The book discussion thread

[Johnway]

Another book finished this time its the first book in the Old man's war series by John Scalzi. The story revolves around John perry, a 75 yr old widower who decides to join the Colonial Defence Force (CDF). like most recruits, he joins the CDF for a new life in the stars but more importantly, the promise to rejuvenate/repair his body to his youth.

When he finally gets his new body, like he is overjoyed as its everything that was promised and more; he is young, beautiful and far superior to ordinary humans. But the fun doesn't last as CDF explain the situation: Humanity is in a race against the other races in the galaxy for inhabitable planets. They are in constant conflict with the other races who won't think twice turning humans into food. The CDF is in a constant battle against overwhelming odds, the unknown and vastly technologically superior violent aliens. 75% of all recruits in the CDF will be dead before the end of their mandated 10 year service. The irony being most die in the first 2 years and most would have probably have died of old age or elderly related complications in those 2 years.

The first book details John's progression from recruitment, training and his military career within the CDF before concluding with his first encounter with the ghost brigades (the CDF elite forces) and the 2nd battle of coral.


its a fantastic book. I enjoyed every second of it. its well written, interesting, well thoughtout and very creative. it tugs at your emotions as many of John's friends (the old farts) are KIA in horrific ways. The book serves more of a primer to the Old man's war universe and prepares the way for the second book: the ghost brigades switching the story to Jane Sagan, a member of the ghost brigade and in a way, John's temp love interest. can't wait to start reading that one.

I absolutely do recommend this book and its no surprise (not to mention impressive) that Scalzi's first book was nominated for a hugo award.

 

[Pifanjr]

I finally finished Dune Messiah, the second book in the Dune series. While the movies follow the books pretty well, the books focus much more on the scheming and politics, with a whole host of characters all with their own agendas.

It also shows how well trained the elite are in how to manipulate people, with traditions and beliefs being twisted to suit their needs and how subtle comments can plant an idea in someone's head, but that it's also very easy to lose control and be swept up by something you've started.

I'm picking up the next book, Children of Dune, tomorrow at the library.

 

[Zloth]

Brandon Sanderson's "Cosmere" books have been picked up by Apple TV. Sanderson is retaining a lot of rights in the deal. Apparently, the plan is for a Mistborn movie and a TV show to cover Stormlight Archive.

Both will be challenging. Mistborn's novels take place on a world covered in ash. Snowscapes can be pretty, but ash is just grey and depressing. Stormlight will be even more of a challenge because the world is so alien.

If they can pull either of them off, though... <nerdgasm>

 

[Johnway]

Another book finished, this time its book 2 in John Scalzi's old man's war series: The Ghost brigades.

our story continues a year or 2 after the first book. the Colonial Defense Force (CDF) get a tip off that 3 of the alien races are doing the impossible and banding together to destroy humanity. But more worryingly, there is a human traitor helping the aliens: Charles Boutin. Charles was a top scientist that worked on the brain computers (brainpal) that all CDF use. Fearing the implications, top priority is made to capture/eliminate him.

Although the CDF finally gets Boutin, they discover that it is in fact a clone and not the real person. In desperation, the CDF decide to clone Charles boutin and add his conscience into it so they can interrogate him. The logic being that the conscience is the same and thus have similar memories as Charles Boutin and could gleam useful information. To avoid legal complications, they build Charles Boutin clone under the Ghost brigade program.

The plan is a bust and te clone doesn't seem to have Charles Boutin memory integrated as they hoped. The clone soldier is given a new name Jared Dirac and joins the ghost brigades whilst being watched closely by the top brass in case he goes rogue.

But was the plan a bust? A traumatic mission and a chain of events triggers memories within jared and soon Boutin memories return and more and more of Boutin's personality becomes apparent at the cost of Jared's own. Jared decides to make the decision to continue unlocking Charles Boutin's memories in the hope to stop the alien invasion and bring Boutin to justice. But how will jared respond once he meets Boutin? will he side with Boutin (since they think/are alike) or the Colonial Union? The decisions made by jared will decide the fate of humanity in the stars...


Another cracking book. This one goes into great depth into the special forces of the CU that was touched upon on the first book. its fascinating to learn how the ghost brigades are created, their training the stigma and ethical issues of their use (effectively, they're child soldiers and experimental monsters). We also get to see their human side as they try to learn about humanity, jokes, watching movies, reading books, sex and basically learning when linked together. As we follow jared Dirac's journey we get to see how far fetched humanity is pushed and the shadow ops that the Ghost brigades play in hostile space. Especially when it comes to twarting the alien invasion that looms over the human race. if you liked the Old man's war series, you'll like this one.

next book, i might carry on with Book 3 of the series or i might take a detour and read the Sagan Dairies a spinoff side story of Jane Sagan between the first 2 books.

 

[Johnway]

just about finished another book. I've been continuing the Old man's war series by John Scalzi and i've just finished the third book: The last colony.


Our story returns back to John Perry (the narrator/protagonist of the first book) where he and Jane Sagan have beaten the odds and have survived long enough to complete their mandatory military service. With their adopted daughter Zoe (the daughter of book 2's villain Charles Boutin), the family are now settled down on the colony world huckleberry. John is a local ombudsman managing and settling disputes with farmers whilst Jane works as the local constable. All things considered, life is good.

John gets a visit from his old CO (General Rybicki) offering John and jane an opportunity to become administrators for the colonial Union's newest colony codenamed Roanoke. With some reluctance, John and jane accepts the job.

it quickly becomes apparent that the colonists have been decieved and realize the colonist of Roanoke have become pawns in a much bigger political game between the Colonial Union and the Conclave; a vast coalition of 412 alien races.

Caught between the machinations of the colonial union and the Conclave , John has a herculean task ahead of him: finding a way to end the conflict, prevent humanity's extinction and saving the colony of Roanoke from being destroyed.

Another fantastic entry in the old man's war series, the book was full of twists and turns that is exciting and entertaining read that comes with a satisfying conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended.

 

[Johnway]

Another book of the Old man's war series, this time its Book 4: Zoe's Tale

The story revolves around John Perry and jane Sagan's adopted daughter: Zoe Boutin Perry. The Assumption is that people have read the 3rd book because unfortunately its a bit light on general story to most of the events that take place. its purely fixated on Zoe's perspective on things and for the most part she wasn't involved in the key critical events like John perry or jane Sagan was. As the story progresses, we get to learn more of teenage life, life on Roanoke and coping with love and loss. We get details on what was going on when Zoe meet General Gau and bringing back key technology that will save them.

But even more importantly, Zoe has to come to terms with being akin to the miracle child to the Obin. Effectively an entire race of aliens observing her grow up and are practically under her command. Heavy is the head that wears the crown when she decides to exert her authority over the Obin in desperation to save the colony. Its not long she realizes the horrific cost of her actions, sending thousands of the Obin to their deaths in doing so. it will define her during the most critical moments of the colony's survival and how she plans to do it.


if you're a fan of the series, Zoe's Tale is an absolute treat. Her witty and sarcastic narrative is pretty compelling and brings a lot of charm. paving over a few cracks in the previous book and a fascinating insight to the one of the series key characters. but like i said, its highly recommended you read Book 3 before reading book 4 or you find it fairly light on overal story.

 

[Johnway]

Another book finished in the Old Man's War series. This time its Book 5: The Human division.

The story is set after the end of Book 3 and 4. The people of Earth finally discover the uneven relationship with the Colonial Union. Pissed off that Earth is being treated nothing more then a farm/factory to facilitate Colonial Union's interests in space, they suspend sending anyone else into space.

For the CU this is a disaster; without the reliable supply of soldiers and colonists, the CU (and possibly humanity) will cease to exist in 30 years at the current levels of attrition. With limited resources, the CU are on the defensive and switch to diplomacy to survive.

Things are made worse when a hidden foe undermines CU efforts and fermenting a war against the much larger Conclave. As CU's top diplomatic missions begin to falter, a "b" team consisting of lower ranking diplomats lead by ambassador Ode Abumwe are sent as a last desperate attempt to salvage talks or at worst useful idiots as an excuse when things fail.

The Human Division is a collection of mini stories revolving around the B team's diplomatic efforts, mainly focussing around Harry Wilson (and his hapless diplomat assistant hart Schmitt) who spends much of his time coming up with ingenius, dangerousm solutions to save the day; including preventing diplomatic assassinations, political disasters, and covering up the CU's illegal actions.

Whilst you can get each episode serperately, i would't recommend it as each episode builds the story up from the previous episodes. usually a story about the B-team then some side story that sets the scene of the next episode with the B team of diplomats.

I was skeptical at first with the episodic nature with a whole new cast of characters, but the book is captivating and entertaining, filled with drama, the occassional comedy moment and thrilling ending that sets up the next book nicely.

 

[Johnway]

Another book finished, this time its Book 6 of the old man's war series: The end of all things.

Continuing from the events of the last book, with the terrorist attack on planet Earths only Space Port, the Colonial Union's hopes of reconciliation with planet Earth lies in tatters. The Colonial Union's downfall is becoming reality as it slowly fragments with colonies pushing for independence from the CU. Meanwhile in the Conclave, the union of 400+ alien races, is beginning to strain and split with only the charisma of its leader (General Gau) barely holding things together. But even that is fleeting when General Gau is assassinated and the hated humans are blamed. War is on the cards, one that would lead to mutual destruction of both humanity and the Conclave. Unless ambassador Ode Abumwe and her team can uncover the real threat that lurks in the shadows and eliminates it. But this is easier said then done, for the Colonial Union to survive it will have to change in ways that will shake the very foundations of the Colonial Union itself.


Like the previous book, this is a collection of Novella's telling of the poltical crisis from all parties, from the the Colonial union, the conclave and the innocent caught in the machinations of our hidden foe. i found the stories well written using a 3rd person narrative and entertaining enough as there is some variety and it helps that laced throughout the story key characters make cameos to help things along. but just like before, if you really want to understand the story/world, you really need to read the previous books. Almost certainly need to read the Human division to understand the significance of the characters and events in the story.