Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Destiny's Way by Jack Campbell Series: The Doomed Earth #2
Published by Ace on February 25, 2025
Genres: Romance, Space Opera
Pages: 381
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Earth was destroyed on June 12, 2180. Lieutenant Selene Genji watched it happen. And only she can prevent it.
Thrown forty years into the past, into a time before the Universal War began, Genji can only guess what to do to change the events that led to the death of all humanity. She has no way of knowing the long-term impacts of her actions and can only depend on her instincts.
But many of the people Genji’s trying to save want her dead. Her creation was an a fusing of human and alien DNA. To them, she’s a monster who can’t be trusted, a tool of the aliens who have just made first contact.
Fortunately, she has an unshakable ally in Lieutenant Kayl Owen, who has risked everything to help her mission. Declared a traitor to humanity by Earth Guard, Owen is determined to help Genji save the Earth.
I’ve really loved the Lost Fleet and spin off series by this author. They have action with military battle, along with military politics and the morality decisions of battles. The Doomed Earth series has the military and politics with its fast paced action but also a romance. It’s not a romance novel more a sideline plot with aliens, and inexplicable time travel. I could say many of the same things I did from the In Our Stars review to lessen spoilers.
Selene is an alloy from about 40 years in the future. An alloy has some alien DNA but is mostly human appearing. Kayl Owen is part of the team who goes to find any survivors when her ship appears. She came from 2180 when Earth disintegrates in bombing attacks. Selene is trying to save Earth by changing the catalysts for the attack between now – 2140- and 2180. The reason is prejudice and misunderstanding about aliens or various classes of human, along with the typical greed of politics.
Kayl joins Selene in her mission to influenceattitudes and events. Kayl joins her in the mission. They knew it would be dangerous but the Earth Guard fleet tries to kill them from the start. As they begin trying to have effects on big events, they become attached and attracted, even though Selene is unwilling to hope. She knows that changing things may mean she might not exist in the future.
I enjoyed the fast paced action and strategy. The relationship seemed a little hokey, a bit immature somehow. That could be that Selene and Kayl both have limited experience with serious relationships. Destiny’s Way makes serious progress in the issues. I enjoy alien interactions and I don’t mean Selene; I mean the Tramontines. Since Selene speaks and understands them, the First Contact goes better than it did in Selene’s history.
The key aspect here is the moral choice of what is personhood and how to treat people fairly and honestly. A LOT of people try to kill them but they are prepared and gradually things improve.
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:
- 25-COYER
One of these days I’ll have to try a space opera! Glad you enjoyed, Anne💜
There are so many great options. I love those by Jessie Mihalik or Jack Campbell and Martha Wells. I’d be happy to recommend one based on qualities you are looking for. These are just favorites off the top of my head.
Somehow I missed the first book in the series, but I think I’d enjoy this a lot! Thanks for sharing, Anne.
Thank you Tammy. It’s very different from his other series. The romance is more obvious I guess. The couple talks to each other and it’s awkward really. In his long running series and spinoffs, there is a romance but they are both on duty so it is all very background.
This sounds fun. I always intend to read more sci-fi and then arcs get in the way. I don’t mind a romance that isn’t the main focus.
I really love scifi but have to carefully select my books. I really enjoy this author, and romance is fine as a background, but the romance in this one just seemed awkward. It was a small part so I didn’t mind.
I somehow missed this one’s release, but there’s always the library. Glad it was as good as book one.
yes I hope you enjoy it. I really like this author’s books.
Despite the immature romance, this sounds good overall. Great review!
Thank you Kimberly. It was great overall.
That sounds like a lot packed into one book. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. It’s good to know the author balances the action and politics well. I don’t think I’ve read a book about aliens. Sounds fun!
Thank you. I’ve read a number of alien books in the scifi genre and the scifi romance genre. I’d say this is still scifi with a background romance. I love the author’s other series.
I think I might enjoy this one too! Thank you for putting it on my radar!
I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read by this author. This one is interesting with the aliens and space stuff but the romance is just awkward. It’s not the main story though.
How fun!!!!
yes it was interesting. I’m not sure having people trying to kill you all the time is fun though.
I need to find a way to work in more sci-fi into my schedule. This sounds good.
You might enjoy this one as a more romance oriented. There is action and what I would call politics.
Interesting cover, I like it! Sounds like the series is still good. I might have to try this series!
You might enjoy this more with a romance more in the story. His other series it is more background and the primary focus is the military strategy / battles / politics.