Status
Available
Call number
Publication
London : Tor, 2015.
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: How do you tell your part in the biggest tale in history? I ask because it's what I have to do. I'm Zoe Boutin Perry: A colonist stranded on a deadly pioneer world. Holy icon to a race of aliens. A player (and a pawn) in a interstellar chess match to save humanity, or to see it fall. Witness to history. Friend. Daughter. Human. Seventeen years old. Everyone on Earth knows the tale I am part of. But you don't know my tale: How I did what I did�??how I did what I had to do�??not just to stay alive but to keep you alive, too. All of you. I'm going to tell it to you now, the only way I know how: not straight but true, the whole thing, to try make you feel what I felt: the joy and terror and uncertainty, panic and wonder, despair and hope. Everything that happened, bringing us to Earth, and Earth out of its captivity. All through my eyes. It's a story you know. But you don't know it all… (more)
Media reviews
I wondered if it was very realistic to have a heroine that young be so clever and observant while spouting off with Scalzi's trademark sarcasm. Some readers might think that a brilliant and resourceful young Messiah of an alien race who Saves the Day with blatant Deus ex Machina has it a bit too
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easy. But Zoë's Tale isn't really about the clash of mighty empires or rescuing loved ones from monsters, exciting as those parts are — it's about Zoë. It's about that time in our lives after we've come to grips with how the world sees us but we are still not sure how we see ourselves. It's not about what you are, but finding out who you are. This whip-smart, often funny, and deeply moving novel portrays that journey of self-discovery to the satisfaction of adults young or otherwise. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member bluesalamanders
Zoe's Tale is another fantastic book in John Scalzi's Old Man's War universe. Zoe is the adopted daughter of John Perry and Jane Sagan, who are chosen to head up a colony on a new planet. Except things don't go exactly as expected and along with the normal hazards of colonizing a new planet
This book is a retelling of the timeline of The Last Colony from Zoe's perspective. Because she's a teenager, she isn't privy to everything the adults know and do - and, likewise, they don't know everything that happens to her - so Zoe's experience of that time is quite different from her parents'.
Scalzi writes the Old Man's War books so that each of them is a stand-alone as well as part of a cohesive story, and Zoe's Tale is no exception. And although I found it shelved in the adult science fiction section of the bookstore, this was intended to, and in my opinion does, bridge the divide between adult and YA. It is also hysterically funny throughout much of the book. Scalzi wrote Zoe as a brilliant, sarcastic, irreverent character who talks back to adults (human and alien alike) and uses her wits to save the day, yet still manages to act and sound like an believable teenager.
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(unfriendly lifeforms, inedible vegetation, etc), they suddenly discover that they've been made pawns in an intergalactic war. This book is a retelling of the timeline of The Last Colony from Zoe's perspective. Because she's a teenager, she isn't privy to everything the adults know and do - and, likewise, they don't know everything that happens to her - so Zoe's experience of that time is quite different from her parents'.
Scalzi writes the Old Man's War books so that each of them is a stand-alone as well as part of a cohesive story, and Zoe's Tale is no exception. And although I found it shelved in the adult science fiction section of the bookstore, this was intended to, and in my opinion does, bridge the divide between adult and YA. It is also hysterically funny throughout much of the book. Scalzi wrote Zoe as a brilliant, sarcastic, irreverent character who talks back to adults (human and alien alike) and uses her wits to save the day, yet still manages to act and sound like an believable teenager.
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LibraryThing member GwenH
Not having read any previous books set in John Scalzi's "Old Man War", I found this book stood on it's own well enough. Zoe and her family set out as part of a group to colonize a new planet, something that has become a standard occurrance in the novel. "Zoe's Tale" definitely has the tone of a
Zoe is a spunky teen, almost relentlessly so at times, but great fun. For those, like myself, who haven't read Scalzi's other novels, the war, the various worlds, and the alien races seem only lightly sketched. However, there are enough details to get the general idea, and the story is so focused on Zoe that I wouldn't really call this a shortcoming. Basically, the further from Zoe you consider, the less detailed the picture, but Zoe's interactions with the people in her immediate surroundings are richly drawn.
I can easily recommend this as a young adult novel, and as a lighter read for adults who can enjoy an interesting story centered on a group of teenage colonists.
