What do you think?
Rate this book
The Code Trilogy #2
The Elfor Drop
A fleet of 40 worldships carrying the last remnants of humanity on a mission of survival trying to find a new home...but what if a new planet were found – would it bring happiness and hope – or start a war that would rip the fleet apart?
Coming from the poverty-stricken Elfor settlement on the Humility, Master thief Yasmine Dufont just wants a way off the stinking ship and to put a whole lot of distance between her and gangster ex-boyfriend, Dimitri. But when a dream score of credits goes disastrously wrong, she’s left on the run with a hidden code that everyone seems to want to get their hands on.
Addict Detective Zhang Woo will do anything for his next fix. Distracted by his insatiable needs, broken by the murder of his last lover, he knows he’s on a downward spiral but has no idea how to stop it and, even if he could recover the stolen navigational code his boss wants so badly, should he?
Breaking new stories has always been Kristi Carter’s passion – but there’s something not adding up about the report she’s currently covering. Digging deeper could have repercussions not just for her career but for her very life....
As the tensions rise between Elfors and the anti-Elfor movement headed by the sadistic Captain Pierre Jefferson, everyone knows the breaking point will be reached soon. Humanity may well have been saved from complete destruction – but what cost are they willing to pay to secure their future?
©2020 R. R. Haywood (P)2020 Audible, Ltd
Coming from the poverty-stricken Elfor settlement on the Humility, Master thief Yasmine Dufont just wants a way off the stinking ship and to put a whole lot of distance between her and gangster ex-boyfriend, Dimitri. But when a dream score of credits goes disastrously wrong, she’s left on the run with a hidden code that everyone seems to want to get their hands on.
Addict Detective Zhang Woo will do anything for his next fix. Distracted by his insatiable needs, broken by the murder of his last lover, he knows he’s on a downward spiral but has no idea how to stop it and, even if he could recover the stolen navigational code his boss wants so badly, should he?
Breaking new stories has always been Kristi Carter’s passion – but there’s something not adding up about the report she’s currently covering. Digging deeper could have repercussions not just for her career but for her very life....
As the tensions rise between Elfors and the anti-Elfor movement headed by the sadistic Captain Pierre Jefferson, everyone knows the breaking point will be reached soon. Humanity may well have been saved from complete destruction – but what cost are they willing to pay to secure their future?
©2020 R. R. Haywood (P)2020 Audible, Ltd
Audiobook
First published December 29, 2020
142 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
R.R. Haywood
94 books1,234 followers"One of the most original voices of our time." - Richard Moriarty, The Sun
"Whether it's gritty horror, spectacular sci-fi, or insane comedy, RR Haywood delivers in style." - Chris Riches, Daily Express
RR Haywood is a Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Audible bestselling author with over 4 million books sold and more than 30 Kindle Bestsellers. As one of the top ten most downloaded indie authors in the UK, Haywood has captivated readers worldwide with his diverse storytelling.
His creations include the global sensation EXTRACTED, the riveting CODE TRILOGY narrated by Colin Morgan, the phenomenal UNDEAD Series, the blockbuster DELIO, PHASE ONE, and the chart-topping A TOWN CALLED DISCOVERY. His latest work, FICTION LAND, narrated by Game of Thrones star Gethin Anthony, has been hailed as "an outrageously funny tour de force."
A former police officer, Haywood now resides with his dogs on the north coast of the Isle of Wight. He entertains audiences and shares his expertise on TikTok with his Writing Class for the Working Class.
"Whether it's gritty horror, spectacular sci-fi, or insane comedy, RR Haywood delivers in style." - Chris Riches, Daily Express
RR Haywood is a Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Audible bestselling author with over 4 million books sold and more than 30 Kindle Bestsellers. As one of the top ten most downloaded indie authors in the UK, Haywood has captivated readers worldwide with his diverse storytelling.
His creations include the global sensation EXTRACTED, the riveting CODE TRILOGY narrated by Colin Morgan, the phenomenal UNDEAD Series, the blockbuster DELIO, PHASE ONE, and the chart-topping A TOWN CALLED DISCOVERY. His latest work, FICTION LAND, narrated by Game of Thrones star Gethin Anthony, has been hailed as "an outrageously funny tour de force."
A former police officer, Haywood now resides with his dogs on the north coast of the Isle of Wight. He entertains audiences and shares his expertise on TikTok with his Writing Class for the Working Class.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
May 10, 2021
Enjoyable Pulp that reads like it was written by a sex-obsessed teenager who just happens to be brilliant at witty dialog. The science is dubious at best. The plot of this installment spends a lot of time with a character trying to figure out what we (the readers) already know from the previous installment. The characters are fun and sufficiently different from each other to avoid being predictable.
