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jacsu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a very interesting idea. When you hit 75 you can join the Colonial Defense Forces (outer space military) and they, theoretically, make you young again. Of course, there’s always more to it than that. The main character gets thrown into situations that he’s both very prepared for in one way but totally unprepared for in others. The relationships, mainly friendships, are interesting and I loved following the main group of old people in the novel. There were some unexpected moments, including what’s actually going on with the CDF and the soldiers in the main infantry and the special forces. There’s humor throughout and I found Scalzi’s writing style to be enjoyable.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Medical content, and War
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Chronic illness, Fatphobia, Genocide, Infidelity, Grief, Alcohol, and Colonisation
iono's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-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
3.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Xenophobia, Blood, and Medical content
Minor: Body horror, Cancer, Infertility, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
its_kievan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
A very dark military sci-fi book that’s strangely uninterested in questions of morality. The main character literally commits war crimes against various aliens, and even discusses the fact that humankind has basically gone to war with every other civilization in the galaxy just because we can, but it’s kind of… shrugged away? There’s a character who’s planning to become a military leader and then end the wars, but she later dies and it’s really not discussed any further. It’s a good book, but I wish it was a bit more thoughtful.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Colonisation
Minor: Cancer, Infertility, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Alcohol