Desperate Glory

Morningstar, Book 4

By: Christopher G. Nuttall

Narrated by: Stewart Crank

After a cataclysmic interstellar war that came very close to exterminating humanity, the Daybreak Republic has risen from the ashes and embarked upon a mission to unite hundreds of human colony worlds under its banner in hopes of preventing a second and final conflict that will complete the destruction of the human race.

But not everyone agrees that the empire's ends justify the means.

In the aftermath of Leo Morningstar's last mission, war has erupted between the Daybreak Republic and the Secessionist Alliance stretching the navy's resources to the breaking point. Admiral Blackthrone's fleet is pinned down, unable to go on the offensive without leaving key worlds exposed, as rebels raid shipping lines and make Daybreak look weak ahead of a major assault. Desperate to break the stalemate before it is too late, Admiral Blackthrone places Leo Morningstar in command of a ragtag fleet of outdated starships and charges him with harassing the enemy, buying time for the navy to assemble the force they need to strike back.

But with resentful subordinates within his fleet and enemy plans finally coming into the light, it may be too late to save the sector—or Daybreak itself.

©2025 Christopher G. Nuttall (P)2026 Podium Audio

Classic rising of the underdog.

I've just binged all four novels of the Morningstar series and have to say I'm surprised I'm invested in it.

Desperate Glory is well paced and has all the space action I love to see in this genre. The overall feeling is similar to that of Star Wars minus the fantasy aspect of the Force with a focus not on how something works, only that is just does.

Leo's character development seems to be going well minus the fact he can't seem to keep himself in his pants... again and again.

The biggest criticism I have is that I wish the spaceships got a bit more love.

A juvenile deliquent as a commanding officer doesn't work.

The main character does not learn from mistakes. At the core of the story is the fact the main character has no self control. Why anyone would trust him with lives is beyond unbelivable.