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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book in a military science fiction series that is itself a sequel to the first six-book Lost Fleet series. By this point, eight books into the combined series, I assume anyone reading the series likes Campbell's style of military SF. While I could offer complaints, complaints that I did indeed raise in a couple of my earlier reviews, I considerably enjoyed this book and all seven of its predecessors. At risk of endlessly repeating myself, I will say once more that I especially like the depiction of space battles, and also that I find the hero, John Geary, easy to root for. Mild spoilers ahead. Sign me up for book nine.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
This follow-on series introduces multiple alien civilizations into the mix, providing minor but welcome variation to the familiar pattern of the books. Patterns are not necessarily bad, witness the appeal of formulaic romance stories. And at present I am in the mood for the type of formula these books offer, one where the hero will face daunting challenges but unswervingly work for what they believe is right. With space battles. And aliens.About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
cliffdj4's review
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
lundos's review against another edition
3.0
A good continuation of this series. The shift from exploring to going home (with a price) was well done. Decisions make sense but there's been more opposition in earlier books and those scenes were better.
Otherwise everything is as usual which is why it only gets 3 stars. Also, too little Rione.
Otherwise everything is as usual which is why it only gets 3 stars. Also, too little Rione.
jhouses's review against another edition
3.0
Mantiene los defectos de la serie en cuanto a la poca tridimensionalidad de los personajes y lo Mary Sue que es el almirante Geary pero, al menos se arremanga y nos despeja muchas de las incógnitas sobre los alienigenas, desplegando un universo con tres civilizaciones capaces de viajes interestelares y poco interesadas en comunicarse. Da para siesta.
ftagliaca's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
asdvj's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pjonsson's review against another edition
3.0
I had waited a long time for this book to come out having fairly high expectations. Now, having read it, I am not sure the wait was actually worth it. Maybe this book series have gone on too long. It’s like to author doesn’t really have any new ideas and to “develop” the story he just bogs it down more and more in (bad) politics, deceit and backstabbing a ’la cheap soap opera.
I don’t really like the ships breaking down all the time. It is just irritating. The main plot of “go investigate the aliens” kind of turned into another Black Jack will get the fleet home story. Been there, done that.
The alien encounters could have been nice but…duct tape? I’m sorry it would be a spoiler to tell you what duct tape has to do with anything so you will have to read the book if you want to know. Me, I think that particular plot element was stupid beyond imagination. It’s one star off just for that.
I would have hoped that we would reach a point in the overall story arc where Black Jack would, you know, be triumphant, kick the arses of the idiot politicians and embark on new adventures with some proper backing. Now I would not go as far as to say it’s really a bad book although I very hesitantly give it three stars. It was still fun read. It was significantly less than what I hoped for though.
I don’t really like the ships breaking down all the time. It is just irritating. The main plot of “go investigate the aliens” kind of turned into another Black Jack will get the fleet home story. Been there, done that.
The alien encounters could have been nice but…duct tape? I’m sorry it would be a spoiler to tell you what duct tape has to do with anything so you will have to read the book if you want to know. Me, I think that particular plot element was stupid beyond imagination. It’s one star off just for that.
I would have hoped that we would reach a point in the overall story arc where Black Jack would, you know, be triumphant, kick the arses of the idiot politicians and embark on new adventures with some proper backing. Now I would not go as far as to say it’s really a bad book although I very hesitantly give it three stars. It was still fun read. It was significantly less than what I hoped for though.
mferrante83's review against another edition
5.0
A new Jack Campbell book is a drop everything and read, or in my case listen, affair. I have never been less than satisfied with any of the Lost Fleet novels and the most recent book Invincible is no different. For those who haven’t read the previous Lost Fleet series I highly highly recommend you go do so; particularly if you’re a fan of military science fiction. If you’ve read the previous series but haven’t jumped on board for Beyond the Frontier well…something is probably wrong with you and I can’t help. Both parties should be warned that this review will likely spoil both the previous series and the first Beyond the Frontier novel Dreadnaught.
