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The Lost Stars #2
Perilous Shield
New York Times bestselling author Jack Campbell returns with the next chapter in the overthrow of the Syndicate Worlds’ oppression…
Following a successful coup, the leaders of the rebel Midway Star System struggle to forge a government free enough to please its citizens yet strong enough to secure power. But in a world where former rulers have become new foes, an alien threat to humanity may turn old adversaries into uncertain allies.
General Artur Drakon knows three words describe someone who confides in a Syndicate CEO: Stupid. Betrayed. Dead. Despite his misgivings, he partnered with another former CEO to overthrow Syndic forces. Now, with an enigma fleet menacing their hard-earned independence, he can ill afford to trust her—or lose her support.
President Gwen Iceni believes Midway is humanity’s defense against the enigmas. Syndicate training taught her self-preservation in a crisis, yet she’s determined to fight for the star system’s fate…even if it means joining forces with Drakon—and an officer of the hated Alliance.
Their plan places the Midway flotilla at great risk in hopes of greater reward: recruiting the personnel necessary to man warships against the enigmas. But before facing the alien advance, Drakon and Iceni must survive hidden dangers closer to home: all-too-human threats that could jeopardize Midway’s freedom…and their own lives.
Following a successful coup, the leaders of the rebel Midway Star System struggle to forge a government free enough to please its citizens yet strong enough to secure power. But in a world where former rulers have become new foes, an alien threat to humanity may turn old adversaries into uncertain allies.
General Artur Drakon knows three words describe someone who confides in a Syndicate CEO: Stupid. Betrayed. Dead. Despite his misgivings, he partnered with another former CEO to overthrow Syndic forces. Now, with an enigma fleet menacing their hard-earned independence, he can ill afford to trust her—or lose her support.
President Gwen Iceni believes Midway is humanity’s defense against the enigmas. Syndicate training taught her self-preservation in a crisis, yet she’s determined to fight for the star system’s fate…even if it means joining forces with Drakon—and an officer of the hated Alliance.
Their plan places the Midway flotilla at great risk in hopes of greater reward: recruiting the personnel necessary to man warships against the enigmas. But before facing the alien advance, Drakon and Iceni must survive hidden dangers closer to home: all-too-human threats that could jeopardize Midway’s freedom…and their own lives.
467 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
85 people are currently reading
1388 people want to read
About the author
Jack Campbell
115 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'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
October 6, 2013
You know what I find fascinating about this story? Apart from pretty much everything else in it, that is. I like watching Artur and Iceni flail about trying to express emotion. It's hilarious to me! They've lived their whole lives as top dogs in a system that only lets you get to that level by showing zero weakness and repressing any kind of remorse or compassion, so they have absolutely no idea what they're doing, and I love it! They're professionals with the power to level planets, and the interpersonal skills of third graders.
That aside, though, this book is more of the story of Midway. Did you like the first one? Good. You'll like this. As with the first one, I feel its main weakness is that it doesn't seem to have a clear focus. But that's also its main strength as well. There's a number of plots going on, a lot of little stories all happening side by side, and nothing is focused on for so long that it gets boring. Maybe some people will find that too erratic, but I didn't.
Bonus points for actually providing some freaking resolution to a couple of plot threads that I was frustrated by, mostly what the hell was up with the colonels. Also, further bonus points for the first three chapters essentially repeating the last three chapters from the most recent Lost Fleet book and somehow making it far more interesting and emotional.
Overall, the Lost Stars isn't perfect, but it's damn good, and if you want to watch a pair of emotionally crippled individuals make up excuses as to their reasons for being good people, then I highly recommend it.
That aside, though, this book is more of the story of Midway. Did you like the first one? Good. You'll like this. As with the first one, I feel its main weakness is that it doesn't seem to have a clear focus. But that's also its main strength as well. There's a number of plots going on, a lot of little stories all happening side by side, and nothing is focused on for so long that it gets boring. Maybe some people will find that too erratic, but I didn't.
Bonus points for actually providing some freaking resolution to a couple of plot threads that I was frustrated by, mostly what the hell was up with the colonels. Also, further bonus points for the first three chapters essentially repeating the last three chapters from the most recent Lost Fleet book and somehow making it far more interesting and emotional.
