What do you think?
Rate this book
The Lost Fleet #5
Relentless
After successfully freeing Alliance POWs, “Black Jack” Geary discovers that the Syndics plan to ambush the fleet with their powerful reserve flotilla in an attempt to annihilate it once and for all. And as Geary has the fleet jump from one star system to the next, hoping to avoid the inevitable confrontation, saboteurs contribute to the chaos.
10 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 2009
387 people are currently reading
2191 people want to read
About the author
Jack Campbell
85 books3,030 followersJack Campbell is a pseudonym for American science fiction author John G. Hemry.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
John G. Hemry is an American author of military science fiction novels. Drawing on his experience as a retired United States Navy officer, he has written the Stark's War and Paul Sinclair series. Under the name Jack Campbell, he has written four volumes of the Lost Fleet series, and on his website names two more forthcoming volumes. He has also written over a dozen short stories, many published in Analog magazine, and a number of non-fiction works.
John G Hemry is a retired United States Navy officer. His father, Jack M. Hemry, also served in the navy and as John points out was a mustang. John grew up living in several places including Pensacola, San Diego, and Midway Island.
John graduated from Lyons High School in Lyons in 1974 then attended the US Naval Academy (Class of '78) where he was labeled 'the un-midshipman' by his roommates.
He lives in Maryland with his wife and three kids. His two eldest children are diagnosed as autistic and suffer from Neuro immune dysfunction syndrome (NIDS), an auto-immune ailment which causes their illness, but are progressing under treatment.
John is a member of the SFWA Musketeers whose motto reads: 'The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword, but the Wise Person Carries Both'.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
John G. Hemry is an American author of military science fiction novels. Drawing on his experience as a retired United States Navy officer, he has written the Stark's War and Paul Sinclair series. Under the name Jack Campbell, he has written four volumes of the Lost Fleet series, and on his website names two more forthcoming volumes. He has also written over a dozen short stories, many published in Analog magazine, and a number of non-fiction works.
John G Hemry is a retired United States Navy officer. His father, Jack M. Hemry, also served in the navy and as John points out was a mustang. John grew up living in several places including Pensacola, San Diego, and Midway Island.
John graduated from Lyons High School in Lyons in 1974 then attended the US Naval Academy (Class of '78) where he was labeled 'the un-midshipman' by his roommates.
He lives in Maryland with his wife and three kids. His two eldest children are diagnosed as autistic and suffer from Neuro immune dysfunction syndrome (NIDS), an auto-immune ailment which causes their illness, but are progressing under treatment.
John is a member of the SFWA Musketeers whose motto reads: 'The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword, but the Wise Person Carries Both'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
December 5, 2013
Boy, I love this series. I don't know if everyone can enjoy the things that I do, but I'm sure that I'm not the only retired "old salt" out there. As an Operations Specialist Chief, retired, there is so much of this that reminds me of my time in the United States Navy, standing watch in the Combat Information Center on long watches. I remember formation steaming and, training Junior Officer after Junior Officer how to work a maneuvering solution on a "Mo-Board" to get us on station and keep us on station. I remember "calls for fire" from marines on the beach in Kuwait, or on the gunnery range off of Vieques Island in the Caribbean.
And now, in this one, when Dauntless "looses the load" (sudden loss of power) and they break out sound powered phones! Oh, the Nostalgia! Oh, the Memories... they work anywhere.
I kept waiting for Desjani (yes, I'm warm for her form) to order the DCO to rig a "salt and pepper line between Damage Control Central (DCC) and Repair Five!
(Yes, Sound Powered phones have been with us since long before the Second World War. It's a metal plate with a magnet wrapped in copper wire. The plate vibrates as you speak and transmits a charge down the line to a plate on the other end that vibrates your words to whoever is listening. And yes, I bet in space they'd still be perfect damage control gear if all else fails).
The story is the continuation of a wonderful daring attempt to get a fleet of Alliance Warships through the gauntlet of Syndic space and home. Captain Black Jack Geary has brought new life to the old religion that calls upon each individual to live their lives in a way that honors their ancestors. Though not as strong as in the first book, Campbell is still teaching us, moment by moment, what being a noble warrior with a moral compass and the courage to stay the course is all about.
It's a good story getting better! All violence is in the contest of Naval Warfare and manageable by young adult to old bastard (me).
I finally realized that I have read a book recently that told of a Black Jack Geary like character. Only this was a "non-Fiction" book. It was Thode's telling of the histories around Hannibal of Carthage. Amazing parallels.
It's just good fun, Space Opera/Military Sci-fi Read.
Of course there is one thing.... you'd think Geary, who commands fleets that make the galaxy tremble as they pass would have figured out how to manage the ladies who have taken a liking to him... (sigh)... I guess Pobody's Nerfect.
June 25, 2009
While reading the first book in this series I told my wife what it was about and she said that would surely get old and boring after a while. I didn't realize how prescient that comment would be until at one point I realized I had skipped an entire book in the series and hadn't even noticed.
The series is light, fun to read, but ultimately the plot just gets old. How many star systems can these guys fight their way through until you just can't tell one book in the series from another? How often can you read about honor and the hero's inability to figure out women of any sort until it all just gets too boring to continue.
I think I've reached that point.
The series is light, fun to read, but ultimately the plot just gets old. How many star systems can these guys fight their way through until you just can't tell one book in the series from another? How often can you read about honor and the hero's inability to figure out women of any sort until it all just gets too boring to continue.
I think I've reached that point.
September 2, 2014
Another fun volume in the Lost Fleet story. Geary and the Fleet are drawing near to the frontier. They are almost back to Alliance space after wreaking havoc with the Syndicate navy. Victory is at hand!
But of course there are complications... The Fleet is running low on just about everything. There aren't enough fuel cells. Their munitions are nearly exhausted. The Syndicate reserve fleet is massing to trap them. The unseen, mysterious and nefarious aliens are maneuvering against them. And, to add to their troubles, the traitors within the fleet move to rid themselves of Geary once and for all. Geary, of course, resolves all of these threats (or at least the immediate ones) in his usual fashion: he out-thinks and out-bluffs his enemies.
