Scalzi’s ‘End of All Things’: Witty, Ambitious, Yet Uneven Sci-Fi (Old Man’s War #6)

From Amazon:

Hugo Award-winning author John Scalzi returns to his best-selling Old Man’s War universe with The End of All Things, the direct sequel to 2013’s The Human Division.
Humans expanded into space…only to find a universe populated with multiple alien species bent on their destruction. Thus was the Colonial Union formed, to help protect us from a hostile universe. The Colonial Union used the Earth and its excess population for colonists and soldiers. It was a good arrangement…for the Colonial Union. Then the Earth said: no more.

Now the Colonial Union is living on borrowed time – a couple of decades at most before the ranks of the Colonial Defense Forces are depleted and the struggling human colonies are vulnerable to the alien species who have been waiting for the first sign of weakness to drive humanity to ruin. And there’s another problem: a group, lurking in the darkness of space, playing human and alien against each other – and against their own kind – for their own unknown reasons.

In this collapsing universe, CDF Lieutenant Harry Wilson and the Colonial Union diplomats he works with race against the clock to discover who is behind attacks on the Union and on alien races, to seek peace with a suspicious, angry Earth, and to keep humanity’s union intact…or else risk oblivion and extinction – and the end of all things.

John Scalzi’s The End of All Things (2015), the sixth book in his Old Man’s War series, is a massive and ambitious space opera that tries to wrap up some big storylines from the earlier books while diving into ideas about who we are, how we get along, and how we survive. Even though Scalzi’s sharp wit and easy-to-read writing are still super engaging, the novel’s bits and pieces, uneven speed, and reliance on familiar ideas keep it from hitting the same heights as Old Man’s War or The Ghost Brigades.

The End of All Things is made up of four novellas: “The Life of the Mind,” “This Hollow Union,” “Can Long Endure,” and “To Stand or Fall.” Each one is about a different character and perspective, all working together to move the main story about the Colonial Union, the alien Conclave, and the secret Equilibrium group, who want to mess things up for both. This way, Scalzi can show off his range, going from Harry Wilson’s introspective survival story in “The Life of the Mind” to the high-stakes political drama of Conclave leader Tarsem Gau in “This Hollow jUnion.” But, the novella format feels a bit scattered, with each story having its own vibe and depth, which makes the whole book seem like a bunch of loosely connected episodes.

What really makes the novel shine is how it looks at identity, especially in “The Life of the Mind.” It’s about Rafe Daquin, a pilot whose mind gets stuck in a spaceship after a nasty sabotage. Scalzi really nails Rafe’s big existential moment, mixing humor with horror as he deals with losing his body and trying to get back in control. This story echoes some of the earlier series ideas, like the ethics of transferring consciousness in Old Man’s War, but feels fresh because of Rafe’s funny voice and his unique situation. Scalzi’s knack for turning complicated sci-fi stuff into something that feels real (or post-real) is a big part of what makes Rafe’s story so captivating.

However, other sections falter. “This Hollow Union,” which delves into the Conclave’s internal politics, is bogged down by expository dialogue and overly intricate maneuvering. While Scalzi aims to portray the fragility of interstellar alliances, the characters—many of whom are new—lack the depth required to make their stakes resonate. Similarly, “Can Long Endure” shifts to a ground-level perspective of Colonial Defense Forces soldiers but feels formulaic, retreading themes of duty and sacrifice without offering much new insight. The final novella, “To Stand or Fall,” ties up the Equilibrium plot but rushes to a resolution that feels overly tidy given the series’ complexity. Fans expecting a grand, climactic payoff may feel shortchanged by the abruptness.

Scalzi’s prose is a double-edged sword. His conversational style and snappy banter make the novel accessible and enjoyable, but the reliance on witty dialogue sometimes undermines dramatic moments. For instance, tense negotiations in “This Hollow Union” are occasionally deflated by characters exchanging one-liners, which dilutes the gravity of the situation. This tonal inconsistency is particularly jarring given the novel’s high stakes—galactic war, extinction threats, and betrayal.

Thematically, The End of All Things grapples with timely issues such as the ethics of colonialism and the challenges of unity in diversity. The Colonial Union’s manipulative tactics and the Conclave’s fragile coalition mirror real-world geopolitical tensions, but Scalzi doesn’t delve deeply enough into these parallels to elevate the novel beyond genre entertainment. Compared to contemporaries like Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice, which tackles similar themes with greater nuance, Scalzi’s approach feels surface-level.

In conclusion, The End of All Things is a solid yet flawed addition to the Old Man’s War series. Scalzi’s wit, inventive concepts, and strong character moments are evident throughout the novel. However, the fragmented structure, uneven pacing, and predictable resolutions hinder its overall impact. While it provides closure and enjoyable moments for series fans, newcomers or those seeking a standalone masterpiece may find it lacking. At 600 words, this review encapsulates the novel’s strengths and weaknesses, highlighting Scalzi’s enduring appeal while acknowledging where The End of All Things falls short of its potential.