The Lost Fleet Series – By Jack Campbell

Hello Robert,

So I did a dumb thing. I started reading the Lost Fleet Series. Then I couldn’t stop.

Series: The Lost Fleet
Author: Jack Campbell
Genre: Sci-Fi
Audience: Teen-adult
ROTS Setting: Future, FTL,
Synopsis: 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 has emerged from a century-long hibernation to find he has been heroically idealized beyond belief.
Captain John “Black Jack” Geary’s legendary 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 from survival hibernation 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.

Recommendation: I love this series.

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The Lost Fleet Series – By Jack Campbell

The Red – Book 3: Going Dark – By Linda Nagata

Hey Jared,

Ha! Finally finished the trilogy and it was well worth it.

goingdark.jpgTitle: Going Dark
Series: The Red; Book 3
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: James Shelley has left his lover, Delphi, and his companion-in-arms, Jayne Vasquez, with a fortune acquired from a fallen oligarch. They believe him to be dead, and he doesn’t try to set the record straight. His long-running question has been answered: There are other soldiers like him who have served the purposes of the Red—and he has accepted his place among them. As a soldier of the Red he pursues covert missions designed to nudge history away from existential threats—but that doesn’t mean the world is growing more orderly. It’s only in the froth of a “managed chaos” that human potential can grow and thrive. Shelley’s missions eventually take him into orbit—and into conflict with those he loves—Delphi and Jaynie—who are determined to escape the influence of the Red.
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Graphic violence.

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The Red – Book 3: Going Dark – By Linda Nagata

The Icarus Corps – Book 1: The Darkside War – By Zachary Brown

Hiya Jared,

When I was browsing the shelves and stumbled across this, I was surprised to see how short it was. It’s not quite novella length but it’s certainly close. It’s small size and my wanting to read it for a few months sealed the deal.

thedarksidewar.jpgTitle: The Darkside War
Series: The Icarus Corps; Book 1
Author: Zachary Brown
Genre: Science Fiction
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Near-Future, Aliens, FTL, Advanced Tech
Synopsis: People used to wonder if we were alone in the universe. Well, we’re not. Not by a long shot. Aliens come in all shapes and sizes, and even the good guys are likely to haunt your nightmares. And oh, you’ll have nightmares, even after you leave the service. If you leave the service. Devin is a reluctant conscript to an alien-run army: when the Accordance conquered Earth, they said it was to prepare against the incoming alien Conglomeration forces. But as Devin travels to the dark side of the moon for boot camp and better acquaints himself with his so-called allies, his loyalties are increasingly tested. Because the enemy of the enemy is not always a friend. Sometimes they’re a far, far worse threat.
Recommendation: This book is recommended. Note, there are scientific inaccuracies….like more than just made up tech.

Continue reading “The Icarus Corps – Book 1: The Darkside War – By Zachary Brown”

The Icarus Corps – Book 1: The Darkside War – By Zachary Brown

The Red – Book 2: The Trials – By Linda Nagata

Hey Jared,

Finally going to try and get this trilogy finished! The first book was just a strong start, I just don’t want to leave it hanging for long.

the_trials.jpgTitle: The Trials
Series: The Red; Book 2
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: Lieutenant James Shelley and his squad of US Army soldiers were on a quest for justice when they carried out the unauthorized mission known as First Light. They returned home to America to face a court-martial, determined to expose the corruption in the chain of command that compelled their actions. But in a country still reeling from the nuclear terrorism of Coma Day, the courtroom is only one battlefield. A new cycle of violence ignites when rumors of the elusive, rogue AI known as the Red go public—and Shelley is, once again, pulled into the fray. Challenged by his enemies, driven by ideals, Shelley feels compelled to act—but are the harrowing choices he makes really his own, or are they made for him, by the Red? With millions of lives at stake in a game of nuclear cat-and-mouse, does it even matter? (Hazard Notice: contains military grade profanity.)
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Graphic violence and explicit sex scenes.