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young adult novel, but as an adult I still found it enjoyable. It's an easy read, and while it has some serious dramatic moments, it is all from the point of view of the teen protagonist.Zoe is a spunky teen, almost relentlessly so at times, but great fun. For those, like myself, who haven't read Scalzi's other novels, the war, the various worlds, and the alien races seem only lightly sketched. However, there are enough details to get the general idea, and the story is so focused on Zoe that I wouldn't really call this a shortcoming. Basically, the further from Zoe you consider, the less detailed the picture, but Zoe's interactions with the people in her immediate surroundings are richly drawn.
I can easily recommend this as a young adult novel, and as a lighter read for adults who can enjoy an interesting story centered on a group of teenage colonists.
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LibraryThing member iBeth
This book is a worthy finale to Scalzi's Old Man's War series. Although Zoe seems a little too witty to be real (more like what a typical teenage girl wishes she were), she is a worthy protagonist. Zoe's (long) speech to the Obin near the end moved me to tears. If you've read The Last Colony, do
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read this one, because Scalzi ties up loose ends here (e.g., whatever happened to the werewolves? how does Zoe manage to get the sapper?) Show Less
LibraryThing member xicanti
A teenage girl fights to protect her new home from invaders.
So often, I hear others say that a book from further along in an established series is a good place to start. I usually think that's tripe, but it's true here. Even though ZOE'S TALE takes place pretty far along in the OLD MAN'S WAR
Which, by the way, is wonderful. I loved her voice. I can’t speak for the way Zoë sounds in the other books, but in this one she always comes across as being utterly herself. I really liked her snark and her honesty, and the back and forth between her and her friends really, really works. I believed in her completely. I did, however, question how aware she was of her teenage status. All the “never send an adult to do a teenager’s job” stuff got kind of old after a while. It felt rather forced.
As far as the plot goes... well, when I stopped to think about it, I did find that I wanted a little bit more, but I so rarely did so that it wasn’t much of an issue. Zoë’s world is easy to sink into. I wanted to spend more time with her and her friends, and I appreciated how Scalzi intertwined her life with the wider political stuff going on around her. I’m sure that I’ll appreciate it all the more when I read THE LAST COLONY and see all the political stuff Zoë – and, by extension, I – missed out on.
I often steer clear of science fiction as I find that most of the stuff I run across is very plot-over-character, but John Scalzi's got me thinking I should dip my toe in the water a bit more often. Zoe is unquestionably the focus here; I really felt for her, and even teared up a few times. I got a big kick out of the book, and recommend that you give it a go.
(A rather different version of this review first appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina, as an open letter to John Scalzi).
So often, I hear others say that a book from further along in an established series is a good place to start. I usually think that's tripe, but it's true here. Even though ZOE'S TALE takes place pretty far along in the OLD MAN'S WAR
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timeline, I never felt like I was out of the loop. Scalzi gave me everything I needed to establish a connection with Zoë and her story. I really liked how he handled the backstory and the worldbuilding; while Zoë sometimes discusses her past in some detail, it always feels like a natural part of the story, and it fit with her character.Which, by the way, is wonderful. I loved her voice. I can’t speak for the way Zoë sounds in the other books, but in this one she always comes across as being utterly herself. I really liked her snark and her honesty, and the back and forth between her and her friends really, really works. I believed in her completely. I did, however, question how aware she was of her teenage status. All the “never send an adult to do a teenager’s job” stuff got kind of old after a while. It felt rather forced.
As far as the plot goes... well, when I stopped to think about it, I did find that I wanted a little bit more, but I so rarely did so that it wasn’t much of an issue. Zoë’s world is easy to sink into. I wanted to spend more time with her and her friends, and I appreciated how Scalzi intertwined her life with the wider political stuff going on around her. I’m sure that I’ll appreciate it all the more when I read THE LAST COLONY and see all the political stuff Zoë – and, by extension, I – missed out on.
I often steer clear of science fiction as I find that most of the stuff I run across is very plot-over-character, but John Scalzi's got me thinking I should dip my toe in the water a bit more often. Zoe is unquestionably the focus here; I really felt for her, and even teared up a few times. I got a big kick out of the book, and recommend that you give it a go.
(A rather different version of this review first appeared on my blog, Stella Matutina, as an open letter to John Scalzi).
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LibraryThing member Fledgist
The story of Zoe and the struggle to defend the colony of Roanoke, told from her perspective. This is post-imperialist Heinleinian SF with a couple of very neat twists.
LibraryThing member DianeGia
Loved visiting these great characters again and hearing the story from Zoe's pov was great. Scalzi has the voice of an intelligent teen girl down well!
