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The Artifact

by David Collins

Fiction Science FictionScience Fiction FantasySpeculative FictionAdventureSpaceYoung AdultTeen
226 pages
Daily Reading Time
5min 10hrs

Book Description

A hidden relic with the power to reshape humanity’s destiny lies in the hands of a desperate archaeologist, but darkness looms as ruthless factions converge to claim it for their own. With time running out, alliances form and betrayals unfold, leading to a pulse-pounding race against an unseen enemy. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the stakes skyrocket, leaving hearts racing and trust hanging by a thread. Can love withstand the crushing weight of ambition, or will it shatter under the pressure? The clock is ticking: who will uncover The Artifact first?

Quick Book Summary

"The Artifact" by David Collins is a gripping young adult science fiction adventure following Mara, a determined archaeologist who stumbles upon an ancient relic with unimaginable power. As Mara discovers the artifact’s potential to alter humanity’s fate, she becomes the central figure in a race among rival factions—each with their own motives and willingness to betray, deceive, or even kill. The alliances Mara forms are brittle, tested by secrets, lies, and the looming threat of a shadowy enemy pulling strings from the dark. With time running out, the story weaves thrilling chases, heart-pounding betrayals, and the emotional turmoil of love under pressure. Every decision carries life-or-death stakes, keeping readers on edge. "The Artifact" is a high-octane adventure about trust, ambition, and whether the bonds of friendship and love can withstand the ultimate test.

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Summary of Key Ideas

The Corrupting Power of Ambition

Mara, a young archaeologist haunted by her father’s mysterious disappearance, uncovers a relic buried deep within an off-limits excavation site on the remote planet Ganymede. As she studies the artifact, it becomes clear this isn’t just a historical curiosity: it possesses the power to manipulate the minds—and perhaps the future—of all humanity. Word of Mara’s discovery spreads quickly, drawing the attention of secretive government operatives and ruthless mercenary groups, each determined to control the artifact’s potential for their own ends.

Complex Alliances and Betrayal

With danger closing in, Mara is forced into uneasy alliances. She partners with Cassian, a skilled hacker with his own secrets, and Lyra, a rogue ex-soldier seeking redemption. Untrustworthy allies lurk everywhere, and betrayals threaten their fragile unity at every turn. Mara’s loyalty is tested repeatedly, and she must navigate a web of shifting motives, unsure who to trust as the artifact’s power begins to take a toll on them all mentally and emotionally.

The Search for Identity and Purpose

The chase for the artifact intensifies as clues reveal its origins link back to an extinct alien civilization once capable of remaking worlds. Mara faces stark choices as the artifact’s corrupting influence exposes the darkest parts of her companions’ characters—and her own. As the line between good and evil blurs, ambition and greed threaten to overwhelm love, friendship, and the moral compass that once guided the team.

The Tension Between Love and Duty

In a breathtaking final race against their greatest rival—an enigmatic organization known as the Obsidian Order—the group is pushed to their limits. Loyalties fracture, hidden agendas are exposed, and Mara must confront the devastating truth behind her father’s disappearance. As the artifact’s true purpose is revealed, Mara’s understanding of herself, her companions, and humanity’s fate is forever altered. The fate of society hangs on a razor’s edge as the artifact’s full power comes to light.

Secrets That Change Everything

Ultimately, "The Artifact" asks whether love and loyalty can survive when the cost of ambition is too high, and whether anyone can wield great power without being changed by it. Mara’s journey takes her from self-doubt to conviction, as she discovers that sometimes the only way to save the world is to risk everything—including her heart. The novel closes on a note of hope, tempered by hard-earned wisdom about the choices that shape destinies.

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