Zoe's Tale
by John Scalzi
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Book Reviews of Zoe's Tale
Book Review: Interesting, but...
Summary: 4 Stars
If you have read the Last Colony (hereafter referred to as TLC) little in this book will be new to you. This book provides a different perspective on the events in TLC, that of the daughter Zoe. As I was reading this book I was wondering if I was reading content edited out of TLC. I think TLC would have been a better book with Zoe's perspective included.
That being said this book is interesting. It develops the character of Zoe more fully and includes more information about events in TLC. We learn more about the Obin and the Consu. Parts of it are fascinating; I'm not going to spoil the surprise. If you enjoyed TLC you will enjoy this book. I wish this book had been longer. Zoe is an interesting character; I hope Scalzi writes more books about her in the future.
Book Review: Snarky, spunky, and surprising; Zöe is AWESOME!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Zoe's Tale was my first foray into the Old Man's War universe, so the first chapter, which references several characters and places with which I was unfamiliar, confused me a bit. But I was so drawn in by Zöe's narration that the fact that I was an outsider in the story didn't bother me. Zöe is snarky and spunky; I loved watching her break up a fight using only words. Scalzi's impressive writing style effectively captures the 1st person POV of a sixteen-year-old girl!
Confessional: I was tempted to give this novel one star and nitpick on it (there is, for example, a misprint on page 109), just to see Scalzi go all "Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded" on it. But I resisted the temptation, because Zöe deserves all five of those little stars!
Book Review: Zoe's Tale
Summary: 3 Stars
"Zoe's Tale" is a retelling of "The Lost Colony" from a different perspective. If you enjoyed Colony, you will like Zoe, as I did. It does, however, suffer from a few faults. One is that, since we already know the Lost Colony story, there is very little suspense in it. Another is that it is a bit "Catcher In The Rye."
You have to sympathize with Scalzi a bit - he writes this killer first novel "Old Man's War" that knocks everybody out and almost wins the Hugo. His publisher is hounding him for more, and he writes two sequels that are good but not as good. They depend on residual enthusiasm for Old Man. "Zoe's Tale" is the fourth.
Book Review: Zoe's Tale -- great read!
Summary: 4 Stars
Zoe's Tale takes place in the same universe as the book The Last Colony, only from the perspective of a rather surprisingly mature teenager who has a great deal of insight, and who deeply loves her friends and family. She is forced to grow up very fast indeed when the future of the Colonial Union and the Conclave seems to be headed straight for war. And she acts with maturity, grace, humor, and forthrightness. A very exciting character! The only thing I would change about it is to make it just a little less gushy and drop the YA elements. That is my sole criticism of this book, the latest product of John Scalzi's inimitable style and imagination.Book Review: Cover Art fooled me
Summary: 3 Stars
The previous three previous books in the series were adult in topic and language. Zoe's Tale is basically a young adult novel and not in the same vein as Old Man's War or The Last Colony. After three books in the series I can see why the author would want to write something different. I do question the use of the same style cover art and cover layout as the previous books. Same style cover art should equal same style book. A picture of a young women instead of a smoking spaceship? And those young adults who like Zoe Tale might be in for little more than they bargained for if they pick up the any of the other three books in the series.