Invincible: The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 2

I had bought this Audible version of the book when I got the first book in the new series, and the first book was a disappointment. So, I was reluctant to listen to this one. Eventually being frugal overcame my resistance, and I listened to this one.I am glad that I did.** Minor Spoilers Follow **I saw minor because you know that Blackjack and the fleet must survive as there are several more books in this series.They meet two new species, the Bear Cows and the Dancers. Both are much more plausible than the improbable enigma race.At the end of the last book, the fleet had left enigma space and was immediately assaulted by massive, suicide vessels. We were left with the fleet potentially trapped in a new star system with a new, hostile intelligent race.In this book, the fleet figures out that the cute looking, new, hostile alien is a herbivorous bear, and the author extrapolates how herd animals might approach adversaries. It flows well, and you can suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride.Blackjack formulates a strategy with the help of his wife, and the fleet (barely) makes it to a new system.It is here that they meet the Dancers, and these are the first, friendly aliens.There are some surprises, but I do not want to spoil that for you.We leave this book with the fleet back where it started its journey into enigma space, Midway, and ready to head back home. There are complications now as the former human adversaries (Syndicts) have splintered, and this sets up the third series in the author's ventures into known space.All in all, there is some repetition, and the married couple in the same chain of command problem is still there, but the author focuses on what he does best, world building and space combat.All in all, this was a good investment.

Space battles, political drama & great writing! Don't pass up this awesome book & others like it. PPP out ,

Another Lost Fleet book by Jack Campbell? Oh, go on then!I think it's fair to say that I'm a fan of The Lost Fleet series of novels, and whenever a new volume is announced it's swiftly added to my wish list. Invincible is the second in the Beyond the Frontier saga, following on from the initial six book series, and picking up events immediately after the ending of Dreadnaught, and manages to add much more to the setting than I initially thought it would do.With the Alliance Fleet now firmly in alien territory we start just as Dreadnaught finished - with a massive alien fortress and fleet blocking the way back and chasing the Alliance ships. Geary must decide how to proceed, and with options limited, the only way is forward. Of course, not all is that simple...In Invincible Campbell managed to continue the ongoing human political issues just as well as he has done in previous volumes, but also adds in a new aspect with secrets from the past coming to the fore. While not much is done or explored with this new problem, it is very much a solid example of how he's developing the universe further with each volume, giving a deeper history to the Alliance-Syndic war, and laying the groundwork for what I can only imagine will be a very interesting aspect in future novels.The main draw for me in Invincible is the introduction of other alien races. With two new species turning up in space beyond Enigma territory, it adds a new dynamic to the universe and raises plenty of questions. The first race, the Bear Cows, aren't delved into much more than the Enigma race was in previous volumes - it's all about human discussion and theories on them and their aggressive nature. The other, however, the Spider Wolves, are entirely different and we get discussion between Geary's fleet and them. It's really nice to see a seemingly friendly race communicate with humans, and following the negotiations for what they're asking for is amusing, though ultimately a little disappointing. Still, it adds much to the story and allows everything to move forward nicely.As for the characters, well, I really don't have too much to say about them. I've been with them for seven books prior to this one, and they were as expected. I may have been surprised if there were any big changes, but suffice to say it was like returning to an old group of friends after some time apart. They're easy to read, and their motivations and actions have stayed true to their development throughout the series.I think the bottom line with Invincible is simple: if you enjoyed the previous Lost Fleet books you're going to find things here that you'll enjoy. As a newcomer, I believe the Beyond the Frontier series is written well enough to be read without reading the previous six-volume series. Invincible may not break new ground in the genre, but boy is it a fun read!

