Steadfast

The Lost Fleet: Beyond the Frontier, Book 4

By: Jack Campbell

Narrated by: Christian Rummel

Length: 13 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times bestselling author Jack Campbell’s action-packed Lost Fleet series has propelled readers from deep space to the very edge of their seats. Now Admiral John “Black Jack” Geary embarks on a thrilling new adventure to defend the Alliance and safeguard the future.

Geary and the crew of the Dauntless have managed to safely escort important alien representatives to Earth. But before they can make tracks for home, two of Geary’s key lieutenants vanish. The search for his missing men leads Geary on a far-flung chase, ultimately ending at the one spot in space from which all humans have been banned: The moon Europa. Any ship that lands there must stay or be destroyed—leaving Geary to face the most profound moral dilemma of his life.

To make matters worse, strains on the Alliance are growing as the Syndics continue to meddle. Geary is ordered to take a small force to the border of Syndic space. But what he finds there is a danger much greater than anyone expected: A mysterious threat that could finally force the Alliance to its knees.

As Geary spearheads a desperate battle to protect the Alliance against a shrewd and powerful enemy, he’s left with just one question: Who are they?

©2014 John G. Hemry (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Another great book in the series

What made the experience of listening to Steadfast the most enjoyable?

The narrator really brings the characters the story and characters to life in my minds eye. This is another great book for this series. I can't stop listening. The characters and storyline is one of my favorite of all time.

What did you like best about this story?

The unfolding of some sort of Alliance conspiracy.

Which character – as performed by Christian Rummel – was your favorite?

Blackjack of course.

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

The saga continues.

Any additional comments?

I just can't wait for each release. I hope there are 300 books released for this series.

Much more mature

I listened to the first series and enjoyed it. This series demonstrates much more mature writing, both in characterization and plot. Geary faces many moral dilemmas. Dejani doesn't whine as much. The other starship captains are real humans, not one-dimensional. There are many unanswered questions making life challenging and difficult for the protagonists. And, the events are not predicable. Very good writing and a good listen Strongly recommend if you like this genre.

Jack Campbell (and Christian Rummel) does it again

I couldn't wait for this book to be available on Audible and now that I've finished it, I can't wait for the next one.

Never dull, never predictable, with brilliant writing and superb narrating. Campbell creates characters you want to follow and Rummel brings them to life. I sometimes can't believe it is just one person doing all those voices.

If you haven't listened to any of the earlier stories in the Lost Fleet Series or Beyond the Frontier Series, then I'm not sure how you'll find this book. It's good, and the author explains earlier happenings, but you really need to have read the earlier books to get the most out of this one.

Anyway, kudos to Jack Campbell for another great book and to Christian Rummel for another brilliant performance and I look forward to the next in the series.

Black Jack Faces His Toughest Opponent Yet

If you could sum up Steadfast in three words, what would they be?

Don't Trust Machines

Who was your favorite character and why?

Who else? Black Jack Geary. He continues on his streak of absolute domination over everything everywhere. Black Jack is literally running out of enemies to hate, pursue and destroy, and that is not necessarily a bad thing.

This book seemed to focus on him a smidge more than earlier ones. Why? Because Geary deserves it. This guy has earned every second of story time. For Christ's sake, he's saved humanity's ass from complete annihilation what, about 14 times so far in this series? And along the way shacked up with the galaxy's hottest battle cruiser captain. In my opinion, the right call is for more Black Jack and less whining Alliance senators who spend their days waddling around the bridge bleating nonsense to Black Jack, backstabbing each other and second guessing Black Jack's every move. If I were him all three of those loud mouths would have been flushed out the airlock about 40 seconds after blasting off three books ago.

What about Christian Rummel’s performance did you like?

He has the right voices for the right characters and belts them out effortlessly.

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

Not really. At some point in my day I have to work and throw in some sleep. Bought it yesterday, finished it this afternoon. Good enough for me.

Any additional comments?

A solid addition to a top notch series. I would not put this one at the top of the rankings. But anything new about the adventures of Black Jack Geary and his wife Tanya, the ultra dedicated, motivated, space academy educated Captain of the Dauntless, and who in my struck in 161/2 year old mind's eye when it comes to beautiful women, does what she does best - takes charge and shakes that beautiful ass as she struts around her ship's bridge in that royal blue skin tight body suit / mini skirt uniform confident as hell and looking clean.

Books like this in a series like Lost Fleet, Beyond the Frontier is why I subscribe to Audible. I really enjoy a well written book performed by a great narrator, and there are few if any better teams than the two in this series. Jack Campbell's creative writing matched with Christian Rummel's professional narration keeps me coming back for more.

I have a feeling that the next book will be a doozy. Black Jack will have to be on top of his game and trust in his instincts if he is to lead his fleet to victory against an enemy blind to mercy and led by an A/I doppelganger that only he can understand and destroy.

Is it just me? 😉

Any additional comments?

This is one of the better Black Jack novels. I've read or listened to all of them. The overarching concept of both series is creative an holds our interest. The action scenes and battles are usually well done. But they all share two problems that keep them from being great. First, the dialogue is often too verbose. Second, is it just me or does Black Jack talk and sound just a little too much like Buzz Lightyear? 😎

Another GREAT book!

I am getting tired of waiting an hole year for each and every book! SPEED IT UP Jack!!! You can write faster! Now about the book. As usual another great book. I just love this saga! I just don't want to wait a year for each book! Just when you think all foes are beaten NEW ones pop up!

Out of Ideas?

I have highly enjoyed Jack Campbell's "Lost Fleet" series, which I believe by this point is around eleven books in. The space battles are thrilling, and I like the tight storylines and characterization. And when he launched the series in a new direction with "Beyond the Frontier", I was very excited and happy with the new elements that he introduced, including several enigmatic alien races (that truly felt alien, unlike many series).

Unfortunately, with this latest book the series has hit something of a lull, and it makes me wonder - if Campbell isn't wrapping up the series - then he's possibly running out of new ideas to throw at us. More than any other, this book felt like it was written using the "free writing" process. The book follows several disconnected sub-stories and fails to go anywhere very new. In fact, these books are beginning to feel VERY repetitive. The characters keep dealing with and discussing the same old issues over and over, including the population's varied opinions about "Black Jack" Geary, from hero worship to utter distrust. The attitudes of the Syndics continue to fit the same stereotypes, the politicians act the same, and even the characters fail to grow significantly throughout the series, only rehashing the same conversations over and over. And for crying out loud, please stop repeating basic information about the universe and characters! We're eleven books in, and the percentage of readers actually STARTING with this novel must be extremely miniscule. Please stop insulting our memories by repeating character backstories, information about ships, physics of combat, etc etc etc. We readers remember that stuff.

The quality of the book rises near the end, in what feels like a purposeful cliffhanger ending. It's disappointing that Campbell seems to start up a new storyline right at the end of the book and then just leaves it open-ended. Why it took a whole book to get to this point I have no idea, since nothing much happens up to that point. And knowing it may be another year before the next installment comes out makes me want to question whether the series is worth continuing.

I feel generous giving this one three stars, and do so mostly because I like the series as a whole.

A worthy continuation of the story of BlackJack

If you're reading this then chances are that you are already familiar with the series. For me, Jack does a good job balancing details that bring the book to life- without bogging it down with inconsequential details.

The story itself is a pretty good one. I'm only halfway through but so far I'm enjoying it. Not quite as action-packed as some prior titles but the stage is being set.

The narration by Christian is as good as prior books. He has a good range of characters and IMO it adds to the story.

Overall, if you enjoyed the previous books in the series then this one is a definite buy.

Awful

I enjoyed the previous books in this series, and can't believe this novel was written by the same author. I wasn't able to finish chapter four of this ridiculous mess.

Perfect continium

A tad more wideflung and erratic than the previous books , but still very enjoyable. A well spend time listening.

A little slow to get going

good, still enjoyed it but the pacing was uneven and it took a long time to get going.

Elephant Eggs?

listen to the book to hear a bizarre reference to elephant eggs... Other than that a decent continuation of the story.

Excellent and exciting

Continues the series in style new things at every moment wish I was not so close to the end of the series. Keeps you coming you back more. I listened to this book almost straight through. Great listen.

You have to listen to it

A book loved the story great narration 5 stars I highly recommend listening to this book 👍👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Superb

After a lot of the same I forget that these are captivating books that zip by all too quickly.

More of the same, but a bit of introspection on Earth. The best thing is the resourcefulness of the ships and their crew as they're faced with new and difficult challenges.

Plus a new enemy!

still good

still the same style with great characters. not the best story but I'm enjoying the whole series

Sci fi 2.0

Definitely a must read that you won't put down until you've finished the last page!

Rummels narrative skills once again emerse you in the universe.

steadfast

once started, I couldn't stop, wonderfully read, occasionally funny yet edge of your seat and challenging moral and ethical subjects

Not the best

It's not as good as the other books in the series, to much political syndic revolution focus. Hopefully the cliffhanger will make it better in the next book.

great a cliffhanger

another great story in The Lost Fleet series.
I look forward to the next book in the series.