Search - Dauntless (The Lost Fleet, Bk 1)

Lost Fleet by Jack Campbell (the pen name of John Hemry) is a military sci-fi novel that revolves around the main character Captain John "Black Jack" Geary. Geary is war hero of historic proportions and the hero of the battle in the Grendel system. The Syndics (a human corporate empire) ambushed the Alliance at Grendel where Geary made himself famous with his heroic "last stand". Geary is thought to be lost in battle at the helm of his ship but a hundred years later an Alliance fleet finds Geary aboard an escape pod, in stasis.

Geary awakes to find that, shockingly, it's an entire century since he commanded the battle at Grendel and the war is still going. He is disturbed by the reaction the crews of the fleet have when they see him, after all he's the legendary "Black Jack". Crews swear by his name much in the same way people use the name "Jesus" in real life. This all disturbs Geary and in fact he finds it just plain annoying. As with most legends, Geary's has been inflated beyond how he can actually perform so he is constantly trying to point out that he is not the person they think he is.

Well, he gets little time to convince them otherwise: Shortly after he awakes the commander of the fleet and his staff are killed by the Syndics in an act of treachery. Admiral Bloch left Geary in charge of the fleet in his absence. Now in charge Geary mush lead the battered, out-gunned fleet home after their terrible defeat.

The Lost Fleet: Dauntless is a great example of Military Sci-Fi. Those who like John Scalzi should like Campbell's style of writing: not overly complicated and doesn't require a degree in physics to understand the technology. Good solid storytelling. The pacing of the story is outstanding and balanced. While there isn't as much combat in the book as one would suspect for this type of novel, Campbell manages to keep the pages turning with the subplots. Many of the subplots revolve around the logistics of running a fleet and managing problems with the crew.

Jack Geary is a very interesting character. Instead of the author pushing him as the "man god" Geary plays down his prowess and despises the legend worship he is met with. He struggles with grasping the new technology of the day and the culture of the fleet has completely changed.

While the setting is covered very thinly, there is enough to get an idea of the cultures of the two human factions involved in this book. Hopefully in future books we will get more background on the Alliance, Syndics, and the characters themselves.

Conclusion: If you like military Sci-Fi this book should be right up your alley. There's enough action, plenty of subplots and a really fun story to be find within the pages of this novel. I feel comfortable saying that Campbell is in the same class as Scalzi, Haldeman, and Ringo. If you like these authors, you should find Lost Fleet: Dauntless to your liking.

I picked this book because i've read several sci-fi military series , i love series and this author looks like he has a winner with The Lost Fleet. The book is original in that it is military sci-fi with character development and a plot that continues to expand. First throw in a Legandary Hero "Black Jack Geary" and his thoughts as he trying to adjust to his new surrounds are amusing and totally in character but as he comes to grip with having been thrown into command of a fleet trapped behind enemy lines with little hope of survival. This book is full of great space battles and a 100 year war with traditions that have been forgottem or thrown out in space, traditions that will soon be reinstalled to continue the traditions that have gone on before. This is a fun and interesting book that keeps the reader involved and waiting for the next book.... I look forward to reading the next book.

This book was absolutely amazing. A captain who has spent 100 years in hibernation is the only person that might save the future. Most sci-fi books ignore many of the laws of physics, a book that works with these limitations takes far more imagination. This may not be your cup of tea if you like sci-fi ground combat, but Campell does a great job of describing fleet-wide maneuvering and combat. Most fans of military sci-fi should find this book to be well worth while.

I initially read The Lost Fleet: Relentless (Book 5). It is better, but not necessary, to begin with The Lost Fleet: Dauntless (Book 1). Dauntless is series best and establishes the tone for the remaining books. That said, you can quickly pick up this very straightforward storyline no matter which book you read first. The star systems change but the story remains much the same. Well paced, quick read, predictable, fortunately characters are likable.

Main character Jack is a reluctant hero who is forced to take command of the fleet. Jack assumes command but other fleet officers continuously challenge his authority. The two main female characters struggle with hero worship and desire for Jack. Just when Jack's self reflection, the fleet's occasional treachery and the women's sexual tension starts to weigh the story for lack of resolution we get a climactic, near light speed, space battle.

The basic story-line. After an ambush, the Lost Fleet (so called because it was ambushed deep within enemy territory) must make its way back to Alliance territory from within Syndic (enemy) territory. Only humans involved in this science fiction. Remnant fleet on long journey is very Battlestar Gallactica with some Buck Rodgers tossed in.

The Lost Fleet: Dauntless (2006)
The Lost Fleet: Fearless (2007)
The Lost Fleet: Courageous (2007)
The Lost Fleet: Valiant (2008)
The Lost Fleet: Relentless (2009)
The Lost Fleet: Victorious (2010)

I enjoyed the book very much. It was brain candy, but fun. The story was unique and flowed from one adventure to another. Really kept my interest from start to finish. I enjoyed it so much I have put the other Lost Fleet books on my wish list.