Valiant (The Lost Fleet, Book 4)

One book that is difficult to put down. Almost like watching 24 on the tube; I always want to see the next episode. Look forward to book 5 in April.

I am not much at writing book reviews, I only know one thing in regards to the books that I read. That is did I enjoy the book? In this case I would have to say that yes I do. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys Military SciFi. The science, as little as the author goes into it, seems believable and the mysteries associated with the different characters and the aliens only grows deeper as the series progresses. In this book the conspiracy against 'Black Jack' Geary grows in scope as the conspirators grow ever more desperate to remove him from command. Also the possible motives for both the conspirators and the aliens are probed deeper than before. Overall this book continues the excellence of the series and shows what potential it has for the ending.

As with the previous three books, my reading of the fourth book in the series leaves me longing for more. The exciting adventure continues: the complexity of the battle scenes, the threats from three corners, and the struggles of personalities make this an outstanding read.

Parts of this review copied from forum posts... There's something about the "Lost Fleet" series that just draws me in, and I can't quite put my finger on it. I was thinking about it the other day, and about my first steps in SF - I think it was Heinlein in a school library, but some of my major early purchases were second hand copies of "Doc" Smith novels, and a lot of Edmund Cooper if anyone remembers him. Oh and a lot of JT Edson Westerns. So I guess I get a lot out of good old basic "good guy vs bad guy" stuff, with "good guy gets the girl" thrown in. Hmm - doesn't that describe 90% of SF? I was *going* to say that "Valiant" seems to slow down the seeming breakneck pace of the Lost Fleet through Syndic space, but a quick review tells me that isn't really true (four systems if my count is correct). What is true is that the first two thirds of the book (more or less) deal with the return of the fleet to the Lakota system, and what they encounter there after so recently fleeing from it. What we see here is a great example of Jack Campbell's ability to bring naval battles in space to life for us. Some of my earliest reading in SF was "Doc" Smith, and although this is a little more "realistic", it made me nostalgic. (Nobody uses the word "ravening" any more. Why?!) What we also see in this first section, and even more so later in the book, is excellent development of existing characters and plot elements and some exciting new twists. I won't discuss them in any length for fear of spoiling the fun, but hint at treason and possible new allies in unexpected places. I am becoming thoroughly engrossed as the series progresses, and I think the story is developing a depth to match. I must say, the thing that has me wondering now is whether or not the series will end in a triumphant return to Alliance space, or if the return will be a mere prelude to even more shenanigans. The way it is being set up, I think there are going to be many more questions and plot elements to resolve once the fleet gets home, and I hope the author is planning to answer them.

A lot of reviews about this series of books say this these books tread on tired territory, repeating the same themes every book and just barely improving on the concept at all before printing "THE END" and making you wait for the next book. They're absolutely right, and that's exactly why I absolutely love these books. When I opened the first book in this series, I was looking to get into a good serial Sci-Fi that would actually keep me waiting for future episodes, and that's precisely what this is. The story isn't terribly original, but it's very well-written and involving. The themes aren't that new, but they're complex and interesting. Above all, Jack Campbell writes some of the best space battles I've ever read, and I'll honestly keep coming back just for that. This series of books is like a modern novelized Flash Gordon or Star Wars. It's not about what the individual elements are, it's how they add up. The sum total of this series is an excellent little space opera punctuated by Hollywood-worthy battle scenes, and I absolutely must see how it all ends. Bring on the next book, Mr. Campbell! And in case you're wondering about the plot- Geary's still trying to get the fleet home and treachery abounds. Sound familiar? Good. If you're expecting much more, you've honestly missed the entire point of this series.