LibraryThing member nbmars
Zoe Boutin-Perry is the 17-year-old foster child of John and Jane Perry, leaders of a colony heading for the new world of Roanoke. Her real father, prior to his death, gave consciousness to the race called the Obin; in return, two Obin, Hickory and Dickory, live with Zoe as bodyguards. And last but
This book has all you would expect of a scifi novel, including a little green man in a flying saucer, a variety of alien species that range from giant insect-like creatures to werewolves, space jumps, star wars, and scary weapons. All of that seems believable. The only part I thought that strained credulity was the precocity, self-possession, and consistently amusing and adroit repartee from Zoe, and even from her friends: her equally endearingly sarcastic best friend Gretchen, her perfect boyfriend Enzo, and Gretchen’s bad-but-good-at-heart boyfriend Magdy. Sure, Zoe suffers some angst from time to time, but it’s angst over stuff like The Fate of the Universe, not over her face breaking out or worrying about sex or clothes or weight or what she wants to do when she grows up.
Zoe’s parents are more or less perfect too. Although they are not physically described, you can imagine that John looks like a younger Harrison Ford, and Jane is a devoted (but deadly if necessary) Uma Thurman. And Zoe? Think of Claire Danes in “My So-Called Life.”
Scalzi does actually throw in some material that could be construed as philosophical contemplations on God if one wanted to take a break from the witty banter and think of more serious matters. The Obin used to be animals that were given consciousness by a race called the Consu, who were into experimentation. Zoe’s father then gave the Obin individuality, through consciousness of themselves. With the father gone, Zoe became a goddess to the Obin. The Consu represented the unknowable God from whom the Obin really wanted answers: e.g., why were they given intelligence? what did the Consu want and expect from them? Etc. Zoe of course finds out the answers, during the process of Saving the Universe.
The author is clever, the book is fun, but if Zoe had a little less self-esteem, she would seem less alien to me than the Obin, who, in spite of looking like a cross between spiders and giraffes learn how to sing and make music like Indian sitars.
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not least in the family is a slobbery dog named Babar, named after Zoe’s favorite stuffed toy elephant from her childhood.This book has all you would expect of a scifi novel, including a little green man in a flying saucer, a variety of alien species that range from giant insect-like creatures to werewolves, space jumps, star wars, and scary weapons. All of that seems believable. The only part I thought that strained credulity was the precocity, self-possession, and consistently amusing and adroit repartee from Zoe, and even from her friends: her equally endearingly sarcastic best friend Gretchen, her perfect boyfriend Enzo, and Gretchen’s bad-but-good-at-heart boyfriend Magdy. Sure, Zoe suffers some angst from time to time, but it’s angst over stuff like The Fate of the Universe, not over her face breaking out or worrying about sex or clothes or weight or what she wants to do when she grows up.
Zoe’s parents are more or less perfect too. Although they are not physically described, you can imagine that John looks like a younger Harrison Ford, and Jane is a devoted (but deadly if necessary) Uma Thurman. And Zoe? Think of Claire Danes in “My So-Called Life.”
Scalzi does actually throw in some material that could be construed as philosophical contemplations on God if one wanted to take a break from the witty banter and think of more serious matters. The Obin used to be animals that were given consciousness by a race called the Consu, who were into experimentation. Zoe’s father then gave the Obin individuality, through consciousness of themselves. With the father gone, Zoe became a goddess to the Obin. The Consu represented the unknowable God from whom the Obin really wanted answers: e.g., why were they given intelligence? what did the Consu want and expect from them? Etc. Zoe of course finds out the answers, during the process of Saving the Universe.
The author is clever, the book is fun, but if Zoe had a little less self-esteem, she would seem less alien to me than the Obin, who, in spite of looking like a cross between spiders and giraffes learn how to sing and make music like Indian sitars.
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LibraryThing member saltmanz
Much like Orson Scott Card did when he revisited the events of Ender's Game from a different viewpoint with Ender's Shadow, John Scalzi uses the fourth volume of his Old Man's War series to retell the plot of The Last Colony. I like to think that Scalzi pulls it off better than even Card did,
It's the teenage-girl viewpoint that gets this book labelled as "YA", I guess, so it amuses me that it's by far the longest book in the series. (To be fair, the language is toned down considerably from previous books, but that comes from being about a bunch of teenagers instead of adults and ex-soldiers.) Speaking as a middle-aged dude, I think Scalzi pulls of the "voice" of a teenage girl quite well. And indeed, it's being able to connect with the main character through her narrative that makes this book work—even more than in previous volumes. Presumably you know the plot of the story already, having previously read The Last Colony, so that plot takes much more of a background role in this book, while the story here focuses more on the characters and their relationships with each other. And it works, it really does. Even when I knew what was going to happen, Scalzi keeps things fresh by not rehashing territory covered in the previous book; choosing instead to show what transpired in-between key events, or what Zoe was up to "off-camera".