Overall, the Lost Stars isn't perfect, but it's damn good, and if you want to watch a pair of emotionally crippled individuals make up excuses as to their reasons for being good people, then I highly recommend it.
August 30, 2021
PERILOUS SHIELD continues the adventures of General Dracon and President Iceni as the two of them attempt the hard task of trying to build a (very reluctant) functioning democracy from a scheming planet of murderous evil-doers. I really enjoyed the first book even if I felt it was hard to have anyone to root for and enjoyed this book a bit more because Captain Bradamont serves as an Alliance officer there to bring a great deal of much-needed morality to the Syndics.
Much of the book is about the necessities of acquiring trained personnel for the expanding fleet of Midway and how so much propaganda against the Alliance is still out there, including that they blew up a world of civilians. We also have a big twist at the end.
I'm still reading the series and will probably read it from back to back. So high praise there.
Much of the book is about the necessities of acquiring trained personnel for the expanding fleet of Midway and how so much propaganda against the Alliance is still out there, including that they blew up a world of civilians. We also have a big twist at the end.
I'm still reading the series and will probably read it from back to back. So high praise there.
October 29, 2014
This is the best book I've read by Jack Campbell. The tension and suspense is well-maintained, and the human drama feels very real and compelling. I'm really enjoying The Lost Stars series.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed by Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.
Reviewed by Bitten by Books. http://bittenbybooks.com.
October 8, 2013
Jack Campbell have written another good book in The Lost Fleet universe. This is the second book in the spin-off series, The Lost Stars, that takes place in the universe that started with The Lost Fleet series of books. This series tells the story of a syndicate star system that broke loose after the syndicate crumbled around them.
I have read all the books in The Lost Fleet, Beyond The Frontier as well as The Lost Stars and I have liked all of them. They are well written, the physics of space and the space combat is very very good and believable, the characters are interesting and the story is keeping one’s interest. The one thing I generally have had against these books are the politics and the devious scheming going on and this book is no different in that aspect I am afraid.
This book continues the story of President Iceni and General Drakon trying to stabilize the (now) independent star system of Midway. Apart from having to stave off the remains of the Syndicate and an Enigma fleet, they also have to walk a tight rope between introducing a democratic way of governing and losing control to people not really used to the concept of democracy. Black Jack himself is also making an appearance although, even though his fleet makes an appearance, Black Jack himself is mostly referred to rather than appearing in person. Actually the book describes some of the events from Beyond The Frontier from the perspective of Midway, President Iceni and General Drakon.
The book is very good. However, from my point of view it is weighed down somewhat by the constant mistrust and scheming. Unfortunately this accelerated towards the end and the book ends in a kind of soap-opera style cliffhanger that I was not at all thrilled about. I would say that the book lost a star almost entirely because of the ending. Still a very enjoyable book though.
I have read all the books in The Lost Fleet, Beyond The Frontier as well as The Lost Stars and I have liked all of them. They are well written, the physics of space and the space combat is very very good and believable, the characters are interesting and the story is keeping one’s interest. The one thing I generally have had against these books are the politics and the devious scheming going on and this book is no different in that aspect I am afraid.
This book continues the story of President Iceni and General Drakon trying to stabilize the (now) independent star system of Midway. Apart from having to stave off the remains of the Syndicate and an Enigma fleet, they also have to walk a tight rope between introducing a democratic way of governing and losing control to people not really used to the concept of democracy. Black Jack himself is also making an appearance although, even though his fleet makes an appearance, Black Jack himself is mostly referred to rather than appearing in person. Actually the book describes some of the events from Beyond The Frontier from the perspective of Midway, President Iceni and General Drakon.
The book is very good. However, from my point of view it is weighed down somewhat by the constant mistrust and scheming. Unfortunately this accelerated towards the end and the book ends in a kind of soap-opera style cliffhanger that I was not at all thrilled about. I would say that the book lost a star almost entirely because of the ending. Still a very enjoyable book though.
October 4, 2013
Yeah Í've read it. I been along for the ride starting from Dauntless and even backtracked back to the Stark universe and as much as I hate to admit it but this is his best work to date.
The writing has improved even more. I went through Lost Fleet because of the realism in his space battles and the metaphor of human condition but the Lost Fleet has some weaknesses in storyline that is becoming apparent.
