Saturday, February 01, 2025

Review: A Voice in the Wilderness

A Voice in the Wilderness A Voice in the Wilderness by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: We Only Need the Heads

We Only Need the Heads We Only Need the Heads by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loving it, eager to move on to the next section. Heads, heh.

I bought a copy.

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Review: Earth Below, Sky Above

Earth Below, Sky Above Earth Below, Sky Above by John Scalzi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm ambivalent. I really enjoyed the writing of this segment, just as I did all the others. But I'm really bummed that the story wasn't brought to some sort of conclusion. On the other hand, there will be another series...

I bought it.

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Review: The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads

The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads The Gentle Art of Cracking Heads by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am both very eager to read next week's final installment, and somewhat saddened, because then it will be over.

I bought it.

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Review: A Problem of Proportion

A Problem of Proportion A Problem of Proportion by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We're nearing the end, with more of the puzzle being revealed, and also, more of the characters.

Well done, and touching.

I bought it.

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Review: This Must Be the Place

This Must Be the Place This Must Be the Place by John Scalzi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A relatively calm, quiet interlude in which Hart Schmidt goes home for a harvest festival dinner with his family. No big adventure, no tricky plot, just good-natured family ribbing and some backstory. Well, okay, some thoughtful observations about class, presented in an amusing way.

As a whole, this is going to be great.

I bought it.

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Review: The Observers

The Observers The Observers by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've started really looking forward to these Tuesday episodes. Shouldn't have left the house this morning without downloading this one.

You know what this one is like? Asimov short space mysteries. Not exactly, but the idea of a puzzle for which the solution lies in the specific setting. And the mildly humorous tone. Loved it, again.

I bought a copy.

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Review: The Sound of Rebellion

The Sound of Rebellion The Sound of Rebellion by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well here's a new thing: props to Scalzi for showing a woman soldier in peril, but with nothing sexy about it whatsoever.

That sounds sarcastic, but really, it's refreshing not to have bad guys leering at women and threatening them with sexual violence as a plot point.

Anyway, clever, clever, clever. And intriguing. Eagerly awaiting next week. And the rest.

I bought it.

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Review: The Dog King

The Dog King The Dog King by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect little short story, funny, that fits into the arc. If I thought for a second that diplomacy were anything like Scalzi writes it, I'd be be kicking myself for never having joined the foreign service. He skips over the tedious bits in favor of the clever solution to thorny problems. Such fun.

Interesting that he didn't end each section on a cliff-hanger. Well, interesting because I'm totally enthralled anyway. I'm gonna miss this when it's done.

I bought it.

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Review: The Back Channel

The Back Channel The Back Channel by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This section is mostly talking heads, so it could have been info dumpy and dull, but it isn't. It's funny as hell, particularly the conversation over churros.

I bought it.

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Review: Tales From the Clarke

Tales From the Clarke Tales From the Clarke by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The plotting here is just amazing. There is a lot going on but it never feels overwhelming or much of a muchness. I'm not sure whether I'm more excited to be reading it as a serial, or to re-read the whole thing once it's done.

I bought a copy.

I really should give a read-through. The details are fading from my mind.

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Review: A Voice in the Wilderness

A Voice in the Wilderness A Voice in the Wilderness by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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Review: The Dictionary Story

The Dictionary Story The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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Review: The B-Team

The B-Team The B-Team by John Scalzi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Takes place in the Old Man's War universe shortly after events in prior novels, but with a new cast of characters, many diplomats, with a few members of the CDF for derring-do.

All the things I like about Scalzi are here: clever plotting, a diverse cast that feels natural, snappy dialogue, interesting tech puzzles. Richly enjoyable, but it never feels condescending or empty. This is going to be good.

I bought a copy.

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