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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
way too much talking and political maneuvering for what I thought was a space action thiller. The hardest part was trying to keep up with the author in why a phrase was significant because it points to a loophole in the regulations you have no understanding of.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great book --- I love the fact that the battles all take place at the captain's perspective. It is amazing how much suspense can be built up without being right in the line of action of the story. The concept is also very interesting. I look forward to reading more and following how Captain Geary falls into the "Black Jack" legend that was built up around him.
A pretty basic military space opera with some nice hooks and believable characters. Definitely a quick and fun read.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Dauntless is an excellent novel to start off a military sci-fi series and setting, but it does start on extremely rocky footing and ends extremely quickly, leaving you wanting more. Jack Campbell's real life experience with in a navy means that he has an excellent grasp of military organizations, and this is translated extraordinarily well into text so that even us laymen can see the authenticity.
While the novel sells you on the idea of a man out of time, turned into a hero posthumously, struggling to live up to those ideals, I actually found the novel to be a brilliant breakdown on what might happen to society if it actually fought a modern 'total' war for a hundred years. Jack Campbell has given a great deal of thought to the military organization and its changes, and if there are oddities, I beg that you give the author time and space to make it clear why these things happened. His real-life experiences ensure that almost any part of the Alliance Navy that seems 'wrong' has very good reasons.
That said, the novel starts off with a poorly written cold-open which may alienate a lot of readers. The villains are either under-characterized or one-dimensional feckless assholes. Additionally, the novel is very short and you'll be left wanting more. I started Fearless (the next novel) immediately and while this is a fun, enjoyable ride, I don't see it being complex/thrilling enough for it to be perfect.
Recommended with reservations.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★☆☆ Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, #1)
★★★☆☆ Fearless (The Lost Fleet, #2)
★★★★☆ Courageous (The Lost Fleet, #3)
★★★★☆ Valiant (The Lost Fleet, #4)
★★★★☆ Relentless (The Lost Fleet, #5)
★★★☆☆ Victorious (The Lost Fleet, #6)
The Lost Fleet irons out its minor flaws with every successive book, and its military credentials are never in doubt. It never corrects the major problem having badly characterized villains though, and so failed to ever become exceptional. If you enjoyed the first book, then you should find it an entertaining series that consistently delivers.
★★★☆☆ - Recommended as a consistent military sci-fi tale.
While the novel sells you on the idea of a man out of time, turned into a hero posthumously, struggling to live up to those ideals, I actually found the novel to be a brilliant breakdown on what might happen to society if it actually fought a modern 'total' war for a hundred years. Jack Campbell has given a great deal of thought to the military organization and its changes, and if there are oddities, I beg that you give the author time and space to make it clear why these things happened. His real-life experiences ensure that almost any part of the Alliance Navy that seems 'wrong' has very good reasons.
That said, the novel starts off with a poorly written cold-open which may alienate a lot of readers. The villains are either under-characterized or one-dimensional feckless assholes. Additionally, the novel is very short and you'll be left wanting more. I started Fearless (the next novel) immediately and while this is a fun, enjoyable ride, I don't see it being complex/thrilling enough for it to be perfect.
Recommended with reservations.
Series Overall Spoiler-Free Thoughts
★★★☆☆ Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, #1)
★★★☆☆ Fearless (The Lost Fleet, #2)
★★★★☆ Courageous (The Lost Fleet, #3)
★★★★☆ Valiant (The Lost Fleet, #4)
★★★★☆ Relentless (The Lost Fleet, #5)
★★★☆☆ Victorious (The Lost Fleet, #6)
The Lost Fleet irons out its minor flaws with every successive book, and its military credentials are never in doubt. It never corrects the major problem having badly characterized villains though, and so failed to ever become exceptional. If you enjoyed the first book, then you should find it an entertaining series that consistently delivers.
★★★☆☆ - Recommended as a consistent military sci-fi tale.
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A solid 3 stars. Parts of the book dragged, but I understand that a lot of it was setting up the future books. Interested to see where the next few books take me.