I admit it. I like these books. They are fun, quick reads, but they are not without their faults. First, everything comes a little too easy for Geary. Curve ball after curve ball is tossed at him, but he comes through with flying colors. The author does write in a bit of an internal struggle, but due to the cardboard nature of the characters it just doesn't quite feel right to me. I want him to sweat it more. Related, the characters generally feel stiff and formulaic to me. Especially the Space Opera elements.
Despite it's faults, I recommend the series to fans of military fiction, and big, smashing star ship battles. The battles at relativistic speeds are phenomenal. And, despite me knowing he's going to win, I'm generally on the edge of my seat during the combat. Layer on top of this the uncertainty and mystery around the aliens and you've got a winner. If the author could fix the other flaws, we'd have a solid five star set of books here.
Four broadsides out of five.
But of course there are complications... The Fleet is running low on just about everything. There aren't enough fuel cells. Their munitions are nearly exhausted. The Syndicate reserve fleet is massing to trap them. The unseen, mysterious and nefarious aliens are maneuvering against them. And, to add to their troubles, the traitors within the fleet move to rid themselves of Geary once and for all. Geary, of course, resolves all of these threats (or at least the immediate ones) in his usual fashion: he out-thinks and out-bluffs his enemies.
I admit it. I like these books. They are fun, quick reads, but they are not without their faults. First, everything comes a little too easy for Geary. Curve ball after curve ball is tossed at him, but he comes through with flying colors. The author does write in a bit of an internal struggle, but due to the cardboard nature of the characters it just doesn't quite feel right to me. I want him to sweat it more. Related, the characters generally feel stiff and formulaic to me. Especially the Space Opera elements.
Despite it's faults, I recommend the series to fans of military fiction, and big, smashing star ship battles. The battles at relativistic speeds are phenomenal. And, despite me knowing he's going to win, I'm generally on the edge of my seat during the combat. Layer on top of this the uncertainty and mystery around the aliens and you've got a winner. If the author could fix the other flaws, we'd have a solid five star set of books here.
Four broadsides out of five.
September 10, 2012
These are excellent reads, fast paced well plotted in a great creative universe. This is the 5th in the series and it holds up well. These are well written, exciting brain candy science fiction. The maneuvering of the ships, the action in space "battles", the overall story idea, the characters are all great.
This one starts out with a short reminder type of opening, just a quick recap. It then sets up the conflict for this "leg of the journey" breaks out of the starting gate at high speed and never slows down. The characters are true to themselves. They grow but they don't change who they are...Co-president Rione is still as annoying as sandpaper underwear, but then she's supposed to be.
I picked these books up after I burned out on a certain space opera series that shall remain nameless (but it's an "Honor" not to mention it). That one had it's flaws and while I liked the books early on soon the glow was off the nuclear core and I couldn't take it anymore. This one hasn't done that. This series keeps me coming back and the only complaint I have here is that I still have a stack of (7) library books to get through before I can go back to my own books and start the sixth book.
I also plan to start another of the author's series, Stark's War.
Highly recommended... but start with book one Dauntless, it's worth it.
This one starts out with a short reminder type of opening, just a quick recap. It then sets up the conflict for this "leg of the journey" breaks out of the starting gate at high speed and never slows down. The characters are true to themselves. They grow but they don't change who they are...Co-president Rione is still as annoying as sandpaper underwear, but then she's supposed to be.
I picked these books up after I burned out on a certain space opera series that shall remain nameless (but it's an "Honor" not to mention it). That one had it's flaws and while I liked the books early on soon the glow was off the nuclear core and I couldn't take it anymore. This one hasn't done that. This series keeps me coming back and the only complaint I have here is that I still have a stack of (7) library books to get through before I can go back to my own books and start the sixth book.
I also plan to start another of the author's series, Stark's War.
Highly recommended... but start with book one Dauntless, it's worth it.
November 1, 2023
Still good. Blackjack wins a bit too easily sometimes and the love triangle bit gets tiresome but overall good enough to get me to start on the final book straight away. To the honour of our ancestors, please stick the landing!
Nate, out.
Nate, out.
January 23, 2020
What is with this series? It can’t keep a good thing going for more than one book at a time. Upon completing the previous book in the series, I found a renewed sense of optimism with the direction of things, but this book seems to have almost gone out of its way to systematically undo everything I loved.
At the end of Valiant, the previous book, I praised the series for finally giving Geary significant character development only to be not only immensely disappointed but also angry with the opening of this book. When we last left Geary, he was extremely optimistic about his present and future situation because he found a reason to fight. Although neither can legally admit or act upon it because of professional obligations, Geary’s relationship with Desjani became a driving force for his character. In narration, we’re told that it has become his reason for wanting to reach home and end the war.
So, how do we build upon this character development in the opening scenes of Relentless? Depressed Geary… again. Once again we see him brooding over the loss of his old ship, the passage of time, and blah blah blah blah blah blah… This is ancient news. If Geary hadn’t already for the most part dealt with these issues in the first handful of books, he certainly had in the most recent one. Worse, when Desjani confronts him about it, Geary accuses her of idolizing him and expecting him to have all the answers.
…Seriously? Ok, let me quote a passage from the previous book to highlight my point:
“‘Thank you. I know you’ve told me on a few occasions that you know I’m human, but sometimes I still think you expect me to be some perfect, godlike being.’ Desjani’s frown deepened. ‘That would be blasphemy, sir. And unfair to you.’”
We CLEARLY dealt with this issue before. Why is it being rehashed now as though it didn’t happen? What’s the matter, Jack Campbell? Don’t know how to deal with a main character who isn’t always beating themselves up? It stinks of retrograde character development.
However, Geary isn’t the only character with development issues, and he certainly doesn’t win the award for worst character progression. Oh, no. That award goes to Desjani. I found her admirable and respectful before this, but now… She’s begun to take on the qualities I hated in Rione while she and Geary were an item. She’s bossy and rude, especially towards Rione. They won’t talk or even use one another’s names because of their squabbles over Geary. It’s all very petty and unbecoming of a character I’ve grown to respect. More importantly, it’s beneath someone meant to be a strong female character.
