Book number 544 of my Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Project
For me this was an improvement from Zoe's Tale. Scalzi moves along to focus on different characters in the Old Man's War universe. I enjoyed the change in perspective to Harry Wilson, despite the fact that he is very like John Perry: seemingly smarter than everyone around him, able to magically solve any problem at speed, sarcastic as all get out, and apparently unkillable. I guess they did train together, didn't they?
At any rate, there is a new wrinkle in the colonization of the universe. The Conclave, an association of 400 alien worlds, have given humanity notice—no more worlds for you. As a result of Zoe's Tale, Earth is now aware that the Colonial Union has been keeping them ignorant of the realities of the universe and using them as a resource for soldiers and colonists. To say there is a rift between Earth and the CU is an understatement. Will the Conclave be able to woo the home planet away?
I enjoyed the exploration of the diplomatic aspects of this universe. Ambassador Ubumwe is a wonderful character. She also is quick witted, turning hopeless situations into possibilities. She has high expectations of her staff as well as herself. Hart Schmidt is the less competent sidekick who shows how shiny Wilson and Ubumwe are.
And the next novel has been set up. Through back channel communication, the CU and the Conclave have realized that they have a mutual enemy. These mysterious bad guys have been grabbing older spaceships from both sides and using them to cause disruption. I'll be reading The End of All Things, but not until next year. My reading queue is currently over full.
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