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)

Weak ,the stores are getting so slow

Would you try another book from Jack Campbell and/or Marc Vietor?

I doubt i would buy any more of these books the stores are getting so slow i could use them to fall a sleep at night with,

Has The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes , but not the genre but the series yes, it is like he is just writing them for the money

Did Marc Vietor do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

Audio was ok

Do you think The Lost Stars: Tarnished Knight needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No let this dieing horse go

Any additional comments?

I think my review says it all

Great to have series continue...

This is good if you have read the other books and a nice introduction to the syndicate worlds.It also provides a nice perspective on the short comings of centralize government.

Another great book

This book is a side bar story from the main theme of Blackjack. It adds more characters to the main story. I have enjoyed all the books in this series.

A well done spin-off

Great audio performance. Clasic space-opera. Interesting characters.I couldn't decide whether to love or hate the characters.

I was expecting less politics more action

I truly believe I may have come across this Campbell series at the wrong time. It is much more political than the original series and I was not prepared for that aspect of the book. I’m sure for someone looking for game of thrones in space this would be a great series.

It lacks the character that the reader cheers for like the original series but could still be good.

Second time thru

This series is just as good if not better then when I first heard it. I know this is a work of fiction but the insights into human behavior is very thought provoking.

A look through the Syndicates eyes

For those who have followed this author has seen the war from the perspective of the Alliance. Now we get to see it from the perspective of the Syndicate. When listening to this story I could see so many parallels to the world we live in when it comes to companies and our government. The corruption is at the highest levels and there is nothing any one person can do about. We follow two former Syndicate CEO’s as they try to change all of it. They have a lot to learn and trusting each other is just the start of it. I enjoyed seeing things from their perspectives as each one takes action to establish a new way of life for everyone. The story has a good pace and could’ve been two separate books. However, since this author is good at being able to go back to add stories to their timelines this one needed to be exactly how it’s written. It's really in depth with all the characters and the universe at large. It will be interesting to read the next book in the series.

Very Good! Just What Was Needed!

I am a Big LOST FLEET fan so when this book came out I jumped at it. I wasn't dissapointed! I just don't understand why they didn't have Christian Rummel narrate this book like he did with the Lost Fleet. Don't get me wrong Marc Vietor does a fine job. He also narrates the Legacy of the Aldenata another great saga. The LOST STARS was very good, but it could have been longer. I do hope Jack writes a book 2.

Solid parellel story to the Lost Fleet.

A parallel series to Campbell's lost fleet space exploration series. The author starts to explore the impact of the fleets travels on the worlds and star systems they pass through. This side bar writing method I think speaks of the depth of thought the author actual put into the first plot, that the time line of secondary characters is also solid.

Paranoia will Destroy Ya!!

I am not one to go into a big review as I think opinions are like feet.......

This book did a real good job showing just how messed you the Syndicate worlds are, and why.. their leadership is composed of insane people, so paranoid of every little thing that the ones you would consider 'good' are borderline basket cases.....

I knew it was good when I found myself yelling at the protagonists, with my inside the head voice, when they started doing certain things.

I have enjoyed all the books in the 2 series and this look at the other side of the coin was well done, professional, and an enjoyable listen.

Solid Recommend from me.