Reddit mentions of A Galaxy Unknown: (A Galaxy Unknown, Book 1)

> the Mary Suest of Mary Sues

you've obviously never met Jenetta Carver from A Galaxy Unknown (and Ell Donsaii gives her a run for her money)

Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos. Outstanding debut.

The Remaining series by DJ Molles is post apoc, and the characters are simple, but I found it compelling.

A Galaxy Unknown series by Thomas DePrima is stylistically awkward at the start, but gets better, and it's a great story.

If you have an e-reader, Amazon has some pretty amazing Indie books available for cheap. A Galaxy Unknown is the first in a series following a young female naval officer as she generally kicks ass. Star Force has a group of very near future humans trapped in a war between two groups of machines. Spirit of Empire isn't quite as believable as the others, but it's one of the most gripping space operas I've ever read. Lastly, Theirs is Not to Reason Why is about what happens when you cross a a Drill Sargent with an Oracle and pack it into a female's body. Then send said body out to destroy anything in the way of saving the universe. If you need any more recommendations, I actually have a list saved on my computer. Private message me and I can email it to you.

The biggest problem with Reynolds vs what you are used to with the Lost Fleet series, is that the Lost Fleet series is rather quick in its pacing (with action etc.) It is hard to find such a quick book with as much development of the characters and technologies. You could ALSO check out the series, A Galaxy Unknown (http://smile.amazon.com/Galaxy-Unknown-Book-ebook/dp/B001CUQE98/ref=smi_www_rco2_go_smi?_encoding=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0) but IMO while it is entertaining it is only a 6 on a scale where the Lost Fleet series is an 8.

You can also check out Kevin Anderson's Saga of the Seven Suns for something that is as compelling, but it is not as technologically plausible as Lost Fleet and has more more fantastical elements.