Civilization

Displaced #2

by Stephen Drake

He's Ba-a-ck!

In the second book of the series, Kevin Murdock, martial artist and outdoorsman extraordinaire, has survived his first five years on the planet of the 'Oomah'. A new transport pod, holding 200 more people, has landed and none of the new arrivals know what to expect.

He finds that the pod holds an unexpected surprise for him personally; Rose's brother, who has brought his own issues.

Conflicts rage between Murdock and Phylicia Cunningham, a distaff cousin to James Whittier, with her own lust for power and has a need for vengeance against the person she is certain had killed her cousin.

Murdock counsels common sense and self-reliance. He trains some in survival and expects them to train the rest.

Murdock's knowledge of the Oomah, and their ways, is expanded and further questions about his history are raised.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy

488 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2019

About the author

Stephen Drake, a retired computer programmer of 20+ years, is an American fantasy/sci-fi author. He is an avid Harley-Davidson Motorcycle enthusiast, and versed in many survival skills such as martial arts and bow hunting. He draws on his experiences to create gripping and believable stories.

Reviews

[Leann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Done

Too much exposition; I weathered the first and attempted the second . Done. Not worth my time. Author needs to get off his moral soap box. A good story reveals character, the author shouldn’t have to tell everyone.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of the series, and a much more engrossing book. Another pod has landed. This time there are two hundred individuals sent from Earth with basic tools to survive in an uninhabited wilderness, that isn’t uninhabited. Only two have survive from the last pod; the two adults and their children, but there are local inhabitants called Oomah that defy the norm. The people in this pod are more diverse, but two will contend to control the group. One is the younger brother of Murdock’s first wife and somehow blames him for her death. Murdock greets them and tells them where they are allowed to go. There are those that will dispute this not knowing the power of the original inhabitants, nor the powers that Murdock and his current wife Mei Ling have acquired. The group will split into three, but all will lack the necessary skills to survive safely during the winter. Some will be expelled. Others will try to control all, and somehow the Oomah manage to remain hidden, but keep in contact with their friends Murdock and wife. They will accept Declan and Emily. Winter will take its toll. One woman almost kills Mei Ling and kills their little boy. A man will try and almost succeed in killing Murdock, but Beron the leader of the Oomah will rescue him. Will Murdock be able to restore peace between the factions? Will we ever learn how the Oomah have evolved and how either they or the planet can enhance the skills and abilities of the humans? May I suggest you read the series to discover the answer.

[Andrew Franks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story. Each book in the series competes its own story and draws the reader into the next book without a cliffhanger. I’ve now finished the first two books and am about to start the third. The stories have been well thought out and have a certain rhythm and flow to them that [usually] has me wanting to turn the next page and experience what’s next.

But …

The author on occasions TELLS the reader what the story should SHOW.

A second thing that yanked me out of the story to set aside the book until the fantastic story line enticed me back is the author’s use of weak verbs. “Saw” and “had” are two that come to mind.

This great story could be a great book had the author used a more critical editing process.

This five star series storyline drops to three stars because of the two star editing. This is not stopping me from the third book. At this point I know the author’s weaknesses and will continue to turn the next page with anticipation.

If there is to be a fourth book, and I hope there is, I’m willing to wait a little longer if it means that the editing process strengthens the author’s work.

[Kelly Straube · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second pods arrival. the storyline with the characters was much the same though. power hungry political character getting people to do their bidding, lackeys vying for influence & then the destruction of most characters. I liked that the larger group broke into "towns" and had a bit of interesting plots within. Unfortunately, near the end of the book there were A LOT of jumps in the storyline. One minute Heather is pregnant and the next her miscarriage is mentioned. It left me asking, What? When? Um...ok. Then Murdock's attack came abruptly and he was saved within a couple pages. It seemed a huge part of the story was rushed through and then summaries of characters were skipped through till the next pod arrived. It was badly done to say the least. The characters deserved more attention and care. Why do we follow mundane characters decision making processes for pages upon pages and then this huge thing happens to the main character and the arch & resolution happen in mere pages? Priorities???

[Lynn craycroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t help myself….it’s a true 5!

As I was reading this book and my eye caught 91% completed. It was like someone hit me with a spear head. The thought of having to leave this story is quite sad. The characters are so engaging and the story progresses so smoothly I don’t want to leave. Luckily there’s another book. I can’t wait.