The strangest thing is that there is a lot of sex and related activity. But, it's neither graphic or titillating. Most of the "adult" parts are not even important to the story. So, I wonder if maybe they were put in there to insure that the book would not be confused for YA fiction (since it is otherwise kind of unsophisticated).
The dialog, however, is what makes this worth the listen. There are some genuinely funny scenes that are supported entirely by characters gabbing at each other. Since this is an audio book, the dialog is inflected by the narration and Colin Morgan nailed it. Even his sometimes-over-the-top
accents added to the entertainment value.
The strangest thing is that there is a lot of sex and related activity. But, it's neither graphic or titillating. Most of the "adult" parts are not even important to the story. So, I wonder if maybe they were put in there to insure that the book would not be confused for YA fiction (since it is otherwise kind of unsophisticated).
The dialog, however, is what makes this worth the listen. There are some genuinely funny scenes that are supported entirely by characters gabbing at each other. Since this is an audio book, the dialog is inflected by the narration and Colin Morgan nailed it. Even his sometimes-over-the-top
accents added to the entertainment value.
September 6, 2022
I am not sure I like where the story is going.
Our main characters, Yasmine and Sam, lost their MC status. They are there but not doing much, and there is no distinct storyline until 3/4 of the book. Swen and Jainy are gone. We suddenly follow Zhang, Helga, and others equally.
I get it was all a build-up, but I got bored with it.
Zhang's whereabouts were very chaotic. By the end of the book, I forgot what was he supposed to be doing.
All the political stuff was too detached. Characters I care about weren't in the midst of it so I didn't care that much.
The only thing that made me feel anything was Sam's conflict with Yassy, and I didn't like its resolution. Exactly like in the first book it was a spiral of insecurities in someone's head. Very frustrating stuff to read. Everything is fine, then suddenly everything is shit, without anything really happening.
But I hoped, sure he'll see how irrational he's been, that no one ignored him, she was being kidnapped and he didn't even look for her. Not only that didn't happen, she somehow got the blame for everything.
The part, when she's protecting him from seeing her own rape on video, it's where I mentally flipped a table. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
Tell me it was written by a man, without telling me that.
The whole R matter really upset me. It wasn't handled well and left me reiling. Only in men's head can live universe where woman should apologize for not wanting sex after rape, and somehow make hero out of a guy who piss on those apologies, and go back feeling sorry for his sorry ass. Nope. This whole thing did not pass the vibe check.
Our main characters, Yasmine and Sam, lost their MC status. They are there but not doing much, and there is no distinct storyline until 3/4 of the book. Swen and Jainy are gone. We suddenly follow Zhang, Helga, and others equally.
I get it was all a build-up, but I got bored with it.
Zhang's whereabouts were very chaotic. By the end of the book, I forgot what was he supposed to be doing.
All the political stuff was too detached. Characters I care about weren't in the midst of it so I didn't care that much.
The only thing that made me feel anything was Sam's conflict with Yassy, and I didn't like its resolution. Exactly like in the first book it was a spiral of insecurities in someone's head. Very frustrating stuff to read. Everything is fine, then suddenly everything is shit, without anything really happening.
But I hoped, sure he'll see how irrational he's been, that no one ignored him, she was being kidnapped and he didn't even look for her. Not only that didn't happen, she somehow got the blame for everything.
The part, when she's protecting him from seeing her own rape on video, it's where I mentally flipped a table. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK.
Tell me it was written by a man, without telling me that.
The whole R matter really upset me. It wasn't handled well and left me reiling. Only in men's head can live universe where woman should apologize for not wanting sex after rape, and somehow make hero out of a guy who piss on those apologies, and go back feeling sorry for his sorry ass. Nope. This whole thing did not pass the vibe check.
March 5, 2021
Just a simple and brief review.
I thought Worldship Humilty was great, this far surpassed it. I'm bereft that I have to wait for the next installment as I already miss the residents of the Humility!
I thought Worldship Humilty was great, this far surpassed it. I'm bereft that I have to wait for the next installment as I already miss the residents of the Humility!
January 25, 2021
4.25 stars
Right away this book has a healthy review of book one, which is amazing since I haven’t read book one in about two years! However, like the first book, this book has way too many characters and the count keeps growing. It makes it quite hard to follow. There are a lot of “adult scenes” and nearly every character is very attractive (just making an observation).