Continue reading “The Red – Book 2: The Trials – By Linda Nagata”

The Red – Book 2: The Trials – By Linda Nagata

The Genesis Fleet – Book 1: Vanguard – By Jack Campbell

Hey Jared,

Have you read any of Jack Campell’s books? Their pretty good and other than one series having staggered releases their worth looking at.

vanguardTitle: Vanguard
Series: The Genesis Fleet; Book 1
Author: Jack Campbell
Genre: Science Fiction, Military
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, FTL (Jump Drive), Energy Weapons
Synopsis: Earth is no longer the center of the universe. After the invention of the faster-than-light jump drive, humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. But the vast distances of space mean that the old order of protection and interstellar law offered by Earth has ceased to exist. When a nearby world attacks, the new colony of Glenlyon turns to Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, and Mele Darcy, a onetime enlisted Marine. With nothing but improvised weapons and a few volunteers, Geary and Darcy must face down warships and armored soldiers–or die trying. As battles rage and pirates take an increasing toll throughout the colonies, the only hope for lasting peace lies with Carmen Ochoa, a “Red” from the anarchic world of Mars, and Lochan Nakamura, a failed politician. They have a plan: to lay the groundwork for mutual defense that could someday grow into an alliance. But if their efforts don’t succeed, the growing power of aggressor worlds could turn regions of space founded on freedom into battlefields between the first interstellar empires…
the first interstellar empires…

Recommendation: It’s a good series, but I would recommend being familiar with Lost Fleet or Lost Stars before starting this series.

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The Genesis Fleet – Book 1: Vanguard – By Jack Campbell

The Last Good Man – By Linda Nagata

Hey Jared,

As you’ll recall I emailed and asked for a review copy of this, so I’m both excited and nervous about this review. Even more so since the book is pretty much amazing.

thelastgoodmanTitle: The Last Good Man
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: Army veteran True Brighton left the service when the development of robotic helicopters made her training as a pilot obsolete. Now she works at Requisite Operations, a private military company established by friend and former Special Ops soldier Lincoln Han. ReqOp has embraced the new technologies. Robotics, big data, and artificial intelligence are all tools used to augment the skills of veteran warfighters-for-hire. But the tragedy of war is still measured in human casualties, and when True makes a chance discovery during a rescue mission, old wounds are ripped open. She’s left questioning what she knows of the past, and resolves to pursue the truth, whatever the cost.
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Moderate violence.

A copy of this book was provided by the author for the purpose of obtaining a review.

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The Last Good Man – By Linda Nagata

The Red – Book 1: First Light – By Linda Nagata

Hey Jared,

I really wanted to read this book before getting to Ms. Nagata’s new book, The Last Good Man, coming out next month because I wanted some context when it comes to her writing style and ability. The Red: First Light does this because it was first published under her own imprint before being picked up by a publisher. And boy does it create a high bar.

TheRed_600x1075Title: The Red: First Light
Series: The Red; Book 1
Author: Linda Nagata
Genre: Science Fiction, Military Scifi
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Modern/Near-Future,
Synopsis: Lieutenant James Shelley, who has an uncanny knack for premeditating danger, leads a squad of advanced US Army military tasked with enforcing the peace around a conflict in sub-Saharan Africa. The squad members are linked wirelessly 24/7 to themselves and a central intelligence that guides them via drone relay—and unbeknownst to Shelley and his team, they are being recorded for a reality TV show. When an airstrike almost destroys their outpost, a plot begins to unravel that’s worthy of Crichton and Clancy’s best. The conflict soon involves rogue defense contractors, corrupt US politicians, and homegrown terrorists who possess nuclear bombs. Soon Shelley must accept that the helpful warnings in his head could be AI. But what is the cost of serving its agenda?
Recommendation: Highly recommended! For mature readers. Graphic violence and explicit sex scenes.

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The Red – Book 1: First Light – By Linda Nagata

Blood on the Stars – Book 1: Duel in the Dark – By Jay Allan

How’s it going, Jared?

I’m glad I could find this on Amazon Unlimited. He’s a fringe author with an impressive number of titles under his belt. I say “fringe” because he’s mostly indie published but with a few conventionally published too. Clearly he enjoys his work and wants it in the hands of readers, which is a plus in my book. Also it looks like most of his other books are on AU too so I’m looking forward to reading more of his work.

More importantly the sequel for this book, Call to Arms, is out today!

duelinthedarkTitle: Duel in the Dark
Series: Blood on the Stars; Book 1
Author: Jay Allan
Genre: Science Fiction, Military
Audience: Adult
ROTS Setting: CU, Distant Future, FTL Gates (Limited)
Synopsis: The Confederation has fought three wars against the forces of the totalitarian Union. Three generations of its warriors have gone off to war, held the line against the larger, more powerful enemy. Now the fourth conflict is imminent, and the Confederation’s navy is on alert, positioned behind the frontier, waiting for the attack it knows is coming. […]
Recommendation: Late Teen to Adult. This book is a riveting military sci-fi with with good characters and plot. Definitely recommended.

Continue reading “Blood on the Stars – Book 1: Duel in the Dark – By Jay Allan”

Blood on the Stars – Book 1: Duel in the Dark – By Jay Allan