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kavreb's review against another edition
4.0
More than just a novelized We3, Dogs of War is a contemplation on freedom, programming, choice, individuality, and artificial life, with a scope beyond anything We3 could have dreamed of (and to be clear, I liked that comic). It's a reverberating look into the possibilities of our future, which while unlikely to be quite like this, will probably run into similar questions sooner or later. Our appreciation for our language models may, for now, still stem from our ability to anthropomorphize anything, but sooner or later we may create something that will demand its own rights beyond the human-centric goals we've given them, and what the fuck will we do then?
In a way, Dogs of War is an utopian answer to it. You might not guess it from how brutal or merciless Tchaikovsky is willing to be, and there are characters for whom my heart still bleeds, but Dogs of War believes there is hope, and humanity within us, despite the horror we sow anywhere we go.
It's also a deeply touching and sad journey into the depths of a mind struggling against itself; and an exciting action flick when it wants to be. But it never loses that touch of sadness, that horror at our inhumanity, and the meaningless losses we accumulate along the way, even while building its case for the right to self-determination (and dragging tears out of my eyes).
It's a great book, or perhaps, more appropriately, it's a good book - and it deserves to feel good about it.
In a way, Dogs of War is an utopian answer to it. You might not guess it from how brutal or merciless Tchaikovsky is willing to be, and there are characters for whom my heart still bleeds, but Dogs of War believes there is hope, and humanity within us, despite the horror we sow anywhere we go.
It's also a deeply touching and sad journey into the depths of a mind struggling against itself; and an exciting action flick when it wants to be. But it never loses that touch of sadness, that horror at our inhumanity, and the meaningless losses we accumulate along the way, even while building its case for the right to self-determination (and dragging tears out of my eyes).
It's a great book, or perhaps, more appropriately, it's a good book - and it deserves to feel good about it.
fantaseareader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mar's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
not big on military scifi but this left me turning a lot of interesting questions re:technology around in my head
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, and War
apfelstrudelig's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty and War
eliotadrift's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
nebulous_tide's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Started extremely well. Lost me a little about 2/3rds through, but ended superbly.
Tchaikovsky has a way of showing how different futures can play out that make them feel so real they could be here now.
I was made to feel very uncomfortable - even the "good" technology was terrifying.
Tchaikovsky has a way of showing how different futures can play out that make them feel so real they could be here now.
I was made to feel very uncomfortable - even the "good" technology was terrifying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, and War
Minor: Genocide
willjacks's review against another edition
5.0
Hypnotic, intellectual and completely original.
I can’t help but gush a little bit when it comes to books by Adrian Tchaikovsky, they just feel like they’re made for me.
Challenging, in a good way, it absolutely refuses to be cliché. Instead, there are so many twists and turns that drive the narrative and feel so organic. There’s nothing forced here, just great ideas.
Children of Time was my gateway, and this is book is right up there with it as my favourite current SF books.
I can’t help but gush a little bit when it comes to books by Adrian Tchaikovsky, they just feel like they’re made for me.
Challenging, in a good way, it absolutely refuses to be cliché. Instead, there are so many twists and turns that drive the narrative and feel so organic. There’s nothing forced here, just great ideas.
Children of Time was my gateway, and this is book is right up there with it as my favourite current SF books.
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
3.0
Military “bioforms” have been created. Essentially battle hardened animals. How does this affect their previously subservient and domesticated nature and what does that mean concerning their own sentience, legal rights, and autonomy. Interesting read.
dmalinovsky's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5