Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ascendant by Jack Campbell Series: Genesis Fleet #2
Published by Ace on May 15, 2018
Genres: Space Opera
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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In the three years since former fleet officer Rob Geary and former Marine Mele Darcy led improvised forces to repel attacks on the world of Glenlyon, Old Earth and the Old Colonies have continued to shrink their military forces.
But open warfare erupts once again when Glenlyon tries to force open a trade route. Isolated and alone, Glenlyon places its hope in informal agreements with other worlds also facing attack. But fiercely independent worlds settled by people who wanted to escape higher authority don’t easily agree to such commitments. While politicians try to bring some kind of formal alliance into being, Geary and Darcy once again find themselves fighting desperately to defend their world, hoping they can hold out until help arrives.
If it comes at all.
If you have enjoyed Jack Campbell’s other series, Lost Fleet and Beyond the Frontier, and Lost Stars, Genesis Fleet series will feel familiar. The writing style, space opera and military strategy are all here. It is a prequel series. Ascendant is the second book, following Vanguard by three years.
The series could be read by those not having read the other series. It is rather fun and comforting to be with characters having the last names of those to follow 100 years later. And I like the style so I have read them all. I liked the audio as well and have bought some of them.
In these new frontiers, the governments and businesses are new; nothing is quite setup or established. Well, the spacecraft may follow old Earth checklists a bit too rigidly. Overall, people need to make decisions about who they will be and how they will live. The Genesis Fleet series is most like the Lost Stars series because of the new governments being created. At the very beginning, it felt slow only because it is so similar but it got interesting quickly as the world and characters, plus space battles, charged into action.
The stories are Jack Campbell classics of people with character strength and compassion and intelligence. The characters are exceptional; people you would want to know, at least, the good guys. The bad guys are not well developed. I do love the space battles and the ground battles. The technology discussions around repairs and battles are also fascinating to me. There is even some humor! I love these stories.
“We could use some beer. And we’re a little low on ammo and other supplies. But there’s no beer at all.”
The publisher was kind enough to send me a hardcover copy of this book. Since I collect digital now for convenience when moving and traveling, I am giving this away. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Jack Campbell
Jack Campbell is a pseudonym for American science fiction author John G. Hemry.
John G. Hemry is an American author of military science fiction novels. Drawing on his experience as a retired United States Navy officer, he has written the Stark’s War and Paul Sinclair series. His father, Jack M. Hemry, also served in the navy and as John points out was a mustang. John grew up living in several places including Pensacola, San Diego, and Midway Island.
Under the name Jack Campbell, he has written three related series: the Lost Fleet, Beyond the Lost Fleet, and Genesis Fleet series, He has also written over a dozen short stories, many published in Analog magazine, and a number of non-fiction works.
John graduated from Lyons High School in Lyons in 1974 then attended the US Naval Academy (Class of ’78) where he was labeled ‘the un-midshipman’ by his roommates.
He lives in Maryland with his wife and three kids. His two eldest children are diagnosed as autistic and suffer from Neuro immune dysfunction syndrome (NIDS), an auto-immune ailment which causes their illness, but are progressing under treatment.
John is a member of the SFWA Musketeers whose motto reads: ‘The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword, but the Wise Person Carries Both’.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 New Release Challenge
I enjoy Jack Campbell too! I haven’t read a lot of the books but I have read a couple when I get a military hankering. I like his kind of characters. ❤️ Great review. And thanks for the giveaway! My brother loves these so much, I would probably give him the book if I won.
Thank you! You’re right about the characters. I enjoyed the audio also with Christian Rummel. I’ve starting buying them. I originally listened to them on CD from the library, when I was moving from MN to NC and had lots of days in the car.
No, I have not read any Jack Campbell books.
Well I hope you get to try some if you like military or space opera science fiction. All my libraries seem to have them but not always on audio.