The Lost stars storyline allows the author more room to maneuver for more compelling storyline. Though I think there is a little too much reference in Arthurian Myth so I kind of expected some of what was happening. I admit I'm more worried/excited about the Rogue Queen now because of that ending than The Kicks, the Enigmas, the rest of Syndic space for some reason but if he sticks too much we'll see.
The writing has improved even more. I went through Lost Fleet because of the realism in his space battles and the metaphor of human condition but the Lost Fleet has some weaknesses in storyline that is becoming apparent.
The Lost stars storyline allows the author more room to maneuver for more compelling storyline. Though I think there is a little too much reference in Arthurian Myth so I kind of expected some of what was happening. I admit I'm more worried/excited about the Rogue Queen now because of that ending than The Kicks, the Enigmas, the rest of Syndic space for some reason but if he sticks too much we'll see.
November 18, 2019
Perilous Shield maintains the levels of action and intensity that were established in the first novel in the series, Tarnished Knight, while also allowing gratifying character development.
An uninitiated reader would lack the context necessary to enjoy Perilous Shield, but established fans of the series are likely to enjoy it thoroughly.
An uninitiated reader would lack the context necessary to enjoy Perilous Shield, but established fans of the series are likely to enjoy it thoroughly.
May 27, 2019
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89 points, 4 ½ stars!
Midway Star System successfully became an independent system, free of Syndicate forces. However, that doesn't make them safe. The Enigma fleet has shown up, and they are more than Midway can handle on their own. When Syndicate forces come to try and retake the system, an impossible situation becomes hopeless. They have an ace in Black Jack, who comes through just like they hoped he would. But General Artur Drakon and President Gwen Iceni both agree: they can't always rely on Black Jack. They have to become strong enough to protect themselves.
Well, I just had an absolute blast reading Perilous Shield. It can be categorised as "pure fun". I got to see the Alliance/Black Jack from the other side of things. But mostly all of my problems with The Lost Fleet are just gone. The characters are amazing, the dialogue feels natural. The people are just people. There are even more people to care about than just two. Praise the living stars, this was just fun.
The beginning of Perilous Shield opens up with the Syndicate and the Enigma in the system. The Enigma are just waiting around - for what, Midway doesn't know but they have some thoughts. The Syndicate are there to try and regain control of the system - and Drakon and Iceni aren't going to let them. If you have already read Beyond the Fleet, you know how this is going to go, if not it isn't really much of a surprise.
I loved seeing Geary from the other side. I love it even more this time around, even, because it was just plain more entertaining this time around. I never realised how annoying Geary must be to others not on his ship, when they aren't in on all the information he is. I just loved this peek into things.
Geary also transferred Captain Honore Bradamont to Midway in an ambassadorial role to help them. I love this because I get to see Bradamont and Drakon's Rogero reconnect as a couple. Alliance and Syndicate Romeo and Juliet. Awww. I love it. It was adorable! (Seriously. The best romance I've read from Jack Campbell so far. I'm in love.)
Bradamont's transfer isn't just to help Midway. It is to train them. Bradamont has a wide range of things she is able to do under her orders. Which leads to her leading a party by Midway Star Systems to Varandal System in Alliance space to collect some prisoners of war. A party that includes Rogero. Honestly, this is just so much better than anything that happened in Beyond the Frontier. That was all war. This is the humanitarian side, and I love it.
The ending, though? So dumb. I love it. And I've been waiting for it. The King Arthur story commences! This brings me more joy than I should have. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series. I need to see more romance. I'm not ashamed to admit that.
89 points, 4 ½ stars!
Midway Star System successfully became an independent system, free of Syndicate forces. However, that doesn't make them safe. The Enigma fleet has shown up, and they are more than Midway can handle on their own. When Syndicate forces come to try and retake the system, an impossible situation becomes hopeless. They have an ace in Black Jack, who comes through just like they hoped he would. But General Artur Drakon and President Gwen Iceni both agree: they can't always rely on Black Jack. They have to become strong enough to protect themselves.
