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dumbyak's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jcastil4's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kat_sanford's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
pinkeerach's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really interesting look into what could be a distant future of space wars, alien interactions, and multidimensional space travel. It was a pretty easy read, and had some really interesting concepts. Both science and military tactics were touched on as well as some ethical concepts, all of which made for a well rounded subject matter. The breadth and depth (or lack thereof) made the book very easily consumed.
badken's review against another edition
5.0
My one-line review for Old Man's War: a space grunt's tale channels Heinlein.
One thing that bothers me about a lot of recent sci-fi is that it's so oppressive. Old Man's War is poignant without being oppressive, which I love. It lacks a strong overarching narrative, but it doesn't need one. All it needs to do is tell the story of an old man leaving his life on Earth to be reborn as a colonial soldier, defending human colonies against hordes of unfriendly aliens. Scalzi's characters are so loveable you want to keep reading just to see what they do next. In fact the whole novel reads more like a series of short stories, or a novel that was released episodically in an SF pulp magazine. It works.
Just as there is no heavy plot, there is no deep theme, no hidden meanings, no moral with which the author is subtly or unsubtly worrying the reader. In that sense it is unlike much of Heinlein, and in this case that's a good thing. The book never delves into the complexity of galactic politics, though it hints at it. Earth is physically and technologically isolated from its colonies. The colonies are the real human force in the galaxy, up against dozens of alien species in a violent race for expansion. Technology is only explored to the extent that it serves the story. A well-written, engaging story. Sometimes that's all you want, or all you really need.
So now I add yet another author to the list of authors whose work I want to explore further.
One thing that bothers me about a lot of recent sci-fi is that it's so oppressive. Old Man's War is poignant without being oppressive, which I love. It lacks a strong overarching narrative, but it doesn't need one. All it needs to do is tell the story of an old man leaving his life on Earth to be reborn as a colonial soldier, defending human colonies against hordes of unfriendly aliens. Scalzi's characters are so loveable you want to keep reading just to see what they do next. In fact the whole novel reads more like a series of short stories, or a novel that was released episodically in an SF pulp magazine. It works.
Just as there is no heavy plot, there is no deep theme, no hidden meanings, no moral with which the author is subtly or unsubtly worrying the reader. In that sense it is unlike much of Heinlein, and in this case that's a good thing. The book never delves into the complexity of galactic politics, though it hints at it. Earth is physically and technologically isolated from its colonies. The colonies are the real human force in the galaxy, up against dozens of alien species in a violent race for expansion. Technology is only explored to the extent that it serves the story. A well-written, engaging story. Sometimes that's all you want, or all you really need.
So now I add yet another author to the list of authors whose work I want to explore further.
kisos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a cute fluffy read with fun world building. Def a good choice if you need a break from heavier books despite some death and emotional thangssss
adr_enne_rose's review against another edition
4.0
Holy moly that was a fast read! Intriguing, light-hearted but time of seriousness at its heart. In other words, my kind of sci fi. An approachable main characters, new technology, new cultures (albeit briefly) - but enough to make me want to get the next one.