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The Lost Stars #4

Shattered Spear

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The New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Fleet series returns to the epic space saga of a rebellion against a totalitarian regime, and the determination of two people to create a better future in the farthest reaches of the colonized galaxy...  

The Syndicate Worlds continues to splinter as more star systems pledge allegiance to President Gwen Iceni’s and General Artur Drakon’s new government at Midway. But the rebels fleeing the toxic legacy of Syndicate rule have difficulty trusting one another and believing their new leaders’ promises of freedom from tyranny.

Before Iceni and Drakon can put their house in order, they must deal with another threat. An enigma warship has appeared and vanished near a Syndic colony. If the aliens are capable of jumping into other human-occupied star systems, then billions of people could be vulnerable to a hostile invasion fleet anywhere it chooses to strike.

But an even greater liability lies with Iceni and Drakon as a once-trusted adviser turned saboteur plans revenge...

342 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2016

100 people are currently reading
1192 people want to read

About the author

Jack Campbell

115 books3,031 followers
Jack 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'.

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5 stars
1,053 (40%)
4 stars
1,114 (42%)
3 stars
373 (14%)
2 stars
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6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Profile Image for Daniel.
812 reviews74 followers
May 14, 2022
Fin završetak ovog pod serijala. Glavni tokovi priče su fino razjašnjeni mada ima još nejasnih detalja kao i sve ukupna priča za koju čekamo natavak.

Tempo knjige je odličan, od početka kada uhvati ne pušta do kraja. Prikaz borbi velikih brodova na ogromnim razdaljinama svemira je dosta uverljivo prikazano mada ne bi ulazio u to kolko je moguće sa realnim zakonima fizike. Ali malo zažmuriti na jedno oko i ne smeta :)

Šteta što će pisac da pravi pauzu u ovom serijalu pošto ne mogu da dočekam da se nastavi.
Profile Image for Jean.
1,817 reviews806 followers
June 16, 2016
I think this is the last book in the Lost Star series. I hate to think this is the end. Between the Lost Fleet series and the Lost Star series the characters have absorbed me into their world and I do not want to leave them. The books in the series must be read in order to fully understand the story line.

Midway Star system is facing multiple threats not only from the Syndicate Worlds but from a female pirate who has taken over three neighboring worlds and hates Gwen Iceni, and from a former Syndicate CEO who was a POW that Iceni has released and sent to a neighboring star system. But the greatest of all is the return of the “Enigma”.

Campbell continues to introduce new characters to the story. Needless to say, the book is well written. I just could not put the book down so read it in one sitting. Campbell has provided the reader with a number of exciting space battles and one ground battle. Campbell is a master in writing space battles. In this book we now have some romance between two couples; I am not going to reveal the details. Campbell steadily ties all the various strands of the story and brings them all together at the end of the book, but I still want more. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Marc Vietor has done an excellent job narrating this series.
Profile Image for Bee.
34 reviews3 followers
March 10, 2017
Jack Campbell brings the Lost Stars saga to a deserved 5-star end with Shattered Spear.

A compelling story in its own right and fitting end to the saga of the Lost Stars, a companion series, that takes place in the Lost Fleet universe.

I loved this series even more than the excellent Lost Fleet / Beyond The Frontier series of books, as The Lost Stars had a wider scope of interpersonal conduct, political passion and personal motivations than the original series, which stayed closer to the militaristic & political space saga that Jack Campbell has become known for.

I can recommend this book and series to anyone who is familiar with Jack Campbell or is a fan of high calibre space warfare and political machinations set in a war ravaged galaxy of the far future.
Profile Image for Kirin171.
180 reviews38 followers
July 3, 2021
I freaking love it. My fave The Lost Fleet series, sorry not sorry, sue me, I don't care.
As much as I like Geary, as a character he's too predictable and a little... too saint, if you know what I mean. It's nice to read about old fashioned good characters like him, but I rolled my eyes after a lot of his lines.
While all the characters in the Lost Stars are fleshed. And many POV's for sure helped this series, because thanks to that the characters became real and easy to like. Hell, I even like goddamned Boyens now xD
Anyway, loved it and for sure I'm going to come back to this series in the future.
Profile Image for Liana.
276 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2016
A wonderful ending to a very enjoyable series. I enjoyed the characters, watching them grow, learn, and dare over the series. So much action! Now I must wait for the next book in his Young Adult series ("Pillars of Reality") which appears on the face of it to be fantasy, but which I have decided is a blend of fantasy and science fiction, or perhaps simply disguised science fiction, It is, however, quite addictive, and has two (?) books left in the series. It would seem that I am always waiting for a book by Jack Campbell...or whatever he chooses to call himself. His books are devourable. Is that a word?
Profile Image for KB.
179 reviews5 followers
April 11, 2020
Shattered Spear offers a satisfying conclusion to the Lost Stars series. Readers who enjoyed the preceding three installments will not be disappointed by the manner in which the author brings the overall story to a close.
Profile Image for MAB  LongBeach.
526 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2016
Fourth book in The Lost Stars--a side-series to Campbell's long-running Lost Fleet series--focusing on the planet Midway, which has broken away from the faltering, repressive Syndicate Worlds. President Iceni and General Drakon, former Syndicate CEO's, are learning how to build a functional government based on trust instead of fear. They are making progress, but although the long war with the Alliance has ended, peace--an almost forgotten concept--is still far away. The Syndicate Worlds want their rebellious colonies back, the alien enigmas want all humans destroyed, and the neighboring pirate queen has a bitter grudge against Iceni. And there are multiple assassins threatening the leaders of Midway. All of this means political plotting, military maneuvering, and multiple space battles.

