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The End of All Things #4
To Stand or Fall
Part four of four parts of the full-length novel, The End of All Things.
Back on Earth, the beginning and end of all things. The nations of humanity's home planet have parted ways with the starfaring Colonial Union, the human interstellar empire originally established to keep the home planet free. The Union needs to regain Earth's trust. The alien races of the Conclave have their own hard choices to face. All of these threads culminate in this fourth part of the full-length novel, The End of All Things, John Scalzi's conclusion to the Old Man's War tale that began with The Human Division.
Back on Earth, the beginning and end of all things. The nations of humanity's home planet have parted ways with the starfaring Colonial Union, the human interstellar empire originally established to keep the home planet free. The Union needs to regain Earth's trust. The alien races of the Conclave have their own hard choices to face. All of these threads culminate in this fourth part of the full-length novel, The End of All Things, John Scalzi's conclusion to the Old Man's War tale that began with The Human Division.
91 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2015
73 people are currently reading
1612 people want to read
About the author
John Scalzi
185 books28.5k followersJohn Scalzi, having declared his absolute boredom with biographies, disappeared in a puff of glitter and lilac scent.
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
(If you want to contact John, using the mail function here is a really bad way to do it. Go to his site and use the contact information you find there.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 2, 2015
Spoilers in the second half of this review.
To Stand or to Fall, the last chapter in The End of All Things, was also the end of my four star or better streak with Scalzi. It wasn't that this book was bad. It had the trademark Scalzi snark:
The problem I found with To Stand or Fall was two fold.
I thought the build up of the evil shadowy organization, Equilibrium, was fantastic in The Human Division and the previous End of All Things chapters. They came off as competent, dangerous, ruthless, and well connected. Their downfall in this chapter seemed absurdly anti-climatic. Further, we never even get to see the downfall, it mostly happened off page and was briefly described. We never get the low down on why they were doing what they were doing apart from speculation. Scalzi somehow fell victim to telling much more than showing.
The second problem I had with this installment was there was little to no character development or character conflict. All the characters got along quite well, their plans (which included a rather massive change in Conclave-Human relations AND Colonial Union governance) went off without a hitch (that we saw). I expected some sort of reverses or set backs, some hiccup in the plans of our heroes, but The best laid schemes of mice and men did not in any way go astray.
Obviously Scalzi is setting up this series for a completely different paradigm for the subsequent books, given how the galactic political scene is now set up, but that is no excuse for some weak story telling and a general let down after three excellent installments. I am still a big Scalzi believer and hope this is merely a hiccup in an otherwise sterling writing record.
To Stand or to Fall, the last chapter in The End of All Things, was also the end of my four star or better streak with Scalzi. It wasn't that this book was bad. It had the trademark Scalzi snark:
"Captain, the problem is not that I'm paranoid. The problem is that the universe keeps justifying my paranoia."It had some of the great characters we had met before: Wilson, Schmidt, Lowen, and Abumwe to name a few. And it wasn't as though it was failed by the previous installments either. In fact, I thought the previous story, Can Long Endure, was the best of the series. It had an excellent blend of character driven story, intergalactic politics, and action. Even though I had never encountered the main characters before they had quickly become familiar and sympathetic to me.
The problem I found with To Stand or Fall was two fold.
I thought the build up of the evil shadowy organization, Equilibrium, was fantastic in The Human Division and the previous End of All Things chapters. They came off as competent, dangerous, ruthless, and well connected. Their downfall in this chapter seemed absurdly anti-climatic. Further, we never even get to see the downfall, it mostly happened off page and was briefly described. We never get the low down on why they were doing what they were doing apart from speculation. Scalzi somehow fell victim to telling much more than showing.
The second problem I had with this installment was there was little to no character development or character conflict. All the characters got along quite well, their plans (which included a rather massive change in Conclave-Human relations AND Colonial Union governance) went off without a hitch (that we saw). I expected some sort of reverses or set backs, some hiccup in the plans of our heroes, but The best laid schemes of mice and men did not in any way go astray.
Obviously Scalzi is setting up this series for a completely different paradigm for the subsequent books, given how the galactic political scene is now set up, but that is no excuse for some weak story telling and a general let down after three excellent installments. I am still a big Scalzi believer and hope this is merely a hiccup in an otherwise sterling writing record.
July 2, 2015
Disappointing. Oh, it’s good and I liked it, but I expected better. It’s all so predictable. In fact, even the writing has a dashed-off feel. Not the sly wit and plot twists one expects of John Scalzi. No battles, no conflict (really), just lots of talking.
