Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Cultures clash. A man out of time. Physics as we know it expanded into the vastness of space.
Fun science fiction space military fiction. Fast read, will read more of the series.
Not a bad book but not outstanding. Some of the storytelling methods were absolutely blunt but the series may be worth further investigation.
I always enjoy a good military science fiction story and this book certainly fits the bill. It's a tale that borrows from the Arthurian legend of a people looking to a hero from the past to come forth in their direst time of need...and sets it all in space. Captain John Geary, rescued from space where he's apparently been drifting in hibernation sleep for the better part of a century, suddenly finds himself having to save an Alliance fleet that is very different from the one he once served. Some look to him as a larger than life figure who can do no wrong while others chafe at the changes he brings with him. For his own part, Geary doesn't want to be a legend but what he finds is that perhaps only a legend can save them all. What follows is a space chase chock full of military honor and tradition, though that doesn't necessarily mean the same things to all people.
I liked Geary and found his position between a rock and a hard place interesting. As he himself points out, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. The rest of the characters could do with a little more fleshing out and I'm hoping that that comes with time. As of now, we have Captain Desjani, who is a bit too enthralled by Geary's legend status for my tastes, Co-President Rione who seems to think that Geary might be a dictator in the making, and a couple of other ship Captains who seemed destined to cause Geary a world of trouble in books to come.
As with most stories of this kind, the overly technical space battles got cumbersome but I tend to skim those so they don't bother me too much. The world building can use some fortification as well and I hope that that comes as Geary navigates through all the changes in the Alliance that have transpired since his supposed "death" a hundred years ago. This would be the perfect setup to experience this time period through the eyes of someone who is also new to it but further books will see how, or if, that plays out. But because the characters and world building need work, I can't give this the four stars I was hoping for, but the elements are in place to get there.
I liked Geary and found his position between a rock and a hard place interesting. As he himself points out, he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. The rest of the characters could do with a little more fleshing out and I'm hoping that that comes with time. As of now, we have Captain Desjani, who is a bit too enthralled by Geary's legend status for my tastes, Co-President Rione who seems to think that Geary might be a dictator in the making, and a couple of other ship Captains who seemed destined to cause Geary a world of trouble in books to come.
As with most stories of this kind, the overly technical space battles got cumbersome but I tend to skim those so they don't bother me too much. The world building can use some fortification as well and I hope that that comes as Geary navigates through all the changes in the Alliance that have transpired since his supposed "death" a hundred years ago. This would be the perfect setup to experience this time period through the eyes of someone who is also new to it but further books will see how, or if, that plays out. But because the characters and world building need work, I can't give this the four stars I was hoping for, but the elements are in place to get there.
How does a war last for one hundred years when one faction has obviously come down with a case of the terminally stupids? No, really, how does that happen? This book attempts to offer an explanation of how we arrive at this situation, but I can't buy it. The level of idiocy displayed by some of the characters in this story is so great, that I can't help but believe that the enemy faction should have wiped out the guys we are supposed to be cheering for long before the start of the book.
The main character of the story has been rescued from spending a century frozen in a life pod, and ends up being placed in command of a a fleet of ships. Towards the end of the story, in a moment of being high on stress and low on sleep, he tells someone that he wishes he had remained "dead". And I think I too, had I been stuck with the people he's leading, would have wished the same thing. And not even if I was stressed and tired. I ate well yesterday, and got a good long rest last night, and I don't want to deal with these morons ever again.
The main character of the story has been rescued from spending a century frozen in a life pod, and ends up being placed in command of a a fleet of ships. Towards the end of the story, in a moment of being high on stress and low on sleep, he tells someone that he wishes he had remained "dead". And I think I too, had I been stuck with the people he's leading, would have wished the same thing. And not even if I was stressed and tired. I ate well yesterday, and got a good long rest last night, and I don't want to deal with these morons ever again.
Fun military science fiction, nothing extraordinary, but an interesting way to spend a few hours.
I really like this one. The story itself and the characters hit a lot of my likes and buttons. :)
Space battles! Time-late images and reports and communication! Explanations why there can be an "up" and "down" in space! Marines! Space ships! Ships like Titan! There is a lot to like in this book for me. :)
I like the idea of a war hero surviving in hibernation in a rescue pod for a 100 years and then having to deal with the changes the war and time brought to people in general and the hero worship that he has to face. I like that some are not doubting him at all while some others do nothing else than doubt him.
I really like Geary. I like that he doubts himself, that he questions his place as fleet commander and in this time. That he feels disconnected from the people due to the passed time and the changes in protocol, science, tech, mannerism and values brought on by a war that already lasts a 100 years.
I also love the fact that there are female shipcaptains and that highest ranking civilian person in the fleet is also female. :) And let's not forget that female Marine Colonel - I really like her even though we haven't seen that much of her. :)
I hope the next books in the series stay as enjoyable as this one. :)
Space battles! Time-late images and reports and communication! Explanations why there can be an "up" and "down" in space! Marines! Space ships! Ships like Titan! There is a lot to like in this book for me. :)
I like the idea of a war hero surviving in hibernation in a rescue pod for a 100 years and then having to deal with the changes the war and time brought to people in general and the hero worship that he has to face. I like that some are not doubting him at all while some others do nothing else than doubt him.
I really like Geary. I like that he doubts himself, that he questions his place as fleet commander and in this time. That he feels disconnected from the people due to the passed time and the changes in protocol, science, tech, mannerism and values brought on by a war that already lasts a 100 years.
I also love the fact that there are female shipcaptains and that highest ranking civilian person in the fleet is also female. :) And let's not forget that female Marine Colonel - I really like her even though we haven't seen that much of her. :)
I hope the next books in the series stay as enjoyable as this one. :)
This isn't a book I would normally pick up, but I quite enjoyed it! I thought it was a great look at a military style space fleet. It was very tactical, but it took a good look at how people interact as well.
This was a good military sci/fi read should probably get 3.5 stars. A story of Captain John "Black Jack" Geary, who was presumed dead in a war a century ago and was rescued from a survival pod and thrust back into that same war. In the time he has been in hibernation he has become a legend among the Alliance fleet, but has no idea how battles are fought or command structures work in this new age. He is suddenly thrust into command after a battle with the Syndic fleet cripples the Alliance and forces the commander of the fleet to seek terms. Geary must now lead the reluctant fleet as they attempt to escape from Syndics and make their way back to the Alliance hone world. He has to deal with the changes in battle tactics a disintegration of the command structure and politics as he attempts to bring the fleet back into a cohesive working group. Character development is a little weak, but this is an on-going series so I assume the characters are fleshed out as the series continues.
Mini-Review:
An interesting start to a military SF. I believe Captain Jack Geary will grow on me. A bit clunky & repetitive on certain parts of the story. It's rather clear what you are suppose to think and feel but it felt a bit flat to me. The setup was heavy handed and not a whole lot happened.
I like the different perspective presented in the story. Instead of a well organized & regimented space force, there is a battle worn fleet that is made up of mavericks and little organization. I'll definitely continue the series to see where the story arc lands.
I hope the aliens are interesting.
An interesting start to a military SF. I believe Captain Jack Geary will grow on me. A bit clunky & repetitive on certain parts of the story. It's rather clear what you are suppose to think and feel but it felt a bit flat to me. The setup was heavy handed and not a whole lot happened.
I like the different perspective presented in the story. Instead of a well organized & regimented space force, there is a battle worn fleet that is made up of mavericks and little organization. I'll definitely continue the series to see where the story arc lands.
I hope the aliens are interesting.