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sakisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? No
4.0
So I famously do not read sci-fi, because I find I get bored quite easily of it, but a friend who LOVES it put me onto this book 🪄 I’m so glad she did!
The drama and the humour kept the energy real and I loved most of the characters ❤️ Niamh was giving me such good vibes; I’d definitely like to meet someone like them 😂
I KNEW Rob Sanders was a dick, but I did feel tense about how he was going to make his entrance again! 🫠
I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars, thank you ✨
The drama and the humour kept the energy real and I loved most of the characters ❤️ Niamh was giving me such good vibes; I’d definitely like to meet someone like them 😂
I’m giving this 4 out of 5 stars, thank you ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Sadly, not much Kaiju featured here :')
I'm glad to find my first TOP READ 2024 with The Kaiju Preservation Society, also the first Scalzi's work that I'd read. KPS is pretty much stand alone, but I don't mind if in the future Scalzi decide to write more story in the Kaiju Earth, the alternative of Earth that have kaiju roaming here and there. Anyway, if you think this book will be like Pacific Rim with "WE ARE CANCELLING THE APOCALPSE" ala Marshal Stacker Pentecost, then you will be disappointed. We talk about preservation here, so the main focus of the story is of course, preserve them. Why tho? You will need to find it out in the book. Read it people!
In his Author's note, Scalzi said that KPS is a pop song, with some catchy tunes. That's why despite the book genre is science fiction, genre that I tend to avoid and prefer fantasy instead, I still having fun and a blast while reading it. Sure, there are some explanation about Kaiju biology and ecological system, square-cube laws (physics law. I FREAKIN HATE PHYSICS!!), , nuclear reactor, chemicals to use to avoid the predators and the kaiju as well, the possibility of multiverse (!!), interdimensional barrier, etcetra etcetra that sometimes make my mind boggling and my head spinning. But the way Scalzi present it with adding some humor and I think he try to not being a text book here, is what make me can enjoy it. Basically, KPS is more like Jurassic Park, but instead the ever famous T-Rex or Velociraptor, we get Kaijus! And not the genetically engineered kind ones.
One of the strength of this book is of course the characters itself. Told from our hero's 1st PoV, Jamie Gray, we will be introduced to so many wonderful characters. While Jamie is truly a zero to hero and nerd to the core, sometimes become a center of the attention, I liked that Scalzi also give some scenes to other characters as well. Make them more fleshed out, make me want to care for them and want to be BFF with them. The joke of this book is of course, everybody in the Gold Team of Tanaka Base are doctorate, including the team leader and the copter pilot, while Jamie failed his doctorate and end up fired by his asshole CEO. But, again, Jamie just shrug of that, and become what he best at, lifting things! His dry humor, sarcasm and witty remarks is a delight to read and combined with the bantering between his group of newbies, Aparna, Kahurangi and Niamh is the spotlight of the story. Beside Jamie, I liked Niamh the most. They have a rage issues and didn't hesitant to cuss and being angry all the time. The second is Martin Satie, the pilot. He is a cool person with also a cool position that make sense a lot after what happen when Sanders (Jamie's asshole CEO) try to bought him and Satie didn't hesitate throw him out from the copter if Sanders didn't shut up. Another is Tom Stevens, since he's the person who get Jamie a job in KPS. He's a nice person to be friends with andI hate with what happen to him! :'(
Like I said before, for a novel with Kaiju on the title, the appearance of the Kaiju is not that much. Only 4 in total, and one of them, Bella, is the main focus of the story. No, don't ask me why they name kaiju with a name taken from Twilight, you must READ it, lol. The kaijus itself are not like those portrayed in Pacific Rim, but more like in the Godzilla. Meaning, they mostly keeping to themselves rather than decide that humans is the snack. But that didn't mean there's no danger, since there also predators and the Kaiju parasites that didn't hesitant to add human into their menus. The climax of the story pretty much Hollywood-esque with the motive of the villain is easy to predict. Still fun to read, but yes, not that hard to guess the motive behind those greedy people. Since the setting of KPS was in pandemic, I think you might proceed with caution if pandemic is a triggering thing, because I know that COVID-19 is still there and the pain of the pandemic caused is still fresh. This book also filled with Scalzi's views toward the USA's presidential elections and his criticism toward the government but without too much "in your face."