Now, if you haven't read TLC yet—or previous books, for that matter—I think Zoe's Tale will work for you. Scalzi puts in enough detail, I believe, for the reader to make sense of what's going on. But I'll go out on a limb and guarantee that you will get much more out of this book having already read that one. Likewise, I find myself appreciating TLC much more now that I've essentially read it again, but from another perspective and with some of the gaps filled in. The two books together make for a more fulfilling reading experience than either one of them by itself.
It's not a perfect book by any means, but it's nice to get to know a number of characters better that were more or less peripheral in TLC, and to have some plot-related things explained a little better. And apparently Scalzi is incapable of writing something that's not an absolute page-turner. [4 out of 5 stars]
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mainly because the whole same-story-from-different-perspectives thing works even better with first-person narratives, and Scalzi's narrators couldn't be much more different: a 90-year-old (mentally) ex-soldier, and—in this book—a 17-year-old girl.It's the teenage-girl viewpoint that gets this book labelled as "YA", I guess, so it amuses me that it's by far the longest book in the series. (To be fair, the language is toned down considerably from previous books, but that comes from being about a bunch of teenagers instead of adults and ex-soldiers.) Speaking as a middle-aged dude, I think Scalzi pulls of the "voice" of a teenage girl quite well. And indeed, it's being able to connect with the main character through her narrative that makes this book work—even more than in previous volumes. Presumably you know the plot of the story already, having previously read The Last Colony, so that plot takes much more of a background role in this book, while the story here focuses more on the characters and their relationships with each other. And it works, it really does. Even when I knew what was going to happen, Scalzi keeps things fresh by not rehashing territory covered in the previous book; choosing instead to show what transpired in-between key events, or what Zoe was up to "off-camera".
Now, if you haven't read TLC yet—or previous books, for that matter—I think Zoe's Tale will work for you. Scalzi puts in enough detail, I believe, for the reader to make sense of what's going on. But I'll go out on a limb and guarantee that you will get much more out of this book having already read that one. Likewise, I find myself appreciating TLC much more now that I've essentially read it again, but from another perspective and with some of the gaps filled in. The two books together make for a more fulfilling reading experience than either one of them by itself.
It's not a perfect book by any means, but it's nice to get to know a number of characters better that were more or less peripheral in TLC, and to have some plot-related things explained a little better. And apparently Scalzi is incapable of writing something that's not an absolute page-turner. [4 out of 5 stars]
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LibraryThing member tortoise
Zoe's Tale is a retelling of the events in Scalzi's novel The Last Colony, from the perspective of its protagonist's teenage daughter. It covers the results of their settlement of the planet Roanoke and her relationship with the alien Obin.
About halfway through, I described this book to my
The plot didn't do a whole lot for me: I'd seen a decent chunk of it the first time around, and much of what I hadn't seen felt frustratingly cliched. Still, while this isn't going to change my opinion that The Ghost Brigades is Scalzi's best book to date, it was an entertainingly worthwhile piece of fluff.
About halfway through, I described this book to my
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girlfriend as "sarcasm porn." Though it gets more serious eventually, I'd basically stand by this description. Practically all the major characters are some brand of smartass, and a lot of the fun of the book for me was in watching them bounce off each other, in what felt like a cross between one of Steven Brust's Taltos books and an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.The plot didn't do a whole lot for me: I'd seen a decent chunk of it the first time around, and much of what I hadn't seen felt frustratingly cliched. Still, while this isn't going to change my opinion that The Ghost Brigades is Scalzi's best book to date, it was an entertainingly worthwhile piece of fluff.
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LibraryThing member lastgreypoet
Scalzi does good work here. Although the story is a retelling of The Last Colony, as seen by Zoe, the compelling characterization makes it worth the read, and living the story again through her perspective gives the narrative a deeper emotional punch than that in the original telling.
LibraryThing member Nikkles
Surprisingly well written. Zoe's point of view was fresh and refreshing and really makes this book worth reading. Its a slow moving book without too much action, but what action there is is entertaining. A good book for people who like interesting characters.