[Suzanne R. Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent series

I have greatly enjoyed the first and second books and looking forward to book 3 the characters are easily attached to I was quickly hooked and truly cared what hhappened to them the action was intense at times and the survival piece was extremely interesting and the groupDinamics exciting complex but ina very appealing story

[Jay Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't put it down

This series is the perfect combination for me, anyone enjoying sci-fi, fantasy or just an interesting view on how human beings interact in an emergency will love it.

[Becky Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

great series

I’m really enjoying this series. I have to admit though if I were Murdock I would have killed some of those crazy evil people right off. I wouldn’t have jeopardized my family’s safety trying to to help such ungrateful people.

[TIM VICKERS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tedious

Tedious - worse than book one in the series. I really hoped the second book would progress the story but it was just much more of the same, repeating the same basic scenarios again and again.

[Beccam105 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the series so far, fast moving and hard to put down and go to sleep. (Smile)

[Linda Michel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great books

I have read two in the series and love them will download the last when I finish this review. I love the .Murdock tribe and want to continue to know them.

[Linda A. Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

This book was as good as the first one. I can't wait to start the third one. Once I started, I couldn't put it down.

[K.J. Simmill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civilization is the second book in Stephen Drake's Displaced series. Five years have past since Murdock first found himself on this planet, and the time has come for more Humans to arrive. But there are things here that should be protected. Murdock is the guardian of the Oomah, and now it falls to him to ensure those arriving do nothing to jeopardise their way of life. He is an emissary, a peace keeper, a difficult role at the best of times, let alone when faced with a pod full of power hungry people. Murdock must protect his family, the Oomah, and even the humans from one another in hope to create a future where all survive. The humans split into factions, their only similarities seeming to be their mutual disdain for the man who has tried only to help them. Can he unite them, or will their own perceived superiority be their undoing?

Civilization is filled with brilliant characters, from those you love, to those you outright hate. Stephen Drake captures the best and worst of humanity and puts it on display for all to see. This book is a tale of survival, but it is impossible not to reflect on where you yourself would fit within this world. It is an enjoyable read and easy to lose yourself in (as my 1am mornings will testify) ripe with vivid characters, great personalities and an enjoyable plot. I found it well written, gripping, and filled with brilliantly scripted dialogue. I certainly look forward to reading more works from this talented author.

[Paula Shene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civilization (Displaced, book 2) has enlarged its population exponentially when two hundred exits a larger pod than our reluctant hero, Kevin Murdock did five years previously. Murdock did bring with him survival skills upon arrival on this planet which even with its dangers has become a Utopia for him and his family.

With the new arrivals, again clueless, demanding, belligerent, some stupidly evil, and others totally depraved, life and survival is always at risk.

This is all book one and more. Now I understand why some can pick up an 800-page book and ‘stick with it.’

I will say there are several heartbreaking and or grisly moments. Just be aware, tissues should be kept within reach.

I read these books back to back and the 275, 222 words just made me thirsty for Drake's upcoming book Resolution.

[Debbie Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the second book was just as good as the first . keep on writing

I like the book cover. Then I read what the story was about .It sound like they were sending all the bad people or insane people to this world an just a couple of good people.the main character need to quit trying to make them be or do good. that not how humans work .he should have just killed the one he knew were insane and not just had not keep try to make them do right.I know he said it hard to kill someone but by not killing them they killing a lot more people become they needing someone to lead them .would like to know more about earth and why there are sending people to this other planet?

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best science fiction/fantasy sequels I've ever read. Stephen keeps the narrative flowing from one book to the next with flawless continuity. The characters are new, yet familiar. We've all met people like these people. There are new enemies and old adversaries, leading to much conflict and conspiracy.
Murdock has to be one of the best leading men; a robust, reliable and hardy man of action, cursed with the ability to rally folk around him. An ability he doesn't want.
With Civilisation, Murdock has more to protect, more to lose and more to fight for. And never has a man fought harder for anything.
Can't wait for book 3!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series and even better than the first as Kevin Murdock continues to endure in a new world. I love the character Kevin Murdoch, if I had to survive and even begin civilization over, I would want Kevin on my side. In this the second book, Kevin is finding old enemies in the form of relatives and new secrets in powers he holds will remind him that some things never change even in new worlds. This is a great book for anyone wondering about the future and struggling with the present. I like the author's writing style and the way he tells a great story readers can be assured to find intriguing and entertaining.

[Randy Harmelink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a great story, but I preferred the first book. This one just seemed to lack a little soul for the characters. And it just seems that with Murdock's powers, a lot of deaths and situations would have been easy to avoid...

[David Wayne Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Drake

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this authors books. He brings to life my dreams of traveling to another planet and all the wonderful things that would bring. He also paints a picture that paradise is not free.