Vanguard (#1)
Jack Campbell returns to the world of the New York Times bestselling 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…
Reviews
“Campbell’s skillfully constructed tale keeps a riveting pace, making each character’s personal stakes into fundamental threads woven into a high-energy whole.”
“Sympathetic characters combined with authentic details of military maneuvers on land and in space are the hallmark of a writer still at the top of his form, comparable to authors such as David Drake and David Weber.”Booklist
“An imaginative and in-depth novel that spans time and space, VANGUARD will make you want to explore the vast possibilities the universe has to offer.”
“Plenty of high-stakes action and deep-space intrigue that is deftly constructed, consistently surprising and thoroughly engaging.”
“Daring escapades, boarding actions, ground combat…entertainingly full of explosions. If you enjoyed his previous work, you’ll like this one, too.”
“It’s the quiet integrity of Campbell’s cast that will have you cheering…and waiting impatiently for a sequel.”
“VANGUARD is another winner for me, both as a prequel series and as a fresh start. It’s got that excellent readability that is present in all Campbell’s novels, and when the story is itself engrossing you just can’t lose. VANGUARD also has the added benefit of being a great place for newcomers to join […] In short, highly recommended.”
“Campbell knows how to write military fiction. You never need to fear a lack of action or unrealistic action. His characters are well written and he shows a society that doesn’t just talk a good game related to equality.”
“A near constant stream of space and ground combat keeps the action moving, and the characters are both fun and feel real. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys space opera, military SF, or even just a deftly written, fast-moving story.”Galaxy’s Edge
“I loved the world-building showcased in VANGUARD.”
“Magnificent! Jack Campbell has done an amazing job at bringing an epic space battle to life. The characters were full of depth and color. I kept finding myself rooting for the Squall, even toward the end when they faced unparalleled odds, they never gave up. Four stars!”
“If swashbuckling adventures, computer hacking, and clever guerrilla tactics sounds like exactly what you’ve been missing in your science-fiction, THE GENESIS FLEET: VANGUARD might be the start of a new series for you.”
“Jack Campbell’s VANGUARD starts a new series with a bang. Honestly, it reads like first rate, action-packed, historical fiction—only this history is set hundreds of years in an all too believable future. There’s plenty going on from multiple, diverse perspectives, and the characters come alive in the very best ways. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment!”Taylor Anderson, The New York Times bestselling author of the Destroyermen Series
“VANGUARD is the book Campbell’s Lost Fleet readers have been waiting for, whether they knew it or not. From the moment the young Robert Geary takes his first breath of air on a new planet, the story grabbed me by the throat and didn’t let go. Strong characters, complex politics on multiple worlds, battles against impossible odds, this book has the whole package. And for those who haven’t read the Lost Fleet books yet…start with VANGUARD. Like…the moment you can order it.”Elizabeth Moon, author of THE SPEED OF DARK
"Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet series is a must-read for fans of military scifi. Packed with complex characters and even more complex deep-space naval battles, it's the ultimate saga of human perseverance and the will to survive."Zac Topping, author of Wake of War
Awards & Accolades
#10 Locus Bestseller