Zoe's Tale
by John Scalzi
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Book Reviews of Zoe's Tale
Book Review: Don't bother to read the advances or reviews
Summary: 5 Stars
I've got to admit, after many years of reading and re-reading the masters...I'm jaded.
After reading John Scalzi's "Old Man's War" I've grabbed every one of his books in the series. I don't have to read the reviews, advances or fly-leaf in order to know that I have high quality reading in my hand. I've ripped through every book and am currently hammering through "Zoe's Tale," laughing all the way.
Scalzi writes with a magnificent blend of wit, humor, empathy, sarcasm, touching emotion, humanity, brash and descriptive violence, as well as deep and peaceful reflection. Like all good books, (and no movies) we get to climb around inside the characters' skulls. Figuring out just WHY they do, what they do.
And despite the currently impossible future setting, the characters, story line, strategic and tactical aspects all hold together.
If it says "John Scalzi" on the cover. don't bother to read the flyleaf or reviews. You're holding a book from one of the new masters. Feel secure. Take the plunge, and just enjoy a ride that will transport you from HERE to THERE. Right up until you turn the last page...and open the next book...
Book Review: So this is what teenage girls go through!
Summary: 5 Stars
Yes, it's just a continuation of TLC (The Lost Colony) but it also reveals a few things that were Not in TLC or were glossed over, overall, a very good companion to TLC.
For me, this is just another example of John Scalzi's great writing ability, not just to write a interesting story but to have a "surprise" for you (don't tell me you figured out the ending in any of his previous books!), in addition, this is another example of this writers ability to create characters that you can feel and care for.
You could say this is a "chick story" and well, yes, since it's from the perspective of a female teenager and if you're a bit sexiest, you may not enjoy a "female" hero (get the book, read it and get over it)
Zoe's Tale also set's up a few continuation plots for Zoe or Jane or John Perry (or all three). I for one look forward to more books from this writer. Just enough character building, action, sensitivity without all the filler of preaching or grandstanding on some personal crusade.
For me, he is a rising star in the SCI-FI genre and we need some more then ever, the old "ones" are dying.
Book Review: Well written addition to the OMW universe
Summary: 5 Stars
John Scalzi's latest is an excellent addition to the 'Old Man's War' universe. If you haven't read any of the previous books, don't be afraid to jump right in with this one. It works just as well as a stand along novel and was written that way on purpose. Mr. Scalzi continues to impress me with each novel he releases. His writing style is quick, entertaining, and the characters really come alive for the reader.
Zoe's Tale takes place during the same events as 'The Last Colony' but from the perspective of a 16 year old girl. The bare bones of the story are that Zoe's parents are picked to lead a planetary colony. Adding to the risks of starting a colony from nothing, the colonists must also fear being attacked by other alien races that compete for any habitable planet. Not only are there lots of alien species in the universe, but they are all fighting over the same planets and are hyper xenophobic to boot. Zoe, her family, and the entire colony are pawns in a intergalactic power struggle.
I highly recommend this book.
Book Review: Not exactly a twice-told tale
Summary: 5 Stars
I started this book shortly before midnight, and finished it with dawn drawing near. I had the chance to break off at 3 hours into the read, but then continued. Scalzi writes that well. Yes, I've read "The Last Colony" and loved it for the solutions it presented, as well as it's characters. Yes, the book covers the same ground, but the viewpoint is very different.It was clear that being the center of the universe for an alien race was wearing on Zoe, but you really didn't get the full depth of feeling or the full picture from "The Last Colony." Scalzi says in the epilogue that the fans wanted this book, to know more about Zoe's mission and whatever happened to those savages on Roanoke? Good questions. The latter is still a good question, more than ever, after this book. I think that those who are disappointed that this is TLC from a different point of view are missing the point. This really is Zoe's tale, and it was worth the reading. As was Enzo's story.Book Review: Holes plugged by a really solid story
Summary: 5 Stars
When I finished "The Last Colony," I had a question and a snark: "Where did the werewolves go?", and "That Consu technology, how *convenient*!"
Well ladies and gentlemen, Scalzi took my complaints to heart, and wrote this book as a way of explaining it all. And a good book it is. Even though we see the same story, through the eyes of a different person it still feels fresh. I sort of wish he'd told a longer, and more complete tale originally, but that's Monday Morning Quarterbacking. The book's good. Buy it. Read it. Tell friends.
One aside: Zoe sounds a lot like Wednesday from Charles Stross's "Iron Sunrise." How do you tell two guys they write like little girls the same way? Just joking. Given the similarities in the characters, I'm sure they wrote and got feedback 'til they augered in on a similar voice.
This is a very enjoyable book.