Campbell writes good, non-jingoistic military SF. This side series is worth reading. But this book is a bit flatter than the first three. And it is very definitely not the place to start the series.
Profile Image for C.T. Phipps.
Author 93 books671 followers
August 31, 2021
All good things must come to an end and the Lost Stars books were a decent-sized series that introduced us to the Syndic side of things as well as told an excellent story about their rebellion. The story winds down here as it becomes clear that without sexy spy Morgan in the group and no intention of returning her, the dynamic of the group becomes much more stable. Sadly, I really wanted her to return as she was my favorite character but she remains off camera until the very end.

We get some set up with a new pirate lord threat, the Enigmas, and some more space action. Also, the protagonists finally start acting on their attraction. Its a solid end to the series but I admit wishing we'd gotten a final scene between Malin and Morgan.

Fans of Jack Campbell know what to expect with lots of big epic set pieces and military science fiction battles.
Profile Image for Tommy.
25 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2017
This has been a good series but it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Lots unnecessary references to past events that are not relevant to the current story arc and the characters and stories themselves aren't as good as in days gone by.
Profile Image for Michael.
1,240 reviews45 followers
June 20, 2019
This is the fourth and final 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. At first the biggest hurdle will be the mistrust they have for each other but as time goes by they not only learn to cooperate but come to find affection for one another. 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 learn that the neighboring star system of Iwa has become home to a new Syndicate base. They decide to investigate it and also go to the Moorea star system to try and make a mutual defense deal with Imallye, the leader there. When they arrive at Iwa they discover it has been destroyed by the alien Engimas and when they try to deal with Imallye, the leader of Moorea they are attacked. After returning to Midway it is decided to attack the aliens at Iwa and to also lure Imallye's ships there to either deal or be destroyed. This book is a grand conclusion to the Lost Stars series. I hope Jack Campbell writes more in the Lost Fleet, Lost Stars, Genesis Fleet universe.
Profile Image for Argus.
34 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2016
You know how a lot of popular Shonen anime has this thing where the anime gets popular and outpaces the manga, and so they end up doing large arcs that take months or sometimes years, and can sometimes have cool character development, but don't really advance the main plot in a significant way?

This felt like that.

I had fun reading it. It certainly isn't BAD. There are some great lines that really made me laugh. And it even does move up and even cap off a few plots. But it kinda feels like the book Courageous from the original Lost Fleet series. It's just a way to fill time between the really interesting stuff, and it doesn't live up to the high standard set by the earlier books in this very series.
Profile Image for Brandon.
162 reviews5 followers
Read
March 8, 2022
I really loved this series, but I was very disappointed in the ending. One of the outstanding plot points that I was really looking forward to seeing resolved ended up being taken care of within the last 5 pages of the book. This felt incredibly rushed and lazy to me and I would've loved to see it fleshed out.
510 reviews5 followers
March 25, 2018
In the aftermath of a human-human intergalactic war, this book continues the story of two leaders of a crumbling interplanetary syndicate who have decided to rebel and take over a star system. This describes the continuing challenges they encounter in establishing a freer society that protects rather than exploits its citizens. The challenges include internal betrayal, attempts by the syndicate to take the star system back, a devious alien race that wants to destroy all human life near their borders, and attempting to build alliances with other rebellious star systems.

In this book they continue to consolidate their power, wrap up a couple of threads from earlier books, and begin a personal relationship. The normal politics and battles occur as well.

What I like most is the political philosophy and politics presented and the tactics they use to accomplish their goals. Space combat is presented more realistically than normal since it accounts for long distances and the inertia of the ships. It is a little reminiscent of the age of sale except at speeds of tens of thousands of km/sec. I like the characters, although they are a little 2 dimensional. The dialogue is a bit unsophisticated.

