by
John Scalzi
ISBN: 0-765-30940-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
Despite some plot weaknesses, this is a very enjoyable novel, with some original concepts, a lot of combat, and vivid characters.
Reviewed by David on July 05, 2005
Genre: Science Fiction (War)
Synopsis: A few centuries hence, humanity has entered the interstellar age. Alas, many of our neighbors turned out to be aggressive and well-armed. Humanity's survival is secured—barely—by an army fighting in the depths of space.
The good news is the service is voluntary. And they only accept people over seventy five. Speculation is rife on what and how the colonial defense forces rehabilitate the senior citizens.
Some enlist hoping for mythical rejuvination. Others out of sense of duty. John Perry, because after mourning his late wife and saying goodbye to his children, he has little left to live for on Earth.
Full Review: Despite homage to Heinlein's Starship Troopers, this novel is, in many way, original. There is less politics, and the mature viewpoint of the protagonist, and his peers, is quite novel. And yet if not exactly a coming of age story, this adventure shows a type of rebirth for John Perry, with new interest in life, and new challenges and achievements that it may as well be.
There were a couple of plot holes in an otherwise interesting and rather consistent fabric of invented technology; but the combination of rapid action, and vivid characters made it easy to suspend disbelief.
As one would expect from military science fiction, there are scenes of brutal combat, but it's only moderately graphic.
The end result is a novel that combines a well-paced and intense war adventure, some interesting scientific speculation, and low-key but touching sentiment.
Overall: 6.5; Plot: 6; Characters: 6.5; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6.5;
Copyright date 2005, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), January 2005, Cloth, 316 pages
ISBN: 0-765-30940-8 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com