The Kaiju Preservation Society
Ratings430
Average rating3.9
It was a fun book. I don't think its his best book, which to me is Androids Dream, Old Mans War, or Agent to the stars. But its a fun book.
It defiantly has a bit of a Cory Doctorow feel, with the random modern technology thrown in. Plex. Discord. NFC. Local Wifi. Etc. Not a bad thing, just not what I really expected so much.
The whole thing about the first person narrator having no gender at all was really interesting. A couple places felt off, like the character had a gender in the first draft, but only like two places. Using Jaime instead of a pronoun in some locations felt awkward, but rarely and easy to overlook.
I would absolutely recommend to other people, especially since I essentially read it in one day.
What a fun read! In his author's notes, Scalzi acknowledges that this novel is more a pop song than a brooding symphony. That's a really accurate description and wow, did it felt good! I love everything in it: the characters, the dialogues, the humour. Sometimes, you just need a really good dose of silliness.
And when the french translation will be out, I'll read it!
30 juillet 2023: J'ai lu la version française! Je dois dire que je suis contente d'avoir lu la version anglaise en premier. L'histoire est toujours fantastique mais la traduction était un peu trop français de France et non un français international. Je suis Québécoise donc je suis sans doute plus sensible à ce détail. Par contre, la version française a inclus l'écriture inclusive de la version originale, ce que j'apprécie. Pour le reste, je suis toujours aussi fan! Ce livre va rester un de mes coups de coeur à vie!
The whole thing felt kind of shallow and undeveloped. Lots of build up and then the “problem” resolved very cleanly and quickly with few surprises. This would probably make a good Michael Bay movie.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ce livre. Il commence un peu comme un “slice of life”. On suit alors le personnage principal et 3 autres protagonistes dans leur nouveau job pour cette organisation de protection des animaux puis, arrivé au 2/3 du livre, les choses se compliquent un peu jusqu'au dénouement final. Très agréable lecture.
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I really liked this book. It starts out a bit like a “slice of life” book where we follow the main character and 3 other protagonists in their new job for this animal protection organization and then, at 2/3 of the book, things get a little complicated until the final outcome. Very pleasant reading.
I had really high hopes for this book as I'm a big monster movie fan. I made it to page 60 before calling it and there were barely any kaiju in what is overall a short book. What there was was a constant onslaught of sarcastic one-liners and current pop culture references. I wouldn't want to spend time with the main character in real life and I won't waste my time with him in a book either. DNF at page 60.
This was a quick fun read. I quite like Scalzi's writing style and would be curious to pick up more from him. I do wish there was more to describe the kaiju and also to distinguish the characters from each other in the story as they all sounded like the same person spouting witty one liners, but still a fun ride. 3.5⭐️!
It's been decades since I stayed up well past midnight devouring a book! I was starting to wonder if there was something wrong with me, with all the books I've been dropping and moving on to something else, searching for the right mix of light heartedness, a collection of friends that have each other's backs and love them warts-n-all, and a sprinkling of science; but not too much!There are so many nerdy references it reminds me of [b:Ready Player One 9969571 Ready Player One (Ready Player One, #1) Ernest Cline https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500930947l/9969571.SY75.jpg 14863741] and it's references to video games. I wasn't much into the games and that culture, but I'm definitely into science fiction and other references to the year of the story. I am! a science fiction nerd.
The author writes “KPS is not a brooding symphony of a book. It's a pop song. Light and catchy.” And too right!
I loved this silly little book and I think everyone should read it. Not because there are any truly meaningful takeaways, but because it is well-written, thoughtful, inclusive, creative and delightful.
This was written in the vein of hard SF with a lot of scientific research going on behind the scenes and provided, but just tongue in cheek enough for me to know it didn't take itself too seriously.
Honestly, this was just perfect. Cannot recommend it enough.
This book is a bop and I loved it. I read it as an ebook, but spent the whole time imagining Em Grosland narrating it. (I have a love-hate relationship with Audible Exclusives and also with Wil Wheaton as a narrator.)
This book is SO GREAT at being what it is - a funny, light, smart, creative romp with relatable characters, perfect pacing, and accessible sci-fi ideas. Highly recommend for a quick and entertaining read!
There isn't too much plot, but it was fun and snarky—a nice palate cleanser.
I loved the characters! I loved the pacing and the world that was created. I loved the way they played with monsters. This was a really fun read.
Described by the author as “a pop song”, this book is joyful. Dialog drives the plot forward almost exclusively.
Basically the plot of the story is that there's an alternate reality earth with huge kaiju (think Godzilla) and it's the Kaiju Preservation Society's job to look after them.
The main character is a fan of sci-fi novels, so as a fellow sci-fi fan it was fun picking up on the references (is this what it's like to read and actually enjoy Ready Player One??).
However I did feel like the climax/resolution was a bit of a letdown, a bit too much of an invincible, main characters can do no wrong, vibe. But otherwise fun if you don't take it too seriously. Hence why I couldn't give it a 5 star!
Originally posted at www.emgoto.com.
Scalzi does not disappoint with this latest novel! Personally, I'm a big fan of everything that he writes, so maybe I'm a bit biased, but one thing I'm not overly excited about is Jurassic Park/Godzilla/monster-type narratives. But, that being said, Scalzi made me love this kind of story.
The world was imaginative and the events were exciting. I loved the characters, especially Martin Satie (give it up for my fellow Québécois! He was such a badass, I love him) and Jamie Gray (who supposedly just “lifts things” but is obviously much more useful and helpful than that). Jamie's friends at Tanaka Base were all colourful and interesting to read about (except Niamh–they were too whinny and annoying to my taste).
The Kaiju themselves were characters in their own right. The naming tradition was so banal that it made it hilarious (a several hundred-foot tall monster named Kevin? Let's go!!). The whole mating scene with Bella and Edward (yes, that Bella and Edward) was so funny and irreverent, I think I'll remember it forever.
Despite the seriousness of the situation behind some of the scenes in the book, the characters find a way of being snarky and funny throughout, which lightens the mood and makes giant Godzilla-like creatures seem like moody Pomeranians rather than monstrous killing machines. As I said at the beginning of this review, I don't particularly like monster movies like Godzilla, but the fact that Scalzi's story doesn't take itself seriously makes it much more fun and exciting than a typical Hollywood cash-grab.
All in all, this is a great book amidst pandemic anxiety (which is constantly referenced in the novel) with the signature humour and frequent pop culture references that readers of Scalzi will be accustomed to.
First of all: Giant monsters. Need I say more? No, those of you for whom those two words said it all, have already ordered the book and started reading. This is vintage light Scalzi. He had me before we even got into double digit page numbers (Character loses job, has to pay for crappy NYC apartment, complete with tiny drafty room and creaky floor, by a demeaning delivery job, second chapter pores on love for cyberpunk author Neal Stephenson ... and that's before any kaiju show up ...). In the afterword, Scalzi says this is the light fun novel he needed to write during the pandemic, and it is that. We're given a hefty quick and massive dose of the typical Scalzi sarcastic tongue in cheek take on everything, and my only minor complaint is that fun fades in the latter half of the book for a running around plucky kids save the universe comic book like narrative push - but, hey, that's not actually a bad thing. Recommend for Scalzi fans (alright you've left this review already by now), for others, if you want a quick, cute fun read, Redshirts style, go for it.
Scalzi creates a fantastic universe and one in which plot is secondary. It's a quick and fun read and a universe to which I'd like to return in a sequel or even a series!??