I’m not going to get into the specifics of the book, nor am I going to give you some trumped-up professional review. It’s approximately 11:57 p.m. and like one of the heroes at the end of this book, I’m very tired and worn out. Unfortunately, I don’t have any “Wake-the-dead” stimulants lying around as I must have left them in my other combat suit.
In all the science fiction that I’ve read over the last year and a half, Ringo has proudly displayed one of the biggest battle scenes to date. While a very compelling story, there are only two small points that bothered me on a writing level.
I’m relatively new to hard science fiction and military history. Like peanut butter and chocolate, these aforementioned things can go quite well together. However, for someone just starting out, I guess I need a crash course in proper rankings and decorum. I’ve heard stories from my father when he was in Vietnam, and I know basic terminology (i.e. NCO etc..) but like a game of poker, I have no idea which rank ultimately trumps the rest.
Consider me part of the “New Comprehensible”. While I don’t want things dumbed down for me, I wish writers would get the hint that a nice little page full of descriptions would be quite handy in the really heavy literary works. I don’t want to stop to look up terms on Google or Wikipedia while I’m reading. If it’s a good book, I’m going to try to get through it as not to break my pace.
The only other thing that bothered me was the weird alien perspectives at the end. Ringo is pretty consistent throughout the book with his key players. You rarely get introduced to anyone new and develop quite a fondness for his richly drawn characters. However in the heat of battle, he introduces first person (or should I say first alien) perspective and it just pulls you right out of the moment.
You are suddenly dealing with words and phrases that have absolutely no meaning or explanation, and while I believe it’s up to the reader to ultimately draw creative conclusions to many things, this is Ringo’s world. He needs to explain, define and introduce things in a manner that is not so jarring.
The only other thing I found frustrating was on a purely emotional level. Humanity is screwed if it comes down to this type of scenario. I think perhaps John Ringo has given humanity too much of a chance with such unbeatable odds described in his plot. In the end, while the few brave will stand, I believe that the rest of humanity will flee with their only possessions and live the rest of their short lives in utter gluttony and greed.
It’s a shame, cause I kinda liked living on Earth. Hopefully, we won’t be invaded by any Posleen in the near future.
Great job, John Ringo. I can’t wait to see what happens next. Oh, and from what I understand, Ringo is ex spec-ops. With a sincere and heartfelt extension; “Thank you for serving and fighting for my freedom.”