Another reason I very much dislike this book is because it resolves plot points I enjoyed in the most unsatisfying way possible. The sabotage subplot essentially ended all at once because a character never directly spoken to released evidence saying “X Captain did it.” So, what happens? That captain is identified and exposes their accomplices. Spoiler: the culprit is obvious. The military coup in Geary’s name subplot? Geary talks with the captain who made the offer and convinces him it’s a bad idea. End of subplot. It seems to me that Campbell just wanted to wrap-up all the non-alien plot points as soon as possible because he didn’t know where else to take them. It’s very uncreative and as a result unimpressive in presentation.
Then, they get home, and aside from an underwhelming battle that’s it. Not much else to say. There’s very little praise to give, but I’ll allow it this, the one piece of dialogue I actually enjoyed:
“Captain Geary, this is… Captain Geary.”
One book left before I can call this series quits. In spite of everything, I’m too invested to bail out before the end, but I don’t think I’ll keep reading through to the sequel series.
At the end of Valiant, the previous book, I praised the series for finally giving Geary significant character development only to be not only immensely disappointed but also angry with the opening of this book. When we last left Geary, he was extremely optimistic about his present and future situation because he found a reason to fight. Although neither can legally admit or act upon it because of professional obligations, Geary’s relationship with Desjani became a driving force for his character. In narration, we’re told that it has become his reason for wanting to reach home and end the war.
So, how do we build upon this character development in the opening scenes of Relentless? Depressed Geary… again. Once again we see him brooding over the loss of his old ship, the passage of time, and blah blah blah blah blah blah… This is ancient news. If Geary hadn’t already for the most part dealt with these issues in the first handful of books, he certainly had in the most recent one. Worse, when Desjani confronts him about it, Geary accuses her of idolizing him and expecting him to have all the answers.
…Seriously? Ok, let me quote a passage from the previous book to highlight my point:
“‘Thank you. I know you’ve told me on a few occasions that you know I’m human, but sometimes I still think you expect me to be some perfect, godlike being.’ Desjani’s frown deepened. ‘That would be blasphemy, sir. And unfair to you.’”
We CLEARLY dealt with this issue before. Why is it being rehashed now as though it didn’t happen? What’s the matter, Jack Campbell? Don’t know how to deal with a main character who isn’t always beating themselves up? It stinks of retrograde character development.
However, Geary isn’t the only character with development issues, and he certainly doesn’t win the award for worst character progression. Oh, no. That award goes to Desjani. I found her admirable and respectful before this, but now… She’s begun to take on the qualities I hated in Rione while she and Geary were an item. She’s bossy and rude, especially towards Rione. They won’t talk or even use one another’s names because of their squabbles over Geary. It’s all very petty and unbecoming of a character I’ve grown to respect. More importantly, it’s beneath someone meant to be a strong female character.
Another reason I very much dislike this book is because it resolves plot points I enjoyed in the most unsatisfying way possible. The sabotage subplot essentially ended all at once because a character never directly spoken to released evidence saying “X Captain did it.” So, what happens? That captain is identified and exposes their accomplices. Spoiler: the culprit is obvious. The military coup in Geary’s name subplot? Geary talks with the captain who made the offer and convinces him it’s a bad idea. End of subplot. It seems to me that Campbell just wanted to wrap-up all the non-alien plot points as soon as possible because he didn’t know where else to take them. It’s very uncreative and as a result unimpressive in presentation.
Then, they get home, and aside from an underwhelming battle that’s it. Not much else to say. There’s very little praise to give, but I’ll allow it this, the one piece of dialogue I actually enjoyed:
“Captain Geary, this is… Captain Geary.”
One book left before I can call this series quits. In spite of everything, I’m too invested to bail out before the end, but I don’t think I’ll keep reading through to the sequel series.
August 3, 2018
THE LOST FLEET series' penultimate novel is a great way to bring the major arc of the story (the fleet getting home) to a close. Jack Campbell has a great grasp of character progression as he's managed to lay enough groundwork for the finale in previous books that it feels like a smooth landing after a long flight.
The premise of the series, Captain John "Black Geary" has awakened after 100 years of hypersleep to lead the fleet of the Alliance after a sudden disaster wipes out all of their commanding officers. He, however, is not the figure of legend and not what propaganda has turned them into. Instead, he is a cautious methodical commander who struggles to live up to the expectations placed upon him (except when they're stupid).
RELENTLESS benefits from introducing a reserve flotilla, which makes the Syndics able to mount one last battle against the Alliance fleet before it returns to its home space. There is also the resolution to the "saboteur" plot where some of Black Jack's ostensible fans are willing to do anything to make sure the military can carry out a coup (which they planned to do in his name before he inconveniently returned from the dead). The resolution here isn't great nor is the fact the mastermind is implied to have slept her way to the top but it's still a satisfying conclusion.
Obviously, people who finished the previous books are the audience for this but I actually enjoyed this more than the previous two.
9/10
The premise of the series, Captain John "Black Geary" has awakened after 100 years of hypersleep to lead the fleet of the Alliance after a sudden disaster wipes out all of their commanding officers. He, however, is not the figure of legend and not what propaganda has turned them into. Instead, he is a cautious methodical commander who struggles to live up to the expectations placed upon him (except when they're stupid).
RELENTLESS benefits from introducing a reserve flotilla, which makes the Syndics able to mount one last battle against the Alliance fleet before it returns to its home space. There is also the resolution to the "saboteur" plot where some of Black Jack's ostensible fans are willing to do anything to make sure the military can carry out a coup (which they planned to do in his name before he inconveniently returned from the dead). The resolution here isn't great nor is the fact the mastermind is implied to have slept her way to the top but it's still a satisfying conclusion.
Obviously, people who finished the previous books are the audience for this but I actually enjoyed this more than the previous two.
9/10
June 12, 2019
The Sunk Cost Fallacy happens when one is reluctant to stop a hopeless project, since one has already invested so much resources on the project. But continuing with the project doesn't bring those resources back; on the contrary, you end up "pouring good money after bad", as the saying goes.
