Vanguard

Launching a trilogy in his Lost Fleet universe, the always reliable Campbell delivers an exciting tale of interstellar adventure. Robert Geary is a colonist on a newly established world, seeking an opportunity for a new beginning. The colony council is completely unprepared for the cold reality of their new system’s distance from the protection afforded by Old Earth. When the inhabitants of a neighboring star system make an attempt at extortion, Robert is the only colonist with the skills to lead a defense force. With other systems falling prey to similar attacks, Robert’s settlement must stand firm or perish unremembered. Campbell’s skillfully constructed tale keeps a riveting pace, making each character’s personal stakes into fundamental threads woven into a high-energy whole. The conclusion is well-earned and satisfying, leaving readers eager for the next volume in this saga. Agent: Joshua Bilmes, JABberwocky Literary. (May)