This book was so satisfying, so very Scalzi, and has both an interesting and diverse set of characters and a complex plot line. Scalzi is such a great storyteller. As usual his dialogue is truly fun to read. Keep going to book 3!
Entertaining second volume in this trilogy, which has its faults but just manages not to feel like it's the filling in a trilogy sandwich, or one pointlessly spinning wheel of a tricycle.
I enjoyed it, it was a page-turner, and Scalzi's writing is easy on the eyes, witty and fun. Felt a little cheated that the involvement of Cardenia/ Emperox Grayland II seemed a bit perfunctory. A bit "must put her through her paces to set up the Big Finale." Must remind the reader that she is Nice. Not always Right. But Right, more often than not. In fact all of the characters, bar one, seemed a bit grayed out, compared to the first novel -- doing exactly what they did there (bad to the bone, sex-obsessed, nice, take your pick ...). The one exception was the new "character" introduced in the last third or so (you'll know who I mean when you read the book1), who was at least fresh and interesting, and set up intriguing possibilities for drama in Volume 3.
I enjoyed it, it was a page-turner, and Scalzi's writing is easy on the eyes, witty and fun. Felt a little cheated that the involvement of Cardenia/ Emperox Grayland II seemed a bit perfunctory. A bit "must put her through her paces to set up the Big Finale." Must remind the reader that she is Nice. Not always Right. But Right, more often than not. In fact all of the characters, bar one, seemed a bit grayed out, compared to the first novel -- doing exactly what they did there (bad to the bone, sex-obsessed, nice, take your pick ...). The one exception was the new "character" introduced in the last third or so (you'll know who I mean when you read the book1), who was at least fresh and interesting, and set up intriguing possibilities for drama in Volume 3.
Excellent second book in the Interdependency. You'll need to have read the first. Lots of great characters, although there aren't too many shades of grey between them - it's mostly evil or mostly good. Lots of great snarky conversation and political plots and intrigues, double-crosses and triple-crosses, and unexpected twists. Scalzi interjects asides in a lot of places, detailing the consequences of minor acts and the fates of those you know are doomed anyway. I've seen some griping that Scalzi is making it too obvious that this series is a comment on climate change, well of course he is, but I'm fine with that. Good space opera and if you want to read anything else into it, that's up to you.
