Tarnished Knight

The Lost Stars, Book 1

By: Jack Campbell

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 12 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author puts the Alliance fleet’s enemy in the spotlight as the people of the Syndicate Worlds attempt to rebuild their lives after Admiral John “Black Jack” Geary defeated them....

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....

©2012 John G. Hemry (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Military science fiction at its very best..." (Catherine Asaro, Nebula Award-winning author of Carnelians)

Good parallel story

It was a good story and interesting when reading right after reading the Lost Frontier story. It bugged me that names were pronounced differently. I also struggled without a real character to root for but find the development interesting. I will read the next in the series

Best in the series

This book in the Lost Fleet series is the best I have had the chance to read so far. I like the fact that the leads are more realistic in their actions, who makes mistakes and learn versus Black Jack who is seen as being perfect. I don't like that Black Jack is so rigid in this thinking at least these two could change.

Great Book Less than great Narrator

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would even with the defects listed below. Buy the book, support the author and enjoy the story. I just purchased the Audible books three and four in the series
Great on going story!

What did you like best about this story?

That the author took the time to fill in the back story on those that were the bad guys and gals in the 100 year war.

What didn’t you like about Marc Vietor’s performance?

EVERYTHING! Great story, great author but less than great narrator. It would have been nice if the the narrator had listened to the previous stories and pronounced the names of some key people and places the same way as in the other books in the lost fleet series.
Yes I have examples. The female leader of Midway's President was pronounced "ISinE' " in the other books and now is pounced " ISinI' and another example is Co-President of the Calas Republic has been pounced as "Co-President Reown" and is now being pounced "Co-President ReownE" I have not seen any of these names in print so I have no idea of the correct spelling but I do know what they have always sounded like and hearing them being mispronounced ruins the mood and the flow of the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes all the books in this series are written so as to deprive the listeners of much needed sleep. Audible has a sleep timer in the software that has saved me more than once from becoming a sleep deprived zombie.

Any additional comments?

To Jack Campbell keep on writing your great at it and go back to the previous narrator as he was great at his craft also.

Good spinoff

If you could sum up The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight in three words, what would they be?

Machiavellian evolving democracy

What did you like best about this story?

Gives a view into what's going on behind the scenes with some of the key minor characters from the Lost Fleet series.

Have you listened to any of Marc Vietor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Marc's a solid narrator, and this performance is no different. I don't hesitate to purchase books he's read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not really, no. The main characters, as former CEOs of the Syndicate Worlds, developed extremely Machiavellian outlooks on life. Therefore, they are hard-pressed to be truly heroic, although they're cautiously moving towards breaking those behavior patterns. They come across a basically good people who have learned to be ruthless in order to survive a system that punished altruism.

Struggled to finish

I struggled to finish this this book. Jack Campbell original series was outstanding, I read them all. This one in my opinion is not very good!!

Not just space battles anymore

If you could sum up The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight in three words, what would they be?

Syndicate learn trust

What did you like best about this story?

New characters with muddled values create intriguing relationships that keep you hooked.

What about Marc Vietor’s performance did you like?

Good pacing and clear.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Never trust and always verify.

Great new series

The Tarnished Knight is an offshoot of Jack Campbell's Lost Fleet series. Anyone who was at all curious about the Syndicate Worlds will enjoy this new perspective which follows CEOs Artur Drakon and Gwen Iceni in their bid for power. Neither trusts the other, but must rely on faith when facing their more ruthless advisories... the ISS Snakes who want Midway to remain under Syndicate rule.

For those who aren't familiar with the series: I believe you will still enjoy the book, but may have a steep learning curve as there are many reference to the prior books. Listening to the Lost Fleet series definitely enhances this story.

My only dissatisfaction is that this book ends in a cliff-hanger, but the next volume isn't released until October 2013 :(

From the Other side of Midway

This book fills in events from the former Syndicate view in Midway Star System. Its interesting - its even a good read. However, the total lack of 'Black Jack' leaves one wondering where he is. Its not a bad read - but it is not one that I would choose to introduce this universe to someone who was new to the Lost Fleet. Well read - well written, but lacking punch in some areas.

Not bad. Abrupt ending.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight to be better than the print version?

The style and pace are pretty consistent with the previous books of the series in this universe. I was a bit startled and fairly disappointed with the abruptness of the ending; it seemed like there was a good solid chapter missing. I would understand if it was a cliff hanger, but this didn't seem the case.

Maybe next time.....

Politics!

Good story for the most part but too much politics with a mix of silly intrigue. Battle action very good.