Ascendant: The Genesis Fleet, Book 2

Of the many sci-fi books involving earth's colonizing of space, this series seems to present a little more realistic scenario. Slightly more to the negative than I think it would actually be, but not by much.This is the second book in the Genesis Fleet series, which is a prequel to The Lost Fleet series, which I haven't read yet. I was introduced to Jack Campbell's writing with the "Pillars of Reality" series. I've listened to the audio books several times - I LOVE that series. I didn't want to be disappointed by a series by Jack Campbell, so I procrastinated picking up the Lost Fleet series, then this prequel came to my attention and I decided to jump in.I'm glad I did. I still like the Pillars of Reality books better, but I'm not disappointed in this series.I would rate this book PG -- there is war and violent death, though not really bloody; there is romance but not porn; and very mild if any language (that I remember anyway).I recommend this series.(Library ebook read with my Kindle App for android.)

When it comes to space opera, IMHO Jack Campbell is a master chef. I say that even though "The Genesis Fleet" is intended as an appetizer for a main course most readers will have already consumed with pleasure. The piece of the galaxy in question has a number of planets still struggling to make a go of it, and one or two destroyer-sized spaceships is all that can be managed. Given the distances between them, a strategy of picking them off one at a time in order to seize their resources is all too attractive to the bad guys, and there you have it: bad guys (planets) banding together while good guys realize that divided they will fall. Enter individuals like Rob Geary. The action in space on the ground is very finely done, but I couldn't help but wish there was one less subplot, since it bounces around from episode to episode a bit too much for my personal taste. Nonetheless, it's a gripping tale that fits well in the overall story arc.

another great book in the series. Great small scale space battles and ground forces engagements the battles have a more desperate feel to them because the stakes are higher for those involved. Same great characters as the first novel but little character development the exceptional people remain exceptional but we have little further insight into who they are as people. There's some more insight into the development of what the book calls the star believers religion and that is clearly cool. But the book make one point unclear the enemy in these books are the worlds allied with scatha but it also talks about colonists that went even further out to exist under a corporate system. Which one of these became the syndicate or did they combine That's unclear. This novel takes place over a relatively short time compared to its peers I can't complain about all the action pack into every page but the story didn't advance much.

Campbell/Hemry is a great story teller. He creates good sci fi without over the top science conjecture. His writing is intelligent, well constructed and carefully edited. This is fun stuff made very readable by a true professional who seems to enjoy his work and respects the intelligence of his readers. Ascendant is the second book in a new series that is off to a great start. Campbell's past series were also enjoyable quality reads. If reading is your pass time and sci fi your guilty pleasure, you can't go wrong here. Take my advice and start with the "Lost Fleet"series first, it will make Ascendant even more enjoyable when you get here.

The Jack Campbell 1st series of books was so addicting so much that you could not wait till your next fix! This next series of books is just as addicting! Jack has a way of developing the caricatures that you feel they are close friends and you care what happens to them. If you start this series do not expect to get much sleep as you will read until you are finished, once finished you will be shaking for the next book to come out!

Written by former naval officer who clearly translated ships and marines to space battles. Great characters, good plot lines and lots of action. I will read more by this writer. Didn't include too much on the air battle part of the war and he hasn't figured out what the equivalent of subs would do in space but I don't know either and I am a submariner!

Great storytelling and flow of events as expected in the continuation of book one. Commander Geary is needed again to help his Government and keep his people safe but he now has a growing family and all decisions keep getting tougher. The book was hard to put down, often put me to sleep late at night from reading too much in one sitting - but well worth it. Lots of fighting and battles on this one.

Fun prequel. I love how it’s the ancestors of the characters we know from the original series. It’s interesting to see just a few small ships fighting and the way they are learning to fight that will lead to the giant fleet engagements in the first series. It’s much the same though which is a good thing.

Very good storey nicely written keeping all of the stake holders rotating through the various actions to keep the action going. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Campbell delivers a first class story. An expanding frontier, new colonies, new starts for everyone but the old impulses for conquest and empire come along. The greatest threat the colonies face however is an unwillingness to work together. If they don't they will be picked off one by one. I like the battle descriptions, too many authors don't bother considering physics, momentum, gravity or logistics. The main characters are competent, readers of the Lost Fleet series will recognise some family names. Lochan demonstrates some big brass ones in this entry. I'll be reading the next entry.

Campbell spins another tale with his Lost Fleet series. Enjoyable read, looking forward to the third one in the series.

Great read and after reading all the Lost Fleet series, this is a wonderful prequel to gather how it all started. The characters take on a life of their own and make the read all that more enjoyable. Well done again Jack Campbell, can't wait for the third book in the series.

I've really enjoyed all the books created in this universe. This is another fast paced story with strong characters. Looking forward to the next installment.