asdvj's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pjonsson's review against another edition
3.0
I had waited a long time for this book to come out having fairly high expectations. Now, having read it, I am not sure the wait was actually worth it. Maybe this book series have gone on too long. It’s like to author doesn’t really have any new ideas and to “develop” the story he just bogs it down more and more in (bad) politics, deceit and backstabbing a ’la cheap soap opera.
I don’t really like the ships breaking down all the time. It is just irritating. The main plot of “go investigate the aliens” kind of turned into another Black Jack will get the fleet home story. Been there, done that.
The alien encounters could have been nice but…duct tape? I’m sorry it would be a spoiler to tell you what duct tape has to do with anything so you will have to read the book if you want to know. Me, I think that particular plot element was stupid beyond imagination. It’s one star off just for that.
I would have hoped that we would reach a point in the overall story arc where Black Jack would, you know, be triumphant, kick the arses of the idiot politicians and embark on new adventures with some proper backing. Now I would not go as far as to say it’s really a bad book although I very hesitantly give it three stars. It was still fun read. It was significantly less than what I hoped for though.
I don’t really like the ships breaking down all the time. It is just irritating. The main plot of “go investigate the aliens” kind of turned into another Black Jack will get the fleet home story. Been there, done that.
The alien encounters could have been nice but…duct tape? I’m sorry it would be a spoiler to tell you what duct tape has to do with anything so you will have to read the book if you want to know. Me, I think that particular plot element was stupid beyond imagination. It’s one star off just for that.
I would have hoped that we would reach a point in the overall story arc where Black Jack would, you know, be triumphant, kick the arses of the idiot politicians and embark on new adventures with some proper backing. Now I would not go as far as to say it’s really a bad book although I very hesitantly give it three stars. It was still fun read. It was significantly less than what I hoped for though.
mferrante83's review against another edition
5.0
A new Jack Campbell book is a drop everything and read, or in my case listen, affair. I have never been less than satisfied with any of the Lost Fleet novels and the most recent book Invincible is no different. For those who haven’t read the previous Lost Fleet series I highly highly recommend you go do so; particularly if you’re a fan of military science fiction. If you’ve read the previous series but haven’t jumped on board for Beyond the Frontier well…something is probably wrong with you and I can’t help. Both parties should be warned that this review will likely spoil both the previous series and the first Beyond the Frontier novel Dreadnaught.
The conclusion of Dreadnaught introduced a new alien threat as the Geary and his fleet ran from the Enigmas straight into a waiting space fortress. The early chapters of Invincible deal with the fleet’s encounter with this new species. Much to everyone’s frustration these new aliens, much like the Enigmas, refuse to talk instead deciding to fight. As usual the looming presence of a new violent threat isn’t the only thing Admiral Geary has to worry about. The long war between the Alliance and Syndicate Worlds has taken its toll on the ships of Geary’s fleet and it is out in the middle of nowhere that ships’ systems begin to fail.
What I love about this series is that it looks at the aftermath of war, the effect it has on its participants, while simultaneously introducing new elements of exploration and diplomacy to the proceedings. While Admiral Geary has his ships, crew, and the aliens he encounters at the forefront of his mind the degrading political conditions at home (with much of fear and anxiety centered on himself) and hints of new and hidden ship construction (mentioned in Dreadnaught and echoed here) constantly wear at him. The plot and action stay constantly focused on the current threat but Campbell still does a great job at keeping the situation at home fresh in the minds of readers without distracting from the more immediate action.
I won’t speak too much on the alien species revealed in Invincible since I don’t want too spoil too much (even the publisher’s blurb is careful not to mention them). Campbell does a passable, bordering on excellent job at crafting a believable alien society with a fascinating biological and socialogical background. The new threat is interesting and provides a new challenge for Geary to work out particularly how does one defeat an enemy whose tactics and expectations exist outside the sphere of human experience? I am consistently impressed by Campbell’s ability to craft both action and character. Maybe its my own familiarity with the characters but I feel like Campebell’s work in Beyond the Frontier does a fantastic job a fleshing out the major characters as distinct individuals. Both Desjani and Rione get some of the edges rounded out a bit and come off feeling more as living breathing people rather than foils for Geary.
Invincible feels like coming home again. The Beyond the Fleet series is an immensely satisfying read that still manages to leave me wanting more. This is another stellar entry into what has become of my favorite series and universes. The action is tight and focused yet still manages to hint at grander and maybe even sinister things to come. If you love military science fiction you need to be reading Jack Campbell.
The conclusion of Dreadnaught introduced a new alien threat as the Geary and his fleet ran from the Enigmas straight into a waiting space fortress. The early chapters of Invincible deal with the fleet’s encounter with this new species. Much to everyone’s frustration these new aliens, much like the Enigmas, refuse to talk instead deciding to fight. As usual the looming presence of a new violent threat isn’t the only thing Admiral Geary has to worry about. The long war between the Alliance and Syndicate Worlds has taken its toll on the ships of Geary’s fleet and it is out in the middle of nowhere that ships’ systems begin to fail.
What I love about this series is that it looks at the aftermath of war, the effect it has on its participants, while simultaneously introducing new elements of exploration and diplomacy to the proceedings. While Admiral Geary has his ships, crew, and the aliens he encounters at the forefront of his mind the degrading political conditions at home (with much of fear and anxiety centered on himself) and hints of new and hidden ship construction (mentioned in Dreadnaught and echoed here) constantly wear at him. The plot and action stay constantly focused on the current threat but Campbell still does a great job at keeping the situation at home fresh in the minds of readers without distracting from the more immediate action.
I won’t speak too much on the alien species revealed in Invincible since I don’t want too spoil too much (even the publisher’s blurb is careful not to mention them). Campbell does a passable, bordering on excellent job at crafting a believable alien society with a fascinating biological and socialogical background. The new threat is interesting and provides a new challenge for Geary to work out particularly how does one defeat an enemy whose tactics and expectations exist outside the sphere of human experience? I am consistently impressed by Campbell’s ability to craft both action and character. Maybe its my own familiarity with the characters but I feel like Campebell’s work in Beyond the Frontier does a fantastic job a fleshing out the major characters as distinct individuals. Both Desjani and Rione get some of the edges rounded out a bit and come off feeling more as living breathing people rather than foils for Geary.
Invincible feels like coming home again. The Beyond the Fleet series is an immensely satisfying read that still manages to leave me wanting more. This is another stellar entry into what has become of my favorite series and universes. The action is tight and focused yet still manages to hint at grander and maybe even sinister things to come. If you love military science fiction you need to be reading Jack Campbell.
itabar's review against another edition
3.0
I have a quibble with the ending: it's NOT an ending. Lots of stuff to resolve. Annoying.
kwermann's review against another edition
5.0
Great book and a nice change from the previous books in the series.
ghostmuppet's review against another edition
3.0
I am enjoying these books, but not loving them. So they are getting a very solid 3. Dived straight into the 3rd book in the series.
rxh05d's review against another edition
4.0
This one isn't bad, the aliens are interesting. Rione is finally getting some backstory and I'm intrigued by the impact on the wider plot. But while Rione is getting better Desjani is getting worse and is becoming more obnoxious.
travelgirlut's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty much just another Black Jack Geary book. It's gotten to the point where if you've read one, you've read them all. Not that they aren't entertaining, but they are definitely repetitive. This one throws in some new enemies/friends, but it's still one big space battle followed by lots of repairs and travel and politics, rinse and repeat.
fastfinge's review against another edition
3.0
This is another book in the Black Jack series. It won't stand alone, so unless you're already up to date on these books, don't bother. If you are keeping up with them, and enjoyed the last one, this one continues where it left off. The writing is as good as ever, and the characters are the same. I'm starting to feel kind of trapped in an endless saga, though. But that doesn't mean I can bring myself to stop reading. Be warned, once again, this book has no real ending. Just an opening for the next book.
dspacenine's review against another edition
4.0
Something tells me that our new 'dancing ship' allies are not quite what they seem.