Dauntless by Jack Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
John “Black Jack” Geary wakes up from cryosleep to find 100 years have passed and he is now a legendary hero. Lost in a decisive battle with the Syndic Alliance, Geary’s actions have made him a hero. Now he has been found by the Fleet cruiser Dauntless, and brought back to life in the middle of a war that has dehumanised both sides and brought them to the brink of collapse.
Geary just wants to crawl away somewhere and live out his life. But when command of the decimated fleet lands in his lap, he must find the courage to bring these tired soldiers home.
Dauntless was a fast, enjoyable read. Though at times dark, Geary’s determination to get his people home keeps the story positive. It’s fairly technical-heavy, but if those bits don’t interest you, you can skim them without losing the thread of the story.
I found most of the characters well-drawn and interesting, though a few grated on me with their unrelenting stupidity. There was also a fair bit of preaching from Geary, but believable in the context of the story.
Overall I enjoyed reading the story and will certainly continue with the series to find out how they get home.
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