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Maximum Risk #2
Cradle
Max Fend's expertise. One girl's fury. A universe on the brink.
Max Fend's world orbits around the marvels of the stars above. As an integral cog in the imminent Artemis moon mission and the heartbeat of Fend Aerospace, he's accustomed to challenges that stretch beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Yet he's entirely unprepared for the force of nature that is Gus Gomez.
Gus isn't just a brilliant Peruvian immigrant harboring an indigenous leather pouch steeped in mystery, she's a maelstrom of history, fleeing dark shadows while simultaneously careening toward a cosmic destiny. The pouch she carries contains a crucible of secrets, and it has the potential to upend humanity's understanding of its place in the universe.
As a storm of ancient secrets and vendettas swirls, Max is thrust into the fray. But with Gus's fiery determination and enemies closing in, can Max navigate the dangers and keep the past's revelations from shattering the future?
Chris Bauer's Cradle crafts a tale woven in the tapestry of borderland stories and punctuated by the promise of space in the latest adrenaline-packed installment of the Maximum Risk series.
Max Fend's world orbits around the marvels of the stars above. As an integral cog in the imminent Artemis moon mission and the heartbeat of Fend Aerospace, he's accustomed to challenges that stretch beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Yet he's entirely unprepared for the force of nature that is Gus Gomez.
Gus isn't just a brilliant Peruvian immigrant harboring an indigenous leather pouch steeped in mystery, she's a maelstrom of history, fleeing dark shadows while simultaneously careening toward a cosmic destiny. The pouch she carries contains a crucible of secrets, and it has the potential to upend humanity's understanding of its place in the universe.
As a storm of ancient secrets and vendettas swirls, Max is thrust into the fray. But with Gus's fiery determination and enemies closing in, can Max navigate the dangers and keep the past's revelations from shattering the future?
Chris Bauer's Cradle crafts a tale woven in the tapestry of borderland stories and punctuated by the promise of space in the latest adrenaline-packed installment of the Maximum Risk series.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2024
26 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Chris Bauer
10 books17 followers“The thing I write will be the thing I write.”
Chris wouldn’t trade his northeast Philly upbringing of street sports played on blacktop and concrete, fistfights, brick and stone row houses, and twelve years of well-intentioned Catholic school discipline for a Philadelphia minute (think New York minute but more fickle and less forgiving). Chris has had some lengthy stops as an adult in Michigan and Connecticut, and he thinks Pittsburgh is a great city even though some of his fictional characters do not. He still does most of his own stunts, and he once passed for Chip Douglas of My Three Sons TV fame on a Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. He's a member of International Thriller Writers, and his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (PA), and the Maryland Writers Association. He likes the pie more than the turkey.
You can find Chris online at www.ChrisBauerAuthor.com.
Also writes as C.G. Bauer
Chris wouldn’t trade his northeast Philly upbringing of street sports played on blacktop and concrete, fistfights, brick and stone row houses, and twelve years of well-intentioned Catholic school discipline for a Philadelphia minute (think New York minute but more fickle and less forgiving). Chris has had some lengthy stops as an adult in Michigan and Connecticut, and he thinks Pittsburgh is a great city even though some of his fictional characters do not. He still does most of his own stunts, and he once passed for Chip Douglas of My Three Sons TV fame on a Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. He's a member of International Thriller Writers, and his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (PA), and the Maryland Writers Association. He likes the pie more than the turkey.
You can find Chris online at www.ChrisBauerAuthor.com.
Also writes as C.G. Bauer
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 22, 2024
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review. This is another book in this great series. The story moves in several directions but, does come together eventually. The characters are all great and believable. This series like most book series should be read in order to get the main characters background. I highly recommend this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book.
September 5, 2024
Rating
★★★★★
4 out of 5 Stars
Review
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for providing this ARC.
Cradle is the latest installment in Chris Bauer's Maximum Risk series, a high-stakes thriller that blends space exploration with mystery. Max Fend, a key player in the Artemis moon mission, is thrown into turmoil when he crosses paths with Gus Gomez, a brilliant and fiery Peruvian immigrant. Gus carries a secrets that has the power to shift humanity's understanding of its place in the universe. With ancient vendettas and cosmic revelations at the core, Max and Gus must navigate the dangerous forces that threaten to shatter both the past and the future.
Pros:
Plot: The fusion of space exploration with ancient mysteries is a unique and refreshing concept. The contrast of Max's high-tech world and Gus's historical and cultural roots creates an engaging dynamic, offering readers a multifaceted narrative.
Gus Gomez: Gus steals the spotlight as a compelling character. Her background as a Peruvian immigrant, combined with her mysterious indigenous heritage, adds layers of complexity to the story. Her fiery personality and determination drive much of the action, making her a force to be reckoned with.
Pacing: The novel maintains a fast pace till the end of the novel. Fromt the begning there is not a moment to put down the book.
Cons:
Max’s underwhelming development: While Max serves as the protagonist, he often feels overshadowed by Gus. His character, though competent and intelligent, lacks the same emotional depth or urgency that Gus brings to the story. This can make his journey feel secondary to hers, despite his central role.
Too many ideas: At times, the novel tries to juggle too many elements—space missions, ancient secrets, cosmic destinies, and personal vendettas. This can make the story feel overstuffed, and some plot threads are left underdeveloped or brushed over too quickly.
Conclusion
Cradle is not a book but an adventure that excels in blending space exploration with ancient cultural mysteries. Gus Gomez’s character brings a fresh and fiery energy to the series, and the thematic exploration of heritage and identity enriches the story. This book is perfect for fans of scifi.
★★★★★
4 out of 5 Stars
Review
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for providing this ARC.
Cradle is the latest installment in Chris Bauer's Maximum Risk series, a high-stakes thriller that blends space exploration with mystery. Max Fend, a key player in the Artemis moon mission, is thrown into turmoil when he crosses paths with Gus Gomez, a brilliant and fiery Peruvian immigrant. Gus carries a secrets that has the power to shift humanity's understanding of its place in the universe. With ancient vendettas and cosmic revelations at the core, Max and Gus must navigate the dangerous forces that threaten to shatter both the past and the future.
Pros:
Plot: The fusion of space exploration with ancient mysteries is a unique and refreshing concept. The contrast of Max's high-tech world and Gus's historical and cultural roots creates an engaging dynamic, offering readers a multifaceted narrative.
Gus Gomez: Gus steals the spotlight as a compelling character. Her background as a Peruvian immigrant, combined with her mysterious indigenous heritage, adds layers of complexity to the story. Her fiery personality and determination drive much of the action, making her a force to be reckoned with.
Pacing: The novel maintains a fast pace till the end of the novel. Fromt the begning there is not a moment to put down the book.
Cons:
Max’s underwhelming development: While Max serves as the protagonist, he often feels overshadowed by Gus. His character, though competent and intelligent, lacks the same emotional depth or urgency that Gus brings to the story. This can make his journey feel secondary to hers, despite his central role.
Too many ideas: At times, the novel tries to juggle too many elements—space missions, ancient secrets, cosmic destinies, and personal vendettas. This can make the story feel overstuffed, and some plot threads are left underdeveloped or brushed over too quickly.
Conclusion
Cradle is not a book but an adventure that excels in blending space exploration with ancient cultural mysteries. Gus Gomez’s character brings a fresh and fiery energy to the series, and the thematic exploration of heritage and identity enriches the story. This book is perfect for fans of scifi.
October 11, 2024
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leving an honest review.
The story begins with a family of 4; uncle, father and 2 daughters trying to cross the Rio Grande to get in the U.S. The uncle and oldest daughter go first while the other two wait. Unfortunately, the uncle and Augustina, called Gus, are captured by the Border Patrol with the uncle and Gus being separated. Gus winds up in foster care in Philidelphia. The story is then followed by Max and others pretending to sell a 747 with the intent of capturing a wanted individual known as "the Whale" Max has brought the plane to Peru and is showing the buyer the inside of the plane. Max learns that there is a body double onboard and Max then creates an opportunity to capture the individual wanted and transport him back to the U.S.
Gus meanwhile is doing all sorts of things to get money and her latest attempt to steal from a store results with her arrest. She is released and decides with help from another boy from Peru to run away to try and locate her family. Gus later finds out that her friend has been responsible for killing ICE agents and is being hunted. She later learns that this person wants to assist "the Whale' with escaping so he can sell drugs. Gus has an ulterior motive for "the Whale".
Max is now working as a private contractor for NASA regarding several moon missions. He is responsible for building a moon lander and has built a model for demonstrations at upcoming meetings. In one meeting the unit's AI feature has made observations of the individuals in the meeting and has tested each one with information. The AI also discovered something else that wasn't mentioned but plays a major role in the story.
Max and Gus will meet regarding the revelation of an item that Gus is carrying. Max only becomes aware of it as a result of "The Whale's" attempted escape and Gus's capture. At the same time that the escape was going on, Max's Lander was taken and not recovered.
To discover how Max was able to locate his Lander, what Gus had that was so important and how the name "Cradle was involved, then you need to read this book. It is well worth your time!
The story begins with a family of 4; uncle, father and 2 daughters trying to cross the Rio Grande to get in the U.S. The uncle and oldest daughter go first while the other two wait. Unfortunately, the uncle and Augustina, called Gus, are captured by the Border Patrol with the uncle and Gus being separated. Gus winds up in foster care in Philidelphia. The story is then followed by Max and others pretending to sell a 747 with the intent of capturing a wanted individual known as "the Whale" Max has brought the plane to Peru and is showing the buyer the inside of the plane. Max learns that there is a body double onboard and Max then creates an opportunity to capture the individual wanted and transport him back to the U.S.
Gus meanwhile is doing all sorts of things to get money and her latest attempt to steal from a store results with her arrest. She is released and decides with help from another boy from Peru to run away to try and locate her family. Gus later finds out that her friend has been responsible for killing ICE agents and is being hunted. She later learns that this person wants to assist "the Whale' with escaping so he can sell drugs. Gus has an ulterior motive for "the Whale".
Max is now working as a private contractor for NASA regarding several moon missions. He is responsible for building a moon lander and has built a model for demonstrations at upcoming meetings. In one meeting the unit's AI feature has made observations of the individuals in the meeting and has tested each one with information. The AI also discovered something else that wasn't mentioned but plays a major role in the story.
Max and Gus will meet regarding the revelation of an item that Gus is carrying. Max only becomes aware of it as a result of "The Whale's" attempted escape and Gus's capture. At the same time that the escape was going on, Max's Lander was taken and not recovered.
To discover how Max was able to locate his Lander, what Gus had that was so important and how the name "Cradle was involved, then you need to read this book. It is well worth your time!
September 23, 2024
Might be some spoilers ahead.
Review: Billionaire Maximum Fend, fighting international crime, banging a hot chick while building super AIs to go to the moon and stuff. YAY! Insert poor defwensless Peruvian immigrants escaping a fat whale-man narco traffiker. They wade across the Rio Grande and lose themselves and each other in the process. OH, THE HUMANITY!!. Meanwhile a wittle Peruvian waif carries a super secret rock thing, THAT COULD SHATTER ALL WE KNOW AND SEND US INTO KAOS!!!
Well, kaos would have been the best thing that happened to this novel as there is no creative intent imbued within the story line. First you have to buy into the fact that we really went to the moon when all evidence to the contrary is overwhelming. After you buy that load of shjt, then buy into a theory that the moon is the cradle of all life and bam, you are bored out of your freakin' mind.
I shjt you not, you can read the first three chapters, skip to midway and skip to the end, and nothing changes. It is the same thing. Where is this brilliance of the girl from Peru? She licks a rock and...? And why would Delta Force and the military let a douche bag billionaire onto a plane to whack bad guys? That sounds like maximum risk to me. GET IT?
I received this ARC for an honest review.
1.4/5
Review: Billionaire Maximum Fend, fighting international crime, banging a hot chick while building super AIs to go to the moon and stuff. YAY! Insert poor defwensless Peruvian immigrants escaping a fat whale-man narco traffiker. They wade across the Rio Grande and lose themselves and each other in the process. OH, THE HUMANITY!!. Meanwhile a wittle Peruvian waif carries a super secret rock thing, THAT COULD SHATTER ALL WE KNOW AND SEND US INTO KAOS!!!
Well, kaos would have been the best thing that happened to this novel as there is no creative intent imbued within the story line. First you have to buy into the fact that we really went to the moon when all evidence to the contrary is overwhelming. After you buy that load of shjt, then buy into a theory that the moon is the cradle of all life and bam, you are bored out of your freakin' mind.
I shjt you not, you can read the first three chapters, skip to midway and skip to the end, and nothing changes. It is the same thing. Where is this brilliance of the girl from Peru? She licks a rock and...? And why would Delta Force and the military let a douche bag billionaire onto a plane to whack bad guys? That sounds like maximum risk to me. GET IT?
I received this ARC for an honest review.
1.4/5
October 21, 2024
Max & Renee are back in an action-packed thriller.
Cradle, the second book in Chris Bauer’s Max Fend Series Maximum Risk, touched on several subjects, and contained two main story lines as well as a couple that weren’t quite as obvious. Once again Max and Renee get involved in a bit of espionage as well as in this case working with Fend Aerospace and NASA to complete a Lunar Lander. At the same time, a couple of kids from Peru set off on a quest to find Gus’s father and sister that turns into a multi-state manhunt. There is plenty of action sprinkled throughout this story that ties several of the storylines together and drives the story in a way that makes it near impossible to set aside. I enjoyed the early Max Fend series, and I’m finding I’m enjoying the Maximum risk series just as much. Of the two books in the series so far, Cradle is my favorite because of a piece of the story that left me wondering if it could be possible. I received an Advance Reader Copy of Cradle from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
Cradle, the second book in Chris Bauer’s Max Fend Series Maximum Risk, touched on several subjects, and contained two main story lines as well as a couple that weren’t quite as obvious. Once again Max and Renee get involved in a bit of espionage as well as in this case working with Fend Aerospace and NASA to complete a Lunar Lander. At the same time, a couple of kids from Peru set off on a quest to find Gus’s father and sister that turns into a multi-state manhunt. There is plenty of action sprinkled throughout this story that ties several of the storylines together and drives the story in a way that makes it near impossible to set aside. I enjoyed the early Max Fend series, and I’m finding I’m enjoying the Maximum risk series just as much. Of the two books in the series so far, Cradle is my favorite because of a piece of the story that left me wondering if it could be possible. I received an Advance Reader Copy of Cradle from the publisher and chose to provide my review.
November 21, 2024
Cradle – Chris Bauer
Bauer goes all in on his latest novel, a Max Fend thriller that marries contemporary themes of illegal immigration, AI and space travel with a police chase to find two felons before they take down a Peruvian drug cartel kingpin. And Bauer pulls it off. This smart page-turner is sure to leave the reader breathless, wondering, and perhaps frightened about possibilities by the end. Short, readable chapters keep the story moving at a breakneck pace, following multiple law enforcements agencies chasing an immigrant felon on the hunt to seek revenge for the ruthless murder of her mother. Concurrently, Max Fend and Fend Aerospace work alongside NASA to solve a riddle on a module his company engineered to be integrated into the Artemis mission. Bauer juggles these subplots masterfully while integrating AI and international intrigue that come to a head in the race to space with the Chinese. Bauer shows great skill balancing the subplots and marrying them with the use of precise dialogue, impeccable research, and deft precision weaving them into a great story.
Bauer goes all in on his latest novel, a Max Fend thriller that marries contemporary themes of illegal immigration, AI and space travel with a police chase to find two felons before they take down a Peruvian drug cartel kingpin. And Bauer pulls it off. This smart page-turner is sure to leave the reader breathless, wondering, and perhaps frightened about possibilities by the end. Short, readable chapters keep the story moving at a breakneck pace, following multiple law enforcements agencies chasing an immigrant felon on the hunt to seek revenge for the ruthless murder of her mother. Concurrently, Max Fend and Fend Aerospace work alongside NASA to solve a riddle on a module his company engineered to be integrated into the Artemis mission. Bauer juggles these subplots masterfully while integrating AI and international intrigue that come to a head in the race to space with the Chinese. Bauer shows great skill balancing the subplots and marrying them with the use of precise dialogue, impeccable research, and deft precision weaving them into a great story.
October 25, 2024
I've been reading Chris Bauer's books for a decade, and it's been fascinating to see how his work has evolved. I've been tickled by what he has done with the Max Fend series. He takes the series to a whole new level with CRADLE; it's a moonshot, and he sticks the landing. Ingredients: gnarly action scenes, ripped-from-the-headlines topicality, and some of the most realistic dialogue you'll find in fiction, regardless of genre. The author can't write these books fast enough for this reader, so I can't wait to see what he does next, with Max Fend or otherwise.
January 3, 2025
Wow. What a ride.
It had me thinking there could be some possible connections early on. But the connections that I made were not the actual condition of the author had mind. Great read.
It had me thinking there could be some possible connections early on. But the connections that I made were not the actual condition of the author had mind. Great read.
October 22, 2024
I liked it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews