In April this year I was delighted to read and review the naval fantasy adventure H.M.S. Lanternfish (The Lanternfish Series Book 2) by C.S. Boyack.
About the book
The Lanternfish crew completed their original mission, but got exposed to a more global problem. An entire continent is at war, headed up by a head-strong young king with dreams of power, and pushed from behind by a mysterious religious order known as the Fulminites.
Rather than let their country fall under the iron boot of conquest, James and his crew set sail once more to see what kind of muscle Lanternfish can lend to the war effort. Acting precariously under an unofficial charter as a privateer, even his allies aren’t always his friends.
HMS Lanternfish explores new worlds on its way to war, and drifts considerably off course. It features an international crew of characters, and for fans of the first book, the root monsters are back, too. Tall ships, a few con games, martial arts, and everything you loved about the original book is all returning.
Hoist the colors and wheel out the guns. Lanternfish is taking to the high seas once more.
My review for the book April 24th 2021
I thought the Voyage of the Lanternfish, the first book in the series, was fabulous, with wonderfully drawn characters and monsters great and small who created havoc and also added a dark humour to the book. I certainly recommend that you read that book first so you hit the deck running (pardon the pun) with book two.
After such an exciting adventure the crew has scattered to the four winds, and in some cases settled down to domesticity and a more gentle form of occupation. But, when duty calls, H.M.S Lanternfish is taken out of mothballs and sets sail to gather back together key crew members, who thankfully are itching to get back into the fight for their country of birth, or in many cases by adoption.
The pace picks up with an urgent rendezvous in the logbook some months ahead and it is all hands on deck. The ship encounters mysterious floating islands, more monsters intent on mischief, ancient civilisations with strict codes of honour, betrayal by allies and unexpected alliances with the enemy. Lanternfish gathers a small flotilla carrying hundreds of warriors, the quirky and the courageous. All of whom become dependent on Captain James Bloodwater, their overall commander, to seek out provisions, gold and a good fight, of which there are plenty for the taking. Characters from the first book develop into key roles and together they face the fight of their lives to salvage something from their embattled homeland to rebuild the future.
Sometimes a second book can flag after a fast paced adventure in the first episode, but if anything the author has kicked the action up more than a few notches. He has also brought in some wonderful new key characters that allow the series to develop in a number of directions. and I for one am looking forward to see where they lead. The ending is very satisfactory but still leaves some hints to encourage hopes of another adventure in the last book of the trilogy soon. Highly recommended to readers who enjoy well written epic fantasy and fast paced adventures
Head over to buy the book : Amazon US – And: Amazon UK
A selection of books by C.S. Boyack
C. S. Boyack, Buy: Amazon US – and :Amazon UK – Follow Craig: Goodreads – blog:Cold Hand Boyack – Twitter: @Virgilante
I was born in a town called Elko, Nevada. I like to tell everyone I was born in a small town in the 1940s. I’m not quite that old, but Elko has always been a little behind the times. This gives me a unique perspective of earlier times, and other ways of getting by. Some of this bleeds through into my fiction.
I moved to Idaho right after the turn of the century, and never looked back. My writing career was born here, with access to other writers and critique groups I jumped in with both feet.
I like to write about things that have something unusual. My works are in the realm of science fiction, paranormal, and fantasy. The goal is to entertain you for a few hours. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you enjoyed my review enough to head over to buy the book.. thanks Sally
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Great review! I must bump the first book up my Kindle. xx
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Hope you enjoy it when it reaches the top.
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I am sure you will love them both Alex…hugsx
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A fantastic series – congratulations to Craig. Toni x
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A very entertaining read… thanks Toni..hugsxx
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Thank you.
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Such a wildly creative series. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed he comes up with root monster merch.
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Lol… great t-shirts… thanks Teri…hugsx
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Need to sell more books so I can open the factory.
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Or you could use someone elses….like the one we have in Ireland https://www.spreadshirt.ie/ ‘Root Monsters Rule’ lol..xx
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I enjoyed the first book and it sounds like the second is a rollicking good continuation of the Lanternfish series. Craig has an amazing imagination. Thanks for the review and recommendation, Sally. ❤
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Thanks for your kind words about the first book.
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My pleasure.
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Thanks Diana.. and rollicking sums it up..hugs ♥
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Great review and a fabulous action-packed story!
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Thank you for saying so here.
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Thanks Denise and very much so… a page turner..hugsx
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Looks like another entertaining read from Craig. Great review Sal, congrats to Craig. ❤
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Thank you.
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🙂
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Thanks Debby it is a great series and looking forward to book three..♥
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What a great review for the second Lanternfish book! I loved this book, too and Craig does such a great job in carrying the story forward plus introducing new characters. Thank you for your thoughts on this one, Sally, and congrats to Craig!
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Thank you, Jan. I love hearing that people enjoy my stories.
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Thanks for adding your thoughts Jan and looking forward to the next adventure…hugs
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Thank you for another great review, Sally! Its on my TBR, but now i should read faster, before Book 3 is arriving. Thank you for reminding me. xx Michael
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Great Michael and we are all waiting eagerly for that book…hugsxx
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Thanks for the reblog. Hope you enjoy the tales.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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thanks for sharing the review Michael..hugs
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I liked it too, Sally. Good review.
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Thanks for saying so here, John.
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😊
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Thanks John.. a lot of fans of the Lanternfish crew, particularly the roots…hugsx
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Yup.
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What a wonderful review! Thank you for sharing, Sally. I love Craig’s creativity and his characters are unforgettable. Congratulations Craig!
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Loved the book Gwen and delighted to reshare the review..good books deserve the airtime.. hugsxx♥
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Thank you so much.
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So excited that you enjoyed the second entry in my trilogy. The third one is being edited for publication and will come out this year.
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Great Craig, look forward to it and happy to reshare my review.. xxx
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As the self-appointed president of the root monster fan club, I can attest to how creative Craig is, how delightful the little monsters are, and how wonderful this series is. Nice to see it getting some love here. I I I I !
Thanks, Sally.
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Your little friends are back in abundance in the finale later this year. Thanks for the comments.
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lol.. back at you… We have a great big compost heap at the end of the garden just itching for some root incubation…xxx
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The Lanterfish series is so imaginative and inventive. I really enjoyed this book too, and the colorful assortment of characters and creatures. Great review, Sally. Congratulations to Craig!
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Thanks for the boost, Mae. The finale is sailing into port this year.
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Thanks Mae and looking forward to the next journey of the Lanternfish for another root fix… hugsx
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Great review. I love Craig’s books with his fab imagination and humour. Thanks for sharing, Sally. Hugs 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony.
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Thanks Harmony and with you on Craig’s books… hugs ♥
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