Well, I just had an absolute blast reading Perilous Shield. It can be categorised as "pure fun". I got to see the Alliance/Black Jack from the other side of things. But mostly all of my problems with The Lost Fleet are just gone. The characters are amazing, the dialogue feels natural. The people are just people. There are even more people to care about than just two. Praise the living stars, this was just fun.
The beginning of Perilous Shield opens up with the Syndicate and the Enigma in the system. The Enigma are just waiting around - for what, Midway doesn't know but they have some thoughts. The Syndicate are there to try and regain control of the system - and Drakon and Iceni aren't going to let them. If you have already read Beyond the Fleet, you know how this is going to go, if not it isn't really much of a surprise.
I loved seeing Geary from the other side. I love it even more this time around, even, because it was just plain more entertaining this time around. I never realised how annoying Geary must be to others not on his ship, when they aren't in on all the information he is. I just loved this peek into things.
Geary also transferred Captain Honore Bradamont to Midway in an ambassadorial role to help them. I love this because I get to see Bradamont and Drakon's Rogero reconnect as a couple. Alliance and Syndicate Romeo and Juliet. Awww. I love it. It was adorable! (Seriously. The best romance I've read from Jack Campbell so far. I'm in love.)
Bradamont's transfer isn't just to help Midway. It is to train them. Bradamont has a wide range of things she is able to do under her orders. Which leads to her leading a party by Midway Star Systems to Varandal System in Alliance space to collect some prisoners of war. A party that includes Rogero. Honestly, this is just so much better than anything that happened in Beyond the Frontier. That was all war. This is the humanitarian side, and I love it.
The ending, though? So dumb. I love it. And I've been waiting for it. The King Arthur story commences! This brings me more joy than I should have. I'm really looking forward to the rest of this series. I need to see more romance. I'm not ashamed to admit that.
October 26, 2013
I really enjoy the degree to which Mr Campbell manages to capture the difficulty of understanding free thinking for people who have never tried anything like it before. All motives appear hidden, and anything that is said or done *must* be only a pattern behind which lie hidden goals.
January 12, 2022
Loppua kohti paranee, mutta kirjan viime sivuilla lässähtää. Arvosana 4, mutta lopun takia 3,5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2017
The lost Stars Series is a spin off on the Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier series focusing on the leaders of Midway Star System, a former syndicate world where the leadership is struggling to rebuild a government from the ruins of the repressive former regime. The first two books take place concurrently with events in one of the later Beyond the Frontier books, but the events are told from the perspective of Midway's leadership. I enjoyed the Lost Fleet books, and I am pleasantly surprised to find that I am enjoying the spin off Lost stars series equally, if not more than the original!
In the Lost Stars series, the writing no longer relies as heavily on constant (albeit wonderfully realistic) space battles. This isn't to say there aren't any space battles, but the author is no longer relying as heavily on those battles to carry the reader's interest. Instead, there are several different storylines and overarching themes which run through both this book and its immediate predecessor, Tarnished Knight. I was pleased to see the author investing time and energy into more fully developing the cast of secondary characters. The end result is a nicely layered novel with much more depth than the previous Lost Fleet series. Unlike the previous Lost Fleet series, these first two Lost Stars books feel more like installments in a series instead of chapters in one extremely long novel.
While Perilous Shield contains many events that readers of the Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier series are already familiar with, the fresh viewpoint renders these events fascinating in an entirely new and unique manner. The author uses the reader's familiarity with the Alliance motivations detailed in the lost fleet series to provide a stark contrast to the perceptions of those motivations by the former syndicate leadership. I particularly enjoyed watching how Admiral Geary's actions were interpreted and how his motivations were, often incorrectly, deduced by his former enemies. This series provides the backstory on many events that are only glossed over in the Beyond the Frontier series and presents new mysteries as well as a healthy dose of political and personal intrigue.
If you enjoyed the Lost Fleet series, the Lost Stars provides a complimentary storyline that presents familiar events and concepts from a unique viewpoints demonstrating how viewpoint alters the perception of reality. In Perilous Shield, the concept of trust in a post repressive regime continues to be explored and the author begins to delve into the complex process by which bitter enemies are transformed into cautious allies and political rivals become partners.