If you like your science fiction with some humor and witty dialogue like The Martian (I watch the movie with Matt Damon on it); love anything Kaiju (Pacific Rim is one of the best movie all the time. The sequel is rubbish, sue me!), The Kaiju Preservation Society might right up to your alley!!
I'm glad to find my first TOP READ 2024 with The Kaiju Preservation Society, also the first Scalzi's work that I'd read. KPS is pretty much stand alone, but I don't mind if in the future Scalzi decide to write more story in the Kaiju Earth, the alternative of Earth that have kaiju roaming here and there. Anyway, if you think this book will be like Pacific Rim with "WE ARE CANCELLING THE APOCALPSE" ala Marshal Stacker Pentecost, then you will be disappointed. We talk about preservation here, so the main focus of the story is of course, preserve them. Why tho? You will need to find it out in the book. Read it people!
In his Author's note, Scalzi said that KPS is a pop song, with some catchy tunes. That's why despite the book genre is science fiction, genre that I tend to avoid and prefer fantasy instead, I still having fun and a blast while reading it. Sure, there are some explanation about Kaiju biology and ecological system, square-cube laws (physics law. I FREAKIN HATE PHYSICS!!), , nuclear reactor, chemicals to use to avoid the predators and the kaiju as well, the possibility of multiverse (!!), interdimensional barrier, etcetra etcetra that sometimes make my mind boggling and my head spinning. But the way Scalzi present it with adding some humor and I think he try to not being a text book here, is what make me can enjoy it. Basically, KPS is more like Jurassic Park, but instead the ever famous T-Rex or Velociraptor, we get Kaijus! And not the genetically engineered kind ones.
One of the strength of this book is of course the characters itself. Told from our hero's 1st PoV, Jamie Gray, we will be introduced to so many wonderful characters. While Jamie is truly a zero to hero and nerd to the core, sometimes become a center of the attention, I liked that Scalzi also give some scenes to other characters as well. Make them more fleshed out, make me want to care for them and want to be BFF with them. The joke of this book is of course, everybody in the Gold Team of Tanaka Base are doctorate, including the team leader and the copter pilot, while Jamie failed his doctorate and end up fired by his asshole CEO. But, again, Jamie just shrug of that, and become what he best at, lifting things! His dry humor, sarcasm and witty remarks is a delight to read and combined with the bantering between his group of newbies, Aparna, Kahurangi and Niamh is the spotlight of the story. Beside Jamie, I liked Niamh the most. They have a rage issues and didn't hesitant to cuss and being angry all the time. The second is Martin Satie, the pilot. He is a cool person with also a cool position that make sense a lot after what happen when Sanders (Jamie's asshole CEO) try to bought him and Satie didn't hesitate throw him out from the copter if Sanders didn't shut up. Another is Tom Stevens, since he's the person who get Jamie a job in KPS. He's a nice person to be friends with and
Like I said before, for a novel with Kaiju on the title, the appearance of the Kaiju is not that much. Only 4 in total, and one of them, Bella, is the main focus of the story. No, don't ask me why they name kaiju with a name taken from Twilight, you must READ it, lol. The kaijus itself are not like those portrayed in Pacific Rim, but more like in the Godzilla. Meaning, they mostly keeping to themselves rather than decide that humans is the snack. But that didn't mean there's no danger, since there also predators and the Kaiju parasites that didn't hesitant to add human into their menus. The climax of the story pretty much Hollywood-esque with the motive of the villain is easy to predict. Still fun to read, but yes, not that hard to guess the motive behind those greedy people. Since the setting of KPS was in pandemic, I think you might proceed with caution if pandemic is a triggering thing, because I know that COVID-19 is still there and the pain of the pandemic caused is still fresh. This book also filled with Scalzi's views toward the USA's presidential elections and his criticism toward the government but without too much "in your face."
