Science Fiction/Space Opera
The Lost Stars are a spin off to the Lost Fleet and Beyond
the Frontier series. Unlike both
of these series, which follow Black Jack Geary, this series follows characters that
were on the other side of the war. Here is what Goodreads says about The Lost Stars - Tarnished Knight:
The authority of the Syndicate Worlds’ government is
crumbling. Civil war and rebellion are breaking out in many star systems
despite the Syndic government’s brutal attempts to suppress disorder. Midway is
one of those star systems, and leaders there must decide whether to remain
loyal to the old order or fight for something new.
CEO Artur Drakon has been betrayed. The Syndic government failed to protect its citizens from both the Alliance and the alien enigmas. With a cadre of loyal soldiers under his command, Drakon launches a battle for control of the Midway Star System—assisted by an ally he’s unsure he can trust…
CEO Gwen Iceni was exiled to Midway because she wasn’t ruthless enough in the eyes of her superiors. She’s made them regret their assessment by commandeering some of the warships at Midway and attacking the remaining ships still loyal to the Syndicate empire. Iceni declares independence for the Midway Star System on behalf of the people while staying in charge as “President.” But while she controls the mobile fleet, she has no choice but to rely on “General” Drakon’s ground forces to keep the peace planet-side…
If their coup is to succeed, Drakon and Iceni must put their differences aside to prevent the population of Midway from rising up in rebellion against them, to defend Midway against the alien threat of the enigma race—and to ferret out saboteurs determined to reestablish Syndic rule.
CEO Artur Drakon has been betrayed. The Syndic government failed to protect its citizens from both the Alliance and the alien enigmas. With a cadre of loyal soldiers under his command, Drakon launches a battle for control of the Midway Star System—assisted by an ally he’s unsure he can trust…
CEO Gwen Iceni was exiled to Midway because she wasn’t ruthless enough in the eyes of her superiors. She’s made them regret their assessment by commandeering some of the warships at Midway and attacking the remaining ships still loyal to the Syndicate empire. Iceni declares independence for the Midway Star System on behalf of the people while staying in charge as “President.” But while she controls the mobile fleet, she has no choice but to rely on “General” Drakon’s ground forces to keep the peace planet-side…
If their coup is to succeed, Drakon and Iceni must put their differences aside to prevent the population of Midway from rising up in rebellion against them, to defend Midway against the alien threat of the enigma race—and to ferret out saboteurs determined to reestablish Syndic rule.
I really wondered if I would even like Tarnished Knight. Some
spin-off books don’t work and I had no previous investment in the characters or
in the Syndicate Worlds. What I
found was a book that I enjoyed.
Jack Campbell (John Hemry) writes are good tight story and Tarnished
Knight is no exception.
Neither Artur Drakon nor Gwen Iceni are a role model for
heroes. While they did not measure
up to the ruthlessness the Syndic government wanted they were ruthless enough
become CEO’s (very high ranks) in the government. Watching them try to change and leave behind many of the
behaviors they had learned to survive was interesting. I kept pulling for both of them to
survive and change. While they
were the two main characters there were several side characters that added to
the tension and action in the book.
There is one in particular that needs to be watched very closely. Even those that did not come across as
untrustworthy could not be totally trusted. The title fit the characters. While any might be a Knight all are
tarnished.
Like all the books in all three series the ending was a
cliffhanger so I will be looking for the next book in The Lost Stars series.
Ace published The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight by Jack
Campbell in 2012.
