The Ghost Brigades
by John Scalzi
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Book Reviews of The Ghost Brigades
Book Review: A solid, simple read
Summary: 4 Stars
I think that the world created by John Scalzi in this book has a lot of potential. I did not realize when I picked it up that it was actually the second one that he'd created in this universe (the first being "Old Man's War").
But I also felt that he didn't take advantage of the rich potential offered by the universe he'd created. There was really only one line through the novel and everybody and everything was dedicated to following that single thread to its conclusion. The protagonist (Jared Dirac) has a genetically-modified body that is detailed early on in the story but then is virtually ignored for the rest of the novel. Similarly, there are many characters introduced (his immediate commander, the various top brass folks) who hint at being very interesting and whose past and possible intrigues are not at all pursued. Maybe there is an intention to do so in later novels or these are elaborated upon in the earlier book but then there is no attempt to recap any of this in "The Ghost Brigades".
Further, the relationship dynamics (conflict between Jared and team mates, interactions between the "normal" people and the "Special Forces") are very simple with easy and final resolutions. It makes for a very comfortable read but a less richly textured story.
Finally, the story wrapped up very conveniently and neatly. Again, I felt, not taking advantage of the universe that has been conceived and is waiting for its potential to be seized upon. I tend to be a "happily ever after" kind of guy (too much Hollywood-style entertainment I suppose), but I realize that there are very few nice, neat certainties in the world, and certainly few situations where everybody's goals all line up so that everybody will be happy at the same time or for the same reason.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the book and the story immensely. I find Mr. Scalzi's presentation engaging and I loved his exploration into consciousness and trying to grapple with the realities, both technical and moral, presented by being able to transplant consciousness from one body to another and some of the implications of literally creating soldiers (slaves) and convincing them that servitude is a noble life goal. I will definitely be picking up his other offerings. But I will do so expecting a quick, easy read rather than an in-depth, complex narrative.
Book Review: Don't try to second guess an author.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is going to be my rule from now on with John Scalzi: Don't try to second guess an author. After all, it is his book, he is writing it, he decides where it should go and how it should get there. My job will be to read what he writes.
When I finished reading "Old Man's War" I figured that I would just slide right into "The Ghost Brigades" by taking up with Jane Sagan and John Perry as they set up housekeeping on a colony far, far away. Was I ever wrong. Wrong in a very good sense. John does not make an appearance in this novel, although he is spoken of. Jane made a short appearance in the beginning of this story but is very involved in the second part of the book. I learned so many interesting things about the actual creating of a soldier who will serve in the Ghost Brigades. Science fiction is rather new for me so at this point in my reading of this genre the story and the situations have to be explained to me in such a way as to make me understand and accept this alternative type of universe. John Scalzi is an author who does that for me in spades.
I became familiar with the Special Forces soldiers in the Colonial Defenses Forces in the previous book. This one introduces me to Jared Diac as a soldier I watch being created, mostly from the DNA of scientist Charles Boutin, to serve a specific purpose in the waring between the CDF and three of their alien race enemies. But Jared is different. Jared has been given a consciousness, memory transplanted into his brain in an effort to understand Charles Boutin who has turned traitor. If the transplant is successful the CDF might understand exactly how much danger they are facing and why that brilliant scientist became their worst nightmare.
I enjoyed this so much that now I am a true-blue John Scalzi fan. I'm going to get the remaining books which continue this series and probably anything else written by this man. I even laughed out loud while reading the acknowledgments in the back of the book. Scalzi sounds like the kind of person I would feel comfortable walking up to and starting a conversation with. But then, his novels sound just as imaginative and warm and witty and approachable too. I hope you choose to read this series of stories. I'm looking forward to my next adventure in this universe.
Book Review: Excellent - a thoroughly enjoyable read
Summary: 5 Stars
This is John Scalzi's second book, and a nominal sequel to his excellent "Old Man's War." It's not a sequel in the true sense - only a couple of characters from Old Man's War make it into this book, and they're only peripheral characters which could easily have been substituted for completely different characters without any effect on the storyline. However, it is recommended that one read Old Man's War first to get a sense of the universe Scalzi has created and some of the events within that universe which happened in Old Man's War, just prior to The Ghost Brigades. Just like Old Man's War, this is a fast-paced, highly entertaining read which should please any SF fan and would delight even most non-SF fans who simply enjoy a good read.
