intriguing yet also very thought-provoking and rich in serious and meaningful themes.

Pikasho Deka

Ross C. Miller's Haunter Grey: Journey is yet another absorbing installment from the Last Ark Series. After losing the battle of Regia against the Resistance, the Unity is in disarray. And none more so than 01.3.G (Gianna Wood), a former Unity Lord suffering from an existential crisis. A seemingly chance encounter with her grandfather, a Delphine, in the Rf127 mines leads Gianna to the knowledge of her own past, and she finds salvation in the path of Jesus Christ. Now, she must help her people survive with the aid of Admiral Castor Efrata-Landeez. But not everyone from the Resistance is ready to forgive her just yet. Meanwhile, a deadly face-off with the rest of the Unity's fleet will lead to devastating losses. Will Gianna be able to bring peace to her people?

Epic in scale and filled with philosophical, spiritual, and theoretical (scientific) discourse, Haunter Grey: Journey is an absolute pageturner of a novel for sci-fi and military fiction readers. The Last Ark Universe is richly detailed and features a few uniquely imaginative species, thrilling action sequences, and futuristic sci-fi concepts that lovers of the genre will devour with relish. Ross C. Miller takes his time to set up the characters and the plot, but by the midway point, the narrative shifts up a gear or two, and the plot races toward a soaring climax you don't want to miss. This book is primarily Gianna's story, although other characters have some meaty roles in the plot, including fan-favorite Castor. One of my favorite things about Miller's stories is his approach to writing battle scenes, where the reader always feels the stakes involved. A perfect book for space sci-fi fans.

Asher Syed

Haunter Grey—Journey by Ross C. Miller is book two in the literary septuple that forms the Last Ark, Haunter Grey science fiction adventure space opera series. In Origin, Castor Efrata-Landeez suffers dissociative amnesia in the penal colony Regia under the oppressive Unity regime. Escape is perilous, and overthrowing the Unity seems improbable. Castor's fate hinges on commanding the book's eponymous vessel. Now, in Journey, Gianna, formerly 01.3.G, has an encounter with an anomaly claiming to be her grandfather that has her questioning Unity's teachings. Torn between all she thought she knew and what the truth might really be, Gianna's commitment to cooperation with supposed enemies, the unlearning of ingrained beliefs, and the fostering of understanding between the factions puts her at odds with her core framework. “...this peace can be had...that extermination and genocide are both wrong. And it does not matter which side of this conflict has that agenda.”

Haunter Grey—Journey by Ross C. Miller amplifies its Christian science fiction elements and further explores his characters' faith in Jesus within the context of a futuristic conflict. Gianna demonstrates that spirituality remains relevant even, and perhaps especially, when up against interstellar battle. Through the arc of Gianna, Journey depicts themes of redemption, personal growth, and the capacity for individuals to change despite their past actions. Gianna's “journey” from being a product of her upbringing to questioning her beliefs and striving for peace demonstrates the transformative power of empathy, understanding, and self-reflection. As a space opera, the science fiction components are prevalent through technology and scientific concepts, such as translator devices, advanced simulations, and the manipulation of time. Also prevalent are detailed worlds with many alien species, like the Chitans, their physical characteristics, their social structure, and their collective consciousness. The books that follow in the Last Arc series are out so fans do not need to wait to jump into book three, Haunter Grey—Outliers.