The conclusion of Dreadnaught introduced a new alien threat as the Geary and his fleet ran from the Enigmas straight into a waiting space fortress. The early chapters of Invincible deal with the fleet’s encounter with this new species. Much to everyone’s frustration these new aliens, much like the Enigmas, refuse to talk instead deciding to fight. As usual the looming presence of a new violent threat isn’t the only thing Admiral Geary has to worry about. The long war between the Alliance and Syndicate Worlds has taken its toll on the ships of Geary’s fleet and it is out in the middle of nowhere that ships’ systems begin to fail.
What I love about this series is that it looks at the aftermath of war, the effect it has on its participants, while simultaneously introducing new elements of exploration and diplomacy to the proceedings. While Admiral Geary has his ships, crew, and the aliens he encounters at the forefront of his mind the degrading political conditions at home (with much of fear and anxiety centered on himself) and hints of new and hidden ship construction (mentioned in Dreadnaught and echoed here) constantly wear at him. The plot and action stay constantly focused on the current threat but Campbell still does a great job at keeping the situation at home fresh in the minds of readers without distracting from the more immediate action.
I won’t speak too much on the alien species revealed in Invincible since I don’t want too spoil too much (even the publisher’s blurb is careful not to mention them). Campbell does a passable, bordering on excellent job at crafting a believable alien society with a fascinating biological and socialogical background. The new threat is interesting and provides a new challenge for Geary to work out particularly how does one defeat an enemy whose tactics and expectations exist outside the sphere of human experience? I am consistently impressed by Campbell’s ability to craft both action and character. Maybe its my own familiarity with the characters but I feel like Campebell’s work in Beyond the Frontier does a fantastic job a fleshing out the major characters as distinct individuals. Both Desjani and Rione get some of the edges rounded out a bit and come off feeling more as living breathing people rather than foils for Geary.
Invincible feels like coming home again. The Beyond the Fleet series is an immensely satisfying read that still manages to leave me wanting more. This is another stellar entry into what has become of my favorite series and universes. The action is tight and focused yet still manages to hint at grander and maybe even sinister things to come. If you love military science fiction you need to be reading Jack Campbell.
The conclusion of Dreadnaught introduced a new alien threat as the Geary and his fleet ran from the Enigmas straight into a waiting space fortress. The early chapters of Invincible deal with the fleet’s encounter with this new species. Much to everyone’s frustration these new aliens, much like the Enigmas, refuse to talk instead deciding to fight. As usual the looming presence of a new violent threat isn’t the only thing Admiral Geary has to worry about. The long war between the Alliance and Syndicate Worlds has taken its toll on the ships of Geary’s fleet and it is out in the middle of nowhere that ships’ systems begin to fail.
What I love about this series is that it looks at the aftermath of war, the effect it has on its participants, while simultaneously introducing new elements of exploration and diplomacy to the proceedings. While Admiral Geary has his ships, crew, and the aliens he encounters at the forefront of his mind the degrading political conditions at home (with much of fear and anxiety centered on himself) and hints of new and hidden ship construction (mentioned in Dreadnaught and echoed here) constantly wear at him. The plot and action stay constantly focused on the current threat but Campbell still does a great job at keeping the situation at home fresh in the minds of readers without distracting from the more immediate action.
I won’t speak too much on the alien species revealed in Invincible since I don’t want too spoil too much (even the publisher’s blurb is careful not to mention them). Campbell does a passable, bordering on excellent job at crafting a believable alien society with a fascinating biological and socialogical background. The new threat is interesting and provides a new challenge for Geary to work out particularly how does one defeat an enemy whose tactics and expectations exist outside the sphere of human experience? I am consistently impressed by Campbell’s ability to craft both action and character. Maybe its my own familiarity with the characters but I feel like Campebell’s work in Beyond the Frontier does a fantastic job a fleshing out the major characters as distinct individuals. Both Desjani and Rione get some of the edges rounded out a bit and come off feeling more as living breathing people rather than foils for Geary.
Invincible feels like coming home again. The Beyond the Fleet series is an immensely satisfying read that still manages to leave me wanting more. This is another stellar entry into what has become of my favorite series and universes. The action is tight and focused yet still manages to hint at grander and maybe even sinister things to come. If you love military science fiction you need to be reading Jack Campbell.
itabar's review against another edition
3.0
I have a quibble with the ending: it's NOT an ending. Lots of stuff to resolve. Annoying.