Old Man's War

Old Man's War had so much going for it that I forgave some of its flaws (it's philosophical but only kinda lite, it's a little bit YA even though it stars senior citizens, I didn't love love love the characters but I liked them allright). After reading The Martian and feeling so utterly disappointed and slightly appalled, it was refreshing to dive into Old Man's War and find a writer capable of mature dialogue AND goofy vulgar humor, instead of a failed attempt at both. This book was a page turner with a surprisingly emotional story within its military sci fi action. Like probably everyone else, I couldn't help comparing it to Starship Troopers - or rather, sometimes I forgot which book I was reading.

I appreciated the female characters' portrayals here - they're all soldiers together, and that's that, but everybody still has a unique personality. This was especially important for the character of Jane - a lesser author might have copped out and comprised her into some kind of half-Kathy, half-blankslate. Or at the very least, stuck her with a "who am I?" helplessness. Instead Jane embraces her self-discovery and remains independent, while still being motivated by love and duty.

This is one of the few novels I've read that made me actually want some kind of superhuman body modifications. Sorta.