Vanguard

By: Jack Campbell

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Jack Campbell returns to the world of the New York Times best-selling Lost Fleet novels with a new action-packed military science fiction series that explores the founding of the Alliance...and the men and women who fought to create it.

Earth is no longer the center of the universe. After the invention of the faster-than-light jump drive, humanity is rapidly establishing new colonies. But the vast distances of space mean that the old order of protection and interstellar law offered by Earth has ceased to exist.

When a nearby world attacks, the new colony of Glenlyon turns to Robert Geary, a young former junior fleet officer, and Mele Darcy, a onetime enlisted marine. With nothing but improvised weapons and a few volunteers, Geary and Darcy must face down warships and armored soldiers - or die trying.

As battles rage and pirates take an increasing toll throughout the colonies, the only hope for lasting peace lies with Carmen Ochoa, a "Red" from the anarchic world of Mars, and Lochan Nakamura, a failed politician. They have a plan: to lay the groundwork for mutual defense that could someday grow into an alliance. But if their efforts don't succeed, the growing power of aggressor worlds could turn regions of space founded on freedom into battlefields between the first interstellar empires.

©2017 John G. Hemry (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Great begining of a new series

Would you listen to Vanguard again? Why?

The story line and performance were captivating and entertaining. The action scenes were well described. There were nuances which I am sure to pick up on the second listening.

What other book might you compare Vanguard to and why?

The lost fleet series, also by John G Hemry (Jack Campbell)

Which scene was your favorite?

The first incursion into the Scatha base camp.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but could not put it down, especially in the last three chapters.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend this book. Christian Rummel does an outstanding performance in the narration of this book.

22 of 23 people found this review helpful

good beginning, mild cliff hanger

Uninteresting Cory Geary must have done something right to have a descendant like Rob Geary in this series. While never mentioning Black Jack, Rob Geary channels his intrepid spirit perfectly.

It's a bit confusing trying to keep the three groups of people separate, but they all end up working to keep the young planet free from invasion, conquest, or destruction by other humans or aliens, they're not always sure. There's also a long lost ship that just might make an appearance sometime. There are several fine characters to follow into the next volumes: Rob Geary of course, but also Mele, or perhaps "Melee" would suit her better. Lachlan may prove interesting, and the government lady, but two of my choice died, so no more there.

This is about politics and government and freedom without any of Nuttal's leanings and lecturing. There is satisfying action on the ground and in space, a sudden jump of several years, and the promise of more great Campbell saga to come. Worth spending time on.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Great family read!

These books by Jack Campbell are well written and well read. Engaging, believable, and satisfying, his books prove that an author doesn't have to use lewd conversation or inappropriate scenes to write a best seller! Thanks for another family friendly book!

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Amazing origin story!

OK, I realize it's bad form to put exclamation marks in the title, but darn… I needed more stars.

I'm not sure what the story would read like to someone who hasn't read/listened to all of the Lost Fleet books, to recognize how all of these butterflies would have an effect centuries in the future.

It is well written and Christian Rummel once again gives voice to dozens of very individual characters.

I want to pre-order the next book NOW!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Riveting Story

Jack Campbell is one of my favorite military Sci-fi authors. I am a big fan of his “Lost Fleet Series” and its various spine-off series. This new series, “Genesis Fleet” is set in the time before the “Lost Fleet”. in other words, it is a prequel to the “Lost Fleet Series”.

War weary Earth refuses to be the policeman of the universe any more. Without a universal policeman to keep order, the pirates and two-bit plundering dictators are in full force. The four main characters to emerge are a failed politician, Lochan Nakamura, looking for a new start; an Earth bureaucrat, Carmen Ochoa, who grew up on anarchic Mars; a former Marine, Mele Darcy, looking for something to fight for and a former Naval Officer with the name of Robert Geary.

The book is well written. Campbell’s trademark is he creates men and women doing what is right even if it is difficult or unpopular. Campbell also attempts to use actual physics in his space battles. The book is full of action, strong characters and complex politics on multiple worlds. I cannot wait for the next book in the saga.

The book is nine and a half hours long. Christian Rummel does an excellent job narrating the book. Rummel is an author, actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. I am so glad they kept Rummel as he was the narrator of the Lost Fleet and all of its spine-offs.

28 of 33 people found this review helpful

Solid Addition to the Series

Jack Campbell goes back into starfaring exploration history with a new series set hundreds of years before the events in his "Lost Fleet" series.

For me, this seemed kind of like a way for him to reboot the series, stepping away from the massive scale battles that the series ended with, and returning to a much smaller theater which allowed him to focus on developing new characters. Just one strange issue with this, however. It seems that some of the characters are direct ancestors of the protagonists in the later series. The main character is yet another Geary, and his personality and speech traits are virtually identical to the "Black Jack" that we all know so well. It's like they're the same exact character. I don't know this was even deliberate on the author's part, or if he can only write a few certain types of characters.

At any rate, this was a missed opportunity to introduce very different characters in a different setting, and stretch his creativity and give us something that feels new. Instead, this is simply "Lost Fleet" scaled way back.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

thoroughly predictable

this book seems to only exist to set up future series. every action sequence was predicable and required no effort to guess the next outcome.

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

The Geary's get it done

I have been missing Black Jack so I was very happy to read about his ancestor... This was a great book with a good premise, I look forward to references in the Lost Fleet series!

Seriously, let's get working on more Geary books! Any Geary...

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Where did the day go?

The two named author has done it.....AGAIN! I glanced at the length of Vanguard and figured it for a two dayer working around the chores, commitments, and meal times. That went to tophet in a hand basket! I bought the book around 4:00 am, strapped on my miracle head phones, and tackled the day. I don't really remember anything except waiting for the next chapter to start in this wonderful book. Protagonists and characters were created and executed a plot that from the summary sounded a little fanciful but as the golden tones of Christian rolled out the book, it was real, enthralling, and covered all points in the emotional compass. Okay, okay, the action might have been a little stretched but while I was so caught up in the book, I would have physically harmed anyone who tried to say so, it was so well done! The only clear advice I can give a new listener of Jack Campbell: plan on total absorption in this book! If the Presidents coming by, reschedule. This book will demand all your attention and its worth it!

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

Where Science Fiction goes to Die

After scanning the reviews, I've come to believe that those who gave this book high marks had listened to Jack Campbell's previous Lost Fleet series. Not having that experience, I personally found Vanguard to be lacking in creativity and intrigue. The plot line flows like a 1940s WW2 novel - simple, formulaic, with a huge overdose of John (and Jane) Waynisms. BORING!

While I am always looking for a good series to become attached to, it won't be with the Genesis Fleet.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Despite being a prequel. Its great.

Campbell has still got the gift.Interesting characters. Well written story. Cant wait for next book in the series.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

New Fleet to Follow

As a long time Lost Fleet Fan. I was hoping for the best and dreading what the new Fleet might bring.

I'm happy to say that I sat listened to it in almost one sitting and loved it. I'm not going to ruin the story by saying anything about what is in it. Just go and get the book.

Campbell has rebuilt the lost fleet into Genesis with barely a foot out of place. Well done and I look forward to the rest of the books.

I would also note that Christian Rummel did a great job again helping to make a good story into a great one with his reading. Look forward to hearing more from you too.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

A great start to an AMAZING universe.

For anyone who has read the Lost Fleet and Lost Stars series, please read this.
I have ready every Geary book and for some reason, the fewer ships and the more desperate the situation the better I enjoy them. The Lost Stars took this to the next level, dropping the fleet size drastically and upping the tension.
Vanguard and the Genesis Fleet takes this to a new extreme.
Faster than light travel is less than 10 years old and frontier colonies are lucky to have even a single ship (let alone a Warship) to there name. Such a simple story of pioneer peril is fantastic. Well worth the credit!

Already eagerly waiting for the next in the Genesis Fleet series.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly good

Listened to all of the Lost Fleet novels and that became a bit of a slog through the last 4 books but this is spritely and crisp storytelling. It feels like someone been studying the 'Expanse' novels as there are similar characters and situations but that's no bad thing. Looking forward to the next story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

very enjoyable

I like the idea of going back to basics in space. nothing fancy just raw space travel.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

great addition to the story universe

loved the narrator he is brilliant every time.

the beginning of the legend, looking forward to the next book

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Another Winner!

I only have one complaint; the book was not long enough.

That aside, Its another first, I think, for Jack Campbell. It has all the ingredients, as with previous books, and draws you into the storyline almost straightaway.

Can’t wait for the next in the series. A really good, enjoyable listen.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great start, looking forward to where it leads

Greatly enjoy this book, sets the scene for a new series very well. Very excited to see where the story goes.

Both fans of the lost fleet series and people who haven't read them will enjoy this book as explains the setting well without requiring knowledge from other books.

Narrator did a great job with providing unique accent/voice to many characters throughout the story.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Weak story, annoyingly delivered

Got to chapter 4 and gave up. Very weak. Now looking for the 'refund' button..

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Vanguard

A great story very well told. Look forward to the next books from this writer.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful