Stark's Command

Stark's War #2

by John G. Hemry, Jack Campbell

From Jack Campbell, author of the bestselling The Lost Fleet series, comes Stark’s Command, the second novel in the gripping Stark’s War trilogy.

Sergeant Ethan Stark is placed in command of the US military forces that have overthrown their high-ranking officers. Instead of issuing orders, Stark confides his hope of forging an army based on mutual respect. Now, in addition to fighting a merciless enemy on the moon's surface, Stark must contend with the US government's reaction to his mutiny.

Genres: Science Fiction, Military Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Fiction, Action, Space, Audiobook

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Also writes under the pseudonym of Jack Campbell.

Reviews

[Paul Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing here to write home about. Just squeaks a 3 star rating.

A competent Military Sci-fi adventure continues as Stark wrestles with civilians and corporations and military leaders while holding on to independence on the moon.

I liked it, but didn't love it.

Nuff said.

[Indy Kochte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up pretty much shortly after "Stark's War" (book 1 in the trilogy) leaves off. Sgt Stark, the commander of the mutinous army, now faces the kettle of fish he's opened after his take-over of the Army unit guarding the Moon colony (as a recap, in book 1, a fresh division of troops, unused to the lunar environment, were sent charging headlong into the teeth of enemy defenses, as the plan wasn't to overpower the enemy, but to over-awe them into submission; didn't work too well, and most of the division was slaughtered; Stark, a member of the veteran lunar division instructed to watch and not partake, was sick was watching his fellow soldiers get killed and not reinforced or relieved, led an indirect insurrection by going out and rescuing what survivors there were, then arresting all the [stupid (and not so stupid)] officers, and was ultimately voted as Commander of the Army guarding the US Lunar Colony). This kettle of fish entails not only dealing with the brass, politicos, and corporate leaders of Earth, but also how to work with the Colony's civilian population. Stark's only desire, and it is echoed by many of the troops, is that they only want to do "the right thing" but have been denied by Those Higher Up (i.e., the officers, and their masters). They still believe in the Constitution, still consider themselves honorable American soldiers, but everyone back Home (Earth) who has any power is doing their level best to convince everyone that they are just a mob with no control. Meanwhile, there is friction between the civilian population of the Colony and the military forces as neither side has any real understanding of how the other works/thinks/acts short of preconceived and incorrect notions. Stark's job, smooth that out, and convince the leaders on Earth they are legit. It doesn't happen overnight. Doesn't happen by the end of the book (though he makes long headway with the Colony's civilians, especially after a sneak attack by professional foreign power soldiers are hired by the US Govt to take Stark out but instead who are beaten - however, not before they kill a civilian who was getting into a relationship with one of Stark's former squad members).

There's plenty of action and activity in this book, it was difficult to put down. The story basically opens with an all-out attack on the Colony's defenses by foreign powers, and Stark trying to rally soldiers who were fleeing in the face of overwhelming odds. He finally manages to hold the line by personally going out there and grabbing individual soldiers, building up a defensive wall and pincer maneuver that crunches the enemy's advance, forcing them to flee back to their own defenses.

As a side note, for those who read The Lost Fleet series, I had suspicions during the first book that the background set up (corporations had taken over most of Earth's nations, only the US still retained it's government, but it was controlled heavily by other corporations) was what might lead to the Alliance/Syndic background portrayed in The Lost Fleet. In this sequel there is more evidence that this is the case, as several names pop up verrrry briefly during the early fighting in the book: Geary, Demetrios, and Falco, all military personnel. Makes you go "Hmmmm..."

[Per Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the book! After reading all the fourteenth books in the lost fleet saga and it spin-offs it was nice to read Campbells first books! I recognized some parts of his writing style that is in the other series. Now on to the third book and then on the JAG in Space-series :).

[Jkane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a whole lot happens in this novel until the battle in the last 10% of the book. This felt a lot more like a filler novel, than a novel where Hemry/Campbell 'had a great idea for a novel.' It was more like, I have a great first book, and a great conclusion, but I really want this to be a trilogy, so I'll write enough to fill the in-between book. That may be a little harsh, but maybe not, since not much happened until the end. There were a few good scenes in the middle of the book, but it was mostly downtime.

[Adam Vanderlip · Rating 4 out of 5]

much better than the previous novel. cuts way back on the cliched political observations and focuses on the action, which is superb, but also including enough detail about the world to make it feel real.

[Dariusz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nadal gładko się czyta, nadal wkurza "cywilbanda", nadal stanowczo za często przemyślenia i przemowy na temat bohaterstwa, poświęcenia i tego typu pierdół, ale jak potraktuje się je jak opisy przyrody w Nad Niemnem to wychodzi całkiem wartka akcja.

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to the Lost Fleet books, being a bit more political than the first of the series. Still not as good - lacks the combat excitement to go alongside - but an improvement; looking forward to book three.

[Steven Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book in this trilogy. I like this author's later work much better as his writing has improved a lot and his character development is much better.

[Papal Bull · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the sci fi series books I had to push myself to finish. I enjoyed the Lost Fleet series but this was pretty bad. I just started Stark's Crusade immediately after this one.

[Woody James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly how I remember the military was trending at it's worst. Taken beyond anything existing now but I could see this happening if the trends continue on their worst possible curve.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and a good page turner, looking forward to book 3

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy this future seems very realistic of business arguing over assets while generals order grunts to die.

[Mark Zodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in this series. Hemry knows how to develop characters and keep the action coming. Recommended.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot is interesting but as the mutiny expands, the holes also grow.
Good book but do not question the internal logic.

[Ƶ§œš¹ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this shortly after the disappointing Stark's War and found it to be a dramatic improvement, though still still pretty bad. The characters were fuller and the Stark character was put in a series of situations that required leadership skills, creating a chain of events that fit together much better into an overall picture. It was still hard for me to care about these characters, though.

I get the sense that the had never written anything before this trilogy and that the exercise was a marketing ploy: sell books written by a military man.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Stark series and continues the story of Sgt. Stark as he handles not only the USA military on the moon, but starts interacting with the civilians.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as much action as I usually like in a book. This one is not bad, but more about personal relations and how they deal with running things without the officers around. I enjoyed it for the most part, and plan on reading the third book in the series.

[Mark A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best sci-fi Military writer. Excellent 2nd book in the series.

[Caleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in John G. Hemry's Stark's War Trilogy.

a decent middle novel to the trilogy. It did a good job of showing all the problems leaders of "up and coming" organizations have to deal with, while still keeping the same voice and feel as the first novel. Not an easy task. If anything it speaks to Hemry's skill as a writer. I know he has written some other novels under the pen name of Jack Campbell. I may just have to check them out. Until then, here's hoping the third novel will be just as good as the last two.

Stark's War Trilogy

[Fred Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Campbell (or John G Hemry which is his actual name) spins another space opera, this time on the moon, in this the second book in the Starks War trilogy (the others being Stark’s War and Stark’s Crusade).

Now that Stark is the commander on the moon his life got complicated really fast. He still wants to be in the heat of battle leading his men, but he now has overall responsibility for the battles.

Stark finds out that the corporations back on Earth want their property and assets back and will pretty much go to any means to get what they want. After all they are the ones really in control, not the politicians or military.

As the civs (civilians) and mil (military) on the moon clash on everything from terminology to who is in charge Stark strives to get these two groups to understand each others views – a really tough job.

Is everyone on the moon on Starks side ?

Will the civs and the mils ever work with each other ?

What plans do the corporations have to take back the moon from Stark ?

Lots of top class military sci fi from one of the best in the field

Highly recommended book and series

[Niels Bugge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as much tension as in the first book, and some decidedly odd politics (like people getting all worked up over an assasination operation when it's the only logical approach, except that it's not coordinated with another one taking out the civilians as well, and civilians falling in line just because one civilian chick get offed)

But a good solid read, JGH actually make the larger and holier than thou protagonist seem believable and interesting.
I'm still preferring Artur Drakon, but you can't get a new Lost Stars novel every day.

[Urban · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot is a bit obvious sometimes but overall a good book to read that also left me thinking about society and what could be, which is a good sign for a sci-fi book!

It is a bit similar as Starship Troopers in the sense of the discussion of the social contract and moral obligations between the state and its people but even more stratified castes; the ruling elite (the corporations), its priesthood (the politicians), the soldiers and the working people.

[travelgirlut · Rating 2 out of 5]

About the same caliber as the first one. A lot more time was spent in this book on talking and working things out than fighting battles, which made it a bit slower. And the way you are introduced to bad guys/spies makes it so obvious that's who they are that you're not surprised in the end. But for a slow day book, it was entertainment enough.

[Jeff Yoak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Campbell gets a lot better as of this book. Problems like the officers, who are generally bad, not including some officers who really try to do their jobs is corrected. In general, this is still a middle-of-the-road sci-fi book, but enough to have my complete the series. I'm glad I stuck with it.

[Tufty McTavish · Rating 3 out of 5]

When it sticks to the action, it's pretty enjoyable and I want to find out what happens next. When it descends to 'mil' compared to 'civ' discussions, or why officer level leadership is fundamentally broken and they're mostly complete idiots without the faintest clue or hint of common sense, it's a bit of a club over the head. There's more of the latter than the former.

[Nathan Balyeat · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this series isn't as good as his Lost Fleet series, and the whole premise of the multi-book story arc is a bit hokey, I'm a fan of the minimalist narrative, well done conversation, engaging action style of Campbell. He doesn't disappoint.

As a result, I liked this book.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is first rate military science fiction by John G. Hemry a.k.a. Jack Campbell. If you like the Lost Fleet books you will like Sergeant Ethan Stark. I recommend this book to all fans of military science fiction.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used the "word" SYMBOLOGY entirely too often... Otherwise not a bad tale. Not sure that is enough to make me get the others in the series, this one being a library discard.

[^_^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great second book in a trilogy; can't wait to see how it ends.

[Karen Desmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

5