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The Lanternfish #2
H.M.S. Lanternfish
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.
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.
- GenresAdventure
440 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2020
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 1, 2020
I loved the first book of this series, Lanternfish, so I was excited for the seafaring journey to continue. I was not disappointed with all my favorite characters back, including the root monsters. Those little guys always bring a smile to my face, even when they are up to no good. James Bloodworth is pulled out of retirement into a war that could ultimately affect his peaceful life. He calls for a return of the old gang, which was satisfying to have them back together, along with some new characters. It was nice to see Serang in her element, along with the rest of the crew. Back at sea, they do what they do the best — forage for what they need. Captain Bloodworth is an excellent leader of his pirates turned soldiers; he not only is trying to undo what his father did, but helps in ways I didn’t expect. Each stop along this voyage offers new friends and a lot of enemies, which kept me reading late into the night. All the small details and created images are weaved into this story so vividly that it brings this world of sea creatures and assassins to life. I can’t wait to see where the third book goes. I highly recommend this if you love a well-told tale.
April 24, 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
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
February 27, 2021
Pirates are always entertaining
This is a fast moving book filled with adventure, magic, and fantasy. The sailing is well detailed without being cumbersome while the characters are constantly manuevering through a host of challengers and battles all in hopes of turning the tide of a war. It's a fun read with lots pirate twists that never seem to go the right direction but somehow manage to find the target with some sharpshooting, quick thinking, and the luck that only privates have from bold action.
This is a fast moving book filled with adventure, magic, and fantasy. The sailing is well detailed without being cumbersome while the characters are constantly manuevering through a host of challengers and battles all in hopes of turning the tide of a war. It's a fun read with lots pirate twists that never seem to go the right direction but somehow manage to find the target with some sharpshooting, quick thinking, and the luck that only privates have from bold action.
November 24, 2022
Review to follow
August 26, 2020
I read the first book in this series, "The Lanternfish," and fell in love with the fantasy, magic, and characters. So, when the second book came out, I couldn't wait to see what situations they'd get themselves into this time. I loved that all of the characters from the first book, James, Dan, Fila, Mal, Serang, Johnny Jump Up, Mule, and others came along on the new Lanternfish mission. As another reviewer mentioned, I also fell in love with the Root Monsters in the first book, so was thrilled to see them taking on even bigger roles in this second book. But regular characters aside, the author introduced a new group of characters and various monsters as well. James Bloodworth is hell-bent on correcting the mistakes his father created. So, when another ship's captain recruits him to help with a war effort, he leaves his wife, vineyard, and comfortable life to bring The Lanternfish out of retirement. The author has a knack for building a world that is easy to visualize. It has everything a good fantasy should have -- Adventure, mayhem, battles galore with a variety of monsters thrown in for fun, including a sword that can turn into a black spot and wreak havoc to protect his master. The author left this book open for another segment in the series and I can't wait to see how he wraps it all up! If you love fantasy, magic, folklore, monsters, and the high seas, this book is for you! I highly recommend it!
September 7, 2020
C. S. Boyack delivers another colorful adventure with HMS Lanterfish. I loved the first novel, Voyage of the Lanternfish, which introduced us to James—pirate captain Bloodwater—and his crew. The gang is back again (including the scene stealing root monsters), along with new characters, imaginative creatures, and plenty of action. James is drawn from a peaceful retirement to act as privateer for the war effort.
As always, Boyack delivers a story that brims over with adventure and explosive action. There are exploding monks (and that’s only part of the “explosive” action, LOL), a possessed weapon, a shogun, con artists, terrifying creatures, a beautiful princess, and a crew of thoroughly unique characters. Some standouts for me are the relationship between James and his adopted son, Mule, and Serang, a fiercely loyal female warrior who can kick butt like no other and who gets her own ship this time around. It’s hard to catch your breath when Lanternfish sets sail.
If you enjoy fast-paced fiction, a good sea yarn and a fun time, you’ll love this book and this series. And if you have no clue what a root monster is, grab your copy of HMS Lanterfish and prepare to be enchanted, as these guys have plenty of tales to tell, and they are not shy about it as the crew can attest. When a root monster earns a name, it is really something special, just one more highlight in this wildly entertaining book!
As always, Boyack delivers a story that brims over with adventure and explosive action. There are exploding monks (and that’s only part of the “explosive” action, LOL), a possessed weapon, a shogun, con artists, terrifying creatures, a beautiful princess, and a crew of thoroughly unique characters. Some standouts for me are the relationship between James and his adopted son, Mule, and Serang, a fiercely loyal female warrior who can kick butt like no other and who gets her own ship this time around. It’s hard to catch your breath when Lanternfish sets sail.
If you enjoy fast-paced fiction, a good sea yarn and a fun time, you’ll love this book and this series. And if you have no clue what a root monster is, grab your copy of HMS Lanterfish and prepare to be enchanted, as these guys have plenty of tales to tell, and they are not shy about it as the crew can attest. When a root monster earns a name, it is really something special, just one more highlight in this wildly entertaining book!
April 15, 2021
Having read the first book, Voyage of the Lanternfish, I was more than excited to see the next to come out. I can honestly say the second book is every bit as good as the first. When I began reading, it was like being welcomed aboard a familiar ship crewed by some old friends.
This time around, the crew of Lanternfish has signed on to help Captain Bloodworth defeat what he sees as a threat to his country. He leaves his home and winery to become a privateer at service to his Queen. The action gets going quickly, and the crew of Lanternfish ends up with more gold than they have room to store. The ship's officers decide to turn the gold over to the war effort, which is not easy. With the mission established, the crew encounters numerous obstacles, strange creatures, and unusual people to succeed.
C.S. Boyack has a very creative mind and is clearly in charge of executing a well-written and entertaining book. There is something in this book for everyone. There is plenty of action and enough intriguing situations to satisfy every reader, no matter their genre preference. There is also evidence of detailed research into cultural differences among the crew and outsiders. As an example, a significant scene featuring Asian norms is portrayed flawlessly
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, humor, fascinating details, and exceptional world-building.
This time around, the crew of Lanternfish has signed on to help Captain Bloodworth defeat what he sees as a threat to his country. He leaves his home and winery to become a privateer at service to his Queen. The action gets going quickly, and the crew of Lanternfish ends up with more gold than they have room to store. The ship's officers decide to turn the gold over to the war effort, which is not easy. With the mission established, the crew encounters numerous obstacles, strange creatures, and unusual people to succeed.
C.S. Boyack has a very creative mind and is clearly in charge of executing a well-written and entertaining book. There is something in this book for everyone. There is plenty of action and enough intriguing situations to satisfy every reader, no matter their genre preference. There is also evidence of detailed research into cultural differences among the crew and outsiders. As an example, a significant scene featuring Asian norms is portrayed flawlessly
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys adventure, humor, fascinating details, and exceptional world-building.
August 18, 2020
I I I I ! The root monsters are back! And the rest of the gang, too.
When I read the first book in the series, Voyage of the Lanternfish, I fell hard for the root monsters. They’re like the Minions, but on the ocean and a lot funnier. And who doesn’t love humorous antics in the middle of an action-filled voyage across the high seas?
James and his crew pick up where we left off—they’re pirates-turned-privateers in a global battle for power. And the stakes keep getting higher. This installment focuses on religious factions, nefarious despots, mythical creatures, greedy con artists, noble warriors … and the Lanternfish is trying to navigate all of it as they navigate the treacherous waters between the warring lands.
Boyack is, as always, wildly inventive. The creatures, the mythology, and the characters all weave together into a fascinating, fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and kept me turning the pages. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and highly recommend the entire saga for fans of pirate adventures, or frankly, well-told stories of any genre.
When I read the first book in the series, Voyage of the Lanternfish, I fell hard for the root monsters. They’re like the Minions, but on the ocean and a lot funnier. And who doesn’t love humorous antics in the middle of an action-filled voyage across the high seas?
James and his crew pick up where we left off—they’re pirates-turned-privateers in a global battle for power. And the stakes keep getting higher. This installment focuses on religious factions, nefarious despots, mythical creatures, greedy con artists, noble warriors … and the Lanternfish is trying to navigate all of it as they navigate the treacherous waters between the warring lands.
Boyack is, as always, wildly inventive. The creatures, the mythology, and the characters all weave together into a fascinating, fast-paced plot that kept me guessing and kept me turning the pages. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series and highly recommend the entire saga for fans of pirate adventures, or frankly, well-told stories of any genre.
March 30, 2021
My favorite root monsters are back! I think there were some other characters in this story also?
I was anxious to get back on the high seas with this crew of characters – I’m just sorry it took me so long to read the book. James is called out of retirement and into the privateer business. That may not be a bad thing, because it seems he has no talent for wine making – he makes a much better pirate.
Boyack never fails to deliver a wildly imaginative story, and with this second book in the Lanternfish series, his record remains intact. James and his crew encounter new characters, epic battles, and exciting adventures. Serang remains a strong character, and I was happy to see her return to the crew after being rescued from a very precarious situation.
The comedic root monsters still remain my favorites, and if the author ever decides to offer merch featuring them, I’ll be his first customer. Those critters work hard, but they also party hard.
With one more book to come in this series, I’ll be excited for its release.
I was anxious to get back on the high seas with this crew of characters – I’m just sorry it took me so long to read the book. James is called out of retirement and into the privateer business. That may not be a bad thing, because it seems he has no talent for wine making – he makes a much better pirate.
Boyack never fails to deliver a wildly imaginative story, and with this second book in the Lanternfish series, his record remains intact. James and his crew encounter new characters, epic battles, and exciting adventures. Serang remains a strong character, and I was happy to see her return to the crew after being rescued from a very precarious situation.
The comedic root monsters still remain my favorites, and if the author ever decides to offer merch featuring them, I’ll be his first customer. Those critters work hard, but they also party hard.
With one more book to come in this series, I’ll be excited for its release.
August 26, 2020
I was eager to read this book, having read the first in the trilogy. I was not disappointed. It was a well-written entertaining and action-packed read, with a plot that moves at a nice pace and keeps you guessing, an awesome cast of characters - especially those root monsters, which I'm so glad to see make a return in the pages of this book - and plenty of evidence that the author has a wonderful imagination. Had it not been for life stuff getting in the way, I could have happily devoured this book in one sitting. I highly recommend this series, especially if you enjoy a good pirate adventure story. I can't wait to see what the crew get up to - or get themselves in to - in the third installment of the trilogy!
October 24, 2020
What an exciting--and strange story! The second in a series is even better than the first. An amazing feat, combining phantasmagoric creatures like a living, floating island and "root monsters" with almost ordinary humans. Humans with a mission to save their former homeland from invaders by moving between roles as pirates and privateers. You can't help but laugh at the ordeals they face. Again, it's quite a leap, adding in magic with the mundane details of 12 or 20 pound cannons, various types of sails and muskets with shoguns and "fulminites" who are a sort of suicide bombers.
It's a richly developed and engrossing story of a place that might almost be real--especially, once again, with locations and cultures that mimic ones we know.
It's a richly developed and engrossing story of a place that might almost be real--especially, once again, with locations and cultures that mimic ones we know.
September 5, 2020
The Lanternfish Sails Again…
In this sequel, Captain James Bloodworth and the crew of the Lanternfish hit the high seas. This time in an effort to save their country from a power-hungry king and a mysterious religious order.
You’ll see familiar characters from the first book as well as new ones. Like other reviewers, I love the root monsters. Serang is also a favorite and she really comes into her own as a leader.
If you like imaginative stories and characters, I recommend reading this book.
In this sequel, Captain James Bloodworth and the crew of the Lanternfish hit the high seas. This time in an effort to save their country from a power-hungry king and a mysterious religious order.
You’ll see familiar characters from the first book as well as new ones. Like other reviewers, I love the root monsters. Serang is also a favorite and she really comes into her own as a leader.
If you like imaginative stories and characters, I recommend reading this book.
August 22, 2020
This is the second book in the Lanternfish trilogy. I really enjoyed the first book, but I enjoyed this one even more. The characters have grown and become more real. It's full of strange lands, exploding monks, root monsters, and too many other imaginative things to mention. There's action and lots of humor. It would be hard to find a more entertaining read!
October 7, 2020
Another winner by C.S. Boyack
I truly enjoyed this installment of the Lanternfish saga. It didn’t take long to get comfortable with the characters. I could almost smell the ocean and feel the wind through this masterful bit of storytelling. It’s another winner.
I truly enjoyed this installment of the Lanternfish saga. It didn’t take long to get comfortable with the characters. I could almost smell the ocean and feel the wind through this masterful bit of storytelling. It’s another winner.
November 14, 2025
I love novels about war and H.M.S. Lanternfish is a unique fantasy novel that fits into the war genre. When Captain James Bloodwater becomes appraised of the peril his country and surrounds face from the Hollish forces, he is cajoled into taking up a position as a privateer for the opposing Prelonians. King Reynard of the Hollish has joined forces with an extreme religious order called the Fulminites whose younger members are known as exploding monks as they have the ability to self-detonate and cause huge damage and destruction. This combined force is sweeping through the surrounding countries and conquering them with little opposition. James's country of residence is on the target list and stands to fall in the foreseeable future.
James gathers together his old crew and readies his war ship, Lanternfish, to set out on an adventure to aid the Prelonian war effort in any way possible. He leaves behind his wife, but takes his stepson, Mule, on this new adventure.
Having read the first book in this highly entertaining series, it was great to see all the well-loved characters back in action, from Seran, the female war general, to Stowaway, the drunken gunner. Of course, my favourite characters are the root monsters or 'Modders', intriguing and vicious little creatures James created from tubers. James digs up the monsters from their peaceful sleep under the earth and soon Trouble, Flattop, Boss, and the others are back, in full gear, and ready for action at sea. The addition of Mule to the crew allows for an interesting coming of age sub plot which I enjoyed.
The original crew of the Lanternfish are just the beginning of the imaginative creatures and opponents Captain Bloodwater and his crew face during the journey to gather resources for the war and to meet up with their Prelonian recruiter. This story includes everything from obese and dictatorial talking toads to the spirits of dead pirates to 'the black spot'. Aside from the monsters, the black spot was one of the most ingeniously creative and fascinating ideas in this amazingly imaginative story.
If you enjoy stories set in a fascinating fantasy world and populated by unusual mythical and fantasy creatures, with a fast pace and exciting plot and well-developed characters, you will love this book. This is one of the best 'middle' books in a trilogy I've read and had none of the 'middle slump' features I've grown to expect from three-book series. This exciting book is a good read in its own right but is better read in order as part of the series.
James gathers together his old crew and readies his war ship, Lanternfish, to set out on an adventure to aid the Prelonian war effort in any way possible. He leaves behind his wife, but takes his stepson, Mule, on this new adventure.
Having read the first book in this highly entertaining series, it was great to see all the well-loved characters back in action, from Seran, the female war general, to Stowaway, the drunken gunner. Of course, my favourite characters are the root monsters or 'Modders', intriguing and vicious little creatures James created from tubers. James digs up the monsters from their peaceful sleep under the earth and soon Trouble, Flattop, Boss, and the others are back, in full gear, and ready for action at sea. The addition of Mule to the crew allows for an interesting coming of age sub plot which I enjoyed.
The original crew of the Lanternfish are just the beginning of the imaginative creatures and opponents Captain Bloodwater and his crew face during the journey to gather resources for the war and to meet up with their Prelonian recruiter. This story includes everything from obese and dictatorial talking toads to the spirits of dead pirates to 'the black spot'. Aside from the monsters, the black spot was one of the most ingeniously creative and fascinating ideas in this amazingly imaginative story.
If you enjoy stories set in a fascinating fantasy world and populated by unusual mythical and fantasy creatures, with a fast pace and exciting plot and well-developed characters, you will love this book. This is one of the best 'middle' books in a trilogy I've read and had none of the 'middle slump' features I've grown to expect from three-book series. This exciting book is a good read in its own right but is better read in order as part of the series.
February 18, 2023
Boyack mixes fantasy with magic, and the result is entertainment at its best. If you like mayhem and adventure, you’re in for a ride. You’re on land, you’re on the sea, and neither place leaves you idly wondering what’s next. Fast-moving and heart-pounding, this is a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews