In Death Ground (3/5) draws inspiration from Heinlein & Niven for a tale of galactic invasion by bug-like aliens. I enjoyed the "better mouse tra...moreIn Death Ground (3/5) draws inspiration from Heinlein & Niven for a tale of galactic invasion by bug-like aliens. I enjoyed the "better mouse trap" arms race depicted between the humanity-led federation and the all-consuming Bugs, but the writing can be dry in places as the action reads more like a battle report, and less like a novel.
There are a few notable, and well-fleshed out, military characters, but these tend to be admirals or other high-ranking characters. The book occasionally switches to the point of view of grunts, but not for long; more of that would have helped break up the battles-turned-butchers' bills.
The book's non-military characters are almost uniformaly portraited as opportunistic, political buffons who stand between the military and their job of defending humanity. The political could have added some real drama to the book, but the homefront vs. battlefront tensions never materialize.
In Death Ground is a decent book, and it scratched that military SF/starship battle itch I've had all summer. Military SF fans should enjoy it, as should anyone who's spent their weekends playing marathon sessions of Starship Battles or Battlefleet Gothic should love it.(less)
The continuation of the Lost Fleet series starts off slow as Black Jack Geary wades through political landmines and scheming Syndic CEOs to get on to ...moreThe continuation of the Lost Fleet series starts off slow as Black Jack Geary wades through political landmines and scheming Syndic CEOs to get on to his real mission: confronting a shadowy enemy menace. The pace isn't the book's biggest problem though - that lie in the fact that Geary's hasn't face a significant challenge - or made a costly mistake - in 500 pages or more. That lowers the series' trademark tension considerably. Im hoping well see some truly notable, Geary-worthy challenge in subsequent books.(less)
I picked up The January Dancer hoping for a good space opera novel. I got one -- though it's space opera primarily insomuch as it handwaves much of th...moreI picked up The January Dancer hoping for a good space opera novel. I got one -- though it's space opera primarily insomuch as it handwaves much of the complexities of FTL and spawns several stellar (if human) civilizations) -- but what the book reminded me most strongly of was Isaac Asimov's work. Like some of Asimov's best books (The Caves of Steel, The Naked Sun) this book is a mystery powered by a set of science fictional rules.
At first glance (and second and third) the Dancer -- an alien artifact recovered from a long-derelict museum -- seems like nothing more than a MacGuffin, but as the story unfolds it becomes clear there's something else going on here. The book doesn't end with a bang; there's no Death Stars exploding, no mighty clash of galactic fleets -- but it's satisfying all the same. (less)
A worthwhile, if somewhat disappointing end to the series. Having demolished most of the Syndic fleet, Black Jack Geary returns to his enemy's home s...moreA worthwhile, if somewhat disappointing end to the series. Having demolished most of the Syndic fleet, Black Jack Geary returns to his enemy's home system for one final battle. Unfortunately, there's not much to the fight -- having gutted the Syndics in his earlier encounters, there's only a token force left to protect their home world. The ensuing battle is underwhelming compared to the rest of the series -- I'd been hoping for something a bit more epic.
The first confrontation with the mysterious aliens (whom earlier books revealed have been manipulating humanity for the last hundred years ago) could have been that battle, but Campbell cuts to the chase too quickly by having Geary see the alien tactics for what they are. I'd rather have seen some close-quarters combat, with things getting a bit desperate for the "Lost Fleet" than the 1-2-3 engagement we saw.
Having said that, Campell nicely ties up the character storylines, including big one involving Geary and his love interest, Captain Desjani of the Dauntless. It's not a bad place to leave the series, and it sets ups a potential sequel series dealing with the aliens and the Syndic successor states.(less)
Loading...