There were several parts I didn’t really care for, especially when so many characters were involved (while I get it’s fun to write about graphic graffiti artists one-upping each other, I kind of tuned it all out; and whatever the heck was happening with the store on the Beijing at the beginning – boring). But there were several parts that I really enjoyed like: the Chang Wu dinner party fiasco, the relationship between Kristie Carter and Chang Wu, Wild Yassie and Sung (sp?) fighting dirty, etc.
It's a little annoying that we have so many characters and some have very similar names like: Helga and Olga, Clara and Carla, Chang and Wang, etc. It doesn’t really seem necessary.
The battle for the Elfors was intense! Overall, I enjoyed this book, like most of Haywood’s books. I look forward to the next one… whenever that will be…
Audiobook narrator Colin Morgan rating: 5 stars
Again, Colin Morgan is amazing with many versatile voices. He totally makes this book. Did RR Haywood create the “Colin” police officer character for Colin Morgan? However, Audible fully sucks. I cringe when I know I have to use the app. It seems worse than ever lately, shutting down every new day I start listening to this book.
Right away this book has a healthy review of book one, which is amazing since I haven’t read book one in about two years! However, like the first book, this book has way too many characters and the count keeps growing. It makes it quite hard to follow. There are a lot of “adult scenes” and nearly every character is very attractive (just making an observation).
There were several parts I didn’t really care for, especially when so many characters were involved (while I get it’s fun to write about graphic graffiti artists one-upping each other, I kind of tuned it all out; and whatever the heck was happening with the store on the Beijing at the beginning – boring). But there were several parts that I really enjoyed like: the Chang Wu dinner party fiasco, the relationship between Kristie Carter and Chang Wu, Wild Yassie and Sung (sp?) fighting dirty, etc.
It's a little annoying that we have so many characters and some have very similar names like: Helga and Olga, Clara and Carla, Chang and Wang, etc. It doesn’t really seem necessary.
The battle for the Elfors was intense! Overall, I enjoyed this book, like most of Haywood’s books. I look forward to the next one… whenever that will be…
Audiobook narrator Colin Morgan rating: 5 stars
Again, Colin Morgan is amazing with many versatile voices. He totally makes this book. Did RR Haywood create the “Colin” police officer character for Colin Morgan? However, Audible fully sucks. I cringe when I know I have to use the app. It seems worse than ever lately, shutting down every new day I start listening to this book.
March 11, 2021
This is more a petty crime story happening on a spaceship than a sci-fi story. I heard more occurrence of drugs, f&ck, sex, vag#na compared to FTL, Space exploration, Space anomaly, Laser, Radar, Alien, blackhole, spacetime, Discovery in space, etc.
January 11, 2021
This was amazing! Not as good as the first book in my opinion, but the dialogue alone is priceless. Great humor as well. Nicely progressed character development in a unique well fleshed out world.
January 31, 2024
I thought the first book was a bit silly and basic, but also fun. But what the hell was this? Sorry but is the author actually sex obsessed? I’m not bothered by sex scenes in books but it felt like they were happening all the time and served no purpose at all.
I read another review saying this book has straight white man energy and it's so true. The way he handles topics like sexual assault is absolutely disgraceful. The way the men lust after women is just gross.
Also the characters are completely unhinged and not in a good way. The first book might have been a bit trashy but it was fun trash. This was dreadful. I’m annoyed at myself for buying all the books in advance because now I’m stuck with the third book that I don’t even want to read. I need to stop doing this.
I read another review saying this book has straight white man energy and it's so true. The way he handles topics like sexual assault is absolutely disgraceful. The way the men lust after women is just gross.
Also the characters are completely unhinged and not in a good way. The first book might have been a bit trashy but it was fun trash. This was dreadful. I’m annoyed at myself for buying all the books in advance because now I’m stuck with the third book that I don’t even want to read. I need to stop doing this.
June 10, 2021
Very disappointed. The first book was an interesting and a refreshing lighter take on the space opera style. I'm not quite sure what happened with the author but a soft-core sex scene every other chapter is quite annoying and cheap. The main story is still interesting and has potential, but the focus needs to come back on moving it forward.
October 17, 2021
My favourite book this year! This is full of comedy and violence and raw human emotion. Such and exciting read with plenty to keep you entertained. It left me wanting more.
