amjohn63's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
chris_nz's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the first book in this series but some of the later Scalzi stuff I’ve read is a bit too.. light and fluffy.. for my taste. I wanted to finish this series because I’m a completionist, but i was surprised that I really enjoyed this. It’s a quick read but with some interesting ideas in it. Good stuff!
thebradking's review against another edition
5.0
So, the first thing you need to know about [b:The Ghost Brigades|239399|The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, #2)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1403295928l/239399._SY75_.jpg|18279845]—book two in the Old Man's War series—is that it's [b:The Empire Strikes Back|77111|The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars Novelizations, #5)|Donald F. Glut|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1335122639l/77111._SY75_.jpg|2512960] crossed with [b:Star Wars: Rogue One Adaptation|36686737|Star Wars Rogue One Adaptation|Jody Houser|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511990065l/36686737._SY75_.jpg|56085653].
I was initially off-put that the series moved away from John Perry, the protagonist of the first book, but Scalzi's choice was correct. (I did have to tell myself to hang in there because I wanted more Perry. However, I'm a writer and I know books aren't about what the reader wants, they are about the story the author wants to tell.)
The story delves into the Special Forces, a group briefly touched upon in [b:Old Man's War|51964|Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487044882l/51964._SY75_.jpg|50700]. This construct served as a way to delve deeper into the the "enemy" of the Colonial Defense Force while also building on the galaxy [a:John Scalzi|4763|John Scalzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg] set up in the first book.
This story felt more complete than Old Man's War, in part because the story world was already built (and thus this isn't a criticism) and in part because the several of the main characters—and one of the alien races—become integral to the next two books, which tell the same story through two very different point-of-view lenses.
I was initially off-put that the series moved away from John Perry, the protagonist of the first book, but Scalzi's choice was correct. (I did have to tell myself to hang in there because I wanted more Perry. However, I'm a writer and I know books aren't about what the reader wants, they are about the story the author wants to tell.)
The story delves into the Special Forces, a group briefly touched upon in [b:Old Man's War|51964|Old Man's War (Old Man's War, #1)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1487044882l/51964._SY75_.jpg|50700]. This construct served as a way to delve deeper into the the "enemy" of the Colonial Defense Force while also building on the galaxy [a:John Scalzi|4763|John Scalzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg] set up in the first book.
This story felt more complete than Old Man's War, in part because the story world was already built (and thus this isn't a criticism) and in part because the several of the main characters—and one of the alien races—become integral to the next two books, which tell the same story through two very different point-of-view lenses.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
5.0
Old Man's War was my recent discovery that put John Scalzi on my favorites list. When the time has come to read the second book by the same author + a sequel to the series I love, I was a bit scared. I was hoping that it will be good, but you can never be sure, right?
Well, i am happy to report that The Ghost Brigades was even better than Old Man's War. It was more mature, the elements were spread out trough the whole book: humor, friendship, war, love, geeky science.
Except for one time in the middle when John Scalzi did a little info dump on alien cultures, I was constantly entertained. There are so many funny moments I wish to retell to my husband and the restraint it takes not to spoil anything is killing me. (I hope he reads this series soon so we can chat more about it... )
If you wanted to learn more about Special Forces aka. Ghost Brigades, this is your chance. Don't miss it!
Well, i am happy to report that The Ghost Brigades was even better than Old Man's War. It was more mature, the elements were spread out trough the whole book: humor, friendship, war, love, geeky science.
Except for one time in the middle when John Scalzi did a little info dump on alien cultures, I was constantly entertained. There are so many funny moments I wish to retell to my husband and the restraint it takes not to spoil anything is killing me. (I hope he reads this series soon so we can chat more about it... )
If you wanted to learn more about Special Forces aka. Ghost Brigades, this is your chance. Don't miss it!
ugnis13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ausieyank72's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
aetx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
relaxing
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
4.5
donaidh_camshron's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dkragick's review against another edition
3.0
A fun read. Time is spent trying to describe a lot of theory that might be better used on the story, but I have faith the full cycle will be worth it.