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A review by wyntrchylde
Dauntless by Jack Campbell
2.0
The Lost Fleet, BK1, Dauntless
Author: Jack Campbell
Publisher: Ace Books
Publishing Date: 2006
Pgs: 293 pages
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REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Alliance has been fighting the Syndics for a century—and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is a man who's emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief....
Captain John “Black Jack” Geary’s exploits are known to every schoolchild. Revered for his heroic “last stand” in the early days of the war, he was presumed dead. But a century later, Geary miraculously returns and reluctantly takes command of the Alliance Fleet as it faces annihilation by the Syndics.
Appalled by the hero worship around him, Geary is nevertheless a man who will do his duty. And he knows that bringing the stolen Syndic hypernet key safely home is the Alliance’s one chance to win the war. But to do that, Geary will have to live up to the impossibly heroic “Black Jack” legend...
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Genre:
Science Fiction
Space Fleet
Space Opera
Adventure
Militaria
Why this book:
Since I burned out on Star Carrier at Book #6, I'm hoping this feeds my science fiction space militaria hunger.
_________________________________________
The Page 100 Test:
Ω ◄ - struggle to finish this.
? ◄ - Just not sure about this.
± ◄ - could go either way
❚█══█❚ ◄ - this requires heavy lifting
The Feel:
There is a “are they going to sleep together” feel to Captain Geary’s interactions with the political officer.
Tropes:
Wish the author had forgone the trope of having some of the commanders resent Black Jack's command amid the murmurs of dissent as he had his first meeting with the fleet captains. It’s a trope that the story could have done without.
Political officers on naval ships is a trope that I wish had been left on the ash heap of history with the Soviet Union.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
Science fiction writers seem to be deeply in love with the political officers on naval vessels' idea. You see it in the Honor Harrington books and here. It was in the Star Carrier books.
Strikeout:
Geary talking with Desanji after their "temporary" escape from the Syndic fleet, asking her why they don't negotiate peace when he just saw what they did to Admiral Bloch and his command staff is extremely out-of-character and deeply stupid. This is the kind of stupid statement that makes me question whether I want to read this book/series or not. This bothers me. May be a bridge too far. I’m calling this Strike One.
Considering what the story is purportedly about, the story is more focused on fleet politics and infighting than starship battles. Strike Two.
_________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Finished it. Probably won't be back. It's an interesting concept. Not enough gunfight, ship battle stuff for me. YMMV.
=======================================
Author: Jack Campbell
Publisher: Ace Books
Publishing Date: 2006
Pgs: 293 pages
=======================================
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Alliance has been fighting the Syndics for a century—and losing badly. Now its fleet is crippled and stranded in enemy territory. Their only hope is a man who's emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief....
Captain John “Black Jack” Geary’s exploits are known to every schoolchild. Revered for his heroic “last stand” in the early days of the war, he was presumed dead. But a century later, Geary miraculously returns and reluctantly takes command of the Alliance Fleet as it faces annihilation by the Syndics.
Appalled by the hero worship around him, Geary is nevertheless a man who will do his duty. And he knows that bringing the stolen Syndic hypernet key safely home is the Alliance’s one chance to win the war. But to do that, Geary will have to live up to the impossibly heroic “Black Jack” legend...
_________________________________________
Genre:
Science Fiction
Space Fleet
Space Opera
Adventure
Militaria
Why this book:
Since I burned out on Star Carrier at Book #6, I'm hoping this feeds my science fiction space militaria hunger.
_________________________________________
The Page 100 Test:
Ω ◄ - struggle to finish this.
? ◄ - Just not sure about this.
± ◄ - could go either way
❚█══█❚ ◄ - this requires heavy lifting
The Feel:
There is a “are they going to sleep together” feel to Captain Geary’s interactions with the political officer.
Tropes:
Wish the author had forgone the trope of having some of the commanders resent Black Jack's command amid the murmurs of dissent as he had his first meeting with the fleet captains. It’s a trope that the story could have done without.
Political officers on naval ships is a trope that I wish had been left on the ash heap of history with the Soviet Union.
Meh / PFFT Moments:
Science fiction writers seem to be deeply in love with the political officers on naval vessels' idea. You see it in the Honor Harrington books and here. It was in the Star Carrier books.
Strikeout:
Geary talking with Desanji after their "temporary" escape from the Syndic fleet, asking her why they don't negotiate peace when he just saw what they did to Admiral Bloch and his command staff is extremely out-of-character and deeply stupid. This is the kind of stupid statement that makes me question whether I want to read this book/series or not. This bothers me. May be a bridge too far. I’m calling this Strike One.
Considering what the story is purportedly about, the story is more focused on fleet politics and infighting than starship battles. Strike Two.
_________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
Finished it. Probably won't be back. It's an interesting concept. Not enough gunfight, ship battle stuff for me. YMMV.
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