Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4)
by Jack Campbell
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Book Reviews of Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4)
Book Review: fine military science fiction
Summary: 5 Stars
Captain John "Black Jack" Geary knows his Alliance fleet is in deep trouble as they struggle to return to home base. He knows his numerous enemies from within Alliance want him to fail as his heroism and that of his unit allowed others to escape a death trap, which made him a legend embellished by his return from the grave generations after his peers and family died out. However, his predicament is that supplies are extremely low and an external foe is preparing to attack.
Desperate Geary chooses a Hail Mary strategy that he prays will get his force safely into the Alliance sector. His feint gambit works and it seems he has bought the time needed to escape. However, someone apparently wants Geary dead and collateral damage by destroying several vessels and their crew is acceptable.
This military science fiction tale will grip the audience as realism in terms of the vastness of space as communications and maneuvers take time and can be countered leading to the loss of ships and lives; this concept is critical to the story line. Black Jack is a fascinating hero; mindful especially in his decision making of Honor Harrington as both accept death as real outcome. His family's descendants detest him as much as his jealous Alliance fleet leaders; several who choose betrayal to eliminate him. Fans will appreciate the fourth Lost Fleet tale, but to better comprehend how many light years Black Jack has traversed, this reviewer suggests reading the previous entries first (see THE LOST FLEET: DAUNTLESS, THE LOST FLEET: FEARLESS, and THE LOST FLEET: COURAGEOUS).
Harriet Klausner
Book Review: A good read
Summary: 3 Stars
Another good read book.
People who expect too much will be disappointed (like some of the reviewers), but people who just want a good read will like it.
It has drama, good battles, plausible technology and decent characters.
Why would his enemies want to still get rid of him even though he keeps winning? I find that totally plausible and even likely, people are not logical and they can be jerks just for the sake of being a jerk and once they've decided that someone is the enemy, it might require them to admit they were wrong and far too many people can never do that.
I would not say that this is the best book in the series, but I awaited it eagerly and finished it in one sitting without being bored.
It's a good read and possibly trite and predictable (you know the good guys are going to win, but, well, duh. As if you thought that Sauron was going to get the Ring back too).
As for the aliens, I'm gonna have to disagree that they are setting up another series, there is something in this one that seems to explain why the aliens are doing what they are doing. There have been hints in other books (book 3 had a bunch) that make them look not necessarily like bad guys. But that's just my opinion.
I hope Campbell does more books, but I just don't see him setting up another series with a war against the aliens.
Book Review: It's a serial SciFi. No more, no less
Summary: 5 Stars
A lot of reviews about this series of books say this these books tread on tired territory, repeating the same themes every book and just barely improving on the concept at all before printing "THE END" and making you wait for the next book.
They're absolutely right, and that's exactly why I absolutely love these books. When I opened the first book in this series, I was looking to get into a good serial Sci-Fi that would actually keep me waiting for future episodes, and that's precisely what this is. The story isn't terribly original, but it's very well-written and involving. The themes aren't that new, but they're complex and interesting. Above all, Jack Campbell writes some of the best space battles I've ever read, and I'll honestly keep coming back just for that.
This series of books is like a modern novelized Flash Gordon or Star Wars. It's not about what the individual elements are, it's how they add up. The sum total of this series is an excellent little space opera punctuated by Hollywood-worthy battle scenes, and I absolutely must see how it all ends. Bring on the next book, Mr. Campbell!
And in case you're wondering about the plot- Geary's still trying to get the fleet home and treachery abounds. Sound familiar? Good. If you're expecting much more, you've honestly missed the entire point of this series.
Book Review: My favorite (new) sci-fi series
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great entry in Jack Campbell's series. It delves a bit more into the increased intrigue (and boy, is there a lot of it this time 'round) and machinations of fleet politics and is a little lighter on the battles than the first few books but that doesn't mean it doesn't stand up to its predecessors in every respect.
It's been interesting to see the evolution of the characters over the past four books by Geary and his core group of captains, Duellos, Cresida, and especially Desjani, who I believe to be one of the most well-written and interesting characters in sci-fi these days. I've never much cared for Co-President Rione. I think she's a bit too histrionic for anybody who could possibly be president of anything. Then again, she's the one they sent on the potential suicide mission so maybe her people see her that way, too.
The sense of impending dread is getting larger, the stakes are getting higher, and Black Jack Geary is facing even more dangerous enemies...foreign, domestic, and alien. I'm not sure what is going to happen next, but I was a lot happier when I bought and finished the first three books in a week and only had to wait two months for the next one to come out.
Book Review: The Lost Fleet becomes the Lost Series
Summary: 3 Stars
Lets face it this series is never going to be considered one of the greatest ever written but frankly its also a fun series.
Overall the tone doesn't change much from the last book with the fleet still trying to stay one step ahead on their way home and Black Jack dealing with idiot leadership and a love triangle which does drain a bit. In this aspect I agree with some others that a four part book with more in each book may have made the whole stronger as then it may not have seemed to drag on so much with some parts that didn't help the overall story. I wanted to give the book a higher rating but after nearly skiming most of the book I just couldnt.
While a lot is finally dealt with the reader eventually comes to the conclusion that some of the characters are simply overly dense to the point of nearly comedic in their reactions to Gerry.
Still, this one seems to finally draw to conclusion some events (love interest, and enemy fleets) as they near their destination while ramping up the alien aspect of the overall arch. I look forward to the final 2 in the series and hope to see a new (hopefully condensed) series related to the actions of his return and what becomes of the universe post return.