This novella concludes Scalzi’s greater work: The End of All Things. He told us in advance that he’d grown tired of the Old Man's War universe and would write no more in it after this. This volume lowers readers’ expectations enough that he doesn’t need to worry about popular demand. A more effective way to kill a series than Arthur Conan Doyle’s approach.
Still, it’s a good read, if a bit of a yawner.
This novella concludes Scalzi’s greater work: The End of All Things. He told us in advance that he’d grown tired of the Old Man's War universe and would write no more in it after this. This volume lowers readers’ expectations enough that he doesn’t need to worry about popular demand. A more effective way to kill a series than Arthur Conan Doyle’s approach.
Still, it’s a good read, if a bit of a yawner.
August 18, 2015
I was thrown off enough by the previous installment of the serial that it took me a while to really get into this one, but once the patented Scalzi character banter began, I was again sold. He really does banter amazingly well.
In any case, this is the last episode of the serial and it really does bring all the pieces together in a very satisfying ending and, if he chooses to end the overall series here, it works just as well, tying up enough of the problems to give closure, while giving the imagination enough to assume a future that goes onward.
In some sense, I don't think Scalzi writes the most imaginative or outrageously creative universes I've known, but he does write smart, competent people being smart and competent, with glorious and refreshing honesty and that, in and of itself, is a joy to read, every time.
Plus the banter.
In any case, this is the last episode of the serial and it really does bring all the pieces together in a very satisfying ending and, if he chooses to end the overall series here, it works just as well, tying up enough of the problems to give closure, while giving the imagination enough to assume a future that goes onward.
In some sense, I don't think Scalzi writes the most imaginative or outrageously creative universes I've known, but he does write smart, competent people being smart and competent, with glorious and refreshing honesty and that, in and of itself, is a joy to read, every time.
Plus the banter.
July 15, 2015
This wraps it all up neatly. A bit too neatly IMO and I think the hawks of the CU and the Conclave are both ignored a little too lightly.
Still, a satisfying conclusion to the whole Human Division/End of All Things duology.
Still, a satisfying conclusion to the whole Human Division/End of All Things duology.
March 22, 2023
...and so it ends. Serialized novels were one of the staples of my youth, so nostalgia factor ramped a bit - and those serializations of long ago weren't usually written with that kind of publication in mind, as opposed to this one. Which shows, as each instalment here describes the ongoing events from a different perspective. Does it work? Oh yeah. Is it a good novel altogether? Yeah, it is good. Not great (the Big Bad Enemy gets outplayed and steamrolled a bit too easily), but very far from bad.
Read
May 21, 2025apparently it was read. i like the lore. the characters are all the same though
November 23, 2025
One hell of a conclusion to the Equilibrium question.
August 9, 2016
I will mirror what several other people have said about the final episode of the The End of All Things in that I enjoyed this but it still was somewhat of a disappointment. I don't mind that it was all wrapped up in a nice bow but that almost none of the events were detailed made this completely not what I was expecting. This is a book that suffers from not telling the whole story and this one needed at least a hundred (or more) pages to make this what it should have been. I guess we are going to have to wait for more of the story in future OMW universe stories.
November 25, 2024
This was an excellent conclusion (at least for now) of the Old Man's War series. Lt. Wilson and Ambassador Abumwe rise to the occasion to save humanity from a scary universe. Great characters, wonderful sense of humor, and a "where is this story going next" vibe that makes it one of my favorite SF books of recent years. I see myself rereading it every few years for the pleasure of revisiting old friends and a great story.
July 2, 2015
Scalzi is a very good writer, and this was an enjoyable read. The story sort of petered out at the end, and while things set in motion earlier are resolved, it left me wishing that it wasn't wrapped up quite so quickly and tied up with a nice bow. I would have liked a bit more heft to the ending with a few ragged edges to lead on to the next book in the series (whenever it gets here).
September 3, 2015
This story is the big ending for the Old Man’s War Series, with all the superb build in the previous story’s, the ending is a let-down, well it’s kind of hard to resolve the big question in any satisfying matter. It doesn’t have any of the intelligent or smart plot twist I would have expected from Scalzi. Still I do hope he gets back to the Old Man World in the future.
July 1, 2015
Ends with a meh
This just isn't up to par with Scalzi's best. It's a good story, but it just isn't fleshed out enough to be really satisfying. You keep expecting something a little meatier I guess. Read it anyway.
This just isn't up to par with Scalzi's best. It's a good story, but it just isn't fleshed out enough to be really satisfying. You keep expecting something a little meatier I guess. Read it anyway.
July 27, 2015
TBH, I read all four of these and it was hard work to grind through them. I LOVED the series prior to these four, but these felt like a band recording a CD to clear a contract - yes, it exists, but not, not compelling at all.
