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cainacol12's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ahmadfarhan's review against another edition
3.0
It's fine I guess. But I feel like it falls a little flat compared to The Last Dance, which I loved.
rpmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhat of a police investigation story, with a science fiction background. The investigation happens during a political campaign and ends up being related to a major political party.
robinwalter's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A very enjoyable and competent sequel, I hope there will be a third in the series
ellie_bell's review against another edition
4.0
https://book-bucket.com/2020/09/09/the-last-campaign-by-martin-l-shoemaker/
This was a very enjoyable follow up book to The Last Dance. I was very glad I had read The Last Dance first, because if I had jumped straight into reading this I would not have had the understanding of Rosalia Morais and Nick Aames' characters and back story, both of which are very important to know who they are now. I wasn't keen on the first person narrative from Rosalie's POV, not because I don't like her but because I couldn't feel her and therefore think it would have been better told in third person. The plot was very good. I love the politics and Rosalia's character arc and, although everything tied together well at the end, there is plenty of scope for the continuation of the series. I really like the writing style, and even though there were technical terms I am not familiar with, they were used in a context where I could at least grasp what I needed to know.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
This was a very enjoyable follow up book to The Last Dance. I was very glad I had read The Last Dance first, because if I had jumped straight into reading this I would not have had the understanding of Rosalia Morais and Nick Aames' characters and back story, both of which are very important to know who they are now. I wasn't keen on the first person narrative from Rosalie's POV, not because I don't like her but because I couldn't feel her and therefore think it would have been better told in third person. The plot was very good. I love the politics and Rosalia's character arc and, although everything tied together well at the end, there is plenty of scope for the continuation of the series. I really like the writing style, and even though there were technical terms I am not familiar with, they were used in a context where I could at least grasp what I needed to know.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!
emma0sweden's review against another edition
4.0
Not as good as the first one but still really good. Once again a sci-fi series not focused on war against other species. It's rather a police drama set in space.
magicalbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really great sequel to [b:The Last Dance|44067572|The Last Dance (The Near-Earth Mysteries, #1)|Martin L. Shoemaker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1562829205l/44067572._SX50_.jpg|68521427]! There was plenty about the story and the mystery that I enjoyed with only a few minor details that felt like they could be improved, but overall I had a really great time with this.
To start off, I'm finding that I just really enjoy the world that [a:Martin L. Shoemaker|245339|Martin L. Shoemaker|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] is putting together in this series. Mars feels like the next frontier in this series and I am here for it. There is definitely more emphasis and a sense of greater importance involved with the politics in this book and I know that may not be everyone's favorite thing, but I enjoyed it. Plus it gave me time to get to know an adult Anthony and see the person he has turned into since his introduction in the first book which was great.
Moving on to the characters, Nick Aames is someone I have really loved getting to know through this series and even through all his flaws, I love getting to read more about what he's doing post-Aldrin. There are plenty of nods to the previous book and those characters which kept my nostalgia alive and well. It made me want more information on what everyone on the Aldrin was up to and how they were holding up, but I did love getting to know Rosalia and see how the Nico/Rosie relationship was getting along.
One of the biggest reasons I enjoyed The Last Dance as much as I did had to do with how much I loved reading all the little stories that played into the bigger picture of that book. The Last Campaign follows basically the same idea. It was a little different because there was no need to go back in time to tell off-the-record accounts and stories from the past during an investigation, but it still followed the same pattern.
In terms of any negatives, I only had smaller complaints. One was that some of the conversations felt a little off and unnatural to me. This had to do with the use and non-use of contractions at times. I know that seems nit-picky, but everything just didn't feel as completely realistic and natural as I would have liked because of it. For the most part I could overlook it, so it wasn't a huge deal. Another thing that felt off was the ending. Not what happened or anything like that, but it did feel a little rushed to me.
Overall, I really liked this! I couldn't help but to compare it to the first book which is probably why some of the little details got to me a little more, but it was good. I really love this world and the characters, so hopefully Martin has more ideas and stories to tell in this universe because I'm excited to read them.
I would like to give a big thank you to Netgalley and 47North for an advanced e-copy of The Last Campaign in exchange for an honest review.
To start off, I'm finding that I just really enjoy the world that [a:Martin L. Shoemaker|245339|Martin L. Shoemaker|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/m_50x66-82093808bca726cb3249a493fbd3bd0f.png] is putting together in this series. Mars feels like the next frontier in this series and I am here for it. There is definitely more emphasis and a sense of greater importance involved with the politics in this book and I know that may not be everyone's favorite thing, but I enjoyed it. Plus it gave me time to get to know an adult Anthony and see the person he has turned into since his introduction in the first book which was great.
