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The Lost Captain

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One month has passed since Captain Sarah Miller and Rolph disappeared into Aetern, the black hole, leaving their loved ones in grief and disbelief. But hope lingers in the shadows of the Tau Ceti System.

Max, Sarah's twin, refuses to believe she's gone. When a mysterious probe delivers impossible readings, Max and Commander Annie Jones, Sarah's love, lead a daring mission into uncharted territory. Their journey will challenge their resolve, push the limits of loyalty, and confront the very nature of survival and sacrifice.

As the crew ventures deeper into the unknown, alliances will be tested, old rivalries will reignite, and secrets long buried will surface. What they uncover might save Sarah - or destroy them all.

Will they bring Sarah home, or will the quest to rescue her shatter everything they hold dear?

The Lost Captain delves into the depths of love, legacy, and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

481 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

5 people are currently reading
10 people want to read

About the author

J.A. Gaudio

4 books8 followers

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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for Leyla.
162 reviews32 followers
April 9, 2025
A very strong follow up!!

The love Sarah and Annie have for each other is palpable in this book, and I just adore that. Reading from both their POVs was super enjoyable and I was really invested to see if or when their stories would once again intertwine. They are not perfect, but they are there for each other and such strong understanding and admiration for one another.. Even when they do have an issue, it is resolved well and I never doubt their compatibility- this couple is ride or die for each other and I am so here for it.

Because they are more independent in this book, no longer just following orders from higherups on the Crown, there's more personal investment in what they are doing, which makes the stakes feel higher. I was tuned in start to finish, and although a few of the revelations or happenings were predictable (the foreshadowing can be a bit too on the nose sometimes) I am still left to ponder what on earth is next for my favourite Captain and Commander and their crew (or people). The ending has once again left me in slight agony- "they can't keep getting away with this!"

The world building once again stood out to me! Gaudio has a knack for creating really compelling Sci-Fi worlds! I want- nay need- to know more and I can't wait for book 3 and see what else is hidden between these stars.

A big thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Nicole.
391 reviews54 followers
November 16, 2025
The Lost Captain is the second book in The Black Hole Saga by JA Gaudio, and it is a fantastic follow-up. After Captain Sarah Miller sacrifices herself and the stowaway Rolf to save the crew of the Ruby, including her brother Max, her shuttle is pulled into the black hole. She is believed to be dead, and her friends and family on the Crown grieve and try to move on. Max and Sarah refused to accept her loss and planned to follow her into Aetern.
What they all find on the other side is fascinating, unknown science, and they are still not rid of the Rolfs.
Strong world-building, complex characters, a deep exploration of PTSD and the struggles of war, and a desire to survive and thrive in this new world make for an engaging, action-packed, and suspenseful ride. Annie and Sarah’s intense, protective relationship adds emotional depth to the narrative. They are two strong, capable women, and they love hard.
I absolutely love this series, and the ending has left me eager for the next book.
I am a big fan of this author and highly recommend starting the series.
#spaceexploration #sciencefiction #militarystrategy #soldiers #PTSD #sapphicromance #twins #engineering #blackhole #touchheranddie
I received a free ARC from the author. This is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Gemma.
540 reviews24 followers
May 13, 2025
I have so much love for this book and the series as a whole! I absolutely adore the characters and reuniting with them, especially Sarah, Annie and Max, and there are even more new characters introduced who are just as lovable including Sofie.

This book follows on immediately after the ending of book 1 which ended with Sarah entering a black hole with the enemy. Max is adamant that she is still alive and so with the help of Annie and Lucy, they create a plan to follow her in and save her.

I loved that the book starts with Annie's POV so we don't know if Sarah is alive and it was really interesting to see how Annie functions without Sarah constantly by her side. I then loved that we go back to Sarah who isn't struggling alone in a black hole but instead has found a community on another planet and is actually thriving being a part of the leadership there because of course she is!

Once Annie and Sarah reunite, I loved their new dynamic as they have to properly work together to make the community a better and safer place for everyone, protecting them from Rolph and Elke who have set up camp on the other side of the lake. Their relationship has grown so much stronger in this book and they have to deal with a lot more serious stuff which only proves their love even more.

I really loved this installment and cannot wait to read book 3 in the series and once again be reunited with these amazing characters.
Profile Image for Samantha Refvik.
98 reviews
October 10, 2025
Never thought of myself as a science fiction person but it turns out it just wasn’t sapphic 🙂‍↕️
Profile Image for Ashley.
48 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2025
This was an insane follow up to the first book, The Fleet Admirals Daughter. So much happens and it’s a roller coaster in the best way.

We find our favorite Captain stranded on a random planet that’s INHABITED? You’re telling me that there’s life on other planets now. And they’re NOT aliens? I already had so many questions, especially with that cliffhanger in the first book, and this just opened so many more, but before that let me tell you about my new favorite character.

I am a day 1 Max fan girl. I love that boy so dearly.
*Sofie has entered the chat*
When I tell you that this girl is everything, I mean it. She’s quirky, sporadic, smart and sometimes a little unsure of herself. But really she’s just a teenager, lost on this planet, with no sense of home and no family. Her character is flawless, I have no notes on how much I adore Sofie and her babbling. But also how incredibly smart she is. The girl lives on her own in a cave and is still one of the smartest characters I’ve ever met. Her one goal is to simply survive. Until she meets Sarah.

Of course, we have family drama — but plot twist. It’s not Sarah’s. I’m going to leave that one alone and let you read and figure it out.

Watching Sarah and Annie become more solid and more in love was so incredible. I adored the two and I’ve been rooting for them since I met them. They have so much love for each other and so much respect for one another in what they do. It’s an amazing love story. But the love story is just a small part of this series.

For me, this series is about family. The lengths you’ll go to protect them, save them, run from them. What we are physically and emotionally capable of doing for our family or because of who our family is. We see that in so many characters and in so many different ways. Would you follow your sister into a black hole where you could potentially die? Would you specifically run from who your family is for the greater good of the population? Would you leave your family behind to go get help and potentially save everyone? Who knows. But these characters do all that and more.

I have fallen in love with Sarah, Max, Annie, and Sofie. But I’ve also fallen a little bit in love with the families that they come from. Whether they’re the “good guys” or the “bad guys”. But that’s the thing with families isn’t it? What path do you choose when you’ve grown?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Morgan.
230 reviews13 followers
May 14, 2025
The Lost Captain, the second installment in J.A. Gaudio's Black Hole Saga, wasn't quite as impressive to me as the first, but it was close. We pick up right where we left off, but from Annie's perspective: Sarah has sacrificed herself to save her ship and crew, and Annie, along with Sarah's twin Max, father the Fleet Admiral, and all the soldiers who looked up to her, are dealing with the loss. Max, however, refuses to believe that Sarah is dead, and Annie can't bear to think that she's lost the love of her life forever, so the two plan a daring and potentially deadly expedition to try to find and save her.

I'm not going to say much more than that about the details as it would likely spoil things, but the plot, worldbuilding, and new characters, especially Sofie, are fabulously imaginative and interesting. There's a lot of depth and emotion to the characters, and a hint of spice (it's there but closed door). I wasn't quite as impressed with the writing this time around—although to be fair, that may have been cleaned up by the time of release. Regardless, it's still a strong story and I'm definitely in for the next book!

I received a free ARC from Booksprout, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
Profile Image for Dulaine Roode.
322 reviews4 followers
September 12, 2025
Exciting read.

Sarah sacrificed herself in the previous book, only to survive being sucked into a black hole. Only to discover a whole new world on the other side. Max never believed that she died and began planning to rescue her. Once they were reunited they fought to keep others alive. I love the dinamic between Sarah and Annie, and how Sofie became braver. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Apryl Miller.
29 reviews
April 23, 2025
I swear each books gets better and better . The twist and turns of in the life of the captain keep you on the edge of your seat. Who is will make the it out alive and how will surprise you. The love are family, duty, and knowledge are key to staying alive in this newest part of the series. Can I have the next book please. I must know if they make it back and where it lands them ?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
5 reviews
May 7, 2025
good game of cat and mouse

J A Gaudio writes really well and has created a wonderful tale of cat and mouse in space and between. A great read and a suspense thriller. Hopefully there will be a sequel so we can conclude the chase. Excellent work. Thank you to the author.
Profile Image for Lisa.
576 reviews8 followers
June 19, 2025
So good!

I’m loving this series. Hopefully there will be many more installments. The idea for this world is brilliant. Cannot get enough of Annie and Sarah. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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