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crankyoldnerd's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent end to an excellent prequel. Wrapping up the series that sets the stage for a creation of the alliance in the Dauntless series of books.
One can only hope he has a plan for a syndicate version
One can only hope he has a plan for a syndicate version
dotorsojak's review against another edition
3.0
2.8 stars
Again a fun read. More invasions and more space battles galore. This novel, surprisingly, appears to end the series and the overall story.
The book resembles ASCENDANT in that Rob Geary (now a captain) is in space commanding a warship and Mele Darcy (now a major) is on an orbiting station and charged with defending it against the bad guys. In this one there's a lot more "ground" fighting (they're not on the ground of course; they're on a space station) and a lot less ship-to-ship fighting, which is what I like better. Still this is an entertaining page-turner.
Some thought provoking political stuff here too. The author continues to push his argument that no one can really go out on his own and have total freedom--at least not without the danger of a Hobbesian attack from other, less scrupulous freedom seekers. (In the state of nature with no government life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Campbell doesn't quote Hobbes but this is pretty much his argument.) Therefore, according to Campbell, it is necessary for people to band together for their own protection. The book has at least one idealistic scene in which our diplomatic hero, Lochan Nakamura, gives a passionate speech (and quotes James Madison!) about the need for people/states/star systems to trust each other. Not very believable as diplomacy but nicely uplifting in a Hollywoodish sort of way.
My continuing criticism is that there are too many characters (some important ones barely sketched in at all) and too much love stuff. The love stuff would be okay if Campbell were good at it, but, alas...
Overall, I recommended this novel (and the whole 3-book series) for a quick evening or two of diversion, and especially if you like military sci-fi.
Again a fun read. More invasions and more space battles galore. This novel, surprisingly, appears to end the series and the overall story.
The book resembles ASCENDANT in that Rob Geary (now a captain) is in space commanding a warship and Mele Darcy (now a major) is on an orbiting station and charged with defending it against the bad guys. In this one there's a lot more "ground" fighting (they're not on the ground of course; they're on a space station) and a lot less ship-to-ship fighting, which is what I like better. Still this is an entertaining page-turner.
Some thought provoking political stuff here too. The author continues to push his argument that no one can really go out on his own and have total freedom--at least not without the danger of a Hobbesian attack from other, less scrupulous freedom seekers. (In the state of nature with no government life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Campbell doesn't quote Hobbes but this is pretty much his argument.) Therefore, according to Campbell, it is necessary for people to band together for their own protection. The book has at least one idealistic scene in which our diplomatic hero, Lochan Nakamura, gives a passionate speech (and quotes James Madison!) about the need for people/states/star systems to trust each other. Not very believable as diplomacy but nicely uplifting in a Hollywoodish sort of way.
My continuing criticism is that there are too many characters (some important ones barely sketched in at all) and too much love stuff. The love stuff would be okay if Campbell were good at it, but, alas...
Overall, I recommended this novel (and the whole 3-book series) for a quick evening or two of diversion, and especially if you like military sci-fi.
jasonabbott's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
acadian_wanderlust's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic end to the series. there might be more but I will say that I enjoyed the book in the fullest. Funny thing is I re-read all of the lost fleet before I restarted this series so it would be fresh in my mind and it helped immensely. I'm blown away how well this turned out.
rxh05d's review against another edition
4.0
These books are exciting, well-written, well-plotted, fun crunchy sci-fi with repetitive, predictable plots and shallow characters.
That sentence makes it sound like I hate them and I really don't! It's just the heroes have no flaws and they always overcome with a bittersweet ending, they're noble and honorable and they save the world that doesn't deserve them. It's basically like reading a really good action movie but without a lot of the problems action movies tend to have. Like healthy fast food.
That sentence makes it sound like I hate them and I really don't! It's just the heroes have no flaws and they always overcome with a bittersweet ending, they're noble and honorable and they save the world that doesn't deserve them. It's basically like reading a really good action movie but without a lot of the problems action movies tend to have. Like healthy fast food.
dockie's review
5.0
Space opera at its best
Jack Campbell delivers again! Love this series and always want more, more, more. Strong characters, good action, believable story. Well written and looking forward to his next book.
Jack Campbell delivers again! Love this series and always want more, more, more. Strong characters, good action, believable story. Well written and looking forward to his next book.
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