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A review by roadtripreader
The Back Channel by John Scalzi
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
You get a BrainPal! And You get a BrainPal! Everybody gets - no. Nope. Not true. Urrghh thats the thing with future tech - it's all hurry up and imagine this was real and then it's hurry up and wait for plausible "today" tech to merge with fantastical tech and mad scientist/inventor in order to become a reality.
But; I'm not losing hope. I shall have a BrainPal every time I open one of these short stories and then I'll graduate to Old Man's War series. BrainPals for everyone!
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Ah yes, feels like just yesterday Wilson was dealing with "fake earthlings", the Cubs centuries drought in the World Series finally ending and just being an all round standup CDF dude - with a BrainPal in his skull. Okay okay I'll shut up about the BrainPal. NOT.
Anyway - none of that happens here. We are finally inside the Conclave. About damn time - I was getting curious about this Big Bad on the other side of the galaxy.
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Politics and Beauracracy is well, politics and beaurcracy regardless of the species behind the desk. Having just spent time unravelling a plot by Rigney and Egan in the Colonial Union - the Conclave Alien species own plots and ploys seemed so familiar I forgot they were alien until they mentioned eradicating the human race and then I was like ... well yeah we are a bit of a plague arent we? But no, no eradication just yet.
Sorvalh and Gau are the Rigney and Egan of the Conclave.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Gau and Sorvalh talk turkey.
"The real question is not whether the humans—the Colonial Union—could attack and possibly destroy the Conclave, if pressed. The real question is why they haven’t tried to do it since Roanoke.”
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“ “The humans know they are in a bad position, Hafte. They are dangerous animals on the best of days. Poking at them right now is going to go poorly for everyone involved.” (Gau on Sorvalh next task)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Conclave, a federation of 400 races/species
■BrainPal. Brain Pal. Brain. Pal.
■ Wildcat colonies are baaaack! This is no bueno.
■ Humans as the galaxy's main colonizing sociopath🤷🏻♀️
■CDF humans, Green and young all over again.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025
But; I'm not losing hope. I shall have a BrainPal every time I open one of these short stories and then I'll graduate to Old Man's War series. BrainPals for everyone!
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Ah yes, feels like just yesterday Wilson was dealing with "fake earthlings", the Cubs centuries drought in the World Series finally ending and just being an all round standup CDF dude - with a BrainPal in his skull. Okay okay I'll shut up about the BrainPal. NOT.
Anyway - none of that happens here. We are finally inside the Conclave. About damn time - I was getting curious about this Big Bad on the other side of the galaxy.
Character Development/Favorite Character:
Politics and Beauracracy is well, politics and beaurcracy regardless of the species behind the desk. Having just spent time unravelling a plot by Rigney and Egan in the Colonial Union - the Conclave Alien species own plots and ploys seemed so familiar I forgot they were alien until they mentioned eradicating the human race and then I was like ... well yeah we are a bit of a plague arent we? But no, no eradication just yet.
Sorvalh and Gau are the Rigney and Egan of the Conclave.
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene::
Gau and Sorvalh talk turkey.
"The real question is not whether the humans—the Colonial Union—could attack and possibly destroy the Conclave, if pressed. The real question is why they haven’t tried to do it since Roanoke.”
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤“ “The humans know they are in a bad position, Hafte. They are dangerous animals on the best of days. Poking at them right now is going to go poorly for everyone involved.” (Gau on Sorvalh next task)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Conclave, a federation of 400 races/species
■BrainPal. Brain Pal. Brain. Pal.
■ Wildcat colonies are baaaack! This is no bueno.
■ Humans as the galaxy's main colonizing sociopath🤷🏻♀️
■CDF humans, Green and young all over again.
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025