LibraryThing member readermom
This was a book that reminded me of the teenager I think I was. After twenty years I realize my memories are a bit subjective, but the narrator of this book felt much more real than most and much more appealing that others I have tried to read (4 book series beginning with T.) The plot is a
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standard science fiction one but the honesty of s an almost child telling the story was compelling and wonderful. Show Less
LibraryThing member Shrike58
This novel is what it was meant to be and not much more; taking you stage left to show you how the gaps in the plot of "The Last Colony" were filled in. That said, the question then becomes whether Zoe Boutin-Perry is a successful character; maybe. I'd have to imagine that a person having gone
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through what Zoe had experienced up to the climax of the story would be rather more brittle than how she comes across; at least I would have expected rather more fallout from the results of the girl's budding romance. That said, Scalzi does give you one of his poignant and effective climaxes, and that goes a long way towards making things right. This is not to mention that we do find out what happens to the conflict between the local sapient beings and the colonists on Roanoke. Show Less
LibraryThing member Aerrin99
Although enjoyable, as Scalzi always is, Zoe's Tale is one of his less successful books, as books go.
It suffers from being a parallel tale. The parallel tale can be made to work well, but there's not much new here, and reading it directly after The Last Colony was almost tedious in places. A
Worst, though, is Zoe's voice. I'm a reader of his blog, so I'm aware that he's aware that hitting the teenage girl voice was struggle and that he took it as a challenge to himself. Unfortunately, I could feel that struggle through every inch of Zoe. She's simply a character who /tries/ too hard. She's too pithy, too witty, too brilliant, too unengaging. She has none of the pathos that often attracts me to YA books (one of my favorite genres). Her ups and downs and struggles (what there are of them - Zoe soars right past many an obstacle with a cursory brush to their obstacleness) failed to move me almost entirely, save for one notable exception.
I get what Scalzi was trying to do here - there are moments when this book hits the 'who you are' and 'what you are' points very nicely. I suspect it would resonate with teen girls who are encouraged rather than distracted by a heroine who's smarter and wise-cracking-er than the majority of actual teen girls. And I suppose that's really what YA fiction is all about.
I can't say I didn't enjoy this book - I did, while it was going. But Scalzi can and has done better, and the weight of the 'very little new territory' re-tell combined with the protagonist keeps me from doing much more than simply 'enjoying' it. From Scalzi, that's disappointing.
It suffers from being a parallel tale. The parallel tale can be made to work well, but there's not much new here, and reading it directly after The Last Colony was almost tedious in places. A
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parallel tale should delve into hidden parts of the previous story or illuminate old characters and events in a new light - this doesn't really manage to do either until the very tale end of the book, and even then I wasn't all that impressed. Worst, though, is Zoe's voice. I'm a reader of his blog, so I'm aware that he's aware that hitting the teenage girl voice was struggle and that he took it as a challenge to himself. Unfortunately, I could feel that struggle through every inch of Zoe. She's simply a character who /tries/ too hard. She's too pithy, too witty, too brilliant, too unengaging. She has none of the pathos that often attracts me to YA books (one of my favorite genres). Her ups and downs and struggles (what there are of them - Zoe soars right past many an obstacle with a cursory brush to their obstacleness) failed to move me almost entirely, save for one notable exception.
I get what Scalzi was trying to do here - there are moments when this book hits the 'who you are' and 'what you are' points very nicely. I suspect it would resonate with teen girls who are encouraged rather than distracted by a heroine who's smarter and wise-cracking-er than the majority of actual teen girls. And I suppose that's really what YA fiction is all about.
I can't say I didn't enjoy this book - I did, while it was going. But Scalzi can and has done better, and the weight of the 'very little new territory' re-tell combined with the protagonist keeps me from doing much more than simply 'enjoying' it. From Scalzi, that's disappointing.
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LibraryThing member grizzly.anderson
Since Zoe's Tale is essentially a re-telling of events from some of the other books, primarily The Last Colony, isn't it kind of repetitive, and more to the point, why would I give it one more star than The Last Colony?
Repetitive? Maybe a little. But Scalzi tells a very different story this time.
I think the story telling on Zoe is more consistent, better paced, and has fewer holes than The Last Colony did. If I'd read this one first I might not think that though. It is certainly meant to be read in conjunction with The Last Colony. Certainly I can't say that it suffers from a predictable ending since the ending is a foregone conclusion. Should they be read in publication order? Probably. Certainly you could start with Zoe's Tale, but I think it assumes a lot of familiarity with the events of The Last Colony.
Repetitive? Maybe a little. But Scalzi tells a very different story this time.
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It is the tale of Zoe and secondarily of Hickory and Dickory. And in the afterword Scalzi notes that one of the things he wanted to do was fix some of the problems people noted in The Last Colony, particularly the Deus Ex Machina salvation of the colony and the appearance and disappearance of the Roanoke natives. When I looked back at my review of The Last Colony I discovered I was one of the folks complaining about just that.I think the story telling on Zoe is more consistent, better paced, and has fewer holes than The Last Colony did. If I'd read this one first I might not think that though. It is certainly meant to be read in conjunction with The Last Colony. Certainly I can't say that it suffers from a predictable ending since the ending is a foregone conclusion. Should they be read in publication order? Probably. Certainly you could start with Zoe's Tale, but I think it assumes a lot of familiarity with the events of The Last Colony.
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LibraryThing member clarient
I can say without a doubt that this is one the best books I've read all year.
Having never read any of the other books in the series, this book can absolutely stand on its own. I couldn't put it down - I found myself laughing out loud, smiling, and eventually, holding back tears. It was a poignant
It reminded me quite a bit of The Giver in the smooth and even way the story unfolded, and in the very accessible manner in which it was told. I loved it.
Having never read any of the other books in the series, this book can absolutely stand on its own. I couldn't put it down - I found myself laughing out loud, smiling, and eventually, holding back tears. It was a poignant
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tale with a pacing that seemed very suitable to a young adult readership. And while Scalzi may certainly not be a teenaged girl, I think he gave her a voice that was spot on. She was the kind of girl I wish I had been growing up.It reminded me quite a bit of The Giver in the smooth and even way the story unfolded, and in the very accessible manner in which it was told. I loved it.
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LibraryThing member JohnFair
Although this book pretty much covers the same events as the book, _The Last Colony_, it tells the tale of the Roanoak Colony from the point of view of Zoe, John Perry's adopted daughter and her fellow teenagers. Again, this could have been a disaster - whatever else he may be, John Scalzi isn't a
However, it was a surprisingly moving version of the tale, especially in the way that Zoe's feelings were described, first in the discovery of her true love and then her feelings of loss after his death (on the other hand I'm even less a female teen than Mr Scalzi...) and it does add a few additional events that expand on the original story.
Highly recommended
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teenaged girl.However, it was a surprisingly moving version of the tale, especially in the way that Zoe's feelings were described, first in the discovery of her true love and then her feelings of loss after his death (on the other hand I'm even less a female teen than Mr Scalzi...) and it does add a few additional events that expand on the original story.
Highly recommended
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LibraryThing member bigorangemichael
John Scalzi returns to his popular "Old Man's War" universe with a parallel novel to the last entry, told from the perspective of Zoe Boutin Perry. Covering the same time frame as the previous entry, "The Last Colony," "Zoe's Tale" examines the ins and outs of the story from Zoe's perspective as a
Hearing how Zoe thinks and reacts to things is fascinating and even though we may know where things are going, Scalzi still manages to keep the story suspenseful and compelling. The big part of this is the voice of Zoe. Scalzi sets up the character's voice early and then steps back, allowing her to take over telling the story in such a way that it is fresh, compelling and a definite asset to the universe of Old Man's War. I know at the end of "The Last Colony," Scalzi said he was taking a break from the universe for a while, but after reading this, I'm glad he didn't. "Zoe's Tale" comes along just soon enough after "Last Colony" to allow readers to remember enough of the critical events and turning points from the story.
However, don't think that just because you haven't read "Last Colony" you can't or shouldn't read this one. Scalzi's strength is that you can read his novels in any order and while having some background will enhance some aspects of the novels, it's not required. Scalzi has created a series that is equally rewarding for new and old readers. If anything, the compelling nature of "Zoe's Tale" will have those who haven't read the previous installments heading to a bookstore or library to see what they've missed.
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teenage girl and the lynchpin of peace agreeement between several interstellar races. Hearing how Zoe thinks and reacts to things is fascinating and even though we may know where things are going, Scalzi still manages to keep the story suspenseful and compelling. The big part of this is the voice of Zoe. Scalzi sets up the character's voice early and then steps back, allowing her to take over telling the story in such a way that it is fresh, compelling and a definite asset to the universe of Old Man's War. I know at the end of "The Last Colony," Scalzi said he was taking a break from the universe for a while, but after reading this, I'm glad he didn't. "Zoe's Tale" comes along just soon enough after "Last Colony" to allow readers to remember enough of the critical events and turning points from the story.
