The Lost Stars: Perilous Shield

I enjoyed it when these two characters were introduced in the Lost Fleet series. These characters and the story line promise to create another wonderful and exciting series all of their own. But I don't think the Lost Fleet is really over Black Jack just can't go into retirement, so while Jack Campbell is deciding what to do with Geary and Desjani, we can all indulge ourselves in The Lost Stars.

I enjoyed it when these two characters were introduced in the Lost Fleet series. These characters and the story line promise to create another wonderful and exciting series all of their own. But I don't think the Lost Fleet is really over Black Jack just can't go into retirement, so while Jack Campbell is deciding what to do with Geary and Desjani, we can all indulge ourselves in The Lost Stars.

Absolutely love the off-shoot series at Midway!! The mystery is wonderful and spell binding. My only regret is I have to wait for it's sequel to come out!! So many questions and what an awkward twist! Not sure many people saw that coming!! The characters are so well developed that you begin to think you know them personally. I love the morality of the books and the action is intense. Definitely one of my favorite authors! Thanks for the great series Jack!!

Campbell does it again. This series take off is well thought out and blends in with his original "Lost Fleet" Black Jack Geary series. Seeing things from the Syndic side and how a fascist style culture transforms into a free society is a treat for fans of the series. I am a Campbell convert. He writes 'em and I read 'em....

not a good book. repetitive. BUT a great plot twist in the end. who is really colonel malin and his real relationship with roh morgan? yes amazing explosive ending.i bet my arm that you won' t see it coming! but the first half of history is borring.

The Lost Stars Perilous Shield was another wonderful Jack Campbell/Hemry novel - riveting, full of action, and with the characters we've come to know and love (even if they were once syndics!). The first half details the back story on several events occurring in the Lost Fleet: Guardian - it was great to see how it all transpired from a different perspective though admittedly some of the impetus was lost since we knew the results.

All the good Jack Campbell trademarks are here - those great space battles and machinations, traveling through gates (very little takes place on Midway planet this time), and high stakes action. Some of the weaknesses are there as well - women are still screechy, over emotional wrecks next to their calm, easily seduced, and bemused male counterparts. And yes, there is still a lot of political commentary here that can be very thinly veiled metaphors for 20th century world politics. But honestly, Jack Campbell is to military sci fi what Tom Clancy was to military fiction - one of the best out there. So I'm going to cut slack here on the above simply because I love everything else about the books.

In Perilous Shield, Midway is still teetering - CEO Boyens waits to swoop down and retake Midway once the Alliance Fleet leaves. As well, Commander Bradamont, Alliance Liason to the planet, will find herself thick in the middle of the very dangerous arena of a former syndic world - will she survive long enough to help Iceni and Drakon find the resources they need to protect Midway? Meanwhile, assistants Togo, Morgan, and Malen have secrets of their own that may end up destroying their bosses.

I am constantly surprised at where Jack Campbell can take these books and especially love that Perilous Shield had so much space action. The one thing that kept this from being a 5 star book for me was the ending (a cliffhanger for the next book in the series) which ended up playing out too much like an overwrought Mexican Telenovela soap opera. I think it would have worked better in the middle of the book rather than being the random punctuation on an otherwise wonderful read.

Greatly looking forward to the next in the series.

I enjoyed reading this book. I like seeing the story from another view point and for the most part I like the Midway characters. If you've read the other books in the Lost Fleet and Beyond series a lot of the story is not new but it is still pretty interesting. As is I would have given 3.5 stars if it were possible. Without the last few pages I would have given the book 4 stars easily, maybe 5.

[mild spoiler]
However... the last 5 pages are awful. Both of the big reveals are just mind boggling stupid. If they occurred in the middle of the story it wouldn't be a big deal. I'd expect the conflicts they introduce to be wrapped up in about a paragraph. But by ending this book on them I now expect them to be a major focus of the next book and they are not something I care about. At all. I want to know more about Midway's work to build their fleet, fight the Syndicate, and expand their influence. I really, really do not want to read about some psycho and her dreams of doing the thing that she is doing.

Another good story by Campbell. This continues the story of the Independent Midway Star System following the overthrow of the Syndicate government by CEOs Iceni and Drakon. The questions asked in Tarnished Shield are as valid now as ever. But the story is concentrating on the development of two relationships: Morgan and Malin (with a twist) and Iceni and Drakon. And, of course, how do you turn a totalitarian dictatorship based on power and fear into something free and honest without degenerating into chaos?
I know the third book in the series, Imperfect Sword, has already been published but I have avoided reviews and snippets until I get a paperback copy, but I . . . can you say constitutional monarchy?

Even though the original series this spins off from was 5/5 fantastic, I was incredulous about starting this one. It is the despised enemy, afterall! However, I'm so glad I did. Being a number of books into the series now, the character growth and plot development is so deep and well thought out, the series is just as enjoyable as the original.
Great intrigue, some more grit and darker issues than the original series allowed, deeply relatable characters whom you become attached to, plot twists everywhere, keeps you on the edge of your seat and doesn't disappoint with any of its big reveals. Great series, read the whole thing. The. Whole. Thing.

This second Lost Stars book builds well on its predecessor, Tarnished Knight. Campbell does a strong job of portraying the self-destructive paranoia of the Syndicate Worlds and the difficulty our otherwise sympathetic lead characters have in throwing off their old Machiavellian ways of thinking. The challenges of leading a newly independentworld, navigating amongst better armed and hostile foes, are also effectively portrayed. I think Campbell has a good ear for dialogue, describes realistic situations peopled by flawed characters trying to solve difficult problems. I enjoy these books more the the Lost Fleet but recommend reading the two series in tandem for fullest enjoyment. This is certainly not a standalone novel.

The Lost Fleet series and other Campbell works seem to be quite popular. I wish I could add my praise to this popularity. But I just couldn't get into it. The main complaint I have is that the reader is to often given a third hand accounting of the action, the major battles. The book opens with the Midway star system facing attack by the mysterious enigma aliens. The enigma forces amass hundreds of ships while human leaders bolster their defenses. But the perspective stays with President Iceni and her Generals back in the command center. Instead of being aboard a ship in the middle of the action we hear President Iceni endlessly drone on about which generals she can count on, which ones are untrustworthy, which alliances she must consolidate and a whole host of other political considerations. Even when the heroic Gen. Jack Black shows up with a battle scarred fleet of his own we are not privy to his strategic actions. Instead we'll learn about them in time delayed messages.

This third hand style of writing, to me, is reminscent of the 1980s popular sit com - Barney Miller. In that comedy the NYPD Police Officers all went out on the streets and had many interesting and funny interactions with citizens. We never saw that though. Instead we hear recounted stories when the Officers are back at their desks. There's no doubt that Barney Miller was a hit as is Jack Campbell's writing so I'm probably presenting a minority viewpoint. If this third hand perspective doesn't bother you then you may enjoy it.

The Lost Stars is a great expansion of the series, I must admit though that my favorite parts are when the Blackjack series overlaps.

Hopefully we will be getting a new Geary book soon? A continuation of the BTF? I am really interested in reading more about Earth and the new power introduced in Guardian.

Talk about your twist and turns! I really enjoyed this book. I will be sure to read the next one. The end of this book threw me for a loop. I never would have guessed. I just hope I don't have to wait to long for the next story.

Admittedly this was my first venture into the series and it will be the last. First of all, it might have been better if I had known the series from the beginning, but I started with this book because of the less than stellar reviews of the first books ( I think this is #3). I am reader of suspense, mystery thrillers, but love sci-fi movies, so I thought since my hubby had ordered this on CD I would give it a try.

This book was 11 cds of politics in a new world order in space. The characters are probably interesting if you like that sort of thing. I waded through 9 cds before anything of consequence happened and even then there was little excitement or suspense.

Probably would make a better SYFY series than books, but they would have to throw in a little more action and character building before anyone would watch more than the first show. In one word for me...BORING!

What a fascinating perspective from former enemies of the Alliance. Similarity of views are demonstrated that compel the reader to turn the next page as quickly as possible. The interaction of characters set the stage for more and more sub plots. Highly recommended .

Good action and plot. I especially enjoy the insights to peoples basic character and how their environment has affected their thinking. The world would be a better place if the politicians could realize this. Some people cannot be changed while others rise above their training to achieve true humanity and sacrifice.
Not enough Black Jack though.

This book is more intrigue than straight up military action. It doesn't slow down much through out though as it is constantly one thing happening after another. In some ways, this series is more enjoyable than the later books in the mainline Lost Fleet series.