LemmiSchmoeker reviewed The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
Different from the first book in many aspects
4 stars
This second book is different from the first one in many aspects: a more focused story, a different main character, a different philosophy. As before, Scalzi carefully lays out a background full of characters, histories and ideas before he starts building up the story.
There is certainly a lot of action, particularly during a central scene of strategic development, but the emphasis is firmly put on more peaceful concepts this time: family, life and purpose. While the galactic war is still the center of the action, Scalzi is more interested in exploring the moral implications of that war for all involved parties.
In the end, everybody - including the reader - is left with a feeling of fatigue, not of the story, or even just the events of the story, but of a war that it doesn't seem possible to end without unfathomable violence.