September 14, 2015
The fourth novella in the serialized novel from Scalzi.
The last section of the novel tied everything together....meh.
The ending just didn't do it for me - too mundane - too neat.
The last section of the novel tied everything together....meh.
The ending just didn't do it for me - too mundane - too neat.
Read
March 18, 2021Too much
I have been a science fiction fan since 6th grade when I accidentally stumbled upon a magazine of it at a friend of my parents house. The many books by John scalxi are incredible. My only gripe is that there are so many of them that I have never been able to keep them straight, consequently I have been reading in a shot gun approach which I still enjoy emensly but I feel I have missed something this way. Still loved them all and I think there are more out there to read so thanks
I have been a science fiction fan since 6th grade when I accidentally stumbled upon a magazine of it at a friend of my parents house. The many books by John scalxi are incredible. My only gripe is that there are so many of them that I have never been able to keep them straight, consequently I have been reading in a shot gun approach which I still enjoy emensly but I feel I have missed something this way. Still loved them all and I think there are more out there to read so thanks
September 12, 2018
This guy really annoys me
To no end in fact. These little tiny bite sized, fun sized you might even say, stories. To which I always respond, "Fun for who?". No kids I know like fun sized candy, if given the choice they go for super duper extra huge. I read all 13 parts of the serial, then each of the four slightly longer follow ups. All of it could have fit nearly into a single.
But man can this guy write.
To no end in fact. These little tiny bite sized, fun sized you might even say, stories. To which I always respond, "Fun for who?". No kids I know like fun sized candy, if given the choice they go for super duper extra huge. I read all 13 parts of the serial, then each of the four slightly longer follow ups. All of it could have fit nearly into a single.
But man can this guy write.
May 19, 2023
A third federation of planets called the Equilibrium has plans to come in between the Conclave and the Colonial Union to try and get each one to retaliate for an attack supposedly from the other thus relieving the universe of humanity. The B Team comes to the rescue to offer up the plan of all plans to diffuse the whole situation, saving the aforementioned humanity utter destruction. A few twists come along for the ride. Definitely recommended.
July 6, 2020
"THE END OF ALL THINGS" and "THE HUMAN DIVISION "
I thoroughly enjoy Scalzi's stories. The characters are genuine and thought-provoking. The books are a page turner and the action crisp. This is the second time i have read the"THE END OF ALL THINGS" and "THE HUMAN DIVISION ". Though i knew the plot twists, i still enjoyed the stories.
I thoroughly enjoy Scalzi's stories. The characters are genuine and thought-provoking. The books are a page turner and the action crisp. This is the second time i have read the"THE END OF ALL THINGS" and "THE HUMAN DIVISION ". Though i knew the plot twists, i still enjoyed the stories.
October 28, 2020
Good as always
A very satisfying read as are all of Scalzi's books. I'm looking for the next installment of this series if he chooses to write one. I really love his plotlines and the characters he presents to us. I also enjoy the humor he includes with his characters. They come across as real and not super heroes. In short, love this guy!
A very satisfying read as are all of Scalzi's books. I'm looking for the next installment of this series if he chooses to write one. I really love his plotlines and the characters he presents to us. I also enjoy the humor he includes with his characters. They come across as real and not super heroes. In short, love this guy!
April 26, 2024
Sad that this story has ended
I loved the whole series, all the short stories and the novels from the “Old man’s war” onto this one. It’s been a very hilarious ride. But all good things must come to an end and this was indeed a fitting end.
I loved the whole series, all the short stories and the novels from the “Old man’s war” onto this one. It’s been a very hilarious ride. But all good things must come to an end and this was indeed a fitting end.
June 1, 2019
It's been emotional, from start finish, an outstanding series which I highly recommend!
December 28, 2020
Good ending to a great series
December 27, 2021
Really Awesome series , thanks John John good hands, keep up the good work👋😝
January 1, 2022
Holy cow this is a great way to end a book. Not as high action as previous books but no less compelling.
July 2, 2015
"Captain, the problem is not that I'm paranoid. The problem is that the universe keeps justifying my paranoia." This was my favorite line in this novella and the whole book!
Scalzi finishes on a high note as Harry Wilson narrates this last part of the story making up The End of All Things. The stakes get ever higher for humanity when we learn that the Equilibrium plans to pit the Colonial Union against the Conclave with Earth caught in the middle in an effort to destroy, or at least destabilize, all three. Ambassador Abumwe devises a plan that just might save everyone's butts, but there's not much time and they have to get Earth (which doesn't have a unified government or any official presence in space), the Colonial Union (which has been exploiting Earth for over a century), and the Conclave (a group of hundreds of alien species - none of whom particularly like humans) to agree and work together.