There is a reason I mention the sunk cost fallacy while reviewing the fifth installment of the Lost Fleet series.
This was once again a somewhat entertaining, yet extremely predictable, even borderline boring, installment in the series. I find myself thinking that I'm only continuing with the series out if some resolution to "finish what I started". I ain't gonna back down now, after coming so far!
Yes, I've succumbed to the sunk costs.
There was at least one book too many in the series. Valiant and Relentless really should've been combined into one book. Books 2 and 3, as well. As a four-book series, the Lost Fleet would've been much more interesting.
Without spoilers it seems, however, that the final book might be a bit different from the formulaic "space battle - brooding - planning - space battle" plots of the five books do far.
And, well, now that I've come THIS far, might just as well finish what I started?
There is a reason I mention the sunk cost fallacy while reviewing the fifth installment of the Lost Fleet series.
This was once again a somewhat entertaining, yet extremely predictable, even borderline boring, installment in the series. I find myself thinking that I'm only continuing with the series out if some resolution to "finish what I started". I ain't gonna back down now, after coming so far!
Yes, I've succumbed to the sunk costs.
There was at least one book too many in the series. Valiant and Relentless really should've been combined into one book. Books 2 and 3, as well. As a four-book series, the Lost Fleet would've been much more interesting.
Without spoilers it seems, however, that the final book might be a bit different from the formulaic "space battle - brooding - planning - space battle" plots of the five books do far.
And, well, now that I've come THIS far, might just as well finish what I started?
January 11, 2015
-Más de lo mismo excepto la parte final.-
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. A pesar de las dudas al respecto, Geary decide finalmente poner a su maltrecha flota en dirección al sistema Heradao donde saben que están retenidos los prisioneros de guerra que los síndicos lograron capturar en un enfrentamiento previo, pero no todos sus subalternos comparten su punto de vista y hasta alguno podría valorar medidas más drásticas. Quinto libro de la saga La Flota Perdida.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Ciencia-Ficción.
Lo que nos cuenta. A pesar de las dudas al respecto, Geary decide finalmente poner a su maltrecha flota en dirección al sistema Heradao donde saben que están retenidos los prisioneros de guerra que los síndicos lograron capturar en un enfrentamiento previo, pero no todos sus subalternos comparten su punto de vista y hasta alguno podría valorar medidas más drásticas. Quinto libro de la saga La Flota Perdida.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
February 17, 2022
3.4⭐ Rounded Down
*Updated 17/02/23- Adds Review; Adjusts Rating *
Out of gas and way over warranty, Black Jack Geary finally brings the Lost Fleet home. Can't really explain why I'm re-reading this series, given my tottering want-to-read list, other than it's a fast pick me up from the late winter blahs. I'm a shameless fan of escapist fiction anyway, so no excuses are needed, really.
*Updated 17/02/23- Adds Review; Adjusts Rating *
Out of gas and way over warranty, Black Jack Geary finally brings the Lost Fleet home. Can't really explain why I'm re-reading this series, given my tottering want-to-read list, other than it's a fast pick me up from the late winter blahs. I'm a shameless fan of escapist fiction anyway, so no excuses are needed, really.
August 30, 2024
Thus far, my favorite of the series.
The love triangle is still ick, but everything else is well done enough to ignore it.
The love triangle is still ick, but everything else is well done enough to ignore it.
April 28, 2025
This was the best book in the series! A lot of great battles with Geary finally taking the fleet home!!
I really don't like Desjani as Geary's partner. I agree that he needed a love interest: after losing everybody in his life, he needed a personal anchor in this world. I also get that Desjani and Geary have a lot in common and that the whole "we can't be together" plot point can be poignant, but falling for a woman who believes you're on a divine mission from God? Good grief! From the beginning, she struck me as being too close to a zealot for comfort and I don't know what it says about Geary that he'd fall for her.
I would have believed this relationship more if she had been on the skeptic camp from the beginning, just seeing Geary as a man. And really, how could she believe that Geary would be an "equal partner" to her when she believes he's the only one who can stop the war and save the Alliance? By definition that puts him above her.
That said, if something the author wrote well is that Geary doesn't believe all that nonsense and in his personal life, he doesn't try to "command" at all. We saw that in his relationship with Rione.
I really don't like Desjani as Geary's partner. I agree that he needed a love interest: after losing everybody in his life, he needed a personal anchor in this world. I also get that Desjani and Geary have a lot in common and that the whole "we can't be together" plot point can be poignant, but falling for a woman who believes you're on a divine mission from God? Good grief! From the beginning, she struck me as being too close to a zealot for comfort and I don't know what it says about Geary that he'd fall for her.
I would have believed this relationship more if she had been on the skeptic camp from the beginning, just seeing Geary as a man. And really, how could she believe that Geary would be an "equal partner" to her when she believes he's the only one who can stop the war and save the Alliance? By definition that puts him above her.
That said, if something the author wrote well is that Geary doesn't believe all that nonsense and in his personal life, he doesn't try to "command" at all. We saw that in his relationship with Rione.
July 6, 2010
So much repetition. I now wish I hadn't started the books, but have to finish.
July 23, 2019
Pues eso, que ya van cinco. A estas alturas tengo una relación de amor/odio con la saga de Campbell. Llega a ser repetitiva en exceso, Geary me tiene frito con sus dudas, sus neuras y sus comidas de coco, algunos diálogos creo que los he leído (exactamente iguales) una docena de veces, estoy deseando un cambio de escenario, sus rollos amorosos me la traen al pairo, pero...
Pero entonces la Flota llega a un sistema nuevo y Geary prepara la estrategia, los síndicos adoptan su invariable formación en forma de caja y las dos facciones se dirigen a un enfrentamiento a muerte que tardará horas en llegar y se resolverá en unos instantes. Y vuelvo a quedar atrapado por el mismo mecanismo sencillo pero eficaz que Campbell ha perfeccionado hasta la exasperación.