In the Lost Stars series, the writing no longer relies as heavily on constant (albeit wonderfully realistic) space battles. This isn't to say there aren't any space battles, but the author is no longer relying as heavily on those battles to carry the reader's interest. Instead, there are several different storylines and overarching themes which run through both this book and its immediate predecessor, Tarnished Knight. I was pleased to see the author investing time and energy into more fully developing the cast of secondary characters. The end result is a nicely layered novel with much more depth than the previous Lost Fleet series. Unlike the previous Lost Fleet series, these first two Lost Stars books feel more like installments in a series instead of chapters in one extremely long novel.
While Perilous Shield contains many events that readers of the Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier series are already familiar with, the fresh viewpoint renders these events fascinating in an entirely new and unique manner. The author uses the reader's familiarity with the Alliance motivations detailed in the lost fleet series to provide a stark contrast to the perceptions of those motivations by the former syndicate leadership. I particularly enjoyed watching how Admiral Geary's actions were interpreted and how his motivations were, often incorrectly, deduced by his former enemies. This series provides the backstory on many events that are only glossed over in the Beyond the Frontier series and presents new mysteries as well as a healthy dose of political and personal intrigue.
If you enjoyed the Lost Fleet series, the Lost Stars provides a complimentary storyline that presents familiar events and concepts from a unique viewpoints demonstrating how viewpoint alters the perception of reality. In Perilous Shield, the concept of trust in a post repressive regime continues to be explored and the author begins to delve into the complex process by which bitter enemies are transformed into cautious allies and political rivals become partners.
June 12, 2019
This is the second book in "The Lost Stars" series by Jack Campbell a.k.a. John G. Hemry. This is the story of the aftermath of the Syndicate World's defeat by the Alliance and the attack on the Midway system by the alien Enigmas. It is up to former CEO Artur Drakon and former CEO Gwen Iceni to form a new government and find a way to protect their star system from the remnants of the Syndicate government and also to protect their system in case of a return of the Enigmas. They will find this difficult with many hurdles to overcome. The biggest hurdle will be the mistrust they have for each other. If they can cooperate and not kill one another they might be able to pull it off. In this one now President Gwen Iceni and General Artur Drakon are continuing to try and stabilize their star system and build a space force that will be able to defend it. They have received some unlikely help. Black Jack Geary has left one of his officers to act as a liaison between the Alliance and the newly independent Midway system. The officer happens to be Captain Bradamount, who is the love interest of one of General Drakon's men, Colonel Rogero. Together, Bradamount and Rogero are sent on a mission to Alliance space to return prisoners held there from the now-ended war to help rebuild their space force. They will face many dangers from the Syndicate systems still in power and also from their former enemies the Alliance. This book has many twists and turns and some very good space battles. A good addition to this series which is a spin-off of the Lost Fleet series.
October 13, 2013
The Lost Star Series is Jack Campbell’s the second spin off of the Lost Fleet Series. This series takes the view point of the Syndicate Worlds primarily, The Midway Star System. This system has been featured in a number of the recent book. This book is the alternate view point from the book “The Guardian” from the Beyond the Frontier Series. The key players are President Gwen Iceni and General Artur Drakon head of the ground forces of Midway Star System. The last half of the book is new material relating only to Midway. The story has lots of space action as well as intrigue, suspense and some humor. Commander Bradamount, the Captain of Dragon, a cruiser in Admiral Black Jack Geary fleet is assigned to be the liaison officer to Midway and stays behind when the fleet leaves the system. Togo is President Iceni’s body guard and Morgan and Malen are General Drakon key assistants these three provide a lot of the intrigue and suspense of the story. Bradamount accompanies the Midway fleet to Alliance Space to retrieve 5000 prisoner of war. These highly trained spaceship crews are vital to the needs of Midway. There are about 1500 of these that chose to go to their home worlds and some promise to get their families and come on to Midway. But the underline suspense, are there SNAKES (Syndicate secret police) hidden in the POW’s? I read this as an audio book; Marc Vietor did a good job narrating the book. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
July 7, 2014
The first book in the series was interesting but I think the author has reached the extent of his ability. He is very good at
writing battle scenes but his imagination when it comes to politics is simplistic. The Syndics are just bad bad bad and their CEOs evil. It's way too simple and their is no attempt at explaining the ideology that made the system last for so long. There is also no deep history about the Syndicate. For example anyone who has ever read The Song Of Ice and Fire series is constantly reminded of events that happened 300 years prior to the events of the book. Here there is no attempt at explaining how the Syndics and Alliance came about. It'
writing battle scenes but his imagination when it comes to politics is simplistic. The Syndics are just bad bad bad and their CEOs evil. It's way too simple and their is no attempt at explaining the ideology that made the system last for so long. There is also no deep history about the Syndicate. For example anyone who has ever read The Song Of Ice and Fire series is constantly reminded of events that happened 300 years prior to the events of the book. Here there is no attempt at explaining how the Syndics and Alliance came about. It'
July 24, 2015
Most of this book was great. Spaceship battles, political intrigue, 2 leaders trying to do the right thing and having to make hard choices.
The last chapter ruined the book for me. And the series. I'm not going to give any spoilers but the betrayal involved was so gut wrenching that I threw the book down.
I am really mad at the ending of this book. I will not be reading further into this spin off series of Black Jack. (If the original series with Black Jack gets more books, then I'll read those)
The last chapter ruined the book for me. And the series. I'm not going to give any spoilers but the betrayal involved was so gut wrenching that I threw the book down.
I am really mad at the ending of this book. I will not be reading further into this spin off series of Black Jack. (If the original series with Black Jack gets more books, then I'll read those)
June 3, 2020
Solid space opera with some romance and some twists worthy of a soap set in space. I'm still having fun and will definitely re-read this seris.
There are some key aspects of this series that keep annoying me. For one, the author and I have very different opinions on politics because I'm not even convinced any nation-based military needs to exist. I don't think the military should exist because. I'd like to think that the only thing the military is useful for is as humanitarian aid workers in protective gear whom any nation or community can call upon as disaster relief. So obviously I really don't think it should be anywhere near a government and therefore am not a fan of the incredibly pro-military dictatorship slant that these books have.
At the core, I think we read Star Trek differently. When I see Star Trek, I never saw a predominantly military organisation, I saw a culture mostly invested in science and diplomacy that had several cultural trappings of the military left due to its history as a branch of the military. However, by and large, these seemed to be largely cultural and vestigial because the way individuals behave in Starfleet is very different to how they react in any real life military I've ever heard of, though several soldiers I know clearly think that they're ready for space combat.
There are some key aspects of this series that keep annoying me. For one, the author and I have very different opinions on politics because I'm not even convinced any nation-based military needs to exist. I don't think the military should exist because. I'd like to think that the only thing the military is useful for is as humanitarian aid workers in protective gear whom any nation or community can call upon as disaster relief. So obviously I really don't think it should be anywhere near a government and therefore am not a fan of the incredibly pro-military dictatorship slant that these books have.
At the core, I think we read Star Trek differently. When I see Star Trek, I never saw a predominantly military organisation, I saw a culture mostly invested in science and diplomacy that had several cultural trappings of the military left due to its history as a branch of the military. However, by and large, these seemed to be largely cultural and vestigial because the way individuals behave in Starfleet is very different to how they react in any real life military I've ever heard of, though several soldiers I know clearly think that they're ready for space combat.
May 28, 2019
Once it gets rolling, this is quite a ride
The continuing saga of Drakon and Iceni starts a bit slow, but once it gets rolling, the intrigue, with bread crumbs pointing fingers in multiple directions in a whodunnit, interesting space battles, and two planetary leaders learning to trust each other come together to make a great read.
For those readers who enjoyed Malin and Morgan in the previous book, their thread weaves through this book with interesting twists, turns, and a nice reveal.
Rogero and Bradamont have some very interesting scenes, exploring seeing people as unique individuals vs. one of the enemy and discovering the different ways in which we and our enemies actually have common experiences.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, particularly the second half where things really started happening... the first half, or so, lines up with events in from other books, and as much as I enjoyed the “other perspective” I knew how those events turned out, which left me eager to get to the new events.
The continuing saga of Drakon and Iceni starts a bit slow, but once it gets rolling, the intrigue, with bread crumbs pointing fingers in multiple directions in a whodunnit, interesting space battles, and two planetary leaders learning to trust each other come together to make a great read.
For those readers who enjoyed Malin and Morgan in the previous book, their thread weaves through this book with interesting twists, turns, and a nice reveal.
