Edge of Doom: Haruspex Trilogy: Part Two

Haruspex Trilogy #2

by E.M. Swift-Hook

Dear Durban, I know I've not been in touch as much as I should but I brought a man to the City called Zathery Ryle. He is paying me to help him kill you. Take care. Best wishes, Charis. When Charis discovers her best friend has taken over a criminal syndicate and her boyfriend has been keeping dangerous secrets from her, things begin to spin apart. She learns the hard way that in the City your own fingers can easily get just as dirty as those you despise. Edge of Doom is the second volume in Haruspex Trilogy. It continues the story begun in Trust A Few as the game of survival in the criminal gangland of the 'City reaches crisis point.

396 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2017

About the author

E.M. Swift-Hook is the author of the Fortune's Fools dark space opera series and co-author of the alternate history whodunits the Dai and Julia Mysteries.
In the words that Robert Heinlein put into the mouth of Lazarus Long: 'Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.'
Having tried a number of different careers, before settling in the North-East of England with family, three dogs, cats and a small flock of rescued chickens, she now spends a lot of time in private and has very clean hands.

Reviews

[L.N. Denison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This chapter of the Haruspex Trilogy, takes off from where book one left you hanging. It sees Durban Chola in charge of Shame Cullen. This, unfortunately, has its drawbacks, as he is now a target of many different rival factions. Jaz, his right hand man has gone missing, and Avalon Ravid has gone off the rails slightly. With no real protection, he lives in fear of his life everyday, and it's a hear miss that draws Jaz back out, but not everything is clear cut. We get see an old friend rejoin the story as well, Charity Sweetling, who sends warning of future attacks. I refuse to go any further for fear of exposing spoilers...that is a really bad habit of mine.

Again, I find myself hooked on every word, and every action. The author does a good job of holding my attention, and I guess that's why I am such a huge fan of her work. Let's put it this way, I had never considered reading Space Opera's,nor did I want to, but then E.M. Swift-Hook came along and changed all that, and for that I am grateful.

You'll be missing out on this well written story, if you didn't even consider taking a look. I highly recommend it if you are a lover of Space Opera's.

[Melonie Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still in recovery after finishing this book

In Edge of Doom, we follow Avilon, Durban and Jaz, three impossibly sexy characters, as they create an empire and fight ‘the man’ in an effort to save one of their own. In typical Swift-Hook fashion, nothing is simple or predictable, but it all pulls together in a tight clean ending that will leave you pacing the floor.

This isn’t a good book to read when you are in a public place. You will find yourself explaining things to the characters when you want them to behave. People around you won’t know why you are yelling at your book and it generally causes a scene. Not that I know this to be true personally or anything.

Also, don’t read this one out of order. If you don’t know what’s happened so far with Avilon, a lot of Edge of Doom will be lost on you.

And finally, when you get to the end, you will want to write a sternly worded memo regarding the general condition and treatment of some of the characters in this book. I am considering taking up a collection to find out where the author lives and explain some things. Poison is not our friend. Torture is bad. Things like that. Maybe we can send Jaz to do it.

[Chrys Cymri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like 4.5 stars out of 5.

Well, don't start this book if you have something else to do with your time, like eat or sleep.

The book picks off where 'Trust a Few' left off. Our main characters are still establishing their criminal cartel in the 'City--think the mafia and then multiply. The tone is gritty, the characters complex, and the setting unforgettable.

The writer has pulled off what I would have thought impossible. I would never want to meet any of these people in real life as they are not the sort I'd like to have as friends. The three main male characters kill without remorse (and one in particular excels in torture, although we are spared the exact details). Charity, the female character, finds herself drawn into their gritty schemes. And yet, I couldn't help but to care deeply what happens to each of them.

Friendships and alliances shift and change between the four characters. The author has done a masterful job of showing us how, in particular, two of the men move from loathing each other to a form of friendship.

The book sometimes contains awkward sentence constructions, and I'm still a bit hazy as to the relationship between the 'City and Central. And although the violence is off screen, as it were, there is still quite a bit of it.

I'm looking forward to the final book in this series!

[Dale Rutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the second installment! A solid 4 stars!

The writing was good yet again and the pace was thrilling. There was plenty of interpersonal conflict yet again whilst set in a smartly crafted world full of political intrigue.
I was hooked from the get go as I was very intrigued to find out what happened after the first book. I enjoyed the arc of Avilon in this book, the character building was great again.
I can't wait for the third book now!

[William Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of Doom is the sequel to Trust a Few and continues where the first book in the series ended.

This book may even be more gritty and violent than the first. Avilon, Durban, Jaz and Charis are all tough, kick-ass characters, who go through a lot of punishment, but dish it out a whole lot more.

Edge of Doom would definitely be confusing if you read it before the first book, but hopefully readers don’t start series out of order. As there was a gap between books I was a little overwhelmed remembering all the names at the start, but that soon faded.

The fast pace and plethora of action scenes were complimented well by the political intrigue running alongside it. The Haruspex trilogy is turning into a fine series.

[S.K. Wee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second of the Haruspex Trilogy begins soon after Trust a Few and trust is still a big issue between the three main characters -- Jaz, Durban, and Avilon. Charis, often referred to as Avilon’s Charity case plays a role behind the scenes as Durban tries to run his inherited business venture. Someone or something is trying to stop him and he spends much of this installment trying to stay alive. Jaz and Avilon are protecting Durban while ‘cleaning house’ in an effort to find where the leaks in security are. The world-building is amazing in its complexity. Thuringen is situated within a galaxy that does not experience days as we do because of the different sun and moons, they go days with or without daylight. Time is sorted by cycles, and money, communication, and commerce are dealt with through linking. It’s a complete and intricate world, dark and dangerous, with layers of intrigue. Even though I certainly would not want to be a part this world, I enjoy every single morsel and nugget of its description.
It’s an amazing story with many surprises along the way and I could really feel that our MCs are balanced precariously at the Edge of Doom. I especially love the way Avilon progresses through this portion of the storyline as he ‘matures.’ I don’t want to give too much away but believe anyone who loves Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Psychological Thrillers or any other type of Speculative Fiction would find any of E.M. Swift-Hook’s writing more than worthwhile. Highly Recommended.

[Andria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plot Thickens. This is the second book in a futuristic Trilogy, replete with an intricate dystopian megalopolis in a far-reaching galaxy. There are many secrets in this tale that the author drops like bread crumbs along the way. Three people with a volatile history from years ago are thrown together again: two are ex-con mercenaries working as enforcers for the third who runs a criminal syndicate. The plot ties our well-defined characters together with new revelations about one man’s past and debts owed him by the other two. Their journey to set things right is tempered with sly humor, double-dealing escapades, down and dirty violence as it races headlong toward the finish line. A real nail-biter. I loved it!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 is another must-read

Once more we dive into a world of complex mystery, intrigue and manipulations. This time, the focus is on the development and running of a crime syndicate in a world of powerful technology and ruthless murder.
All the set-up from the first book plays out in satisfying ways with the characters learning more and more about each other, and the overarching threat.
I honestly can't wait to see how the two major plots converge in the next installment!

[Jeremy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Durban Chola is the undisputed boss of Starcity’s criminal syndicates. With the two ex-soldiers from the punitive ‘Specials,’ Jaz and Avilon, at his side to provide protection and muscle, there is nobody in the criminal underground that can stand against him.

But when the legendary criminal Shame Cullen rises again and makes an attempt on Chola’s life, violence erupts all over the ‘City. Together, they must uncover the truth behind Shame Cullen and defend themselves from the other criminal organizations closing in before it’s too late.

Edge of Doom is a wonderfully crafted second book of the Haruspex Trilogy. It is another slow-burning sci-fi noir that serves as a perfect compliment to Trust A Few. The first book was good, but a lot of the time, it felt like one long info dump. The author did good work keeping it interesting enough to keep turning pages, but it was a tough read for me.

But, I have to say, it was worth it for Edge of Doom. After the characters’ fates intertwined in Trust a Few, they find a shared trajectory. The complex motivations make each character jump off the page, whether it be Jaz and Avilon trying to rebuild their life after the Specials, Charis and Foss desperately clinging to what little bit of ‘normalcy’ they can obtain in the ‘City, or Chola’s need to hold onto power. At the same time, the gritty world the author created eventually makes everything much simpler. Everyone may have entered the story for different reasons, but, by the end, they must depend on each other for their very survival.

I especially like Avilon’s development in this book. Released from the ‘Specials’ with no memory of the crime that sent to that fate, Avilon moves through this world with a strange child-like innocence. But as more details about Avilon’s life start seeping out in this novel, he has to deal with the idea that, not only was he a terrible person, but he was also a brilliant, capable person. Almost the opposite of how he sees himself now.

I also love the return of Shame Cullen, a kind of ‘Dread Pirate Roberts’ character. It adds a layer of legend and mystique to this world. Shame Cullen appears around every corner is behind every plot; it’s almost as if Shame Cullen is the spirit of the ‘City and ready to turn the hand of fate against anyone foolish enough to think they can control it.

One thing that did bug me about this book was the fate of a character that played a big part in Trust a Few. Without giving too much away, I felt like his fate should have meant more to the characters in the book. As it was, after he played his part, it felt like everyone was done with him and just moved on. But, in a way, it speaks to how well-crafted the characters are that I found myself caring about what proved to be a relatively minor character.

Overall a great book but, again, one that a reader really has to make time for. I don’t think I would recommend this book to someone who has to cram reading time together whenever they can. But if a person is lucky enough to be able to carve out an hour or two in the evening, dim the lights and put on some music. Edge of Doom is a wonderful story to lose oneself in.

[Florian Armas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge Doom is as grit and grim as Trust a Few. There are differences too, and they are named Charity and Kahina Sarava. Their roles are more important, and while the first brings some normal human feelings in the plot, the second one offer a glimpse into the future: a future driven by social prediction and engineering. Like it or not, that future will find a way from the futurist novels into our live. It has already begun.
What is also different in this second novel in the series: a more detailed view on the inner motivations of the main characters, Durban, Avilon and Jaz. They look less ‘crime syndicate’ now, even when they lead one. There is also a revival of the old and more interesting Durban from Transgressor Trilogy. There is also the episode with Roeul Vor Ritsun which comes out of the blue, and doesn’t really match Durban’s personality.
In the end, the main story is about characters and their complicated relationship, and friendship which endures. And everything is on the edge.

[Leland Lydecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second installment of EM Swift-Hook’s Haruspex Trilogy! It continues shortly after Trust a Few left off, with Jaz and Avilon running security for Durban as he carves out a place for himself in the lethally shady underworld of Thuringen.

Durban has become a Name in the City, having inherited rule of one of the city’s most powerful criminal syndicates, but considerably more than just the locals are out to get him. This becomes increasingly apparent as the story progresses, and the stress of keeping Durban alive and intact threatens to splinter the peculiar trio of allies once and for all.

Meanwhile, Charis the freighter pilot is not entirely out of the picture. In Edge of Doom all of Swift-Hook’s characters grow and take on new, unexpected dimensions; but my favorite was Charis’ newfound ability to hold her own in a city where the person behind you is equally likely to be someone sent to ‘drop’ you, someone sent to protect you, or just someone with orders to keep an eye on what you’re doing.

Edge of Doom offers plenty of hard-biting action and interpersonal conflict set against a background of smartly crafted political intrigue. I found it a gripping and thoroughly enjoyable read, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

[Theodore Koukouvitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fascinating Read

E.M. Swift-Hook’s Edge of Doom is a long, intricately detailed scifi novel full of dark plot twists, violence, moral dilemmas and betrayal. The theme is strongly dystopic, yet the story can’t really be labeled pessimistic.

I really enjoyed this book. The intricate story is full of clever twists. The protagonists come alive through the book’s pages and their struggles are real in the brutal reality of ‘City.

There’s a lot of dialogue, interrupted by abrupt, violent action. Like with the first book in the trilogy, the core theme here is, again, trust and betrayal. There are no “perfect” solutions and there’s A LOT of pain, both physical and emotional.

I particularly loved Chapter X, which I think could easily win a short fiction competition by itself. The tension, the dialogue, the scope and the stakes were all amazing.

Overall, I think E.M. Swift-Hook’s Edge of Doom is a great book that avoids the usual pitfalls of sequels and delivers a solid story.

[S. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift-Hook displays her world building prowess through her character Jaz’s thoughts. He contemplates his own short hard life which may pass the fifty year mark before a violent end, versus the one hundred and seventy year olds in Central, who would easily see another fifty years. His one passing thought gave me an impression of a colonized and populated galaxy full of humans who perpetuate a sort of caste system where scarcity of resources dictates life and livelihood. Suddenly this far off time and place feels close to home…

This is the middle point in the nine book Fortune’s Fools and we see Durban running things in The City with Jaz as his chief enforcer. I’ve reviewed every book leading up to this and even had the privilege of interacting with a short story that takes place just before book 4 called Doubled Spirit. You can find all the reviews and my Writer Battle with Swift-Hook at LARC-Scifi(dot)com. I only mention this to assure you, the hesitant reader, that this series is worth a whack. I recommend starting at Fated Sky.

I got a free copy of this book. I chose, without obligation, to leave a good review because I like it. One in three books I receive for free never get reviewed because I think they stink. This is not one of them. We never talk about them…

My dad and I listened to book one of the Haruspex Trilogy together via eReader Prestigio on the Bluetooth for my Jeep while road tripping. We made an observation that the character Durban makes in this volume that was so similar I lol’d even though at the time I heard Durban’s line, I was driving around alone. Here it is, “In my experience there is very little that can’t be resolved by communications, good communications.” Easier debated than put into practice, buddy!

[Laura Koerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of Doom follows Trust a Few as the second book in a sci fi series. I don’t see it as a stand alone book.
I really enjoyed Trust a Few. The world-building was evocative and believable—which matters to me. I don’t like sci-fi that is so technology-heavy that there is nothing to relate to. The settings in this series are futuristic but grounded in recognizable urban themes: slums, small businesses, nightclubs, a wealthy ruling class, crime families and law-abiding people. All of this is developed in Trust a Few as the back drop for a compelling plot.
Edge of Doom, probably on the assumption that readers have read the previous book, gives only a perfunctory description of setting—which, to me, made the story feel thin. However, Edge of Doom has the same main characters as Trust a Few and I was glad to be with them again through the dangerous politics of their lives.
Edge of Doom is more character-driven and relation-ship driven than most sci-fi novels and a lot of the story consists of the characters conversing—while they try to manipulate each other or cope with each other. The story has action scenes--including one that would be awesome as a movie scene—but the real power of the story is in the characters and their relationships. They are an uneasy quartet, not so much a motley crew as a crew bonded by shared experiences and previous events and divided by personal agendas. As the external events of the story play out, each character moves and changes internally.
I liked the character-driven aspect of the story because I like the characters. None are standard or generic or “types”. Each is complicated in his or her own way.
I recommend this book to sci fi readers who appreciate a book with deep character development.

[Jacqueline Simonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The EDGE OF DOOM is the second book in the Haruspex Trilogy, and it’s a doozy! Make sure you read the first book, TRUST A FEW first, as EDGE picks up right where TRUST left off (well, a few months after).

The characters continue to be complex and engrossing. I’m probably more obsessed with Durban—a brilliant alien who just looks like a human criminal mastermind—than with any other character. He is so real you keep expecting him to walk off the page and go fix himself a drink.

The world building continues to be astonishing—mostly because it isn’t just a world, but a complex inter-related set of worlds in a universe teeming with people and ambitions and different goals. You know, a whole lot like Earth, except on a huger stage, with aliens.

But what is EDGE really about? As so many sophomore books in a trilogy, the action is carried from the previous book, but you start getting hints that there’s very much more going on than you thought. So you spend a lot of the time reading the book thinking, where is this going?

I promise you, you’ll want to go too. And you’ll be like me, impatient for the next—and final—installment!

[Bryan Pentelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Edge of Doom by E. M. Swift-Hook
Part two of the second trilogy by this author carries the story of the three main characters forward through the violent underworld of the City. Again a web of lies and subterfuge is woven with immense skill so that even those most closely involved are unsure of who to trust. Will the end justify the means or will the plotters foil themselves rather than their enemies? The story builds to climax after climax and just as the reader thinks that all will be well fate pulls the rug from under the character’s feet to plunge them on another helter-skelter rush to disaster. Time and again friends who have proved their trust are doubted or placed in positions where betrayal seems the only way out.
This is a story that will leave you breathless and desperate for the next book. I have read all five of the currently published books in this series and never been disappointed. Join me, get hooked and get set for a blockbuster of intrigue and suspense. You won’t regret it for one second.

[Ken Goudsward · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface we have a gritty cyberpunk story of crime syndicate power plays. But underneath this, in a similar vein as Asimov's foundation, is a further exploration of fate and destiny and the future, of, as the author says...

"Just another human being walking, talking, acting — and thinking all the time that it was self-willed when in fact all it did was as inevitable and predictable as the workings of gravity. Free will, an illusion given weight and substance by the way people experienced being consciousness."

This is a highly character-driven story that I would recommend for fans of “The Expanse”, “Blade Runner”, and “The Godfather”

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author with great skill presents the viewpoint of disparate sectors of the socioeconomic order, and the main protagonists appear righteous and admirable in some quarters; in others, an inexplicable nuisance; and elsewhere the worst, depraved and nihilistic individuals ever. Brilliant world-building throughout the entire set of trilogies. Read on!

[Yvette Bostic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story picks up where the last one left off. I thoroughly enjoyed the story development and was lost in the emotional turmoil of the characters. The end of the book forced me to immediately buy the next one. Now I'm off to spend the next eight hours finishing book three.