Dauntless (2006)

This science fiction novel falls squarely into the sub-genre labeled "military," and the label is completely accurate. A great read for hard-core sci-fi fans, I enjoyed this plot-heavy adventure. Part one of a six-book series, the plot arcs continuously across all six books - reading one volume would be unsatisfying. If you have a teen who has memorized every class of Navy ship, or loves to discuss battles and officers of the Civil War, this will be the book for them: complex space battles, with a dash of physics, complicated by political maneuverings between ambitious captains. I haven't yet finished the series, but I strongly suspect those patient enough to read through will discover a terrific plot payoff. ( )

The characters are totally one-dimensional. They have no interest in life apart from combat and most of the ship captains feel like a bunch of petulant school-children.

However, and it is a big plus, the combat scenes are very good. The feel of space combat with speed of light limitations on vision and communication is well handled. Which is fortunate as most of the book is about space battles and tactics.

Basically, as long as you go into the book not expecting great character depths, you'll probably enjoy it. ( )

Exciting book that shows the author's Navy ship driver background topped with some amount of imagination. The hero is riding on the space ship Dauntless and leads a fleet of aggressive captains who can't follow orders. So, it's a study in leadership, too. However, the story ends as they story continues--now, I have to buy book number two. I don't doubt that I'll also buy numbers 3...4.... ( )

It is military science-fiction - definitely science-fiction in that they are in spaceships, in the future. Definitely military in they they are at war - in their spaceships which are treated like naval ships would be, complete with marines and officer rankings - with a human enemy.

It is a bit space-opera-y in that the characters will be recurring in future installments, and the overall plot encompasses multiple plantary systems and characters.

There is a bit of character development in the main character, though the rest of them are pretty much cardboard cut-outs. Mostly, they are there for the main character to reflect his own thoughts off. Fortunately the main character is actually pretty interesting. He has a bit of conflict both within himself ("will power corrupt me?") and with the other ship captains ("is he corrupt?" or "will he get in my path en route to glory?")

I quite liked the story, and how Black Jack's history was brought into the story, and how this history is used to make him who he is. I have bought the next couple in this series. ( )

I believe the correct term now is military science fiction, but I prefer space opera - and this is a good space opera which is not only fun but also raises some interesting points about how people become heroes. ( )