The Ghost Brigades is the story of the Colonial Defense Forces elite units - officially known as Special Forces, but informally known as the "Ghost Brigades." The nickname stems from the fact that all Special Forces soldiers are grown from the DNA of dead human beings. These soldiers are "born" as fully grown adults, but without any consciousness, sense of self, or life experience. Through a marvelous invention called a BrainPal, which is a supercomputer embedded in their brains, the infant soldiers of the SF are able to learn (and thus train for combat) at an astounding, exponential rate. Regular born humans naturally fear them as Frankenstein's monsters, but their extraordinary abilities give them, and they alone, the reflexes, coordination, teamwork, physical strength, and utter lack of fear which make possible the CDF's most difficult missions.
A new SF soldier, named Jared Dirac, is cloned from the DNA of a scientist who turned traitor, in the hope of quickly tracking down the traitor. However, the new soldier turns out to be apparently just another SF grunt, with his own personality and motivations. However, a series of memory-jolting experiences allow Jared to delve deeper and deeper into a conspiracy aimed at the destruction of mankind. Along the way, Jared fights aliens, knows love and loss, hate and fear, and ultimately finds redemption for himself and his clone parent.
This is an incredible read, and if his third book is as good as his first two, then Scalzi will have found himself another fan.
Book Review: Another Solid Performance
Summary: 5 Stars
Jared Dirac is a member of the Colonial Union's Special Forces. Being part of the SF makes him different from regular soldiers. Dirac was created, body and mind, like all SF soldiers, in a lab. But Dirac is different.....
Charles Boutin was a Colonial Union scientist working on some of the CU's most sensitive military research. His job was to study consciousness transfer. Now, shocking all those who knew him, Charles Boutin has faked his death and turned traitor against Humanity.
Jared Dirac is the body in which a recording of Charles Boutin's consciousness is -- unbeknownst to him -- emplaced in an attempt to determine why Boutin turned traitor. Now Dirac has been placed into Jane Sagan's platoon. Sagan knows exactly what Dirac is and must guide him into helping him retrieve the buried memories of Dirac's "mental clone"...even if it means that Dirac doesn't survive the process.
The Ghost Brigades is a solid, though marginally less stellar, sequel to Scalzi's Old Man's War. The idea of experimenting with the potential consequences of consciousness transfer is an interesting one and directly ties into Scalzi's apparent theme for the series: will and self-determination for soldiers who are trained -- or in this case designed -- to follow orders without fail. Scalzi's marvelous extrapolations of this theme (what would happen if someone had the mind of a traitor downloaded into their brain?) make up for a few points where the story seemed to drag a bit.
Along with all of the heavy -- but reasonably well-disguised -- philosophizing, The Ghost Brigades paints an interesting picture of what the future of warfare might be: nanotechnological applications (including orbital entry suits), supercomputers installed directly into the brain interconnecting all members of the squad to maximize performance on the battlefield, and a bunch of nifty weaponry all serve to make this tale a thoroughly engaging one. Ultimately, The Ghost Brigades falls slightly short of the extremely enthusiastic five stars of its predecessor, but is nonetheless highly recommended.
Book Review: The Ghost Brigades: Special
Summary: 5 Stars
Title: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
Pages: 343.
Time spent on the "to read" shelf: 0 days. I actually started reading it in the Barnes and Noble before I even bought it.
Days spent reading it: 2 days.
Why I read it: The Ghost Brigades is the sequel to Old Man's War, which I enjoyed thoroughly. So I picked this one up as well.
Brief review: John Scalzi has made it onto my sci-fi writers to watch out for list. After a fantastic debut with Old Man's War, I continued to be entertained and challenged with The Ghost Brigade.
The Ghost Brigade is the nick-name for the special forces side of the Colonial Defense Fleet. It is comprised of clones who are brought to life in adult bodies and completely sentient (well, mostly). This advanced cloning gives them unique physical qualities but also emotional limitations.
I loved how this book gave us more back story and insight into the universe that Scalzi created in Old Man's War. I felt there was a lot more fleshed out in this book as far as the overall universe. The story centers around a traitor to humanity who makes a copy of his mind before he fakes his own suicide. The book explores themes about the soul, conscience, identity, uniqueness, individuality, and the freedom of choice. Of course it does not skimp on the action and very witty dialogue that Scalzi will probably be well known for in the future.
John Scalzi is a great author, and he makes me laugh frequently. This is quality science fiction that is completely enthralling to read. I devoured this book as quickly as I could and would definitely recommend it (but I would rate it PG-13 or R on language alone).
Favorite quote: "Rationality is not one of humanity's strong points."
Stars: 5 out of 5.
Final Word: Special.