Zoe's Tale is a parallel retelling of Scalzi's third Old Man's War novel, The Last Colony, written as a first-person narrative from the viewpoint of Zoë Boutin Perry (John Perry's daughter). It was fun to get the events of The Last Colony from Zoe's perspective, which makes sense. Zoe's Tale fleshed out some bits of the Last Colony that weren't very clear, like why the werewolves stopped attacking the colony and where the sapper field came from. The society of the Obin and their relationship to the Consu was expanded. It also gave us an insight to the lives of Zoe and her friends. Also, this reminded me of Heinlein Juveniles, so there's that. This is basically Scazli's attempt at YA. Zoe's a believable teenage girl, who is dealing with extraordinary circumstances of attempting to settle a new planet while having the burden of a alien race worshiping her. I enjoyed her spunk.

Zoe's Tale is not hard SF or space opera--it's a character-driven first-person description of the first year of a new colony's establishment, which Scalzi juxtaposes with some pretty nasty interplanetary politics. It's a quick, fun yarn with a few thought provoking moments.

All and all, it is a nice complement to "The Last Colony". It's not my favorite Scalzi but I still really enjoyed it. It's got a great central character, funny moments, some interplanetary politics, and witty dialogue and believable teenagers. Perfect for fans of Orson Scott Card Ender series and Heinlein's juveniles. ( )

I am glad i waited a long time to read this book. If I had read it right after The Last Colony I don't think I would have liked it as much. Fun read but still a little to familiar for me to just gush about. ( )

Interesting and fun story re-telling the events of [b:The Last Colony|88071|The Last Colony (Old Man's War #3)|John Scalzi|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437660786s/88071.jpg|18279847] using the first-person perspective of Zoe. Her perspective, as a young woman, is based more on relationships (not emotions, as other reviewers are fond of writing) than politics (as was her father's in The Last Colony). This, along with her unique position as a revered figure for the Obin, gives the author a chance to explore life in the colony and the culture of alien races a bit deeper, though probably not deep enough.

The book clocks in as the longest entry to date in the Old Man's War series, probably due to Zoe's rambly, snarky (like her father), teenage, angsty take on things. Mr. Scalzi does an admirable job of capturing just enough of that attitude to carry the story, without sending it over the edge into unbearableness.

I can understand, but disagree with, the view that there's nothing new here, that everything was wrapped up quite nicely in previous book. But I'll grant the author his reasoning and opportunity to pull back the curtain a bit and add depth to the story. Plus, I'm pretty sure he's correct in how difficult it was to write this.

Recommended if you are a Scalzi completist or a YA-enthusiast. ( )

Really enjoyable, a great addition to the previous book and well worth the read. ( )

A sarcastic teenage girl tells an Old Man's War. Ugh.

Scalzi does a great job capturing the voice of a teenage girl. That's great writing... but Gilmore Girls in space is not my thing. ( )