It would be a decent airport read. I've read most of the many related books the author has written about this universe. Most took place during the war and involved the politics and tactics for the Alliance to beat the Syndicate.
Profile Image for Mike Franklin.
712 reviews10 followers
September 1, 2017
Shattered Spear is the fourth book in Campbell’s Lost Stars series, a spinoff from his Lost Fleet series. Led by President Iceni and General Drakon, the Midway star system continues to consolidate its rebellion against the Syndicate Worlds. The threat of those Syndicate Worlds is compounded by the hostile alien Enigmas setting up a new base in a neighbouring star system and the appearance of an apparently hostile warlord in the next system over from that.

With the Midway space fleet now much more established the emphasis of this book has moved more towards Space Opera with ground based operations only making a relatively minor contribution to the story. This is once again good intelligent military science fiction but sadly it really felt very much like just more of the same with constant reminders of how different everything is compared with the days of Syndicate rule and constant trust issues between the main protagonists, somewhat alleviated by some interestingly different space actions (including one involving four different groups, each hostile to all the others).

It is still an enjoyable read but the lack of variety means I may shortly draw a line under these books and I’ll probably not move on to the prequel series Campbell has now started set during the early days of the Alliance.
Profile Image for Jeff Suter.
108 reviews
November 17, 2019
Judging by the tying up of loose plot threads, this book feels like it is the last in the series.

Midway is busy planning the future, trying to guarantee its security both militarily and economically. A t the same time they are trying to forge alliances and trust between neighbouring star systems. Unfortunately the Syndicated Worlds, or what's left of it, does not take too kindly to this and seeks to end the rule of Drakon & Iceni.

Simultaneously the Dancers warning to look to other stars begins to make sense when the Enigmas manage to forge another jump point in a neighbouring star system, putting Midway and the surrounding systems in danger from Enigma attack.

On top of which, Gwen Iceni is reminded of a spectre from her past that complicates things even further.

The only loose ends that I can see are yet unresolved, is the problem of the Enigmas. Will they be back/ Also the situation at Kane - which links directly to the Corsair comic book series.

Campbell is a fine writer, especially when it comes to space-battles. He has laid out a rich tapestry that will furnish endless stories.

Oh and jusst realised the Arthurian connection - Artur Drakon = Arthur Pendragon. Gwen Iceni = Guinevere with a nod and a wink towards Boudica - Queen of the Iceni - who led the rebellion against the Romans.
Profile Image for Cam.
1,240 reviews40 followers
October 15, 2017
Another fun entry in this serial set in the newly independent Midway star system and nearby systems. Many threats still bedevil Iceni and Drakon, including the former Syndicate Worlds forces, the neighboring alien Enigmas, and a new local rival assembling her own coalition of star systems. One by one, each challenge is met and overcome in one risky way or another. Iceni and Drakon decide to tie the knot, as do Bradamont and Rogero. Midway learns more about the enigmas and strengthens it's association (never call it an alliance) with nearby starts and recruits more former Syndicate warships and civilians through it's more open and decent society. Still entertaining, but the formula is getting a little long in the tooth.
64 reviews
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.
Profile Image for Paul Deehan.
49 reviews
June 27, 2025
Well I've complained about this 4 book series as being a bit boring, repetitive and lacking. It is a poor cousin of the Lost Fleet, but as I'm struggling now to find something new to read and therefore in hindsight after a week since completing this novel realise it's quite entertaining overall.

In fact I'd love Jack Campbell to write more about the bad guys turning good guys as there's plenty left to explore and unfinished business to address.

However - spoiler - saddened by the lack of Roh Morgan in this and when the deadly femme fatale does reappear she dies taking out Togo taking out her with poor Malin stuck in the middle. Can't quite grasp Togo's motives, felt lacking in explanation.

Anyway hoping it won't be long before Campbell comes up with more Lost Fleet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Boulder Boulderson.
1,088 reviews10 followers
August 5, 2017
This is one of the more enjoyable ofthe series - the first half is a little slow, but the second really picks up. Campbell does re-use a battle tactic/situation from an earlier novel, but to be honest he's fifteen books into the series, and it's not a hugely important fight so that's probably ok.

Generally speaking, exciting fights and a satisfying ending which wraps up a few lose ends that have been dangling for a while. It doesn't drive the Dancer/Enigma plot forward any more, despite largely being about the Enigmas - Campbell approached this pretty closely but then shied away at the last minute.