March 29, 2023
Book Twenty One of 2023: I think this one was better than the first. Less focus on immature yasmine and Sam, with a broader cast of people I rooted for and didn't like very much.
Loved the inclusion of new characters - Sun definitely grew on me, and Colin Morgan gave her a great voice. Helga too I became fonder of, but she also horrified me a bit.
I'm not sure how I felt about the ending though, mixed emotions.
Loved the inclusion of new characters - Sun definitely grew on me, and Colin Morgan gave her a great voice. Helga too I became fonder of, but she also horrified me a bit.
I'm not sure how I felt about the ending though, mixed emotions.
August 9, 2021
This series is such an awesome listen. The narration is top notch and the stories are always entertaining. Can't wait for book 3.
Listened to audiobook w/hubby
Narration: ✮✮✮✮✮
Story: ✮✮✮✮☆
Rating: ✮✮✮✮½
Listened to audiobook w/hubby
Narration: ✮✮✮✮✮
Story: ✮✮✮✮☆
Rating: ✮✮✮✮½
January 3, 2023
4+
These books were fun. I also just realized I haven't listened to the third book yet, so I am going to make getting to that a priority! :D
Bulk input day.
These books were fun. I also just realized I haven't listened to the third book yet, so I am going to make getting to that a priority! :D
Bulk input day.
December 29, 2025
Whole lot of nothing...
...with just enough of a hook to make me want to see how it ended, and oh boy, did the author miss the mark.
This book deviated significantly from the first. While it followed the same story arc and struggles, the POV shifted to a macro lens, and way too many character stories were crammed in as a result. Where book one focused primarily on Yazmin and her crew, this installment introduced so many characters that chapters were broken into segments, with the narrative bouncing all over the fleet. This was interesting for the first few chapters, but as the book progressed, it became annoying—so much so that I ended up skipping whole sections and even entire chapters just to move things along.
I stopped caring about Zhang, Helga, Abdul, Demitri, Osmosis, Quiet Man, and several other ancillary characters who didn't add much to the main plot: the discovery of a new planet. The only reason this review even exists is that I stuck it out until the end; otherwise, I would have just given up. I’ve already read spoilers for the final book in the series, and I can see more chapter-skipping in my future. I want to know how it ends, but I’d be fine skipping a mountain of filler to get there.
Oh, and I wholeheartedly agree with the reviews criticizing how the author handled sexual exploitation and assault. The latter was especially difficult to comprehend; multiple male characters sexually abuse and kill women in this universe. Fair enough. happens in our own universe so fair game for a story, but the next bit is just wrong. Yazmin—one of the leads and victims that got away—actually apologized to her new boyfriend for the trauma she endured as a "punching bag" and sex slave to a deranged ex. He's upset that she is acting all weird about sex, and it ends with a confrontation, he sexual assault video being broadcast publicly to the fleet and Yas apologizing for what happened on it. What the actual f#&k, Haywood? I just don't understand why you would choose this in your book about spaceships trying to find a new home
I cannot recommend this book.
...with just enough of a hook to make me want to see how it ended, and oh boy, did the author miss the mark.
This book deviated significantly from the first. While it followed the same story arc and struggles, the POV shifted to a macro lens, and way too many character stories were crammed in as a result. Where book one focused primarily on Yazmin and her crew, this installment introduced so many characters that chapters were broken into segments, with the narrative bouncing all over the fleet. This was interesting for the first few chapters, but as the book progressed, it became annoying—so much so that I ended up skipping whole sections and even entire chapters just to move things along.
I stopped caring about Zhang, Helga, Abdul, Demitri, Osmosis, Quiet Man, and several other ancillary characters who didn't add much to the main plot: the discovery of a new planet. The only reason this review even exists is that I stuck it out until the end; otherwise, I would have just given up. I’ve already read spoilers for the final book in the series, and I can see more chapter-skipping in my future. I want to know how it ends, but I’d be fine skipping a mountain of filler to get there.
Oh, and I wholeheartedly agree with the reviews criticizing how the author handled sexual exploitation and assault. The latter was especially difficult to comprehend; multiple male characters sexually abuse and kill women in this universe. Fair enough. happens in our own universe so fair game for a story, but the next bit is just wrong. Yazmin—one of the leads and victims that got away—actually apologized to her new boyfriend for the trauma she endured as a "punching bag" and sex slave to a deranged ex. He's upset that she is acting all weird about sex, and it ends with a confrontation, he sexual assault video being broadcast publicly to the fleet and Yas apologizing for what happened on it. What the actual f#&k, Haywood? I just don't understand why you would choose this in your book about spaceships trying to find a new home
I cannot recommend this book.