Al menos, en el último se intuye que tiene que cambiar un poco el guión. O eso espero ;)
Pero entonces la Flota llega a un sistema nuevo y Geary prepara la estrategia, los síndicos adoptan su invariable formación en forma de caja y las dos facciones se dirigen a un enfrentamiento a muerte que tardará horas en llegar y se resolverá en unos instantes. Y vuelvo a quedar atrapado por el mismo mecanismo sencillo pero eficaz que Campbell ha perfeccionado hasta la exasperación.
Al menos, en el último se intuye que tiene que cambiar un poco el guión. O eso espero ;)
June 18, 2009
Target Audience: Breathing sapients over age 10
Warnings: Battle descriptions and allusions to sexual encounters
Plot: You really need to start with Dauntless and read the full series to understand all the layers of this book, but I'll try to sum up real quick.
Against all odds Jack "Black Jack" Geary has taken the beaten Alliance fleet and not only survived attacks from various outside groups but internal rebellion. In RELENTLESS the political struggle finally comes to the fore and the traitor is revealed, but not before s/he manages to take out some well-loved characters.
Running low on supplies, morale, and time the Lost Fleet stumbles home, and right into the middle of another epic battle.
For those who read Dauntless you'll recall Geary lost his grand-nephew in the opening chapters (no real spoiler there), and this penultimate battle reunites him with his last living relative. But it isn't the end, for Geary, or his fleet. Because they're being pursued by an enemy they can't let into their space and the only option left is to turn around and head back into enemy territory.
What I Loved: The fine-tuned balance between Geary wanting the fleet to survive, and his understanding that any survival would be bittersweet. Everyone he knows is dead. His home is gone. He has no life waiting for him. Any victory for the fleet costs him personal happiness.
It will also cost Geary power, and possibly friends.
The author balances this out very well.
What I didn't Like: The next book doesn't come out until 2010!!!!
Really, I'm almost tempted to tell a new reader to wait for the full set to come out because the series really is better read in one go. Wait for it to all come out, buy all the books, and then take a week off of life to read from beginning to end.
Warnings: Battle descriptions and allusions to sexual encounters
Plot: You really need to start with Dauntless and read the full series to understand all the layers of this book, but I'll try to sum up real quick.
Against all odds Jack "Black Jack" Geary has taken the beaten Alliance fleet and not only survived attacks from various outside groups but internal rebellion. In RELENTLESS the political struggle finally comes to the fore and the traitor is revealed, but not before s/he manages to take out some well-loved characters.
Running low on supplies, morale, and time the Lost Fleet stumbles home, and right into the middle of another epic battle.
For those who read Dauntless you'll recall Geary lost his grand-nephew in the opening chapters (no real spoiler there), and this penultimate battle reunites him with his last living relative. But it isn't the end, for Geary, or his fleet. Because they're being pursued by an enemy they can't let into their space and the only option left is to turn around and head back into enemy territory.
What I Loved: The fine-tuned balance between Geary wanting the fleet to survive, and his understanding that any survival would be bittersweet. Everyone he knows is dead. His home is gone. He has no life waiting for him. Any victory for the fleet costs him personal happiness.
It will also cost Geary power, and possibly friends.
The author balances this out very well.
What I didn't Like: The next book doesn't come out until 2010!!!!
Really, I'm almost tempted to tell a new reader to wait for the full set to come out because the series really is better read in one go. Wait for it to all come out, buy all the books, and then take a week off of life to read from beginning to end.
August 20, 2011
It is probably true that this story could have been handled over fewer books, although I don't think that it was a bad idea to spread it over six books. For one thing, the length of each novel is extremely manageable, and for another, the pacing and readability of these books are such that you can fly through them. Also, there are six books. Six. And then the story is wrapped up. This is good news for fans of genre fiction where writers periodically keep adding "just another" book to their series, ad infinitum.
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. There was more plot progression than in Valiant and a good return to form for the series. Some mysteries remain, most notably the aliens, which was a bit of a disappointment. I really want to know what their story is. Although these novels aren't the most complicated science fiction tales around, they're great fun. The battle sequences didn't impress quite as much as in the previous books, mainly because, by now, I've gotten a bit used to the formula. Without providing any spoilers: there is a great resolution to at least one of the main plot threads.
The last novel in this series (Victorious) has its work cut out. Let's see how this ends.
I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. There was more plot progression than in Valiant and a good return to form for the series. Some mysteries remain, most notably the aliens, which was a bit of a disappointment. I really want to know what their story is. Although these novels aren't the most complicated science fiction tales around, they're great fun. The battle sequences didn't impress quite as much as in the previous books, mainly because, by now, I've gotten a bit used to the formula. Without providing any spoilers: there is a great resolution to at least one of the main plot threads.
The last novel in this series (Victorious) has its work cut out. Let's see how this ends.
November 19, 2022
Number Five of the Lost Fleet series.
The fleet under Geary is now within two spits of Alliance space. For those wondering exactly how far two spits is: somewhere in the ballpark of a couple of star systems. Considering how many star systems the fleet has been through trying to get home, two spits is fairly apt. It's all relative.
The plot has really thickened. Enemies are discovered and some are still in hiding. There's sabotage. The aliens are busy instigating antagonism between the Alliance and the Syndics. The Syndics are generally up to their old tricks. On the flipside, sometimes they're not. Sorry to be so ambiguous, but I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers.
At this point in the series, I certainly hope that it's not anticlimactic when we meet the aliens! (And I hope they're not giant arachnid-type aliens. If they are I'm going to vamoose!) They've been busy little bees for five books now. They might not have been visible to the characters yet, but they're making their presence known.
I will be continuing the series!!
The fleet under Geary is now within two spits of Alliance space. For those wondering exactly how far two spits is: somewhere in the ballpark of a couple of star systems. Considering how many star systems the fleet has been through trying to get home, two spits is fairly apt. It's all relative.
The plot has really thickened. Enemies are discovered and some are still in hiding. There's sabotage. The aliens are busy instigating antagonism between the Alliance and the Syndics. The Syndics are generally up to their old tricks. On the flipside, sometimes they're not. Sorry to be so ambiguous, but I don't want to spoil anything for potential readers.
