Savages of the Bulk by Nathaniel Jungheim is a sci-fi novel featuring Jake, our emotional center throughout the story, along with space wars, aliens, and great worldbuilding.
But what’s cookin?? Let’s find out
“Red warning lights flashed across every interface on the command
deck as the officers frantically carried out their duties. Captain
Katherine Carol had to shout at the top of her lungs over the roar of
the engines as the Wraith raced toward the fight. That Cipher better
not be a one-trick pony, Olivia!”
Book Review: Savages of the Bulk by Nathaniel Jungheim
There are sci-fi books which you read 20 pages and realize the author has build an entire galaxy? Yeah, this is one of those books.
The story starts with humans discovering faster-than-light travel through something called the Bulk. Pretty cool already. But then aliens show up and obviously, disturbs humanity.
The opening of the book was honestly one of my favorite parts. Creepy. Mysterious. Felt like something massive was coming.
Most of the story follows Jake Dawes. In the start, he’s just a regular military graduate hanging out with friends, thinking about the future, talking politics, drinking. Then one attack changes everything. And I mean everything.
Jake was probably the strongest part of the book for me. He is human in every manner. Yeah, he’s awkward & lost sometimes. Angry a lot of the time who will not, after what happens to him.
The worldbuilding here is honestly good. There are alien races, secret groups, old civilizations, new technology, politics, military operations. The author clearly put a ton of work into this universe.
And the Bulk itself? Really cool idea.
Most sci-fi books use hyperspace like it’s just space highway traffic. Here it feels dangerous. Like humans are messing with something they shouldn’t fully trust.
But yeah, the book definitely loses points in a few places.
First, it’s dense.
There are around 50 chapters and a lot of POV switches. Sometimes I loved learning more about the galaxy. Other times I just wanted the story to slow down and breathe for a minute.
The book also explains a lot. Sometimes too much. A few conversations sound less like real people talking and more like characters explaining lore to the reader.
Some side characters also get buried under the huge scope of the story. Jake stands out. Milla stands out. But a few others were harder to connect with because there’s just so much happening.
Still, I can’t say the book is boring.
Overall, this felt like a sci-fi book written by someone who loves space operas. The story is not always balanced but author’s imagination take the wind away, and great potential ahead in this series.
Also Read: Rose in Chains by Julie Soto
“Time is the fire in which we burn.”
Storyline: (Spoiler-Free)
So humanity finally discovers faster-than-light travel. Big moment, right? Time to explore the galaxy, meet aliens, become Star Trek people. Nope. The universe basically responds with, “Cute. Sit down.”
That’s pretty much how Savages of the Bulk kicks off.
Humans enter something called the Bulk, which is this weird hyperspace dimension, and immediately run into the Saar – a super advanced alien race that treats humanity like toddlers who found the car keys. The Saar allow humans to survive, but with rules. Strict rules. No free galactic expansion. No messing around in deep space.
Then we meet Jake Dawes. Jake is just trying to get through graduation, flirt with Milla, live his life and avoid political arguments. Normal young stuff. Unfortunately for Jake, sci-fi books hate peaceful lives.
One night, Jake and Milla get caught in a brutal attack connected to spies, some sort of secret military operations. Their taxi literally gets shot out of the sky. Milla dies and Jake barely survives and wakes up missing his limbs. Rough evening, honestly.
The government rebuilds him with cybernetics and turns him into a military asset because apparently trauma now comes with upgrades.
By the end, everybody is lying, ancient secrets are waking up, and humanity is standing in the middle of a big galactic disaster.
Similar Read: The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy
| Genre | Sci-Fi |
| Number of Pages | 498 pages |
| My Rating | 3.5⭐⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | February 12, 2026 |
What I Loved
By the ending, it’s clear this is only the start of something much bigger. Ancient secrets. Bigger wars coming. Humanity in way over its head.
One thing which i really enjoyed is there’s always another mystery popping up. Another hidden agenda. Another “wait… what is actually going on here?” moment.
Quotes:
“We messed up our own Solar System so much, why don’t we leave the rest of the galaxy alone?”
Final Verdict?
Overall, Savages of the Bulk feels like the start of a huge sci-fi storyline. It has mysteries, aliens, politics, and a main character, what else is needed, big actions..??? On the way.
If you like books with heavy lore, military sci-fi, galactic politics, and huge universe-building, you’ll probably have a good time.
Who should read it:
- If you are one who love big military sci-fi stories with space battles, politics, and aliens
- If you like The Expanse, Mass Effect etc.
- If you are interested in cybernetic soldiers, and futuristic warfare with new tech
Books like Savages of the Bulk by Nathaniel Jungheim:
- Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