January 13, 2024
What I have come to love and admire about R.R.Haywood’s characters is how realistic they are, he gives a lead a strong ability which drives their part in the story but doesn’t just leave it at that, he explores their whole personality making them flawed and strong at the same time.
This is another series about bonds that form between people and how they grow and become family while kicking ass and saving the day while swearing a lot!
There is a BIG picture plot line to this series that gets nibbled at a lot, the very involved and thrilling journey to what I think book 3 will focus on is certainly one hell of a well thought out roller coaster ride.
I listened to book 1 and book 2 back to back as they were very hard to put down! The narrator Colin Morgan does an excellent job to bring so many varied characters to life with a slew of accents and mannerisms.
Haywood transition seamlessly between headspace in what could easily be a very confusing sea of characters and names. I always knew who’s POV I was listening to and seeing a situation from many angles really gave the vastness of this concept depth and balance.
In The Extracted trilogy Haywood wrote about a character suffering severe depression, here he brings us a woman who has been raped and is dealing with an inability to form an intimate relationship. While both these situations are just part of the overall story involving many characters from all walks of life they are presented in plausible ways that allow the reader to connect.
Cant wait for book 3 which I predict will be called The Six?
This is another series about bonds that form between people and how they grow and become family while kicking ass and saving the day while swearing a lot!
There is a BIG picture plot line to this series that gets nibbled at a lot, the very involved and thrilling journey to what I think book 3 will focus on is certainly one hell of a well thought out roller coaster ride.
I listened to book 1 and book 2 back to back as they were very hard to put down! The narrator Colin Morgan does an excellent job to bring so many varied characters to life with a slew of accents and mannerisms.
Haywood transition seamlessly between headspace in what could easily be a very confusing sea of characters and names. I always knew who’s POV I was listening to and seeing a situation from many angles really gave the vastness of this concept depth and balance.
In The Extracted trilogy Haywood wrote about a character suffering severe depression, here he brings us a woman who has been raped and is dealing with an inability to form an intimate relationship. While both these situations are just part of the overall story involving many characters from all walks of life they are presented in plausible ways that allow the reader to connect.
Cant wait for book 3 which I predict will be called The Six?
December 25, 2023
Geez....way to screw up such a fun series with absolutely unrealistic and stupid dialogue. The characters, especially Sam, talk, think and act in a way that nobody in the history of the world would ever do because they had to in order for a plot and a story. In other words, the writing wasn't strong enough to have a plot without resorting to crap tricks such as this. And believe me, this is crappy tricks and not even good ones.
So Sam just bails out on everyone because he's all of a sudden convinced he's being used all because of a message he gets from someone who he knows is an enemy? I guess the author forgot the entire other book where these same people who he's convinced are using him practically gave up their own lives to protect Sam numerous times. Just so damned stupid.
And this new character Sun is an even bigger idiot who says just ridiculous stuff in an attempt to be funny but it comes across as forced and annoying as hell.
Just an awful awful book that is illogical and completely a book that is a God in the machine plot the entire way through. A plot that only happens because of impossible actions by people which never would happen in a million years actually happen because the author mailed it in.
And millions of people being influenced and crying because they're so touched by a cartoon beaker?
Please!
This book is just stupid.
So Sam just bails out on everyone because he's all of a sudden convinced he's being used all because of a message he gets from someone who he knows is an enemy? I guess the author forgot the entire other book where these same people who he's convinced are using him practically gave up their own lives to protect Sam numerous times. Just so damned stupid.
And this new character Sun is an even bigger idiot who says just ridiculous stuff in an attempt to be funny but it comes across as forced and annoying as hell.
Just an awful awful book that is illogical and completely a book that is a God in the machine plot the entire way through. A plot that only happens because of impossible actions by people which never would happen in a million years actually happen because the author mailed it in.
And millions of people being influenced and crying because they're so touched by a cartoon beaker?
Please!
This book is just stupid.
May 31, 2021
R R Haywood, The Boss as managed to do it again. Another brilliant read following on from the Worldship Humility. If you haven't read a y of R R Haywood's books you really must, that are gripping reads. The characters just jump off the page and before long you feel you know them. You'll go through a wide range of emotions with them, they will make you laugh one minute then cry the next. You'll feel their loss if they lose someone and you'll cheer when things go well for them. The odd character you'll want to punch as you read their story, but most of all you'll love everyone of them. There's nothing more to be said other than get reading them and you'll be soon lost in a world that you wouldn't believe.