At this point in the series, I certainly hope that it's not anticlimactic when we meet the aliens! (And I hope they're not giant arachnid-type aliens. If they are I'm going to vamoose!) They've been busy little bees for five books now. They might not have been visible to the characters yet, but they're making their presence known.
I will be continuing the series!!
September 24, 2018
Book 5 of this 6 book series. Still good reading but I'm finding the space battles becoming a bit repetitive. Luckily, there is quite a bit of intrigue and progress on the overall story arc to keep me interested. It's not possible to say much about the contents of the book without some major spoilers:)
If you have read the previous books then this one is well worth it. Still a couple of plot points to resolve and I'm expecting that to all happen in the last book.
If you have read the previous books then this one is well worth it. Still a couple of plot points to resolve and I'm expecting that to all happen in the last book.
February 11, 2021
Everything I've loved about the series up until now PLUS a touching family reunion. This was the best book thus far in my opinion.
Rione even redeemed herself somewhat.
I wasn't a fan of the petty girl squabbling that went on, but there was WAY less love triangle nonsense!
Time for the Lost Fleet Finale!! 🥺
~aliens~
Rione even redeemed herself somewhat.
I wasn't a fan of the petty girl squabbling that went on, but there was WAY less love triangle nonsense!
Time for the Lost Fleet Finale!! 🥺
~aliens~
April 23, 2025
Military sci-fi isn't normally my thing, but I do really enjoy this series and these characters.
December 21, 2023
Wow the plot is sooo close to resolving i cant wait for the last book!!
February 5, 2012
It's book five of the series and the Alliance fleet is within spitting distance of home territory, if anyone in the fleet could spit several dozen light years away. This was the first time I really felt that the fleet was in dire straits in terms of resources; they're limping along on 35% fuel reserves, the auxiliaries are having trouble keeping up with the weapons needs, and at this point I began to wonder if Jack Geary was going to come into Alliance territory with a fleet at all. Despite this shortage, the story's tension comes more from rooting out the remaining traitors within the fleet and dealing with further revelations about the unseen alien enemy. Overall I'm satisfied with this book, though I didn't care for it as much as the earlier volumes, because....
Rione is still one of my favorite characters, though I have the feeling I'm not supposed to like her. She's a good contrast to the officers and their concept of honor, because she sees things differently but still has her own honor, and the fact that most of the fleet doesn't believe she does makes me sympathetic to her. When it comes to the final battle in this book, she plays a crucial role that finally makes the officers realize that maybe a politician doesn't have to be a back-stabbing, conniving, two-faced liability to the cause; to paraphrase another famous captain, if Rione is going to stab you in the back she'll have the decency to do it to your face.
I am so impressed with the religiosity that pervades the series. This volume isn't any more or less an example of that, but this is as good a place as any to talk about it. The idea of an entire culture that is unashamed of its spirituality, a culture in which believing in an outside Power is not incompatible with being scientifically minded, is sort of refreshing. I'm also surprised that Campbell allows his characters not only to worship, but to receive guidance from their ancestors. I don't know how this would look to a non-religious person, but I thought it was clever and heartwarming.
The final book will be a different kind of battle, and I'm interested to see what happens next.
Rione is still one of my favorite characters, though I have the feeling I'm not supposed to like her. She's a good contrast to the officers and their concept of honor, because she sees things differently but still has her own honor, and the fact that most of the fleet doesn't believe she does makes me sympathetic to her. When it comes to the final battle in this book, she plays a crucial role that finally makes the officers realize that maybe a politician doesn't have to be a back-stabbing, conniving, two-faced liability to the cause; to paraphrase another famous captain, if Rione is going to stab you in the back she'll have the decency to do it to your face.
I am so impressed with the religiosity that pervades the series. This volume isn't any more or less an example of that, but this is as good a place as any to talk about it. The idea of an entire culture that is unashamed of its spirituality, a culture in which believing in an outside Power is not incompatible with being scientifically minded, is sort of refreshing. I'm also surprised that Campbell allows his characters not only to worship, but to receive guidance from their ancestors. I don't know how this would look to a non-religious person, but I thought it was clever and heartwarming.
The final book will be a different kind of battle, and I'm interested to see what happens next.
February 9, 2021
So we are now in the fifth novel and one to go.
It's nigh impossible writing about this novel without spoilers so I wouldn't try otherwise...
Capt Geary was awaken and now leads the alliance fleet through hostile syndicate world. Since he is 90's years in hibernation his ideals and tactics are overly different.
So after escaping the core world with few casualties they've gone through other system with some difficulties (either external and internal). Cap Geary next decision is either go to more safe system or a more hazardous one but may have some POW camps.
I will not dwelt more on it because it's spoilers but finally after that jump they will be two jumps from Alliance systems. Another thing that was very focus was the politics behind the Syndicate actions, either some systems trying to rebel and the reserve flotilla not being where they thought. There are also information and thoughts regarding the aliens and what they doing to the hyper gates in the syndicate worlds - if one of them is destroyed every single life on that system is also destroyed. The alliance has the solution but they have doubts if they should share.
As previous novels it's very focus on characters and politics. Not a fast pace book in any rate but It made me want to read the next one next month.
https://youtu.be/nOSr8Z6g2gk
It's nigh impossible writing about this novel without spoilers so I wouldn't try otherwise...
Capt Geary was awaken and now leads the alliance fleet through hostile syndicate world. Since he is 90's years in hibernation his ideals and tactics are overly different.
So after escaping the core world with few casualties they've gone through other system with some difficulties (either external and internal). Cap Geary next decision is either go to more safe system or a more hazardous one but may have some POW camps.
I will not dwelt more on it because it's spoilers but finally after that jump they will be two jumps from Alliance systems. Another thing that was very focus was the politics behind the Syndicate actions, either some systems trying to rebel and the reserve flotilla not being where they thought. There are also information and thoughts regarding the aliens and what they doing to the hyper gates in the syndicate worlds - if one of them is destroyed every single life on that system is also destroyed. The alliance has the solution but they have doubts if they should share.
As previous novels it's very focus on characters and politics. Not a fast pace book in any rate but It made me want to read the next one next month.
https://youtu.be/nOSr8Z6g2gk
December 11, 2009
By The Living Stars, which is an expression used in this series, the series still has little to recommend it at this stage? Why six books. It is clear that three would have covered it.
So many times the repetition of what has happened before reappears. Maybe once was forgiveable, but over and over. Then let us suspend our disbelief for the throwaway aliens... Book five and we haven't seen them, just some evidence and supposition that they exist and is one of a few reasons the enemy is as violent and distasteful as they are.
But what we see with out really finally saying it is that the war of terror exists because so long ago they killed our Great-Great-Uncle and they think so long ago we killed their Great-Aunt that no one can let bygones be bygones, even though each side of course will say the other did the killing the first.
No one but our hero, who thinks it, but won't say it where it will do the most good.
And our hero of course is the only one after 100 years of murderous war who can think of new tactics...
We got all that ages ago, certainly saving us as readers and purchasers several dollars and time, oh the time to slog through it.
Where we have problems is the Hero was more heroic before and less so now. His one dimensional side kicks are just that, one dimensional and the facade of background material trying to give them depth has come too late to take away any of that boring look at them. It is also trite and cliched, first our hero is sleeping with the only politician in the fleet, who happens to be a woman and now a thorny conscious in his side, and now that they have stopped sleeping together, he wants to sleep with the highest ranked lieutenant to the command structure who also is a good looking woman, with baggage that counts for nothing.
Where they should have reached home, reached the aliens, or been destroyed by book three, well we do have some arcs that get tied up. But in all this the people that he is fighting, oh they are getting the word that he shows mercy which for the last hundred years has been few and far between, but they do not believe it every time he shows up and so the bosses on the enemy side insist they fight to the death.
Fighting if you believe in your cause, give me liberty or give me death, is one thing, but fighting when you don't and you know that someone above you is ordering you to a useless death is making the Stockholm syndrome to taken for granted. I have more faith in people than that. I have more faith in the fear of death than that. I have more faith than anything that Jack Campbell with his hero who self doubts so much it is a wonder he won't just go kill himself. A 100 year temporal displacement, that many changes, dealing with no ties to the past should take a lot more pyschiatric help, all the time then this guy gets. So try and fail at suspending your disbelief.
What to do? Don't read this series if you haven't started. Only read this book if you are the person who has to know how something ends once you have started. Once finished with this series, it will never be read again.
So many times the repetition of what has happened before reappears. Maybe once was forgiveable, but over and over. Then let us suspend our disbelief for the throwaway aliens... Book five and we haven't seen them, just some evidence and supposition that they exist and is one of a few reasons the enemy is as violent and distasteful as they are.
But what we see with out really finally saying it is that the war of terror exists because so long ago they killed our Great-Great-Uncle and they think so long ago we killed their Great-Aunt that no one can let bygones be bygones, even though each side of course will say the other did the killing the first.
No one but our hero, who thinks it, but won't say it where it will do the most good.
And our hero of course is the only one after 100 years of murderous war who can think of new tactics...
We got all that ages ago, certainly saving us as readers and purchasers several dollars and time, oh the time to slog through it.
Where we have problems is the Hero was more heroic before and less so now. His one dimensional side kicks are just that, one dimensional and the facade of background material trying to give them depth has come too late to take away any of that boring look at them. It is also trite and cliched, first our hero is sleeping with the only politician in the fleet, who happens to be a woman and now a thorny conscious in his side, and now that they have stopped sleeping together, he wants to sleep with the highest ranked lieutenant to the command structure who also is a good looking woman, with baggage that counts for nothing.
Where they should have reached home, reached the aliens, or been destroyed by book three, well we do have some arcs that get tied up. But in all this the people that he is fighting, oh they are getting the word that he shows mercy which for the last hundred years has been few and far between, but they do not believe it every time he shows up and so the bosses on the enemy side insist they fight to the death.
Fighting if you believe in your cause, give me liberty or give me death, is one thing, but fighting when you don't and you know that someone above you is ordering you to a useless death is making the Stockholm syndrome to taken for granted. I have more faith in people than that. I have more faith in the fear of death than that. I have more faith than anything that Jack Campbell with his hero who self doubts so much it is a wonder he won't just go kill himself. A 100 year temporal displacement, that many changes, dealing with no ties to the past should take a lot more pyschiatric help, all the time then this guy gets. So try and fail at suspending your disbelief.
What to do? Don't read this series if you haven't started. Only read this book if you are the person who has to know how something ends once you have started. Once finished with this series, it will never be read again.
July 21, 2020
Remind me never to join the Space Force.
I hate-skimmed this book. The premise of a force lost behind enemy lines that has to make its way back to friendly territory is a tried and true story setting (Xenophon's "Anabasis" being the template). The problem with Campbell's Lost Fleet series is several-fold. First the premise of the fleet being "lost" quickly gets lost in the shuffle and it feels more like reading about a boring game of battleship where the fleet....flits...from one star system to the next with nary a purpose behind mindless battle.
And believe me, the battles are MINDLESS. After 5 books I still have no idea what this war between the "Alliance" and the "Syndicate" is about. The pejorative "Syndic" sounds vaguely insectoid but no, they're just people. They're never portrayed as anything other than generic automatons though so they might as well be Cylons. While aliens are revealed (tangentially) in the last book as a deus ex machina for why the Syndics started the war (lest the Aliens attack them), that potentially interesting development is dropped for 95% of this book. Instead, this book is a fairly insignificant mission to rescue some POWs while Captain Geary faces backchannel infighting among his commanders and needs validation.
On god does Geary need validation. 70% of the dialogue is a variation on:
"I don't think I can do it."
"Of course you can, you're Black Jack Geary! Hero of the Stars!"
"I don't feel like a hero."
"[reasons why Geary is awesomely humble and humbly awesome ver 246]"
"Ok, maybe I can do it."
It's more like a therapy session than an examination of command (and Geary is a BAD commander, make no mistake). So it's almost understandable why subordinates would consider mutiny against him -- yet those that conspire against him NEVER explain what they want to do instead. They utter platitudes against showing mercy to the Syndics yet seem to conveniently forget that they're a "Lost Fleet" so their critiques should be about getting home.
Ultimately, this series started strong as a "March Upcountry in Space" then became "Stuart Smalley in Space." HATE-SKIM.
I hate-skimmed this book. The premise of a force lost behind enemy lines that has to make its way back to friendly territory is a tried and true story setting (Xenophon's "Anabasis" being the template). The problem with Campbell's Lost Fleet series is several-fold. First the premise of the fleet being "lost" quickly gets lost in the shuffle and it feels more like reading about a boring game of battleship where the fleet....flits...from one star system to the next with nary a purpose behind mindless battle.
And believe me, the battles are MINDLESS. After 5 books I still have no idea what this war between the "Alliance" and the "Syndicate" is about. The pejorative "Syndic" sounds vaguely insectoid but no, they're just people. They're never portrayed as anything other than generic automatons though so they might as well be Cylons. While aliens are revealed (tangentially) in the last book as a deus ex machina for why the Syndics started the war (lest the Aliens attack them), that potentially interesting development is dropped for 95% of this book. Instead, this book is a fairly insignificant mission to rescue some POWs while Captain Geary faces backchannel infighting among his commanders and needs validation.
On god does Geary need validation. 70% of the dialogue is a variation on:
"I don't think I can do it."
"Of course you can, you're Black Jack Geary! Hero of the Stars!"
"I don't feel like a hero."
"[reasons why Geary is awesomely humble and humbly awesome ver 246]"
"Ok, maybe I can do it."
It's more like a therapy session than an examination of command (and Geary is a BAD commander, make no mistake). So it's almost understandable why subordinates would consider mutiny against him -- yet those that conspire against him NEVER explain what they want to do instead. They utter platitudes against showing mercy to the Syndics yet seem to conveniently forget that they're a "Lost Fleet" so their critiques should be about getting home.
Ultimately, this series started strong as a "March Upcountry in Space" then became "Stuart Smalley in Space." HATE-SKIM.
February 1, 2014
This is the 5th book in the series which I have read – one after the other. In retrospect, I won’t recommend reading them all together as I have. While it’s one l-o-n-g story, a little of the excitement is lost. I got “spaced out”.
Yet, this book is a different from the others. While there is the (obligatory) Fleet battle, it tries to examine other subjects. The Fleet’s Marines enter into major ground action. (Damn their good.) There’s the liberation of a POW camp (with collaborators). Fuel and weapons are running low. Sabotage continues. And, after a century, it now appears certain that Aliens are the true enemies having used the Syndicate.
As they get close to home, for the first time, there’s hope. Will they make it? (…You know they will...) Anyway…I still enjoy the ongoing saga and the characters are still interesting. (Geary’s flagship ship captain, Dejani, takes on a larger role as his new confidant and platonic lover.)
Will Black Jack Geary become the Alliance military dictator? The next book will tell…
Yet, this book is a different from the others. While there is the (obligatory) Fleet battle, it tries to examine other subjects. The Fleet’s Marines enter into major ground action. (Damn their good.) There’s the liberation of a POW camp (with collaborators). Fuel and weapons are running low. Sabotage continues. And, after a century, it now appears certain that Aliens are the true enemies having used the Syndicate.
As they get close to home, for the first time, there’s hope. Will they make it? (…You know they will...) Anyway…I still enjoy the ongoing saga and the characters are still interesting. (Geary’s flagship ship captain, Dejani, takes on a larger role as his new confidant and platonic lover.)
Will Black Jack Geary become the Alliance military dictator? The next book will tell…
November 9, 2017
The fleet has almost made it back to Alliance space, with only a few more jumps between them and home. But they're not out of the woods yet: Between a dangerous mission to liberate a POW camp, the saboteur who has already attempted to destroy several ships still at large, and new intelligence suggesting that the Syndics have a large reserve flotilla awaiting them in the last star system they need to traverse before making it home, Geary's fleet still has a number of problems to solve.
A thrilling good read as always, with the added benefit of being blessedly free of Rione's histrionics and jealous rages for a change - she's still dropping bitchy snide comments every once in a while, but thankfully the extreme drama on that front has finally subsided. Very excited to see where things go in the next book.
A thrilling good read as always, with the added benefit of being blessedly free of Rione's histrionics and jealous rages for a change - she's still dropping bitchy snide comments every once in a while, but thankfully the extreme drama on that front has finally subsided. Very excited to see where things go in the next book.
January 5, 2020
Hot damn, they're finally breaking their mold.
Slowly.... very slowly. It's still a bit formulaic, but the author is breathing some life into the universe. The battles are still a tedious exercise in "they flew past each other and shot a bunch", but the universe at large is starting to feel more alive. Which is unfortunate given I'm towards the end of this particular ark.
Highlight was, legitimately, an interesting and "different" take of fleet marines doing a ground action, but almost all of it is from the perspective of the fleet officers observing and supporting it. This is how a battle should be, in my opinion, and interesting exclamation point in an arc.
Brings in more intrigue and thought into the universe too as both sides are exhausted and showing the strain, civil unrest, etc.
Lets see if we finish strong with the next one.
Slowly.... very slowly. It's still a bit formulaic, but the author is breathing some life into the universe. The battles are still a tedious exercise in "they flew past each other and shot a bunch", but the universe at large is starting to feel more alive. Which is unfortunate given I'm towards the end of this particular ark.
Highlight was, legitimately, an interesting and "different" take of fleet marines doing a ground action, but almost all of it is from the perspective of the fleet officers observing and supporting it. This is how a battle should be, in my opinion, and interesting exclamation point in an arc.
Brings in more intrigue and thought into the universe too as both sides are exhausted and showing the strain, civil unrest, etc.
Lets see if we finish strong with the next one.
May 18, 2009
The Alliance fleet finally makes it back to Alliance space. John Geary finally figures out who's been sabotaging the fleet (in a very satisfying scene.) Two big battles and continuing intrigue with the unknown aliens make Relentless one of the best of the series. I'm glad I started reading these when I did, as I had five all queued up and ready to go. Unfortunately, now I've got to wait a long time for #6. This is good, solid storytelling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews