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A review by philantrop
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was great escapist fun! This book read like the happy child of Douglas Adams’ “Hitchhikers Guide To the Galaxy” and Martha Wells’ “Murderbot” (in tone more than in spirit!) with a bit of Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player One” mixed in for good measure!

After so many “mixed reading results” so far this year, this was a much needed blast of fresh, contemporary air that expertly blew away any residue of blues. This is a fun, feel-good book, a book like a really good popcorn movie.

This book is, in Scalzi’s own words:

»It’s a pop song. It’s meant to be light and catchy, with three minutes of hooks and choruses for you to sing along with, and then you’re done and you go on with your day, hopefully with a smile on your face. I had fun writing this, and I needed to have fun writing this. We all need a pop song from time to time, particularly after a stretch of darkness.«

I so enjoyed Jamie Gray, the lead character, who feels like an immensely nice person. Diversity comes naturally into play as well and, thus, a lively, colourful, powerful range of characters takes the stage that I’m sure I’m sorely going to miss.

For now, I’m smiling and happy to have read this book right now.

For all it is, I cannot help myself but award five out of five stars.