If you like your science fiction with some humor and witty dialogue like The Martian (I watch the movie with Matt Damon on it); love anything Kaiju (Pacific Rim is one of the best movie all the time. The sequel is rubbish, sue me!), The Kaiju Preservation Society might right up to your alley!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Deadnaming
itsbrianascall's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Violence
callmekt's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
It's a Scalzi book so it's got its usual Scalzi components: competent people, assholes getting called out, an attempt at a narrator of indeterminate gender, funny bits, a lot of dialogue, and lots of exposition happening in the dialogue.
That said, it's a fun romp and adventure. Reads like it would make a killer screen adaptation. Hollywood, please produce this.
That said, it's a fun romp and adventure. Reads like it would make a killer screen adaptation. Hollywood, please produce this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Violence, Animal death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Murder, Death, and Animal cruelty
devynreadsnovels's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Murder, Colonisation, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Death
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Animal death, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
jennifox's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Alcohol
billievee's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was not for me. The style of humor here reminded me of the Big Bang Theory and the MCU movies: scientists making nonstop pop culture references and sarcastic, lampshade-y quips; I kept expecting someone to say "Um, so, THAT just happened!" The world building is cool, but that's basically most of the novel. The plot doesn't really take off until the third act, and even then it's pretty thin and goes in predictable directions.
Having said that, the author's note at the end did resonate with me. It sounds like this was the novel John Scalzi needed to write at the height of the pandemic, and that it was healing for him. I can relate to that, and I'm happy this worked for him. I guess it just wasn't the novel I needed to read right now.
Having said that, the author's note at the end did resonate with me. It sounds like this was the novel John Scalzi needed to write at the height of the pandemic, and that it was healing for him. I can relate to that, and I'm happy this worked for him. I guess it just wasn't the novel I needed to read right now.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Torture
jhbandcats's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another John Scalzi novel and I absolutely loved it. Both this and Starter Villain are just SO funny and refreshing and entertaining and charming. I can’t recommend these two books highly enough.
The lead was the only fully developed character but the plot was so compelling that that didn’t matter. We learned enough about the other people where the lack of character development didn’t detract from the story but allowed more development of the setting and the kaiju.
The encounters with the creatures are tense and often terrifying; even the smallest animals are potentially deadly. But those adventures are also wildly funny, especially the initial helicopter trip with the pheromones. The calmer periods in between the field work are full of laughter and jokes and camaraderie, and I would love to read more about these people. They were smart and fascinating and easygoing and fun.
I loved the revolting descriptions of the kaiju and their smells, their Rottweiler-sized parasites, and all the other fauna, plus all the scientific talk that supported the plot. It was just a delightful book.
The lead was the only fully developed character but the plot was so compelling that that didn’t matter. We learned enough about the other people where the lack of character development didn’t detract from the story but allowed more development of the setting and the kaiju.
The encounters with the creatures are tense and often terrifying; even the smallest animals are potentially deadly. But those adventures are also wildly funny, especially the initial helicopter trip with the pheromones. The calmer periods in between the field work are full of laughter and jokes and camaraderie, and I would love to read more about these people. They were smart and fascinating and easygoing and fun.
I loved the revolting descriptions of the kaiju and their smells, their Rottweiler-sized parasites, and all the other fauna, plus all the scientific talk that supported the plot. It was just a delightful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
athryn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was great, I devoured it in one day, almost in one sitting! To be fair, I was camping, so there wasn't much to distract me, but this was a great light read.
Scalzi is definitely back to form after the somewhat disappointing Interdependency series. This had some great fantasy/wish fulfillment going on. I could kind of see this getting turned into a film or a TV series.
Scalzi is definitely back to form after the somewhat disappointing Interdependency series. This had some great fantasy/wish fulfillment going on. I could kind of see this getting turned into a film or a TV series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Blood, Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Gun violence, Body horror, Cursing, and Violence