Rogero and Bradamont have some very interesting scenes, exploring seeing people as unique individuals vs. one of the enemy and discovering the different ways in which we and our enemies actually have common experiences.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, particularly the second half where things really started happening... the first half, or so, lines up with events in from other books, and as much as I enjoyed the “other perspective” I knew how those events turned out, which left me eager to get to the new events.
October 30, 2018
I was really hoping this sidebar to his "The Lost Fleet" series would be as engrossing as its originating story. Sadly, n. It isn't, really - possibly because the "lost stars" series mainly takes place on a single planetary surface, and the space battles are much fewer and farther between. The story isn't exactly boring, but it's not nearly as engrossing as the series from which it was spun off. One of the things that most annoys me about it however, is that there is a nascent romance between the two lead characters. Both of them feel it, but neither is willing to extend themselves, or to be brave enough to actually speak to the other. I really hate this sort of artificially-created suspense. It makes me want to reach out and smack the characters upside their heads and insist that they talk to each other. I certainly wished I could!
August 22, 2017
Something original started happening about half-way through this second entry in the Midway/Lost Stars series, but this is still weak tea to the Lost Fleet novels. Campbell is sort of clunky with the adult romance, but still strong with battle sequences and okay with plot twists. Somewhat intriguing with how you could build a more democratic successor state to a ruthless, corporate totalitarian one. I'll probably finish off the series, but it's more about nostalgia than real engagement with the lead characters. Drakon and Iceni are less interesting than their subordinates so far and that makes this less of an attention-grabber that I would hope. Good missions to grab prisoners of war, stave off a Syndic attack, and save a battleship but the rivalries don't measure up.
June 19, 2020
I have an unquenchable thirst for action-first space opera and Jack Campbell never disappoints. Flawed heroes. Nasty villains. Plans within plans. Speculative future science and politics that seem feasible, and a combination of both an over-riding series arc and a self-contained plot in each novel. That means no wading through hundreds of pages only to end on a cliffhanger. It almost feels like this feller isn't trying harder to sell books than he is telling a rip-roaring spaceman/woman adventure. If you liked early David Webber, before he slipped the leash, Campbell is your guy. Taut genre thrillers with a touch of humanity. I've read three books of the series in 7 or 8 days. I can't help myself.
April 8, 2021
If space opera is your thing than this is a series you want to read. The tactical and strategic descriptions of the many conflicts in this series are detailed, realistic, and gripping. If you have read Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet series of the Alliance and Admiral "Black Jack" Geary and you want to know what it was like to be a CEO and line worker on the Syndics side than this Lost Stars series is your next step. Struggle with former CEO Gwen Iceni and Artur Drakon as they work to build a new network of star systems around the star system Midway. Cheer them as they fight their old Syndicate ways, the fading power of the Syndicate home world, the alien race called the Enigmas, and anyone else who can snatch power from Midway.
October 26, 2021
Too much talking.
This is the second book in the series about the ex-Syndicate star system Midway and they are far from safe. While trying to move towards something a bit more empathic and democratic (but not too democratic) system, they are under attack from both outside and inside. Hidden snakes, remaining Syndicate fleets, hateful Alliance personal, aliens, internal greed, suspicion and ambition, there is no lack of threats.
The story is interesting, and there are scenes that are interesting, but all in all, there is too much repetition and too much talking and internal dialogue and not enough movement of the main story.
I think this was a problem of some Lost Fleet novels as well. Especially some that were written about the same time as this one.
This is the second book in the series about the ex-Syndicate star system Midway and they are far from safe. While trying to move towards something a bit more empathic and democratic (but not too democratic) system, they are under attack from both outside and inside. Hidden snakes, remaining Syndicate fleets, hateful Alliance personal, aliens, internal greed, suspicion and ambition, there is no lack of threats.
The story is interesting, and there are scenes that are interesting, but all in all, there is too much repetition and too much talking and internal dialogue and not enough movement of the main story.
I think this was a problem of some Lost Fleet novels as well. Especially some that were written about the same time as this one.
May 8, 2017
Not a good entry-point to the series or universe.
Lots of different storylines that split off, come together, and then split apart again. The ending is clearly a stopping point than a resolution, but still satisfactory because of resolution of some smaller storylines.
Lots of different storylines that split off, come together, and then split apart again. The ending is clearly a stopping point than a resolution, but still satisfactory because of resolution of some smaller storylines.
October 11, 2019
Iceni and Drakon continue to try and build a better society at Midway but are beset by problems both internal and external. Near the end of the book shock secrets and revelations in the Drakon camp creates more and not all is well in the Iceni camp either.
Campbell doesn't like letting his romantic couples have sex either. He spent 5 novels keeping Desjani and Geary out of the sack, and even when they got married they can't do the beast with two backs. This time it's Rogero and Honore.
One of the delights of characterisation in this book is the relationship between Marphissa and Honore.
Campbell doesn't like letting his romantic couples have sex either. He spent 5 novels keeping Desjani and Geary out of the sack, and even when they got married they can't do the beast with two backs. This time it's Rogero and Honore.
One of the delights of characterisation in this book is the relationship between Marphissa and Honore.
September 7, 2024
This series seemed pretty interesting to me at first, but isn't really going in the direction I'd hoped. I find the political aspect most interesting, but there's precious little of that. Still, I was planning on at least trying the next book until the last scene of this book. The author does a good job of hinting at the complicated relationship between Malin and Morgan, though I didn't guess exactly what it was going to be. That turned out to be a pretty silly soap opera twist, but in a fun way. What happened next next was so ridiculous that I can't continue reading this series.
May 30, 2025
Lost Stars book two continues from book one (like der) but maintains the monotonous boring tone and regurgitated plot lines from many of the Lost Fleet books as well as book one (like der).
Repetitive can I trust you, no can I trust you, will you kill me, did you try to kill me, let's have a space battle that's revamped from a previous book, blah blah blah.
And then the author Jack Campbell who I do like as I am a huge fan of the Lost Fleet book, drops and amazing curveball of a last chapter to make you want to read more.
So, bring on book three!!!
Repetitive can I trust you, no can I trust you, will you kill me, did you try to kill me, let's have a space battle that's revamped from a previous book, blah blah blah.
And then the author Jack Campbell who I do like as I am a huge fan of the Lost Fleet book, drops and amazing curveball of a last chapter to make you want to read more.
So, bring on book three!!!
May 10, 2020
Fantastic ending. A bit slow in the middle, but one of the highlights was an amazing 41-hour battle sequence. I didn't bother to follow all the exact maneuvers of the ships, etc, but the best part was the portrayal of the crew's stamina as they tried to reach the hypernet gate.
I am feeling a bit hazy on the specifics of how the events of this particular book fit in to the events of the previous series. I want a timeline to get it all straight in my head!
I am feeling a bit hazy on the specifics of how the events of this particular book fit in to the events of the previous series. I want a timeline to get it all straight in my head!
November 29, 2022
The first half is about Drakon and Iceni and is too much politics. The second half is about marphissa, bradamont, and rogero and was amazing. I couldn't stop reading the second half. My biggest problem with the book is the slow pace of Drakon's and Iceni's mutual trust develops. I thought it had progressed further in the first book. It seemed to reset and progress slowly over the course of the book
July 3, 2019
Finished ... Finally!
This one took me ages to finish as so many other books came out that were more appealing to be honest. Action sequences are superb as always but the Syndicate chat / ethics / intrigues are starting to bore!
Will read the next one to finish the trio but hope it picks up.
This one took me ages to finish as so many other books came out that were more appealing to be honest. Action sequences are superb as always but the Syndicate chat / ethics / intrigues are starting to bore!
Will read the next one to finish the trio but hope it picks up.
August 20, 2020
Four and a half stars
Great sci-fi and shaping up to be an excellent spin-off series. There is more character building in this second book as well as terrific and detailed space battle scenes. The intrigue going on in the background is also building and keeps the reader's attention.
Great sci-fi and shaping up to be an excellent spin-off series. There is more character building in this second book as well as terrific and detailed space battle scenes. The intrigue going on in the background is also building and keeps the reader's attention.
July 22, 2021
Good follow up to the first book of the four book series. Like before good characterization, tension, drama, assassination efforts, and military operations all in an environment where trusting anyone is culturally foolish. Read this series in order. Recommended for those who like hard boiled drama.
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