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justinbaumann71 's review for:
Old Man's War
by John Scalzi
fast-paced
Old Man’s War is the sixth novel I’ve read by John Scalzi, and it solidifies him as one of my favorite authors. It’s been fascinating to work backward through his bibliography, starting with his modern releases and diving into earlier works like this one. You can see the evolution of his style, with traces of the humor, sharp dialogue, and thematic exploration that define his more recent novels.
The premise of *Old Man’s War* is fantastic. The story follows John Perry, a 75-year-old man who, like many others in this future society, volunteers for the Colonial Defense Forces after living a full life on Earth. The CDF recruits senior citizens, transferring their consciousness into enhanced, younger bodies to fight in an intergalactic war for humanity’s survival. The first third of the book explores this concept with great curiosity and energy, delving into what it means to start a second life as a soldier after leaving everything familiar behind. The tension between old age and new bodies gives the book a fresh twist on traditional military science fiction.
One of the major themes of the book is colonization. Humanity isn’t just fighting alien species for resources; they’re fighting for habitable planets. Scalzi explores the complexities of colonization with nuance, hinting at broader questions about the ethics of expansion, survival, and what humanity is willing to sacrifice for progress. It’s a recurring motif that adds depth to the action-heavy plot.
I also found myself genuinely enjoying the characters, even the minor ones who aren’t around for long. Scalzi has a knack for making brief appearances feel impactful, often giving side characters memorable exits that resonate within the larger narrative. John Perry, the protagonist, is easy to root for, and his camaraderie with his fellow recruits is one of the highlights of the book.
The world-building is another strong point. Scalzi doesn’t bog the reader down with info dumps but steadily builds the rules and lore of this futuristic universe. I’m excited to see how these elements unfold in later books, though I’m curious about Perry’s role moving forward. Based on the description for *The Ghost Brigades* (the next book in the series), he might not be as central, which only heightens my interest.
If I had to point out a flaw, it would be the plot armor surrounding Perry. There’s a major event about 60% into the book where Perry miraculously survives despite seemingly impossible odds. While I understand the need for him to remain the focal point, it felt a bit too convenient, especially considering how dangerous and unpredictable the rest of the book can be. Additionally, there’s an earlier moment where Perry uses his weapon in a "clever" way, but it’s hard to believe that no one in this advanced military had thought of this before him. These moments gave the story a bit of a "Mary Sue" vibe, which took away some of the stakes for me.
Overall, though, *Old Man’s War* is a highly entertaining read that blends action, humor, and thought-provoking themes. It’s a testament to Scalzi’s talent that, even with some minor issues, I couldn’t put the book down. While it wasn’t a perfect five-star read for me, it’s certainly close and left me eager to dive into the rest of the series.
The premise of *Old Man’s War* is fantastic. The story follows John Perry, a 75-year-old man who, like many others in this future society, volunteers for the Colonial Defense Forces after living a full life on Earth. The CDF recruits senior citizens, transferring their consciousness into enhanced, younger bodies to fight in an intergalactic war for humanity’s survival. The first third of the book explores this concept with great curiosity and energy, delving into what it means to start a second life as a soldier after leaving everything familiar behind. The tension between old age and new bodies gives the book a fresh twist on traditional military science fiction.
One of the major themes of the book is colonization. Humanity isn’t just fighting alien species for resources; they’re fighting for habitable planets. Scalzi explores the complexities of colonization with nuance, hinting at broader questions about the ethics of expansion, survival, and what humanity is willing to sacrifice for progress. It’s a recurring motif that adds depth to the action-heavy plot.
I also found myself genuinely enjoying the characters, even the minor ones who aren’t around for long. Scalzi has a knack for making brief appearances feel impactful, often giving side characters memorable exits that resonate within the larger narrative. John Perry, the protagonist, is easy to root for, and his camaraderie with his fellow recruits is one of the highlights of the book.
The world-building is another strong point. Scalzi doesn’t bog the reader down with info dumps but steadily builds the rules and lore of this futuristic universe. I’m excited to see how these elements unfold in later books, though I’m curious about Perry’s role moving forward. Based on the description for *The Ghost Brigades* (the next book in the series), he might not be as central, which only heightens my interest.
If I had to point out a flaw, it would be the plot armor surrounding Perry. There’s a major event about 60% into the book where Perry miraculously survives despite seemingly impossible odds. While I understand the need for him to remain the focal point, it felt a bit too convenient, especially considering how dangerous and unpredictable the rest of the book can be. Additionally, there’s an earlier moment where Perry uses his weapon in a "clever" way, but it’s hard to believe that no one in this advanced military had thought of this before him. These moments gave the story a bit of a "Mary Sue" vibe, which took away some of the stakes for me.
Overall, though, *Old Man’s War* is a highly entertaining read that blends action, humor, and thought-provoking themes. It’s a testament to Scalzi’s talent that, even with some minor issues, I couldn’t put the book down. While it wasn’t a perfect five-star read for me, it’s certainly close and left me eager to dive into the rest of the series.