The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

The Android's Dream by John Scalzi

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Jacket Blurb: A human diplomat kills his alien counterpart. Earth is on the verge of war with a vastly superior alien race. A lone man races against time and a host of enemies to find the one object that can save our planet and our people from alien enslavement...

A sheep.

That's right, a sheep. And if you think that's the most surprising thing about this book, wait until you read Chapter One. Welcome to The Android's Dream.

For Harry Creek, it's quickly becoming a nightmare. All he wants is to do his uncomplicated mid-level diplomatic job with Earth's State Department. But his past training and skills get him tapped to save the planet--and to protect pet store owner Robin Baker, whose own past holds the key to the whereabouts of that lost sheep. Doing both will take him from lava-strewn battlefields to alien halls of power. All in a day's work. Maybe it's time for a raise.

Throw in two-timing freelance mercenaries, political lobbyists with megalomaniac tendencies, aliens on a religious quest, and an artificial intelligence with unusual backstory, and you've got more than just your usual science fiction adventure story. You've got The Android's Dream.

February's book group selection. Read as an audio book.

I'm not even going to attempt to summarize this book. It's bizarre, fascinating, weird, well written, a bit gross, has interesting aliens, a rather complex plot, good twists, a bit predictable, grimace worthy humor, laugh out loud humor, and a most satisfactory ending.

Best parts - the whole concept, really, is quite brilliant.
Worst parts - Chucky the dog died. Almost a deal breaker in the book for me.
Second worst parts - people died in gross ways who really didn't have to die.
Best human - Harry Creek
Best alien - the Tak (sp?), despite what he did to Chucky and Archie.

While not as good as Old Man's War or the Interdependcy Series, it did not hit bottom like Redshirts (there's a day I'll never get back...). This could also be contributed to Will Wheaton's most excellent narration and performance.

If you like most of Scalzi's work, if you don't mind some bathroom humor and gross scenes, and can forgive the author for killing Chucky the dog, then you would probably enjoy this one. Probably...



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