Reviews

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

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adam_weasel's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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? No

5.0

larry1138's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted 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? No

4.5

The only John Scalzi book I have read to date is his classic military sci fi title Old Man's War, which was great. However, I've consistently seen Scalzi's books on bookstore shelves and in his modern works he has gone the fun route with it. I was lucky enough to go to a panel at the National Book Festival in 2023 featuring Scalzi, and got to get this very book autographed by him.

That panel convinced me, even more than Old Man's War, that this is an author I must keep a close eye on. And now that National Book Festival 2024 is closed, apparently I have subconsciously decided to read this book I got the previous year. And wow was it fun.

Scalzi's note in the back of the book indicates why. This was a book that was written after the worst year on Earth: 2020. He needed a lighthearted and fun adventure. He made the determination that maybe his readers did. And it shows. The Kaiju Preservation Society is an incredibly lighthearted and easy science fiction book to read, with decently nerdy humor and wit, and finishable within a few high-focus hours.

The concepts and actual science of the Kaiju world are interesting if a little vague, but the science part isn't the focus of this book. It's the characters, and their excitement at the discovery of the kaiju world, and the threat that humanity poses to these giant creatures. It's fun, it's pretty funny, it's interesting, and it feels good to read, which is honestly a feeling I don't get too often.

A very high recommend if you're in the mood for a quick and lighthearted sci fi read!