Reviews

Geisterbrigaden by Bernhard Kempen, John Scalzi

theycallmespinthia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

3.5

lauren_h's review against another edition

3.0

This follow-up to Old Man's War left me disappointed. I thoroughly enjoyed Old Man's War so I went into this book with high hopes, and looking forward to a continuation of the story. Instead, it was almost an entirely different story. Same world and ideas, but we follow a new characters point of view. We also get to know Jane a bit more who we met in the first book but she barely makes any reference to the events of the previous book which left it feeling disconnected. On top of it all, I didn't think this story was very good. The first book was intriguing in it's concepts and the "science" behind them but it still kept it simple enough to enjoy. This book was very heavy with complicated scientific ideas (none of which are real) and felt like I needed a master's degree to understand the concepts. Science Fiction is exactly that... fiction. It doesn't need to be completely realistic, that's why it's fun to read... because impossible ideas are presented in a way that makes you wish they were possible. Here, it felt like the author was trying to convince you that these ideas were in fact possible and he's so smart for having figured it all out. I will probably read the next book because the way this book ended it seems we will be reunited with the characters from the first book and I'm hoping that means it will be as interesting and entertaining as the first book.

archiegitdog's review against another edition

3.0

Its all too 'nice' at the end. I have given up with the series....well maybe until a few years time

meimayy's review against another edition

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed following the special forces, and discovering their complexities and humanity. The start doesn't ease you in like the first book, but the end more than makes up for it! 

the_dave_harmon's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

stormblessed4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

rcheng99's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

3.75

I can't really explain it but while reading this I felt like I was reading a historical drama writing of the events. What I mean by this is that it felt like events in the book were described as they happened, there wasn't much urgency or drama to the events. However this didn't take away my enjoyment from the novel. 

I enjoyed the total recall esque premise. I enjoyed other supporting characters and the background drama of the alien wars. 

I did have an issue with antagonist of the book though. I thought their views were quite justified however their actions felt quite forced. What I mean is that it felt like it was character does evil things so you don't fully support his views fully. There are some things that just made go huh? But its a minor thing overall 

The book was overall enjoyable. Casual reading and something I will of course continue to read. 

I would rate it a light 4, closer to a 3

pezpirola's review against another edition

3.0

Peor que el primero, último 15% muy disfrutón pero no lo suficiente para las 4 estrellas. 3.5.

flrnz's review against another edition

4.0

Mit einen neuen Protagonisten ist Teil 2 eine indirekte Fortsetzung des ersten Teils. Der R. A. Heinlein Einfluss ist noch da, aber nicht mehr so extrem Starship Trooper'esque wie in Old Man's War.

Zwar erfährt man viel über die titelgebene Geisterbrigade - wie sie leben, was sie ausmacht und was sie von regulären Klonsoldaten unterscheidet (Im Endeffekt sind sie die X-Men in Scalzi's Kolonial Space Opera) - mir fehlte aber etwas die Exposition des ersten Teils, da die Geschichte etwas fokussierter ist und weniger zwischen Subplots das Universum erweitern.

Und was mich etwas gestört hat: Es tauchen einige ausserirdische Wesen auf. Bei diesen wird auf Geschichte und Wesen eingegangen, aber irgendwie wird nie erwähnt wie sie eigentlich aussehen. Was soll das?

Randnotiz: Außerdem dachte ich bislang dass es sich hier um eine Trilogie handelt, fand aber raus dass es insgesamt 6 Bücher sind. Ich hoffe wirklich dass diese Reihe auch über 6 Bücher spannend bleibt.

taqor's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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