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.