A must read for fans of the OMW series, and if you're not a fan of this series, why haven't you read Old Man's War yet? Hurry up, before they make it into a TV series!
Scalzi finishes on a high note as Harry Wilson narrates this last part of the story making up The End of All Things. The stakes get ever higher for humanity when we learn that the Equilibrium plans to pit the Colonial Union against the Conclave with Earth caught in the middle in an effort to destroy, or at least destabilize, all three. Ambassador Abumwe devises a plan that just might save everyone's butts, but there's not much time and they have to get Earth (which doesn't have a unified government or any official presence in space), the Colonial Union (which has been exploiting Earth for over a century), and the Conclave (a group of hundreds of alien species - none of whom particularly like humans) to agree and work together.
A must read for fans of the OMW series, and if you're not a fan of this series, why haven't you read Old Man's War yet? Hurry up, before they make it into a TV series!
July 7, 2015
Scalzi doesn't quite manage to get the energy back that he lost in the previous installment, but does manage to give the novel a somewhat satisfactory ending. In some ways this novella is the complete inverse of "Can Long Endure." The stakes are much higher, but the actual visceral excitement is lacking. Scalzi chooses to tell a lot more than he should. The climatic battle scene that the entire story builds up to is a disappointment because it's told almost second-hand instead of diving into the action.
I'm all for tense, cerebral diplomatic negotiations, but if you're going to have a big battle at the end of your story, I'm gonna feel a bit cheated if I'm not plunged into the midst of it by the writer.
I'm all for tense, cerebral diplomatic negotiations, but if you're going to have a big battle at the end of your story, I'm gonna feel a bit cheated if I'm not plunged into the midst of it by the writer.
July 3, 2015
The finale of a book released as 4 novellas, it was a very satisfying conclusion to not just the book, but the "Human Division" duology. Great humor, fast pace, and believable dialogue are all Scalzi hallmarks and they are here in plenty. This novella picks up and ties in the threads from the three previous novellas that are all told from a different first-person perspective. (Except the third novella...while actually the most interesting and possibly favorite of the four novellas, it really feels out of place with the others and would work well just on it's own as a side story. But it does have important plot elements that are key to the 4th novella, so can't just be left out.)
August 6, 2015
I'm not going to lie. I love John Scalzi books. the opportunity to read his latest book, albeit in serialized ebook form is too big to pass up.
This was the last chapter (in serialized form) of "The End of All Things" possibly the final book in the "Old Man's War" series. Both the Colonial Union and the Conclave dealing with the repercussions of the acts of John Perry in "The Last Colony". Both governments are plagued by internal and newer external forces that threaten to tear them apart.
No spoilers here, it's evident that Scalzi plans on leaving things here for a while.(hopefully). I'm just glad that things turned out well.
maybe we can get that sequel to Lock In.
This was the last chapter (in serialized form) of "The End of All Things" possibly the final book in the "Old Man's War" series. Both the Colonial Union and the Conclave dealing with the repercussions of the acts of John Perry in "The Last Colony". Both governments are plagued by internal and newer external forces that threaten to tear them apart.
No spoilers here, it's evident that Scalzi plans on leaving things here for a while.(hopefully). I'm just glad that things turned out well.
maybe we can get that sequel to Lock In.
July 7, 2015
Is this the final conclusion to the Old Man’s War series?
It looks like it, but I don’t think Scalzi can stay away from this Universe forever. Stephen King left Castle Rock, but Maine is never too far from his thoughts. I’m sure this Universe will leak through Scalzi’s future work at some point.
I would give this las installment a three, but the series a four and since I didn’t review each one the rating stays a four. Many old characters are up to their old devices and complete with plenty of good snark which is Scalzi’s trademark.
This is fun to read, a good story and a good ending (?) to the series.
It looks like it, but I don’t think Scalzi can stay away from this Universe forever. Stephen King left Castle Rock, but Maine is never too far from his thoughts. I’m sure this Universe will leak through Scalzi’s future work at some point.
I would give this las installment a three, but the series a four and since I didn’t review each one the rating stays a four. Many old characters are up to their old devices and complete with plenty of good snark which is Scalzi’s trademark.
This is fun to read, a good story and a good ending (?) to the series.
October 27, 2015
In this perfectly crafted chapter, we are back on Earth, to witness the beginning and end of all things. The nations of humanity's home planet have parted ways with the starfaring Colonial Union, the human interstellar empire originally established to keep the home planet free. The Union needs to regain Earth's trust. The alien races of the Conclave have their own hard choices to face. All of these threads culminate in this fourth part of the full-length novel, The End of All Things, John Scalzi's conclusion to the latest story set in the Old Man's War universe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews