2017 reading challenge: a book that takes place during wartime

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I was very pleasantly surprised to enjoy this book. I don't know why as it has very high reviews and several of my friends highly recommended Scalzi's work. This was my first interaction with John Scalzi and I will definitely look to read more of his stuff.

I cannot remember the last time I read a true, what I call hard core/classic science fiction book, but this is certainly what I would call one. Future, space travel, aliens, space battles. Tick, tick, tick.

John Perry celebrates his 75th birthday by visiting his late wife's grave to say goodbye and then go join the military. It's a special branch of the military. the Colonial Defense Force only takes senior citizens to go out to defend our interstellar colonies. The seniors are promised a renewal of life in exchange for service to defend humans against hostile aliens.

John gets the promised renewal, though not in the way he expected and becomes a Private in the CDF. In his first combat situation he shows ingenuity that gets him quickly promoted. He continues to show out of the box thinking as he continues to battle various types of alien species and comes to be noticed by the powers that be, continuing to cause him to rise in the ranks.

I really don't want to give much of the plot away so as not to spoil the story for others. But, if you are interested in Military Science Fiction, I recommend this book and I most likely will be seeking out the others in this series for future readings.



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