Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsSome of the most well written Sf I read in a while
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2017
Everybody seems to be writing series these days. It's a marketing thing I'm told.
Scalzi is one is one of the best at it that I've seen since the 1950s and1960s (when I was a less sophisticated reader).
His story and series arcs are coherent, plausible and intriguing with realistic, empathic characters. His thematic arcs teach very positive human values about family, loyalty, love, self-sacrifice and the power of individuals to change history.
He avoids the trap of demonizing enemys. Most importantly he shows the the power of the merciful side of the warriors Ethos to end wars and avoid genocide. I believe that he rightfully ascribes that ethos to totally alien military leaders.
In all Scalzi gives us a delightful space opera-ish tale that deftly critiques common human failures, the realistic limitations of the 'assumed' omniscience of powerful people, and the ability of 'ordinary' people, who dare to act, to avert apparently inevitable disaster.
I highly recommend, and look forward to his future work.
