Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Old Man's War series. I borrowed this from Kindle Unlimited on audiobook.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this but not quite as much as the first book in the series. I think the wonder of this world and the humor in the first book just really blew me away. I did enjoy still getting to see Jane, but this story focused more on a Ghost Brigade soldier (Jared) created from the consciousness of traitor to humanity, Charles Boutin.

I continued to enjoy this world and really enjoyed learning more about The Ghost Brigades. We meet a mostly new set of characters in this book, although Jane and Harry are in and out of the story some. I enjoyed Jared as a character but not as much as I enjoyed Perry and crew in the first book.

We do get a much broader story here about the CDF versus three other alien races. We also get exposed to some intriguing questions about the CDF and their motives when it comes to human interactions with alien races. Additionally, this book focuses a lot on The Ghost Brigades themselves and what it really means to be human.

I didn't think this was as funny as "Old Man's War" but there is some humor throughout. I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed the audiobook narration. I would recommend listening to this on audiobook if you enjoy audiobooks.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I liked this. I didn't think there was as much humor in this book and didn't enjoy the characters in this second book quite as much. However, I did enjoy learning more about The Ghost Brigades and delving deeper in to this world. I also really enjoyed the broadened storyline around the CDF and the three alien races joining forces against humanity. I look forward to reading "The Lost Colony" soon. I would recommend to those who enjoy science fiction with some intriguing space travel, aliens, and a look into what it means to be human. ( )

I like John Scalzi but this book didn't do much for me.

The first half is a whole lot of slow moving setup. The second half is much better as it is filled with fighting, ethical debates and intergalactic politics. Still, not enough to compensate for the boring first half.

My other issue is that I think Scalzi has great ideas and raises lots of fascinating things to discuss but his writing is just too blunt for me. He has no finesse. Or he didn't in 2006 anyway.

I still like the Universe of Old Man's War & Ghost Brigades so odds are good that I will continue reading the series but my expectations will be lower. ( )

Second book in the series aboutof the Colonial Defense Forces and ever present and ever dangerous alien species surrounding the colonies of the Mother Earth.

If you are worried because this is not first book in the series don't worry, Ghost Brigades is a standalone novel set in the same universe. Some of the characters you might recognize from the first book but it is not must for understanding the story itself (but if you have read the first book you will understand more about the events in the book).

Focus in this novel is on Ghost Brigades, cloned soldiers raised from "scratch" using DNA from all CDF soldiers that have died during their service term. They are raised with a sole purpose in mind - be quicker, tougher and deadlier than your average CDF soldier. Although fully grown in a few months they still are blanks and have no life experiences. Author very nicely portraits the challenges set before these soldiers - grown for the single purpose to protect the very populace that looks at them with suspicion because they are not "natural".

Against the standard heroic story of a single man fighting human and alien malice that threaten everything he holds dear [and being more than ready to sacrifice his life to achieve that] author paints very interesting picture on the possible ways humanity may evolve and adapt to life in the vast intergalactic space. Because even CDF with their cloned bodies and individuals is nothing more than further step in evolution of Humanity.

Second theme in the novel is what makes us - us? If someone is cloned does it mean he [or she] is destined to become same person as the one they originated from? Is it possible that non-corporeal elements of the human being are dictated by corporeal elements, or are we more then sum of our parts?

I agree, none of the above can be considered original and all of these questions have been raised before - and not only through fiction - but this book manages to combine these themes with the excellent and very visual and vivid action scenes.

Very interesting book with great characters, utterly alien aliens and lots of action.

Highly recommended to all fans of SF (and military SF in particular). ( )

The Ghost Brigades returns to the universe of Scalzi's novel Old Man's War, a novel which I absolutely loved.

In the first book, Scalzi introduced readers to John Perry and Earth's rejuvenated soldiers, the Colonial Defense Forces. This time around, he takes us into the world of The Ghost Brigades, the special forces of the CDF. Jane Sagan, a character from Old Man's War, must track down a traitor named Charles Boutin, who knows the CDF's biggest secrets, and what better way to find a traitor than to copy his consciousness into a freshly-baked Ghost Brigade soldier? But the transfer doesn't work ... at least, not right away. Then, as Boutin's memories slowly surface, Jared begins to intuit the reasons for Boutin's betrayal. Themes of counciousness, choice, free-will, and identity are explored. This is thinking man's sci-fi that also happens to include humor, and kick ass military/sci-fi action.

Though labeled a sequel to Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades is very much a stand-alone adventure. While it expands upon ideas introduced in the earlier novel, John Scalzi doesn't require you to have read it to become fully absorbed in this one. So feel free to jump in. ( )

Fantastic read, though I did gripe ALOT until the last 2 chapters until all became clear. I almost shed a tear because it was very touching. Hats off for a spectacular wonderful read. I would rate a 4.5, but rounding up because I think it's worth it. ( )