Loved it. Light, witty and engaging. ( )

Shorter than the last, this is the second of thirteen e-episodes released weekly that will make up the next 'Old Man's War' novel by John Scalzi, 'The Human Division.'

This one felt less like a stand-alone short story and more like a chapter in a book, which I assume is going to happen more often as the episodes are released. While I enjoyed it, I didn't love it, and it felt less like an Old Man's War book than the previous episode, less familiar. I also didn't feel it was long enough to learn who the characters were particularly well or deeply, and again comparing to last weeks episode where the characterisation was brilliant, this was slightly disappointing. It also had no links to the previous episode (aside from a vague 'bad things are happening in space' one) but then I assume it's the sub-plot being introduced. I do have firm faith that it will all gel together wonderfully in the end, though, and despite my slight disappointment in this one, I'm still enjoying the whole idea of weekly releases and can't wait to see where it goes, and what else there is in store for us next week! ( )

Shorter than the last, this is the second of thirteen e-episodes released weekly that will make up the next 'Old Man's War' novel by John Scalzi, 'The Human Division.'

This one felt less like a stand-alone short story and more like a chapter in a book, which I assume is going to happen more often as the episodes are released. While I enjoyed it, I didn't love it, and it felt less like an Old Man's War book than the previous episode, less familiar. I also didn't feel it was long enough to learn who the characters were particularly well or deeply, and again comparing to last weeks episode where the characterisation was brilliant, this was slightly disappointing. It also had no links to the previous episode (aside from a vague 'bad things are happening in space' one) but then I assume it's the sub-plot being introduced. I do have firm faith that it will all gel together wonderfully in the end, though, and despite my slight disappointment in this one, I'm still enjoying the whole idea of weekly releases and can't wait to see where it goes, and what else there is in store for us next week! ( )

This is the second episode in Scalzi's episodic novel, The Human Division. This is a short entry, told entirely in dialog, set in a wildcat colony that has been awaiting the oddly delayed arrival of their supply ship. Finding a stranger in the wilderness near their colony is an alarming signal that something has gone very, very wrong.

In addition to being short, this story is a complete break from the characters and immediate circumstances (as opposed to the same universe and time frame), and very different in style. It's clearly setting something up.

Not as strong as the previous episode as a stand-alone episode, but I suspect it's a solid set-up for important developments later.

Recommended.

I bought this story from Audible.com ( )

No narration at all, the whole section is a transcript of a conversation. A most unusual conversation. A compelling little mystery within the context of the whole. I'm really going to enjoy the weekly sections a lot, I think.

I bought it. ( )