John Scalzi: additional reading

The Ghost Brigades is that rare treat: the sequel that's even better than the original. It continues chronologically from where Old Man's War leaves off, picking up with Jane Sagan and a new group of Special Forces characters.

Most enjoyably, at least to this reader, TGB raises intriguing questions and broaches fascinating ideas — taking the dual ideas of human consciousness transfer and body modifications to their logical endpoints, with some wild results. Complications, as always, ensue.

The Last Colony sees the return of the protagonist from the first book, John Perry. Now living on a human colony planet with his new (well, sorta new) wife, he gets thrust into the middle of a deadly game of galactic politics.

Multiple friends opined that this final book was the best of the series; I enjoyed reading it, but must respectfully dissent. It was a good, quick, satisfying read, but to me it lacked the depth of the first two books. I'll list specific reasons (and other spoilery details) in the comments.

Finally, if you're interested in reading more by John Scalzi, you may enjoy the blog he maintains called The Whatever. Rumor has it that he's pretty responsive to (presumably non-annoying) email from fans, too.

NOTE: The comments contain spoilers for both The Ghost Brigades and The Last Colony.
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Other posts on Book Club for Old Man's War, by John Scalzi:

• Intro and review: Old Man's War
• OMW discussion w/SPOILERS
• Consciousness transfers and brainboxes
• Other military science fiction
• Why Earth needs a Space Elevator
• John Scalzi: additional reading