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pjonsson's review
5.0
This second instalment in the Slaver Wars: The Lost Fleet series presents the readers with plenty of fleet battles as well as some ground action. It follows the first instalment although with a jump of a few years. The humans in the lost fleet have built themselves a home, hidden from the Simulins, in their new galaxy and, as the blurb states, are trying to get a message about the danger the Simulins presents back to their home galaxy. While doing so they make some worrying discoveries.
At the same time, the humans in their own galaxy are preparing to face the expected onslaught of the Simulins. Unfortunately this books introduces some political struggles and, as most people know, when politicians are involved, especially in military decisions, they tend to screw things up. To add to the problems a real asshole in the form of a admiral that seems to be appointed more based on political connections than military merit and who cares more about brown nosing said politicians are added to the mix. Needless to say these were not my favorite parts of the book.
The dual point of views, one from the Triangulum galaxy and another from the human home galaxy, allows the author to throw not one but two major showdowns against the Simulins at the reader. As usual when this author is concerned these are enjoyable action sequences.
Luckily the more intelligent of the characters, as opposed to politicians and brown nosing admirals, manages to overcome the less intelligent characters’ attempt to screw things up. However their effort may be in vain as the Simulins have a rather huge ace up their sleeves.
Most of the old characters are back, including the two AI’s and Admiral Streth although the latter, even though playing a rather important role, is not very present in this book. The story does contain a few new twists and discoveries but the book still lacks a bit of the novelty of the previous books in the various series from this author. This is of course always the case with ongoing book series. Once the initial universe is created the story tends to become a bit of business as usual. The core story of a race trying to eliminate all future threats by killing all advanced or potentially future advanced races is also one that has been used before by several authors.
Nevertheless this is a good book. At least if you like traditional “empires slug it out” kind of space opera. Even though the story is not unique it is well done with likable characters. I liked the book a lot and are looking forward to the next instalment.
At the same time, the humans in their own galaxy are preparing to face the expected onslaught of the Simulins. Unfortunately this books introduces some political struggles and, as most people know, when politicians are involved, especially in military decisions, they tend to screw things up. To add to the problems a real asshole in the form of a admiral that seems to be appointed more based on political connections than military merit and who cares more about brown nosing said politicians are added to the mix. Needless to say these were not my favorite parts of the book.
The dual point of views, one from the Triangulum galaxy and another from the human home galaxy, allows the author to throw not one but two major showdowns against the Simulins at the reader. As usual when this author is concerned these are enjoyable action sequences.
Luckily the more intelligent of the characters, as opposed to politicians and brown nosing admirals, manages to overcome the less intelligent characters’ attempt to screw things up. However their effort may be in vain as the Simulins have a rather huge ace up their sleeves.
Most of the old characters are back, including the two AI’s and Admiral Streth although the latter, even though playing a rather important role, is not very present in this book. The story does contain a few new twists and discoveries but the book still lacks a bit of the novelty of the previous books in the various series from this author. This is of course always the case with ongoing book series. Once the initial universe is created the story tends to become a bit of business as usual. The core story of a race trying to eliminate all future threats by killing all advanced or potentially future advanced races is also one that has been used before by several authors.
Nevertheless this is a good book. At least if you like traditional “empires slug it out” kind of space opera. Even though the story is not unique it is well done with likable characters. I liked the book a lot and are looking forward to the next instalment.
dirhael's review
4.0
The Slaver Wars and Lost Fleet series has so far been engaging and fun to follow. If I were to voice any complaints it would be that the language can be improved (it feels a bit "awkward" at times), and while the characters are generally very likeable they can come across as a bit immature and one-dimensional at times.
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