The Ghost Brigades
Written by John Scalzi
Narrated by William Dufris
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
John Scalzi's eagerly anticipated sequel to the extraordinary Old Man's War
The Ghost Brigades are the Special Forces of the Colonial Defense Forces, elite troops created from the DNA of the dead and turned into the perfect soldiers for the CDF's toughest operations. They're young, they're fast and strong, and they're totally without normal human qualms.
The universe is a dangerous place for humanity—and it's about to become far more dangerous. Three races that humans have clashed with before have allied to halt our expansion into space. Their linchpin: the turncoat military scientist Charles Boutin, who knows the CDF's biggest military secrets. To prevail, the CDF must find out why Boutin did what he did.
Jared Dirac is the only human who can provide answers -- a superhuman hybrid, created from Boutin's DNA, Jared's brain should be able to access Boutin's electronic memories. But when the memory transplant appears to fail, Jared is given to the Ghost Brigades.
At first, Jared is a perfect soldier, but as Boutin's memories slowly surface, Jared begins to intuit the reason's for Boutin's betrayal. As Jared desperately hunts for his "father," he must also come to grips with his own choices. Time is running out: The alliance is preparing its offensive, and some of them plan worse things than humanity's mere military defeat…
John Scalzi
John Scalzi is one of the most popular and acclaimed SF authors to emerge in the last decade. His debut, Old Man's War, won him science fiction's John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His New York Times bestsellers include The Last Colony, Fuzzy Nation, Lock In, and also Redshirts, which won 2013's Hugo Award for Best Novel. Material from his widely read blog Whatever has also earned him two other Hugo Awards. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.
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Reviews for The Ghost Brigades
186 ratings6 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The conflict in the story was multidimensional and everyone has their own motives that caused things to materialize the way th as they did. Things don't always go well for the "protagonists" and they experience triumphs and failures. There are some poignant moments in the book.
I'm typically an urban fantasy reader, but I joined a book club a few years ago to broaden my reading scope and came across starter villain a few weeks ago when it was recommended by a good friend. It was the first book in a long time that I've read twice in a week so I decided to read more Scalzi.
Old Man's War was captivating enough for me to want to read more, this book I feel is better because he didn't have to spend the first third of the book explaining the transfer process and got right to the action. I think I'm now a science fiction convert or at least a Scalzi fan!!! Onward to the Last Colony where we reunited we with **** and **** (No Spoilers) read for yourself to find out. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wasn’t as good as the first book, but I still enjoyed it. On to the third one!
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Very low tech. Generic sf and no space opera stuff. I would give this good title a big miss. C minus effort
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Riveting Expansion of the Sci-Fi Universe
The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, #2) by John Scalzi propels readers further into the captivating world introduced in the first book of the series. With its exploration of identity, intricate political intrigue, and technological marvels, this novel delivers a compelling and thought-provoking addition to the Old Man's War series.
Scalzi's storytelling continues to immerse readers in a future where humans take on new lives as genetically enhanced soldiers. The concept of transferring consciousness into cloned bodies is fascinating and prompts philosophical pondering on what constitutes individuality and humanity. The universe-building in this installment expands with intergalactic alliances and advanced technologies.
The characterization in this volume shines as new protagonists come to the forefront. The exploration of identity struggles among the Ghost Brigades, who lack the memories of their previous lives, adds a layer of complexity. The protagonist, Jared Dirac, faces existential questions that delve into the essence of self and free will.
The plot is an intricate web of political maneuvering and interstellar conflict. Scalzi balances intense action scenes with moments of in-depth exploration of the relationships between characters. The narrative's pacing is carefully calibrated to maintain reader engagement while unraveling the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic Obin.
Scalzi's writing style is accessible and laced with humor, making even complex technological concepts easy to understand. The dialogue flows naturally and reflects individual personalities, enhancing character dynamics and subtly revealing their motivations.
Compared to other sci-fi novels, The Ghost Brigades stands out for its philosophical exploration and interplay between identity and technology. While other works may focus on space battles, Scalzi's series excels in its provocative reflection on the nature of being within a high-tech future.
In conclusion, The Ghost Brigades (Old Man's War, #2) is a worthy continuation of the series that deepens the exploration of its sci-fi concepts while delivering engaging characters and compelling narratives. John Scalzi's philosophical musings and character-driven storytelling make this novel a rewarding and memorable read for science fiction enthusiasts. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Another good one! Well read by the narrator! Slightly different cast than the last book.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Good book to spend time with in the cold night