The plot revolved around humans having colonised across part of the galaxy and split into two now warring factions. Hostilities have been grinding on for a century by the opening of the story, between the plantes of the Alliance (good guys0 and the Syndics (bad guys). The scene opens in the aftermath of the alliance fleet having been lured into an ambush and taking an almighty kicking. The senior staff go off on a shuttle to negotiate terms and everything looks exceedingly grim. Syndics treat POWs worse than the Nazis.
The story is told from the POV of John Geary, a survivor from the first battle of the war found drifting in a stasis escape pod by the fleet en route to battle. Thawed out but out of his his time, he is left as the highest ranking officer (and now a living legend) after the senior staff are executed by the Syndics. Rallying the obstinate and arrogant survivors of his fleet, Geary masterminds the fleet's escape and their flight across Syndic space as they jump from system to system and try to evade the full might of the Syndic fleet.
Other than a warm spot for Dan Abnett, I dont have much time for Sci-fi, so I was surprised when this dragged me in. The author is a retired US navy officer, and his use of relativity and descriptions of the problems of mass and momentum and distance in space combat was very convincing. Even though it portrayed a crushing defeat, it was still a lot lighter in atmosphere than the 40k books I'd read, and the characterization and plot hooks were excellent. Campbell hinted at there being a lot more to come form his universe and a recent trip to the library with the kids revealed there are another 7 books in the series... I will have to investigate methinks!
But not yet - new arrival in the post on Saturday: Abercrombie's new book is here!!!
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