February 2, 2023
I found this one a bit of a slog, it seemed to last forever, and not in a good way. The characters seem to keep doing the same things over and over, and although there is lots of action, there is not much plot progression, especially considering the length of the book. I felt like most of the book was made up of fight scenes or sex scenes, lightness and humour were in short supply. I found the constant argument, resentment and bad feeling between the various characters (even those who are supposed to be on the same side) very depressing. If the final instalment is released in Kindle format I will buy it for the sake of completing the trilogy, but this author has other books and series that are far superior in my opinion.
December 23, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed Worldship Humility and really looked forward seeing what was in store for the characters that I had come to love, but I am sorry to say this was a sloppy rushed mess of a book with endless plot holes that barely deserves two stars.
August 13, 2023
I rarely don't finish a book, but I was tempted with Elfor Drop. Everything that niggled at me in Worldship Humility became magnified. It took forever for anything to happen, and then new characters were added until it got to the point that I didn't really care what happened to anyone.
April 30, 2021
Not great, a little slow and repetitive
December 4, 2023
This is a very "robust" sci-fi story with an interesting concept at its heart. A colony of people living in a fleet of Spaceships in search of a new planet 150 years after their recent ancestors left earth due to a Meteor threat.
The main characters are largely sympathetic - and if they are cliched then their very "clicheness" adds to their sympaththy.
The geek whom everyone condescends to but who saves the day with his tech savvy and good instincts, the thief with a heart of gold - quick to anger but who cherishes her friends and is willing to die (and kill) for them, the good man who fights the good fight because he is strong and fearless and he just can, the conniving politician who seems to be unprincipled but open to change, the flawed detective who is brilliant at his job and full of self loathing, the airhead TV reporter who reveals hidden depths and insight, the irredeemable gangster with viscous henchmen who have no limits to the depths that they will plunge and the shadowy puppet master - pulling strings with impunity and without anyone knowing he is there.
My only criticism is that there is an undercurrent of pretty graphic - and often violent - sex and adult content. I think it is meant to add to the realism - and grown up/adult nature of the story. One of the main characters (the detective) is a "sex addict" and nearly everyone is involved in some detailed sexual encounter at some stage.
I am in my 50's and I really don't consider myself prudish - but I do question the need for a Sci-Fi series that is inevitably aimed at young people (teens/young adults) to be quite so openly graphic and detailed about all the sex. I'm not against some portrayal of sexual tension or sexual contact - especially if it develops a character or story arc. However in this series the sex seems unneccessarily gratuitous at times.
However -if you can deal with the sex, or skip past it in your reading - the overall story here is entertainng.
The main characters are largely sympathetic - and if they are cliched then their very "clicheness" adds to their sympaththy.
The geek whom everyone condescends to but who saves the day with his tech savvy and good instincts, the thief with a heart of gold - quick to anger but who cherishes her friends and is willing to die (and kill) for them, the good man who fights the good fight because he is strong and fearless and he just can, the conniving politician who seems to be unprincipled but open to change, the flawed detective who is brilliant at his job and full of self loathing, the airhead TV reporter who reveals hidden depths and insight, the irredeemable gangster with viscous henchmen who have no limits to the depths that they will plunge and the shadowy puppet master - pulling strings with impunity and without anyone knowing he is there.
My only criticism is that there is an undercurrent of pretty graphic - and often violent - sex and adult content. I think it is meant to add to the realism - and grown up/adult nature of the story. One of the main characters (the detective) is a "sex addict" and nearly everyone is involved in some detailed sexual encounter at some stage.
I am in my 50's and I really don't consider myself prudish - but I do question the need for a Sci-Fi series that is inevitably aimed at young people (teens/young adults) to be quite so openly graphic and detailed about all the sex. I'm not against some portrayal of sexual tension or sexual contact - especially if it develops a character or story arc. However in this series the sex seems unneccessarily gratuitous at times.
However -if you can deal with the sex, or skip past it in your reading - the overall story here is entertainng.
October 31, 2025
Another great book. This is book 2 in a three-book series. All our usual characters and a couple of new characters.
In this installment, Jas and Sam work for Abdul alongside Penny. Sam focuses on creating adverts that speak to the crowds (cartoon Beaky steals the show) and Jas follows Penny as she visits customers on the Beijing ship. Abdul is also a trader. His customers complain of a lack of stock and getting old medicine and even stuff they don’t sell.
Penny doesn’t seem all that interested but Jas decides to find out why.
Detective Zhang is fighting his sex addiction. He is following Jas as she has the code and he goes to the Beijing ship, a ship he should not return to. There is a great back story there that needs to be explored more (like Kreese in Cobra Kai).
There’s a lot happening in this book. I’m not exactly sure why Janie hates Jas as much as she does, must have missed something. I know that in book one she wasn’t happy that Abdul overtook the closing-down party and made the event about him, Jas, and Sam. Sven didn’t seem to mind.
This book suffers like all second books in a series. It seems like a lead-in to book three. Sure it was enjoyable, the story and characters were fun (at times very childish Sun and Po interaction with Jassy and Zhang), and the last 15% was unputdownable.
I thought this series was about The Code that Jas stole. No one seems interested in that anymore. It is only mentioned once.
Another thing, our heroes Sam and Jas are barely in the book. Popping up now and then, so we don’t forget about them.
I have the third book in the series and will start that soon.
In this installment, Jas and Sam work for Abdul alongside Penny. Sam focuses on creating adverts that speak to the crowds (cartoon Beaky steals the show) and Jas follows Penny as she visits customers on the Beijing ship. Abdul is also a trader. His customers complain of a lack of stock and getting old medicine and even stuff they don’t sell.
Penny doesn’t seem all that interested but Jas decides to find out why.
Detective Zhang is fighting his sex addiction. He is following Jas as she has the code and he goes to the Beijing ship, a ship he should not return to. There is a great back story there that needs to be explored more (like Kreese in Cobra Kai).
There’s a lot happening in this book. I’m not exactly sure why Janie hates Jas as much as she does, must have missed something. I know that in book one she wasn’t happy that Abdul overtook the closing-down party and made the event about him, Jas, and Sam. Sven didn’t seem to mind.
This book suffers like all second books in a series. It seems like a lead-in to book three. Sure it was enjoyable, the story and characters were fun (at times very childish Sun and Po interaction with Jassy and Zhang), and the last 15% was unputdownable.
I thought this series was about The Code that Jas stole. No one seems interested in that anymore. It is only mentioned once.
Another thing, our heroes Sam and Jas are barely in the book. Popping up now and then, so we don’t forget about them.
I have the third book in the series and will start that soon.
March 4, 2021
Love this book, and I love how it's a nice shift that still builds on the world that has been created. Where it falls down is that we get so bogged down in politics that it feels like we don't really get the payoff on that great twist at the end of the first book.
*contains spoilers. Content warning for rape*
I'm also not a super huge fan of the rape that goes into detail toward the end of the book. I feel like Yasmin's huge and shouted confession is overkill, and mostly just trauma porn. The rape is hinted at, and Dmitri's violence is clear throughout the book. Just a description of the video would have done it.
I'm a little less invested in the ending than I was in the first book, but I will say, the characters are still phenomenally drawn, and I hope that we learn more about the shadowy people in charge of the whole fleet. But I am hoping that they don't skim over that, as they have over the idea of a new planet after the end of that first book.
January 13, 2025
Mildly better than the first, more characters and development with a much more gripping main plot point. The writing manages to let it down once again. Its either pandering to or out-of-touch with the younger generations.
Plot points from the first book are completely dropped (Janey, Sven and their alienation to Yassy and Sam). A new 'location' is introduced in the Beijing but it lacks any distinction from the Humility and seems to be worryingly filled with Chinese stereotype tropes as the only way to identify it as a different ship.
Finally, the conclusion of the story is problematic to say the least, without spoiling, the scene with Yassy apologizing in the main square is ridiculous and needs to be called out as unrealistic, unfair and plain wrong.
The main plot is more gripping than the first and the focus moving to Sam and Yassy a lot more is a good thing.
Plot points from the first book are completely dropped (Janey, Sven and their alienation to Yassy and Sam). A new 'location' is introduced in the Beijing but it lacks any distinction from the Humility and seems to be worryingly filled with Chinese stereotype tropes as the only way to identify it as a different ship.
Finally, the conclusion of the story is problematic to say the least, without spoiling, the scene with Yassy apologizing in the main square is ridiculous and needs to be called out as unrealistic, unfair and plain wrong.
The main plot is more gripping than the first and the focus moving to Sam and Yassy a lot more is a good thing.