However, don't think that just because you haven't read "Last Colony" you can't or shouldn't read this one. Scalzi's strength is that you can read his novels in any order and while having some background will enhance some aspects of the novels, it's not required. Scalzi has created a series that is equally rewarding for new and old readers. If anything, the compelling nature of "Zoe's Tale" will have those who haven't read the previous installments heading to a bookstore or library to see what they've missed.
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LibraryThing member SaintBrevity
The fourth book in the Old Man's War universe, this is set as a parallel to The Last Colony, told from the point of view of that book's protagonists' daughter. This book feels very polished, even in comparison to other works by John Scalzi. The pacing is good, the characters (and especially the
It functions extremely well as a companion novel; I don't know how well it would stand on its own, but other reviews indicate that it does that just fine.
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voice of the protagonist) are pitch perfect, and there are several genuinely funny lines and several genuinely moving ones.It functions extremely well as a companion novel; I don't know how well it would stand on its own, but other reviews indicate that it does that just fine.
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LibraryThing member agis
(I received a Zoe's Tale ARC through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program)
Zoe Boutin Perry was never a significant character on her own merits in the previous John Scalzi book "The Last Colony" - a key to parts of the plot, but more important there for what she was than who she was. Combine
And Zoe's Tale it truly is - though the previous books in the Old Man's War series were primarily from first person perspective, they were not as focused on a single character. As a result, Zoe may be Scalzi's best established character; the note-perfect sarcasm was a little overplayed (Scalzi is great at snark) but not by much. Plus, it allows him free reign with her primary conflict - growing as a person and facing the issue of who she is as a person versus her role as a icon to an alien species and part of a treaty between that species and humanity.
The personal focus also causes a problem, however; it's not as easy to switch the grand events occurring during the novel. This leads to some strained info dumping on occasion as the reader has to be caught up on the background plot to understand what's going on. Scalzi also manages to write himself into a corner later on, setting up a big fight scene that he can't write out - it would completely throw off the books pacing and is too large to manage - so he has to offhandedly dispatch it in 7 words.
For all that this is a parallel to the third book in a series, it feels accessible as a standalone book; the plot dumping helps, but the book is mostly shaped well on its own. There are a couple minor points that a new reader is unlikely to get - the roles of Phoenix and Earth, certain aspects of the CDF - but they're not significant distractions. Zoe's Tale is as good a place as any to start with Scalzi, and a good book in its own right.
Zoe Boutin Perry was never a significant character on her own merits in the previous John Scalzi book "The Last Colony" - a key to parts of the plot, but more important there for what she was than who she was. Combine
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that with her involvement in the one big plot gap of the book - where key events happened offscreen - and there's plenty of room for something like "Zoe's Tale", which covers roughly the same time period but from the perspective of Zoe rather than her parents.And Zoe's Tale it truly is - though the previous books in the Old Man's War series were primarily from first person perspective, they were not as focused on a single character. As a result, Zoe may be Scalzi's best established character; the note-perfect sarcasm was a little overplayed (Scalzi is great at snark) but not by much. Plus, it allows him free reign with her primary conflict - growing as a person and facing the issue of who she is as a person versus her role as a icon to an alien species and part of a treaty between that species and humanity.
The personal focus also causes a problem, however; it's not as easy to switch the grand events occurring during the novel. This leads to some strained info dumping on occasion as the reader has to be caught up on the background plot to understand what's going on. Scalzi also manages to write himself into a corner later on, setting up a big fight scene that he can't write out - it would completely throw off the books pacing and is too large to manage - so he has to offhandedly dispatch it in 7 words.
For all that this is a parallel to the third book in a series, it feels accessible as a standalone book; the plot dumping helps, but the book is mostly shaped well on its own. There are a couple minor points that a new reader is unlikely to get - the roles of Phoenix and Earth, certain aspects of the CDF - but they're not significant distractions. Zoe's Tale is as good a place as any to start with Scalzi, and a good book in its own right.
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LibraryThing member lenoreva
The hard core sci-fi cover might make you think otherwise, but Zoe’s Tale is chiefly an empowering yet sweet coming of age story about 16 year old Zoe, both player and pawn in a complex interstellar battle between the Colonial Union (the human alliance) and the Conclave (an alliance of roughly
Zoe, her adopted parents, her two alien bodyguards and about 2000 settlers from 10 different human colonies are sent off by the Colonial Union to colonize a new planet called Roanoke (and anyone who knows American history will appreciate the irony of the name). But as it turns out, the Colonial Union has plans that don’t have the best interests of the colonists at heart. But fortunately, Zoe is not the type of girl who goes down without fight, especially when the lives of her parents, her new best friend Gretchen and her new boyfriend Enzo’s lives are at stake.
I like sci-fi, but I’ve never been big on books where alien races make up a big part of the narrative because of all the exposition you normally have to slog through. Author John Scalzi is wise to keep this to a minimum and the aliens he does introduce even manage to be entertaining (picture big spider like creatures at a hoedown and try not to laugh). Don’t let the star trek like premise turn you off, because Zoe, an ordinary teenage girl asked to be extraordinary, is worth getting to know. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her.
Although this isn’t a YA novel, Publisher Tor is actively courting the teen market. And with a heroine as appealing and strong as Zoe, I think they just might succeed.
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400 alien species). If you’ve read The Last Colony, I guess you probably know how it all turns out since this is apparently a novel with a parallel timeline told from a different perspective. If you haven’t, no matter, as this tale can stand on its own.Zoe, her adopted parents, her two alien bodyguards and about 2000 settlers from 10 different human colonies are sent off by the Colonial Union to colonize a new planet called Roanoke (and anyone who knows American history will appreciate the irony of the name). But as it turns out, the Colonial Union has plans that don’t have the best interests of the colonists at heart. But fortunately, Zoe is not the type of girl who goes down without fight, especially when the lives of her parents, her new best friend Gretchen and her new boyfriend Enzo’s lives are at stake.
I like sci-fi, but I’ve never been big on books where alien races make up a big part of the narrative because of all the exposition you normally have to slog through. Author John Scalzi is wise to keep this to a minimum and the aliens he does introduce even manage to be entertaining (picture big spider like creatures at a hoedown and try not to laugh). Don’t let the star trek like premise turn you off, because Zoe, an ordinary teenage girl asked to be extraordinary, is worth getting to know. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with her.
Although this isn’t a YA novel, Publisher Tor is actively courting the teen market. And with a heroine as appealing and strong as Zoe, I think they just might succeed.
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LibraryThing member BjornFr
Not bad even if you've just finished 'The Last Colony' as I just did. Possibly worse if you haven't, not a good introduction to the universe, and no idea in my mind how it would stand alone as the YA book it is
LibraryThing member billsearth
Good story though adolescent eyes. Pretty good humor mixed in.
LibraryThing member brightcopy
Zoe's Tale is a bit redundant if you've already read The Last Colony recently, so wait a year or two before picking it up. It retells the same events in that book from Zoe's point of view, but also fills in gaps and plot holes as well. This is quite a challenge and for the most part I think it
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works. Unfortunately, most of this is at the end of the book. The first half or more of the books is somewhat unexciting. Especially since you ultimately know how the situation is going to conclude. It's good, but not great. Show Less
LibraryThing member RobbFlynn
Here’s the meat of it for me: Zoe is, without a doubt, the singular most impressively rendered character I have read in the last five, maybe even ten years, regardless of genre. She’s smart, witty, and sarcastic to a fault. She’s filled with love and angst, desire and rebellion. She’s
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coming of age in a new world she loathes and loves with adoptive parents she both adores and, at times, wants nothing to do with. Oh, and she’s the messiah for an alien species who have sworn to protect her from harm, even if it means destroying the rest of the human settlement. Most of all, though, Zoe is both charming and compelling, and her story went by far, far to quickly. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 2009)
Andre Norton Nebula Award for Middle Grade and Young Adult Fiction (Finalist — 2009)
Locus Award (Finalist — Young Adult Novel — 2009)
SF Site Reader's Choice (2008)
Grand Canyon Reader Award (Nominee — Teen — 2013)
Locus Recommended Reading (Young Adult — 2008)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008-08
Physical description
335 p.; 19.7 cm
ISBN
9781447295358
Local notes
Omslag: www.blacksheep-uk.com
Omslaget viser et rumskib i luften over en planet. I baggrunden ses en stor planet
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Omslaget viser et rumskib i luften over en planet. I baggrunden ses en stor planet
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Similar in this library
Series
Pages
335
DDC/MDS
| 813.6 |