amjohn63's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
Wonderful as always. An emotional investment, to be sure, but worth every moment. As I've come to expect from this series, there was conflict-based violence, loss that can't be taken back, but it makes for a more poignant message. And there are laughs. The banter is just as well crafted as the ethical debates or strategic planning. Happy about this arc's ending, excited to continue in the series, see what's next in this universe.
feoh's review against another edition
5.0
Like many of my favorite authors, John Scalzi's writing has a certain quality about it - it flows, it sings, and most of all it knows when to laugh at itself and make YOU laugh at the characters without distracting in any way from the power and intensity of the plot.
This book is the third volume in the Old Man's War universe and does not disappoint. If anything I find myself becoming more and more enamored with these characters as they deepen in complexity.
As with any true science fiction worth its salt, this book explores some of the essential bits about what it is to be human by virtue of introducing a number of very decidedly non human characters, and Scalzi shows his true colors as a top shelf writer by doing so subtly and in the service of telling his intense, intrigue filled and witty story.
I became a huge fan upon reading Old Man's War and this book has affirmed the rightness of that choice. Highly recommended.
This book is the third volume in the Old Man's War universe and does not disappoint. If anything I find myself becoming more and more enamored with these characters as they deepen in complexity.
As with any true science fiction worth its salt, this book explores some of the essential bits about what it is to be human by virtue of introducing a number of very decidedly non human characters, and Scalzi shows his true colors as a top shelf writer by doing so subtly and in the service of telling his intense, intrigue filled and witty story.
I became a huge fan upon reading Old Man's War and this book has affirmed the rightness of that choice. Highly recommended.
thebradking's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Last Colony|88071|The Last Colony (Old Man's War, #3)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1437660786l/88071._SY75_.jpg|18279847] is when [a:John Scalzi|4763|John Scalzi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562613145p2/4763.jpg] ramps up the geo-political intrigue in his Old Man's War galaxy. And, he does that by bringing back John Perry, the protagonist from [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].
I won't lie, I was happy to have him back. Since he was the first character we met in this series, I enjoyed the anchor of his return. Added to that, he was with two of the characters from [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]. All in all, it felt like the band was back together.
This story of galactic intrigue and war wasn't told on a cosmic scale. Instead, Scalzi scaled back the story, placing us on a single colony, Roanoke (a bit too on the nose if you know its history), and then taking time to explore the dynamics of colonists living on the front lines of an amorphous war.
The plot puts us at the fulcrum between the Colonial Defense Force and its expansionist ways and the Conclave, a collective of worlds trying to reduce the violence of interstellar colonization. We see Perry, his partner Jane Sagan, and their adoptive daughter Zoe working to navigate a war that is no longer theirs to fight.
One note: book three and book four are companions. The Last Colony has plot holes galore. Until you read [b:Zoe's Tale|2102600|Zoe's Tale (Old Man's War, #4)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1301108028l/2102600._SX50_.jpg|18280032]. So, dear reader, be warned. Don't mutter under your breath about deus ex machina. It's all explained in the next book.
I won't lie, I was happy to have him back. Since he was the first character we met in this series, I enjoyed the anchor of his return. Added to that, he was with two of the characters from [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]. All in all, it felt like the band was back together.
This story of galactic intrigue and war wasn't told on a cosmic scale. Instead, Scalzi scaled back the story, placing us on a single colony, Roanoke (a bit too on the nose if you know its history), and then taking time to explore the dynamics of colonists living on the front lines of an amorphous war.
The plot puts us at the fulcrum between the Colonial Defense Force and its expansionist ways and the Conclave, a collective of worlds trying to reduce the violence of interstellar colonization. We see Perry, his partner Jane Sagan, and their adoptive daughter Zoe working to navigate a war that is no longer theirs to fight.
One note: book three and book four are companions. The Last Colony has plot holes galore. Until you read [b:Zoe's Tale|2102600|Zoe's Tale (Old Man's War, #4)|John Scalzi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1301108028l/2102600._SX50_.jpg|18280032]. So, dear reader, be warned. Don't mutter under your breath about deus ex machina. It's all explained in the next book.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
John Scalzi with 'Old Man's War' series earned himself a proud place on a list of my favorite authors. The Last Colony did not disappoint me. In fact, it might be my favorite in the series so far.
Likes:
+ While previous books were packed with a multitude of planets and various alien species, The Last Colony was more subdued. I liked it, because I learned much more about those aliens we do meet.
+ Masterful banter. My favorite was between John and Savirti (his assistant).
+ Humor woven into everything. For example: we have two bad-ass Odin aliens who are named Hickory and Dickory. This always made me smile.
+ Mysteries and conspiracies until the end. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, another layer of complications was revealed.
+ Balanced amount of action, adventure, mystery, exploration, humor and emotions.
+ Complex characters who you are going to love or hate or both.
Dislikes:
- None.
If you like sf, action and adventure, then my recommendation is to start reading 'Old Man's War' series right away. Don't let mentions of word military put you off, it's much more than that.
Likes:
+ While previous books were packed with a multitude of planets and various alien species, The Last Colony was more subdued. I liked it, because I learned much more about those aliens we do meet.
+ Masterful banter. My favorite was between John and Savirti (his assistant).
+ Humor woven into everything. For example: we have two bad-ass Odin aliens who are named Hickory and Dickory. This always made me smile.
+ Mysteries and conspiracies until the end. Every time I thought I knew what was going on, another layer of complications was revealed.
+ Balanced amount of action, adventure, mystery, exploration, humor and emotions.
+ Complex characters who you are going to love or hate or both.
Dislikes:
- None.
If you like sf, action and adventure, then my recommendation is to start reading 'Old Man's War' series right away. Don't let mentions of word military put you off, it's much more than that.
dkragick's review against another edition
4.0
I am enjoying this series quite a bit. It's great escapist fun.
charlibirb's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! Super fun. Will be more detailed when I get to the end of the series.
the_kooky_monster's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
3.0