To a large extent, "Beyond the Frontier" volume 2 (Invincible) continues in the same line as all of the previous Lost Fleet episodes, with the same ingredients being used. Accordingly, "fans" of the Lost Fleet (including myself) will get what they are used to: the usual "bantering" between Black Jack and his two closest female associates, the usual bits of intrigue and "complex" relationships between him and some of his captains (his niece, in particular) and the usual (and rather impressive) space battle.Although I very much liked Tarnished Knight, largely because it was different, I just could not help feeling a strong sense of "déjà vu" and a certain lack of originality when reading this book and it left me a bit disenchanted. I recognize however that this subjective feeling is somewhat unfair in two respects. As a first new element, the author introduces us to three alien races, so two more in addition to the ones already meet in "Beyond the Frontier: Dreadnaught". Secondly, as Black Jack and his worn out Fleet rush back to defend human space, the threads come together between this book and "The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight". Note however that both books can very well be read separately.Even then, however, and although I still liked and enjoyed the book, I was not exactly "carried away" anymore, as I had been with some of the previous titles. Nor did I like it quite as much as Tarnished Knight. Maybe some of the previous "magic" has worn off a little, as each "Lost Fleet" book (there are six of them) and now each "Beyond the Frontier" (currently two with the third volume due to be published shortly) book tends to contain the same or very similar ingredients. After a number of volumes, this tends to get somewhat repetitive even if still enjoyable...

Latest volume in The Lost Fleet series. A science fiction story about Captain John 'Black Jack' Geary, and the fleet of spaceships he commands.This is the eighth Lost Fleet book. There is some well handled exposition in the first two pages that fills in all which has gone before, but new readers are much better off starting with the beginning of the series  The Lost Fleet: Dauntless (Book 1) (Lost Fleet 1) .This volume runs for four hundred and sixty one pages, and is divided into nineteen chapters.It follows on from where the last one left off, with the Fleet's current mission of investigating the enigmatic aliens that they'd previously encountered having led to finding another species also.And it continues on from that.This juggles all the familiar elements of the series. Space combat. Geary trying to live up to his legend. And political intrigue. And it does that all very well indeed. The book never feels overlong as the pages turn rapidly. The aliens are very interesting creations and it does make them genuinely alien also, communication with them and their societies never being easy.The space battles, being that they're against different opponents to what the fleet has faced before and for which they have to try new thinking, still feel fresh. And the whole thing ends on a very big cliffhanger that will make you desperate to know what happens next.There are some good moral dilemmas to give the reader food for thought also.The writer has managed to find a very successful way to continue the story beyond the first six books, and there's no immediate end in sight. But if you're a fan of this series then you won't mind. This is an excellent continuation.The next novel will be one that fills in details of an event that has happened elsewhere in this universe during the timescale of this volume  The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight . But Geary will return in  The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Guardian . I look forward to them both. The Lost Fleet: Dauntless (Book 1) (Lost Fleet 1)The Lost Stars: Tarnished KnightThe Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier: Guardian

The second book of the second lost fleet series.I've been reading the lost fleet series for quite some time. The second seriesis better than the first one so far. The stories get on their way faster. Inthe first series I often had the feeling that nothing much happened until I was3/4 through the book. (don't get me wrong I still think that series is a veryenjoyable read as well).The second series does not seem to suffer the same flaw, the pace of the storiesis quite a bit higher, which makes it an even more enjoyable read.The fleet is on the run for the enigma's and stumbles upon a second alien racewhich is not friendly either. Fortunately Campbell is not going 'George Lucas'on us and though this race looks 'cute' they turn out to be "stampedingKiller-herbivore Ewoks" rather than the cute and cudly type. The third racethe fleet encounters on the other hand are spider-like aliens. Ugly as the nightbut they turn out to be the likeable ones (as long as you keep your eyes closed).The idea that aliens would react to things (other aliens/situations/threats etc.)in a certain way depending on the way they evolved is an interesting, albeit notnew, idea. Larry Niven has been doing that for a long time in his 'known space'setting after all.Campbell however is certainly expanding his own universe here and it's fun andinteresting and leaves you wanting for more.I'm certainly looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.

Great story how do we communicate with the aliens will they help humans or attack . First 150 pages were edge of seat with main character making life and death decision. Rest of story is about getting home without the sabotage from inside

Enjoyed the development of new aliens, one race who turned out to be friendly, or at least more hostile to the 2 others already met. Almost a non interference policy! Shades of Star Trek! However, a minor quibble but to be expected of an alien race feeling its way with strangers. It will be interesting to see how language between humans and the spider-wolves developsas Geary will probably want to speak direct to them as they head back to alliance space. Whether or not the spider-wolves will want to get involved with humanity remains to be seen but I look forward to finding out in due course. Can they be trusted or have they a deeper motive?I will keep watching for the next book. Does Jack Campbell know what he has started, this series could go on for some time.