The Last Colony by John Scalzi Review

The Last Colony, the third installment in John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War series, returns to the perspective of John Perry, the first book’s intrepid protagonist. This novel rekindles the intimate connection with Perry that I cherished, and it presents a narrative that is as engaging as it is thought-provoking. While The Last Colony may not surpass the heights of the first book, it undeniably enriches the series with its heady mix of political intrigue, colonial challenges, and the nuances of diplomacy in a universe teeming with hostility and more than a few surprises.

Given that The Last Colony is the third book in the series, it’s inevitable that this review will include spoilers from Old Man’s War and The Ghost Brigades, so consider this a heads-up if you’re not yet acquainted with the first two books!

The Last Colony begins by reintroducing us to John Perry and his now wife, Jane Sagan—former soldiers who have retired and are living on the colony of Huckleberry with their adopted daughter, Zoe. Now, Zoe is unique because her deceased biological father, Charles Boutin—the pivotal antagonist from The Ghost Brigades—is revered by an entire alien race as a deity for having created a technology that bestows upon them sentience. As Boutin’s next of kin, Zoe is held in almost equal regard, and this affords her two personal alien bodyguards, whom she has affectionately dubbed Hickory and Dickory.

The inciting event, as it were, happens when John and Jane are approached by one General Rybicki of the Colonial Defense Forces, and they’re asked to establish and lead a brand new human colony, which will be called Roanoke. 

“Roanoke? That name sounds familiar,” I hear you say. Why yes, indeed it does. The real-life Roanoke Colony—often referred to as the Lost Colony—was an English settlement established in 1585 on Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina. Mysteriously, by the time supply ships returned to the colony in 1590, every settler had vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the word “CROATOAN” carved into a tree trunk. Just . . . keep all of this in mind.

Anyway, John and Jane are initially hesitant but eventually agree, understanding the importance of the mission for humanity’s expansion in the universe. The settlers then embark on a journey to their new home planet, but just upon arrival, they face the first of many considerable challenges: the planet at which they have arrived is not in fact Roanoke, the planet they had studied and prepared for, but a different, completely uncharted world. This interplanetary bait-and-switch was surreptitiously made by the CDF in order to conceal and protect the upstart colony from a collective of hostile alien entities known as the Conclave, whose primary mission is to put an end to unfettered colonization.

Well and truly isolated for the foreseeable and indeterminate future, the settlers begin the hard work of building their new home, and they name their settlement Croatoan, in acknowledgement that they are not where they were meant to be. In the coming months they face the various challenges of colonial life, including encounters with unfamiliar flora and fauna; unfamiliar terrain and weather; and contentious clashes with the planet’s natives, who may or may not prove to be intelligent beings themselves.

The situation escalates when, despite the CDF’s best efforts, the colony is eventually discovered, thrusting John and Jane into a maelstrom of political and military turmoil, requiring them to steer through treacherous and uncertain circumstances to safeguard the colony’s future.

The story’s climax is a dramatic mix of strategy and surprise, set against the backdrop of an impending showdown with a sort of sub-faction of the Conclave, and this exciting set piece really serves to illustrate Scalzi’s ability to build tension and pay it off in a big way that feels both earned and unpredictable.

The book’s resolution serves as a brilliant and beautiful send-off for the Perry family, whom we have come to know intimately and hold dear over the course of the series. It’s a conclusion that celebrates the depth and growth of their characters, encapsulating the trials and triumphs they’ve faced together in a way that resonated with me deeply.

At its core, The Last Colony is a story about the convoluted machinations of politics and diplomacy and the relentless drive for survival in an unforgiving cosmos. The book deals with the moral complexities surrounding the colonization of new worlds and the potential for conflict with other civilizations, encouraging readers to reflect on the justifications for and consequences of expanding humanity’s reach across the stars. Through the experiences of the Perry family and the inhabitants of Roanoke, Scalzi examines the sacrifices and compromises made in the name of survival, and the toll these decisions can take on individuals and societies. The book also digs into the labyrinthine maneuvering of politics and diplomacy on an intergalactic scale, revealing the unpleasant sinuousness of alliances, betrayals, and negotiations that shape not only human interactions but also extend to dealings with alien species. Like the first two books, the relentless drive for survival is a prevalent theme, though this one gets a bit more granular with showcasing humanity’s adaptability and tenacity. The settlers of Roanoke, under the leadership of John and Jane, epitomize the enduring human spirit to face insurmountable odds with courage and ingenuity and a hope for the future. 

The dynamic between John, Jane, and Zoe creates such a heartwarming foundation for the story, making their family unit one of if not thee most endearing aspects of the entire series. Hickory and Dickory also stand out as fantastic additions to the cast of characters, lovable in their uniquely alien traits.

The book isn’t without its minor flaws, though. A subplot involving Roanoke’s hostile natives starts with promise but ultimately feels underdeveloped and sort of fizzles out, and it leaves a sense of unfulfilled potential that slightly mars an otherwise very well-crafted narrative. 

Additionally, Scalzi compulsively and almost exclusively tags dialogue with “said”—even questions and passages where character voice is completely clear and there is no mistaking who is speaking. This becomes exceedingly noticeable when I’m reading these books out loud to my wife, and a bit more variety could have enhanced the flow and emotional impact of conversations.

Some have pointed out that the introduction of a particular Consu technology in the climax feels akin to a deus ex machina, but this didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story by any means, because I think Scalzi effectively laid the appropriate groundwork to earn it—though I’m sure it will grate against some readers’ sensibilities.

All-in-all, The Last Colony is an engaging addition to the Old Man’s War series that significantly deepens the universe with its thoughtful depiction of life on a new world. Even with its minor imperfections, the book tells a stirring and emotionally rich story that serves as a fitting farewell to the beloved Perry family.