The Lost Fleet: Victorious

I'm really sorry to see this series end. It has been an enjoyable ride since the very first book. I've loved to watch all the myriad ways that Black Jack Geary has pulled the Alliance fleet's hind end out of the fire time and again. The series has been realistic in that not everyone lives but it hasn't been so maudlin and depressing with everyone dieing so that you couldn't enjoy it either. This book started a little slow but once they left Alliance space and headed out things picked right up. Good space battles and convoluted political thinking, and plenty of mental acrobatics that we've come to expect from Jack Geary. Several enjoyable speeches by Black Jack and a satisfying ending. This isn't a series that you can read out of order and you definitely shouldn't read this one first. It's a great story arc. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning.

Thank you, reviewers, for helping me find DAUNTLESS (book 1)! It was engaging, because it introduced a defrosted man who is called to duty again after an enemy ambush. It ended with the hero and fleet left fighting behind enemy lines. Book 2, FEARLESS, saw him using imaginative tactics to claw just a little closer to home, and so on. All your sympathy went with Capt. Geary, who had not requested these heavy responsibilities. Everyone else, please read the books in order, because Campbell does not spend time explaining- and there is plenty of character and equipment examination in each. This must be the only series that describe fleet-vs-fleet clashes beginning with planning scenarios through battles and including the losses of unlucky ships and their crews. We come to appreciate how the two sides are technically well matched, but leadership will make the difference. Now, those of you who barreled into Varandal system with the once-Lost Fleet... You might hope that Geary and Co. go back to finish off the enemy... They will, but first he must win over the quarrelsome Council. For that, he gets help from Co-president Rione, an old love. A lot of previously discovered information is reviewed, and they send his replenished fleet out. The usual traps await him before he corners the remaining enemy. Then the mysterious enemy challenges Geary- how will he cope with them? Still, Capt. Desjani is tantalizingly out of reach. It is smoothly written, fast paced, reminiscent of World War II Pacific battles. Note to publisher: the covers are UNREAL! The character is posed like a space marine; a real sailor might be posed beside a warship, his post in the ship, or over a wrecked enemy ship. I can tell you that if I saw the book in a store, I would not pick it up to look inside.

WOW! WOW! What a conclusion to a series!! I only hope it is not the conclusion. Way to go, Jack Campbell. I loved it, couldn't put it down. Cried on several pages. What a wonderful addition to the series. The fleet has finally finished up with the Syndics and has to face the Ruling Council. What he has brought to the fleet, honor, respect, integrity, and conscious, need to be brought to the council. But Geary is a man of honor and stands as a sign of the best of humanity. Something lost in the hundred yrs of war. He faces each and every challenge with the strength and honor that we can only hope for. He is a strong example to his men, his woman, and his country. I love this guy!!! In command of the fleet he sets out to end the war. Through his leadership he helps humanity to recognize itself, and get ready to face a faceless enemy, that has exploited every evil, instinct and weakness of humans. Geary brings the light to the darkness. I don't want to ruin any of the book for you, I sat and was totally moved by this book. What a great character, one to cheer for. Yea! Yea! Go Geary!!! And kudos to Jack Campbell.

Each book in the series has been better than the last! The current book, the last in this series, hits the right balance of character development, attention to detail, and classic space opera adventure. As usual, Campbell (Hemry) concentrates on issues of honor and proper military conduct. He does not disappoint. There is plenty of action and he provides the reader with plenty of discussion of combat tactics among spacefaring fleets. The interactions between the various characters are well-done. Highly recommended!! I've seen discussions about the lack of a Kindle edition. I too find it annoying, but does not impact my review of the book. I downloaded the B & N reader for my iPhone and downloaded the book from them. Worked great. Its a competitive business and there are alternatives!