Moving on to the characters, Nick Aames is someone I have really loved getting to know through this series and even through all his flaws, I love getting to read more about what he's doing post-Aldrin. There are plenty of nods to the previous book and those characters which kept my nostalgia alive and well. It made me want more information on what everyone on the Aldrin was up to and how they were holding up, but I did love getting to know Rosalia and see how the Nico/Rosie relationship was getting along.
One of the biggest reasons I enjoyed The Last Dance as much as I did had to do with how much I loved reading all the little stories that played into the bigger picture of that book. The Last Campaign follows basically the same idea. It was a little different because there was no need to go back in time to tell off-the-record accounts and stories from the past during an investigation, but it still followed the same pattern.
In terms of any negatives, I only had smaller complaints. One was that some of the conversations felt a little off and unnatural to me. This had to do with the use and non-use of contractions at times. I know that seems nit-picky, but everything just didn't feel as completely realistic and natural as I would have liked because of it. For the most part I could overlook it, so it wasn't a huge deal. Another thing that felt off was the ending. Not what happened or anything like that, but it did feel a little rushed to me.
Overall, I really liked this! I couldn't help but to compare it to the first book which is probably why some of the little details got to me a little more, but it was good. I really love this world and the characters, so hopefully Martin has more ideas and stories to tell in this universe because I'm excited to read them.
I would like to give a big thank you to Netgalley and 47North for an advanced e-copy of The Last Campaign in exchange for an honest review.
agsdv's review against another edition
Humanity bringing their issues to Mars. Same drama, just on another planet.
libra17's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up The Last Campaign because I recently finished The Last Dance - the first book in the series - and found that the second was available to borrow with Kindle Unlimited. The Last Dance was pretty good, so I gave The Last Campaign a shot.
It was a really good book. Set some time after the events of The Last Dance (the investigation and the eventual verdict that gave The Aldrin status free city status, though her former captain, Nicolau Ames, was barred from holding a position of authority there), Ames has settled into semiretired life in Maxwell City on Mars, married to Rosalia Morais, the former admiral who sacrificed her career to swing the verdict in The Last Dance toward freedom for The Aldrin and to protect Ames. The Last Campaign is her book. The story follows Morais as she accepts the job as Chief of Police for Maxwell City's brand new police force and proceeds to tackle multiple murders, an insurance fraud conspiracy, and something a lot bigger during Maxwell's election season. With pressure from the mayor about how things will look to the media, questions from the media about her objectivity and standing, and stress on her relationship with her husband (who's jealous that his wife is spending so much time with her ex-fiancé; that the man is the coroner, makes no difference, apparently), Morais untangles a web whose secrets will have ramifications for everyone on Mars.
Where The Last Dance was a slow-burning character study told through a series of flashbacks, The Last Campaign is more a traditional mystery (bordering on thriller, in some places), just set against the backdrop of the red planet, and all the twists and turns kept me guessing until almost the last page. I liked the change in pace and did enjoy the book. If a third entry in this series comes out, I would be happy to read it.
It was a really good book. Set some time after the events of The Last Dance (the investigation and the eventual verdict that gave The Aldrin status free city status, though her former captain, Nicolau Ames, was barred from holding a position of authority there), Ames has settled into semiretired life in Maxwell City on Mars, married to Rosalia Morais, the former admiral who sacrificed her career to swing the verdict in The Last Dance toward freedom for The Aldrin and to protect Ames. The Last Campaign is her book. The story follows Morais as she accepts the job as Chief of Police for Maxwell City's brand new police force and proceeds to tackle multiple murders, an insurance fraud conspiracy, and something a lot bigger during Maxwell's election season. With pressure from the mayor about how things will look to the media, questions from the media about her objectivity and standing, and stress on her relationship with her husband (who's jealous that his wife is spending so much time with her ex-fiancé; that the man is the coroner, makes no difference, apparently), Morais untangles a web whose secrets will have ramifications for everyone on Mars.
Where The Last Dance was a slow-burning character study told through a series of flashbacks, The Last Campaign is more a traditional mystery (bordering on thriller, in some places), just set against the backdrop of the red planet, and all the twists and turns kept me guessing until almost the last page. I liked the change in pace and did enjoy the book. If a third entry in this series comes out, I would be happy to read it.