The End of All Things: Starred Review at Kirkus
Posted on May 20, 2015 Posted by John Scalzi 34 Comments
The first review of The End of All Things is in at Kirkus Reviews, and I’m very pleased to say that it’s received a star (i.e., notation for being especially good).
The full review has some spoilery content, so be warned; here’s the link to it. For those who just want the gist, here’s a relevant excerpt:
It’s classic crowd-pleasing Scalzi, offering thrilling adventure scenes (space battles, daring military actions, parachute jumps through a planet’s atmosphere), high-stakes politics, snarky commentary, and food for thought. Delightful, compulsively readable, and even somewhat nutritious brain candy.
Mmmmm…. brain candy.
Also, and because this is how my brain works, I’m relieved that no matter what else happens, review-wise, we have quote for the cover for the paperback release. One neurotic worry down! Many, many more to go.
Anyway, this is my good news for the day. Hope you’re having a good day, too.
Looking forward to it.
Nice cover pic. Reminds of the 80s reprint cover pictures of books written by E. E. ‘Doc’ Smith . . .
. . . in fact, you are E. E. ‘Doc’ Smith an I claim my $5!
Wow! Not just parachute jumps, but parachute jumps through atmosphere! You just blew that reviewer’s mind with your wacky sci-fi ideas!
“we have quote for the cover for the paperback release”:
[“.. even somewhat nutritious brain candy.” – Kirkus Reviews]?
Nice! You have to slay those neurotic worries at every opportunity.
Oh, I am looking forward to this!!
I’ve read the full review, and, without spoilers, it’s looking very good indeed. Congratulations!
At first I thought that tiny fighter plane on the cover was a fly on my screen. It didn’t fly when I went to shoo it off. Fortunately once I realized what it was I stopped seeing it that way. A hazard of looking at images at less-than-full-size.
Wouldn’t matter if it was a fly. I WANNA READ THE BOOK RIGHT NOW!!!
When does the all-together book come out, August?
congrats!
August 11.
Did the review indicate whether or not you can judge EOAT by it’s cover? That’s the most important thing!
Congratulations on a good review, looking forward to reading it.
To some science fiction will always be brain candy, no matter how profound.
Mmmm…brain candy. Now I know what to feed zombies with a sweet tooth.
When someone gives an approving quote that you’d like to put on the cover as a blurb, do you get their permission first? What is the customary way to handle that?
Bill:
If it’s a review, usually, no. It’s understood that it’s a public statement. Publishers do solicit blurbs from individuals, and usually the permission there is implicit.
“Somewhat Nutritious Brain Candy” as a cover quote? Might work.
Penciled in for late summer beach reading. I am looking forward to reading a thousand pages of digressions from Mr. Stephenson first.
“The sheer amazingness of this book made my brain experience a million simultaneous orgasms. Eventually I intend to read it.” — John Hattan
There’s your cover blurb. You’re welcome!
I’m pissed that I can’t pre-order the audiobook version on Audible yet, and I blame you, Scalzi.
How’s a guy supposed to set up his fall reading list? c’mon!
Does that sound sufficiently sad-puppyish?
“Nutritious brain candy” makes me think of peanut M&M’s.
I like John Hattan’s blurb, but I have an even better one:-
‘Buy this book. OR ELSE!’
Brain candy… not just for zombies anymore.
I’m so excited! Do you happen to know if William Dufris will be reading the audiobook again? He was so very good for The Human Division.
Wait, wasn’t there a parachuting from space in the last set of stories when those mean guys did that thing to that place?
Mearsk
Yes, that happened. kinda sorta
My excitement for this cannot be overstated.
How can it have space battles and military action, and still get reviewed?
I’m confused. And possibly sad.
@mearsk: Yes, there was! At least that’s how I remember it.
@Brian: This isn’t Locus?
Is “Somewhat Nutritious Brain Candy” the name of Scalzi’s next band?
So when does the Pupposphere start with the “Kirkus is part of the Libero-SWJ-CHORFunist CONSPIRACEEEEE” babbling? ;)
Seriously, kudos John. Looks like a winner for you. Can’t wait to read it!
Congratulations! Since I’ve been binge watching Stargate Universe, I am not surprised by any of the acclaim.
The blurb should be “somewhat nutritious”
FWIW, I hate quotes from anyone and anything on book covers and I’m talking power-of-a-thousand-suns level. I will give a grudging pass to an unobstrusive one-liner on the front cover but anything hovering near the synopsis on the back cover starts the volcano boiling and anything that omits a synopsis entirely in favour of quotes results in me trying to resist the urge to fling the book across the room and going “but what is it about dammit!?!?”
I generally don’t give a rats about someone else’s opinion on a book as, in my experience, other people’s opinions are usually a poor indicator of whether I’ll enjoy it. So unless I’m on close enough terms to someone that I am familiar with the fine nuances of their taste, the whole thing is meaningless at best and counterproductive when it results in a lack of information about the actual stories.
/end rant