Definitely worth a read if you like the series.
517 reviews7 followers
October 21, 2018
Solid ending to the series, nicely setting up this corner of the Campbellverse for the next stage in the story. Felt that the overall plot progression was solid, but the resolution of the assassin story line was rushed (literally the last few pages) and the ground forces on the Enigma planet story felt like a plotline that ended up being underdeveloped or changed in the editing as it seemed to add nothing to the story.

Can't put these books down, Jack Campbell's writing may not be the best in the world but he can certainly write a book that can't be put down. I read this four book series in less than a week all told.
Profile Image for Ifty Zaidi.
22 reviews4 followers
April 24, 2020
A worthy and highly enjoyable finale to the Lost Stars spinoff series. Campbell wraps up the series neatly while at the same time leaving plenty of room for future development. I guess one could make the criticism that not a whole lot changes from the start to the finish of the series in terms of the fledgling Midway system and where its at in terms of surviving the threat of the collapsing-but-still-around Syndicate and the alien threat of the Enigmas. But there are some entertaining adventures along the way. Its recommended for those who enjoyed the Lost Fleet books and wanted more in the same vein.
13 reviews
July 19, 2017
I don't normally write a review or give books 5 stars but I doing both for this.
I really started thinking these spin offs would be basic and just another way to sell the same story twice but I was so wrong about that.
I ended up enjoying these books a lot and the last book I really enjoyed so much that I did not want it to end.
The characters are well written and if I'm truthful probably what I liked the must about these books. Even though it's the military engagements that attracts me to these type of books which there is a lot of in this.
Looking forward to next one with enthusiasm.
710 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2018
I really enjoy the physics, the science and action in Jack Campbell's universe that he has created. That being said, The Lost Stars has differed from the previous books in the series. The fantastic luck, charmed lives of the characters has slowly worn on me. Everything is going their way! Some loss, some serious peril is lacking. The Lost Fleet was far more realistic and a ton more fun to read! I will continue to enjoy every book that is published within this universe, but I hope there is more suspense and danger in the next one.
Profile Image for BrokenMnemonic.
289 reviews4 followers
March 22, 2018
On the one hand, it appears to be a foregone conclusion in all of the Jack Campbell novels I've read so far that the good guys will win, in some fashion. That means reading through the books is more about seeing how they win, rather than whether they'll win. This was still fun though, seeing sub-plots come to a head, and it was a nice change to have the enigma aliens back in the mix as an antagonist. Looks like Syndicate ISS officers have a pretty short career span in this new age though...
Profile Image for Fredrick Danysh.
6,844 reviews196 followers
May 15, 2018
Having won their independence from the Syndicate with the assistance of Admiral "Black Jack" Geary, the Midway star system now faces conflict from three sources. The Syndicate will try to regain control and a pirate is operating in a nearby system. After suffering severe damage in a battle with the enigma, the Dancers warns of possible invasion by the anti-human enigma. Add to the mix attempted assassination of Midway's leaders.
484 reviews4 followers
October 20, 2018
Good, easy to read, military sci-fi. These books are always entertaining, even if they are not superb literature. I enjoyed the numerous space battles in this book, the author always does a good job with space naval battles. I think spreading this one out awhile since I read the last one made it more entertaining and seem less repetitive than they were starting to get. Everything was ok up until the very end. I felt the end was pretty corny.
Profile Image for Susan Cook.
358 reviews
October 1, 2020
Four and a half stars!

This book appears to conclude the Lost Stars series. There is some excitement and lots of action on the way. Incursions into secure areas, assassination attempt, space battles and even a bit of romance. The Lost Stars is an account of people rebelling against an uncaring and heartless government and the allies they make on their way to independence and in maintaining their sovereignty.
Profile Image for Daniel Bratell.
885 reviews12 followers
November 5, 2021
This is the fourth and last book in the "Lost Stars" series, a science fiction series so far about how moral superiority turns into superiority in military and political areas. The books have so far been about playing with the morally superior team, and winning against the morally inferior enemies, but in this book there are actually some people who are not one dimensional enemies. I would describe them more as 1.5-dimensional.
942 reviews102 followers
June 30, 2017
HaHA, the enigmas are back. And still being very enigmatic. This book lacked some of the punch that others had, and a few too many deux ex machina moments, but I liked it anyway. The only downer was the clumsy (IMO) ending. Also, accidentally read this before book 3, which created a bit of confusion. Whoops.
399 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2018
Page turner

Another action packed story as we watch the remains of the Syndicate Worlds reform themselves. Having to deal with internal threats, continual threats from the Syndicate Government, and alien threats...the people on Midway continue to evolve and change in the positive direction. A great read...a page turner, but many unanswered questions.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews

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