Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4)
by Jack Campbell
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Book Reviews of Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4)
Book Review: Jumping Back to Go Forward...
Summary: 4 Stars
The Lost Fleet continues to be lost in alien space. Captain Jack Geary continues to fight for his fleet's survival, against elements in his own fleet, and to maintain a balance between the perception of him as a hero and himself as a human being with human failings.
If you enjoyed the first three books, then there should be no reason not to enjoy this one. Those who want the plot to proceed more quickly may be frustrated. The fleet has returned to Lakota, where they faced a punishing battle. This time, however, things have changed. Geary knows about the mysterious aliens who helped bring the enemy Syndic fleet against him and his people are now catching on to how the aliens are tracking them and also what may be their motives, at least in part. He also knows more about how the Syndics operate and can begin to exploit their weaknesses. He's also more able to make use of turning the hearts and minds of the civilians who are tired of war and not happy about how they are treated by those in power. So things are progressing, too slowly for some, perhaps, but I'm still willing to enjoy the ride and see where it goes.
Book Review: Good military SF
Summary: 4 Stars
If you haven't read the first three books in this series, go back and start at the beginning. If you have read them and enjoyed them, you will like this installment as well. Like most military SF it suffers from stuffiness -- since everyone is SO sincere, and SO self-sacrificing (except for the baddies of course, who are SO self-serving, and SO sincere in their maliciousness). However, this series doesn't seem to be quite as over the top in this regard as, say, the works of David Weber. Nevertheless it lacks the saving and ingratiating humor of Lois Bujold's Vorkosigan series.
Once past that (and the ridiculous cover art -- I mean, our hero is a fleet commander, not a marine grunt; come on!) this volume, like the others, is well plotted, with an interesting protagonist, who is presented with some interesting problems. And the space battles seem "realistic" (given the assumed technology of this future), fought with very clever tactics and stratagems.
In short, it was good enough that I will buy the next volume in the series to see how things -- if not "work out" -- progress.
Book Review: Miserly with plot points
Summary: 2 Stars
This guy hoards plot points like he's gonna run out! What gives? Why the hesitation to dish out real character changes and real events? It makes the novel so monochromatic.
Waaaaaay too much repetition in this installment in what's overall a pretty good series. It just felt like the characters spent all their time in the same three rooms talking about the same three things. I don't need to read any more about the real Jack vs the mythic Jack-- unless there's something new to talk about. I don't need to read any more about the Madame President or whatever and her jealousy or non-jealousy or whatever. I just got old!
Why the reluctance to give more detail about the aliens? Why the reluctance to have more space battles? Why the reluctance to have more action take place on the ships or have them put into port somewhere so they can get off the ship and have Jack go meet some freakin' new people for once? It's a novel, you can do anything you want!
I'll still get the next novel in this series, but man I hope it's better than this one.
Book Review: Book 4 does not disappoint
Summary: 5 Stars
I was somewhat discouraged after reading the negative reviews about this book, but since I loved the first 3, I went ahead and downloaded it anyway (ebook). I am very pleased to say this one is as good as the first 3. IMO it all depends on what you expect out of your reading material.. are you the type of person who will relish a 12 book saga like the wheel of time.. or do you like your books short and sweet. I am of the former category and so.. I really liked this one. Characters get threshed out further.. yes Rionne gets even more irritating but it is necessary to allow a certain twist in Geary's personal life. Some new developments occur within the fleet captains that only adds an element of subterfuge and mystery to the day to day struggle of remaining alive against the syndicate. The alien menace storyline proceeds a little further, not much though. This is fine as I hardly expect much to happen in that direction without the syndicate problem being resolved first. The battles and ship maneuvres are as always, excellent. I look forward to Geary's return in #5!!Book Review: Good space opera!
Summary: 4 Stars
I picked this up at the recommendation of other web-izens. I wanted something to keep me entertained while waiting for the next Harry Dresden novel or possibly some new Honor Harrington.
The weak points:
I think it does require that you read the whole series. The books don't stand well on their own without the background story.
It has reasonably good action, but not great. The characters are interesting but not stunning. Since the book is about the remnants of a space fleet escaping from certain destruction it's not light and humorous. The main character's relationships are sometimes more annoying than interesting.
The strong points:
I believe there will be an interesting ending for the entire series. There's more going on than the obvious and the characters are starting to uncover it in this volume. The universe is detailed and interesting. I really want to see where the author takes the story.
I can't give the series five stars because of it's weak points, but I will definitely follow in through to the end.