July 17, 2021
You get swept away in intoxicating sex, violence and humour
I cant get enough of Mr Haywoods gripping reality. Honestly he uses the reality of human nature without reserve. His writing is intoxicating because you really do feel you could be there. The people are real and full of the mistakes we all make. They are in no way romantic heros. They're grubby and doubt ridden. Well worth reading the series. I am sure there will be more and I look forward to it very much. I cant tell you about what happens. Because anything I say would spoil something for you. All I can say is whoa the sex is hilarious.
I cant get enough of Mr Haywoods gripping reality. Honestly he uses the reality of human nature without reserve. His writing is intoxicating because you really do feel you could be there. The people are real and full of the mistakes we all make. They are in no way romantic heros. They're grubby and doubt ridden. Well worth reading the series. I am sure there will be more and I look forward to it very much. I cant tell you about what happens. Because anything I say would spoil something for you. All I can say is whoa the sex is hilarious.
November 5, 2021
After The Worldship Humility (handy recap at the start of this book) we know what to expect, and get it all plus a wider canvas of more ships, all with different cultures aboard. We're back with the characters from the first book, the story carries on where TWH left off, so best to read that one first if you haven't already done so!
Action, love story, political thriller, this has something for everyone, although mature themes, gore and violence make it unsuitable for kids. I listened to the audio book narrated very ably by Colin Morgan.
Possible triggers for sexual abuse, torture and violence.
Action, love story, political thriller, this has something for everyone, although mature themes, gore and violence make it unsuitable for kids. I listened to the audio book narrated very ably by Colin Morgan.
Possible triggers for sexual abuse, torture and violence.
November 28, 2021
RR has a way of hooking you!
From Howie & Dave (undead series) to Ben & Harry (extracted), Roshi & Bear (Town called) to Yasmine & Pretty Boy Sam (Code series).
Switch off the news and the nonsense.
Since the repetition and fiction peddled by the MSM hanging on to clinch this pandemic to their own ends I came across first the Undeads Howie and months later each series and characters of fiction worth every Elfor inch of your time to give.
Captivating and beautiful every time this man honours a chapter with his wonderful mind.
Keep it up sir, there are legions of followers who love your work (still alive).
Thank you RR
From Howie & Dave (undead series) to Ben & Harry (extracted), Roshi & Bear (Town called) to Yasmine & Pretty Boy Sam (Code series).
Switch off the news and the nonsense.
Since the repetition and fiction peddled by the MSM hanging on to clinch this pandemic to their own ends I came across first the Undeads Howie and months later each series and characters of fiction worth every Elfor inch of your time to give.
Captivating and beautiful every time this man honours a chapter with his wonderful mind.
Keep it up sir, there are legions of followers who love your work (still alive).
Thank you RR
January 17, 2021
Can't wait for the final one to come out! Despite the more realistic politics and oppression of a people that I normally do not like reading about because it's too close to normal history just happening to be in space.... I really like this story. The same old story of people hating others because they're different or because of their ancestry is actually done very well and I thoroughly enjoy the humor and also the Sci-Fi nature of it all. Overall a wonderful series so far!
May 3, 2021
The Elfor Drop⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book ,started it today & finished it today . As usual the main characters so loveable..I enjoyed the storylines & of course the patter.that's the other thing I love about RR Haywood is how the characters interact with each other.Till the next book comes I will be looking out for it .Definitely worth reading you won't regret choosing RR Haywood 's books.I have read them all & love them all too ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book ,started it today & finished it today . As usual the main characters so loveable..I enjoyed the storylines & of course the patter.that's the other thing I love about RR Haywood is how the characters interact with each other.Till the next book comes I will be looking out for it .Definitely worth reading you won't regret choosing RR Haywood 's books.I have read them all & love them all too ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 31, 2021
3.5 stars
I am finding this one difficult to rate, I didn’t like it as much as the first one... and as much as I normally like RRH’s crazy banter... this time around I found it a bit too much ... and some of the constant perverse chat a bit OTT.
The basic story I did enjoy, I really appreciated the “what has happened so far “ chapter at the start.... as it’s 2 years since I listened to the first one.
Brilliant narration, not many people could have successfully narrated this book
I am finding this one difficult to rate, I didn’t like it as much as the first one... and as much as I normally like RRH’s crazy banter... this time around I found it a bit too much ... and some of the constant perverse chat a bit OTT.
The basic story I did enjoy, I really appreciated the “what has happened so far “ chapter at the start.... as it’s 2 years since I listened to the first one.
Brilliant narration, not many people could have successfully narrated this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews