Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author John Scalzi takes readers on an epic romp of galactic conquest and exploration in the Old Man's War series. This box set includes: Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades, and The Last Colony Earth itself is a backwater. The bulk of humanity's resources are in the hands of the Colonial Defense Force, which shields the home planet from too much knowledge of the situation. What's known to everybody is that when you reach retirement age, you can join the CDF. They don't want young people; they want people who carry the knowledge and skills of decades of living. Old Man's War John Perry did two things on his 75th birthday. First he visited his wife's grave. Then he joined the army, with only the vaguest idea what to expect. Because the actual fight is far more difficult than he can imagine--and what he will become is far stranger. The Ghost Brigades At first, Jared is a perfect soldier, but as another man's memories slowly surface, Jared begins to intuit the reasons for their betrayal. Time is running out: The alliance is preparing its offensive, and some of them plan worse things than humanity's mere military defeat. The Last Colony Retired from his fighting days, John Perry and his wife, Jane, are pulled back into the political arena, and into the thick of interstellar politics, betrayal, and war. Old Man's War Series #1 Old Man's War #2 The Ghost Brigades #3 The Last Colony #4 Zoe's Tale #5 The Human Division #6 The End of All Things Short fiction: "After the Coup"
Tags
Is Old Man's War Boxed Set I appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This military science fiction series features graphic combat violence, soldiers killed in alien warfare, body horror related to genetic modification and resurrection technology, and strong language throughout. Mature themes include colonialism, political betrayal, and the ethics of sending elderly citizens to war.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include graphic violence, death, death of spouse, and grief (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens who love military sci-fi will be drawn to the fascinating premise of 75-year-olds joining the army and the gritty, realistic depiction of interstellar warfare.