The Hunting of Man is the second book in the Phantom Ultra series by Kenton E.H. Ward, a striking dive into a richly imagined post-apocalyptic universe where the boundaries between man and monstrosity blur amidst intense warfare and personal betrayal. When former Special Intelligence Group Operator Tommy “Dead-Smoke” Cade is captured by the sinister and manipulative Ward, who runs a powerful military organization, Tommy must seek help to save himself and his team. The one person he knows can help is SIG Operator Samson “Fire-Fanged” Hayes, whom he served with during the Imperial Civil War. While they fought as brothers during the war, their brotherhood was destroyed before the end of the war, and now, Samson is all out to destroy Tommy, and he is hell-bent on taking everything dear to him. As the danger grows, Tommy must find help while dealing with a sinister connection with an otherworldly entity known as Starwel.

A tumultuous past and an explosive present characterize Colonel Tommy "Dead-Smoke" Cade. As he struggles against a powerful foe in a treacherous environment populated by genetically modified enemies and former comrades turned hunters, readers witness a compelling blend of action and introspection. E.H. Ward’s vivid descriptions expertly capture the chaos of battle while delving into Cade's internal conflict, particularly his relationship with his doppelganger, Shadow-Tommy. This duality questions the idea of self—how much of our identity is dictated by our choices versus our circumstances. While the key characters are fully developed, the supporting cast, including characters like Kat and Argento, provides a layered perspective on war and friendship. Their dynamics reflect the broader themes of brotherhood and sacrifice amidst the chaos of war. Their journey toward confronting the seemingly invincible Samson Hayes offers a fitting allegory for the human condition—an eternal struggle against our inner demons and the darker sides of our nature. The narrative voice in the first-person is expertly executed. The Hunting of Man is a thriller for fans of action-packed narratives with finely drawn dystopian settings.

There is little difference between the predator and the prey in The Hunting Of Man by Kenton E.H. Ward. Two men, both lusting for cruel battles and once considered brothers, are determined to kill one another. Colonel Thomas Cade has been tasked to confront his adopted brother, Colonel Samson Hayes, or rather what used to be Samson, as he has been genetically enhanced to the point of being near invulnerable and utterly insane. As Thomas scours the galaxy searching for his prey, he recalls the recently ended galactic civil war and its impact on him and his brother. With a super-elite team of allies at his side, Thomas will finally confront his brother, only to realize that they are both nothing but pawns in the hands of evil men.

Expansive and with ground battles galore, The Hunting Of Man by Kenton E.H. Ward is an ultra-violent science fiction tale set 1,000 years in the future. The plot focuses on a dangerous and punishing search-and-destroy mission. Yet behind this basic plot, numerous themes are subtly woven into the tale and are the glue that binds the story together. Ambition, betrayal, deception, the need to belong, and a human race shown at its ugliest are deftly explored. Character development is exceptional, and evil men become utterly ruthless as good men struggle to walk away from a life of destruction. The pace is frenetic and full of danger, capturing the essence of battle all too well. Hard-hitting with depictions of violence, The Hunting Of Man is for mature audiences only.