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liketheday's review against another edition
3.0
I really think the best part of this story series, and eventually this novel, is that we get a chance to see what's going on from all sorts of different points of view. This story is especially interesting because it's from the point of view of the generally accepted bad guy, though of course he's not as bad as people make him out to be.
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jmkemp's review against another edition
4.0
The sixth weekly instalment of this story. This one introduces a new perspective on the events while still maintaining the continuity. There is a really compelling story building here, and I wish it wasn't due in several more weekly instalments. I want to know what happens sooner than that!
roadtripreader's review
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
You get a BrainPal! And You get a BrainPal! Everybody gets - no. Nope. Not true. Urrghh thats the thing with future tech - it's all hurry up and imagine this was real and then it's hurry up and wait for plausible "today" tech to merge with fantastical tech and mad scientist/inventor in order to become a reality.
But; I'm not losing hope. I shall have a BrainPal every time I open one of these short stories and then I'll graduate to Old Man's War series. BrainPals for everyone!
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Ah yes, feels like just yesterday Wilson was dealing with "fake earthlings", the Cubs centuries drought in the World Series finally ending and just being an all round standup CDF dude - with a BrainPal in his skull. Okay okay I'll shut up about the BrainPal. NOT.
Anyway - none of that happens here. We are finally inside the Conclave. About damn time - I was getting curious about this Big Bad on the other side of the galaxy.
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Politics and Beauracracy is well, politics and beaurcracy regardless of the species behind the desk. Having just spent time unravelling a plot by Rigney and Egan in the Colonial Union - the Conclave Alien species own plots and ploys seemed so familiar I forgot they were alien until they mentioned eradicating the human race and then I was like ... well yeah we are a bit of a plague arent we? But no, no eradication just yet.
Sorvalh and Gau are the Rigney and Egan of the Conclave.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Gau and Sorvalh talk turkey.
"The real question is not whether the humans—the Colonial Union—could attack and possibly destroy the Conclave, if pressed. The real question is why they haven’t tried to do it since Roanoke.”
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“ “The humans know they are in a bad position, Hafte. They are dangerous animals on the best of days. Poking at them right now is going to go poorly for everyone involved.” (Gau on Sorvalh next task)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Conclave, a federation of 400 races/species
■BrainPal. Brain Pal. Brain. Pal.
■ Wildcat colonies are baaaack! This is no bueno.
■ Humans as the galaxy's main colonizing sociopath🤷🏻♀️
■CDF humans, Green and young all over again.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025
But; I'm not losing hope. I shall have a BrainPal every time I open one of these short stories and then I'll graduate to Old Man's War series. BrainPals for everyone!
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Ah yes, feels like just yesterday Wilson was dealing with "fake earthlings", the Cubs centuries drought in the World Series finally ending and just being an all round standup CDF dude - with a BrainPal in his skull. Okay okay I'll shut up about the BrainPal. NOT.
Anyway - none of that happens here. We are finally inside the Conclave. About damn time - I was getting curious about this Big Bad on the other side of the galaxy.
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Politics and Beauracracy is well, politics and beaurcracy regardless of the species behind the desk. Having just spent time unravelling a plot by Rigney and Egan in the Colonial Union - the Conclave Alien species own plots and ploys seemed so familiar I forgot they were alien until they mentioned eradicating the human race and then I was like ... well yeah we are a bit of a plague arent we? But no, no eradication just yet.
Sorvalh and Gau are the Rigney and Egan of the Conclave.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Gau and Sorvalh talk turkey.
"The real question is not whether the humans—the Colonial Union—could attack and possibly destroy the Conclave, if pressed. The real question is why they haven’t tried to do it since Roanoke.”
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“ “The humans know they are in a bad position, Hafte. They are dangerous animals on the best of days. Poking at them right now is going to go poorly for everyone involved.” (Gau on Sorvalh next task)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Conclave, a federation of 400 races/species
■BrainPal. Brain Pal. Brain. Pal.
■ Wildcat colonies are baaaack! This is no bueno.
■ Humans as the galaxy's main colonizing sociopath🤷🏻♀️
■CDF humans, Green and young all over again.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
3.0
Almost half way through Scalzi's 13 episode tale. It feels like a t.v. show where each episode has a different POV, a different style, a different purpose. Very cool.
This one takes us to the POV of the Conclave and it's nice to remember that both the good guys in a book and the bad guys both believe they are right if you look at things from their point of view.
Bring on the next one - this is good stuff.
This one takes us to the POV of the Conclave and it's nice to remember that both the good guys in a book and the bad guys both believe they are right if you look at things from their point of view.
Bring on the next one - this is good stuff.
preiman790's review against another edition
4.0
Finally an episode that feels a bit more like a part of something than a contained story. Well almost anyway. It still felt everything had to be nice and resolved by the last page. My biggest fear for the human division is that even when it is all grouped together it still will not feel like one book. But this installment was fun and did much to reassure me that at the very least, my weekly short stories will remain enjoyable.
scamp1234's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid outing for this sixth installment from John Scalzi. Each episode intrigues me more as I learn this universe. Can't wait to start the older books, but keeping it slow and steady and waiting for the seventh one this week.
argent_'s review against another edition
5.0
Finally an alien viewpoint! That alone merits 4 stars, but the story was also really solid, so 5 it is. I now want a General Gau book.
nharkins's review against another edition
2.0
Really having trouble with the weak premise established in episode #3: that a piece of "military"(i.e. informational, NOT a munition) technology, which is conceivable today, simply being present at a civilian settlement in the far future is actually conclusive of military involvement. It's your world, John, but please try to *convince* us it could happen. We read a bunch of shit every year, we don't re-read your novels. *Explain* how the CU keeps their very desirable technology from leaking out via black markets for many lifetimes, such that other races not in frequent communication with the CU and earth know that these policies are "impossible" to circumvent.
jameskemp's review
4.0
The sixth weekly instalment of this story. This one introduces a new perspective on the events while still maintaining the continuity. There is a really compelling story building here, and I wish it wasn't due in several more weekly instalments. I want to know what happens sooner than that!