Steven C. (SteveTheDM) -
Helpful Score: 4
Boy, I'm really liking this Scalzi stuff. The Ghost Brigades was a fun read, with plenty of action, the growth (and death!) of characters, and a glimpse of the greater political galaxy that the Colonial Union finds itself in. And it had a good ending! Far too many books I've read over the last decade have felt like the authors hit their word count and decided to stop. That's not the case here, at all.
The book is actually a really nice sequal to a fantastic first book (Old Man's War), in that the whole "galaxy" that Scalzi has invented is matured a bit. Instead of gushing about how great it all is (as was the feeling in the first book), we begin to see the morally ambiguous decisions that have been made to bring the situation to it's current status. A lot of the change in feeling is due, in large part I think, to the switch to a third person perspective for the narrative, rather than the first person perspective of the prior novel.
The Ghost Brigades was highly enjoyable. And the setting that Scalzi has created has become something that can easily house more interesting stories. I'm looking forward to future titles in this series!
The book is actually a really nice sequal to a fantastic first book (Old Man's War), in that the whole "galaxy" that Scalzi has invented is matured a bit. Instead of gushing about how great it all is (as was the feeling in the first book), we begin to see the morally ambiguous decisions that have been made to bring the situation to it's current status. A lot of the change in feeling is due, in large part I think, to the switch to a third person perspective for the narrative, rather than the first person perspective of the prior novel.
The Ghost Brigades was highly enjoyable. And the setting that Scalzi has created has become something that can easily house more interesting stories. I'm looking forward to future titles in this series!
Helpful Score: 2
While not the book that the Old Man's War is, this is pretty good. If you read the first in the series, you will want this.
Steven C. (SteveTheDM) -
Helpful Score: 2
Boy, I'm really liking this Scalzi stuff. The Ghost Brigades was a fun read, with plenty of action, the growth (and death!) of characters, and a glimpse of the greater political galaxy that the Colonial Union finds itself in. And it had a good ending! Far too many books I've read over the last decade have felt like the authors hit their word count and decided to stop. That's not the case here, at all.
The book is actually a really nice sequal to a fantastic first book (Old Man's War), in that the whole "galaxy" that Scalzi has invented is matured a bit. Instead of gushing about how great it all is (as was the feeling in the first book), we begin to see the morally ambiguous decisions that have been made to bring the situation to it's current status. A lot of the change in feeling is due, in large part I think, to the switch to a third person perspective for the narrative, rather than the first person perspective of the prior novel.
The Ghost Brigades was highly enjoyable. And the setting that Scalzi has created has become something that can easily house more interesting stories. I'm looking forward to future titles in this series!
The book is actually a really nice sequal to a fantastic first book (Old Man's War), in that the whole "galaxy" that Scalzi has invented is matured a bit. Instead of gushing about how great it all is (as was the feeling in the first book), we begin to see the morally ambiguous decisions that have been made to bring the situation to it's current status. A lot of the change in feeling is due, in large part I think, to the switch to a third person perspective for the narrative, rather than the first person perspective of the prior novel.
The Ghost Brigades was highly enjoyable. And the setting that Scalzi has created has become something that can easily house more interesting stories. I'm looking forward to future titles in this series!
Helpful Score: 2
I had my doubts about this story since the hero from the beginning of the series isn't in it. The heroine is, though.
It didn't take long before I cared about the hero of this story and hoped he'd be fine.
It was good. Plenty of action. Great worldbuilding. Excellent advancements of the overall series' plot.
I do NOT think you can skip this story if you want to read the whole series. Too much happens in the overall world and in the main heroine's life. Jane plays a pivotal role and her life changes a lot in this story.
It didn't take long before I cared about the hero of this story and hoped he'd be fine.
It was good. Plenty of action. Great worldbuilding. Excellent advancements of the overall series' plot.
I do NOT think you can skip this story if you want to read the whole series. Too much happens in the overall world and in the main heroine's life. Jane plays a pivotal role and her life changes a lot in this story.
Jennifer D. (granny2gabby) reviewed The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, Bk 2) on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this book. Enjoy the entire series!
Helpful Score: 2
Great sequel to "Old Man's War". I thought it was better than the first. Can't wait to read the last in this series.
Nick B. (AvidReaderNick) reviewed The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, Bk 2) on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
If you enjoyed the Old Man's War this will fill in some gaps as to the Ghost Brigade and if you haven't read it the Ghost Brigade can stand on its own as a great piece of Science Fiction. Scalzi has an imagination and puts it on the page in such a manner that sucks the reader in and takes him/her for a ride.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book and the prequel Old Man's War. You should read it first to get the gist of the books. Very good read.
William B. (LoneReader) -
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great read... I especially liked the in depth coverage of the scientific background for his theme. And even more so the philosophical problems he explores through his characters. While at the same time telling a great story.
Allison S. (kshanholtzer) reviewed The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, Bk 2) on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book was an excellent follow up to Old Man's War, though a bit shorter than it should have been. I feel the author rushed the end, tying up things too quickly, though they were tied up thoroughly and with confidence. Overall, this book was a near page turner with clear distinction between characters' dialogue so I applaud the author for the distinctive voices.
The character development is superior than average allowing for good reader empathy and a desire to see the characters in more books.
Generally, I highly recommend this book to fans of core Sci-Fi. The author did not write an Asimov level story, but it is darn close and I would bet that John Scalzi will one day write at a level that will keep readers coming for generations.
My preference is only for the stories to be longer and more comprehensive.
The character development is superior than average allowing for good reader empathy and a desire to see the characters in more books.
Generally, I highly recommend this book to fans of core Sci-Fi. The author did not write an Asimov level story, but it is darn close and I would bet that John Scalzi will one day write at a level that will keep readers coming for generations.
My preference is only for the stories to be longer and more comprehensive.
Helpful Score: 1
I am going to have disagree and say this one was as good as the first book in the series. Had a lot more sci-fi elements I thought than the first one. First book was more along the lines of Starship Troopers. This one is also, but I thought and this one that he threw in more sci-fi elements. In terms of different races and technology and some very neat ways he uses both.
Helpful Score: 1
Most of my sf reading has always been heavy on books written long before I was born. Asimov, Silverberg and Bradbury are three of my favorites. Scalzi holds up to the classics while being completely modern.
Read my full review: http://www.novelnaut.com/archives/the-ghost-brigades/
This was a good, solid book. I liked it better than Old Man's War, but I felt it a little repetitive. Very much inspired by Heinlein. It keeps you guessing what's going to happen, though, which is a rare trait for a book.
I was surprised to find that I enjoyed The Ghost Brigades even more than the Forever War. The books are written the same way. They are fast paced, and the scenes and dialogue are concise. The plot in Ghost Brigades moves quickly, yet it's interesting and clever. The characters, which I didn't expect to like as much as the protagonist in Forever War, grow on you quickly until you find yourself rooting for them. The story is even unpredictable enough to keep you interested to the end. All in all, a good read.
It was okay. Not as much fun as Old Man's War. I didn't feel much connection with Jared, and most of the other characters seem rather interchangeable. There are some scenes of awful brutality that don't sit well, even for a war novel. I did enjoy the clever twist that Jared learns about near the end, and it's made me curious enough that I may look up the next book.
I enjoyed this novel as much or more than its predecessor. Described as military science fiction by one of the reviewers quoted on the book's jacket, what makes the book intriguing and interesting is the combination of possible future modifications to human beings, other species in the universe, and ordinary character development. The big question the novel poses is: what does it mean to have consciousness? If you like science fiction, read this book.
Enjoyable, fast-paced sequel to Old Man's War. There were bits that didn't ring true to me, especially anything in which genetics was mentioned. It's a fun read, if somewhat repetitive.
